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

[BwoZoo22]

The CM I talked to about the Late Nights cancellation wasn't very helpful at all. Got the message last night and called back today. They actually answered on the first ring! Of course, I was having a hard time understanding the CM due to his accent. Not a very chatty fellow either. Suggested we move it, but we will not be there on a Thursday (which he should have seen in our reservation). He then told me the refund guidelines and process. Bummed. At least we will be getting sufficient sleep during out vacation...

 

[BwoZoo22]

Redzinner, I know you already know this but unfortunately Disney's view of what constitutes craft and specialty beer is so far detached from what craft beer drinkers consider craft beer...too many pedestrian offerings aka "crafty beers" that are there solely because they provide the best margins to Disney. There may be many choices at F&W but I find pretty much nothing of interest...my go-to remains Unibroue at the Canada popcorn cart, at least this seems to be sticking around these days.

I'm tired of them considering Sam Adams a craft beer. If it's found in a 7-11, it is not a craft beer!

 

[redzinner]

Redzinner, I know you already know this but unfortunately Disney's view of what constitutes craft and specialty beer is so far detached from what craft beer drinkers consider craft beer...too many pedestrian offerings aka "crafty beers" that are there solely because they provide the best margins to Disney. There may be many choices at F&W but I find pretty much nothing of interest...my go-to remains Unibroue at the Canada popcorn cart, at least this seems to be sticking around these days.

I know Tommie and it is sad because of all the real possibilities out there. I feel the same about the wine choices. Won't stop me from going and having some fun! Hope to see you there,

edit: I really don't know if the Beer Odyssey is fact or fiction since the Florida Today paper is the only one mentioning it so far. It's been a crazy year of add-on, take-away events after the initial announcements.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Anyone know if I can cancel the Late Nights LIVE by calling any number other than the one they leave in the message? Just tried and they're gone for the day! Maybe I'll try WDW-DINE...

 

[scrapgal123]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I tried to search withoug success. I am trying to find the list of celebrity chefs. Is there a link? TIA

 

[redzinner]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I tried to search withoug success. I am trying to find the list of celebrity chefs. Is there a link? TIA

"Celebrity chefs will be attendance: Warren Brown, Dean Max, Allen Susser, Rock Harper, Erika Davis, Jennifer Hill Booker, Paula DaSilva, Dana Herbert, Jerome Brown, Duskie Estes, John Stewart, Gale Gand, Jamie Deen, and "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro." from wdwinfo epcot events

I don't know why Kevin Dundon isn't on this list. He has his own TV show and books.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They've also left a lot off that list. Andrew Zimmern, Bryan Voltaggio, Rick Bayless, Robert Irvine. Alex Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall, Cat Cora

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Finally connected with a CM to cancel the Late Night LIVE that we had planned fot a Tue. I think she LOVED me because I was so nonchalant about it! Must not be pleasant calls to make. With various F&W events and the Sinister Soiree planned, I don't mind one earlier night, actually.

That said... GEEZ, Disney...

 

[SMorgan711]

Do we know if the Chase Lounge will be giving the wrist bands for the Eat to the Beat concerts and Illuminations?

I was there in 2012 and we got them then. I see the lounge is now on the 3rd floor of American Adventure.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

they had them last year but who knows. Especially with the new addition of Eat to the Beat Dining Packages.

 

[thestevied]

For anyone that's still got the late night live reservation.... Is this still showing up on your mde reservations? I've just changed from a Tuesday to a Thursday and the reservation is no longer showing on mde, but it was before.

 

[Tozzie]

For anyone that's still got the late night live reservation.... Is this still showing up on your mde reservations? I've just changed from a Tuesday to a Thursday and the reservation is no longer showing on mde, but it was before.

I changed mine on Sunday and it is showing up in MDE.

 

[bitbelle]

Will there be maps/lists/guides of the F&W festival given out in Epcot whilst it's on? This will be my first time and I'm wondering if I should print that stuff out before I go or if it's already covered.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Will there be maps/lists/guides of the F&W festival given out in Epcot whilst it's on? This will be my first time and I'm wondering if I should print that stuff out before I go or if it's already covered.

Yes - those guides will be everywhere in Epcot. As will the little "passport" listing all items at each booth -- you can check off as you go and get a stamp for each booth if you'd like.

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

As will the little "passport" listing all items at each booth -- you can check off as you go and get a stamp for each booth if you'd like.

What I also recommend is bringing a pen and checking off the items you had and then rate them so that if you are going to be there multiple times or have friends joining you can know what you really liked and what was more disappointing. I find after getting into the fun of F&W I can find it easy to forget that I actually didn't care for an item and this makes it way easier.

 

[LilyWDW]

What I also recommend is bringing a pen and checking off the items you had and then rate them so that if you are going to be there multiple times or have friends joining you can know what you really liked and what was more disappointing. I find after getting into the fun of F&W I can find it easy to forget that I actually didn't care for an item and this makes it way easier.

Oooo.... I like that idea! I had that happen last time I went to Food and Wine. Forgot that I didn't like something and ordered it again. Didn't help that I had had a couple of drinks and have a low tolerance since I have never been much of a drinker. LOL

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

What I also recommend is bringing a pen and checking off the items you had and then rate them so that if you are going to be there multiple times or have friends joining you can know what you really liked and what was more disappointing. I find after getting into the fun of F&W I can find it easy to forget that I actually didn't care for an item and this makes it way easier.

We put little stars next to the ones we REALLY liked and "x" next to the ones we felt this way about: . I tend to remember the foods fairly well, but not the drinks... wonder if there's a reason for that...

 

[bitbelle]

Yes - those guides will be everywhere in Epcot. As will the little "passport" listing all items at each booth -- you can check off as you go and get a stamp for each booth if you'd like.

Thank you, that's just what I needed to know.

What I also recommend is bringing a pen and checking off the items you had and then rate them so that if you are going to be there multiple times or have friends joining you can know what you really liked and what was more disappointing. I find after getting into the fun of F&W I can find it easy to forget that I actually didn't care for an item and this makes it way easier.

That sounds like a good plan! There are four of us going so I'm sure we can try everything between us all.

I think I read somewhere that food items in the booths are classed as snacks under the DDP, is that correct? Are they sample-sized portions or are they meal-sized? I have all my table service meals booked but I'm struggling to think how to spend (and eat!) the rest of my DDP points.

 

[BwoZoo22]

We do the rating in the passports too! Even before DW got a clue and starting printing specific F&W passports. Lets us know if there are some wines worth buying later in the Festival Center. Think I've even saved most of them, somewhere...

It's always easy to tell which booths were visited near the end of each day, our writing gets nearly illegible!

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

It's always easy to tell which booths were visited near the end of each day, our writing gets nearly illegible!

THIS is why I stick with a 1-5 system