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

[satman1962]

Has anyone taken part in the Ultimate Day Food and Wine tour? The full Day Package for 399$ It's only offered on Thursdays and Sundays, I would love to hear anyone's experience with this

 

[crazy4wdw]

I have a quick question about the Culinary Demos at the Festival Center. In years past when my husband and I have made reservations, to get in we gave our name at the entrance much like a dining reservation. We have friends who went to the festival last year and are insisting they had to pick up actual tickets to enter the demos.

Have things changed recently, or are they mistaking these demos for another event? I don't want to show up this year and not be prepared!

At least for the last five years, you have always needed a ticket for the wine tastinng events and culinary demos. You can pick up all of your tickets daily for all of the events you have reservations for on that specific day. You may be thinking about the special events such as sweet sundays, regional lunches, dessert party, etc. For these events, you just tell them your name and your name is checked off a list the CM has.

 

[redzinner]

Has anyone visited the Chase lounge yet? I am particularly curious if they are offering the wristbands for Illuminations preferred viewing this year. Wondering if they're available every day and where the viewing area is located. Thanks!

Someone from the Festival reported there are Wristbands Sat, Sun, Mon for concerts. Illuminations every night. They keep them hidden in a box that looks like a huge book.

 

[kimmar067]

Someone from the Festival reported there are no wristbands from Chase for Eat to the Beat seating. Probably because of Disney's new Eat to the Beat Dinner Package.

....makes sense...

 

[kimmar067]

Has anyone visited the Chase lounge yet? I am particularly curious if they are offering the wristbands for Illuminations preferred viewing this year. Wondering if they're available every day and where the viewing area is located. Thanks!

....is that for Chase Disney Visa cardholders?

 

[redzinner]

....makes sense...

....is that for Chase Disney Visa cardholders?

New Information after further investigation:

Wristbands Sat, Sun, Mon for concerts. Illuminations every night. They keep them hidden in a box that looks like a huge book.

I would imagine it is for all Chase Card Holders that visit the Lounge and ask for the wristbands.

 

[kabuki]

New Information after further investigation:

Wristbands Sat, Sun, Mon for concerts. Illuminations every night. They keep them hidden in a box that looks like a huge book.

I would imagine it is for all Chase Card Holders that visit the Lounge and ask for the wristbands.

Thank you! <3

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

New Information after further investigation: Wristbands Sat, Sun, Mon for concerts. Illuminations every night. They keep them hidden in a box that looks like a huge book. I would imagine it is for all Chase Card Holders that visit the Lounge and ask for the wristbands.

I was told these were Disney cards only.

 

[Lorelei528]

This might be a stupid question...but where do we get the Passport and is it free? If not, how much does it cost?

 

[serene56]

This might be a stupid question...but where do we get the Passport and is it free? If not, how much does it cost?

the food and wine passport is free at every kiosk. it will list each country and what food is there-- and you get a stamp when visiting.

(the same passport for the storytellers in dec.)

 

[FeralCatRogue]

We picked up last year our little passport book for free in the festival center, then you can have each place stamp it.

 

[SamSam]

I know it's been asked before. But the forecast looks so bad (80% rain every day) on our upcoming trip. I know we'll still have fun, go to the parks and ride the rides.

But can you enjoy F&W in the rain? I ask because Epcot is my top park to avoid in the rain as all the attractions and the countries are so spread out.

So for those with experience, can you tour and taste the F&W booths in the rain?

We're here now and it's threatened rain more than it's actually rained. Regardless, we have umbrellas and ponchos and don't let it slow us down. Most of the time the rain is pretty short lived.

 

[WDWLover75]

Did anyone else attend Experience Puerto Rico? We were totally surprised by this event (not in a good way). We got to World ShowPlace around 7:15 where there was a line to check in. Once we checked in, we all stood outside waiting to be let in. We could hear music inside and I just assumed they were testing the sound system or something. Finally, about 7:40, those of us who paid the $99 + tax each were let inside. The place was already packed and it was obvious those folks had been there for quite some time. I was told by one of the servers that those were VIPs who had paid more to get in early. From what we could tell, it was about 98% VIPs and 2% people like us.

Every table we saw was either already taken or had a "reserved" sign on it. We finally asked one of the wait staff if we could use an empty "reserved" table and she took away the sign....this was very helpful since many of the food dishes needed to be eaten with a knife and fork so t would have been impossible to eat standing up.

A few minutes after we went inside, there were 2 or 3 speakers including the Governor of Puerto Rico who focused on his political plans for growing the economy of Puerto Rico. These speeches lasted around 20 minutes and honestly were not what we expected given the description of the event (see below).

The VIPs were all super dressed up and seemed to know each other. Those of us walking around with our Magic Bands looked very out of place and we for sure felt out of place. We ate and drank as quickly as possible and got out of there as soon as we could. At least the food was very good.



Experience Puerto Rico – The All Star Island

<– New for 2014!
From pristine beaches to majestic mountain peaks blanketed in lush tropical forests; discover Puerto Rico, a land rich in cultural tradition, enticing cuisine, and world class entertainment. Let the gentle island breeze lead you to tasting stations offering mouth-watering Puerto Rican favorites and hand-crafted cocktails featuring Puerto Rico’s world renowned rum brands. Though the evening will inevitably end, your memories of the Enchanted Island will last a lifetime.
When: Saturday, September 20 from 7:30-10PM
Where: World ShowPlace Events Pavilion
Pricing: General Admission: $99 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Epcot admission required for both options.

