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

[Luckybee]

Hmm. I think I will wait and see what the reports are in the first 2 weeks of F&WF before I make any decisions about trying to drop the Premium Package.

Unfortunately for us we're going on Sept 25th so that wouldn't have worked. More importantly the CM told me they were only "allowing " us to cancel because of the misinfo we received. The package is apparently non refundable.

 

[Shazzasmd]

So,has it been confirmed there is only one bottle of wine for two people? I was told yesterday that each person got one of everything"...

Also wondering if there will be seating in the premium areas. Really don't want to pay for roped off areas to stand.

 

[Scoobypop]

Wait - I was told the premium package is non-transferable and non-refundable? Is that not the case?

And of course, like so many on these boards, I also got conflicting info. I called the morning it was announced on the Disney Parks Blog. Being a brand new package, the CM of course did not have ANY info, couldn't even find it for about 5 minutes, and at the end, told me I had to cancel at least 24 hours before. Since that time, I've been scouring these boards with interest, because it seems to be about 70% people getting the "goody bag is per person" and 30% being told it is 1 in room gift (goody bag) per person, but 2 magic bands, 2 credentials, 2 glasses, etc. I prefer to think it's the former, and having gawrsh confirm that does help me feel somewhat better, but I will be curious to see how it all plays out. I hope everyone reports their experiences once it begins. Oh-and the CM did NOT ask for the other two guests names when I booked it, so I will also call back tomorrow and see what I'm told.

 

[msaseifert]

Congrats to everyone who got what they wanted this morning. Unfortunately, that is not us. Started calling just before 7 and got 'all circuits are busy' for 20 minutes. Then listened to Disney music for 55 minutes! I actually fell back asleep and was jerked awake by the agent answering the line at 8:15. No reserved seating for PftS Nov. 1. She even did multiple checks to see if she could make it come up. Nothing. Sigh. We did get the Parisian Breakfast though. So, I will apparently be seeing some of you other DISers on the first!

Same thing happened to me only I didn't get through until around 9am. There were no wine view lounge or reserved seating....so frustrated and disappointed. Not sure if we will do general admission or not. We have done the wine view lounge before....3 years agao I think.....I just remember the pouring rain and we were soaked by the time we got there....we actually brought a change of shoes with us.

 

[msaseifert]

SOOOO disappointed this am. I could not get through for 2 hours and then when I finally was able to get through I was only hold for about 30 minutes only to be told the wine view and reserved seating are both sold out for the party for the senses on 11/1. It was our 20th anniversary....we were so excited to book the wine view lounge. I have called four times and have gotten the same answer every time that only general admission is available for that day.

ANYWAYS...I'm over it now. I have some questions though....has anyone here done a recent party as general admission? How "bad" is it or really is it that bad...i.e. crowded. etc. Give me the lo-down. Also....does anyone know that if I keep calling over the next few days that maybe they hold back a few seats everyday so they are not completely booked on the first day? Any help/guidance would be appreciated. THANKS!

Anyone been to party for the senses recently that can tell me about general admission?

 

[JenniBugInPink]

So,has it been confirmed there is only one bottle of wine for two people? I was told yesterday that each person got one of everything"...

Also wondering if there will be seating in the premium areas. Really don't want to pay for roped off areas to stand.

Just doesn't feel like a normal day anymore if I don't call and ask something, so I called yet again and confirmed that it's one of everything per guest, and yes there are places to sit in the 10 areas. Again I was assured that they had talked to supervisors, and the chair question required that she ask a supervisor or the "help" line while I held. I'm keeping the package and hoping for the best.

 

[Luckybee]

Just doesn't feel like a normal day anymore if I don't call and ask something, so I called yet again and confirmed that it's one of everything per guest, and yes there are places to sit in the 10 areas. Again I was assured that they had talked to supervisors, and the chair question required that she ask a supervisor or the "help" line while I held. I'm keeping the package and hoping for the best.

