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

[oybolshoi]

And I'm suddenly wondering if that taste, shake, indulge thing could be a hands-on demo ... like maybe a cocktail seminar / class? We would like something like that! With parting gifts, of course!

 

[Stefy]

Don't see why you can't put a link up to a meet thread, as long as this thread stays for info only and is not used for organizing meets. In fact, I am going to start deleting some of the personal chat posts (please send a PM if you want to tell someone hello). One of the biggest complaints we get every year is that people who are new to the thread have to wade through all the personal posts to find info.

WDW has never featured online booking for Festival events, it's all done by phone. Once they announce the booking date, pick out the events you want to do and plan to be by that phone when the call center opens. (Many of them sell out rapidly; some you may be able to wait a bit for. I would expect the dessert party to sell out quickly because it is new and it's dessert and fireworks - you can see how that went over in MK, and this one includes booze)

I'm aware that Disneyland's festival books online for events, but not WDW. Unless they decide to start this year.

The only online booking WDW has ever done was for the Festival Center seminars last year (and they added a limited discount for DVC/AP/TIW folks if you booked ahead of time)

Thanx

Just over a month til we can start booking events Really excited for the 3D Dessert Party, is going to be cool seeing Mickey Heads in the fireworks. Wonder what location it will be set in.

 

[Meteora]

Hi everyone!
My parents (who are retiring in June) just booked their first October trip to the world, and are very excited about their first F&W festival. I'll be joining them from Thursday through Sunday of the week, so I'll probably only get one day in (I'm thinking Friday, to avoid the weekend crowds), but they might do two. So...clearly, we are rookies. My parents both enjoy wine, and my dad really likes beer as well. They're very excited for the booths. Does anyone have any suggestions about events I should look into for them?

 

[TDC Nala]

There is a link in the first post to last year's event schedule. For now, take a look at that one - most if not all of those events will be back, and it looks like there will be a few new ones. Looking at last year's schedule will also give you an idea of the pricing, although if the prices change it'll probably be upward.

 

[Meteora]

Right, I've been looking at last year's schedule. I meant more along the lines of whether any seasoned F&W vets had any input about what events tend to be really worthwhile. For instance, a few people have mentioned upthread that the demonstrations/seminars aren't always worth the money/time. I was wondering if anyone had a few more tips of that nature.

...or perhaps knowledge of an excellent new diet to try the day after one leaves F&W...

 

[stingling]

In 2008 they did. However, the booths didn't open til later in the day, around 1pm (we were told). We tried to go for soft-opening but got to Epcot too early and had to leave for another commitment; when we went back later that night, World Showcase was PACKED with locals and "Free Dining Plan" types like ourselves whose trips overlapped the beginning of the festival.

The next day—the first official day of the festival—was our last full day at WDW, and we were able to hit all the food booths we were interested in, but it was a total gut-buster!

I did a trip report with a description and pictures of everything we got from every booth, if it helps!

Thank you so much! If they do this again this year it would be awesome, then I won't have to eat everything in one day. Loved your TR (and am very jealous that you got married at Epcot in morocco, congratulations), we are also planning on doing AK Thursday morning so could very easily go to Epcot at night to preview the F&W offerings. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed Thursday afternoon. Thanks again.

 

[oybolshoi]

Right, I've been looking at last year's schedule. I meant more along the lines of whether any seasoned F&W vets had any input about what events tend to be really worthwhile. For instance, a few people have mentioned upthread that the demonstrations/seminars aren't always worth the money/time. I was wondering if anyone had a few more tips of that nature.

...or perhaps knowledge of an excellent new diet to try the day after one leaves F&W...

I think it's very hard for any of us who have been to F&W on a consistent basis to tell you whether a given event is worthwhile or not ... and that's only because everyone's definiton of worthwhile is going to be different.

Even the deminars ... my husband and I attended a couple last year that were amazing in terms of the food and / or booze given to guests. And then we went to some where we were incredibly underwhelmed. The rule of thumb on those events is you: is there a chef you really want to see or a winery / spirit you really want to learn about? Then you should go - you are the only one who can decide afterwards if it was worth your time and money.

The same goes for any of the more expensive F&W events such as the pairings in different restaurants or the lunches in France or even Party for the Senses. These events get very expensive very fast and the quality of any of them can be hit or miss. You will have to decide what you want based on the information at hand and go with it - once you book it's non-refundable so you'd better be sure about it!

I will give you one example to help a little ... I hope.

In Fall 2008 the hubby and I attended a French Regional Lunch at Bistro Paris - it was a festival event and the cost was $135 per person. We had a wonderful meal with terrific wines and a really generous distributor who, when he found out about my preference for one of the wines we'd had earlier in the meal, went and got a bottle and opened it up and poured it out for the four of us at our table and himself and he sat down for a chat. Based on our afternoon I would tell anyone to book one of those lunches.

