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

[conandrob240]

To b e sure I was given correct info, what time is PFTS on Oct 22?

 

[we3peas]

I'm planning on paying cash at the food booths during Food & Wine. My family are all big eaters. If I get the Disney gift cards on wrist straps, how much money should I put on them? I'm just curious is anyone has kept track of how much they've spent grazing around the world during Food & Wine for one full day. We plan on sampling the wine and other adult beverages too, so I know that will make it more expensive.

Thanks~

Last year with 3 of us and no drinks and trying something (usually 1 thing but sometimes 2) at 14 booths we spent $64.25 and we were there only 6 hours.
It can get pricey so prepare ahead,especially if you end up liking something and want seconds.

This year my dd and I are going 3 times w/o dh and he will join us twice during F&W. I expect we will spend over $200 since I will be trying wine this time as well.

 

[TDC Nala]

Just got the info on Cat Cora's replacement for the Kitchen Memories event (thanks Zin)

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...at-at-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

I've never heard of this guy. Apparently he is Bob Marley's nephew. When I saw the headline I thought they were saying he was a lousy chef - I suppose that is the problem with calling yourself the Poor Chef.

To b e sure I was given correct info, what time is PFTS on Oct 22?

7:30.

 

[muffy0110]

this yr the time changed it is now at 7:30 for regular admission, it opens at 7:15 for WVL, but that means really 7 for WVL, cause they do a cocktail thing prior to telling us in. We (DH, brother and mom) will be there on 10/22-wicked upset they r not having it the following wk

 

[kverdon]

Its kind of hard to find out what exactly IS going on with the Cat Cora events. Did she caancel for JUST the kitchen memmories event? It still lists her as doing the Cooking Demo on the 29th and the DisneyFoodBlog is saying they've heard that she may still be appearing at the signature dinners though they are no longer listed by Disney????????????????????

confused....

Kevin and Mona

 

[TDC Nala]

Its kind of hard to find out what exactly IS going on with the Cat Cora events. Did she caancel for JUST the kitchen memmories event? It still lists her as doing the Cooking Demo on the 29th and the DisneyFoodBlog is saying they've heard that she may still be appearing at the signature dinners though they are no longer listed by Disney????????????????????

confused....

Kevin and Mona

Everything I have seen says she will not be appearing at all. I know of one person who was signed up for the signature lunch, who was called and notified it was cancelled and refunds would be issued. I am signed up for a signature dinner. I have not received a call cancelling it but from what I understand it will be cancelled. If she is not going to appear I want the money back. I have not seen anything stating she might appear for the signature dinners. Disney Food Blog notes they got that information from readers and it is NOT confirmed. All I know is that I have not gotten a call cancelling my dinner or telling me anything else about my dinner.

Current info is that Kouzzina's head chef, Dee Foundoukis, will be doing the culinary demonstration on 10/29.

Charles Mattocks has been announced by Disney as taking over for Cat Cora's Kitchen Memories event.

 

[HelenParr]

I wonder if WDW is trying to figure out if a substitute chef for the dinners could work -- hence the delay in info...or maybe plans are in flux and they are trying to see if there's any chance she can do some of the dates.

I'm super curious, because I'm addicted to planning trip details. But trying to see the bright side, I'm also addicted to Kimonos, and if the dinner is canceled, it would free up a night for sushi.

 

[Bothepro24]

Personally, I won't miss her, four times at her restaurant in the last 8 months and four times pretty bad. While it is difficult to hit home runs with every new venture at Disney, this one to me isn't even a bloop single.

 

[figment82]

Personally, I won't miss her, four times at her restaurant in the last 8 months and four times pretty bad. While it is difficult to hit home runs with every new venture at Disney, this one to me isn't even a bloop single.

To each his own - I've had great experiences at Kouzzina. My family of 12 went down last year around this time, and we struggled at a lot of restaurants that just couldn't handle a party that large (even though they took our ADR!) But Kouzzina was great - they got us in and seated on time, they were extremely attentive, and the atmosphere was great for family bonding. Also, we loved the food.

