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

[TDC Nala]

I resisted the wrist card. I got one last year because I was at the festival for a total of three weeks (not all at once). I am just going to bring that one back and use it, not get a new one. Unless you're planning to collect them from year to year, if you already have one you don't need to get a new one. Just bring back the one you have, and reload it.

I did use that gift card at Disneyland in January and they weren't going to let me use it because they didn't recognize it, I had to convince them to try swiping it.

 

[ilovejsparrow]

We've found them to be very convenient and easy to use. I think a lot of people do this judging from our past experience.

Yes, it is a standard gift card and functions as such at any WDW location that accepts them.

Thanks for the info, they sound like the way to go.

 

[theycomefromallover]

Does anyone have pictures of the wrist gift cards? Also would it be wise to put half on mine and half on my wife's so we can divide, conquer and share?

 

[BriarRosie]

Does anyone have pictures of the wrist gift cards? Also would it be wise to put half on mine and half on my wife's so we can divide, conquer and share?

You can set up your own individual wrist cards with any amount you want. But I'm not sure what the minimum is. I think maybe something low like $5? At any rate, you can put $50 on yours and $50 on yours, or any other way you'd like to divide and conquer your money from your wallet.

Word to the wise: The spiral plastic band doesn't stretch very well if you are someone with large wrists. They will leave little indents on your wrist after a while.

 

[mab2010]

Is Party for the Senses worth wild for my DH and I if he does not drink wine. He will drink beer and liquor. I don't want to have to pay extra for the open bar, and advice on what that have besides wine in the regular section?

Party of the Senses is OUTSTANDING....but, could be a little pricey if you aren't going to drink wine. The food and desserts are incredible. I don't recall any mixed drinks really - seems like there was some beer.

It's definitely a wine and food event.

 

[rewok]

I think we can all say that the high end restaurants near us are much cheaper. Even restaurants at DLR are cheaper than what I see at WDW. They don't have a dining plan artificially inflating the prices. The events that I have chosen are some that I don't think I could get anywhere else, at least not that I know of. Good luck in choosing. Only 10 or so days until I get up at 3:30AM to deal with my food addiction! Is there a support group for that, or is THIS it?

Support group??... I think this is IT! I'll be up at 6:30AM (to book the Chocolate Event), but I'll have a little thought for you on the West Coast. Good luck!

 

[PNO4TE]

Does anyone have pictures of the wrist gift cards? Also would it be wise to put half on mine and half on my wife's so we can divide, conquer and share?

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone have pictures of the wrist gift cards? Also would it be wise to put half on mine and half on my wife's so we can divide, conquer and share?

My wife and I usually get a card for each of us. That way one of us can go to a nearby booth for something different. We like the flexibility and there's no drawback that we can see.

 

[vettegirl]

Party of the Senses is OUTSTANDING....but, could be a little pricey if you aren't going to drink wine. The food and desserts are incredible. I don't recall any mixed drinks really - seems like there was some beer.

It's definitely a wine and food event.

So would you recommend me upgrading us to the VIP section then?

 

[LisaS]

Word to the wise: The spiral plastic band doesn't stretch very well if you are someone with large wrists. They will leave little indents on your wrist after a while.

I liked the convenience of the little gift card but I found those bands annoyingly tight. My wrists aren't very big and the band was about 1 inch too small for me. I tried to stretch it but didn't succeed. I wish they provided them in different sizes so I could get one that didn't press into my arm so much!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have never had a problem with the bands, but my card did fall off last year. I found it on the ground and Disney moved the funds to a new card for me, but make sure your card is on there securely

 

[Skoolie]

Desserts & Champagne

• I enjoy the idea of having all new desserts each year.
• Last year there was an issue with them not using champagne flutes. I believe they had corrected that due to the complaints.

Fife and Drum

• Frozen Red Stag Lemonade by Jim Beam - Wasn't this served last year? If so did anyone try it?

France

• Escargots Persillade en Brioche - It's great if you haven't had it before. It's a classic staple. I think over the years it's a little less Escargot but this is a favorite for my friends. I think Escargots has a taste and feel of a buttery mushroom a little salty or garlicy depending on how it is prepared.
• Coq au Vin sur gratin de macaroni - Now this is exciting. If done well this could end up a new favorite
• Crème Brulée au Chocolate au Lait - Had this last year and enjoyed it - although the Chocolate au Lait seemed very subtle
• I'm going to try really hard not to order the year round grand marnier orange slushie and try one of the FAWF drinks in France.