However, a week later a friend of mine attened a French Regional Lunch at the same restaurant - different winery and different menu - and did not have a good experience at all. She would likely tell you not to book this event.

Understand what I mean now?

You have to do what you think you and your family will enjoy the most regardless of what any of us say here. We will be happy to give you our opinions and share our experiences but you have to make the decision that's best for you.

 

[Meteora]

Thanks, oybolshoi! Yes., I definitely see what you mean. I guess looking at the schedule of last year's events is just a bit overwhelming. And I don't want to load my parents' schedules up to much, as I don't want them to overdo it. I'll do my best to pick what I think they might like when the new schedule comes out...and if they hate what I pick...well, that's what they get for making me do all the planning!

 

[BriarRosie]

In Fall 2008 the hubby and I attended a French Regional Lunch at Bistro Paris - it was a festival event and the cost was $135 per person. We had a wonderful meal with terrific wines and a really generous distributor who, when he found out about my preference for one of the wines we'd had earlier in the meal, went and got a bottle and opened it up and poured it out for the four of us at our table and himself and he sat down for a chat. Based on our afternoon I would tell anyone to book one of those lunches.

However, a week later a friend of mine attened a French Regional Lunch at the same restaurant - different winery and different menu - and did not have a good experience at all. She would likely tell you not to book this event.

Hello....my ears were burning.

I'm the friend who had been disappointed in my French Regional Lunch.
Overall, the lunch had its shares of pros and cons. The presenter was fabulous, charming and personable (not to mention a smokin' hot French man - eye candy!). And we had 6 different wines to try with the three courses. But when two of the three food courses are not good, it puts a damper on the whole experience.

However, I am willing to give the event another try if I have the budget for it. Last year, I had a shorter food and wine trip than usual, so I was really more selective in my choices. But unfortunately, not selective enough.

I won't give the Todd English special wine dinner another chance. Too much Epic Fail there.

I think a good event for first timers who enjoy a wide variety of food would be Party for the Senses. It is a pricey event, but I think it's a good starter event for people who want to get their feet wet before trying wine pairing lunches and dinners.

 

[BriarRosie]

Thanks, oybolshoi! Yes., I definitely see what you mean. I guess looking at the schedule of last year's events is just a bit overwhelming. And I don't want to load my parents' schedules up to much, as I don't want them to overdo it. I'll do my best to pick what I think they might like when the new schedule comes out...and if they hate what I pick...well, that's what they get for making me do all the planning!

If you want to know what some of the special dining events are like, complete with photos of the food, click the Gluttoberfest link in my signature. The first post has links to each review. Flying Fish and Todd English's bluezoo™ are good examples of how the food and wine dining events can be. Good, bad, and yes, ugly!

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm pretty skeptical on the special F&W events as being "worth it". Of course we all have our different scales on which we measure worth.

I often find myself saying "for that price I could eat at Vicky & Al's", which then leads to the conclusion that since I don't often eat at V&A's, why would I spend that much money on an event.

...just my perspective.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've eaten at V&A often enough that the menu is repeating itself so I will be foregoing it for the signature dinners where at least I won't know what's on the menu.

 

[GuardMusic]

Do the F&W booths open at 9am with FW or 11am with WS? Sorry if this is already posted somewhere.
Gayle

 

[TDC Nala]

The booths open at 11 AM with World Showcase.

The Festival Center (they put that in the Pavilion Formerly Known as the Wonders of Life) opens at 9 with FW.

 

[oybolshoi]

I've eaten at V&A often enough that the menu is repeating itself so I will be foregoing it for the signature dinners where at least I won't know what's on the menu.

That's how we look at it, too ... would rather try a new signature dinner (aside from Todd English) than repeat something we've done a couple of times already.

But the price point is always a factor.

 

[dznygrl]

Last year we could pre-book/pay for the wine seminars???(the daily $8 ones)anyone have any info on this yet????

 

[Meteora]

If you want to know what some of the special dining events are like, complete with photos of the food, click the Gluttoberfest link in my signature. The first post has links to each review. Flying Fish and Todd English's bluezoo™ are good examples of how the food and wine dining events can be. Good, bad, and yes, ugly!

Thanks, I loved your reviews! Detailed, helpful, and also a lot of fun.

 

[knewton64]

Subscribing

 

[TDC Nala]

Last year we could pre-book/pay for the wine seminars???(the daily $8 ones)anyone have any info on this yet????

No info on this yet.

 

[Shelli_5]

We'll be at WDW from Oct. 2-9 & it will be our first F&W Festival. I'm super excited! I doubt if we'll attend any of the pricier events, but I'm really looking forward to the food booths and maybe seeing a few of the demos/seminars. We've got 2 full days planned for Epcot, but I have a feeling that we'll want to spend more time there.

Shelli