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

[karrit2000]

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 don't recall Disney ever releasing a complete listing of all food both items that includes how much each & every item will cost. Over the years that detailed information comes out usually over the course of the first weekend beginning with the soft opening on Thursday as people take pictures of the Menu boards posted at each booth. I remember a few years back they actually repriced the offerings at the Champagne booth at some point during the first week after they received complaints about the bubbly not being served in Champagne Flutes. They decided to serve full glasses at over $10 a flute & each type was and still is to this day a different price. I don't believe the people at the "Food Blog" get the prices before anyone actually can see the menu boards.

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

I don't recall Disney ever releasing a complete listing of all food both items that includes how much each & every item will cost. Over the years that detailed information comes out usually over the course of the first weekend beginning with the soft opening on Thursday as people take pictures of the Menu boards posted at each booth. I remember a few years back they actually repriced the offerings at the Champagne booth at some point during the first week after they received complaints about the bubbly not being served in Champagne Flutes. They decided to serve full glasses at over $10 a flute & each type was and still is to this day a different price. I don't believe the people at the "Food Blog" get the prices before anyone actually can see the menu boards.

Thanks! I've never been to F&W so I wasn't sure if prices were released or if bloggers just happened to gather that info & post it.

 

[KCSherri]

I wasn't really expecting chairs/seating to be provided at the Premium F&W event - just tables…similar to the VIP Package for Star Wars…. I'm cool with tables only, as my one pet peeve at the F&W is when you can't find ANY tables to set your tray/drink on, and you're forced to either use a trash can (ewwww!) or awkwardly hold it and eat at the same time. Oh, I guess I used the stairs in Italy once so I could sit down and eat. The portions are small enough that I normally don't need that much time to take a few minutes to sample, and then move on to the next booth.

For me, the value was in getting to try it…I'm always game for new experiences, and like to try them to judge for myself on whether it's a good "deal" or not…it should be interesting to see how it goes!

 

[be0URguest]

Got the tequila lunch on oct 9 th and French regional lunch on the 10th!!!! Can't wait.

 

[horse11]

It will depend on the chef on how they are cooked. IIRC, they are around medium well for the most part as they are trying to please the masses.

thanks for the info but not what Iwas wanting to hear. Do they make them right there are bring them cooked from the restraunt. May be if I am really nice to them they can make at least a medium one.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

thanks for the info but not what Iwas wanting to hear. Do they make them right there are bring them cooked from the restraunt. May be if I am really nice to them they can make at least a medium one.

They cook them at the booth.

 

[Luckybee]

I wasn't really expecting chairs/seating to be provided at the Premium F&W event - just tables…similar to the VIP Package for Star Wars…. I'm cool with tables only, as my one pet peeve at the F&W is when you can't find ANY tables to set your tray/drink on, and you're forced to either use a trash can (ewwww!) or awkwardly hold it and eat at the same time. Oh, I guess I used the stairs in Italy once so I could sit down and eat. The portions are small enough that I normally don't need that much time to take a few minutes to sample, and then move on to the next booth.

For me, the value was in getting to try it…I'm always game for new experiences, and like to try them to judge for myself on whether it's a good "deal" or not…it should be interesting to see how it goes!

For us it wasn't about the "deal" but rather the value. Since we haven't don't any Disney VIP events prior my only basis of comparison were other Food and Wine events that we have attended and the concept of paying extra always included some type of seating. When the website referred to an area where one could "relax" I assumed (obviously should have remembered the old adage) that there would be seating. Finally, when I called and the CM said " although we don't have a lot of information I cant imagine that there wouldn't be, it wouldn't make sense " I took her at her word.
Dh and I were not interested in the after hours party, Im guessing the gift bag wine wouldn't be the quality we usually enjoy, the chocolates were no biggie, so the only thing left was the fact we wouldn't have to stand in line and had a place to "relax". For us it isn't relaxing to stand in one area any more than another . The not standing in line at the booths might be ok if( and imho based on the cluster I've seen so far its a big if ), they have enough runners to handle the volume or one might be waiting a lot longer than one might at the booths. I'm not suggesting the value may not be there for anyone else, it just doesn't make sense for us at least not until I hear some positive reports after the concept is up and running. It will be too late for us to rebook this time around but perhaps next time

 

[smcabee]

For us it wasn't about the "deal" but rather the value. Since we haven't don't any Disney VIP events prior my only basis of comparison were other Food and Wine events that we have attended and the concept of paying extra always included some type of seating. When the website referred to an area where one could "relax" I assumed (obviously should have remembered the old adage) that there would be seating. Finally, when I called and the CM said " although we don't have a lot of information I cant imagine that there wouldn't be, it wouldn't make sense " I took her at her word.
Dh and I were not interested in the after hours party, Im guessing the gift bag wine wouldn't be the quality we usually enjoy, the chocolates were no biggie, so the only thing left was the fact we wouldn't have to stand in line and had a place to "relax". For us it isn't relaxing to stand in one area any more than another . The not standing in line at the booths might be ok if( and imho based on the cluster I've seen so far its a big if ), they have enough runners to handle the volume or one might be waiting a lot longer than one might at the booths. I'm not suggesting the value may not be there for anyone else, it just doesn't make sense for us at least not until I hear some positive reports after the concept is up and running. It will be too late for us to rebook this time around but perhaps next time

You pretty much nailed our thoughts on this as well. Although we dont do any of the Disney special events we do pay for both nights at the Swolphin food fest. In our opinion its a much better deal value wise. I too really think and I hope Im dead wrong that the wait time for food from runners while in the VIP area will be excessive and if there are no seating areas it will make that wait all the more difficult. We decided to stand by as well and see how things play out this year and maybe take them up on the offer next year if it returns.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

thanks for the info but not what Iwas wanting to hear. Do they make them right there are bring them cooked from the restraunt. May be if I am really nice to them they can make at least a medium one.

