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

[Wigit12]

I think they are going for "prestige" guests ... the ones who like to feel really special and will pay for it.

When I'm at F&W it usually only takes a couple of margaritas for me to feel special ... so I've already saved us $1,850.

That my F&W style too!!! Margarita, grey goose slushie, sparkling pomegranite kir. I'm feeling VERY special

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I was at last year's Wonders dinner. I certainly don't have any horror stories about the food or wine or the location and there were certainly none that I was aware of. I know some people on this thread saw my pictures and declared the food was not to their taste. The only thing that comes close is that some of us were thinking it was like previous years and we would be transported to the location, and they made us walk.

This is great to read. I had read in an earlier post in this thread that the food at the Wonders dinner was lackluster last year, but that the wine was excellent. I never heard anything negative about the location. In fact, we usually enjoy the pavilion dinners. As far as Jens hearing the "horror stories"... I mean collectively. I think it's probable that any dinner that did not go as anticipated by the guests came to Jens' attention simply because of his position as head chef at Epcot. He would be in a perfect position to anticipate the desires and disappointments of the guests.

EDIT: Here's the post I had read earlier about the Wonders dinner: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37328093&postcount=573

 

[dgbg100106]

Well we did not get anything and now we are just going to focus on the Aug 26th booking of Daily offerings.

congrats to everyone who got what they wanted!

have a wonderful day.

 

[ElizabethB]

I have to second Redzinner and Louisiana with a "What were they thinking?" I estimated to a friend that this event would be $1,000 a person without accommodations. She said, "No, more like $600 per person. Boy, were we off.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think they are going for "prestige" guests ... the ones who like to feel really special and will pay for it.

When I'm at F&W it usually only takes a couple of margaritas for me to feel special ... so I've already saved us $1,850.


EDITED: That's an excellent point about the tickets ... maybe they're hoping all of us will be too drunk on F&W to notice that we're being charged for something we already have?

Remember the Bocuse D'Or gala? The price of that included Epcot admission. Eventually when they needed more people to sign up they lowered the price for anyone who had tickets already. They're not unaware that they are doing these seemingly crazy things.

 

[redzinner]

Well we did not get anything and now we are just going to focus on the Aug 26th booking of Daily offerings.

congrats to everyone who got what they wanted!

have a wonderful day.

Oh No! What events did you want? I wish you luck with the deminars! If you've never attended a Party for the Senses you might want to try it. They are a good way to experience the festival.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I have to second Redzinner and Louisiana with a "What were they thinking?" I estimated to a friend that this event would be $1,000 a person without accommodations. She said, "No, more like $600 per person. Boy, were we off.

Hubby and I had guesstimated about $1500 per person, including accommodations... and including a lot more details. There is nothing in this currently-released schedule that entices us to change our plans and extend our trip. It's all well and good to say "surprises" and hope that all potential guests fill in that blank with something fantastic from their own imaginations. Two years ago, I would probably have been one that did just that and would have booked. But, Jiko gave me a slap of reality last year, and now I need DETAILS to be motivated to book rather than a fuzzy promise of "surprises"... Disney did NOTHING to make things right when Jiko was a disaster last year. Can you imagine if this event is as poorly executed as that one?!?!?!

 

[oybolshoi]

Remember the Bocuse D'Or gala? The price of that included Epcot admission. Eventually when they needed more people to sign up they lowered the price for anyone who had tickets already. They're not unaware that they are doing these seemingly crazy things.

I'd forgotten about that. Why do they do things they do?

Oh well ... we were never going to be able to book it so personally I don't care but I do feel bad for those folks here who were interested in giving it a go.

 

[TDC Nala]

This is great to read. I had read in an earlier post in this thread that the food at the Wonders dinner was lackluster last year, but that the wine was excellent. I never heard anything negative about the location. In fact, we usually enjoy the pavilion dinners. As far as Jens hearing the "horror stories"... I mean collectively. I think it's probable that any dinner that did not go as anticipated by the guests came to Jens' attention simply because of his position as head chef at Epcot. He would be in a perfect position to anticipate the desires and disappointments of the guests.

EDIT: Here's the post I had read earlier about the Wonders dinner: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37328093&postcount=573

The linked post is why I linked to the photos so those reading could judge for themselves. I also believe that poster in a later post retracted the word "average." I definitely don't recall any "horror" stories on the level of Jiko.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

The linked post is why I linked to the photos so those reading could judge for themselves. I also believe that poster in a later post retracted the word "average." I definitely don't recall any "horror" stories on the level of Jiko.

