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

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I also saw the same price difference when I booked 3D on 10/21 and Taste, Shake on 10/16. I mentioned it to the CM but he had no explanation.

Same here. We were charged $47.58/person with tax for 3D on 10/21 and $47.49/person with tax for Taste Shake & Indulge on 10/23... yet both are supposed to be the same price. I think they must have Goofy working the calculator on some of these!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Phew! Looks like I'm lucky this time

Only 1 event for us this year:

Taste, Shake & Indulge Like the French 10/30

We scaled back on events because we are doing V&A for DMom's bday, Oct 28th. That is also the reason we didn't book the 3D event.

We also decided to do the Halloween Night MNSSHP.

Ah well, we will enjoy the Tasty Shaky and the Marketplaces!

 

[Donald'sGirl]

I just wanted to wish everyone Congrats that got what they wanted!

We aren't doing any of the signature events our first time out but we are hoping for some of the culinary demonstrations so I am hoping I will have just as much luck as all of you did on the 26th when I book!

 

[Wigit12]

Totally forgot about booking until 7:20. Left for work and dialed through the car so I wouldn't lose the call.
Booked 3D for 10/21--curious as to what their limit is for this one.
Really want to do PTFS for 10/16 but we're not landing until 5pm. Don't think we'll make it. If some miraculous airfare sale comes through we'll change our flight but I'm not holding my breath on that one

 

[oybolshoi]

Totally forgot about booking until 7:20. Left for work and dialed through the car so I wouldn't lose the call.
Booked 3D for 10/21--curious as to what their limit is for this one.
Really want to do PTFS for 10/16 but we're not landing until 5pm. Don't think we'll make it. If some miraculous airfare sale comes through we'll change our flight but I'm not holding my breath on that one

I thought I saw somewhere that the 3D party would book up to 500 guests per event. It's being held in the same venue as party for the senseless so they definitely have room to cram in a lot of people with a sugar crave!

 

[ElizabethB]

I always thought the F&W pairings were a good value at $35. Even $45 was okay. Not so sure now.

We used to do a lot of events: exquisite evenings at Epcot, signature dinners, regional dinners, a couple of F&W pairings, a wine school and even did the Reidel crystal seminar when that was offered a few years ago.

We've cut way back. Two signature dinners. That's it. Happily we got through and got them both.

Everyone seems to be getting what they wanted or nearly so. That's great! Happy for everybody!! There used to be a lot of disappointed posts late morning, so very happy that is not the case this time.

There are a lot of events and choices. I'm sure that helps. Also, I wonder if demand is down given the price increases?

Congratulations everybody!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I thought I saw somewhere that the 3D party would book up to 500 guests per event. It's being held in the same venue as party for the senseless so they definitely have room to cram in a lot of people with a sugar crave!

Wouldn't this be limited to how many people fit on the tiered "priority viewing" by the lake for Illuminations? That is part of the 3D package.

 

[PatriciaH]

I also go in right away. I'm so excited. We got Taste, Shake and Indulge Like the French on Oct. 23. See you there. Sue

I called at 7am as well. Got in at 7:26am. Was told by the "wonderful" CRO CM that Taste, Shake and Indulge for October 23rd was not in the system yet to call back in 2 hours. I asked her to check with a manager or put a manager on the phone because these events sell out quickly and this was the only one I wanted (besides PFTS.) She put me on hold and said-yep call back in 2 hours. Called at 9am. TSI for 10/23 sold out at 8:02am. Of course. I asked to be put on a wait list and was told "there is no such thing." I said really-I have been on one before. I asked to speak to a manager again. Put on hold. CM came back-nope 2 managers told me no such thing as a wait list. I give up. Probably going somewhere else in October to spend my money. We were trying to get a group of 6 others to come with us (I am a travel agent) and they were just starting to look at air/hotel so WDW will be loosing a lot if we pass this year. They don't care though.

 

[redzinner]

Well Done Disers!

