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

[JenKatt]

For those of you wondering why no booths during EMH... think about this: how do you get non EMH people out of the parks if the booths are open? Might as well just keep the park open later!

 

[bnormant]

I personally disagree with an earlier poster that the PFTS event is not worth it. I've been going to it about twice a year for the past 5 or 6 years. It has it's ups and downs, but since the chefs and wineries in attendance change from week to week, so I think the quality is based on who's there and not necessarily a specific year.

The nights we went last year were both great, but one was definitely better than the other. For me, the best nights are the ones that have more visiting chefs. They offer a lot more variety. The nights where there aren't as many visiting chefs and they have more Disney chefs can be very similar to just eating at the booths or familiar Disney restaurants. Unfortunately, you don't always know who is going to be there at the time of booking.

We try to see what chefs and wineries have special events in a given week that we'd be interested in, and attend the PFTS on a following Saturday in hopes the same people will be working it. Thankfully, they usually are.

So we'll be back again this year for at least two of them at regular price with no wine view lounge. We enjoy walking around and mingling at different standing tables instead of being confined to one table. In fact, it seemed like there were a lot more open standing tables last year than in previous years. I remember we didn't have to look very far for an open table.

 

[Carmen NC]

Can't wait. This will be our second F & W Festival. Went for the first time last year.

 

[AJW]

You are not bonkers! Does that make you feel better?

The only true mixology seminars I remember were at the Swan & Dolphin Food Classic. I don't know if Disney is referring to the numerous liquor (scotch, rum, etc.) seminars they had last year or not? Ocean Spray could really advertise with a Mixology Seminar! Your DFB info is awesome AJ. Love your Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans page on Facebook!

Wow, thank you so much!! I live in awe of your knowledge of the F&W Festival!

Yeah, I wonder if Disney will be introducing "mixology" seminars this year since it's such a trend. Love the idea of an Ocean Spray / Grand Marnier seminar.

 

[AJW]

A cranberry bog?

You're just jealous. You wanted to put on your chest-high waders and jump in and now you'll just have to look at the pictures of all of us doing it.

 

[oybolshoi]

You're just jealous. You wanted to put on your chest-high waders and jump in and now you'll just have to look at the pictures of all of us doing it.

cranberries make my bladder clench.

now if it were going to be a cheese bog ... well, then I'd hopping a taxi and heading to Epcot from Harry Potter-land faster than you could say, "That dementor stole my cheese!"

 

[redzinner]

Wow, thank you so much!! I live in awe of your knowledge of the F&W Festival!

AJ, it's not knowledge, it's years of practice with food & wine. Hopefully, I'll never get the hang of it and will need to return again and again.

 

[ElizabethB]

They used to keep the booths open for evening EMH at Epcot. It was great fun to wander World Showcase tasting foods and wines at 11 pm when many guests had left. Closing the booths at 9 only started in the last 3-4 years.

Also, there is no longer any requirement that non-EMH guests leave the park. They are welcome to shop and dine. They just can't ride the rides (although even that doesn't seem very well enforced to me -- what with no wristbands and ride CMs trying to check the fine print on card keys to see if the dates are correct).

Disney has made it clear they want the extra revenue generated by non-EMH guests staying and spending during evening EMH. For us, this has ended alot of the benefit of EMH, so we don't bother with it anymore.

It's clear, however, that they are not closing the booths so that non-EMH guests will leave the park. Rather, they are closing the booths because the sales generated at the booths after 9 pm are not sufficient to justify keeping the booths fully staffed after 9 pm.

 

[DisneyLys]

Hi all! I'm new to these boards and to the Disney experience! My fiance and I are going on our first trip down there October 11-16th. (Primarily because of the F&WF. I read somewhere that you need to start booking tickets for special events they hold. This confuses me? Also, we want to do some of the seminars I read about last year. Again, everything is very new to me and I'm not sure what I need to do.

Thanks!

 

[redzinner]

Hi all! I'm new to these boards and to the Disney experience! My fiance and I are going on our first trip down there October 11-16th. (Primarily because of the F&WF. I read somewhere that you need to start booking tickets for special events they hold. This confuses me? Also, we want to do some of the seminars I read about last year. Again, everything is very new to me and I'm not sure what I need to do.

Thanks!

It can be very confusing for a first timer! Here's some non-specific information about the seminars and demonstrations:


The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is USUALLY, at least the last several years, comprised of experiencing food and beverages in a variety of formats throughout Epcot.

1) International Marketplaces are the food and beverage kiosks set up all along the World Showcase. The number and countries represented differ from year to year. There were 27 last year.