Again, good news. It's hard to scan through every post... and I came upon the thread late in the game. I was hoping this dinner would be an excellent event, and I believe it will be or we wouldn't have booked it. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[karrit2000]

It is like the D23 events. Many D23 members are CM's or AP holders that have admission yet they always include admission in the special events.

The D23 Flower & Fireworks event in May did not include park admission tickets so they probably finally decided to take that into account when scheduling the event. However, there was no corresponding reduction in the event price to reflect that park admission wasn't provided. Personally I was very disappointed in the Fireworks dessert party they had for us. The location was perfect, Italy, but the desserts were lame, Cheesecake, Chocolate Ice Cream and a couple of other goopy items I passed on.

I'm curious what they are doing for F & W this year but if they stick to the original dates they posted I can't do it since I shifted my reservations to a week later than originally planned to attend some of the F & W special events I was interested in. Of course now that I've booked my special events they would probably conflict with the D23 event anyway.

 

[TDC Nala]

Again, good news. It's hard to scan through every post... and I came upon the thread late in the game. I was hoping this dinner would be an excellent event, and I believe it will be or we wouldn't have booked it. Thanks for the feedback!

I was going to book it again...that turned out to be the night my friends could go to Halloween Horror Night at Universal, so I changed to Andrew Zimmern's lunch. I am sure he won't cook snakes or anything like that...

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I changed to Andrew Zimmern's lunch. I am sure he won't cook snakes or anything like that...

Which is why hubby and son decided they no longer wanted to go to Andrew Zimmern's lunch. They WANTED the bizarre foods!!!

 

[PNO4TE]

They're sending this to TIW holders. Aren't most AP Holders? The tickets are useless. Still, it's too much for my budget. Would have loved the cooking school.
I'm sure they'll still find 100 people willing to pay.

Excellent point! In order to have TiW one has to be either a FL resident or an AP holder. Another on their part!


EDITED:

Excellent point. You have to be an AP holder or a Florida resident to even buy the TIW card. Including the tickets in the cost is really a waste.

I should have kept reading instead of posting!!

 

[BriarRosie]

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.

And now that I saw that people were getting charged incorrectly for French Regional lunches, I have a feeling I was charged $124. I need to check my confirmation at home and see what she quoted me and verify later with CRO.

 

[kabuki]

Thanks all for saying something about my spam folder! It was hiding..

I agree with everyone one on the amount expected to pay and lack of info. By reading the back of the Festival Guide (not that mine has come in the mail yet) I don't see wineries or chef's that I would pay to see at that price.

It's like most new events this year- the lack of information that was given is amazing! Did anyone book the 1st sips party or what ever it is called? $195.00 and really no info out on who and what will happen!

 

[ElizabethB]

Re the Wonders Retreat dinner. Yes, I'm the poster who retracted the "average". Sometimes, memory gets hazy, unfortunately.

In reviewing Nala's photos, I realized the dinner was really very nice. It's just that I recalled the wines as being so outstanding that they somewhat overshadowed the food. Additionally, Jean Boisset was an utterly charming host with a true love of all things Burgundy and Pinot.

Overall, the dinner was lovely and we enjoyed it. The setting is perfect, too. Friends of ours who attended last year booked it again this morning, saying the food was very good, the wines excellent and the setting lovely and quite unique.

So, I hope you enjoy it, Louisiana!

Also, I agree totally with you about details and the Grape Getaway. Dh and I have been burned more than once on F&W events and now want more details before we commit.

In fact, I just read the listing of GG events to Dh over the phone. His response: "It sounds like a 3-day Haunted Ball."

That's a reference to an event from some years back that attendees at that event will certainly understand. It was a highly billed event for which we had great expectations. It did not live up to its billing and some people asked for their money back. I agree with you, Louisiana, that the GG will be a true disappointment, at that price point, unless it not only lives up to, but totally surpasses, its billing!

 

[ppiew]

Just got an email from TIW with the Grape Getaway brochure costs, itinerary etc. pricey but nice. Unfortunately i have booked 3 wine events that are non refundable~!!!! Sure wish I had known this before booking! Another snafu!!!
Prices are $2203 pp, or $2504 single, or $1900 with NO accommodations.
4 day park hopper convention tickets are included as well as a book, tote, etc. Events are great! include a winemaker dinner at Great Movie Ride at the Studio, welcome reception at Atlantic Dance Hall, champagne breakfast with demonstration, 3 breakfasts, lunch at the CG and much more!

 

[TDC Nala]

I actually had fun at the Haunted Ball but only because it was such a weird event...the food and drinks were not worth remembering but with it being such a strange event...I have a soft spot for those. No, I didn't ask for my money back.

 

[ElizabethB]

We didn't ask for our money back either. I agree, it was kind of weird, though!