I was 'lucky' enough to get the agent from foux du fafa land.
Had to check with supervisor to find every event, finally got it all in the 'shopping cart' and bingo her computer lost it all.
Started all over again, yes name, number, rank, serial number .... so we did manage to get the 4 events we wanted but one not on the date we wanted. C'est la Diznee!
Tasty Shaky
Wine School
Celebrating Family & Friends in the Kitch
PftS with WV

Cheers!

 

[redzinner]

I called at 7am as well. Got in at 7:26am. Was told by the "wonderful" CRO CM that Taste, Shake and Indulge for October 23rd was not in the system yet to call back in 2 hours. I asked her to check with a manager or put a manager on the phone because these events sell out quickly and this was the only one I wanted (besides PFTS.) She put me on hold and said-yep call back in 2 hours. Called at 9am. TSI for 10/23 sold out at 8:02am. Of course. I asked to be put on a wait list and was told "there is no such thing." I said really-I have been on one before. I asked to speak to a manager again. Put on hold. CM came back-nope 2 managers told me no such thing as a wait list. I give up. Probably going somewhere else in October to spend my money. We were trying to get a group of 6 others to come with us (I am a travel agent) and they were just starting to look at air/hotel so WDW will be loosing a lot if we pass this year. They don't care though.

There is no such thing as a waitlist anymore. All events are paid for in advance and are non-transferable.

 

[oybolshoi]

Wouldn't this be limited to how many people fit on the tiered "priority viewing" by the lake for Illuminations? That is part of the 3D package.

I'm confident that they will pack 'em in for that. There's a fair amount of space in the area they're planning to use, which is right there at the entrance to World Showcase near where the Friendship docks.

Unless my information is wrong ... in which case I apologize now.

 

[ajvaca]

Hi To All F&W Disneygoers

I posted this on the Disney Restaurant forum but figured I should go straight here to the F&W alumni experts.

This is my first year attempting to plan specifically for the F&W Festival. We arrive 10/9 and leave sadly on 10/13. I am slightly paniced since reservation lines opened today and I have yet to do much research for the event (which is not like me).

Myself and DH are going with two other Disney couples and can't decide between the Sweet Sundays (10/10 Cake Love) or French Regional Lunches (10/10 Rhone Valley-Maison Vidal-Fleury,Jorge Hernandez). Both look yummy but would love some feedback.

And is Party of the Senses worth it? Because of how much it costs, I would have to sacrifice my ADR for California Grill and we do LOVE California Grill but are willing to try Party of the Senses if it is worth it.

Do reservations go quickly for these events????

I hate being so behind in this game. And I appreciate all the help and advice given.

 

[oybolshoi]

Congrats Zin ... sorry about the snafu with booking, that's frustrating.

Well Done Disers!

I was 'lucky' enough to get the agent from foux du fafa land.
Had to check with supervisor to find every event, finally got it all in the 'shopping cart' and bingo her computer lost it all.
Started all over again, yes name, number, rank, serial number .... so we did manage to get the 4 events we wanted but one not on the date we wanted. C'est la Diznee!
Tasty Shaky
Wine School
Celebrating Family & Friends in the Kitch
PftS with WV

Cheers!

 

[fwm]

Same here. We were charged $47.58/person with tax for 3D on 10/21 and $47.49/person with tax for Taste Shake & Indulge on 10/23... yet both are supposed to be the same price. I think they must have Goofy working the calculator on some of these!

It is a difference in gratuity. One is banquet based, maybe 10%, the other isrestaurant based, probably 18%.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I called at 7am as well. Got in at 7:26am. Was told by the "wonderful" CRO CM that Taste, Shake and Indulge for October 23rd was not in the system yet to call back in 2 hours. I asked her to check with a manager or put a manager on the phone because these events sell out quickly and this was the only one I wanted (besides PFTS.) She put me on hold and said-yep call back in 2 hours. Called at 9am. TSI for 10/23 sold out at 8:02am. Of course. I asked to be put on a wait list and was told "there is no such thing." I said really-I have been on one before. I asked to speak to a manager again. Put on hold. CM came back-nope 2 managers told me no such thing as a wait list. I give up. Probably going somewhere else in October to spend my money. We were trying to get a group of 6 others to come with us (I am a travel agent) and they were just starting to look at air/hotel so WDW will be loosing a lot if we pass this year. They don't care though.

