**2011** Epcot Food & Wine Festival HAS ENDED. 2012 Festival 9/28 - 11/11

[AJW]

Check a couple pages back, it was posted yesterday the 22nd of June, it was an interview with Marianne Hunnel. I think I found out about the Date of the Cat Cora dinner from the disneyfoodblog page under 2011 Food & Wine Festival Special Events page.

Link to the Marianne Hunnel interview is here. Yep -- Cat Cora dinner will be that weekend according to Ms. Hunnel.

 

[PatriciaH]

I guess we will be doing PFTS on 11.5 then. I was thinking of doing it on 10.29 and doing the Taste, Shake, Indulge on 11.5 but so much for that. Would doing both of those on one Saturday be too much? I did not get into the T,S,I event last year because the phone person could not find it and it sold out. I am hoping for some good Signature dinners on 11.1, 11.2 and 11.7. The Cat Cora one on 10.30 may be interesting. We don't love Kuzzana but maybe her event will be fun. I am also looking forward to trying some of the spirit seminars at 6pm if any of those look good. Glad to see Kona/Pipeline (beer) will be back. I wanted to do that demo last year but the times overlapped other events. DH likes Pipeline Porter.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Got into the TIW F&W Event on July 16th

Hopefully it will be worth it - at least its on the cheaper end of TIW Events.

 

[dgbg100106]

Got into the TIW F&W Event on July 16th

Hopefully it will be worth it - at least its on the cheaper end of TIW Events.

.

 

[ImprovGal]

Got into the TIW F&W Event on July 16th

Hopefully it will be worth it - at least its on the cheaper end of TIW Events.

I got in, too, but things got busy at work and I forgot to call them back with my cc info. For the person who was asking earlier, park admission is NOT required for this event. I was told they will have staffers at both park gates starting at 5:30pm to escort people into the park if needed.

And this doesn't end up being a cheaper event for me, since it's a weekend getaway I didn't know I was taking until they announced the event.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I got in, too, but things got busy at work and I forgot to call them back with my cc info. For the person who was asking earlier, park admission is NOT required for this event. I was told they will have staffers at both park gates starting at 5:30pm to escort people into the park if needed.

And this doesn't end up being a cheaper event for me, since it's a weekend getaway I didn't know I was taking until they announced the event.

Well I still have to pay for hotel and gas to get down there. Luckily its my birthday the week before and I have some cash coming from that from my mother that should cover the cost depending on whatever hotel I choose. At least I have something fun to plan out this weekend now.

 

[shovan]

Check a couple pages back, it was posted yesterday the 22nd of June, it was an interview with Marianne Hunnel. I think I found out about the Date of the Cat Cora dinner from the disneyfoodblog page under 2011 Food & Wine Festival Special Events page.

Thanks!

Link to the Marianne Hunnel interview is here. Yep -- Cat Cora dinner will be that weekend according to Ms. Hunnel.

 

[Splashboat]

We usually visit Disney in the summer or the winter. This will be our first time during the FWF. It seems as though there are different things going on every week. Is that true? If so, has anyone started links for the different weeks?

 

[TDC Nala]

We don't do that many links for all the different weeks in this thread (first post anyway). Too much to keep track of, and we don't need to have six or seven different sticky threads all on the festival. Besides, it's not all out yet. Because Disney hasn't officially announced the schedule yet, it is coming out in bits and pieces. There are links in the first post to information sources to find out what is out already. Eventually there will be a comprehensive schedule from Disney that you can look at and see what is going on each day or each week.

 

[Splashboat]

Thank you!

 

[ilovejsparrow]

So what F&W events are must-do's? I'm a F&W newbie and would like to try something fun!

 

[cocoabean1]

I've been to Disney maybe 25 times, I like going the week after Thanksgiving so I get to see all the Christmas stuff-

This is our first time going for the F&W, are the booths set up all around the world showcase in front of the countries or are they set up in the area of the America pavillion? How many booths are there? Are there more than one booth set up for each country that is there - like one for food one for desserts or wines? or one booth per country?

 

[LWQuestie]

This is our first time going for the F&W, are the booths set up all around the world showcase in front of the countries or are they set up in the area of the America pavillion? How many booths are there? Are there more than one booth set up for each country that is there - like one for food one for desserts or wines? or one booth per country?

