**2010** Epcot Food & Wine Festival ENDED 11/14. 2011 FESTIVAL 9/30-11/13

[woolfcross]

YOWSA! The phone lines really lit up at 7! I was calling from two phones; one was ringing as the other was dialing. First phone told me I would have a two-minute wait (which was about right); second line (which got through only seconds later) said a seven minute wait! It's a feeding frenzy out there, guys.

I was able to secure ressies for Tokyo and Morocco food/wine pairings, which is what I wanted. Word of warning: pleasant CM taking reservation initially gave me a 4:50 time--so she was mistakenly booking the restaurant itself, not the food/wine pairing. Some of the CMs are not well-trained about the fest, so be careful!

One question: I was charged $205.00 for three people for the Tokyo pairing; also for the Morocco pairing. But in the booklet it says tix are only $45 each, not including tax. That means $135 before tax. Surely taxes in Florida are NOT that high?

I would have broached this with the CM but she was already having too much trouble figuring out how to book the Food and Wine Pairings, so I thought I should cut my losses and wait until later. Any advice about how to proceed now (after the frenzy dies down?)

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

I DID IT!!!! I got the 3D Dessert on Nov 5th. GOO LUCK EVERYONE still on hold.

 

[ImprovGal]

Ok, my wait time was minimal -- probably about 7 minutes or so. I didn't even get hold music.
I only booked 3 events this year right off the bat. I'm not looking for wine view room so any PFTS will be booked later as it gets closer to the dates. I may also be picking through the opening weekend sloppy seconds leftovers to find an event with spots open so I can take my parents to celebrate their anniversary. Unfortunately, they're on vacation in Alaska right now and I couldn't get enough input from them before they left to decide on an event.

9/30 First Bites Opening Reception
10/21 California Grill Signature Dinner (YAY!!!!)
10/22 Friends & Family in the Kitchen with Andrew Zimmern

 

[dizneykid]

We're scaling back (no PTFS with wine view this year, sigh) - Booked the 3D Dessert on 10/15, Taste Shake and Indulge 10/16 amd French Regional lunch 10/23.

Can anyone who booked the French Regional lunch confirm the price they were charged? My wife said it was like $242 for two people which I don't think is right...isn't it supposed to be $95 pp plus tax?

Gratuity was included in the price. I was wrong. Need to call back later. Thanks.

 

[PNO4TE]

My 30+ minute wait was more like 15.

But I thought I had Brenda's Sleestak cast member on the phone because first she wanted my resort reservation number, which she pulled up by my name and phone number. Gah.

Then she couldn't figure out when I told her I want the food and wine festival event "Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining" at the Wave, giving her the date. Then she actually found it and the light bulb turned on.

She found the French Regional Lunch and the Wine School. So now I have all three booked. Stressful, ain't it?

Are you sure we didn't get the same CM?? I had to give her my resort resv. number every single time! And had to listen to the whole spiel about what not to wear and buy a ticket to get in. Every time.

I warned her that she had people waiting on the line who wouldn't be as nice as I was.

 

[apurplebrat]

Called right at 7. System indicated 30 minute wait held about 22 minutes
Got everything we wanted

Party for the Senses 10/9 (w/wine view lounge)
French Regional Lunch 10/10
3D Dessert 10/8
Celebrating Family & Friends 10/8

 

[dizneykid]

YOWSA! The phone lines really lit up at 7! I was calling from two phones; one was ringing as the other was dialing. First phone told me I would have a two-minute wait (which was about right); second line (which got through only seconds later) said a seven minute wait! It's a feeding frenzy out there, guys.

I was able to secure ressies for Tokyo and Morocco food/wine pairings, which is what I wanted. Word of warning: pleasant CM taking reservation initially gave me a 4:50 time--so she was mistakenly booking the restaurant itself, not the food/wine pairing. Some of the CMs are not well-trained about the fest, so be careful!

One question: I was charged $205.00 for three people for the Tokyo pairing; also for the Morocco pairing. But in the booklet it says tix are only $45 each, not including tax. That means $135 before tax. Surely taxes in Florida are NOT that high?

I would have broached this with the CM but she was already having too much trouble figuring out how to book the Food and Wine Pairings, so I thought I should cut my losses and wait until later. Any advice about how to proceed now (after the frenzy dies down?)

I was wrong, gratuity is supposed to be included. I will call back and make them check.

 

[sunnygal041]

Finally got through after 34 minutes on hold. Going to Sweet Sundays with Gail Gand on 10/24. Hope everyone gets what they wanted and have a nice day to all!!

 

[apurplebrat]

We're scaling back (no PTFS with wine view this year, sigh) - Booked the 3D Dessert on 10/15, Taste Shake and Indulge 10/16 amd French Regional lunch 10/23.

