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

[TDC Nala]

According to the posted list there will be no PFTS on Saturday, October 1, or Saturday, October 29 (which was the day I had planned to go).

 

[franandaj]

According to the posted list there will be no PFTS on Saturday, October 1, or Saturday, October 29 (which was the day I had planned to go).

Me too! Now I'm trying to figure out if there are any possible ADRs left as we had planned to steer clear of the kiosks that Saturday night. Maybe we'll just make dinner in our villa that night instead of Sunday and brave the kiosks for dinner Sunday night.

What are the crowds like Sunday evening? We have an ADR at Sci-Fi Dine in for lunch Sunday as we were trying to avoid the kiosks Sat afternoon through Sunday.

 

[dgbg100106]

There is no PFTS the Saturday that I am going to be at WDW.

Sorry about that....
There is no 3D Dessert when we are there either.


Does anyone know about the Sweet Sunday? Can you point me to a review from Last Year?

 

[redzinner]

We've never done the wine schools. Can you tell me about it?

Hi shovan!
We've done them off and on for several years.
Last year we attended Andrea Robinson's "Explore the Alluring and Mysterious Great Pinot Noir Regions'.

The Epcot Wine School is different each week and can be any facet of the industry. The presenter can be winemaker, Master Sommelier, educators or other type of industry expert. The write up of each school will give you a hint of what that class will be about. It's usually a well-organized, professional, yet very friendly environment, where the presenter talks participants through varietal tasting, terroir knowledge, blending your own sample, or specific growing region/country. I seem to remember usually tasting (a good pour in a wine glass) about 5 wines, open discussions, presentations & slideshows. It's about a 2 hour class with some foodie apps and more wine afterwards, where you have a chance to meet and talk to the presenter. It has been held in the Wonder's Retreat.
Another important aspect is the quality of wines. These wines are 'finer' wines than those at the wine seminars held downstairs.

 

[franandaj]

Sorry about that....
There is no 3D Dessert when we are there either.


Does anyone know about the Sweet Sunday? Can you point me to a review from Last Year?

I haven't done Sweet Sundays at WDW, but I did one at DCA a couple years back and I can't imagine that they were all that different. I'll tell you about the DCA version. Keegan Gerhard was the chef. They started us off with a breakfast of pastries, sausage, home fries, fruit, coffee and juices, plus we could choose from Magicale or a White Sparkling Wine. After most people had eaten what they wanted of the breakfast, the chef came out and prepared three different Sweet Treats for us. He was entertaining and fun and everything was very tasty. At the time it was $40 for the event. The next year they raised the price to $70pp and we just couldn't see spending that much money for a light breakfast and some sweets. If the WDW version is much different I can't tell you much, but I would imagine that they are pretty similar in format.

 

[AJW]

Are the "Food and Wine Pairings (Monday,Tuesday)" the basic events held at the Odyssey building? The ones that didn't cost that much?

If so, are they normally worth it? We will be at Epcot on a Monday and wondering if I should book one of these or just do the world showcase stuff and not worry about it.

The Food and Wine pairings have been held at Morocco, Italy, and Japan for the past couple of years. Last year they were $65 per person. Basically, you get three glasses of wine and three small portions of food to pair with them. It's almost like a wine class or seminar, as a sommelier walks you through how the wines pair with the food.

Here's a review from our food and wine pairing in Morocco in 2009.

 

[dgbg100106]

I haven't done Sweet Sundays at WDW, but I did one at DCA a couple years back and I can't imagine that they were all that different. I'll tell you about the DCA version. Keegan Gerhard was the chef. They started us off with a breakfast of pastries, sausage, home fries, fruit, coffee and juices, plus we could choose from Magicale or a White Sparkling Wine. After most people had eaten what they wanted of the breakfast, the chef came out and prepared three different Sweet Treats for us. He was entertaining and fun and everything was very tasty. At the time it was $40 for the event. The next year they raised the price to $70pp and we just couldn't see spending that much money for a light breakfast and some sweets. If the WDW version is much different I can't tell you much, but I would imagine that they are pretty similar in format.

