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

[danissmart]

The thing you seem to be forgetting is Disney wants money or a great deal on the product This has driven several wine producers away. I expect the beer has the same issue

Whatever the reasoning behind it, it stinks. They should have more craft beers.

 

[ElizabethB]

Personally, I think there are far too many beers already. It's the Food and Wine Festival, after all. I would much prefer to see more things like the Portugal wine bar and the past offerings such as the Spanish wine bar and the Australian wine walk-about, with some interesting and perhaps unique offerings.

Disney started adding to the beer selections once Universal City Walk started their own beer festival. And, the beers only contribute to the "college frat party" ambience of weekeeds at the Festival with packs of frat boys weaving and stumbling through the parks and, as we observed last year, picking fights with CMs who won't serve them any more.

 

[BriarRosie]

Personally, I think there are far too many beers already. It's the Food and Wine Festival, after all. I would much prefer to see more things like the Portugal wine bar and the past offerings such as the Spanish wine bar and the Australian wine walk-about, with some interesting and perhaps unique offerings.

Disney started adding to the beer selections once Universal City Walk started their own beer festival. And, the beers only contribute to the "college frat party" ambience of weekeeds at the Festival with packs of frat boys weaving and stumbling through the parks and, as we observed last year, picking fights with CMs who won't serve them any more.

I don't discriminate against beer because it's a food and wine festival. If they were selling all sorts of generic beer I can get anywhere (or what they normally sell), that's one thing. They do sell some interesting beers that I have appreciated, and I did attend two food and beer pairing dinners that I've enjoyed. I liked those events and would have attended more if they hadn't turned into one-night Sam Adams "lovefests" with Jim Koch. But I think the "frat boys" would have picked fights on weekends regardless of the festival being there. There are plenty of people who can easily get sloshed at Epcot 365 days a year.

And I try to avoid Epcot on weekends during the festival if I can help it. Just because it's so crowded compared to weekdays.

 

[Steve-O]

Anyone considering the Bocuse Dinner? At $245, it is, to my knowledge, the single most expensive F&W dinner in EPCOT history. I do know that a similar dinner at L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges would run around Euro 175 without wine. I also know that I have NEVER had anything less than a (when you wish upon a) stellar experience at Bistro de Paris.

 

[redzinner]

Anyone considering the Bocuse Dinner? At $245, it is, to my knowledge, the single most expensive F&W dinner in EPCOT history. I do know that a similar dinner at L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges would run around Euro 175 without wine. I also know that I have NEVER had anything less than a (when you wish upon a) stellar experiance at Bistro de Paris.

Victoria & Alberts Signature Dinners are the most expensive Premium Special Event Dinners for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. This year the dinner is $495 per person. They have been in the $400 range for several years now.

 

[TDC Nala]

Victoria & Alberts Signature Dinners are the most expensive Premium Special Event Dinners for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. This year the dinner is $495 per person. They have been in the $400 range for several years now.

I was going to mention those but the previous poster said "in Epcot's history" and those don't take place in Epcot. It might be the most expensive single dinner at Epcot but I think the Grape Gathering or whatever the multi-day TIW event was called last year, which took place mostly at Epcot, cost more. And I'm not remembering right now how much the Bocuse d'Or gala cost, and they did end up reducing the cost of that.

 

[dansyr2514]

Personally, I think there are far too many beers already. It's the Food and Wine Festival, after all. I would much prefer to see more things like the Portugal wine bar and the past offerings such as the Spanish wine bar and the Australian wine walk-about, with some interesting and perhaps unique offerings.

Disney started adding to the beer selections once Universal City Walk started their own beer festival. And, the beers only contribute to the "college frat party" ambience of weekeeds at the Festival with packs of frat boys weaving and stumbling through the parks and, as we observed last year, picking fights with CMs who won't serve them any more.

I also have to disagree. The beers served at the Food and Wine festival are as complex as the wines. These are microbrews and imports that have a distinctness to them.
I don't think adding beer to a food and wine festival makes it like a frat party. Personally, when I was at that age I wouldn't be able to afford to get drunk at the F&W festival. The people getting drunk there are adults, not college kids and I'm pretty sure they're getting drunk on more than the beer.

