2009 Epcot Food & Wine Festival - General Reviews & Observations

[oybolshoi]

DISNEYEVERYDAY you have a great review and pics.

Have others been since who can comment on the ability to use snack credits and whether the booths are cash only or take cards?

If you look at pictures that have been posted of the menu boards above the food booths you will see that the DDP designation is showing next to food items only. This is consistent with the way it's been for the last few years.

All booths take cash, room cards, and gift cards - it's always a good idea though to keep cash with you for those unexpected times when the card readers freak out. It's happened to us at least once every year that we've attended F&W ... heck, it's like a rite of passage. I may be disappointed if it doesn't happen again this year.

 

[redzinner]

going in 18 days, bet at the festival in 19, thanks to all for your reviews and comments. is there a price list anywhere of samples yet, or can someone give me an idea what different things cost? I'm a F&W noob.

Here's one site http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw09/fw09_booths.htm with the $$$ info.

 

[BriarRosie]

DISNEYEVERYDAY you have a great review and pics.

Have others been since who can comment on the ability to use snack credits and whether the booths are cash only or take cards?

If you look at pictures that have been posted of the menu boards above the food booths you will see that the DDP designation is showing next to food items only. This is consistent with the way it's been for the last few years.

All booths take cash, room cards, and gift cards - it's always a good idea though to keep cash with you for those unexpected times when the card readers freak out. It's happened to us at least once every year that we've attended F&W ... heck, it's like a rite of passage. I may be disappointed if it doesn't happen again this year.

I second that advice. Charge when you want to, but always, ALWAYS have cash on hand. I've also encountered kiosks where the card terminals act wonky.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

thank you redzinner!

 

[kabuki]

I think those bags will be gone faster than Utopias samples at Party for the Senseless.

It's a bummer 'cause I'm sure there are plenty of folks going later (like Lori, and Chelsi, and me to name a few) who'd love to have one but I don't expect any to be left by October 14th when we first arrive. Oh well, just more money to spend on snackables.

Yes, it makes me sad if those are gone -
Ok I just got over it by increasing my Grey Goose Slushie budget!

 

[tink42boys]

Thanks to all who have confirmed the "cash in my pocket" route. I know from previous experience the card readers have had problems - one year we had extra snack credits as the small carts/kiosks didn't always deduct properly. Any problems were quickly clarified at our resort concierge.

Thanks again - enjoy your F&W Festival treats.

 

[mchelle77]

What about Disney Dollars, do F&WF kiosks accept those? I have a ton and will be trying to get rid of those first, and since we're at Epcot on our first day ...

 

[TigerKat]

Yes, it makes me sad if those are gone -
Ok I just got over it by increasing my Grey Goose Slushie budget!

This is too stinking funny!

 

[PNO4TE]

What about Disney Dollars, do F&WF kiosks accept those? I have a ton and will be trying to get rid of those first, and since we're at Epcot on our first day ...

Yes, they do!

 

[TYMAN]

can someone post a pic of the chix and rice from San Juan? Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

You cannot use a snack credit to buy the Tuna Sensation from the Japan kiosk. However, at $5.75 it's way too chintzy a serving to purchase in any form. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

According to the salespersons in the festival center, the banner bags sold out yesterday and it sounds like there won't be any more. (Mine is Bologna, Italy and a friend promptly named it the Baloney Bag)

Check out the soap lady in the festival center - she's in there for the whole festival period making handmade soaps that smell good enough to eat.

 

[luvpooh]

can someone post a pic of the chix and rice from San Juan? Thanks!

check this out, http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/
it's about 2/3rds down on the page

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

A few pictures for the 1st PFTS on Saturday, Sept. 26th.
Theme - Spanish Cuisine

Paella from Chef Felix Piedra from Vizcaya Restaurant, Tampa FL

Aimee Rivera -- Victoria & Albert's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Empanada Espanole (Meat Pie with Chicken, Pork, Chorizo and Ham)

Matt Paisley -- Artist Point, Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Deconstructed "Tortilla De Patata, " Poached Quail Egg, Carmelized Onions, Potato Espuma with Black Truffles

Andy Pforzheimer & Adam Greenberg -- The Barcelona Kitchen, South Norwalk, CT

Warm Octopus Salad with Fingerling Potatoes and Smoked Paprika

Omar Harris -- Disney's Contemporary Resort

Plaintain Pastel Stuffed with Wild Boar, Black Beans and Escabeche Onions, Peppers and Garlic Sauce, Pork Crisp and Micro Cilantro

Yoly Lazo, Boardwalk Bakery -- Disney's Boardwalk Resort

Bizcocho Borracho con Helado de Tamarindo y Olive Brittle
(Drunken Sponge Cake with Tamarind Ice Cream)

 

[kabuki]

A few pictures for the 1st PFTS on Saturday, Sept. 26th.
Theme - Spanish Cuisine

Thank you for posting this! It looks like your daughter had a great time and the food sounds amazing! Can't wait for our PFTS!

