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

[bobbiwoz]

It took a total of 25 minutes for me. I called the FEST number, not DVC and I did get the one cooking demo that we wanted.

I did need to give my TIW card number.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Woot got my Robert Irvine Demo on the 23rd!

 

[dgbg100106]

So the CM told me that one mixology class I wanted to go was already sold out... Really, that seems way too quick for a Thursday evening on October 6th.

 

[mama03]

Can you tell me absolute that one cannot book a signature dining event today?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Can you tell me absolute that one cannot book a signature dining event today?

Yes. As when I was trying to book my culinary demo she mistakingly pulled up another event and told me I had to wait until Tuesday for that.

 

[mama03]

Yes. As when I was trying to book my culinary demo she mistakingly pulled up another event and told me I had to wait until Tuesday for that.

ahh, thank you. Just my little worry that an uninformed cm would book these today!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

So they are just booking for the deminars today right? All other events are still scheduled to go on sale on Aug 16th?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I called around 7:57am (central time) and was placed on hold for approx 20 seconds before a nice CM answered. The process was suprisingly easy (expected her to not know what was going on since the reservations just opened.) She did tell me that the reservation system just loaded onto their computers (literally) minutes before they were able to make the reservations.
As we were scheduling the one beverage and two culinary seminars... she mentioned that she received a pop-up message on her computer screen informing her that there were 110 callers on hold waiting at that moment.
I specifically asked if I needed to give her proof of TiW, DVC or AP membership and she said there is no place for her to enter that on her computer screen, but it will be required at the door.

question that maybe someone with previous experience can help with... She said that taxes were included with my payment but gratuity was neither included nor required. Should I bring cash with me to tip? If you have been previously - did most attendees tip the servers?

TIP

OK. There are CMs who show you to your seat. (And they were not exactly friendly)

The wine company reps do presenation and you leave.

I can't imagine why anyone would tip for anything! There is no service etc..

The wine etc is poured when you get there and during your presenation they will remove all the unused glasses and start setting up for the next presentation.. So if you want to tip for disturbance this is your place otherwise I think there's NO need to tip.

 

[dgbg100106]

So I called back with a new CM and yes the Mixology class for 10/6 is sold out...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

So I called back with a new CM and yes the Mixology class for 10/6 is sold out...

Call on the 16th.

There are only X seats for the discounts. I believe there are other seats for the public. You won't get the discount, but....

 

[AJW]

So they are just booking for the deminars today right? All other events are still scheduled to go on sale on Aug 16th?

Correct.

 

[AJW]

Strangely -- I'm getting a discounted rate for the weekend deminars as well as the weekday ones. Anyone else having this happen?

 

[miste76]

TIP

OK. There are CMs who show you to your seat. (And they were not exactly friendly)

The wine company reps do presenation and you leave.

I can't imagine why anyone would tip for anything! There is no service etc..

The wine etc is poured when you get there and during your presenation they will remove all the unused glasses and start setting up for the next presentation.. So if you want to tip for disturbance this is your place otherwise I think there's NO need to tip.

Thank you - these will be my first seminars... and I'd hate to be caught without cash.

 

[miste76]

Strangely -- I'm getting a discounted rate for the weekend deminars as well as the weekday ones. Anyone else having this happen?

Nope. I was told that I was getting a 10% discount for the seminar on Monday and that I was being charged $8 per person (it's a $10 fee without discount.) but I was charged regular fees for the friday seminars.

 

[dgbg100106]

Call on the 16th.

There are only X seats for the discounts. I believe there are other seats for the public. You won't get the discount, but....

Hey for $12 I can get a full Blood Orange Margarita, and not have to sit through the class.... we will see, thanks

 

[AJW]

Nope. I was told that I was getting a 10% discount for the seminar on Monday and that I was being charged $8 per person (it's a $10 fee without discount.) but I was charged regular fees for the friday seminars.

Thanks!

 

[AJW]

Is anyone doing the "scent demonstration"?

 

[dgbg100106]

Is anyone doing the "scent demonstration"?

no, not me, I ended up not booking anything...

 

[redzinner]

Is anyone doing the "scent demonstration"?

I want to but I didn't see it on the list of demonstrations so I figured it couldn't be booked today. Maybe I should call and find out.

 

[B'rer Karen]

I want to but I didn't see it on the list of demonstrations so I figured it couldn't be booked today. Maybe I should call and find out.

It can definitely be booked today because the CM I spoke to offered it to me.

I had an odd experience. I just called moments ago. When I called (using the WDW-FEST number), I had to press 1 for English and the press 2 to indicate I was calling for a future trip. I was put on hold and told it was a bout a 5 minute wait. After a couple of minutes an automated message told me that there was a short survey. If I'd like to participate please press 1, other wise hang up. And then I was disconnected! I called right back in, again to WDW-FEST. This time I didn't get the option to press buttons. I received the automated voice response system. So first they asked in Spanish if I wanted to have the call be in Spanish. I of course didn't say anything. Then I was asked for the purpose of my call. I said reservations. The voice says "Great, I can help you with that." She then precedes to ask me the name of the restaurant. Um...that doesn't fit with what I'm trying to do. The next several questions were like that. I kept saying "I don't know." Finally I was asked a question and she gave an example of "Special Dining Events." When I said that, I was asked if I was making a reservation for the next 7 days and when I said No I was put in the queue. I waited about two minutes. I sure hope this doesn't happen on Tuesday, both the hang up and the voice response. But if it does, I recommend you say "Special Dining Events."

So then I finally get a really great CM. I told her I was looking to book a culinary demonstration on Sunday 10/2 and that I was a DVC member. She knew exactly what I was asking for. She asked for my DVC number and name and then confirmed my address. She asked how many in my party, and I told her 2 adults. Then she looked in the system and she said she could offer me a Tier 1 demonstration at 2:45 and a Tier 2 demonstration at 1:00. Turns out Tier 1 is their term for the pricier deminars and Tier 2 are the less expensive. But I was confused because on the culinary demonstration website it showed the 1:00 demo and the 5:00 demo, but no 2:45. She read the description and this was the scent deminar. I didn't want that and asked her to look for the 5:00 demonstration. She searched specifically for that and found it. She thinks that because she just put in the search to look for culinary demonstrations on 10/2 it just returned the first two it found. So I recommend you make sure they look for exactly the item you want to book.

Finally, I asked about the Mixology seminar on 10/4. I am interested in doing a Mixology seminar but the only dates that fit in my schedule are 10/3 and 10/4 and the website shows TBD. I was hoping she would have more information but her site also showed TBD. I don't want to take a chance on what they will have, so I'm holding off on that.