2008 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Reviews

[MickeyNicki]

Dh and I can't stand lines, so in 10 years of Festival attendance, we've never been to one free wine seminar. I recall a month ago that many people posting here said they didn't care that the Exquisite Evenings (our favorite event) were eliminated since they didn't attend them anyway.

I guess it's my turn now to say we don't care that the number of free seminars have been seriously reduced. We don't attend them anyway.

That is how DH and I feel too

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

In reference to CarolA's comments about the hostesses doing the introductions... what happened to 'Bud' or 'Bob'? I can't remember his name. He was an older gentleman who always introduced the presenters at the wine seminars. In his speech he told us how he had been involved with the F&W festival for years and how when the festival first started they would have to beg people to come in a sit and listen to the seminars to drink free wine. I really enjoyed him.

 

[Bordeaux Babe]

Hello all! I'm new to the board, but have been to the F & W Fest for the past 8 years. At the free seminars it was Bud and his wife also that were hosts. I thought I heard him say last year he was retiring. It was always so nice to see them and other familiar faces. I 'm looking forward to going this weekend with my GF and going to PFTS. I got her hooked last year. I do have a question for anyone who has the booklet. What winieries are doing the free seminars this week? Just curious as to who may be pouring at Party. Thank you so much for any info. I must admit I was looking forward to going to one of the exquisite evenings. I hope they bring them back next year.

 

[redzinner]

I do have a question for anyone who has the booklet. What winieries are doing the free seminars this week? Just curious as to who may be pouring at Party. Thank you so much for any info. I must admit I was looking forward to going to one of the exquisite evenings. I hope they bring them back next year.

Here is a copy of the booklet Festival Guide

Oct 4 is on page 11 of the pdf doc and 9 of the guide booklet.
Some were Rudi Wiest on German wines from Cellars International, Casa La Postell, Silverado,Wente, Bonterra. The Rudi Wiest would be interesting but you would probably need to get there early for that one. He is a big name in German wines.

 

[Bordeaux Babe]

Thank you so very redzinner-you're the best
That's exactly what I was looking for. Disney has not been very good about posting much information this year, although I did get the mailer about the special events.
Always look forward to trying some new wines and will be there early then for the Rudi Weist. My GF likes sweeter wines so she may enjoy it also.

 

[SamSam]

Dh and I always enjoyed visiting with Bud and his wife; they have been working the wine seminars for many, many years. They did mention last year that they were thinking of retiring, but it wasn't definite. It will seem strange (and a little sad) not to see them.

 

[ghidorah97]

Wow, sure seems to be an awful lot of angst about these free demos. We did two of the culinary demos on Saturday and they were both stellar. No line issues (other than the fact that we were -- literally -- the last three people who got in to the first), no non-introducing host issues, all positives here.

Maybe the problems are with the wine demos and not the culinary ones???

Or maybe some people just need to relax a bit and take it for what it's worth (honestly, not trying to cause trouble, more just trying to remind everyone that this is all supposed to be fun and, if for some reason you aren't finding it enjoyable, maybe it's time to take a step back and smell the roses for a moment???).

As Mr. Roarke would say -- "Smiles, everyone. Smiles!"

Brad

 

[dizneykid]

Dh and I always enjoyed visiting with Bud and his wife; they have been working the wine seminars for many, many years. They did mention last year that they were thinking of retiring, but it wasn't definite. It will seem strange (and a little sad) not to see them.

Bud is still there doing the wine seminars. We spoke with him on Saturday!!

 

[orlandomom]

In reference to CarolA's comments about the hostesses doing the introductions... what happened to 'Bud' or 'Bob'? I can't remember his name. He was an older gentleman who always introduced the presenters at the wine seminars. In his speech he told us how he had been involved with the F&W festival for years and how when the festival first started they would have to beg people to come in a sit and listen to the seminars to drink free wine. I really enjoyed him.

He is still there, he was doing the intro for the Whiskey Seminar Saturday afternoon.


just me

 

[oybolshoi]

I wish there were going to be a whisky seminar while DH and I are visiting. I guess we'll just have to figure out a way to create our own somewhere.

 

[BriarRosie]

I've usually attended more culinary demos than wine demos, but I tend to make a point of going to one of the wine demos if it's something I'm not that familiar with, like the cognac demo I went to a few years ago from Germain-Robin. It was fantastic.

I usually got into line 30 minutes before on weekdays and 45 minutes on weekends with few problems getting in.

I think it's interesting that WDW is now using those number tickets similar to what I mentioned about the DL festival demos.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

Can't wait to hear some reviews. Only a couple of days and we'll be there too.

