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

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I think the opening " stampede" is very exaggerated. We have gone to PFTS every year for the past 5-6 yrs and never waste the extra money on a seat. Yes, it is a little crowded but no one runs or pushes. It is a large crowd flowing well through a huge opening. No cause for alarm or fear for injury. I can't wait!

Last year I felt like I was watching the running of the bulls at Pampola. Stampede seemed to fit what I saw. A hundred folks in a full out Tim qualifed IMHO

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

That should read 'full out run'. Auto correct helped me (yeah right) and I can't figure out how to edit on my phone.

 

[conandrob240]

It is nothing like a stampede. It is a large crowd, yes but stampede? Not at all. but I guess that exaggeration may help some justify the high price tag for WVL! Lol

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It is nothing like a stampede. It is a large crowd, yes but stampede? Not at all. but I guess that exaggeration may help some justify the high price tag for WVL! Lol

I will take photos this year. Folks can judge for themselves

 

[WaltsMartini]

Do any of the kiosks have the passports or are they only at the Festival Center?

In exactly 2 weeks at this time we'll be strolling around having "dinner" at F&W - I am SO excited!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Do any of the kiosks have the passports or are they only at the Festival Center?

In exactly 2 weeks at this time we'll be strolling around having "dinner" at F&W - I am SO excited!

We picked up our passport at the Desserts & Champagne booth.

 

[Chisoxcollector]

It is nothing like a stampede. It is a large crowd, yes but stampede? Not at all. but I guess that exaggeration may help some justify the high price tag for WVL! Lol

Well, I was there last night. It was absolutely a stampede. The stampede went right by my table. I certainly can't judge how it was the nights you have attended in the past... and you certainly can't judge last night, if you weren't there.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I posted my review of the Taste, Shake, Indulge in my trip report along with some of my booth offerings.

 

[conandrob240]

Was anyone hurt? Trampled? Stepped on? If not, it was no stampede. It's a crowd, an excited crowd entering a party. It's a little tight and chaotic for about 2-3 minutes and then it is fine. Don't try to make it more than it is.

 

[Chisoxcollector]

Was anyone hurt? Trampled? Stepped on? If not, it was no stampede. It's a crowd, an excited crowd entering a party. It's a little tight and chaotic for about 2-3 minutes and then it is fine. Don't try to make it more than it is.

Nope, nowhere in the definition of stampede does it say anything about being hurt, trampled, or stepped on. The most applicable definition of stampede is:

"A sudden headlong rush or flight of a crowd of people."

That is a PERFECT definition of what happened last night. You're right, it only lasted a few minutes. I never stated otherwise. In no way am I making more of it than it is. You just have a very extreme personal definition of what stampede means.

 

[ladyelenawf]

(*Dons flame-retardant suit*)

I feel like Ms. Nala should intervene soon. This is a place for Food & Wine info, Q & A, as well as reviews, and pics. The continued fight over the definition &/or correct use of a word chosen by someone to describe their personal perspective is rather petty & distracting.

I love the additional info & various points of view from people that have been there. If you have a different memory, then add your review! Don't start critiquing other's posts just because you don't agree.

All that having been said...anyone have a pic of that 22oz souvenir stein? I really want to know in advance what it looks like. Someone on here mentioned earlier that it wasn't dishwasher safe.

 

[Dikran]

Anybody have a link to a Parisian Breakfast review? Very curious about this one and can't wait to go on Nov 2!

 

[conandrob240]

I wasn't questioning the use of the word. My point was that describing the general admission to PFTS as equal to a stampede or the running of the bulls was a tremendous exaggeration that might scare off new party-goers. It is a great experience even in general admission and in 8+ parties, we have never felt a stampede or any kind of negative issue with the entrance to the party. It is a large group of people excited to enter but it is wll-orchestrated and perfectly fine. and if crowds scare you, enter the party five minutes late and there will be no crowd at all.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Anybody have a link to a Parisian Breakfast review? Very curious about this one and can't wait to go on Nov 2!

Remember reading one, can't find it now (big help! ).

Our Disney friends (conversation with strangers at F&W one year, ran into same strangers following year, exchanged email and phone #s = Disney friends!) just tried it and loved it. Brief email description, but lots of mimosas and great food. Not a lot of help, sorry. But they did recommend it! The Italian wine tasting lunch is another one of their favorites, if that helps!

