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

[PNO4TE]

I think the worst one we attended was October 2007. PFTS was a complete ZOO. People were rude and pushy, and didn't hesitate to literally plow you down on their way to the food and wine stations. That was another Cirque year. I am hopeful that the return of Cirque does not spell the return of the obnoxious patrons too!

Last year was much calmer, but we noticed they were also pretty skimpy with the wine. They also didn't seem to have as many high end wines as they had in years past.

I remember that! I hated how much of a Zoo it was. I was suppose to meet up with some people but we were never able to find each other.

I agree that 2007 was bad. So bad, in fact, that we skipped 2008 in hopes they would get their act together and then last year didn't like the theme for the Saturday we could attend! Not sure if we will go this year. It is still under discussion at our respective homes. But I can't imagine we will pay the extra $90 pp for a seat. I will just be certain I wear much more comfortable shoes than I did last time.

 

[fey_spirit]

How/when can I find out what is happening on October 20th?

 

[TDC Nala]

Check the first post on this thread and use the link to the "management" site, which has a preliminary schedule for many of the events. Note this is NOT the official public release of the event schedule and may change.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Very late in subscribing.

 

[Inkmahm]

I think the Wine View is only worth it if you MUST have a reserved table. We had a very bad experience the year before with my parents... my mom had just had hip surgery and was in a wheel chair. Despite getting there early, we couldn't maneuver through the crowd with her wheelchair to find a table where she could sit comfortably. It was really difficult because she basically was by herself tucked in a corner while we went back and forth to get food and wine for her... and she felt really awkward in that situation. You're right that it's a LOT to pay if you don't require the reserved spot. I also find that the later in the F&W festival, the easier it is to grab the reservations way past the first day. When we've gone toward mid to late October, we've been able to add on events a few weeks out, but when we went for opening week one year, we couldn't add new events even a few days after tickets went on sale.

Just to point out that the wine view room had STEPS to get to it so a wheelchair would not work. Not sure what Disney would do if someone who needed HA paid for the Wine View and couldn't get up the stairs...

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Just to point out that the wine view room had STEPS to get to it so a wheelchair would not work. Not sure what Disney would do if someone who needed HA paid for the Wine View and couldn't get up the stairs...

Wouldn't you inform them ahead of time? We did inform them of my mom's situation the year before, but it didn't help. However, there wasn't a way to accommodate reserved seating then. Since Wine View is reserved by table, I think they would accommodate when informed ahead of time. What's funny is, I don't even remember steps. I just remember the ropes around our area, and the hostess checking for our bands each time we walked in and out.

I had a stuffed Swedish Chef that they were selling for last year's festival, and I had brought a Sharpie pen for all the visiting chefs to sign him as a keepsake. Every time I would go to get a new dish, I would bring along the chef to ask for the next autograph. Well, the hostess didn't notice why I was bringing a "doll" everywhere, and so on my fourth of fifth time entering the Wine View area, she gently tried to assure me that I could leave my doll at the table and she wouldn't let anyone steal it!!!! I guess she thought I had a few screws loose or something!

 

[DisneyJen]

...

I had a stuffed Swedish Chef that they were selling for last year's festival, and I had brought a Sharpie pen for all the visiting chefs to sign him as a keepsake. Every time I would go to get a new dish, I would bring along the chef to ask for the next autograph. Well, the hostess didn't notice why I was bringing a "doll" everywhere, and so on my fourth of fifth time entering the Wine View area, she gently tried to assure me that I could leave my doll at the table and she wouldn't let anyone steal it!!!! I guess she thought I had a few marbles loose or something!

Talk about PRICELESS

How accessible are the chefs in the "regular" area versus the Wine View Lounge? Not to sound like a stalker or anything

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Talk about PRICELESS

How accessible are the chefs in the "regular" area versus the Wine View Lounge? Not to sound like a stalker or anything

The food and wine is set up with equal access for everyone. The only difference with the Wine View Lounge is that you have a reserved table for your party. They also have a cheese display set up there, but since I'm not a big cheese fan, then that's not a big draw for me. The other plus (for some folks) is the bar that is set up for Wine View. You can order other types of alcoholic beverages there, but since we always go for the wine pairings (which are available to everybody), then again that isn't a draw for me.

