*2013* epcot food & wine festival 9/27-11/11

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

By chance has anyone seen if they are selling F&W salt/pepper shakers?? Thx!

 

[BwoZoo22]

By chance has anyone seen if they are selling F&W salt/pepper shakers?? Thx!

I've never seen those (in past years), but the gift shop in the festival center does have a nice pair of Mickey salt and pepper grinders. We love ours.

 

[Empress Room]

Has anyone seen any reviews of the weekend events. Curious about PFTS and Parisan breakfast, but just wondered how the events and seminars were going

There was no PFTS on opening weekend (never is). The first PFTS is scheduled for this Saturday, October 5. I too heard excellent things about the Parisian breakfast and someone posted a review if you do a Search.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Has anyone seen any reviews of the weekend events. Curious about PFTS and Parisan breakfast, but just wondered how the events and seminars were going

We have been doing the PFTS for six or seven years now, Wine View Lounge seating and general admission tickets; this will be our first year in Reserved Seating. Ticket prices have remained essentially unchanged since I started keeping track in 2010.

We have found the quality and quantity at PFTS remains high each year, which is why we keep going back. The WVL seating is fun, but I'm not sure the extreme price difference (more than $130 a seat) is worth the private table, personal service, full bar, and special food selection. The personal service is exceptional, thought. And we really enjoy not having to be part of the general admission stampede to get a table, but the cost is a real consideration. The reserved seating is not a significant cost increase (about $45/person), so we will see if that is worth it this year, depending on where those seats are. Talking with strangers is part of the fun for PFTS!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

There was no PFTS on opening weekend (never is). The first PFTS is scheduled for this Saturday, October 5. I too heard excellent things about the Parisian breakfast and someone posted a review if you do a Search.

(There was one year I went, but I think you are right the last few years there's been no PFTS this year)

I saw a post for Parisian Breakfast in this thread, but it mainly went through the logistics of getting in etc not much on food etc. I have searched but will try again

Also was curious how the seminars went this year. Last year I returned after taking a break. I didn't want to keep paying to be treated rudely by the staff and a few years ago they were just horrid. Talking loudly while picking up the empty glasses, tried to make me sit in a seat that had no "table" in front of it because the pooh sized folks already there had shoved the chair into the aisle... The vendor rep finally had it with them and told them to SHUT UP and moved me to an empty table (which interfered with their loud clean up campaign LOL!) Last year I went back for a couple and was much happier but....

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

We have been doing the PFTS for six or seven years now, Wine View Lounge seating and general admission tickets; this will be our first year in Reserved Seating. Ticket prices have remained essentially unchanged since I started keeping track in 2010.

We have found the quality and quantity at PFTS remains high each year, which is why we keep going back. The WVL seating is fun, but I'm not sure the extreme price difference (more than $130 a seat) is worth the private table, personal service, full bar, and special food selection. The personal service is exceptional, thought. And we really enjoy not having to be part of the general admission stampede to get a table, but the cost is a real consideration. The reserved seating is not a significant cost increase (about $45/person), so we will see if that is worth it this year, depending on where those seats are. Talking with strangers is part of the fun for PFTS!

I am doing Wine View. I am not sure it's worth the price but I liked it a lot last year so I decided to splurge again.

I went every year for years and then one year the the stampede and rude was just too much. (It was the year they were giving away lots of "freebies" and the recipients had a strong sense of "entitlement" and were just rude, would not share tables, shoved folks to get to the front of the food lines etc... Half way through I had enough and walked out, Even the Disney CM was upset with what was going on and apologized a lot, plus a I got a couple of extra wine glasses )

Last year I went back after the break and did Wine View. Loved it No, I can't actually justify the price, but I am going alone this year so it' easier to swallow since it's just one person

 

[BwoZoo22]

(There was one year I went, but I think you are right the last few years there's been no PFTS this year)

I saw a post for Parisian Breakfast in this thread, but it mainly went through the logistics of getting in etc not much on food etc. I have searched but will try again

Also was curious how the seminars went this year. Last year I returned after taking a break. I didn't want to keep paying to be treated rudely by the staff and a few years ago they were just horrid. Talking loudly while picking up the empty glasses, tried to make me sit in a seat that had no "table" in front of it because the pooh sized folks already there had shoved the chair into the aisle... The vendor rep finally had it with them and told them to SHUT UP and moved me to an empty table (which interfered with their loud clean up campaign LOL!) Last year I went back for a couple and was much happier but....