 

[Tltorrez]

And I try to avoid Epcot on weekends during the festival if I can help it. Just because it's so crowded compared to weekdays.

How crowded is crowded? We'll be there Fri, Sat, Sun all day Oct 21-23, most just eating at the kiosks. Is there anything in particular we should knock out early on Friday?

I think I'm spoiled. The last time we were at Epcot it was so dead, they were calling people on to Mission Space like Carnival barkers.

 

[TDC Nala]

The crowds on weekends are mostly due to locals coming in to visit the festival, which is very popular with the locals. On a Friday, get there when they open. It probably won't become too crowded until the evening. Saturday, the only shot at short lines is right at WS opening, and then it's crowded all day, and you should expect lines for everything, including the bathrooms. The only way you might catch a break on a Saturday is if the weather is bad. Most likely they'll still be looking for volunteers to ride Mission Space, because most of the festival crowds aren't there for the rides.

 

[Tltorrez]

Thanks. We plan to be at park opening most days and WS opening every day. We were just there in Feb so nothing is a priority except the food. We'll do some rides in the morning of course because we can.

I can live with the lines. We're planning to make this a low-key trip as opposed to our usual commando touring. We'll eat until we're full then go do something else for a while.

 

[Wigit12]

I also have to disagree. The beers served at the Food and Wine festival are as complex as the wines. These are microbrews and imports that have a distinctness to them.
I don't think adding beer to a food and wine festival makes it like a frat party. Personally, when I was at that age I wouldn't be able to afford to get drunk at the F&W festival. The people getting drunk there are adults, not college kids and I'm pretty sure they're getting drunk on more than the beer.

Agreeing with you--they're going to get drunk however they can if that's their plan. And I'd bet half act like that whether they're drunk or not.
DH is a beer guy. Loved that they added the beer booth last year giving him more variety.

 

[TDC Nala]

Where was the story about somebody reporting the group of young women to Disney security for their enthusiastic dancing at the British Invasion show - kind of a "throw out those drunks" thing - and the security person discovered they were under 21 and hadn't had any alcohol, they were just being enthusiastic? The complainant responded " but everyone at this festival is drunk."

I am looking forward to trying the smoked wheat beer. And I do like Sam Adams so I will have a few Sams. But there really aren't any "craft" beers this year. That's what the Clara Peller signature is for. Loved those international beers last year - hey, I could go to Estonia last June and have Estonian beer in Estonia and then I could come to Epcot in October and have Estonian beer in Florida.

 

[Brocktoon]

As pathetic as the beer selection is, I'd figure they'd atleast pick a better selection from the Brewers. Sierra Nevada's selection will be the pale ale ... really? Why not atleast go with the Torpedo IPA or Tumbler Brown. A generic pale ale doesn't really cut it if you want to introduce beginners to diffrent styles of beer. Abita goes with the Purple Haze, but no mention of TurboDog.

The target doesn't seem to give variety, but push out the more bland easy to sell beers. I'm pretty sure the Blue Moon and and various wheat flavored beers will be top sellers.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Does anyone remember the huge beer stand in Epcot for the F&W festival? It was by the rear exit of Epcot and my father in law and hubby loved it! I think it was late 90's or in the early beginning of F&W and it was this very long (wide?) kiosk and they had tons and tons of beers from all over and they had Sam Adams and my FIL was shocked to see a local beer from PA served there (it was his favorite and you can only get it in PA) as well as beers from all over the place

And a few years ago there was a great daquiri stand at the entrance of the countries, that was a nice touch

Yes it is F&W and they should showcase wine but whats wrong with a little beer and some mixed cocktails? Thats my favorite!

 

[MickeyNicki]

As far as the drunk thing goes you can see that year round from the people that get the huge yards of beer in England or the large steins in Germany F&W doesnt bring out the drunks...too expensive.

Like my BFF says, if I want to get drunk at WDW I will go to Publix and get a case of Bud and stay in the room, much cheaper

 

[redzinner]

I was going to mention those but the previous poster said "in Epcot's history" and those don't take place in Epcot. It might be the most expensive single dinner at Epcot but I think the Grape Gathering or whatever the multi-day TIW event was called last year, which took place mostly at Epcot, cost more. And I'm not remembering right now how much the Bocuse d'Or gala cost, and they did end up reducing the cost of that.