Ok ...Im new at this. This is our first F&W ! Is this typical ? I cannot believe the amount of contradictory info that we are all getting depending on when we call etc. The cm I spoke with about the seating also put me on hold while she emailed the "help" line and came back and told me there was definitely no seating, but they would provide a wheelchair for my dh (that wasn't happening since it isn't that bad). The reason they "allowed" us to cancel was because we had earlier before been told there was seating and we were "misinformed"
How can they put on an event, offer a pkg for $200 per head and provide NO straight info on what is and is not included. Why do we have to route out correct info. None of this makes any sense to me. Perhaps Im too type A but Im glad we cancelled. If confirmed info gets out that clears up some of this stuff then perhaps we'll revisit this but for now I would rather not get there and find out that nothing was as promised. Then dh and I would both get all frazzled and that might spoil our trip.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney could do a better job with the info and booking special events but they don't see any reason to. The events will sell out and the people who have canceled due to misinformation, reservation issues, or just frustration with the whole thing won't be missed.

Until lack of attendance hurts Disney's bottom line, they don't really have any reason to improve the process.

Sad really.

Bill

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Disney could do a better job with the info and booking special events but they don't see any reason to. The events will sell out and the people who have canceled due to misinformation, reservation issues, or just frustration with the whole thing won't be missed. Until lack of attendance hurts Disney's bottom line, they don't really have any reason to improve the process. Sad really. Bill

So true. Just look at this thread. When thus premium feature was announced without any real info people could not wait to book.

 

[Luckybee]

So true. Just look at this thread. When thus premium feature was announced without any real info people could not wait to book.

Except that there was info. but it was apparently inaccurate. When we called initially before booking we asked a whole group of questions. Just like we would when booking any event, show etc. If we are not sure about something we ask the "source". The problem here is the source, that is, Disney does not seem to provide their employees with accurate info, otherwise how do you explain that everyone who seems to call gets a different answer to virtually every question.

In my mind if I call any organization prior to making a booking I should at minimum be able to have confidence that the information I'm getting is accurate. I should not have to rely on a message board. So yes when I heard about the premium pkg it was very interesting to us. So we called, were told a number of things that made it sound perfect for us and we booked. Fast forward 4 days later after reading conflicting info, we've called back a couple of times only to find out that some info we received was inaccurate, some they still are not sure about, and further that all who are calling are getting different info. What really boggles my mind is that others on these bds are also getting their info from "supervisor's" or the "help" desk. Wouldn't one think that those who are supposed to assist the CM's would all be on the same page.

Any other organization would have major issues after this kind of fiasco. For Disney I guess from what you are saying is that people will book in any event and if they don't get what they have been promised and are unhappy others will be waiting in the wings. For me though it is just far too frustrating to deal with. I have my own work for that...not for a vacation...lol.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

More confusion...based on a posting on the planning boards I was concerned because dh's res for the premium party states his name plus 1 unnamed guest...

Many posts seem to indicate that you (general "you") can see your F&W ressies somewhere. I put in the confirmation numbers and got them to show up in the MDE app, but my dining reservations haven't shown up on the web site in days. It's just been the circling circle for hours at a time. The F&W events don't show up in a clickable form in the itinerary, so where are you all seeing all this detail about your events?

Except that there was info. but it was apparently inaccurate. When we called initially before booking we asked a whole group of questions. Just like we would when booking any event, show etc. If we are not sure about something we ask the "source". The problem here is the source, that is, Disney does not seem to provide their employees with accurate info, otherwise how do you explain that everyone who seems to call gets a different answer to virtually every question.

In my mind if I call any organization prior to making a booking I should at minimum be able to have confidence that the information I'm getting is accurate. I should not have to rely on a message board. So yes when I heard about the premium pkg it was very interesting to us. So we called, were told a number of things that made it sound perfect for us and we booked. Fast forward 4 days later after reading conflicting info, we've called back a couple of times only to find out that some info we received was inaccurate, some they still are not sure about, and further that all who are calling are getting different info. What really boggles my mind is that others on these bds are also getting their info from "supervisor's" or the "help" desk. Wouldn't one think that those who are supposed to assist the CM's would all be on the same page.

