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

[MakiraMarlena]

They did that last year but they do not do it every day.

Only on weekdays, and not every weekday. You just have to be lucky enough to hit it when they are offering.

 

[ems_mom]

This is just a quick post as I'm at WDW now and getting ready for dinner while DH is watching the ballgame.
I am a WDW fan all the way, own DVC and this is my 4th trip in 12 months. I was a sucker who bought the Premium Package. Totally not worth it. We had party reservations for a Tuesday and chose to be refunded that portion when it was cancelled. So we paid $120 for the rest. Subtract the $50 gift card and our cost was $70 pp.
So what do you get? A cheap bag, a bottle of Chianti that retails for $16.95 in the gift shops, a stemless F&W glass with no special logo/year, a chocolate box (which I can't imagine anyone except children will actually eat) with four tiny truffles and a yellow MB with a small F&W design on the ends.
And the part I actually thought I was willing to pay for, access to the special premium areas. Well as most of you know the weather here has been on the extreme side recently. Monday we braved the heat and got to three areas before the steady rain. On Tuesday we had just ordered $30 of items when the skys opened. As you already know there is no seating. Fine. But there are no umbrellas or covering of any kind. We put on our ponchos and they brought our food topped with the cardboard covers they were served in. And so we ate in the pouring rain with rain pounding on our food.
The last two days have been no better. One couple said the CM's near the entrance to WS offered (and they took them up on) to bring their food to the craft beer location which is indoors. No one offered that to us. And today in the blazing sunshine we only made it to one area, where the CM's told us table umbrellas will be in place by Monday.
Well, duh... I'm glad that all the others who paid will have some shelter from the elements. I went to the concierge at our hotel about our experience and was given the standard email communications card. (I emailed.) I also left a voice message on the special events line about 1pm today. No one has contacted me yet.
So this did turn out to be long. I needed to vent! We are coming home on Saturday night. After 5 straight years of F&W we are taking a break next year.
We gave up PFTS for this package. Don't repeat our mistake!!!

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

I brought up the premium package to DH last night. Luckily I have a wonderful hubby and he said "whatever you think, babe." Then today I looked at it a little more closely. Realized the "special areas" are only available Monday through Thursday. Then realized it is ONE WEEK, like a Monday through Thursday of the SAME week. We are going to be there Thursday through Monday. So we would only be able to use it ONE day. The late night party thing sounds like a good deal for those who don't already have EPCOT admission. But we have APs. So another $80 for a few extra hours in EPCOT doesn't really make a lot of sense to us. Overall, we decided this is just NOT a good value for us. I always buy the wine glasses anyway, and I can buy the bottle of wine also. If the "special areas" were available all the time, I would actually consider it. But the way it is, it's just not a good value for us at all.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

We arrived around noon and were each handed a card that entitled us to a free alcoholic beverage. They said it would last for 30 minutes. Fyi

They did that last year but they do not do it every day.

Only on weekdays, and not every weekday. You just have to be lucky enough to hit it when they are offering.

Ummm....apparently the only in weekdays rule doesn't apply this year

This is just a quick post as I'm at WDW now and getting ready for dinner while DH is watching the ballgame.
I am a WDW fan all the way, own DVC and this is my 4th trip in 12 months. I was a sucker who bought the Premium Package. Totally not worth it. We had party reservations for a Tuesday and chose to be refunded that portion when it was cancelled. So we paid $120 for the rest. Subtract the $50 gift card and our cost was $70 pp.
So what do you get? A cheap bag, a bottle of Chianti that retails for $16.95 in the gift shops, a stemless F&W glass with no special logo/year, a chocolate box (which I can't imagine anyone except children will actually eat) with four tiny truffles and a yellow MB with a small F&W design on the ends.
And the part I actually thought I was willing to pay for, access to the special premium areas. Well as most of you know the weather here has been on the extreme side recently. Monday we braved the heat and got to three areas before the steady rain. On Tuesday we had just ordered $30 of items when the skys opened. As you already know there is no seating. Fine. But there are no umbrellas or covering of any kind. We put on our ponchos and they brought our food topped with the cardboard covers they were served in. And so we ate in the pouring rain with rain pounding on our food.
The last two days have been no better. One couple said the CM's near the entrance to WS offered (and they took them up on) to bring their food to the craft beer location which is indoors. No one offered that to us. And today in the blazing sunshine we only made it to one area, where the CM's told us table umbrellas will be in place by Monday.
Well, duh... I'm glad that all the others who paid will have some shelter from the elements. I went to the concierge at our hotel about our experience and was given the standard email communications card. (I emailed.) I also left a voice message on the special events line about 1pm today. No one has contacted me yet.
So this did turn out to be long. I needed to vent! We are coming home on Saturday night. After 5 straight years of F&W we are taking a break next year.
We gave up PFTS for this package. Don't repeat our mistake!!!

