2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival *HAS ENDED*

[Scrappy_Tink]

I feel compelled to chime in with my frustration. Up early and ready to leave for work prior to 7:00. I was watching the digital computer clock and hit dial at 5 seconds to 7:00. Went through the prompts and was told 20 minute wait and was promptly disconnected. This could have been me, my phone drops frequently (thanks AT&T.) I attempted to call an additional 48 times (the cell keeps count) before I had to leave for work. I got all circuits are busy, a beeping busy signal and a weird rushing sound, but was never connected. I was unable to call again until my lunch break due to morning meetings. Of course everything we wanted was sold out. We settled for regular seats at PFTS on 10/20 and a Japan Wine and Food Pairing on 10/17. No Jiko signature dinner or Italian lunch for us. We really wanted to a signature dinner instead of PFTS this year.

I really was frustrated one year when trying to make my 180 ADRs, because when the call was answered, it was "dead air", so I called back several times. Well, come to find out, it was actually connected, but the hold music wasn't working!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Sounds like we had the same first CM. Only, I waited almost an hour for her to pick up. She took my information and started looking for 3D Sweet Seats for me and that's when I go the "Hello, hello" and hangup.

I did finally get through another 45 minutes later and got what we wanted (3D Sweet Seats & PFTS reserved seats), just had to change weekends.

Maybe she had to go to the bathroom!! I'm glad you got your Sweet Seats!! I told DH one year I want to stay at Shades of Green, instead of stay on DVC points, so we can wait until AFTER the F & W schedule comes out to book our lodging reservations.

 

[west&east]

Got up at 4:50 this morning to call at 5:00 on the dot.....call instantly went through, and put on hold for 30 minutes. Finally got a CM,and I hear "Hello, hello, is any one there?"...I'm yelling "DONT HANG UP, DON'T HANG UP!!"....*sigh* she hung up. Took about 10 minutes to get through the busy circuits, and finally got back in the cue again. Got ready for work, with phone on speaker, got in car, was ALMOST to work, when they finally answered while I was at a traffic light. I asked if she'd hang on, so I could pull my car over...got pulled over and booked my Sweet Seats and reserved PFTS (reserved, but not Wine View). I got to work and tried to look the confirmation numbers up, and saw the 3DDD, but NOT Sweet Seats, no PFTS. I called CM back, on hold AGAIN, and explained everything to her, told her I booked Sweet Seats for 3DDD and PFTS.....she was really, really NICE. She said she'd change the 3DDD for me, but when she tried, they were sold out. She DID find the PFTS with the confirmation #, but couldn't explain why I couldn't pull it up.

I'm sooooooo aggravated that the 2nd CM who didn't book me Sweet Seats!! I had everything written down, and Sweet Seats underlined and highlighted. I KNOW I asked for them!! On the flip side, I can't believe how nice the 3rd CM was though, I was afraid she was going to give me the run-around, but she was really sweet and so apologetic....really took the sting out of them being sold out. Oh-well, guess I'll be there trying to snag a table with the masses!! Me, DH and sister will be sharing a table.....you see my LGMH, stop and say "Hi", we'll be more than happy to share table space with you!!

Do you know if the reservation system would show the sweet seats? I booked wine view lounge for PFTS and I just pulled up my reservation online. It is there but does not specify the type of reservation. I know what I paid and she went over all the details on the phone so I feel pretty confident that it was booked correctly but not sure how to confirm it. I wonder if I called if the reservation person would be able to access more detail?

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm not able to pull up any of the reservations I made this morning! Is this the case for anyone else?

 

[TigerKat]

I'm not able to pull up any of the reservations I made this morning! Is this the case for anyone else?

Yes, I can't pull mine up either. I called the reservation line and was told it can take up to 24 hours and even then you may not see them all. I just confirmed them with her and hope we're good to go!

 

[smile4stamps]

Yes, I can't pull mine up either. I called the reservation line and was told it can take up to 24 hours and even then you may not see them all. I just confirmed them with her and hope we're good to go!

Thank you! I figured it was just a matter of time! Hoping to see them tomorrow otherwise I will ask when I call in a few days.

 

[Jetku]

I didn't realize this would be crazy until now!

We have never done food and wine before; our impending honeymoon will be the first time.

I planned to reserve at the first moment possible, because that's how I handle all dining. I actually forgot about it until I was in the shower this morning at around 6:45am. I quickly finished and ran to the computer/phone. I called a few times before 7 and no luck, of course.