 

[redzinner]

Did anyone else attend Experience Puerto Rico? We were totally surprised by this event (not in a good way). We got to World ShowPlace around 7:15 where there was a line to check in. Once we checked in, we all stood outside waiting to be let in. We could hear music inside and I just assumed they were testing the sound system or something. Finally, about 7:40, those of us who paid the $99 + tax each were let inside. The place was already packed and it was obvious those folks had been there for quite some time. I was told by one of the servers that those were VIPs who had paid more to get in early. From what we could tell, it was about 98% VIPs and 2% people like us.

Every table we saw was either already taken or had a "reserved" sign on it. We finally asked one of the wait staff if we could use an empty "reserved" table and she took away the sign....this was very helpful since many of the food dishes needed to be eaten with a knife and fork so t would have been impossible to eat standing up.

A few minutes after we went inside, there were 2 or 3 speakers including the Governor of Puerto Rico who focused on his political plans for growing the economy of Puerto Rico. These speeches lasted around 20 minutes and honestly were not what we expected given the description of the event (see below).

The VIPs were all super dressed up and seemed to know each other. Those of us walking around with our Magic Bands looked very out of place and we for sure felt out of place. We ate and drank as quickly as possible and got out of there as soon as we could. At least the food was very good.



Experience Puerto Rico – The All Star Island

<– New for 2014!
From pristine beaches to majestic mountain peaks blanketed in lush tropical forests; discover Puerto Rico, a land rich in cultural tradition, enticing cuisine, and world class entertainment. Let the gentle island breeze lead you to tasting stations offering mouth-watering Puerto Rican favorites and hand-crafted cocktails featuring Puerto Rico’s world renowned rum brands. Though the evening will inevitably end, your memories of the Enchanted Island will last a lifetime.
When: Saturday, September 20 from 7:30-10PM
Where: World ShowPlace Events Pavilion
Pricing: General Admission: $99 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Epcot admission required for both options.

I would not have been a happy camper AND I would let Disney know about it! I realized it would be somewhat of a travel promo when I read the write up but how could you possibly know it would involve VIPs and late timing. Not a good way to endear people to visit the island in my opinion.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Sorry the Puerto Rico event didn't go as it was described! I would let Disney know as well especially since the VIP option wasn't a publically offered event. They shouldn't make you feel it was you that was out of place.

 

[byejou]

This will be our first visit to F&W after years of wishing to get there. I know I'm gonna pick up a passport but I wanted to know if I could preorder/prepay for the gift cards with wristbands or food tasting trays anywhere. We will be there last week of festival and I wanted to be sure to get one of these items. Also, any tips for first timers will be really appreciated!!!

 

[kimmar067]

New Information after further investigation:

Wristbands Sat, Sun, Mon for concerts. Illuminations every night. They keep them hidden in a box that looks like a huge book.

I would imagine it is for all Chase Card Holders that visit the Lounge and ask for the wristbands.

....good tip....now, both my DH and I have our own separate Disney Visa cards and we will be with another couple (not sure if they are cardholders or not, but I'm thinking "no"). Could we get 4 bands for the 4 of us?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

....good tip....now, both my DH and I have our own separate Disney Visa cards and we will be with another couple (not sure if they are cardholders or not, but I'm thinking "no"). Could we get 4 bands for the 4 of us?

We will be in this exact situation.

When we went in 2012 they did allow us to get wristbands for my family of 3, and also one for my friend who had not arrived in the park yet. The lady told me she wasn't supposed to do that, though.

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

Went 3 "days" in a row this weekend (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) here are my thought so far.

Canadian Filet : DUH soooooooooo good
Cheddar cheese soup: Again DUH, this year seems to have a little more pepper than last year but in a good way.
Lamb: Third DUH in a row
Pepper Bacon Hash: As the DFB has reported this is a MUST try it was so dang good but it can be filling
Chimichurri steak skewer: The steak was well done so it made it too chewy for me to put it in the DUH category
Shrimp Taco: FULL of shrimp and just the right combination of flavors
Escargot: I was worried about the change on this one but they did OK, my recommendation take a spoon and scrape out the inside as the crust was too much of a pastry consistency
Cheese Plate at Hops and Barley: I'm a cheese person so I loved these selections on this plate more than the Ireland cheese plate I've had past years
Spicy Hand Roll: Very good with a big kick of spice (might be too much for some) definitely find a place to stop and eat this as its NOT a moving and eating item
Sauerkraut pirogi with Pork Goulash: The star on this was the Goulash it was so tasty and my sauerkraut didn't seem to be drained of most of its juices which made it pretty sour

Beverages so far: Coopers Pale Ale (Australia), Belgium beer flight, Grapefruit beer (DUH), Moosehead (Canada), Beer Flight #1 at craft beer hall,Florida White Cracker Ale (farm Fresh), Kronenbourg Blanc (France), Leinenkugel’s Seasonal Shandy (Hops & Barley), and Okocim O.K. Beer (Poland)

 

[LisaS]

We're here now and it's threatened rain more than it's actually rained. Regardless, we have umbrellas and ponchos and don't let it slow us down. Most of the time the rain is pretty short lived.

How is the heat and humidity? I'm thinking of coming down for a couple of days next week but don't deal well with high humidity. Weather websites show humidity in the 76%-92% range this week and the same for early next week. Is it as bad as it sounds?