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

[mama03]

Well, I ask because I have read conflicting reports. The food blog says now it is not going to open the cafe. But, other reports are that its not necessarily just for the food and wine. It will premier during the event and stay open all year. Those of you who are going early in festival please report back and let us know.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Last year, the Sunshine Seasons food court had some Festival offerings. We stopped there after getting Soarin' Fastpasses, and I had a portobello mushroom slider topped with delicious blue cheese and a lovely merlot.

I don't see anything listed there this year, but I wish they'd offer the same items this year.

Also, there was a beer and wine bar in the Festival Welcome Center at the Wonders of Life pavilion where I got a taste of some wonderful prosecco. They served it in a pretty plastic flute, and several people asked me where I got such beautiful-looking champagne.

Prosecco seemed to be a big item last year. Several stands sold it so I got a couple more samples, but the one from the Festival Welcome Center was by far the best-tasting one I had that day.

 

[ClareH37]

This is my first festival so I'm not sure how things work with the paid events - I'm doing 'sweet sundays' and the Italy food & wine pairing, do you just check in and then select your own seat at these events or does a CM seat you.

Thanks

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This is my first festival so I'm not sure how things work with the paid events - I'm doing 'sweet sundays' and the Italy food & wine pairing, do you just check in and then select your own seat at these events or does a CM seat you.

Thanks

Not sure about the Sweet Sunday but they wll probably seat you at the Food and Wine pairing.

 

[TDC Nala]

For those types of events they do not generally have "assigned" seating. For the festival center seating in "Palmhenge" which last year became "Sprucehenge" you were given a table to sit at. Which table it was depended where you were in the lineup before they let you into the seating area.

At Italy they would let you in, and show you to a table that would fit your party (the tables are not for individual parties at either event, you will probably be sharing if you don't have a large party)

 

[ClareH37]

Not sure about the Sweet Sunday but they wll probably seat you at the Food and Wine pairing.

For those types of events they do not generally have "assigned" seating. For the festival center seating in "Palmhenge" which last year became "Sprucehenge" you were given a table to sit at. Which table it was depended where you were in the lineup before they let you into the seating area.

At Italy they would let you in, and show you to a table that would fit your party (the tables are not for individual parties at either event, you will probably be sharing if you don't have a large party)

Great, thank you

 

[NejTheLion]

I'm so happy!!

We're doing a Dream Cruise/Food and Wine trip too!

I can't wait! It's my two favorite vacations rolled into one

 

[NejTheLion]

Great, thank you

Recommend you show up early for events like Sweet Sundays. Sometimes they even let you check in well in advance. In the past, we've been assigned a table when we check in, and it's by order of arrival. So the earlier you check in, the closer your seats to the stage.

 

[horselover]

Recommend you show up early for events like Sweet Sundays. Sometimes they even let you check in well in advance. In the past, we've been assigned a table when we check in, and it's by order of arrival. So the earlier you check in, the closer your seats to the stage.

Thanks for that tip. How early would you recommend? I really would like to as close to the front as possible. Is 30 min. prior early enough? Would 45-60 be better?

 

[NejTheLion]

Thanks for that tip. How early would you recommend? I really would like to as close to the front as possible. Is 30 min. prior early enough? Would 45-60 be better?

I wouldn't recommend less than 30 if you want to be near the front. We usually make that our morning to explore the festival center, show up an hour early to see if they happen to be checking people in yet, and then spend some time looking through the shops in the center. There's no way to be certain they'll use the same check-in process this year, but once you have a table assigned from checking in, you don't have to wait around there.

 

[horselover]

I wouldn't recommend less than 30 if you want to be near the front. We usually make that our morning to explore the festival center, show up an hour early to see if they happen to be checking people in yet, and then spend some time looking through the shops in the center. There's no way to be certain they'll use the same check-in process this year, but once you have a table assigned from checking in, you don't have to wait around there.

I wouldn't show up less than 30 min. prior. I'll likely just walk over from BWV right at park opening & see if they're checking in. Worst case I'll grab a decent cup of coffee from that kiosk near the festival center & just hang out.

 

[ClareH37]

I wouldn't recommend less than 30 if you want to be near the front. We usually make that our morning to explore the festival center, show up an hour early to see if they happen to be checking people in yet, and then spend some time looking through the shops in the center. There's no way to be certain they'll use the same check-in process this year, but once you have a table assigned from checking in, you don't have to wait around there.

