2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival *HAS ENDED*

[WeeVee]

Seminars and demos are free? Am I reading this incorrectly? Sorry, I've never been and am confused some.

Demonstrations & Seminars (Additional Fee Required)


Culinary Demonstrations: 45-minute culinary demonstrations. At 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. $11 and $14 per person, tax included.

Wine/Beverage Seminars: Monday through Thursday at 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. $11 and $14 per person, tax included.

Mixology Seminars: At 6:00 p.m. daily. $14 per person, tax included.

To secure a spot at any of the above events, book online or call (407) WDW-FEST or (407) 939-3378. Reservations open for booking on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 7:00 a.m. Space is limited, so be sure to book in advance.

We have not seen the schedule or program for these demonstrations and seminars yet.
There will be a link to online reservations for these demonstrations and seminars on the Disney Epcot Food and Wine web page.

TiW and DVC members, Annual Passholders, and Golden Oak residents will be allowed to book on August 10 with $2 off regular price for the Monday through Thursday demonstrations and seminars only. Hopefully the schedule and the online system will be live by then.

 

[wvaspartan]

Just announced a moment ago....Online booking will be available for deminars, etc.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/08/countdown-to-epcot-international-food-wine-festival-reservations-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[zeferjen]

Just announced a moment ago....Online booking will be available for deminars, etc.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/08/countdown-to-epcot-international-food-wine-festival-reservations-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

So good to hear this! Call me crazy, but I am far more comfortable booking things myself online.

 

[pmdeve]

I wonder if passholders can order on line on the 10th or if we need to call.

 

[WeeVee]

I wonder if passholders can order on line on the 10th or if we need to call.

Last year passholders could order the seminars and demonstrations online. You need a valid ticket number to do so. Not a voucher.
The main events will not be on sale for anyone until August 14 at 7am by either phone or online.

 

[rentayenta]

Demonstrations & Seminars (Additional Fee Required)


Culinary Demonstrations: 45-minute culinary demonstrations. At 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. $11 and $14 per person, tax included.

Wine/Beverage Seminars: Monday through Thursday at 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. $11 and $14 per person, tax included.

Mixology Seminars: At 6:00 p.m. daily. $14 per person, tax included.

To secure a spot at any of the above events, book online or call (407) WDW-FEST or (407) 939-3378. Reservations open for booking on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 7:00 a.m. Space is limited, so be sure to book in advance.

We have not seen the schedule or program for these demonstrations and seminars yet.
There will be a link to online reservations for these demonstrations and seminars on the Disney Epcot Food and Wine web page.

TiW and DVC members, Annual Passholders, and Golden Oak residents will be allowed to book on August 10 with $2 off regular price for the Monday through Thursday demonstrations and seminars only. Hopefully the schedule and the online system will be live by then.

Thank you!! This is just what I needed. Not having been to WDW in over 3 years coupled with being a first time F&Wer is proving to be research intensive.

 

[crazy4wdw]

There's an updated article on Disney Parks Blog regarding the F&W Fest. Looks like you'll be able to book some of the special events on-line:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...val-reservations-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

Don’t forget, the phone lines open at 7 a.m. August 14 for reservations for all of the ticketed events for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). And this year, you can book some of the hottest tickets online at epcotfoodfestival.com: Party for the Senses, mixology seminars, “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery, Epcot wine schools and culinary demos in the Festival Center.

We know seats go fast for the signature events, but there are dozens to choose from – find all of the information to help you plan at epcotfoodfestival.com. And try something new this year!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There's an updated article on Disney Parks Blog regarding the F&W Fest. Looks like you'll be able to book some of the special events on-line:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...val-reservations-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

In the comments after that Disney Parks Blog post, a reader commented today:

"So excited for this year’s Festival!! When will the list of Culinary Demonstrations and Wine Seminars be posted? only 1 week until booking opens!"​

Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer, quickly replied:

"We hope to have posted by end of this week."​

With bookings opening (for AP, DVC, TiW) on Friday, August 10, I certainly hope so too!

I'm not expecting anything until Thursday evening, but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[mbtohill]

I read this on another site

"Visit the Festival Center Wine Shop for daily wine samples provided by our participating beverages companies. Open daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m."

I'm assuming "samples" would be free tastings?? That would be pretty cool, nice way to try a bunch of different wines

 

[oybolshoi]

I read this on another site

"Visit the Festival Center Wine Shop for daily wine samples provided by our participating beverages companies. Open daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m."

I'm assuming "samples" would be free tastings?? That would be pretty cool, nice way to try a bunch of different wines

I hope everyone plays nicely .... seminars and demos used to be free and then it got to the point where people who wanted to attend had to show up at least an hour in advance to wait for a ticket just to gain admittance, especially for the more popular presenters. I could see anything "free" quickly getting out of hand based on our past experiences at the festival.

Here's hoping I'm wrong ...

 

[karrit2000]

I hope everyone plays nicely .... seminars and demos used to be free and then it got to the point where people who wanted to attend had to show up at least an hour in advance to wait for a ticket just to gain admittance, especially for the more popular presenters. I could see anything "free" quickly getting out of hand based on our past experiences at the festival.

Here's hoping I'm wrong ...

