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

[BeerMe]

Nobody knows exactly when, and Disney isn't talking. They won't even tell people who call, according to another thread I saw - the most they will say is "soon."

We have ways of making them talk..........

 

[tebookie]

Found this info on the Chase Visa Site:

Discover a delicious retreat just for Chase Cardmembers.

Tasting your way around the world just got sweeter. Enjoy the Cardmember exclusive Chase Lounge during the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival from September 27 - November 11, 2013.1, 2 Have a seat, put your feet up and relax on a comfy couch. Plus, recharge your cell phone (and yourself), enjoy complimentary soft drinks, purchase a beer or glass of wine, and catch up on some of your favorite magazines and sports on TV. After you are refreshed and ready for more, check the interactive festival map, grab your passport and head out to sample more.

Cardmembers can visit the Chase Lounge from 11am-9pm on Sunday through Thursday and 11am-10pm on Friday and Saturday during the festival.

The Lounge is located in the American Adventure Pavilion on the third floor (please use the elevator located between the attraction and the gift shop).
Present your Disney's Visa® Card to gain access to the Lounge (separate Epcot® admission is required).

 

[TDC Nala]

Should mention that you do not need to have a Disney Visa for the Chase lounge. Any Chase credit or debit card was accepted. Purchasing booze in the lounge is new.

The big change here is that the lounge will be located in the American Adventure pavilion and NOT in the Festival Center.

 

[BeerMe]

The Lounge is located in the American Adventure Pavilion on the third floor (please use the elevator located between the attraction and the gift shop).
Present your Disney's Visa® Card to gain access to the Lounge (separate Epcot® admission is required).

That's good to know. Thanks for the information. Now just waiting for the seminar schedules to come out

 

[Kelli Pooh]

Kelli Pooh, you can choose to dress up nice or stay fairly casual. Some people will even show up in what they wear to the parks during the day (shorts and tank tops). I really like to dress up a bit, but I always bring comfortable shoes. It is such a fun event... hope you enjoy yourselves!

Thanks! I think I may go look at some sales today for a cute summer dress.

 

[LVSWL]

Happy to be in such good company as I wait

 

[Kelli Pooh]

There will be an enormous range of clothing at this event, everything from park clothes to sparkly dresses. I agree, the thing you should concentrate on most is footwear - for comfort, especially if you plan on general admission.

Thanks! Hoping to find a cute summer dress but the shoes I may need to work on more. I was thinking what cute comfy shoes will work with a dress.....hmmm....shoe shopping never upsets me

 

[WDWGeek1971]

Should mention that you do not need to have a Disney Visa for the Chase lounge. Any Chase credit or debit card was accepted. Purchasing booze in the lounge is new.

The big change here is that the lounge will be located in the American Adventure pavilion and NOT in the Festival Center.

SWEET!!!!!!!! Nice to have a place for a break at the opposite end of the park. During the week, at least, the Festival Center is a great place to get a glass of champagne, hang out, and freshen up in a really nice restroom! ;-)

 

[Julylady]

I keep checking this site and the official F/W Festival site to see if the descriptions of the demos are available. We haven't gone to F/W Festival for several years, but I certainly don't remember that the schedule was released so late!

This makes it so hard to plan! Why do you think they are taking so long?

 

[TDC Nala]

Actually they do release it this late as a matter of course in the past few years.

 

[conandrob240]

It was THIS late last year? It is less than 48 before you can book these events yet no one has any idea what "these events" are? It is not only frustrating but a reflection of how poorly organized and weak from an IT perspective Disney is at some things. There is absolutely no reason why this couldn't be planned out a few weeks before booking, released to the public and supported by an on-line booking system that "reads" whether you are DVC/PAP/ early booking eligible. Making people call on the phone and sit on endless holds at 7am (or 8am) is simply antiquated and silly.

 

[bb1955]

I've made reservations the past 3 years and I do not think we have had such a short time to plan what demos to buy tickets. There are certain chefs and companies that I want to see! Come on Disney and post the schedule!

 

[TDC Nala]

Last year, the Disney Food Blog first posted them on August 9. The early booking date was August 10, regular booking date August 14. So if you go by last year, they're right on track to release tomorrow.

 

[RunnerMomO]

Found this info on the Chase Visa Site:

The Lounge is located in the American Adventure Pavilion on the third floor (please use the elevator located between the attraction and the gift shop).
Present your Disney's Visa® Card to gain access to the Lounge (separate Epcot® admission is required).

Think they will still have the wristbands for priority seating for concerts?!

 

[bb1955]

I must have gotten mine from a different source. I had a printed schedule and made a call from my car for the advanced reservations

 

[TDC Nala]

DFB posts things pretty quickly. I remember a lot of complaints from those having less than 24 hours to plan last year. I think the year before it was 2 days. And you know there are tons of persons in the Disney blogosphere who are checking constantly. We will know as soon as they are accessible.

 

[supersuperwendy]

2 Questions...

1. As a DVC member when I call on Friday can I pay with a disney gift card? And all are of the experiences bookable like the 4 course French Lunch or just the wine/cooking/mixology seminars?

2. We will have my parents staying with us at OKW.. there are things we'd like to do together and some they'd like to do apart. What can I book for them on Friday?? Would they need DVC ID to enter a class?

 

[WDWGeek1971]

Thanks! Hoping to find a cute summer dress but the shoes I may need to work on more. I was thinking what cute comfy shoes will work with a dress.....hmmm....shoe shopping never upsets me

Fancy flip flops with a maxi dress. ;-) The fashion gods have smiled upon us this year! I <3 Zappos!

 

[tebookie]

Think they will still have the wristbands for priority seating for concerts?!

The blurb I read online didn't say anything about the wrist bands. Actually I didn't know they did that last year either.

Hopefully the area they are using this year will be larger than last year. It got very crowded there last year.

 

[TDC Nala]

As a DVC member when I call on Friday can I pay with a disney gift card?

Yes.

And all are of the experiences bookable like the 4 course French Lunch or just the wine/cooking/mixology seminars?

Only the $12-15 seminars. Nothing else is bookable on Friday.

What can I book for them on Friday?? Would they need DVC ID to enter a class

If they do it the way they've been doing it, the only time you give your DVC number is when you book. However, when you pick up the tickets, they ask for ID and I believe they want a picture ID because I've always used a drivers license. So you would have to book anything you book for them in THEIR name. Since they are not DVC members I don't know if you'd be able to do that early. You may be able to book for them as a DVC member only if you intend to accompany them.

You could probably book two tickets in your name and then give the tickets to your parents. But you would likely have to pick the tickets up at the festival center yourself.