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

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

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.

Yep, the only thing I liked on D23 was the desert party, but I won't pay for it again.

I liked two of the three speakers (The poor coffee guy really isn't a public speaker IMHO) But the "samples' were lame and too much alike and the "shot glasses" of beer.

 

[mbtohill]

We were at F&W last week from the 1st-4th. Here are a couple quick observations:

Weather was HOT, near 90 during the day with blazing sun

Crowds at night were much larger than previous years. By 6:30pm many of the lines were 20 people long. Not what we have come to expect for Weekday crowds. I will say that during the day the crowds were non-existent. The old adage about arriving early seems to apply more and more

Food was OUTSTANDING. Couple surprises were the Veggie Haggis, the Potato Leek Waffle in Belgium, Seared Rainbow Trout in Canada and the Zapiekanki in Poland.

For our money, the Tutto Gusto is the BEST lounge/pub/bar on property. The CM's are outstanding, Andrea the manager was a hoot. Spent an hour or so there during both afternoons and it was glorious.

All in all a GREAT trip, looking forward to doing it again next year.

 

[conandrob240]

The reason people have so many " issues" with PFTS is they don't treat it as it is intended. It is a cocktail party. You are supposed to move around, get a bite, move around. Possibly lean at a table to cut a meat item, say hello to a new friend and move on. Hunkering down at a table with your " buffet" of food items was never the intent of the event. And, honestly, I don't care if you think you've " saved" a table in the GA area. If I want to stop and sit down for a minute or lean at a hi top, I will because, unless you paid for a reserved table, they aren't " yours". The only exception to the no saving policy should be a designated handicapped table (s) for those who literally cannot stand for the event. I wish they'd do more to prevent the hi tops and other GA tables from being " saved".

Best reason yet, if you are hunkered down at a table and have to keep coming back to it, you are definitely going to drink and eat less than someone floating around. Not going to get your full money's worth!

 

[OhThePain]

Not sure if this has been asked before, which it probably has numerous times already (sorry if it has, I have not been keeping up with this years thread much), but are the kiosks open durring PMEMH this year?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Not sure if this has been asked before, which it probably has numerous times already (sorry if it has, I have not been keeping up with this years thread much), but are the kiosks open durring PMEMH this year?

Nope, they close at normal park closing.

 

[OrlandoSteve]

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!

I disagree 100%. "Stampede" is exactly what it is. Did the stampede for the last three years. Horrible. People jockeying for position well before the curtain opens. Some people outright rude trying to get into just the right spot for the curtain pull. Then when the curtain opens- WATCH OUT! They have cast members begging people to slow down, but they ignore them and shove their way through. I am stunned nobody gets seroiusly hurt (or maybe some do and you just don't hear about it).

Then, during the stampede process, you have to try to find a standing table. Another experiment in human rudneness. It's unfortunate that such a fun event can be ruined by mean, nasty people.

We vowed never to go again without reserved seating. Fortunately, we did get reserved seating this year (or we would have skipped it). It will be nice to watch the stampede instead of participating. Maybe I'll take some pictures as the curtain is pulled!

 

[conandrob240]

Or, you can do it the way it is supposed to work, NOT try to secure a table ( rude) and just circulate the party like a true cocktail party, leaving the tables available for stopping to have a bite and moving on.

 

[BeerMe]

Monday afternoon after a rain and its crowded. At least near the front

Sent from my mobile device.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Or, you can do it the way it is supposed to work, NOT try to secure a table ( rude) and just circulate the party like a true cocktail party, leaving the tables available for stopping to have a bite and moving on.

That assumes the folks who have the table "reserved" will allow you to share it with them. Not always a valid assumption

Since the "rude" have reserved a lot of the tables it's very hard to stop and have a bite unless you want to risk insults etc....

It's nice that you want to treat it like it's intended but until Disney somehow convinces the majority of the guests that's the plan, the rude will continue to "own" a table LOL!

 

[BeerMe]

I love this place but the internet sucks

Sent from my mobile device.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I love this place but the internet sucks

Sent from my mobile device.

Yep!

The MDE app thought I wasn't even in the park I was standing at the beer stand in Epcot. Wound up turning off wifi and it worked better with ATT only.

OK back on track.

I am going to do my top five so far... I have been here about 4 days and had a friend with me part of the time so..