Called exactly at 7, had two automated options to hit, then ...instant cast member!

Apparently I was her first person of the day. I only reserved the 3D Dessert party for November 2nd, apparently not one of the rarer events.

But I am glad I ensured it right away, and thrilled that I avoided a stressful wait!

Can't wait for the event!

 

[Quacktatty]

Didn't get the Irvine deminar that I really really wanted but I'm doing:

10/24 - Jason Kohl
10/24 - Tony Marotta
10/28 - Pano Karatassos and Piero Premoli
10/29 - Glenn O'Brien
10/29 - Gunn
10/30 - Javier Parejo

 

[polly p]

I called at 7 and was on hold for 50min. I got PFTS WVL10/20 and italian food and wine pairing 10/18. I can't locate my reservations either. I got hung up on last year at 7:10 but am so nervous I can't retrieve ressies. Hopefully they will be there tomorrow.

 

[raraavis]

We'll be there looking for a table too....I find most people at Disney are more than happy to share! We've shared tables scattered around EPCOT during F & W several times, and it's a great way to meet new people! I'm just hoping that since they added reserved seats, that it doesn't mean that the other tables won't have seats at all!

i'm more than happy to share tables with other people for sure! i think it will be fun even if i have to stand! but i do hope that since there are more sweet seats that it doesn't mean it takes away from the riff raff , um, i mean the general public. it wouldn't surprise me though if they did take away general seating for some sweet seats since that is what makes the money. we won't be getting to epcot until about 7pm on fri oct. 26 either, so i hope we don't have problems picking up our tickets that late and also hope to get a decent spot in line. but i heard people line up at least an hour before doors open.

speaking of tickets, does anyone know if the tickets can only be picked up day of and where do we pick them up? can i pick the tickets up on another day? or at epcot guest services???? thanks!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi Joan - same boat here. Going the 24th with regular seats. First time at event.

Hi, Are you doing the Wine tasting or the 3 D Dessert ?? Joan

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Do you know if the reservation system would show the sweet seats? I booked wine view lounge for PFTS and I just pulled up my reservation online. It is there but does not specify the type of reservation. I know what I paid and she went over all the details on the phone so I feel pretty confident that it was booked correctly but not sure how to confirm it. I wonder if I called if the reservation person would be able to access more detail?

I'm not sure if it would show "sweet seats" or not, that's why I called, because it just showed I had reservations, but not what for. Unfortunately for me, they weren't the sweet seats i had asked for!

I brought the reservation up by going onto my DVC account, and then went into Dining reservations, and "view reservations", that's where I found it. The PFTS wasn't showing though, but I called and they verified it was correct, and DH checked his account and the amount subtracted was correct.

 

[Forever a Princess]

The low down on my experience this AM.

Took me half hour to get into the que. Then spent 52 minutes on hold.

Jiko Signature Dinner Sold out.
VIP Marketplace Tour 10-17 Sold out.

Booked Kitchen Memories on 10/12.

While on hold booked General admit for PFTS 10/13 and 10/21.

 

[Missyrose]

My story has a happy ending. After being told by two different CMs this morning that all the Italian Regional Lunches, Italy Food and Wine pairings and Italy Food and Beer pairings during my 10-day trip were sold out, I called back this afternoon after work and got an amazing CM.

He said that we were going to try each event a few times because he's had events pop up with availability when they had shown sold out before. And somehow, he managed to find an Italy Food and Beer pairing that fits perfectly into our trip! I was so excited! I really, really wanted the regional lunch, but now I'm just excited we get to try one of the events at all!

 

[Joan S.]

Going to the 3D dessert on 10/26. This is our first event so I was wondering how you get the tickets. Do we pick up at Guest services will call or are they picked up at the Festival Center?

Hi, My DH and I are going to 3D on the 26th also!! And this is a first time event for us also . Joan

 

[The Expert]

There has got to be a better way for Disney to do this.

Even something as simple as a staggered start date for reservations would alleviate some of the pain.

And I don't mean the "DVC members can reserve some of the lesser events early" staggering.

I'm talking about PFTS on Monday, the special dining another day, etc. etc.

Sure it might take multiple calls, but at least there isn't a switchboard exploding somewhere because three thousand people called it at the same time.

