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

[TheDISneyFamily]

I think that's plausible. We'll have to see. Does anyone know for sure if the Grape Getaway isn't sold out yet?

EDIT: Just took a look at the Grape Getaway website & there's a little more info. No mention of Cat Cora...

ITINERARY* (subject to change)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
· Guest registration at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
· Welcome Reception-Style Dinner at the Atlantic Dance Hall
Begin your “Getaway” with this fabulous event featuring items by nationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author and television personality Gale Gand and the "Hearty Boys" - Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, nationally recognized television hosts, caterer, restaurateurs and esteemed cookbook authors.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25
· Sweet Monday Breakfast Buffet & Demonstration at the Chef’s Showcase at Epcot®
Imagine a world with chocolate at the center. That's what life is like for Master Chocolatier, Chef Julian Rose from Moonstruck Chocolate Company, Portland, OR. Chef Rose is a classically educated pastry chef and confectioner who is recognized the world over as an authority on chocolate. Join Julian as he prepares delectably delicious signature desserts to enjoy as you feast on our extraordinary breakfast buffet.
· Wine Seminar at the Festival Showcase at Epcot®
Castello Banfi's Sharron McCarthy, recently honored with the American Wine Society's Award of Merit will lead this seminar on wine's history and role in a healthy diet. Meet Sharon, learn some inside winery tips and sample some amazing wines!
· Meet the wine expert, learn some inside winery tips and sample some amazing wines!
· Explore the World’s Marketplace for lunch
· Authentic Tastes Seminar
This lecture, featuring Tom Gaffey from Euro American Brands, celebrates the origins, properties and history of chocolate!
· Meet the Winemaker & Samplings
Learn from Brian Kozio, Master Sommelier and sample more delicious wines.
· Authors without Borders Book Signing (we provide the wine, of course!)
Meet and learn from Maria Hunt, aka "The Bubbly Girl", author of the Bubbly Bar - the ultimate guide to entertaining with sparkling wine cocktails.
· A very special Truffle and Winemaker Dinner and Magical Movie Extravaganza awaits you behind the scenes at the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! You are in for a very special evening with gangsters, cowboys and the “Land of Oz!” It’s the Great Truffle Caper!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26
· Sumptuous breakfast with Pam Brandon at the Festival Showcase in Epcot®
Enjoy breakfast with our local celebrity author of the Disney Cookbook and of the Festival Cookbook. Hear great insights and get your cookbook autographed!
· Eating Healthy Demonstration with Pam Smith
Join our festival hostess as she demonstrates healthy health gourmet dishes
· California Grill Experience
Join hosts Brian Pasecki and Bridget Sherren and enjoy tasty nibbles as you stroll through the California Grill. Chefs will be demonstrating cooking techniques of their popular items, and seasonal fare, and answering all your questions. After, sit down for a delicious and satisfying lunch.
· Wine School with Brian Koziol, Master Sommelier at the Festival Showcase in Epcot®
This fabulous comprehensive program engages the flavors and traditions of distinctive wine cultures and teaches how to taste several regional wines.
· Intimate “Party for the Senses” with Winemakers and Chefs at the World Showplace
Join us for an up-close, in person dining experience. “Taste” the great wines, “See” the passion of the chefs, “Smell” the freshness and essence of the flavors and “Touch” all your senses—all in a comfortable living room setting, then after dinner…..
· Enjoy our Fabulous Dessert Discovery while viewing IllumiNations at Epcot®
It’s a dessert lover’s dream!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27
· Farewell Champagne Breakfast and Chef’s Demonstration at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
Before you leave our Wine World, join us for a celebratory breakfast with a special culinary demonstration.

 

[Inkmahm]

Man my dates this year suck. I would be all over that event if I was there Oct 24th!

We are there on the 24th but already have our tickets to MNSSHP. Darn.

 

[ppiew]

Anyone else going to the GG? we are signed up and today got an email that said we can expect $300 off per person! guess it isn't selling as well as expected.

 

[blissventure]

Anyone else going to the GG? we are signed up and today got an email that said we can expect $300 off per person! guess it isn't selling as well as expected.

That is nice news for you. Hope you have a chance to post about your experiences, afterward. It sounds interesting.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Looks like the Grape Getaway is NOT sold out. I just got an email back from TIW and they said new info would be mailed out to all TIW members tomorrow. I had asked if the events could be booked separately from the package deal, since we don't need park tickets (have APs) or accommodations (DVC). We'll have to see what the email says tomorrow...

