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

[chip&dale&fun]

Gee, where have I been this yeat....Totally forgot about food and wine tfhread and lead up to the GREAT event, so I have much catching up to do with my annual foodie buddies.

 

[dgbg100106]

I totally agree with this. My worst experiences/longest check-ins with Security the past several years have been at MCO -- and I travel out of Atlanta-Hartsfield, so that's saying Orlando is bad!

I think I have had both.... The best and the worst.

This past May, they pulled me out of line because my pants had brass snaps on the pockets, really... every pair of Levi's I have owned in my life has brass on them... Full body pat down b/c of brass snaps. Took almost 1 hour to get through the line after the boarding pass check....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I must of been one of the lucky ones. Called right at 7 AM when I was on my way to work and got right through. I had a very efficient cast member, booked PFTS for October 22 and was off the phone in 10 minutes. Cool!!! Now the waiting begins........

Cyndi

Me too, Called at 6:59 and was connected, Surprise! And had the most knowledgeable cast member, most pleasant booking experience yet....

 

[athenna]

Jen sorry you are not feeling well hope you get the dinner you want..

Thanks, Brandi..I feel a bit better today, not 100%, but at least my head isn't spinning anymore..Work later, hopefully I'll feel fine.
I did get what i wanted.
After calling 2x and not wanting to wait the 30 min hold times, I hung up and figured I'd try later...So I did, 1st call they said less than 5 minutes, it was about 12 and then I got disconnected Tried it again, wait was less than 3 minutes, again was about 12 and got disconnected..Decided to give it one more try later in the day...Wait said less than 5 min, it of course was longer than that, but I didn't get disconnected , and I got what I wanted
For a company that prides itself on innovation, why is this always such a pain in the butt

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I called this AM about the reservation that was missing from my online list (under "My Reservations"). The cast member told me I was her 9th call this morning about the same issue. She said that all of my reservations are indeed showing up in their system, and that they are all linked, so she doesn't know why one is missing online. She went on to say that it seems to be a widespread issue and has been reported to IT. She didn't seem too optimistic that the issue will be fixed by IT! Are we surprised?

 

[miste76]

Does anyone know what has sold out already?

 

[cloudnut220]

I believe all of the Cat Cora events are sold out, as is the 10/28 and 10/30 French Regional Lunches.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone know what has sold out already?

I understand that the signature dinner at Victoria & Albert's (October 23, Chef Scott Hunnel, 6:30 p.m.) sold out quickly -- despite a price tag of $495 per person plus tax.

 

[TDC Nala]

I also think that the Scott Hunnel kitchen memories is sold out. I have also seen that most if not all of Cat Cora's signatures are, and at least one of the Via Napoli pizza and beer pairings (the first one), and possibly the Buddy Valastro Sweet Sunday.

 

[gometros]

I understand that the signature dinner at Victoria & Albert's (October 23, Chef Scott Hunnel, 6:30 p.m.) sold out quickly -- despite a price tag of $495 per person plus tax.

I guess that's why they can keep charging those prices.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I also think that the Scott Hunnel kitchen memories is sold out. I have also seen that most if not all of Cat Cora's signatures are, and at least one of the Via Napoli pizza and beer pairings (the first one), and possibly the Buddy Valastro Sweet Sunday.

Buddy's Sweet Sunday is definitely sold out. It was as of 9am yesterday.

And I love the lack of communication at WDW because @DisneyParks just tweeted:

"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro will host a Sweet Sundays pastry demonstration at #EpcotFW11 on Oct 9. Book your space now! #waltdisneyworld"

I even called to double check as soon as I saw the tweet. You would think they might check if an event is sold out before tweeting to book it?

 

[crazy4wdw]

And I love the lack of communication at WDW because @DisneyParks just tweeted:

"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro will host a Sweet Sundays pastry demonstration at #EpcotFW11 on Oct 9. Book your space now! #waltdisneyworld"

I even called to double check as soon as I saw the tweet. You would think they might check if an event is sold out before tweeting to book it?

There was an entry on Disney Parks Blog yesterday that reservations for the Candlight Processional Dinner Packages could be booked starting on 8/16. These started booking starting 7/26. I'm assuming that whoever posted the blog meant the F&W events.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

There was an entry on Disney Parks Blog yesterday that reservations for the Candlight Processional Dinner Packages could be booked starting on 8/16. These started booking starting 7/26. I'm assuming that whoever posted the blog meant the F&W events.

LOL. It's amazing...it's like the left hand doesn't work with the right hand. How on earth do you run a company where the PR/Marketing/Social Media departments don't actually fact check?

 

[cloudnut220]

I just tweeted back that they really need to update the schedule on their website.

So I wanted to update my post from yesterday...last night my husband talked to guest relations. They tried every which way to make our reservation right for the FRL on 10/28. No dice. So they've offered to let us cancel. But this is the one event I look forward to, so I'm not sure what to do...have four out of our group of 5 go?

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I just tweeted back that they really need to update the schedule on their website.

So I wanted to update my post from yesterday...last night my husband talked to guest relations. They tried every which way to make our reservation right for the FRL on 10/28. No dice. So they've offered to let us cancel. But this is the one event I look forward to, so I'm not sure what to do...have four out of our group of 5 go?

I feel for you, I had a similar situation. Just as the CM was going to process payment for our Sweet Sunday she disconnected me!!!! I've spoken to Guest Services and the reservation apparently never went through. And of course it was the ONLY Sweet Sunday that has sold out...Oct 9th with Buddy Valastro.

 

[cloudnut220]

I feel for you, I had a similar situation. Just as the CM was going to process payment for our Sweet Sunday she disconnected me!!!! I've spoken to Guest Services and the reservation apparently never went through. And of course it was the ONLY Sweet Sunday that has sold out...Oct 9th with Buddy Valastro.

I'm sorry to hear that. Cake Boss would have been awesome to see. Can you catch him at a book signing some other time during the weekend?

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I'm sorry to hear that. Cake Boss would have been awesome to see. Can you catch him at a book signing some other time during the weekend?

His demo is sold out too. The only other event I can safely guess he will be at is the Party for the Senses and we don't really want to drop $145/person when we are already doing V&A and some other signature restaurants.

 

[TDC Nala]

I just tweeted back that they really need to update the schedule on their website.

So I wanted to update my post from yesterday...last night my husband talked to guest relations. They tried every which way to make our reservation right for the FRL on 10/28. No dice. So they've offered to let us cancel. But this is the one event I look forward to, so I'm not sure what to do...have four out of our group of 5 go?

That's all you are going to be able to do unless 1) you find someone who is unable to go who is willing to let your fifth check in using their name or 2) there are no-shows on the day of the event. If there aren't any your fifth person would probably not be able to stay. Unfortunately you can't snag someone else's cancellation, because nobody else will be able to cancel.

 

[cloudnut220]

Maybe we'll get lucky and have a no show. Last year my DH and I were no shows at a Sweet Sundays because I came down with a horrible stomach bug.

 

[KPSmithSr]

I see a few people who have scheduled activities after the French Regional Lunch. DW and I did the FRL last year and ate and drank and drank and ate for 3 and a half hours, till we almost couldn't move. We went to the 3D Dessert later that evening and we were too full to eat all the yummy things there. Hope no one has that trouble.