 

[Chisoxcollector]

All that having been said...anyone have a pic of that 22oz souvenir stein? I really want to know in advance what it looks like. Someone on here mentioned earlier that it wasn't dishwasher safe. [/COLOR][/FONT][/B]

Josh has a picture of the stein (at least I think it's the one you're talking about) in his latest post at easywdw.

 

[ladyelenawf]

Josh has a picture of the stein (at least I think it's the one you're talking about) in his latest post at easywdw.

Thank you!! The first part of his article really saved me a trip to the festival center. I love looking at the chocolate creations. I just hate schlepping to the center. It even showed those plates w/ the glass holder on them that every one was talking about.

The second part did have a picture of the stein!!! Thank you sooo much! Along with a helpful review of the offerings.

Still wondering what to do w/ the beer I won't want...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Anybody have a link to a Parisian Breakfast review? Very curious about this one and can't wait to go on Nov 2!

This is not a formal review but I went this past Saturday.

They don't really let you over the bridge into the France area until a few minutes before 9 and then you line up to check in. Someone from the first party said they brought out Mimosas to them, that didn't happen with our party.
You are lead to your seat by a waiter and then it's on.

There's a buffet. Don't expect anything healthy (None of those strange whole wheat croissants the D23 event tried to pawn off on us) Beautiful pastries, great cheeses and meats. IT's all you can eat. I only made one trip but others went back several times

The mimosas were unlimited and we got our money's worth just out of that. After the first one our waiter refilled them.. his method was lots of champagne and a splash of orange juice.... and our glasses were full almost the entire time we were there....

Someone from the restaurant gave a little speech about how their bakery works and pushed the afternoon event but that was it for "education"

My gut feeling is this is the year to go, when they figure out how much we are drinking either the unlimited drinks go or the price goes way up

I had a great time!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thank you!! The first part of his article really saved me a trip to the festival center. I love looking at the chocolate creations. I just hate schlepping to the center. It even showed those plates w/ the glass holder on them that every one was talking about.

The second part did have a picture of the stein!!! Thank you sooo much! Along with a helpful review of the offerings.

Still wondering what to do w/ the beer I won't want...

Note....

I don't see the stein they give you when you buy beer in that report. The one I see is the one they sell. The one they give you is plastic and has small food and wine log on it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I wasn't questioning the use of the word. My point was that describing the general admission to PFTS as equal to a stampede or the running of the bulls was a tremendous exaggeration that might scare off new party-goers. It is a great experience even in general admission and in 8+ parties, we have never felt a stampede or any kind of negative issue with the entrance to the party. It is a large group of people excited to enter but it is wll-orchestrated and perfectly fine. and if crowds scare you, enter the party five minutes late and there will be no crowd at all.

Sadly as a solo I had several negative issues. Since I was unable to get others to "hold" my table I found I had no place to sit or even put my plate for most of the evening due to the "table ownership" that others had established. And if you go way back in this thread you see an example of that where a poster got very upset that some "Dared" to sit at their "reserved" table (which they had reserved with a Disney bag LOL!) Now I admit the last year I went it was rather bizarre, but I think folks need to know that while Disney sells it as a cocktail party a lot of guests race to grab a table then will defend it like they own it for the entire night...

 

[VrBchJ]

This is not a formal review but I went this past Saturday.

They don't really let you over the bridge into the France area until a few minutes before 9 and then you line up to check in. Someone from the first party said they brought out Mimosas to them, that didn't happen with our party.
You are lead to your seat by a waiter and then it's on.

There's a buffet. Don't expect anything healthy (None of those strange whole wheat croissants the D23 event tried to pawn off on us) Beautiful pastries, great cheeses and meats. IT's all you can eat. I only made one trip but others went back several times

The mimosas were unlimited and we got our money's worth just out of that. After the first one our waiter refilled them.. his method was lots of champagne and a splash of orange juice.... and our glasses were full almost the entire time we were there....

Someone from the restaurant gave a little speech about how their bakery works and pushed the afternoon event but that was it for "education"

My gut feeling is this is the year to go, when they figure out how much we are drinking either the unlimited drinks go or the price goes way up

I had a great time!

I totally agree with everything you said. The Parisian breakfast was outstanding. Along with the unlimited Mimosas I had 3 or 4 cappuccinos. BTW what was up with those whole wheat croissants at D23? I'm not doing the Sip and Stroll again. They've "downsized" it to the point it's not worth it. IMHO.