2) The Festival Welcome Center in Future World, between The Universe of Energy and Mission Space, is the location for demos and seminars. Some are free, others are not.
a. Culinary Demonstrations: 2010 prices were $9 to $13 per person, 45 minute demonstrations with a guest chef and a wine presenter. These are daily at 1, 3 and 5 pm. The schedule for these is usually released in August. At that time a web site will be posted so that you can buy tickets in advance. You may also wait until you are at Epcot to purchase tickets but the favored chef demos sell out quickly.
b. Wine/Beverage Seminars: 2010 prices were $8 to $12 per person, 45 minute seminar about a wine or alcoholic beverage from a vineyard, distiller or distributor. These are daily at 12, 2, 4 and 6 pm. The wines are usually supermarket labels. You can buy a whole bottle for $13 so why fork over $8 for a thimble full is our philosophy for these seminars. Disney has turned something that was fun and knowledgeable into a ‘won’t do it’ for us. It can be a good way though for novice wine drinkers to try various varietals and producers. The schedule for these is usually released in August. At that time a web site will be posted so that you can buy tickets in advance.
c. Authors without Borders: free, usually on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays . Chefs and other industry authors talk about themselves and popular topics for about 30 minutes. Schedule posted and printed week by week. Not known in advance.
d. Authentic Tastes Seminars: free, usually on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays . Presented by experts in the field of topic discussion such as spices, honey, and other ingredients or food properties. Schedule posted and printed week by week. Not known in advance.
e. Bottle Signings: free, pretty self-explanatory. You buy their bottle of wine and someone autographs it for you. Schedule differs daily and is posted in Festival Welcome Center.

In addition to these there are Special Events throughout WDW during the 6 weeks. Information is continued here Special Culinary & Beverage Programs

 

[franandaj]

There are also the Signature Events which cost a premium price that may or may not be worth it. There are dinners, breakfasts, Grand Tastings and mixology events to name a few. These change from year to year and can also depend on your interest level in the products. We did a sake tasting in Japan two years ago for $35pp that I thought was fascinating and a good value. YMMV. I agree with the poster who said it's not worth $8 for a few sips of $13 a bottle wine, but if the winemaker is someone special or of particular interest to you, that's different.

It's all very subjective. For some the kiosks are the only part of F&W for others it's a mix with the demos, signature events and demos. It is what you make of it and how you want to enjoy it.

 

[ppiew]

ANY word about a 'Grape Getaway" this year? We were told it would be repeated this year but I don't see anything about it anywhere. I had the organizers email address and she had mine but mine is now changed and I can't remember hers!!!! Any info from anyone else?? We loved it last year and were hoping to go again.

 

[redzinner]

I read somewhere that you need to start booking tickets for special events they hold. This confuses me? Also, we want to do some of the seminars I read about last year. Again, everything is very new to me and I'm not sure what I need to do.

3) Special Events: Held throughout the 6 weeks and at various venues around WDW, not just Epcot. These will be available for booking on Aug 16. As far as what exactly will be offered this year, we do not know yet and don’t know when Disney will release that info. Usually mid July.

Here is what was available in 2010. I hope it gives you an idea of what to expect.

a) First Bites Opening Reception is held the night before the official opening at the Festival Welcome Center. 2010 cost $ 195 per person plus tax and gratuity. Meet and greet with chefs and festival organizers plus the sampling of kiosk food, wines and beverages. Great if that’s your last night at WDW or you aren’t (or can’t) hoof it around the World Showcase to sample everything.

b) 3D Disney’s Dessert Discovery World Showcase Pavilion, select Thursdays and Friday evenings. 2010 cost $45 per person +. An array of desserts, liquors, cordials, coffee, tea, etc.

c) Sweet Sundays: Festival Welcome Center 2010 $85+/person Aguest pastry chef or baker demonstrated desserys or pastry and then a breakfast buffet is served including a sparkling wine.

d) Celebrating Family & Friends in the Kitchen: Festival Welcome Center, a 3 course lunch, on Fridays. 2010 costs $110-$140 per person plus tax. Usually a chef or sommelier present for a demonstration during lunch.

e) Epcot Wine Schools at Wonders Retreat (upstairs Festival Wine Center), Select Saturday afternoons: 2010 cost $ 125/person plus tax . 2 hours of wine class learning about varietals or country of origin, etc. 1 hour reception of small bites and some beverage.

f) Cheese Seminars Festival Welcome Center 2010 cost $75/person + Learn about cheeses and how to pair them with beverages. Presented by fromagers.

g) Mexico Tequila Tastings: Held in La Cava Del Tequila, Mexican Pavilion, World Showcase 2010 cost $45/person on Fri, Sat and Sun at noon. Learn about and taste different Tequilas.