I think the chefs are very accessible at the PFTS. They seem genuinely excited to interact with the patrons there. I've always considered that the highlight of the evening... the opportunity to talk one on one with the chefs. Sometimes they are up-and-coming chefs, and sometimes they are very experienced ones, but they always seem happy to talk about the dish they are serving or their specialties at their own restaurants.

 

[Inkmahm]

Wouldn't you inform them ahead of time? We did inform them of my mom's situation the year before, but it didn't help. However, there wasn't a way to accommodate reserved seating then. Since Wine View is reserved by table, I think they would accommodate when informed ahead of time. What's funny is, I don't even remember steps. I just remember the ropes around our area, and the hostess checking for our bands each time we walked in and out.

I had a stuffed Swedish Chef that they were selling for last year's festival, and I had brought a Sharpie pen for all the visiting chefs to sign him as a keepsake. Every time I would go to get a new dish, I would bring along the chef to ask for the next autograph. Well, the hostess didn't notice why I was bringing a "doll" everywhere, and so on my fourth of fifth time entering the Wine View area, she gently tried to assure me that I could leave my doll at the table and she wouldn't let anyone steal it!!!! I guess she thought I had a few screws loose or something!

I guess I noticed the stairs because my own mom is in a wheelchair when we bring her to WDW. It was only a couple of steps up but I do remember thinking that it would be a problem for anyone in a wheelchair and wondering what Disney would do. She doesn't go with is in October so I had no issue with the stairs. But if someone assumes it would be accessable since Disney is so great at handling HA normally, they'd be wrong for the Wine View.

 

[onelilspark]

Just to point out that the wine view room had STEPS to get to it so a wheelchair would not work. Not sure what Disney would do if someone who needed HA paid for the Wine View and couldn't get up the stairs...

Personally, I would be shocked if Disney didn't have a system in place for this. I mean, all it really takes is getting a portable ramp to put over the stairs.

 

[Quacktatty]

The food and wine is set up with equal access for everyone. The only difference with the Wine View Lounge is that you have a reserved table for your party. They also have a cheese display set up there, but since I'm not a big cheese fan, then that's not a big draw for me. The other plus (for some folks) is the bar that is set up for Wine View. You can order other types of alcoholic beverages there, but since we always go for the wine pairings (which are available to everybody), then again that isn't a draw for me.

I think the chefs are very accessible at the PFTS. They seem genuinely excited to interact with the patrons there. I've always considered that the highlight of the evening... the opportunity to talk one on one with the chefs. Sometimes they are up-and-coming chefs, and sometimes they are very experienced ones, but they always seem happy to talk about the dish they are serving or their specialties at their own restaurants.

Is it a cash bar or an open bar?

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Is it a cash bar or an open bar?

I think it was an open bar. I didn't order anything, but son (over 21, college student) got one or two mixed drinks and didn't ask for any money, so I'm sure they didn't charge him!

 

[NejTheLion]

Oh please! I'm not that disappointed, I just said "kind of". Nothing will keep me from Food & Wine....I'll just choose not to participate in a $400 meal that can turn out like previous poster's Jiko experience. I think the only thing we'll do this year is the Sweet Sundays that Gale Gand is doing....wanted to do Sweet Sundays last year, but was behind the curve ball and called too late.

While I will admit to the unfortunate inconsistency in regards to signature dinners, you don't have to worry about that with Victoria & Albert's. Now, those other dinners can vary, but I would do V&A rather than a couple of those. That one has no risk whatsoever. All I can say about last year's dinner is white truffles as big as your fist...for every course!

The only tidbit I've gleaned about this year's V&A dinner is that the special guest will be John Blazon, former Master Sommelier for all of Disney. He now works for another company specializing in boutique wines and will apparently be bringing a bunch for the dinner. He was a special guest on the first ever Panama Canal cruise in 2005 and held a series of 4 sessions on wine tasting. Not everyday you get to taste wine with a Master Sommelier, since there have only been 170 of those titles granted in the past 40 years.

 

[NejTheLion]

Hi everyone-

Here's another question! Which will go first on July 20th: signature dinners or wine view lounge??

Thanks again!!!

Based on last year, unless it's a huge signature dinner (like bluezoo has been with hundreds of people), try for the signature dinners first and then wine view. We had trouble getting some of the signature dinners last year, but got wine view with no trouble. Now, it could be harder this year since it's no longer an unknown like last year. Like always it comes down to what is most important to you. Whatever that is, try for that first.

