2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival 9/19-11/10

[itsthatdisneygirl]

Finally got through around 8 pm after calling every 15-30mins to check on the system since 5 pm only to find that not only was the Robert Irvine demo booked (not surprised) but also the Parisain Breakfast on the 27th So after 64 calls in total to disney dining and an hour wait that AM I ended up with nothing. Where is this so called magical day they kept telling me to have : I took a lot for me not to reply to my last instance of "Have a magical day" with "You keep saying that word but I don't think it means what you think it means"

 

[jennab]

Probably not. The one constant in Food and Wine has been requiring tickets for EVERYONE in babies for all events.

Thanks. Yeah I wasn't sure since he is under 3 and doesn't need a park ticket. Plus I'm not about to pay that cost for a child who wouldn't even go to the night party

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Probably not. The one constant in Food and Wine has been requiring tickets for EVERYONE in babies for all events.

This is why we ultimately decided against the premium package. To enjoy the special areas around World Showcase we would have had to pay $199 x 4 = not worth it. If it were just DH and I, we probably would have given it a shot. But not for two kids also.

 

[jennab]

I wish I could call and ask about under 3yr kids but I don't want to be on hold for 2hrs and end up being told he would need a ticket!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I wish I could call and ask about under 3yr kids but I don't want to be on hold for 2hrs and end up being told he would need a ticket!

I had no wait earlier this am. Give it a try!

 

[gwynne]

I wish I could call and ask about under 3yr kids but I don't want to be on hold for 2hrs and end up being told he would need a ticket!

You shouldn't have a wait. Honestly, though, I'd be amazed if WDW starts allowing little ones in free to Food and Wine events.
They have been sticklers for a long time that everyone needs a ticket regardless of age.

 

[wdwwdw]

Hello - i joined this site just to ask this question. Does anyone have any insight into where these "VIP Premium lounges" will be? is it just 10 random tents/areas on the promenade or will they be roping off areas that i would normally have access to? like the house in morocco for example.

 

[jennab]

Ok I just called. Only 10min wait! Guy put me on hold to ask but said because DS is under 2 he could get into the premium areas with us, just not order anything. I mean really it's just an area to sit so it's not like they are providing him anything!

I also asked about "the week" since out check in is on a Thurs and he said we could start it Thurs and use it again Mon-Wed the following week. Plus the gift card was per person, not per room.

Hope all of that was correct though!

 

[jennab]

Ok I just called. Only 10min wait! Guy put me on hold to ask but said because DS is under 2 he could get into the premium areas with us, just not order anything. I mean really it's just an area to sit so it's not like they are providing him anything! I also asked about "the week" since out check in is on a Thurs and he said we could start it Thurs and use it again Mon-Wed the following week. Plus the gift card was per person, not per room. Hope all of that was correct though!

Sorry I meant "DS is under 3". Stupid phone typing!

 

[TDC Nala]

Hello - i joined this site just to ask this question. Does anyone have any insight into where these "VIP Premium lounges" will be? is it just 10 random tents/areas on the promenade or will they be roping off areas that i would normally have access to? like the house in morocco for example.

Honestly we have no idea because it's never been done before. But if I were inclined to bet, I believe it will be spots like the picnic tables at the US pavilion and the tables/chairs they put up outside the Belgium booth. Which will now be roped off on weekdays to everybody who doesn't buy into the package. But we really do not know for sure.

 

[Luckybee]

I realize that appetites may vary but can anyone give me an idea as to how many food items one might normally eat if the items are your dinner. Dh and I are trying to figure out what items we'll want to try on the 2 nights we'll be doing the booths for dinner. A normal dinner out might be a salad or app and main and by then we're usually stuffed so no dessert...lol. Im thinking maybe 4 - 6 each. Its hard to guess portion size based on photos ? Would about 2 items be equivalent to an app and 3 or 4 to a main ?