I hope you're wrong too but I thought their unofficial excuse for charging had something to do with the state liquor licensing authority. Wonder how come free samples in the temporary wine shop are okay.

 

[oybolshoi]

I hope you're wrong too but I thought their unofficial excuse for charging had something to do with the state liquor licensing authority. Wonder how come free samples in the temporary wine shop are okay.

I was wondering the same thing but I was just keeping my mouth shut for a change. That was the whole "reason" for charging for the seminars and demos because they weren't allowed to give alcohol away for free.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

I was wondering the same thing but I was just keeping my mouth shut for a change. That was the whole "reason" for charging for the seminars and demos because they weren't allowed to give alcohol away for free.

Maybe the secret is in the "wine samples provided by our participating beverages companies" - maybe because it's not Disney providing the samples, it's allowed?

 

[LMO429]

Quick ? What would be the difference between the Italian Regional Lunch and the Italian food and wine pairing? The food and wine pairing is an extra half hour and ten dollars less? What am I missing here? We did the French Regional Lunch last year and enjoyed it.

 

[goodferry]

I have been wondering the same thing

 

[oybolshoi]

Maybe the secret is in the "wine samples provided by our participating beverages companies" - maybe because it's not Disney providing the samples, it's allowed?

they weren't provided by Disney at the seminars ... they were provided by the presenters such as Banfi, Moet, Markham, etc.

most of us who had been attending on a regular basis felt it had less to do with FL liquor laws and crowd control than with the organizers realizing they were missing out on an opportunity to make more money. And that's fine ... no one here is under the impression that Disney is in the business not to make money, but it rubbed the wrong way when they'd been free for more than a decade.

as it is, the hubby and I are indifferent because we won't book any deminars and will save money for booth hopping. But I can say it will be interesting to see how the free sample concept plays out this fall.

 

[oybolshoi]

Quick ? What would be the difference between the Italian Regional Lunch and the Italian food and wine pairing? The food and wine pairing is an extra half hour and ten dollars less? What am I missing here? We did the French Regional Lunch last year and enjoyed it.

going out on a limb here ... I think the food & wine pairing is designed to be along the lines of what is done in Japan and Morocco - three small courses paired with a wine to give guests an overview of regional cuisine and wines. we actually attended an Italian F&W pairing in 2009 and though it was a great deal for the money ... ended up being four courses and when they found out it was my birthday gave us an extra dessert with some more rosa regale!

I think the lunches are being designed to be a bit more substantial since they are replacing the Bistro lunches this year. I'm making an assumption but I've gone to a lot of bistro lunches and they are typically five courses with a lot of lovely wine.

Just a guess.

 

[Dancind]

Our absolute favorite event is the French Regional Lunch. I had told DH good thing we aren't going this year since there aren't any.

Now we're going, and taking DD. This will be the first F&W she can legally imbibe at. But we can't book the Italian lunches. She is very gluten intolerant, DH is mildly and I am somewhere in between. I assume it will be mostly pasta dishes.

Really haven't found any special events we can do in our six days. We don't eat much sugar, either, and DD doesn't drink wine.

We'll (carefully) hit the booths and go to some nice restaurants and order things we can eat. She was very happy to hear that the Hops n Brew booth will have cider!

I do want to book some culinary deminars though. Waiting..... Too bad they don't say what they are making until we get there.

 

[kabuki]

they weren't provided by Disney at the seminars ... they were provided by the presenters such as Banfi, Moet, Markham, etc.

most of us who had been attending on a regular basis felt it had less to do with FL liquor laws and crowd control than with the organizers realizing they were missing out on an opportunity to make more money. And that's fine ... no one here is under the impression that Disney is in the business not to make money, but it rubbed the wrong way when they'd been free for more than a decade.

as it is, the hubby and I are indifferent because we won't book any deminars and will save money for booth hopping. But I can say it will be interesting to see how the free sample concept plays out this fall.

Jason looked up the - as he put it- The Convoluted Law of Alcohol distributing in the state of Florida and can't find and exact number the ='s a sample compared to a taste. He thinks it would be very similar to California law which is -

Q. 102. May retail licensees give samples of alcoholic beverages?

A. An on-sale retail licensee licensed to sell wine or distilled spirits may offer instruction on the product by furnishing not more than three tastings to any individual in one day. A single tasting of distilled spirits may not exceed one-quarter of an ounce, while a single tasting of wine may not exceed one ounce. (Section 23386 and Rule 52)


So the samples being offered for free will most likely be around the sizes above. The paid tastings can exceed that.

 

[oybolshoi]

I luv my smart friends!

Jason looked up the - as he put it- The Convoluted Law of Alcohol distributing in the state of Florida and can't find and exact number the ='s a sample compared to a taste. He thinks it would be very similar to California law which is -

Q. 102. May retail licensees give samples of alcoholic beverages?

A. An on-sale retail licensee licensed to sell wine or distilled spirits may offer instruction on the product by furnishing not more than three tastings to any individual in one day. A single tasting of distilled spirits may not exceed one-quarter of an ounce, while a single tasting of wine may not exceed one ounce. (Section 23386 and Rule 52)


So the samples being offered for free will most likely be around the sizes above. The paid tastings can exceed that.