I am surprised we have not seen more rants like this. As soon as I saw those areas I thought this would be the response. And I would not count in those umbrellas being there on Monday. I was lucky in that my weekday visit isn't until The last full week so I had a chance to scope this out and save my money.

 

[tony67]

This is just a quick post as I'm at WDW now and getting ready for dinner while DH is watching the ballgame.
I am a WDW fan all the way, own DVC and this is my 4th trip in 12 months. I was a sucker who bought the Premium Package. Totally not worth it. We had party reservations for a Tuesday and chose to be refunded that portion when it was cancelled. So we paid $120 for the rest. Subtract the $50 gift card and our cost was $70 pp.
So what do you get? A cheap bag, a bottle of Chianti that retails for $16.95 in the gift shops, a stemless F&W glass with no special logo/year, a chocolate box (which I can't imagine anyone except children will actually eat) with four tiny truffles and a yellow MB with a small F&W design on the ends.
And the part I actually thought I was willing to pay for, access to the special premium areas. Well as most of you know the weather here has been on the extreme side recently. Monday we braved the heat and got to three areas before the steady rain. On Tuesday we had just ordered $30 of items when the skys opened. As you already know there is no seating. Fine. But there are no umbrellas or covering of any kind. We put on our ponchos and they brought our food topped with the cardboard covers they were served in. And so we ate in the pouring rain with rain pounding on our food.
The last two days have been no better. One couple said the CM's near the entrance to WS offered (and they took them up on) to bring their food to the craft beer location which is indoors. No one offered that to us. And today in the blazing sunshine we only made it to one area, where the CM's told us table umbrellas will be in place by Monday.
Well, duh... I'm glad that all the others who paid will have some shelter from the elements. I went to the concierge at our hotel about our experience and was given the standard email communications card. (I emailed.) I also left a voice message on the special events line about 1pm today. No one has contacted me yet.
So this did turn out to be long. I needed to vent! We are coming home on Saturday night. After 5 straight years of F&W we are taking a break next year.
We gave up PFTS for this package. Don't repeat our mistake!!!

Thanks

Yup - if this included the weekend I might consider it, it's good to hear they will add umbrellas, but that does not help you at all.
I really don't see the value during the week - it's really not that busy IMO - not like the weekends - if it included a weekend - or length of stay then I would see the value.

As for the Chanti - yeah i'm guessing it's a $8-$10 bottle of wine. Did not expect much from the chocolates either.

My guess here is the MB is the big thing - people want those special MB - not me.
Let us know if Disney ever get's back to you - I've never had luck in the past.

As for giving F&W a miss next year - I'm thinking the same thing - it really does not change enough for me. 80% same dishes year after year IMO. Also too much variation in quality - one day a dish is great - the next average.

I'm still thinking about buying the Late Night on it's own, but waiting to see more feedback on that.

I am surprised we have not seen more rants like this. As soon as I saw those areas I thought this would be the response. And I would not count in those umbrellas being there on Monday. I was lucky in that my weekday visit isn't until The last full week so I had a chance to scope this out and save my money.