h) French Regional Lunches: Bistro de Paris at the France Pavilion, World Showcase, select Fridays and Sundays, 2010 cost $95/person. A wine, from different French wine regions, featured at each luncheon.

i) Grand Marnier Tasting, Bistro de Paris at the France Pavilion, World Showcase Epcot, Saturdays, 2010 cost $45/person. This was a new event last year and we don’t know if it will be offered again. We tasted various aged Grand Marnier, learned about the history of the liquor, made our own cocktails and enjoyed some crepes and soufflés.

j) Food & Wine Pairings: 3 regional wines paired wth 3 tasting size portions of regional cuisine from Italy or Japan or Morocco held at the respective pavilions on Sat, Mon and Tues during the festival. 2010 cost $65/person

k) Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining: Dinner and wine at various restaurants throughout WDW, including Downtown Disney. Select dates and varied prices from $125 to $450 per person.

l) Party for the Senses: World Showplace Pavilion, Saturday evenings, $135/person +; wine view lounge $225/person +; Full open access to food and beverage stations for 2 1/2 hours

 

[MrsG]

This will be our first time at F&W. Can't wait!!

 

[AJW]

ANY word about a 'Grape Getaway" this year? We were told it would be repeated this year but I don't see anything about it anywhere. I had the organizers email address and she had mine but mine is now changed and I can't remember hers!!!! Any info from anyone else?? We loved it last year and were hoping to go again.

No word about it, yet, as far as I know. It was announced in early July last year, I believe.

 

[redzinner]

A few more details from Scott Joseph's Orlando food blog:

The 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will run from September 30 to November 13, 2011. The 45-day fest is one of the largest and longest food and wine events in the country.

There will be three new tasting marketplaces -- Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal -- plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces. Look for exotic cocktails to be a new focus.

The Hawaii kiosk will offer Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips to team with a Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona Longboard or Pipeline beer. The Caribbean Islands marketplace will serve ropa vieja with rice and jerk-spiced chicken with mango salsa and a beverage menu featuring a frozen Dragon Berry Colada and frozen Rock Coconut Mojito.

The new Portugal marketplace will have the Portugal Wine Bar with offerings to pair with calamari salad with olives and smoked paprika. The Scandinavia marketplace will return after a hiatus with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer. And the Canada marketplace will introduce its apple ice wine.

Celebrity chefs scheduled to appear include Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith and Keegan Gerhard.

New this year, HGTV will offer home entertaining seminars each Friday, saturday and Sunday. And Craisins will offer a cranberry bog display.

Plus there will be the usual seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I received a notice today from tables in wonderland that a special preview of the 2011 Epcot F & W Festival is scheduled for July 16th. Members will sample food from the kiosks and will also be able to find out about the special events prior to them being available to the general public

The menu includes Kalua Pork Slider with sweet and sour pineapple chutney, Swedish meatballs with lingon berries, shrimp on the baribe with pepper berry, seared sea scallop, braised beef with white rice, jerk spiced chicken drunmstick, ocean spray craisin bread, white chocolate macademia mousse with dark chocolate pearls, tres leches verine, and pastel de nata.

I hope someone is able to go and give everyone a report!

 

[pixiesnake]

I received a notice today from tables in wonderland that a special preview of the 2011 Epcot F & W Festival is scheduled for July 16th. Members will sample food from the kiosks and will also be able to find out about the special events prior to them being available to the general public

The menu includes Kalua Pork Slider with sweet and sour pineapple chutney, Swedish meatballs with lingon berries, shrimp on the baribe with pepper berry, seared sea scallop, braised beef with white rice, jerk spiced chicken drunmstick, ocean spray craisin bread, white chocolate macademia mousse with dark chocolate pearls, tres leches verine, and pastel de nata.

I hope someone is able to go and give everyone a report!

I would love to go and report back. I have TIW, but never get emails or notifications of any of the special events - I always end up reading about them on the DIS. How do I get on their list? What are they charging for this event?

 

[redzinner]

I would love to go and report back. I have TIW, but never get emails or notifications of any of the special events - I always end up reading about them on the DIS. How do I get on their list? What are they charging for this event?

To get on their list email them at wdw.tables.in.wonderland@disney.com
You must have a valid, active TIW membership

$99 per person, plus tax, gratuity included

Saturday, July 16 6:30 pm-9 pm

 

[crazy4wdw]

I would love to go and report back. I have TIW, but never get emails or notifications of any of the special events - I always end up reading about them on the DIS. How do I get on their list? What are they charging for this event?

For reservations, e-mail WDW.Tables.In.Wonderland@disney.com with your name, daytime phone number, home address, and the number of people in your party. You will be notified on a first come first serve basis. The event is limited to 80 guests. The event is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members.

Good Luck! Hope you go and can give us a report!