Can anyone who booked the French Regional lunch confirm the price they were charged? My wife said it was like $242 for two people which I don't think is right...isn't it supposed to be $95 pp plus tax?

I was told $200.48

 

[cdtommie]

I can. That is the price she gave me also. They also add the gratuity. I think it is 7% tax and then they added 20% gratuity. I just added it up and that is the price I got.

My wife is on hold to re-confirm the price - the festival guide states that gratuity is included for the regional lunch (I have the guide right in front of me)

 

[Disbug]

Got through at 7 AM and put in the queue... no wait music or anything (that was strange!) Finally was greeted by CM at about 7:05 AM. She put my first 2 items in the "shopping cart" and wanted ALL of my events before paying. Of course, when she went back the items were GONE! So I did end up getting the Oct 1 French Regional Lunch (Champagne); the Taste, Shake and Indulge on Oct 2; and the Paradiso 37 Signature Dinner on Oct 5th!

YAY!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE on booking today!

 

[ppiew]

37 minutes and still holding. congratulations to those who got thru, my experience of 9 years is still holding - nothing. can't get thru so am sure when someone finally talks to me everything i wanted will be gone. Any word about the Grape Getaway yet??

 

[YodasMom]

Called right at 7 AM (Eastern Time), held until about 7:22 AM.

Got all 3 of my events:
3D Dessert Discovery on October 21
French Regional Lunch on Oct 22
Sweet Sundays on Oct 24

We're also booked for Victoria and Albert for a regular reservation on Oct. 23.

Good thing I started dieting a month ago....LOL

Good luck everyone!

 

[SamSam]

I can. That is the price she gave me also. They also add the gratuity. I think it is 7% tax and then they added 20% gratuity. I just added it up and that is the price I got.

I booked 4 French Regional lunches and they are $200.48 each. Gratuity is included in the $190.00, so only tax is added on.

French Regionals booked for:
Oct. 3, Oct. 8, Oct. 10, and Oct. 15. Wahoo!

Rosie we'll see you at one of them.

 

[RachelTori]

I can. That is the price she gave me also. They also add the gratuity. I think it is 7% tax and then they added 20% gratuity. I just added it up and that is the price I got.

The prices INCLUDE gratuity -- only thing added would be 7% tax. ($95 + 7% tax)

 

[dizneykid]

My wife is on hold to re-confirm the price - the festival guide states that gratuity is included for the regional lunch (I have the guide right in front of me)

You are right! Someone just said they paid $200.48. Please let us know what your wife finds out.

 

[TDC Nala]

all 6 events booked. Got thru right away but it took 23 minutes to book all 6.

South Africa Wine School 10/9
California Grill Signature 10/21
CF&F w/ Andrew Zimmern 10/22
Taste, Shake 10/23
Dessert Discovery 11/12
French Regional Lunch 11/14

 

[lisat723]

I am trying for the same Wine School...I got to the point where I gave cc info and then the CM was kicked out of her system!! She is trying to get back in now to double check if it was confirmed or not...she's a bit nervous also!! She can't pull up my itinerary!!! She's so nice but...I'm so nervous!

PHEW...that was stressful! Between getting booted out of her system a couple of times and her not finding my reservation or itinerary, I thought for sure I was going to lose out, but the Disney magic came through and I got both the Wine School on 10/16 with Andrea Robinson and the 10/15 3D Delicious Dessert Discovery!

Overall I was on the phone about 20 minutes, after about an 8 minute hold. She had no issues waiting until the end to let me know all the policies and was able to hold my reservation for both without taking my cc until the end.

She was as nervous as I was when she was having computer problems. I can only imagine how slow their system must be with everyone vying for the same things!!

Good luck to everyone today!

Lisa

 

[dizneykid]

I booked 4 French Regional lunches and they are $200.48 each. Gratuity is included in the $190.00, so only tax is added on.

French Regionals booked for:
Oct. 3, Oct. 8, Oct. 10, and Oct. 15. Wahoo!

Rosie we'll see you at one of them.

You are right. I just looked at it again. Those who got a total of $248, I think they mistakenly added the gratuity on it again.

 

[PNO4TE]

One question: I was charged $205.00 for three people for the Tokyo pairing; also for the Morocco pairing. But in the booklet it says tix are only $45 each, not including tax. That means $135 before tax. Surely taxes in Florida are NOT that high?

I would have broached this with the CM but she was already having too much trouble figuring out how to book the Food and Wine Pairings, so I thought I should cut my losses and wait until later. Any advice about how to proceed now (after the frenzy dies down?)

My booklet says F&W pairings at all 3 locations are $65. With the tax that comes to $68.60 pp or $205.80 for the three of you. You were charged the correct amount.