Ah, I didn't pick up on his differentiation between Epcot and Epcot F&WF!

I would expect the Bocuse Dinner to be a frenchie food fest with that name attached to it.

Does anyone remember the huge beer stand in Epcot for the F&W festival? It was by the rear exit of Epcot and my father in law and hubby loved it! I think it was late 90's or in the early beginning of F&W and it was this very long (wide?) kiosk and they had tons and tons of beers from all over and they had Sam Adams and my FIL was shocked to see a local beer from PA served there (it was his favorite and you can only get it in PA) as well as beers from all over the place.

Yes, we remember it and enjoyed it! It was great to sit there after leaving the park and enjoying a few suds before returning to the Beach Club Resort.

Now, I wish the wines were of a better quality but I know that's a vacant wish. Disney is for the masses not the aficionados, so we will enjoy what they have when we are there.

 

[cdtommie]

Personally, I think there are far too many beers already. It's the Food and Wine Festival, after all. I would much prefer to see more things like the Portugal wine bar and the past offerings such as the Spanish wine bar and the Australian wine walk-about, with some interesting and perhaps unique offerings.

Disney started adding to the beer selections once Universal City Walk started their own beer festival. And, the beers only contribute to the "college frat party" ambience of weekeeds at the Festival with packs of frat boys weaving and stumbling through the parks and, as we observed last year, picking fights with CMs who won't serve them any more.

ElizabethB! Please don't think this!!! I'm not trying to flame any wine drinkers (and I happen to be one myself) but these days quality craft beer is far more interesting (and complex) than wine...and frat boys don't drink craft beer. In fact if Disney sold more craft beer the frat boys would probably go elsewhere.

The increase in WDW beer selection is nothing other than linked to the usual corporate sponsorship payola and not quality. I'm sure you wouldn't be pleased if every wine served at F&W was Yellow Tail - show some mercy for us folks who appreciate a quality beer (and there aren''t many at WDW).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My family and I are going to Disney Oct. 30th to Nov 5th. We are planning on going to Epcot the whole day on friday Nov 4th. We have lunch planned at Coral Reef resturant and then dinner at the Akershus Royal Hall for the Princess dining. Then we planned on seeing the 9pm light show in Epcot - will we be hitting Epcot at a really bad time on a friday night because of the Food & Wine festival??

It will be crowded. However I doubt you will be doing much at the booths with 2 TS meals. This is a 'graze' around and eat activity and.... I doubt you will get to do much of that and still enjoy those meals

 

[MrsG]

We will be there over Columbus Day Weekend. We made dinner ressies just in case, but we might rather just nosh around the lagoon.

 

[ehagerty]

In viewing all the input on craft beers, it occurs to me that Disney has, in its loyal and usually vocal, customer base, a wealth of experience and insight into problem solving. We also know, from Disney's own, public materials, WHO the Epcot beverage manager is (Marianne Hunnel) and HOW to communicate ideas and feedback (wdwguestcommunications). So how about we "solve" this problem with our ideas - which, cumulatively, may contain the very idea that could be implemented for F&W 2012 (let's face it, contracts are already signed for this year).

So - I liked the person who mention the "late 90's" beer garden - sounded like it was in the "Millenium" venue, and therefore, co-opted for events - but could you describe more those aspects that you remember that you really liked about the setting, offerings, etc?

Personally, I was in a place called "The Tap Room" in Seattle after our May Wonder Alaska cruise - they had 180+ beer taps, a full time person who did nothing but clear tap lines - and every server could listen to what you liked and recommend a sampler. Now THAT is a beer place.

A note - I also slightly prefer wine to beer. But, a well-crafted beer is infinitely preferable to a poorly thought-out and executed wine (not that we have to chose....). I have tried probably 60 beers in the past year (I have 20-something sons) and believe beer is an important part of our dining and social culture.

What if....

What if they could set up multiple taps (not unlike the beer garden they HAVE set up in Germany) and find an efficient way to pour the beer (part of the delivery process is that you can't really rush pouring beer - where wine can be unceremoniously "dumped" in a glass)?

Talk amongst yourselves....


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