Our CM was unfamiliar with events as well. Luckily, I knew to tell her that she needed to look under the venue name for the exact time of the event to find it for booking. For TSI, your CM would have had to look under Bistro de Paris for the date and time to find it. It's sad that Disney doesn't educate all of their CMs about how this works, and does not give them a printed schedule of F&W events for easy reference for booking. Heaven help the newbie guests who want to book that are unfortunate enough to also get a newbie CM. I'm sorry you were given such obviously incorrect info regarding a call-back time!

 

[4EvrSoarin]

DW and I both got through right at 7 with no wait. We got everything we were hoping for - French Regional’s on 10/1 and 10/3 and the signature at Paradiso 37! Can't wait!

 

[tkldisney]

I did get my one event booked after 30 min wait. PFTS w/WVL for Oct. 28th. Waiting to see what the individual daily seminars are and will book couple of those. I had great CM that knew what she was doing.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Hi To All F&W Disneygoers

I posted this on the Disney Restaurant forum but figured I should go straight here to the F&W alumni experts.

This is my first year attempting to plan specifically for the F&W Festival. We arrive 10/9 and leave sadly on 10/13. I am slightly paniced since reservation lines opened today and I have yet to do much research for the event (which is not like me).

Myself and DH are going with two other Disney couples and can't decide between the Sweet Sundays (10/10 Cake Love) or French Regional Lunches (10/10 Rhone Valley-Maison Vidal-Fleury,Jorge Hernandez). Both look yummy but would love some feedback.

And is Party of the Senses worth it? Because of how much it costs, I would have to sacrifice my ADR for California Grill and we do LOVE California Grill but are willing to try Party of the Senses if it is worth it.

Do reservations go quickly for these events????

I hate being so behind in this game. And I appreciate all the help and advice given.

I would do the French Regional Lunch over Sweet Sundays. I've been to 3 Sweets Sundays and really don't find them worth the money anymore.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I'm confident that they will pack 'em in for that. There's a fair amount of space in the area they're planning to use, which is right there at the entrance to World Showcase near where the Friendship docks.

Unless my information is wrong ... in which case I apologize now.

We've had the priority seating for Illuminations before, back in 2007 when my mom was literally mowed down in her wheelchair at Party for the Senses by some folks who wanted to get a better view for Cirque. We huddled in a corner after that, trying to stay out of the way of any and all vultures. One of the visiting chefs saw it happen and a CM came over to offer us priority seating very soon thereafter. We were seated on those concrete steps on the lake almost immediately across from the gates to enter the Party for the Senses. There's an area that is frequently used for rehearsal dinners there as well, which is what I originally thought would be the venue for the 3D party, but then I saw it was indoors instead. I guess they didn't want to lose the outdoor venue for private parties, but I think it would have been a beautiful setting for the dessert party.

 

[oybolshoi]

Such a shame about your PFTS experience - we've seen it happen before unfortunately ... I don't know why people get so crazed about that stuff. Will it be the end of the world if you don't get that eyedropper of Rosa Regale or see the scary clown perform? No it will not!

At first we thought it would be held outdoors too and the hubby and I both thought it sounded unappealing given the weather ... hot humid and dessert? no thanks!! But you're right --- it's a lovely area for viewing. We've ended up there a few times when there haven't been any private events and it's wonderful.

Hope you all have a good time - I will be waiting to hear all about it!

We've had the priority seating for Illuminations before, back in 2007 when my mom was literally mowed down in her wheelchair at Party for the Senses by some folks who wanted to get a better view for Cirque. We huddled in a corner after that, trying to stay out of the way of any and all vultures. One of the visiting chefs saw it happen and a CM came over to offer us priority seating very soon thereafter. We were seated on those concrete steps on the lake almost immediately across from the gates to enter the Party for the Senses. There's an area that is frequently used for rehearsal dinners there as well, which is what I originally thought would be the venue for the 3D party, but then I saw it was indoors instead. I guess they didn't want to lose the outdoor venue for private parties, but I think it would have been a beautiful setting for the dessert party.