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

[ryansstitch]

Something else you might want to try is to head over to France for "breakfast." The bakery there is now open before World Showcase. If you just happened to already be there at 11:00am finishing up a cup of coffee when World Showcase opened, you'd have a bit of a jump start on crowds.

Also, you could start one morning clockwise, on the Canada, England, France side, and then on the other morning counter clockwise, towards Mexico, Norway, China. There are usually quite a few booths on the World Showcase Promenade between Canada and Mexico, as well, so try not to miss them.

I like that breakfast idea!

 

[Inkmahm]

And we will be reserved seating along with you on 10/26!

7:15PM - Party of the Senses Reserved Seating
cdtommie
ashleyrm + 1
Inkmahm + 1 (Dynaguy)

First time for us with the reserved seating. Really looking forward to it!

We did reserved seating last year for the first time and the Wine View Lounge the two years before that ( or three, however long it has been available.) We only did the mad dash one year to get a table. I don't know that I'd have done the mad dash a second year if reserved seating hadn't come become available. It was too stressful! With reserved seating, there is no rush to be first in line. Your seat is waiting for you.

 

[Inkmahm]

Awesome! We did reserved last year and it was great except for an early snafu... someone with an ECV claimed our table...I think they liked that it was on the perimeter and not one of the internal tables. They were already out on the floor when we got there so just the ECV parked there...the CM said they would move them or they could get find us another table (we opted for the latter)...by the time they got the manager with all the confusion and set up a new table it was about 7:45PM already so we lost any early advantage.

Our esteemed moderator and one of our Disney hero's, TDC Nala will also be there in the reserved section too.

Ah, that explains a lot. By the time we went the same weekend in October last year as this year, we were given a table on the outside close to the entrance to the wine view room. From the numbering of the tables, it was obvious that we should have been in the area right in front of the stage. Since I arrived on an ECV, however, we were moved towards the back. I felt like I was in the way all night with my ECV in the "aisle" open space. This year, I will likely be on the ECV but will park it out of the way along the outer wall of the room. It may, in fact, become an extra seat for people to use who don't have a reserved one! LOL I"m okay with that as long as they don't break it. If you're going to be there without a reserved seat and you want to know the name that will be on my ECV, send me a PM. I'll give you permission to sit on it during the night to rest your feet.

 

[mmbl]

Remy could happen, they'd have to pay overtime to the cast member who handles him probably, but it could happen.

They have dozens of Remys. My daughter was best friends with Chip and Dale, Winnie The Pooh, Figment and others. If they plan on Temy being there, WDW won't be paying anyone OT!

 

[mmbl]

We did reserved seating last year for the first time and the Wine View Lounge the two years before that ( or three, however long it has been available.) We only did the mad dash one year to get a table. I don't know that I'd have done the mad dash a second year if reserved seating hadn't come become available. It was too stressful! With reserved seating, there is no rush to be first in line. Your seat is waiting for you.

It's also our first time doing reserved seating and we'll be there on the 10/26! Hoping its as good as its been in the past!

 

[TDC Nala]

They have dozens of Remys. My daughter was best friends with Chip and Dale, Winnie The Pooh, Figment and others. If they plan on Temy being there, WDW won't be paying anyone OT!

Not talking about the costumed Remy but about the animatronic rat-sized Remy that regularly appears at Chefs de France. There is only one of those, and his handlers are Actors Equity members and are under different union rules from costumed characters.

I would think Chefs de France is actually too small a restaurant for the costumed characters to get around in, but I don't know how the breakfast will be set up, it likely won't be the whole restaurant.

 

[cdtommie]

Ah, that explains a lot. By the time we went the same weekend in October last year as this year, we were given a table on the outside close to the entrance to the wine view room. From the numbering of the tables, it was obvious that we should have been in the area right in front of the stage. Since I arrived on an ECV, however, we were moved towards the back. I felt like I was in the way all night with my ECV in the "aisle" open space. This year, I will likely be on the ECV but will park it out of the way along the outer wall of the room. It may, in fact, become an extra seat for people to use who don't have a reserved one! LOL I"m okay with that as long as they don't break it. If you're going to be there without a reserved seat and you want to know the name that will be on my ECV, send me a PM. I'll give you permission to sit on it during the night to rest your feet.