Amen! I think they should stagger by dates, like this:

Events Sept 28 through Oct 12: Booking opens Aug. 14
Events Oct 13 through Oct 27: Booking opens Aug. 21
Events Oct 28 through Nov 12: Booking opens Aug. 28

That way, only a third of the people are calling each time. And obviously the ultimate solution would be to offer online booking for ALL events, but I don't trust Disney IT to do so.

For a company that is SO conscientious about delivering a polished product to the public in all other areas, it shocks me that in 2012 they are still so far behind when it comes to forward-facing technology.

OH and after three calls and a total hold time of 90 minutes, I did manage to book my two events:

Wine School (Willamette) on 10/7
Tequila Lunch on 10/14

I had already booked the Lasseter wine seminar on 10/16 with DVC last week, and we have tickets to the Swolfin causeway event on 10/13.

 

[BriarRosie]

this is a great topic as i was wondering the same thing! i'm surprised i wouldn't be able to buy a giftcard with a giftcard. seems like i should be able to. i plan to receive $250 in disney giftcards before our trip (though with my luck with new credit card sign up promotions, the giftcards will come after i go on vacation ).

so what you're saying is if you can't buy a f&W giftcard with a disney giftcard, you might be able to charge the f&w giftcard to your kttw and then pay your balance with the disney giftcard? i hope that's what you're saying because that would be perfectly fine for us! guess i need to go do some research.

kinda on giftcard topic, can you use disney giftcards to pay a balance on a a disney credit card??? this is my last resort if my giftcards don't come before we go to disney in late october.

thanks!

You can always use your KTTW card for all your purchases, sacrificing the wristband but having it all accumulating on your room. Don't let your room charges go above your daily limit, or the resort will charge your credit card and you'd start over. By that, I'd mean getting your Front Desk to reverse the charges and apply part of your pre-purchased gift certificates. The resorts have different limits. Values have a lower limit than Deluxes. Ask your Front Desk cast member when you check in. It's not a bad idea to settle up with the gift cards on the last night of your trip so nothing gets charged to your credit card.

2 the folks looking to use a gc to purchase F&W wrist cards-this happened to me last yr. DONOT go to just any booth to try to do this-as they will ALL tell you you can't. GO to guest relations ONLY-I ended up there by accident as I was so frustrated. Mabey things changed this yr but I will directly go there myself to purchase my wrist card

The wristband gift cards are sold at various locations. I've seen them at the gift shop at the International Gateway, the open-air Festival shops that are near where Future World meets World Showcase Plaza. And if you're going through the main entrance, the Festival Center (former Wonders of Life pavilion) sells them with all the Festival merchandise.

 

[marshwiggle]

Going to the 3D dessert on 10/26. This is our first event so I was wondering how you get the tickets. Do we pick up at Guest services will call or are they picked up at the Festival Center?

I couldn't find where this had been answered. Only the seminars have tickets that need to be picked up. For the premium events you just check in, usually outside the event or some place nearby. In the past, the check-in area for PftS or 3D has been set up across from the World showplace building.

 

[marshwiggle]

Amen! I think they should stagger by dates, like this:

Events Sept 28 through Oct 12: Booking opens Aug. 14
Events Oct 13 through Oct 27: Booking opens Aug. 21
Events Oct 28 through Nov 12: Booking opens Aug. 28

That way, only a third of the people are calling each time. And obviously the ultimate solution would be to offer online booking for ALL events, but I don't trust Disney IT to do so.

For a company that is SO conscientious about delivering a polished product to the public in all other areas, it shocks me that in 2012 they are still so far behind when it comes to forward-facing technology.

Does it even need to be that complicated?

Why doesn't WDW work out some process whereby each day's F&W events are released for booking at some set interval in advance, like 60 days? Guests could book over the phone at 7am WDW time or even online at 6am as these events become available. It sounds impossible but surely they could come up with something

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

I'm not sure if it would show "sweet seats" or not, that's why I called, because it just showed I had reservations, but not what for. Unfortunately for me, they weren't the sweet seats i had asked for!

I brought the reservation up by going onto my DVC account, and then went into Dining reservations, and "view reservations", that's where I found it. The PFTS wasn't showing though, but I called and they verified it was correct, and DH checked his account and the amount subtracted was correct.

All of my reservations are now showing online, and "Sweet Seats" (3D) and "reserved seating" (PFTS) are *not* specified.