Any other organization would have major issues after this kind of fiasco. For Disney I guess from what you are saying is that people will book in any event and if they don't get what they have been promised and are unhappy others will be waiting in the wings. For me though it is just far too frustrating to deal with. I have my own work for that...not for a vacation...lol.

So true. Just look at this thread. When thus premium feature was announced without any real info people could not wait to book.

With F&W events, the reason people go ahead and book, even with crappy conflicting info, is the fear that "but I might want that and it might sell out!!". So you're torn between waiting for the dust to settle, getting more concrete info, etc. and fearing that, by the time that happens, there won't be any spots left. Most of us have already had the experience of finding out that something we wanted is sold out already (if not this year, then in years past), and are just afraid to risk it. At least, that's how I felt. I didn't get my "Sweet Seats", my husband showed some actual enthusiasm for this (he normally has the demeanor of moss), and by all the foodie gods, I wasn't losing my shot. So there ya' go, off the cliff.

 

[TDC Nala]

I guess the thing to go with is that nothing is confirmed and you cannot guarantee that anything you are told by making a phone call to WDW is going to turn out to be accurate. If that is not acceptable to you, it's likely you will go ahead and cancel the event and hopefully let Disney know why you will not be attending.

Those who are able to go after the first weeks of the festival can see what will actually happen, but that won't help those who are booking in the first week. I can't say I have any idea whether there will be seating available in the premium areas or not. We also do not know where the areas will be - all we can do at this point is guess. I would be of the opinion that nobody you can talk to on the phone will at this point be able to tell you where the premium areas will be or what they will look like. None of the written descriptions of the premium package say anything about there being chairs or seating in the areas. That does not mean there won't be chairs. But it doesn't mean there will be either.

As noted, if you call and say you booked the premium package based on misinformation released by Disney as to what it included, they will possibly allow you to cancel for a refund.

It's also noted that if the events continue to sell they will continue to be offered and the remedy is "don't go." I assume nobody here is cancelling their trip yet. But it will give many pause regarding booking anything next year, and some might even rethink their entire trip if they do yearly visits to food & wine. That won't affect Disney unless a lot of people do it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The Disney Parks blog post on the premium package has been updated with some replies to the questions in the comments.

One of everything per guest. Credentials valid for one week, Mon - Thursday. Of course this now makes me question the ability to use for a "split stay" (e.g. Thurs one week and Mon/Tues the next.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...enjoy-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

 

[kaylasmom07]

The Disney Parks blog post on the premium package has been updated with some replies to the questions in the comments.

One of everything per guest. Credentials valid for one week, Mon - Thursday. Of course this now makes me question the ability to use for a "split stay" (e.g. Thurs one week and Mon/Tues the next.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...enjoy-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

I'm glad she answered at least some of the questions.

 

[TDC Nala]

That does answer the question that the gift bag is per person and should be made available for each person booking, regardless of whether they stay in the same room or not.

 

[gwynne]

That does answer the question that the gift bag is per person and should be made available for each person booking, regardless of whether they stay in the same room or not.

ITA they aren't clear in the initial paragraphs. The answer looks to be in one of the Disney replies (between comment 7 and 8):
"The package is per person, so each person who orders the package receives one of each item, including everything in the amenity gift and gift card."

 

[ppiew]

and if u have 4 or 5 in the room?????????????? sounds like a nightmare to me

 

[thestevied]

The Disney Parks blog post on the premium package has been updated with some replies to the questions in the comments. One of everything per guest. Credentials valid for one week, Mon - Thursday. Of course this now makes me question the ability to use for a "split stay" (e.g. Thurs one week and Mon/Tues the next. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/07/two-new-ways-to-enjoy-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

Well that's great news, and looks pretty clear cut to me!

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

Does anyone know when the food & wine booth pricing is usually released? I have a good estimate based on 2013 prices, but I'd like to know just for peace of mind!

 

[Zooshoveller]

Does anyone know when the food & wine booth pricing is usually released? I have a good estimate based on 2013 prices, but I'd like to know just for peace of mind!

I asked the folks at the food blog and was told "probably next month". I have no idea if they are accurate, but figured they might know best.