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

[jcvalenti]

Can't wait .... I'll be arriving next Sunday at noon, and we've got a short Sunday / Monday / Tuesday trip planned.

How do the crowds shake out on those days ? Long waits ? Our travelling companions wanted to do Thursday through Monday but I told them I' was couldn't handle another Friday or Saturday evening at F&W ... standing in line for 45 minutes for a small plate is not my idea of fun.

 

[jimmytammy]

Can't wait .... I'll be arriving next Sunday at noon, and we've got a short Sunday / Monday / Tuesday trip planned.

How do the crowds shake out on those days ? Long waits ? Our travelling companions wanted to do Thursday through Monday but I told them I' was couldn't handle another Friday or Saturday evening at F&W ... standing in line for 45 minutes for a small plate is not my idea of fun.

Sunday may be crowded(most likely)but Mon and Tues are more manageable. Have fun!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Can't wait .... I'll be arriving next Sunday at noon, and we've got a short Sunday / Monday / Tuesday trip planned.

How do the crowds shake out on those days ? Long waits ? Our travelling companions wanted to do Thursday through Monday but I told them I' was couldn't handle another Friday or Saturday evening at F&W ... standing in line for 45 minutes for a small plate is not my idea of fun.

I think since you are avoiding Friday and Saturday evenings that should help ... though with Monday being Columbus Day that could be worse than a normal Monday and also push Sunday night to being a bit more crowded than a normal Sunday night. Tuesday might be your best bet to get the most done

 

[jcvalenti]

I think since you are avoiding Friday and Saturday evenings that should help ... though with Monday being Columbus Day that could be worse than a normal Monday and also push Sunday night to being a bit more crowded than a normal Sunday night. Tuesday might be your best bet to get the most done

Thanks. I'll execute the usual strategy of getting there early and drinking often. We've got a few lunch time events, so we should be good an lubed up and in "leisurely stroll" mode from 2 - 9 pm.

We've got a dinner Sunday night (Il Mulino) and a fireworks cruise Monday night, so when the crowds max out, we'll be out the door. Can't wait !

 

[BeerMe]

Korea, Hawaii and Germany are the only places i haven't tried yet.

Sent from my mobile device.

ETA I still need to try the grapefruit beer too. Its always out when i walk by

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Happy to report the Le Cellier Signature Dining Event was a beer lunch. I thought it went really well. I should have full review of it up in my trip report by tomorrow if I don't have it done this evening.

 

[Skoolie]

Yep!
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
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)
4, Escargots France. I love the escargot, I love the brioche, but I am not in

Loved the pork belly!
Cheese Soup an Canada is always a win
and I had both Tacos at the Mexican booth. I thought the rib-eye taco with chipotle was good but my favorite was the shrimp taco.

I'm taking my grandma in a few weeks and she is looking forward to the escargots and the last time she had it, several years ago. when it was 1 or 2 large ones was very good. I have thought over the years the escargot has diminished in side and the breading has increased to "try and make up for it". I hope she likes it still.

 

[Minnie Annie]

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!

Completely on board with you. We had reserved seating and when the doors opened up, the stampede did indeed come in. People were running and it actually made us wonder what the heck we got ourselves into. Having never attended before, we were wondering if it was the craziness would continue.

Thankfully it didn't, and the entire event was very manageable after that initial shock of people running - just really did not expect that. Reserved seating completely worth it though - and after having attended this now, I could not justify any value to the extra cost for the Wine View Lounge - you still need to go out and visit the areas to get your food - but if I could afford it would try it just once

 

[Chisoxcollector]

ETA I still need to try the grapefruit beer too. Its always out when i walk by

Definitely make a point of trying it. They had it at Party for the Senses, and it was delicious!

 

[jcvalenti]

I've got to say, this thread certainly makes me happy I've never bothered to attend the Party for the Senses. It sounds like an absolute nightmare. Do that many folks really not understand the concept of a strolling cocktail party ?

 

[Dikran]

I've got to say, this thread certainly makes me happy I've never bothered to attend the Party for the Senses. It sounds like an absolute nightmare. Do that many folks really not understand the concept of a strolling cocktail party ?

Don't let these massive over exaggerations deter you from trying out a great night of fun.