 

[Ellie Badge]

It's disappointing the events and schedule are announced so much later than when you would have had to reasonably book travel and accommodations. Had we known about when things were (parties only in Oct., this premium package M-Th) we would have booked our trip all those months ago very differently. We're going to catch one seminar and that's it because almost nothing else fits into our Fri-Tues first festival weekend schedule.

Oh well, it's our first time and we're looking forward to all the booths and we'll be better educated for 2015!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Ok I just called. Only 10min wait! Guy put me on hold to ask but said because DS is under 2 he could get into the premium areas with us, just not order anything. I mean really it's just an area to sit so it's not like they are providing him anything!

I'm a little surprised at this because of the space/seating issue. Unless all of the under 3 set will be in their parent's laps, seems like this could make those reserved seating areas more crowded.

I do hope for you that this will turn out to be accurate info from this CM!! You never know, unfortunately, until the event starts up and people try it...

 

[TDC Nala]

It's disappointing the events and schedule are announced so much later than when you would have had to reasonably book travel and accommodations. Had we known about when things were (parties only in Oct., this premium package M-Th) we would have booked our trip all those months ago very differently. We're going to catch one seminar and that's it because almost nothing else fits into our Fri-Tues first festival weekend schedule.

Everything has actually been released at least a week earlier than usual, because the start date was pushed up a week.

I realize as a DVC member who has to book as early as possible or I'm not getting a studio at the Beach Club, that I'm required to make the reservations first and then worry about what events I'll attend later.

it's been noted that the change to the start date was announced only after many of the event schedules were set in stone for the venues, so that is why you find a dearth of events the first week.

 

[PandaBear & Boo]

Forgive me if this has been asked already. My daughter and I have ADRs at Chef de France & Coral Reef. Do I have to use up 2 TS credits if I'm not going to the Eat to the Beat concert afterwards? Or do they automatically deduct 2 TS credits?

 

[TDC Nala]

If you want the Eat to the Beat package you must book it specifically.

If you only have a regular reservation and not the package, the package terms are not applicable. You can go to as many concerts as you want after you go to a regular restaurant reservation, but you won't get the advance seating that the package guests get. And a regular reservation will only cost 1 credit. It won't cost 2 credits unless you specifically book the package.

 

[PandaBear & Boo]

If you want the Eat to the Beat package you must book it specifically.

If you only have a regular reservation and not the package, the package terms are not applicable. You can go to as many concerts as you want after you go to a regular restaurant reservation, but you won't get the advance seating that the package guests get. And a regular reservation will only cost 1 credit. It won't cost 2 credits unless you specifically book the package.

Thank you for the quick reply. I appreciate it!

 

[jennab]

I'm a little surprised at this because of the space/seating issue. Unless all of the under 3 set will be in their parent's laps, seems like this could make those reserved seating areas more crowded. I do hope for you that this will turn out to be accurate info from this CM!! You never know, unfortunately, until the event starts up and people try it...

This is our first time so not sure what to expect! Maybe because it's weekday afternoon/evenings? I haven't decided if we will book yet because it is out first time. Like you said I'm not sure if I should trust what the CM said either!

 

[Gryhndmom]

Well hey stranger! I'll be up there on 10/24 for the Tribute to Walt Dinner. Will y'all still be around???

Yes ! We leave afternoon of 25 Oct so maybe we can meet for drinks !

 

[TDC Nala]

I've heard of a couple of times that babies were brought into certain events like PFTS because the parents made a fuss, but there was one story of a couple with two really small kids showing up at the culinary demonstration with tickets only for the parents because they assumed that the kids would be able to come in and play on the floor by their table. When they were told they needed tickets for the children, they tried to leave the kids just on the outside of the fence around the demo area while the parents sat just inside, but they were told they couldn't do that either. One parent had to go outside the area with the kids, or they had to buy tickets for the kids.

It does kind of make sense that babies can actually come into the premium areas with their parents, unless they end up being full of babies. I assume you have to buy a ticket for anyone age 3 or older though.