 

[TYMAN]

check this out, http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/
it's about 2/3rds down on the page

Just what I needed to see for DS12. Thanks for finding that for me!

 

[jezebella]

Hit up F&W yesterday. We usually go 3-4 times a year and I was actually going into this with not so high hopes due to the declining quality over the past several years, boy was I wrong. I don't know if it's because it's so early in the festival or what, but they have stepped up..at least from what I tried. Everything I got we split between 3 people so we could get through more stuff.

I had:

Mouse Catch trio of chees
Taste of Spain (serrano ham, chorizo, manchego, olive, and tomato bread)
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie
Braised pork shank
Grilled Lamb Chop with red wine sauce and murrray river sea salt
Pizza with italian ham
Boston Crab cake
Lobster Roll
Gumbo
Arroz con Pollo and Bacardi Frozen Dragon Berry Colada.

The only thing that wasn't amazing was the Gumbo. Too much rice, not enough gumbo. I bit into the lamb chop and it was one of the best chops I've had in years. Insanely juicy and the salt really made the flavor pop. The crab cake is also quite an improvement. In the past it's been mostly filler and little crab. This year...I couldn't find any filler at all. It was about 90% crab and for only $4.50 makes it the best deal I've found.

The arroz con pollo was a little short on the pollo side, but still had great puerto rican flavor. Don't miss the dragon berry colada either. I'm not usually a fan of fruity booze, but this was awesome!

I'll be back on Saturday for more eats....I'll catch up with you later.

 

[redzinner]

A few pictures for the 1st PFTS on Saturday, Sept. 26th.
Theme - Spanish Cuisine

Matt Paisley -- Artist Point, Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Deconstructed "Tortilla De Patata, " Poached Quail Egg, Carmelized Onions, Potato Espuma with Black Truffles

Thanks for the pics Michelle and thank your daughter too! Great shots.

Matt's item looks yummy. Do you know what wine was suggested with this dish?

ps I'm sorry you won't be attending V&A this year but thanks for your help ...

 

[MickeyNicki]

Mouse Catch trio of chees
Taste of Spain (serrano ham, chorizo, manchego, olive, and tomato bread)
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie
Braised pork shank
Grilled Lamb Chop with red wine sauce and murrray river sea salt
Pizza with italian ham
Boston Crab cake
Lobster Roll
Gumbo
Arroz con Pollo and Bacardi Frozen Dragon Berry Colada.

The only thing that wasn't amazing was the Gumbo. Too much rice, not enough gumbo. I bit into the lamb chop and it was one of the best chops I've had in years. Insanely juicy and the salt really made the flavor pop. The crab cake is also quite an improvement. In the past it's been mostly filler and little crab. This year...I couldn't find any filler at all. It was about 90% crab and for only $4.50 makes it the best deal I've found.

The arroz con pollo was a little short on the pollo side, but still had great puerto rican flavor. Don't miss the dragon berry colada either. I'm not usually a fan of fruity booze, but this was awesome!

I'll be back on Saturday for more eats....I'll catch up with you later.

Thank you so much for your reviews...I cannot wait to try it ALL! I will be there Thurs - Mon and I plan on doing as much eating and drinking at the F&W booths as possible!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Thank you so much for your reviews...I cannot wait to try it ALL! I will be there Thurs - Mon and I plan on doing as much eating and drinking at the F&W booths as possible!

MickeyNicki,
Will you be doing a live report this time (fingers crossed) or will you be too busy stuffing food into yourself? Either way have fun!!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Thanks for the pics Michelle and thank your daughter too! Great shots.

Matt's item looks yummy. Do you know what wine was suggested with this dish?

ps I'm sorry you won't be attending V&A this year but thanks for your help ...

I'll ask Jordan about the wine pairing when she gets off of work. That's OK, we missed it last year, too. We are heading down to WDW the week after the signature dinner, so I'm sure I'll hear all about it! I hope you have a great time!