 

[BwoZoo22]

I've got to say, this thread certainly makes me happy I've never bothered to attend the Party for the Senses. It sounds like an absolute nightmare. Do that many folks really not understand the concept of a strolling cocktail party ?

It's only the first five minutes that is a bit chaotic. The rest of the evening is strolling, eating, drinking, talking with fun and interesting strangers. I really enjoy the PftS overall.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I've got to say, this thread certainly makes me happy I've never bothered to attend the Party for the Senses. It sounds like an absolute nightmare. Do that many folks really not understand the concept of a strolling cocktail party ?

I think it's actually gotten much better.. Disney finally wised up and added LOTS of tables. As long as you could live without a table with a great view of the stage etc it looked like you could find a place to perch last year. But there is a group that wants the "best tables" (generally the ones just outside the reserved seating area) and will fight to get them.

If I was not going solo I might go back to General Admission. But with just myself I am not dealing with the table mess.

 

[KelpSeaweedKelp]

Does anyone know when the Rose and Crown pulled the English Bulldog off the menu? That one surprised us last weekend. In fact, one of the bartenders didn't even know that it had happened so we wondered if it was a sneaky move since it was a lower-priced menu item.

I'm blaming the FW gods...

 

[jcvalenti]

I think it's actually gotten much better.. Disney finally wised up and added LOTS of tables. As long as you could live without a table with a great view of the stage etc it looked like you could find a place to perch last year. But there is a group that wants the "best tables" (generally the ones just outside the reserved seating area) and will fight to get them.

If I was not going solo I might go back to General Admission. But with just myself I am not dealing with the table mess.

Good to hear it's not as bad as some make it seem. I'm not afraid to eat at a garbage can (lol - see my whole other thread on it) ... so this shouldn't be a problem.

 

[redzinner]

Does anyone know when the Rose and Crown pulled the English Bulldog off the menu? That one surprised us last weekend. In fact, one of the bartenders didn't even know that it had happened so we wondered if it was a sneaky move since it was a lower-priced menu item.

I'm blaming the FW gods...

Were you in the Pub? or the Restaurant? I thought the Pub stopped selling food during F&WF. They usually take the tables and chairs out also.

I'll be very sad if the Bulldog is gone for good.

 

[deetman]

Re: PFTS--it's really pretty easy. Get a drink elsewhere first, and head over about 20 min after opening. There is still plenty of time to try everything, and you miss all the opening hassle.

Herd mentality seems to take over at WDW anytime ANYTHING opens. It's not limited to this.

It's too enjoyable an event to let a bunch of running wackos wreck it.

I would recommend everyone try it at least once, if it fits your budget.

 

[skater]

I'm getting so excited about the Parisian Breakfast! The reviews sound so wonderful - better than I expected. I just hope the "unlimited" mimosas don't tire me out for the day .

 

[SamSam]

Re: PFTS--it's really pretty easy. Get a drink elsewhere first, and head over about 20 min after opening. There is still plenty of time to try everything, and you miss all the opening hassle.

Herd mentality seems to take over at WDW anytime ANYTHING opens. It's not limited to this.

It's too enjoyable an event to let a bunch of running wackos wreck it.

I would recommend everyone try it at least once, if it fits your budget.

Totally agree with this. Dh and I started doing it this way a couple of years ago and find that there's still plenty of time to sample everything. We also never have problems with people sharing a table with us...or us sharing the table we're at with someone else. We enjoy visiting with people throughout the evening.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Re: PFTS--it's really pretty easy. Get a drink elsewhere first, and head over about 20 min after opening. There is still plenty of time to try everything, and you miss all the opening hassle.

Herd mentality seems to take over at WDW anytime ANYTHING opens. It's not limited to this.

It's too enjoyable an event to let a bunch of running wackos wreck it.

I would recommend everyone try it at least once, if it fits your budget.

Whole heartedly agree! We 'stumbled' across this event while perusing the F&W brochure one year. Bought tickets the day of, and have been going every year since because we have so much fun.

Totally agree with this. Dh and I started doing it this way a couple of years ago and find that there's still plenty of time to sample everything. We also never have problems with people sharing a table with us...or us sharing the table we're at with someone else. We enjoy visiting with people throughout the evening.

We still correspond via email with people we have met at F&W events! There are some great strangers to be met at events like this!