That had to be us! It was the same weekend as this year...rather than giving us the table in the front for some reason they decided to set up a new table on the far side of the room - they actually brought in a table. tablecloth etc. from another room...what a mess...we were not happy!

 

[BeerMe]

I'm making a promise to myself - I have to stay off MDE and off the phone - I've booked too many events already!

 

[marsh0013]

I'm making a promise to myself - I have to stay off MDE and off the phone - I've booked too many events already!

Haha I hear ya! We've got 3 demos our first day and I almost added a fourth! Must resist!

 

[ashleyrm]

I'm making a promise to myself - I have to stay off MDE and off the phone - I've booked too many events already!

There's such a thing as too many??????

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I'm making a promise to myself - I have to stay off MDE and off the phone - I've booked too many events already!

LOL! I'd definitely be booking more if it was just DH and myself. With DD7 and DS8, seminars and the like would get old FAST! They were into the idea of going to some IF they could see a chef they know from food network -- they LOVE many of them including Robert Irvine. Doesn't work out given our dates. Maybe next time...

 

[GossipGirl88]

We have never done F&W before, but just (finally!) confirmed our trip for the last week of October. We have a lot planned already, but I'm really wanting to add a demonstration or something related to the F&W festival! So here's a question for all the F&W veterans out there: if you had to choose one seminar/special event to attend, what would it be? Any thoughts appreciated Thanks!

 

[mmbl]

We have never done F&W before, but just (finally!) confirmed our trip for the last week of October. We have a lot planned already, but I'm really wanting to add a demonstration or something related to the F&W festival! So here's a question for all the F&W veterans out there: if you had to choose one seminar/special event to attend, what would it be? Any thoughts appreciated Thanks!

Party for the Senses is fabulous! Sweet Sundays are really good also! There are so many that are good and it really depends on your taste, budget, etc.

 

[PoohCorner71]

We have never done F&W before, but just (finally!) confirmed our trip for the last week of October. We have a lot planned already, but I'm really wanting to add a demonstration or something related to the F&W festival! So here's a question for all the F&W veterans out there: if you had to choose one seminar/special event to attend, what would it be? Any thoughts appreciated Thanks!

If we could only do one thing during F&W it would be PFTS! We love it - and with Cirque Du Soleil back again this year! They were amazing the year that we went and they were the entertainment.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

For my first few years I just went to seminars. Learned lots. I like PFTS but I get more useable fun info at the seminars

 

[WaltsMartini]

Hi All - not sure if anyone has posted this yet or not, but the Parisian Breakfast has apparently added 100 seats to *each* event - meaning if you didn't get it before, there's a good chance you'll get it now.

Just heard this on my morning walk - AJ from the food blog is on the latest episode of the WDW Today podcast. WDW should pay her for the fantastic coverage she provides of F&W!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We have never done F&W before, but just (finally!) confirmed our trip for the last week of October. We have a lot planned already, but I'm really wanting to add a demonstration or something related to the F&W festival! So here's a question for all the F&W veterans out there: if you had to choose one seminar/special event to attend, what would it be? Any thoughts appreciated Thanks!

I think a lot of that depends on how you want to eat (seminar, cocktail party, sit-down meal, etc.) and how much you want to spend.

In the past one of the best "bang-for-you-buck" events we did was the Food and Beverage Pairings lunches - Tuesdays at Restaurant Marrakesh and Thursdays at Tokyo Dining. We did the Marrakesh one in the past and really enjoyed it. You got plenty of food for a full meal along with wine pairings with each course and some good information and cost $55/person, plus tax. Gratuity included - so pretty reasonable.

 

[cdtommie]

I'll second Max's recommendations - the lunches (excluding the French which is higher priced) are a decent value (if any are still available), I'd also say the 3D Dessert party is another value but you'll need a real sweet tooth for this event.

 

[SamSam]

It depends on your budget, also on what is still available. We love the French Regional Luncheons, yes they are more expensive that the other lunch pairings but IMHO, they are worth every penny and then some. However, they may be very hard to get into at this late date.

We've been to every lunch wine pairing and enjoyed them all. The Party for the Senses is also one of our favorites, and it seldom sells out for general seating, so it's good for a last minute decision.

Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy!

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

I have no desire to make ressies for anything, but would like to know exactly what is included with our regular ticket.. I know of course we can visit all the countries and buy food/wine and such..I've read about the concerts..what else is included?? Thx!