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

[gwynne]

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.

Thanks for the review! Dare I ask how things were for the folks with general admission? Did there appear to be a reasonable number of high tops?

 

[greengeen]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

I would disagree with that. There aren't a lot of tables around the world showcase. I've found sharing tables can have some interesting conversations while enjoying the food.

Guess you would have called security on us as well especially if there was open table space at the high top.

 

[greengeen]

I would disagree with that. There aren't a lot of tables around the world showcase. I've found sharing tables can have some interesting conversations while enjoying the food.

Guess you would have called security on us as well especially if there was open table space at the high top.

Really, you would force your way in when you're not welcome? Good luck with that. Security agreed with ME, it's not right.

And for the record, there were other tables, just a little farther away. Lazy is no excuse.

 

[smcabee]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

I usually dont mind sharing if asked. If I have rude folks just try to take over my area, I usually start with coughing, then sniffling, then some fake nausea etc. They tend to move after that.

 

[stasijane]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

I'm sorry someone threw their drink and food down in front of you, but there really isn't a lot of space for everyone. I am normally a solo F&W person and I always ask if someone at the table don't mind if I use a corner to sit my drink down so I can eat my sample and move on. You really don't need a lot of time per table as most items are snack sized and not a full meal.

It does seem a bit silly that you got security for that though. How long were you at that table that it was an issue? Now that I think about it though while I may ask at the beginning of my way around the WS if people don't mind who knows how I sound near the end I may be throwing stuff also while in my mind I am gently placing it down

I seen after I replied that you said there were tables a bit further down, that does seem a bit off but who knows what they were thinking. I cant see why a few extra steps would hurt them but who knows. If there were no extra tables though I don't care if I would be wanted or not if I need to sit my drink down I will. I do feel security would have agreed with whomever was doing the talking unless there was a real issue. Not to take sides but no one wants to deal with conflict unless it is a real issue.

 

[gwynne]

I would disagree with that. There aren't a lot of tables around the world showcase. I've found sharing tables can have some interesting conversations while enjoying the food.

Guess you would have called security on us as well especially if there was open table space at the high top.

ITA. Open space at the high top, especially. I hope we are "allowed" to occasionally stop and cut a piece of meat or something for 60 seconds or so. I really dislike the table squatting that goes on in general admission.
Many of us consider the Party for the Senses something like a cocktail party. Enjoy, move along, enjoy.

 

[smcabee]

I think most people would not mind sharing but the key is not to be rude and just plop items down at a table someone is at but to ask. I would imagine 90+% of people would have no issues sharing if asked.

 

[Straughn]

I usually dont mind sharing if asked. If I have rude folks just try to take over my area, I usually start with coughing, then sniffling, then some fake nausea etc. They tend to move after that.

You might also mention your recent trip to Liberia.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

Sorry but you found just as rude in assuming you own that table And I am LOL at you actually going to security. I can tell you they just humored you and would not do anything Sorry you didn't get a private amusement park.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

At PFTS there were a lot of general admission sit down tables. It was still running of the bulls. Some of the chefs even took photos.


Not as many high tops as I expected. If you don't get the "I don't share" guest (See above) you probably can find a place to sit

 

[ems_mom]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

I'm sorry, your response to sharing your table was just ridiculous. How many people were at your high-top? If it was just two of you then you can pretty much count on people sharing your table. Especially on weekends.

I mean really, who are you? I just spent a week at F&W on the Premium Package and my husband and I would have shared our space if needed. A lot of the fun is meeting new people who share our Disney obsession, particularly with F&W. I can't believe you got security involved. Were they crazy psycho people? Were they belligerent?

 

[SamSam]

I would disagree with that. There aren't a lot of tables around the world showcase. I've found sharing tables can have some interesting conversations while enjoying the food.

Guess you would have called security on us as well especially if there was open table space at the high top.

I agree with you. Food and Wine is all about sharing tables, there aren't that many and we never mind sharing with others. Really!!!!! It's not a sit down restaurant!

 

[Brandi B]

This event looks spectacular!!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I think most people would not mind sharing but the key is not to be rude and just plop items down at a table someone is at but to ask. I would imagine 90+% of people would have no issues sharing if asked.

I discounted the accusations of the people "throwing" food and otherwise being rude when I heard that sharing a table at Food & Wine was worthy of reporting to security

At that point I had a feeling that someone might have just made a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Enjoying F&W right now but just one comment. Folks, if you can't find your own table, don't try to force yourself onto someone else's table! This happened to us today. Some strangers came over and threw their drink trays on our already occupied table (and they are SMALL tables at F&W) and announced they were sharing. Didn't ask, just forced. I talked to security and they said oh NO, they can't do that! It not any different than a restaurant. If someone else has the table, you can't have it. Why some people think this is okay, even after they're asked to leave, I don't know.

I don't get what's so horrible about sharing. High top tables without seats I don't really see as someone having exclusive rights too.

 

[DisneyLover0610]

At PFTS there were a lot of general admission sit down tables. It was still running of the bulls. Some of the chefs even took photos. Not as many high tops as I expected. If you don't get the "I don't share" guest (See above) you probably can find a place to sit

DH and I are going on the 18th. General Admission and we've never been before. Am I understanding correctly that there are high tops and regular tables? Is it "easy" to figure out once inside? DH is super social, and I am too when alcohol is involved. So if we have to wander around and "share" space, it shouldn't be challenging for us.
Thanks!!

 

[stasijane]

This event looks spectacular!!!

It is

 

[rlovew]

We went to the chocolate boot camp today. I am sure things were a little different as they were filming it for an episode of The Chew and everyone had to sign a photo release and they had cameras all over us as we were participating.

We did have a lot of fun- first we made molded chocolate bars with our choice of various types of additions (nuts, granola, chocolate chips, ect).

Next we learned how to make a infused truffle recipe (demo) and then we each tried our hands at dipping truffles in chocolate. I felt I learned a lot in this demo as she talked about each of the steps and went into details on why certain things worked or didn't. I also enjoyed her tips for changing the recipe to be what we wanted and telling us how to use what we had in our kitchens to melt and heat things correctly.

We then did chocolate dipped marshmellows (homemade for us) and strawberries. Then we learned how a turtle is made. Finally we made chocolate clusters.

we were given champaigne when we came in, got to take home our chocolate bar molds (professional grade), took home anything we didn't eat in boxes and bags, and got a Mickey Mouse apron. Overall I learned some new things even though I have been working with homemade chocolates for a lot of my life. I hink it might have been a little expensive for the class but I would go to another one of these on a topic I found interesting especially if it was something I wanted to do but had not really tried my hand at. If I had not had years of experience wih chocolate I would have learned a whole lot more.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

DH and I are going on the 18th. General Admission and we've never been before. Am I understanding correctly that there are high tops and regular tables? Is it "easy" to figure out once inside? DH is super social, and I am too when alcohol is involved. So if we have to wander around and "share" space, it shouldn't be challenging for us. Thanks!!

Yes. There are both sit down and hightop tables. This year there were a lot more sit down then high tops


One hint. After you move from holding into the food area they put tables up where you are held before the event. When I walked around I found that seemed more spacious.


The reason I go reserved is the mentality of "we don't share " posted earlier. Last year there was a poster on this thread just as upset because at PFTS she and her friend took two seats at a table that seated more and rude people dared to sit at the table she "reserved"

As a solo party goer I don't want to put up with this sense of entitlement