1. Pork Belly at Brazil. OMG, this is GOOD! Plus the beer. Even if you don't like "dark" beer get this one it's not bitter went great with the pork belly
2. Kimichi Dog in Korea. Another great one. I had seconds Loved the hot dog (according to the chef's it's specially made, they should sell it year round!)
3. Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef. Belgium Another winner! Very good.
4.Canadian Cheese Soup Canada. What can i say? A proven winner!
5. Shimp taco from Mexico. I just really like this

My bottom five (1 is worst and then it gets better)

1. Florida Grass Fed Beef slider.. hmm.. it's a hamburger LOL! At least I got it for free at the D23 event
2. Griddled Lobster Tail. Overcooked and the butter was too overpowering
3. "Le Cellier" Filet. Tiny and not very good. Not ear as much truffle butter sauce as last year.
4, Escargots France. I love the escargot, I love the brioche, but I am not in love with this combo it's too much bread too little escargot
5, Blue Cheese Souffle from the country of Cheese, I wanted to love it but it's just OK

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

Yep!

The MDE app thought I wasn't even in the park I was standing at the beer stand in Epcot. Wound up turning off wifi and it worked better with ATT only.

OK back on track.

I am going to do my top five so far... I have been here about 4 days and had a friend with me part of the time so..

1. Pork Belly at Brazil. OMG, this is GOOD! Plus the beer. Even if you don't like "dark" beer get this one it's not bitter went great with the pork belly
2. Kimichi Dog in Korea. Another great one. I had seconds Loved the hot dog (according to the chef's it's specially made, they should sell it year round!)
3. Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef. Belgium Another winner! Very good.
4.Canadian Cheese Soup Canada. What can i say? A proven winner!
5. Shimp taco from Mexico. I just really like this

My bottom five (1 is worst and then it gets better)

1. Florida Grass Fed Beef slider.. hmm.. it's a hamburger LOL! At least I got it for free at the D23 event
2. Griddled Lobster Tail. Overcooked and the butter was too overpowering
3. "Le Cellier" Filet. Tiny and not very good. Not ear as much truffle butter sauce as last year.
4, Escargots France. I love the escargot, I love the brioche, but I am not in love with this combo it's too much bread too little escargot
5, Blue Cheese Souffle from the country of Cheese, I wanted to love it but it's just OK

glad to see you liked the shrimp taco, DD and I are trying to decide if we want to try it as we love Mexican food and shrimp...
may I ask, was the potato leek waffle overwhelming with the the leek? thx!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

glad to see you liked the shrimp taco, DD and I are trying to decide if we want to try it as we love Mexican food and shrimp...
may I ask, was the potato leek waffle overwhelming with the the leek? thx!

I really did not notice the leek. So I don't think you will find it overpowering.

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

I really did not notice the leek. So I don't think you will find it overpowering.

cool,thx!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yep!

The MDE app thought I wasn't even in the park I was standing at the beer stand in Epcot. Wound up turning off wifi and it worked better with ATT only.

OK back on track.

I am going to do my top five so far... I have been here about 4 days and had a friend with me part of the time so..

1. Pork Belly at Brazil. OMG, this is GOOD! Plus the beer. Even if you don't like "dark" beer get this one it's not bitter went great with the pork belly
2. Kimichi Dog in Korea. Another great one. I had seconds Loved the hot dog (according to the chef's it's specially made, they should sell it year round!)
3. Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef. Belgium Another winner! Very good.
4.Canadian Cheese Soup Canada. What can i say? A proven winner!
5. Shimp taco from Mexico. I just really like this

My bottom five (1 is worst and then it gets better)

1. Florida Grass Fed Beef slider.. hmm.. it's a hamburger LOL! At least I got it for free at the D23 event
2. Griddled Lobster Tail. Overcooked and the butter was too overpowering
3. "Le Cellier" Filet. Tiny and not very good. Not ear as much truffle butter sauce as last year.
4, Escargots France. I love the escargot, I love the brioche, but I am not in love with this combo it's too much bread too little escargot
5, Blue Cheese Souffle from the country of Cheese, I wanted to love it but it's just OK

Sorry to hear you didn't like the blue cheese soufle ... I too wanted to like it but haven't heard any good reviews yet

 

[Joey1]

Can anyone confirm if
the food booths are open late on Wednesday for the late night magic hours? I know it is usually just a few rides and venues, but hoping that World Showcase and food kiosks stay open??

 

[BeerMe]

Beer is good

Sent from my mobile device.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Can anyone confirm if
the food booths are open late on Wednesday for the late night magic hours? I know it is usually just a few rides and venues, but hoping that World Showcase and food kiosks stay open??

They do not stay open during EMH.

 

[Dikran]

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!

Thanks so much! Looks like it's gonna be a fantastic morning!

 

[ladyelenawf]

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.

I am so thoroughly confused. Someone directed me there & the article mentioned "souvenir cup." I just assumed that it was the 22 oz stein.

*UPDATE*
I started to ask if anyone could clear it up. Then I just Googled it. Found a thread on here. That is the stein!!! Sharing so any one else that's interested will know.