 

[Inkmahm]

Looks like the Grape Getaway is NOT sold out. I just got an email back from TIW and they said new info would be mailed out to all TIW members tomorrow. I had asked if the events could be booked separately from the package deal, since we don't need park tickets (have APs) or accommodations (DVC). We'll have to see what the email says tomorrow...

Waiting for the TIW email today....
I might be interested in booking an event or two, just not the whole Grape Getaway as it was presented. We are in the same boat with having APs and being DVC members.

 

[blissventure]

Waiting for the TIW email today....
I might be interested in booking an event or two, just not the whole Grape Getaway as it was presented. We are in the same boat with having APs and being DVC members.

Looking forward to hearing more from folks who receive an email. Wish we were TIW, but we're not this year. Hoping maybe there may be an event or two that still has openings after TIW has a chance to book. (Not interested in the entire package. I think it's too expensive for what it offers, and we already have some nonrefundable ressies that conflict with some events.)

 

[marshwiggle]

Just got the TiW email but I'm not sure what's different except for the new option without hotel for $1600 (it might still include the convention tickets).

 

[FoodLover]

Just got the TiW email. It's exactly the same thing (includes convention tickets) but they knocked $300 off each package.

Still useless for Annual Passholders, who are a significant percentage of TiW members!

Mary

 

[TDC Nala]

If they don't sell enough packages they may knock the tickets off eventually. I also am wondering at the wisdom of selling a package for TIW users that includes park tickets, as to even be a member of TIW you have to be an annual passholder or a Florida resident. Having a ticket option might have been a better way to go. Then a passholder could get tickets for their guests who need them, but wouldn't have to buy tickets themselves.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

New Grape Getaway email - disappointing to say the least. Oh well. We've got plenty of other things to do at F&W that week.

I still can't believe the accommodations for this 'high end' event package are in a standard room. Wouldn't you think a club level room would be more appropriate?

 

[blissventure]

New Grape Getaway email - disappointing to say the least. Oh well. We've got plenty of other things to do at F&W that week.

I still can't believe the accommodations for this 'high end' event package are in a standard room. Wouldn't you think a club level room would be more appropriate?

I agree with you about the accommodations. Either make the overall price better, or include something really amazing--either club level or something like a fantastic event at Victoria and Alberts. Speaking of which, the V&A sig dinner is Oct 24. Some folks that might have been looking for an extremely high end experience are probably already booked. That event is way out of my pocketbook range.

 

[ElizabethB]

The four-day convention ticket with park hopper option that is included in the GG package costs $265.51. That includes one visit to Disney Quest or a water park or 9 holes of golf at Oak Trail.

 

[BriarRosie]

Hello all,

Briarrosie I noticed you will be attending the Wave signature dinner. We went last year and really enjoyed the evening. The food was good and the wine never stopped pouring. I posted some pics on the restaurant review board.

The pictures looked fantastic. I'm looking forward to the Wave signature dinner more than ever.

 

[ppiew]

It is a package so I am sure they aren't going to segment it. You can do most of it yourself with the exception of the Movie Ride dinner etc. We are going and I hope they do fill up. I am sure it will be fun and amazing! I am disappointed in the 'standard' rooms, certainly expected at the very least a water view room - not the parking lot!
We are looking forward to it and will let you know if it is worth it! Heck, PFTS with Wine View Lounge is over $200 pp! For that I would certainly go to V & A's!!!!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

It is a package so I am sure they aren't going to segment it. You can do most of it yourself with the exception of the Movie Ride dinner etc. We are going and I hope they do fill up. I am sure it will be fun and amazing! I am disappointed in the 'standard' rooms, certainly expected at the very least a water view room - not the parking lot!
We are looking forward to it and will let you know if it is worth it! Heck, PFTS with Wine View Lounge is over $200 pp! For that I would certainly go to V & A's!!!!

I know you will have an amazing time!!! I was interested in the Grape Getaway as soon as there were rumors about it. Maybe you'll be surprised at check in and get an upgraded room. It happens. We opted to do the V&A dinner, and I'm sure we will have a wonderful evening as well. Haven't been disappointed yet.

ElizabethB- If they take off that amount for the tickets, and offer an event only price, then I think they would have attracted more buyers. Not sure why they didn't just do that in the first place...