WHen will you be there? We'll be there 10/9-17! I can thank you for all the warm thoughts abt my puggie, Daisy.

 

[CarolA]

Dh and I always enjoyed visiting with Bud and his wife; they have been working the wine seminars for many, many years. They did mention last year that they were thinking of retiring, but it wasn't definite. It will seem strange (and a little sad) not to see them.

According to the hostess yesterday, Bud will be there today through Saturday? She has the rest of the week.

At least Bud tells you WHO is talking!

And the tickets aren't numbered!!! The tickets just say "wine tasting" And you have to be IN line to get one. There is NO value to the tickets except that the person doing the counting doesn't have to click on the clicker!!! Which is an improvement for them, but for the guest??? Why should we think this is an "improvement"????

I don't think expecting to be told WHO is doing the presentation is out of line. Personally I think it's pretty rude of the hostess to forget to introduce them. They are not doing this because they "love her" but because they are trying to sell wine. Giving them the adverstising is part of the deal!!!!

 

[redzinner]

And the tickets aren't numbered!!! The tickets just say "wine tasting" And you have to be IN line to get one. There is NO value to the tickets except that the person doing the counting doesn't have to click on the clicker!!! Which is an improvement for them, but for the guest??? Why should we think this is an "improvement"????

Maybe it will stop 5 people joining one person in line, unless that one person has asked for 6 total. Then you'll know if you can get in or not because you'll have a ticket and not be bumped at the last minute due to whatever reason, line cuts or a bad clicker .

 

[shovan]

We have really enjoyed most of the wine seminars we've attended. I feel we have learned quite a bit about wine from the seminars the last two years.
Some of the speakers were also quite interesting & entertaining. Like Charles Meeker & Molly Meeker. (Charlie was formerly president of MGM & Molly worked with Norman Lear.)
I am bothered that some people seem to think that we are just in line to get something free!

We attended the culinary demos for the 1st time last year & they were great! We attended 3 demos last year. Of those 3, I gained two new recipes that have become regulars in our house.

 

[Tatania]

We attended the culinary demos for the 1st time last year & they were great! We attended 3 demos last year. Of those 3, I gained two new recipes that have become regulars in our house.

What recipes did you get and could you add them to our recipe exchange in case they are not there yet? Thanks

 

[CarolA]

I do the wine tastings for what I think the "presenter" hopes is a good reason.

IMHO it's a great way to try new wines that you might not buy "blind" I have found some real favorites that I do buy as a result of the tastings so I think that from the sellers point of view that's probably good. I have also had some that I thought "Thank goodness I didn't waste money on this" Not that they weren't probably good wines, they just didn't appeal to me. I do some of the same things as I wander around the booths. I figure it's better to waste $3 or $4 then $20 or $25 to discover I don't like it!

I am not much of a cook so I haven't done many of the culinary tastings. (Maybe one two years ago?)

By the way I did some wine pricing yesterday. One bottle I routinely buy $2 cheaper then the discount store near me and $3 cheaper then the closer store. Another bottle I priced at Publix near Orlando this weekend $1 cheaper at Disney!

Depending on your "sin" taxes, wine here may not be a bad deal. Now if like me you fly....you just have to leave the deals LOL!

 

[webray]

Or maybe some people just need to relax a bit and take it for what it's worth (honestly, not trying to cause trouble, more just trying to remind everyone that this is all supposed to be fun and, if for some reason you aren't finding it enjoyable, maybe it's time to take a step back and smell the roses for a moment???).

As Mr. Roarke would say -- "Smiles, everyone. Smiles!"

Brad

I agree, this is suppose to be fun. Hubby and I just roll with whatever. We have a lot of great events planned and if we try to attend a free seminar and the line is too long, we just move on to something else. We do not rely on drinking the free wine, or tasting the free food for the whole food/wine fest experience. We don't care how many times people get back in line to attend the next and the next..I am sure they are paying just as much, if not more than we are to attend and enjoy, so they can enjoy it however they want!

 

[Forever Fairy]

What recipes did you get and could you add them to our recipe exchange in case they are not there yet? Thanks

F&W Newbie here. Speaking of recipe's, I hear there is a F&W Recipe Book that can be purchased. Is this usually worth it? Does anyone know about how much the cost of the book is?

Thanks!

I'm now into counting weeks instead of months! Woo Hoo!

 

[webray]

F&W Newbie here. Speaking of recipe's, I hear there is a F&W Recipe Book that can be purchased. Is this usually worth it? Does anyone know about how much the cost of the book is?

Thanks!

I'm now into counting weeks instead of months! Woo Hoo!

This year it is $20, I always purchase it, have yet to cook from it, lol.