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

[Angel16]

I went back and read an interview that Deb Martin Koma did with Marianne Hunnel earlier this month. The whole interview ended with this paragraph:

Also, you will be able to book certain culinary demonstrations and wine seminars online. These 45-minute programs are held several times each day and require a fee of $8 to $13 (tax included). If you've attended these sessions in previous years, you'll be happy to learn that this year's portion sizes will be a bit larger. According to Hunnel, they are still finalizing details on these programs, but they will be available for online booking before the end of August.

So, unless they have made a major change in their plans in the past 18 days I am going to continue to hope that the CMs who spoke today were wrong.

Several people have made comments about wine and food portion sizes. Were they really that small that people felt $8 - 13 with the seminar was not worth it?

There are some winery's we are really looking forward to attending seminars for as well as the different chef's, but my DH will be very upset if he is served a "thimble" of wine and a teaspoon of food for that price? I will never hear the end of how I wasted our money.

Laura - You and Rachel and Kathrin and I will have the opportunity to sample every single thing at every single kiosk if this is the case.

I hope this is the case also. I refuse to wait in line, so if it is true, then we will eat around the world then go back and drink at the bar until our ressies.

I will still relax and not be crazy.

Laura, Elin, and Brenda, This idea really doesn't sound all that bad. Wellll, for our diet yes, but......who is dieting at WDW Food and Wine Festival anyhow?

We will NOT be waiting in line for a demo or seminar, never have in the past and won't in the future. Just isn't going to happen DISNEY! I remain hopeful that they put the schedule on the site in the next day or two and we can register on-line. Everyone's vacation time is too precious to waste stand in a line that can be elimated so easily by on-line or over phone registration.


Angel16

 

[PNO4TE]

Several people have made comments about wine and food portion sizes. Were they really that small that people felt $8 - 13 with the seminar was not worth it?

There are some winery's we are really looking forward to attending seminars for as well as the different chef's, but my DH will be very upset if he is served a "thimble" of wine and a teaspoon of food for that price? I will never hear the end of how I wasted our money.

Angel... the portions were minuscule. Hopefully they have really addressed this problem.

And, although I diet before I leave for the F&W Festival, I don't worry at all when I am there.

 

[shovan]

I am really hoping this is some misinformed CM's. It's almost too ridiculous to believe, IF we weren't talking about Disney's F&W! They can't honestly expect people to rush out every morning to find out who/what is on the schedule, then stand in line to purchase the over-priced tickets! Really doesn't sound like vacation to me.

Looks like I need to book some more meals & maybe the Swolphin event for another day!

 

[onelilspark]

Several people have made comments about wine and food portion sizes. Were they really that small that people felt $8 - 13 with the seminar was not worth it?

There are some winery's we are really looking forward to attending seminars for as well as the different chef's, but my DH will be very upset if he is served a "thimble" of wine and a teaspoon of food for that price? I will never hear the end of how I wasted our money.





Laura, Elin, and Brenda, This idea really doesn't sound all that bad. Wellll, for our diet yes, but......who is dieting at WDW Food and Wine Festival anyhow?

We will NOT be waiting in line for a demo or seminar, never have in the past and won't in the future. Just isn't going to happen DISNEY! I remain hopeful that they put the schedule on the site in the next day or two and we can register on-line. Everyone's vacation time is too precious to waste stand in a line that can be elimated so easily by on-line or over phone registration.


Angel16

This was the pour at last year's Moet & Chandon seminar:

I didn't think the pour was terrible, but I certainly wouldn't call it a good deal. We enjoyed the seminar last year, but there's no way I'm heading to Epcot every morning to find out what's going on that day.

 

[oybolshoi]

I am really hoping this is some misinformed CM's. It's almost too ridiculous to believe, IF we weren't talking about Disney's F&W! They can't honestly expect people to rush out every morning to find out who/what is on the schedule, then stand in line to purchase the over-priced tickets! Really doesn't sound like vacation to me.

Looks like I need to book some more meals & maybe the Swolphin event for another day!

For what it's worth I really don't think that the CMs people spoke with today were providing correct information. I see no reason why Disney would change something that worked so smoothly and effectively for them as well as their guests last year. Furthermore, when Marrianne Hunnel talks about advance demo purchase in an interview with All Ears, I tend to believe that over a call center CM.

Someone should just call TiW tomorrow and ask them - you'd have a much better chance of getting accurate F&W information from them than you would calling the regular dining line, and that's all the Festival phone number is - another trunk line into the Disney Dining queue.

 

[RachelTori]

For what it's worth I really don't think that the CMs people spoke with today were providing correct information. I see no reason why Disney would change something that worked so smoothly and effectively for them as well as their guests last year. Furthermore, when Marrianne Hunnel talks about advance demo purchase in an interview with All Ears, I tend to believe that over a call center CM.

Someone should just call TiW tomorrow and ask them - you'd have a much better chance of getting accurate F&W information from them than you would calling the regular dining line, and that's all the Festival phone number is - another trunk line into the Disney Dining queue.

That's what I was thinking too - call TIW. I found my confirmation email from last year (dated 8/26/2009!!!) but I don't have the email TIW sent last year with the link to book (was hoping to see what date they sent it!)