Have 3 tiers:
Full Package w/park tickets & accommodations
Events w/park tickets
Events only

 

[FoodLover]

I was just doing the math on the newly priced package. I think with the reduction in price, it's a fair value -- IF you really want to attend all those sessions, and IF you will use the ticket.

Package includes 3 nights BoardWalk Inn, standard view. Using the current 40% off discount, that stay is valued at $789.75 with tax. So the hotel "add-on" is priced well at $303 x 2 = $606 for a couple, or $604 for a single.

Ignoring the room component, the package is $1600 per person. $265.51 pays for the convention ticket. That leaves $1334.49 per person.

And what do you get for that?

* A private dinner at Atlantic Dance Hall - value maybe $200 pp?
* Sweet Mondays - value $85 pp
* Meet wine expert - hard to value
* Explore world marketplace - any $ value? will you get some tastes included? That's unknown.
* Authentic Tastes seminar - free to the public
* Tequila Tasting seminar - value $45 pp
* Authors Without Borders - free to the public
* Truffle & Winemaker Dinner - similar events have gone for $300ish pp
* Breakfast with Pam Brandon - maybe $100 pp?
* Eating Healthy demonstration - other deminars are max $13
* California Grill lunch - hard to value, maybe $75 pp?
* Wine School - $125 pp
* Party for the Senses - I'm assuming in Wine View Lounge, so $225
* Illuminations Dessert - usually runs around $35
* Champagne Breakfast - maybe $100 pp?

So I get a total value of around $1303, plus tax (6.5%) = $1387.70.

Additionally, of course, you'll have some sort of VIP status and people taking you around. You'll get to do meet-and-greets not available to the general public. All in all, a better deal than I expected.

If they would just drop the stupid ticket part of it, I'd probably sign up.

Mary

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I was just doing the math on the newly priced package. I think with the reduction in price, it's a fair value -- IF you really want to attend all those sessions, and IF you will use the ticket.

Package includes 3 nights BoardWalk Inn, standard view. Using the current 40% off discount, that stay is valued at $789.75 with tax. So the hotel "add-on" is priced well at $303 x 2 = $606 for a couple, or $604 for a single.

Ignoring the room component, the package is $1600 per person. $265.51 pays for the convention ticket. That leaves $1334.49 per person.

And what do you get for that?

* A private dinner at Atlantic Dance Hall - value maybe $200 pp?
* Sweet Mondays - value $85 pp
* Meet wine expert - hard to value
* Explore world marketplace - any $ value? will you get some tastes included? That's unknown.
* Authentic Tastes seminar - free to the public
* Tequila Tasting seminar - value $45 pp
* Authors Without Borders - free to the public
* Truffle & Winemaker Dinner - similar events have gone for $300ish pp
* Breakfast with Pam Brandon - maybe $100 pp?
* Eating Healthy demonstration - other deminars are max $13
* California Grill lunch - hard to value, maybe $75 pp?
* Wine School - $125 pp
* Party for the Senses - I'm assuming in Wine View Lounge, so $225
* Illuminations Dessert - usually runs around $35
* Champagne Breakfast - maybe $100 pp?

So I get a total value of around $1303, plus tax (6.5%) = $1387.70.

Additionally, of course, you'll have some sort of VIP status and people taking you around. You'll get to do meet-and-greets not available to the general public. All in all, a better deal than I expected.

If they would just drop the stupid ticket part of it, I'd probably sign up.

Mary

Totally agree! An event only price of $1200 per person plus tax would have sold out the first day. I'm sure the marketing department is keeping a close eye on this event to know what to do for next year... IF they offer it next year. People are willing to pay a premium if they get value for their money. The lack of details for this event at time of booking ultimately hurt them. That goes for the Signature Dinners as well... but, that's been discussed MANY times before...

 

[FoodLover]

The lack of details for this event at time of booking ultimately hurt them.

Not to mention the timing. They rolled this package out AFTER a lot of people had booked special events. It's very frustrating that whoever is organizing these type of events seems so out of touch.

Mary

 

[Inkmahm]

Just got the TiW email. It's exactly the same thing (includes convention tickets) but they knocked $300 off each package.

Still useless for Annual Passholders, who are a significant percentage of TiW members!

Mary

Exactly. Pretty much all of the TIW members who don't live in Florida have APs as you need at least one AP in the family to buy TIW in the first place.