Then my mom, dad, husband and I went again in May to celebrate my husband and I (finally!) graduating college after 8 years of part time studies, and when they announced our celebration to the room, instead of just the normal Opa! the whole room cheered for us and came over and congratulated us - it made us feel really special about our accomplishment. And again, the food was fantastic.

I've had bad experiences every time I've eaten at California Grill, though, and I know plenty of people swear by their experiences there - so to each his own

The reason it matters, though, is that a lot of people booked these signature dinners with the sole intent of seeing her, and Disney is being very elusive as to whether or not she is actually going to be there. I love my Kouzzina meal, but as previously mentioned I can do the chef's table for cheaper - I'm paying the premium to meet her. I talked to a friend that had the signature dinner on the 30th booked, and she got a call that it was cancelled. I've tried to find out 3 times now if mine is cancelled and every CM I've talked to thinks I'm completely crazy and tells me only the 28th is cancelled, despite many reports to the contrary. For that much money, you'd think they would be a little better about disseminating information.

 

[cloudnut220]

We had October 30th scheduled and we received a call on Saturday cancelling our reservation. The CM told us all of Cat Cora's events were cancelled.

 

[HelenParr]

We have Cat Cora booked on Oct. 26th -- but no call yet.

On other F&W topics: looking forward to reveiws of the new items when it opens! Since we don't leave for a few weeks, we'll be following others' experiences with great interest.

 

[horselover]

On other F&W topics: looking forward to reveiws of the new items when it opens! Since we don't leave for a few weeks, we'll be following others' experiences with great interest.

I'm looking forward to the reviews too! 8 days & counting til we're there.

 

[figment82]

Me too! We're going down the first weekend for the wine and dine half, and normally we have to figure it out as we go along - I'm so excited they posted the prices so early this year!

But by the time we go down at the end of the month (I can't even believe I'm acknowledging we're flying to Disney twice in one month! ) we'll have tons of reviews to help us out!

 

[TDC Nala]

every CM I've talked to thinks I'm completely crazy and tells me only the 28th is cancelled

My signature dinner is on the 28th. I have received no notification that it has been cancelled and it is still among my reservations listed on the Disney website.

The only cancellation calls I'm seeing evidence of at this time are for the signature lunch that was scheduled for 10/30. I'm currently unaware of anyone who has received a call to cancel their signature dinner. I am sure it's pretty difficult for Disney to deal with the cancellation of six sold-out events, and they're still a month away, but I know I'd like to know what my options are.

 

[kverdon]

I just got "the call" verifying that Cat Cora will not be appearing at either the Kichen Memories on the 28th. or the Cooking Demonstration on the 29th. We cancelled both. I asked about the Signature Dinners the person I talked with called Kouzinna and was told that Cat Cora will NOT be appearing at any of the Signature Dinners. Guests with a signature dinner reservation will be offered an alternative "Chef's Dinner" with a reduced price of $60pp.

thanks,

Kevin and Mona

 

[TDC Nala]

I have also seen a report that she will definitely not be appearing at any of the festival events.

Interesting about the reduced price chefs dinner. If offered that I could take it.

 

[franandaj]

I have a reservations on the 29th and would rather cancel. I've already made an ADR at Raglan Road for that night. My question is how will they refund my money? We paid with a gift card and by now have most likely used up that card completely and discarded it (frequent trips to Disneyland). If they refund that card, there will be a very expensive gift card going through recycling!

 

[buckeev]

Last year with 3 of us and no drinks and trying something (usually 1 thing but sometimes 2) at 14 booths we spent $64.25 and we were there only 6 hours.
It can get pricey so prepare ahead,especially if you end up liking something and want seconds.

This year my dd and I are going 3 times w/o dh and he will join us twice during F&W. I expect we will spend over $200 since I will be trying wine this time as well.

Can we also pay with "regular" Disney Gift Cards?

 

[Epcot Mom]

Yes, regular Disney gift cards work, as well as the Disney reward cards from the Chase Disney Visa cards. The simply offer a F&W themed gift card on a wrist strap at the festival.
Have fun!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Allearsnet has the prices up for the international marketplaces:

http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw11/2011-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-international-marketplaces.htm