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

[icicleVT]

Hi All,
We are hoping to visit Epcot this October but a Saturday (19th) is our only option. The idea of F&W is appealing to us adults and my 7 year old would be tolerant but more interested in the World Showcase.

My question is this -- if we decide to go back to our resort during the afternoon to escape the crowds, is it possible we would not be able to re-enter for Illuminations later that Saturday night? Does Epcot ever reach capacity on F&W weekends?

TIA!

 

[Disbug]

Hi All,
-- if we decide to go back to our resort during the afternoon to escape the crowds, is it possible we would not be able to re-enter for Illuminations later that Saturday night? Does Epcot ever reach capacity on F&W weekends?

TIA!

No... you'll be fine. Capacity is only reached usually on major holidays like New Year's Eve...

 

[BwoZoo22]

That is supposed to be a crowded weekend, but in 13 years at the event, I've never heard of it reaching capacity. I would have liked them to close the gates a few times, but...

 

[BeerMe]

It gets crowded but not even close to capacity. I'm not sure Epcot has EVER reached capacity. Does anyone know if it has?

 

[AuroraRora]

When people say "really crowded", what kind of waits are we talking about at the booths? We're planning to head over there on a Saturday night in late October, since MNSSHP is on at MK and its not one of our party nights, but if its going to be so busy we can't even buy anything I might rethink it.

 

[Missyrose]

When people say "really crowded", what kind of waits are we talking about at the booths? We're planning to head over there on a Saturday night in late October, since MNSSHP is on at MK and its not one of our party nights, but if its going to be so busy we can't even buy anything I might rethink it.

A Saturday night in the World Showcase during F&W will be wall-to-wall people. Hard to move, no seats to be had and the lines at the booth will snake forever. If it's the only day you could possibly visit F&W, then prepare yourself for it. But if you can go another day, I would.

 

[Mommiesblessings2]

Thoughts on Halloween night? Planning adults only, just Mommas!

 

[icicleVT]

Thanks for the responses-- they really help with our planning!
We know it's not ideal to go on a Saturday and we may just go first thing in the morning until we can't stand it then call it a day. Plan B would be to leave Epcot early then go to the Poly later to see the MK fireworks from the beach instead of IllumiNations.

Does rain effect the crowds much during F&W? I'd imagine that I were a local, I'd probably stay home and catch another day than stand around getting wet...

 

[dhorner233]

Hi All,
We are hoping to visit Epcot this October but a Saturday (19th) is our only option. The idea of F&W is appealing to us adults and my 7 year old would be tolerant but more interested in the World Showcase.

My question is this -- if we decide to go back to our resort during the afternoon to escape the crowds, is it possible we would not be able to re-enter for Illuminations later that Saturday night? Does Epcot ever reach capacity on F&W weekends?

TIA!

FYI: Touringplans.com predicts a Crowd Level: 6.3 out of 10 at Epcot on 10/19.

 

[Brocktoon]

A Saturday night in the World Showcase during F&W will be wall-to-wall people. Hard to move, no seats to be had and the lines at the booth will snake forever. If it's the only day you could possibly visit F&W, then prepare yourself for it. But if you can go another day, I would.

Yup .. I met up with a group of other DISers last year for F&W on a Saturday. I really didn't want to go near the park after hearing the Saturday crowd stories, but decided the brave it anyway. Things were doable from ~ 11AM to maybe 1 or 2 PM. By 2 PM the crowds were picking up. We finally left by 6PM as I had never seen crowds like that. Everyone was well behaved but the lines were huge, and it was tough just to move along the World Showcase. No way I'm attempting F&W on Saturday again, unless I'm out by 1PM or so ...

 

[luvslikepi]

When people say "really crowded", what kind of waits are we talking about at the booths? We're planning to head over there on a Saturday night in late October, since MNSSHP is on at MK and its not one of our party nights, but if its going to be so busy we can't even buy anything I might rethink it.

I've heard longest booth waits were 20-30 mins on some You Tube videos I've been watching. More popular booths were longer than others.

 

[BeerMe]

I've heard longest booth waits were 20-30 mins on some You Tube videos I've been watching. More popular booths were longer than others.

I have to take a pee break sooner than that

 

[dahirsh]

I have to take a pee break sooner than that

the lines for that can be insanely long as well

 

[Devilsangel7681]

Yup .. I met up with a group of other DISers last year for F&W on a Saturday. I really didn't want to go near the park after hearing the Saturday crowd stories, but decided the brave it anyway. Things were doable from ~ 11AM to maybe 1 or 2 PM. By 2 PM the crowds were picking up. We finally left by 6PM as I had never seen crowds like that. Everyone was well behaved but the lines were huge, and it was tough just to move along the World Showcase. No way I'm attempting F&W on Saturday again, unless I'm out by 1PM or so ...

We are going Monday the 7th. Crowd prediction is a 5/10. I certainly hope we aren't waiting too long in the food lines, that would be no bueno!

 

[BwoZoo22]

We have always found Mondays are great days to go. Tuesdays too. Saturdays are typically insane. Midday is always better than evening. We plan our trips for last week of October or first week of November because the crowds are generally the lightest. We have had days where there was no one in line for the booths; just walk right up and order. Love those days. But sometimes a line is nice, it gives a little break to discuss the last tasting before moving on to the next.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Thoughts on Halloween night? Planning adults only, just Mommas!

We have always found Halloween a great night to go. Most locals are at their own parties and MK guests are getting ready for the MNNSHP. We love going to F&W on that night.

As for pee break lines, I would never use the ones at the front of World Showcase (Mexico or the Refreshment Port). America is sometimes ok, but we usually have the best luck with Morocco, Germany, or Norway.

 

[luvslikepi]

Unfortunately my only option is a Weekend. Just going to have to roll with the crowds.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Hi Everyone - only 48 days until we're at Food and Wine!

Two Questions -

1) How long do the culinary demos and wine seminars typically take? I had estimated an hour but wanted to be sure.

2) How are the crowds later on Sunday evening? We are arriving on Sunday and thought dinner at F&W from 6 - 9 would be great, but we might re-think this if the crowds are crazy.

I love reading the posts on this thread each day from all of you - keeps me excited, and I wonder what the heck I'll do after I get back from our trip!

 

[Mommiesblessings2]

We have always found Halloween a great night to go. Most locals are at their own parties and MK guests are getting ready for the MNNSHP. We love going to F&W on that night.

As for pee break lines, I would never use the ones at the front of World Showcase (Mexico or the Refreshment Port). America is sometimes ok, but we usually have the best luck with Morocco, Germany, or Norway.

LOL! Thanks for the potty tips. Glad to hear crowds are fairly low. Being our first time we really don't know what to expect.

 

[skater]

the lines for that can be insanely long as well

When I have to wait in line to pee, I'm out of there!