Sorry to hear about the poor experience. We have encountered rude tourists at some seminars, but we mostly just pointedly ignore them, and wonder why they paid for the special ticket.

Overall, we really love the seminars, and learn something new at every one. We are really happy DW keeps adding new ones and is keeping prices reasonable, mostly. We have a seminar or special event scheduled for eacch day of our vacation, and are SUPER EXCITED about the Rogue Valley Creamery cheese seminar November 2. We love their cheese!

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

I've never seen those (in past years), but the gift shop in the festival center does have a nice pair of Mickey salt and pepper grinders. We love ours.

Thank-you, I collect s/p shakers, will look for those!

 

[BeerMe]

Drinking lots of beer and wine an haven't even been in the parks today. back to Epcot tomorrow

 

[Skoolie]

Trip report # one.

We decided to go Sunday Night 5 pm to 8:30pm. The weather was beautiful.

So here is my report.

Hawaii
Tuna Poke - We have had this in years past and it's still just as good but seems a bit smaller of a portion. It's shareable but if you really like it get one of your own.

Craft Beers
Torpedo IPA - I love IPAs and I've had this one before and enjoyed it.
Red Hook Audible Ale - also very good.

Greece
Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki sauce - I really thought this was an improvement from the Chicken Slouvaki from last year. Last year people kept telling me they wished it was more of a gyro, and my cousin had bought both the Slouvaki and the greek salad and combined them together because she thought that slouvaki was too plain. We enjoyed this gyro and would had been a hit with my cousin if she was there.

Hops and Barley
Beers -Sam Adams Boston Lager and October fest. This is more of just a tradition for us to grab one of these. Still taste the same.

Mexico
Shrimp Taco with Purple Cabbage and Taco de Rib-Eye with Salsa de Chipotle.
My favorite of the two was the shrimp taco but both were very good. The rib-eye taco had a nice smokey spicy heat from the chipotle. A win win for both.

Australia
Grilled Lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies. - The first bite was excellent but the second revealed it was very salty. Overly salty for me. My husband loved it but agreed the salt level should be kicked down. My guess is that the salt in cooking the lamb plus the salt in the potato crunchies and pesto was just too much. Dialing back on the salt could of made this a winner as the lamb was cooked well.

Pavlova
Disclaimer: I make lots of pavlovas and in my mind have perfected a pavlova
This Pavlova is good but the meringue crust was too cooked and was dense and chalky. The vanilla custard is not a custard but more like a sauce overlaid on top but it was tasty. The berries were nice and fresh

Overall a great small start. I forgot my phone but my husband did take some pics so once he uploads them I can share.

Hope all are having a great time.

 

[Amunet]

I was wondering if anyone had a forecast of sorts for how early one should be to get good seats for the concerts?
I know it depends on the band, so in my case, it's Oct. 30th - Smashmouth (words cannot describe my excitement).
The 30th is going to be kind of crazy for us but if we need to get to epcot earlier ... I would definately rearrange my plans to make sure I get good seats.
We extended our vacation by a day so I could see Smashmouth

 

[That'sNotVeryMagical]

I was wondering if anyone had a forecast of sorts for how early one should be to get good seats for the concerts?
I know it depends on the band, so in my case, it's Oct. 30th - Smashmouth (words cannot describe my excitement).
The 30th is going to be kind of crazy for us but if we need to get to epcot earlier ... I would definately rearrange my plans to make sure I get good seats.
We extended our vacation by a day so I could see Smashmouth

It absolutely depends on the band. One thing to keep in mind is that there are three shows; some people way most of the day to be up front for the first show. Others wait in line through the first show to be up front for the second or even third.

When it comes to later shows, a castmember hands out tickets to people in line before the first/second show end, but this can be abused if you have a willing accomplice. (As in one person who doesn't care sits in line the entire time, always being first, and then gives their ticket to a second person who gets up front every show.)

I wouldn't expect most shows are that difficult to get up front for, though. The above scenario is surely the oddity and not the norm.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Thank you all for the "first hand" reports! It sounds like everyone is having a wonderful time.

See you all in 4 more days!!!

 

[jcvalenti]

...some people way most of the day to be up front for the first show.