Thanks.... Hopefully they will let us know soon.

 

[JenKatt]

For those of you asking, Pam Brandon from WDW confimed no Grape Getaway this year. (See the comments)

 

[dgbg100106]

I haven't done Sweet Sundays at WDW, but I did one at DCA a couple years back and I can't imagine that they were all that different. I'll tell you about the DCA version. Keegan Gerhard was the chef. They started us off with a breakfast of pastries, sausage, home fries, fruit, coffee and juices, plus we could choose from Magicale or a White Sparkling Wine. After most people had eaten what they wanted of the breakfast, the chef came out and prepared three different Sweet Treats for us. He was entertaining and fun and everything was very tasty. At the time it was $40 for the event. The next year they raised the price to $70pp and we just couldn't see spending that much money for a light breakfast and some sweets. If the WDW version is much different I can't tell you much, but I would imagine that they are pretty similar in format.

Is it always a morning event?

That is the day we arrive and we arrive at 2PM

 

[SarahInMN]

I've been looking and looking at all the posted info. Are they really doing away with the Wine View Lounge?? Or is it just not posted?? We love the WVL and were looking forward to it!!

 

[TDC Nala]

According to Pam Brandon in the blog, the wine view lounge will return. It is so expensive and so popular I can't see them doing away with it. They have just done away with two nights of PFTS (October 1 and October 29).

 

[erionm]

I haven't done Sweet Sundays at WDW, but I did one at DCA a couple years back and I can't imagine that they were all that different. I'll tell you about the DCA version. Keegan Gerhard was the chef. They started us off with a breakfast of pastries, sausage, home fries, fruit, coffee and juices, plus we could choose from Magicale or a White Sparkling Wine. After most people had eaten what they wanted of the breakfast, the chef came out and prepared three different Sweet Treats for us. He was entertaining and fun and everything was very tasty.

We did this at WDW last year. It's was just as you described and we also enjoyed it.

Is it always a morning event?

Yes

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney Food Blog reports on new Chocolate Seminars.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...nd-wine-festival-to-debut-chocolate-seminars/

 

[B'rer Karen]

Disney Food Blog reports on new Chocolate Seminars.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...nd-wine-festival-to-debut-chocolate-seminars/

That sounds wonderful. I hope it is being offered the Sunday I'll be there.

 

[Redwitch]

Disney Food Blog reports on new Chocolate Seminars.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...nd-wine-festival-to-debut-chocolate-seminars/

.....chocolate.....

 

[abminer]

We did this at WDW last year. It's was just as you described and we also enjoyed it.



Yes

Bummer, we too arrive on a Sunday (10/2) and likely wouldn't be able to make a morning event (what time is it usually?). However, if it was Buddy the cake boss I'd consider arriving a day early! Is park admission required for Sweet Sundays?

 

[franandaj]

For those of you asking, Pam Brandon from WDW confimed no Grape Getaway this year. (See the comments)

Last year it was 10-12 noon. I believe it says admission required. I still have the little booklet they mailed me last year to make jealous of everyone else going.

 

[scoopmorgan]

How big do the crowds get during the F&WF? Is it only Epcot that gets crowded, or do all the parks pick up during that time? We want to sample of the fabulous foods, but crowds are not my forte. We thought going in October the crowds would be smaller. I wasn't aware of the Festival until after we booked.

 

[AJW]

How big do the crowds get during the F&WF? Is it only Epcot that gets crowded, or do all the parks pick up during that time? We want to sample of the fabulous foods, but crowds are not my forte. We thought going in October the crowds would be smaller. I wasn't aware of the Festival until after we booked.

Crowds aren't too bad during the Festival. It gets crowded in Epcot on the weekends and evenings, but otherwise you should be OK. It's definitely not like Summer or the Holiday season! ;-)

To avoid the crowds in Epcot, go during the week, and head to world showcase when it opens at 11am. It's usually pretty dead

 

[AJW]

Last year it was 10-12 noon. I believe it says admission required. I still have the little booklet they mailed me last year to make jealous of everyone else going.

Yep -- park admission required for Sweet Sundays.