 

[Skoolie]

Germany

• Goulash - very interested to see how this taste as the German side of my family makes a goulash
• Nürnberger Sausage in a Pretzel Roll - I enjoy this. The pretzel bun is good the sausage is very long and make cause people to make jokes and giggle.
• Apfel Strudel - They are adding a Karamell Sauce from Werthers this year. I'm interested to see how this goes with the strudel.
• Radeberger Pilsner and Altenmünster Dunkel were great.

Greece

• I'm glad they switched a few things around this year because it's been the same menu items for a few years.
• The greek salad doesn't interest me much. I can make it at home very easily. I'd rather them have a few more excited salads around the world than keeping this one year after a year.
• Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey - a happy exciting addition
• Dannon Greek Yogurt - really? they couldn't come up with anything else?
• Wish list - I wish they would do a Moussaka dish

 

[redzinner]

So would you recommend me upgrading us to the VIP section then?

The Wine View Lounge privileges (VIP section) cost $260 plus tax per person, this year, compared to $145 plus tax per person for the regular Party for the Senses ticket. If both you and your husband bought WVL tickets it would be an additional $230 for him to enjoy beer and liquor.

There is an open bar of the basic liquors in the WVL and probably beers but I didn't pay attention to the beer labels available. There are also liqueurs such as Amaretto, Drambuie, Kahlua, etc at the WVL bar.

At last year's Oct 23 , non WVL, PFTS these non-wine beverages were available: Radeberger Pilsner, Schofferhofer Weizen, Milagro Tequila (served in a fresh margarita), Hendrick's Gin (in a Hendrick's Sunshine Sour), Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Octoberfest and Light, Remy Martin Cognac, Macallan Scotches, and Stella Artois, Leffe and Hoegaarden beers.

At last year's Nov 13 non WVL, PFTS these non-wine beverages were available: Radeberger Pilsner, Schofferhofer Weizen, Knob Creek, Canadian Club and Laphroaig Whiskeys, Hornitos and DeKuyper Margarita, Red Stag (Jim Beam Lemonade), Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Octoberfest and Light, Bunratty Meade, Bunratty Potcheene, O'Mara's Irish Cream and Stella Artois, Leffe and Hoegaarden beers.

That does not mean all those will be available this year BUT keep in mind this year's entire Festival is devoting much more time to 'Spirits'. I think it will be a good bet that we will see more liquors at the 'regular' PFTS. Also Sam Adams and Radenberger will be back at the festival.

 

[Inkmahm]

Has anyone ever seen someone using a scooter at PFTS? I"m trying to remember, but I don't recall seeing any. Someone who can't stand for the whole party would have no choice but to book the wine view option if scooters aren't allowed.

 

[AJW]

I did use that gift card at Disneyland in January and they weren't going to let me use it because they didn't recognize it, I had to convince them to try swiping it.

No kidding! Makes me want to try the same thing when I go to Disneyland next week.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Has anyone ever seen someone using a scooter at PFTS? I"m trying to remember, but I don't recall seeing any. Someone who can't stand for the whole party would have no choice but to book the wine view option if scooters aren't allowed.

I have seen scooters at PFTS!

That said it did not seem to be an easy area to navigate, low lighting and LOTS of people, but I think with patience you will be fine!

 

[Krissalee]

I like PFTS and have gone several times over the years. I haven't ever done the WVL option. It is pricey, and I like to wander here and there, and set my food down at one of the stand up tables and maybe chat a little with others at the stand up tables, and then move on.

Before the WVL, people used to commandeer the regular tables and (gasp!) even the stand up tables. Now that they have the WVL, does that mean that people cannot commandeer the regular tables and the stand up tables, and the people like myself, the wanderers, have a better chance at finding a temporary place to nosh?

 

[TDC Nala]

I like PFTS and have gone several times over the years. I haven't ever done the WVL option. It is pricey, and I like to wander here and there, and set my food down at one of the stand up tables and maybe chat a little with others at the stand up tables, and then move on.

Before the WVL, people used to commandeer the regular tables and (gasp!) even the stand up tables. Now that they have the WVL, does that mean that people cannot commandeer the regular tables and the stand up tables, and the people like myself, the wanderers, have a better chance at finding a temporary place to nosh?

Nope. There didn't seem to be any rule or regulation against a party commandeering a table for themselves. But there've been fewer guests at the parties I've been to, maybe because some of them are sitting down in the wine view lounge, so maybe not so much urgency to grab and hold tables. But it is still possible you will run across a group who considers a certain table "their" table.

 

[theycomefromallover]

It's been coming for a while now! I am totally addicted to this thread! I am so excited for F&W! Come on OCT 9!!!