Seriously - I have NEVER understood this. I've seen people standing in line two hours before a show in the hot, unrelenting sun, for these concerts ... ignoring the fun and frivolity and the wonderful experience that is a party crawl around the World Showcase. They lift the ropes and BAM - there are plenty of seats for everyone. Even right up front !

I don't even sit anymore - if there's a band I want to see, you'll generally find me standing at the closest beer both, watching from afar. It's just as much fun and I don't have to waste precious time in line

 

[Bellamouse]

Seriously - I have NEVER understood this. I've seen people standing in line two hours before a show in the hot, unrelenting sun, for these concerts ... ignoring the fun and frivolity and the wonderful experience that is a party crawl around the World Showcase. They lift the ropes and BAM - there are plenty of seats for everyone. Even right up front !

I don't even sit anymore - if there's a band I want to see, you'll generally find me standing at the closest beer both, watching from afar. It's just as much fun and I don't have to waste precious time in line

Agree 1000%

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Seriously - I have NEVER understood this. I've seen people standing in line two hours before a show in the hot, unrelenting sun, for these concerts ... ignoring the fun and frivolity and the wonderful experience that is a party crawl around the World Showcase. They lift the ropes and BAM - there are plenty of seats for everyone. Even right up front ! I don't even sit anymore - if there's a band I want to see, you'll generally find me standing at the closest beer both, watching from afar. It's just as much fun and I don't have to waste precious time in line

t

Two hours is for amatures. I have seen folks camped out at opening. Yes folks. 11 am.

 

[BwoZoo22]

I was wondering if anyone had a forecast of sorts for how early one should be to get good seats for the concerts?
I know it depends on the band, so in my case, it's Oct. 30th - Smashmouth (words cannot describe my excitement).
The 30th is going to be kind of crazy for us but if we need to get to epcot earlier ... I would definately rearrange my plans to make sure I get good seats.
We extended our vacation by a day so I could see Smashmouth

Seriously - I have NEVER understood this. I've seen people standing in line two hours before a show in the hot, unrelenting sun, for these concerts ... ignoring the fun and frivolity and the wonderful experience that is a party crawl around the World Showcase. They lift the ropes and BAM - there are plenty of seats for everyone. Even right up front !

I don't even sit anymore - if there's a band I want to see, you'll generally find me standing at the closest beer both, watching from afar. It's just as much fun and I don't have to waste precious time in line

The more popular bands do have significant lines that build up several hours in advance. My suggestion would be to check out the venue on one of the days before the event. There really isn't a bad seat in the house!

The best concert I've heard there was the Pointer Sisters, and we didn't even have seats! We were 'dancing in the streets' with the elderly pin cart CM behind the pavilion! It was an absolute blast! That sidewalk area is basically the dance floor for the rocking concerts. So, I agree with jcvalenti. Maybe hang out behind the pavilion for the first concert, wait in line for the second, then do whatever was most fun for the third.

 

[horselover]

Australia
Grilled Lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies. - The first bite was excellent but the second revealed it was very salty. Overly salty for me. My husband loved it but agreed the salt level should be kicked down. My guess is that the salt in cooking the lamb plus the salt in the potato crunchies and pesto was just too much. Dialing back on the salt could of made this a winner as the lamb was cooked well.

Thanks for your review. The part I highlighted was a joke last year. Potato crunchies were just crushed up potato chips! Was it the same this year?

Seriously - I have NEVER understood this. I've seen people standing in line two hours before a show in the hot, unrelenting sun, for these concerts ... ignoring the fun and frivolity and the wonderful experience that is a party crawl around the World Showcase. They lift the ropes and BAM - there are plenty of seats for everyone. Even right up front !

I don't even sit anymore - if there's a band I want to see, you'll generally find me standing at the closest beer both, watching from afar. It's just as much fun and I don't have to waste precious time in line

Agree 1000%

Me too! I just don't understand why people will stand there for a couple of hours doing nothing when there is so much fun to be had around WS.

 

[bookgirl]

I think they use the word crunchies because in Australia CHIPS are French fries. Aussies call US potato chips, Crisps. So calling them crunchies may be a Aussie term.

 

[Jolissi]

Can anybody recommend a must try drink at this years festival. I like my sweet drinks so anything like beer or a dry wine would be off the list. Thanks