Fantastic, thank you

 

[Fly me with Balloons]

hello everyone,

I went to the F&W 2 years ago, and there was a comprehensive web page that listed events and allowed you to check off and book at a discounted price (can't remember if it was annual pass, dvc, or TIW discount - I have all 3). I can't seem to locate anything this year and did a search, but to no avail. Anyone have a link?

Thanks.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

hello everyone,

I went to the F&W 2 years ago, and there was a comprehensive web page that listed events and allowed you to check off and book at a discounted price (can't remember if it was annual pass, dvc, or TIW discount - I have all 3). I can't seem to locate anything this year and did a search, but to no avail. Anyone have a link?

Thanks.

Disney is not offering an online reservation website for beverage seminars and culinary demos this year.

The very first post in this thread has links to details about the events and how to book them.

This year, there were again discounts for AP, TiW, and DVC, but only for beverage seminars, mixology seminars, and culinary demos scheduled Monday through Thursday. For Friday through Sunday, everyone pays the same price. Bookings are by phone.

As always, there are no AP, TiW, and DVC discounts for the "bigger" events, such as Sweet Sundays, Signature Dinners, and Party for the Senses.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Disney is not offering an online reservation website for beverage seminars and culinary demos this year.

The very first post in this thread has links to details about the events and how to book them.

This year, there were again discounts for AP, TiW, and DVC, but only for beverage seminars, mixology seminars, and culinary demos scheduled Monday through Thursday. For Friday through Sunday, everyone pays the same price. Bookings are by phone.

As always, there are no AP, TiW, and DVC discounts for the "bigger" events, such as Sweet Sundays, Signature Dinners, and Party for the Senses.

I thought there was a website where you could book all the events-- it also has the links to the pdfs of what each seminar is. I thought only the discounts required a phone call...? (There is only one seminar we are looking at, and it is on Sunday, so I didn't bother with calling.)

 

[ImprovGal]

I thought there was a website where you could book all the events-- it also has the links to the pdfs of what each seminar is. I thought only the discounts required a phone call...? (There is only one seminar we are looking at, and it is on Sunday, so I didn't bother with calling.)

You can book the events online. However, instead of using the system they used last year (which allowed for one to select multiple sessions and pay for it all at once), they have now linked the sessions into the regular dining reservation system so you have to book them one session at a time and pay for each separately. It's a royal pain in the aspic.

 

[redzinner]

hello everyone,

I went to the F&W 2 years ago, and there was a comprehensive web page that listed events and allowed you to check off and book at a discounted price (can't remember if it was annual pass, dvc, or TIW discount - I have all 3). I can't seem to locate anything this year and did a search, but to no avail. Anyone have a link?

Thanks.

I thought there was a website where you could book all the events-- it also has the links to the pdfs of what each seminar is. I thought only the discounts required a phone call...? (There is only one seminar we are looking at, and it is on Sunday, so I didn't bother with calling.)

Here is the Disney link for booking online: Convenient Online Booking

 

[Kathymford]

Hi folks, I need some assistance from the F&W vets. We are going to WDW for the very first time, which obviously means I'm a F&W newbie also.

I have bought tickets for a few of the events, but wasn't really planning on making any dining reservations at all at Epcot since I figured we'd be eating at all the kiosks and such.

But today, I looked and there is a Le Cellier ADR open at 445. I've been looking for ADRs here, since we are both big steak eaters, but we are only spending one day in Epcot and are probably not going to have parkhoppers.

So this would be my schedule:

1 pm - Culinary Demo
2 -4 pm - Italy Dessert and Wine Pairing
6 pm - Mixology Seminar

If I squeeze in Le Cellier at 445, will I even make it? Or will I even be hungry?

I think I may be trying to jam pack my schedule too much. Thoughts? TIA

 

[TheRatPack]

I think it would be pushing it....LeCellier was over an hour for us when we went to dinner.

 

[franandaj]

If I squeeze in Le Cellier at 445, will I even make it? Or will I even be hungry?

I think I may be trying to jam pack my schedule too much. Thoughts? TIA

If you are not a picky eater, you will probably be able to find plenty to fill you up at the kiosks. Between two of us we split all the plates and we start to get full around 8 or 9 plates. We need to take a break for a few hours before we can eat any more.