Being nice won't help. This booth is incredibly popular. It is a production line back there and they just are not set up to do cook to order.

 

[redzinner]

Some of the Merchandise that will be available during the 19th Annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Merchandise

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

I don't recall Disney ever releasing a complete listing of all food both items that includes how much each & every item will cost. Over the years that detailed information comes out usually over the course of the first weekend beginning with the soft opening on Thursday as people take pictures of the Menu boards posted at each booth. I remember a few years back they actually repriced the offerings at the Champagne booth at some point during the first week after they received complaints about the bubbly not being served in Champagne Flutes. They decided to serve full glasses at over $10 a flute & each type was and still is to this day a different price. I don't believe the people at the "Food Blog" get the prices before anyone actually can see the menu boards.

Actually in years past the Disney Food Blog people have released the prices before the menus were "unveiled" and they have been quite accurate with maybe one item not being correct. And also last year when Disney released the map which was if I remember correctly was a couple of weeks before the festival and they also listed prices for the booths

 

[LisaS]

Dh and I were not interested in the after hours party, Im guessing the gift bag wine wouldn't be the quality we usually enjoy, the chocolates were no biggie, so the only thing left was the fact we wouldn't have to stand in line and had a place to "relax". For us it isn't relaxing to stand in one area any more than another . The not standing in line at the booths might be ok if( and imho based on the cluster I've seen so far its a big if ), they have enough runners to handle the volume or one might be waiting a lot longer than one might at the booths. I'm not suggesting the value may not be there for anyone else, it just doesn't make sense for us at least not until I hear some positive reports after the concept is up and running. It will be too late for us to rebook this time around but perhaps next time

We're thinking along the same lines. We're not interested in the party and would rather pick out our own wine and chocolates and I don't need any more wine glasses. We've never minded the wait in line for the food (particularly Mon-Thu) and we usually manage to find someplace to eat, though perhaps some of those areas will be blocked off now for paying guests only. I'll be interested to read actual reports from folks here who are opting in but we're opting out.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned anywhere is whether or not you're expected to tip the runners and if so, how much? Maybe it will be like TIW and they will automatically add a tip to the price of the food you order or maybe tips are included.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I would not have any intention of tipping the runners. If I would be expected to tip them, I wouldn't use them. I would assume it'd be at least a $1 tip per run and if you just want a $4 item at each booth....gets expensive.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Some of the Merchandise that will be available during the 19th Annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Merchandise

I'm somewhat disappointed with this year's merchandise, at least what's been released so far. They're using the same logo as last year - "Taste your way around the World". In fact, I think the same logo was used for 2012.

I'll be interested to see what the 2014 t-shirt looks like. I think I have one from the past five festivals.

 

[Judyfun]

Every year we all talk about the lack of space to dine, I happen to have a camping table that rolls up into a folding chair size holder. Do you think that Disney would let me take it into the park? If so, I plan on making cuties napkins and such. I wonder who would be able to tell me?

Judy

 

[pepperandchips]

Every year we all talk about the lack of space to dine, I happen to have a camping table that rolls up into a folding chair size holder. Do you think that Disney would let me take it into the park? If so, I plan on making cuties napkins and such. I wonder who would be able to tell me? Judy

My best guess is no since folding chairs are prohibited. You could try as long as you are prepared to return it to the car if they say no. Here's a list of prohibited items: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/restricted-personal-items/

 

[Judyfun]

My best guess is no since folding chairs are prohibited. You could try as long as you are prepared to return it to the car if they say no. Here's a list of prohibited items: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/restricted-personal-items/

Thanks, That is what I am thinking also.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Every year we all talk about the lack of space to dine, I happen to have a camping table that rolls up into a folding chair size holder. Do you think that Disney would let me take it into the park? If so, I plan on making cuties napkins and such. I wonder who would be able to tell me?

Judy

It sounds like if you have one that is small enough to fit into a backpack there is a possibility since tripod stands are allowed. But that may be a stretch... Personally, I would hate to have to take it back to the resort after getting to the park.

 

[karrit2000]

Actually in years past the Disney Food Blog people have released the prices before the menus were "unveiled" and they have been quite accurate with maybe one item not being correct. And also last year when Disney released the map which was if I remember correctly was a couple of weeks before the festival and they also listed prices for the booths

Not trying to start an argument here but DFB did not update the menus on their website with the correct 2013 prices until the night before the CM preview last year so while technically you are correct the info was not out there prior to night before the soft opening of the 2013 F & W Festival. Also there most definitely were not specific prices on the Official Disney F & W maps for the food booths.

 

[Docmom]

Are the wristband F&W gift cards they sell at the festival center a set amount or can you load them and reload them with as much as you want? If the later will they let you use multiple forms of payment? Have a few visa and American Express gift cards with varying amounts left on them that would like to combine for easier payment.