 

[NejTheLion]

I think the Wine View is only worth it if you MUST have a reserved table. We had a very bad experience the year before with my parents... my mom had just had hip surgery and was in a wheel chair. Despite getting there early, we couldn't maneuver through the crowd with her wheelchair to find a table where she could sit comfortably. It was really difficult because she basically was by herself tucked in a corner while we went back and forth to get food and wine for her... and she felt really awkward in that situation. You're right that it's a LOT to pay if you don't require the reserved spot. I also find that the later in the F&W festival, the easier it is to grab the reservations way past the first day. When we've gone toward mid to late October, we've been able to add on events a few weeks out, but when we went for opening week one year, we couldn't add new events even a few days after tickets went on sale.

When we were in the wine view lounge last year, it was the first time we've all been able to enjoy PFTS together. Someone always had to stay to hang on to the table. It was a nice change.

 

[NejTheLion]

I went to PFTS on Halloween last year and am guessing that everyone was out doing Halloween type stuff but it was so uncrowded I would have felt that I'd wasted money on the wine view room if I'd booked it.

Not sure if that will carry over to my anticipated party date of November 13 this year. The later parties were so underbooked last year that they were offering tickets to the last two parties to Disney cast members for half price. Not sure if that was a reaction to the year before when the parties were madhouses due to the number of comps they gave out to conventions and Year of a Million Dreams winners.

Personally, I think the lack of attendance at some of last year's PFTS was all due to the theme nights. Not popular among many people, which of course is why they're gone this year.

 

[NejTheLion]

Just to point out that the wine view room had STEPS to get to it so a wheelchair would not work. Not sure what Disney would do if someone who needed HA paid for the Wine View and couldn't get up the stairs...

Which weekend did you go? Was it earlier in the festival? We were in the wine view lounge twice in mid-October, and there were NO STEPS anywhere to get into the wine view lounge. It was just a section of the room with a fence around it - same floor, same level, no steps. Did they maybe change something from when you attended?

 

[Hon52]

Just returned from the Sneak Preview. It was a fabulous night! The food was wonderful and the wine flowed. There are 15 Signature Dinners so all your favorites will be there. Flying Fish, Raglan Road and many more. Fulton's Crab House may even open up the Empress Lilly for a Signature Dinner. That was the hint given by a very reliable source! Victoria and Albert's is $450, not $395, yikes! A new adventure awaits with the Grape Getaway for those who really have a taste and the pocketbook for the an exquisite adventure. Tables in Wonderland Members will have Festival Guides mailed July 12th when everything is released (expect info about the Grape Getaway!)

 

[NejTheLion]

Is it a cash bar or an open bar?

Definitely open bar - no cash needed for anything.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Which weekend did you go? Was it earlier in the festival? We were in the wine view lounge twice in mid-October, and there were NO STEPS anywhere to get into the wine view lounge. It was just a section of the room with a fence around it - same floor, same level, no steps. Did they maybe change something from when you attended?

I asked hubby and son after I posted earlier... neither of them remember steps either. I think that steps could have been a disaster as the evening progressed. It would have been difficult to negotiate them holding plates and having consumed wine for a while.

Just returned from the Sneak Preview. It was a fabulous night! The food was wonderful and the wine flowed. There are 15 Signature Dinners so all your favorites will be there. Flying Fish, Raglan Road and many more. Fulton's Crab House may even open up the Empress Lilly for a Signature Dinner. That was the hint given by a very reliable source! Victoria and Albert's is $450, not $395, yikes! A new adventure awaits with the Grape Getaway for those who really have a taste and the pocketbook for the an exquisite adventure. Tables in Wonderland Members will have Festival Guides mailed July 12th when everything is released (expect info about the Grape Getaway!)

Thanks for the report! I sooo wish I could have gotten down there for the dinner. I printed out the email for it and put it on the refrigerator with pouty faces, but it still didn't result in hubby being able to get the time off to go! =(

So what is the Grape Getaway, and do you know the date? That sounds like something that hubby would really enjoy. We'll get the TiW mailing, but I'd love to have a heads up in case we need to move our travel dates back or forward to catch the Getaway! Oh... and did they let y'all book your events while you were at the dinner? I think that would have been a FABULOUS perk to offer at the sneak peek!