That's why I go the last week every year - I can see all the feedback from the entire F&W and book (as long as things are not sold out) - although sometimes I've seen them reduce portion sizes or run out of things by that week (especially some of the craft beers).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I probably will be at the event next year just because my AP will still be active. When this one expires that's it for a few years


On an unrelated note. Anyone know if they ever got in the special Dooney purses ?

 

[kimmar067]

We arrived around noon and were each handed a card that entitled us to a free alcoholic beverage. They said it would last for 30 minutes. Fyi

...at the entrance to EPCOT, or the entrance to World Showcase?

 

[Jacoby 46]

One more month to go! Can't wait!

 

[Gryhndmom]

Two weeks until DH and I arrive for drinking around the world ! kinda thinking the weather will be like San Antonio with hot and humid and the occasional rain showers. Hoping though for a cold front

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

...at the entrance to EPCOT, or the entrance to World Showcase?

Chase lounge.

 

[dchi]

...at the entrance to EPCOT, or the entrance to World Showcase?

Chase lounge. When we got to the top of the stairs is where we were given the actual card that entitled us to the free beer or wine. We went last night right after the second air supply concert, had ginger ale, no free beer for us last night.

 

[tony67]

Does anyone know if Epcot Food & Wine Late Nights LIVE is sold out?

I checked every Thursday on the Disney site and availability comes up at 9:45 - but I'm not able to book it - I just get bumped back to the info screen.

I assumed it was an issue with the site

I then called the 800 number - but she did not seem to know what it was and finally said it was unavailable. I was not confident in her answer.

It may have been correct - but this sounds like something Disney would oversell tickets to.

Anyone know for sure?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't think the late night event is sold out. I would try again (I not sure you could ever book it online)

 

[Kteacher]

So tonight is the first PFTS of the festival-who's going, and please post any info . We'll be there next Saturday night

 

[kimmar067]

Chase lounge. When we got to the top of the stairs is where we were given the actual card that entitled us to the free beer or wine. We went last night right after the second air supply concert, had ginger ale, no free beer for us last night.

.....ahhhh...


....that stinks....ginger ale is a poor substitute for free beer......just saying...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Not a detailed review, but I did PFTS last night (10/4). I thought it was an excellent party. Food was very good. The party seemed much less crowded then the party I want to last year. Only excessively long line was for the assorted chocolate I was not interested in doing the "stuff my bag" game so i didn't play. (Folks you look like fools acting like you are really taking 3 plates of chocolates back to your table to eat. We all know you are shopping for take home goodies )

I did Reserved Seating. The past2 years I did Wine View. If I go next year I am sticking with Reserved Seating. I had no problems there. It's not as nice as the lounge but I think it worked well. One thing they could do is watch the tables better. Two women just plopped down at the table next to me and the "owners" had to chase them off even though the staff knew they were not the right guests. However I only saw this once and it was late in the event.

Entertainment was basically the same as last year.

 

[Kteacher]

Thanks for the review! We have done WVL and reserved in the past, and are doing WVL this year. Glad to know you enjoyed it

 

[ddluvsdisney]

We are heading down to F&W next weekend. We are so excited!!! This will be our second year. I made a list of all the things we want to eat. We only have 2 days.
I think we're going to try a new strategy this year. DH and I will do more sharing instead of each getting 1 to try, then we can try twice as much lol
Anyone know how the crowds have been?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[LMO429]

I was considering cancelling my ETTB Package for Monday Nov 10th. I then went online to look at my dinner options and all the ETTB Packages are sold out for that evening. Should I just keep it? Want is the general conscious on this package as of late is it worth doing? My mom really likes Voodoo Daddy Band so that is why I booked it in the first place.

 

[gwynne]

I was considering cancelling my ETTB Package for Monday Nov 10th. I then went online to look at my dinner options and all the ETTB Packages are sold out for that evening. Should I just keep it? Want is the general conscious on this package as of late is it worth doing? My mom really likes Voodoo Daddy Band so that is why I booked it in the first place.

If it were me, I'd keep it. BBVD is probably the only group I would have booked the ETTB package for. I'm betting your Mom will thank you for dinner and reserved seating.