 

[TeresaWen]

OK, so I may be crazy but....

Just got off the phone with Disney and was told that although the intent at one point was to start booking the seminars and demonstrations on August 26 for AP, TinW and DVC(regular bookings on 28) that it has now been decided that tickets will just be available the day of the events only. Getting your tickets first thing when opening for the day seems just ridiculous to me what with waiting in lines, first come, first serve!

Is this cast member totally wrong? Has anyone else checked this out today?

Well I will be sitting by the pool relaxing in the morning since this is my VACATION so I guess no seminars for us this year and no food and wine festival for us next year.

Hard to understand why something that worked so well last year would be changed.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

That's what I was thinking too - call TIW. I found my confirmation email from last year (dated 8/26/2009!!!) but I don't have the email TIW sent last year with the link to book (was hoping to see what date they sent it!)

I'll try TIW as well -- not sure if I kept the e-mails. Like the rest of you we are never going back to the standing in line...

Food booths here we come.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think it is pretty much established that you cannot trust specific event or restaurant information given by phone agents from WDW-DINE (and WDW-FEST will give you the same phone queue as WDW-DINE so it can't be assumed you will get someone who actually knows more about the festival by dialing that number) unless the same information is confirmed by multiple sources or an official announcement from Disney itself.

We don't have multiple sources, just one WDW phone line CM. The only other information we have is from mulitiple sources stating the deminars will be open for booking on Thursday, plus Marianne Hunnell (the Festival coordinator) and the TIW event in July saying the booking will be online.

So don't count out checking back on August 26.

 

[redzinner]

So don't count out checking back on August 26.

Exactly! Here is the body of an email received from TIW yesterday 8/24 after I queried about on line booking of the deminars:

Hello! As soon as the Food and Wine Festival team gives me the information, I will email it out to all Tables in Wonderland members. This will hopefully happen tomorrow. Are you currently on the TIW email list, and receiving our emails?

Thanks!

 

[dwtraveler]

OK guys, hope someone gets better information today! Please share any booking information you find and you'd better believe I will still be calling Thursday the 26th to see if I can book. Has anyone found a list for the deminars? We definately have specific wineries and foodies we wanted to try this year and some we have no desire to go to. Makes it hard to plan and I don't want to drive from home everyday just to find out who is there each day or to be told all the tickets for whom I want to see are gone! And I really don't want to miss certain ones because I couldn't make it there everyday just to check. Hope today is a better day, thinking good thoughts!

 

[donaldsdoll]

Not a member of Tables in Wonderland...post here and share your infromation...I live in NC, am an annual passholder...not worth it for me to be a member of TIW...most of my visits are at the various festivals each year...hope you can help...

 

[TDC Nala]

No list or online link for booking for deminars has been released.

It will no doubt be up here as soon as someone sees it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Exactly! Here is the body of an email received from TIW yesterday 8/24 after I queried about on line booking of the deminars:

I have the TIW card, and didn't know anything about a TIW Email. I've gotten a couple things from them by mail but nothing by Email. How can I get on that list?

 

[maureenmac]

We have had the card for about 4 years but I believe you can call them and add your email. We receive notices of all the special dinners (ex. Great Movie Ride Dinner) etc. I don't remember a specific sign up. Here is the phone # 407-566-5858.

 

[redzinner]

I have the TIW card, and didn't know anything about a TIW Email. I've gotten a couple things from them by mail but nothing by Email. How can I get on that list?

We have had the card for about 4 years but I believe you can call them and add your email. We receive notices of all the special dinners (ex. Great Movie Ride Dinner) etc. I don't remember a specific sign up. Here is the phone # 407-566-5858.

Or you could email them at www.tables.in.wonderland@disney.com and ask to be put on their email distribution list for members mailings. I would include name, address, contact phone, email and membership number found on the back of the card.

 

[kabuki]

This was on his page-


Chef Jamie McFadden has again been invited to participate in the Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot has becoming widely recognized as one of the best of its kind.

We invite you to join Chef Jamie on Monday, November 1, when he will be offering a culinary demonstration from 1 pm – 1:45 pm. A lecture about the dish, Jamie’s recipe for preparing it, and a helpful Q & A session will be provided.

 

[PNO4TE]

This was on his page-


Chef Jamie McFadden has again been invited to participate in the Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot has becoming widely recognized as one of the best of its kind.

We invite you to join Chef Jamie on Monday, November 1, when he will be offering a culinary demonstration from 1 pm – 1:45 pm. A lecture about the dish, Jamie’s recipe for preparing it, and a helpful Q & A session will be provided.

Well, if we keep hunting up the answers ourselves we might be able to put together our own list of deminars! I know that the boys from Baked are supposed to be doing a demo on October 1, as well as the September 30th things and the October 3rd Sweet Sundays.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Just heard from TIW

"Beginning tomorrow, August 25th, you may visit www.disneyurl.com/foodandwinedemos to register.

Thank you,
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival"

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Just heard from TIW

"Beginning tomorrow, August 25th, you may visit www.disneyurl.com/foodandwinedemos to register.

Thank you,
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival"

Try this link - you know get this.

http://www.disneynow.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKWebId=0x89885092