The booths are set up around World Showcase, in front of and between country pavilions. Each booth contains all of the related offerings, food (savory and sweet) and beverages (wine/beer/non-alcoholic). The festival is scheduled to have 25 marketplace booths this year.

Here is a link to the map from the festival last year so you can have an idea of how things are laid out --> Festival Map - 2010

 

[Momtomouselover]

When do the menus typically come out? Also, where can I find information on the special dining events at the restaurants? TIA Still, working on convincing DH and these things may help.

 

[redzinner]

So what F&W events are must-do's? I'm a F&W newbie and would like to try something fun!

Party for the Senses is really a fun way to experience the festival in one location, in one evening, in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. The foods are not those served at the kiosks but unique items prepared by visiting chefs and Disney chefs specifically for that Party for the Senses.

We really enjoyed the Grand Marnier event last year and it is returning this year.

When do the menus typically come out? Also, where can I find information on the special dining events at the restaurants? TIA Still, working on convincing DH and these things may help.

Menus for the kiosks?, late September. They do not vary much from year to year, except obviously for the new kiosks. 2010 Booth Menus

 

[stephielela]

Subbing! This is my first F&W, and I will only have one afternoon there, since I am traveling with my 3 year old and doubt I can demand much more from him We were there as they were setting up last year and I just couldn't stand the idea of missing it again this year. I won't be signing up for any of the special events since I will have DS, but I want to use this as a scouting trip for a future, longer, F&W centered trip

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

DH & I will be going to the F&W festival for the first time this year, and I am so excited! We are still debating exactly which dates to go and where to stay, but we know it will be a short (4 day) trip. I have a few questions (if these have already been asked, I apologize, please direct me to what page in this thread.) In terms of crowds, is the festival generally more/less crowded at certain times than others (fist week vs. last week)? I know from reading through this thread that it is better to go during the week than on the weekends. Do the regular buildings in the World Showcase participate in the event, or are the samples only sold at outside booths? My last question is, are there any special events that are highly recommended (not to be missed)? Since it is our first time and we will most likely only have one day for the festival, I am thinking we will just walk around and try some things, but I don't want to miss out on something really great as I have no idea if attending the festival for a second time in the future will be a possibility for us. Thanks for the help!

 

[AJW]

In terms of crowds, is the festival generally more/less crowded at certain times than others (fist week vs. last week)? I know from reading through this thread that it is better to go during the week than on the weekends. Do the regular buildings in the World Showcase participate in the event, or are the samples only sold at outside booths? My last question is, are there any special events that are highly recommended (not to be missed)? Since it is our first time and we will most likely only have one day for the festival, I am thinking we will just walk around and try some things, but I don't want to miss out on something really great as I have no idea if attending the festival for a second time in the future will be a possibility for us. Thanks for the help!

Hi Pixiedust!

The festival might be a little more crowded toward Halloween (that seems to be when the most well-known celebrities are there), but if you stick to the week days and early afternoon rule, you should be OK anytime you go.

Occasionally the restaurants in the World Showcase will participate by offering a special wine flight or something in honor of the festival. And some demonstrations are held in the pavilions (like the Tequila Seminars and the Sam Adams Seminars; the food and wine pairing dinners have been in the country pavilion restaurants; the French Regional Lunches are in France; and the signature dinners are held all around Walt Disney World). Usually, though, you'll find most of the daily "activity" at the Showcase booths and the Festival Welcome Center, where most seminars and demos are held.

If you're only there for one day, consider signing up for one of the low-cost demonstrations or wine seminars in the Festival Center. That list of events should be coming out in late summer (prior to the August 16th booking date), and they only cost about $10-13, so if you end up not going, or if you hate it, it wasn't a huge waste. Also, folks liked the 3D Desserts event last year. That will run you around $45+.

 

[Kelly77]

We were planning on checking it out durning the soft opening -Thurs. Sept 29. Do you have to buy a ticket for the First Bites event to sample food at the kiosks?

 

[redzinner]

We were planning on checking it out durning the soft opening -Thurs. Sept 29. Do you have to buy a ticket for the First Bites event to sample food at the kiosks?

First Bites is a separate event from the tastings at the kiosks. No extra ticket is necessary, other than Epcot admission, to purchase items at the food/beverage kiosks.