2015 F&W dates and DVC availability?

[Simba's Mom]

I know it's still 2014, but since we're almost 11 months from 2015 F&W booking, does anyone know the dates for the 2015 F&W festival? Also, I'd imagine that for booking the Epcot area resorts, it's best to book first thing in the morning on the first day I can, 11 months out. Am I right that I need to be this vigilant? Also, we're planning to spend several days at OKW, just resting and so Guy can golf trying to burn off some of the calories we've eaten! So for non-Epcot resorts (OKW), is it still a good idea to book right at 11 months, or do you think we can maybe wait until at least 9 months or so? It's so hard, since we're not sure of the exact dates we want yet.

 

[smcabee]

Well its pretty safe to say if you book anytime in Late Sept or anytime in Oct you will be safe. As far as the resorts go we didnt book until April this year, was waiting on the Swolphin dates there was tons of availability at non epcot resorts. Of course that all could change next year.

 

[drusba]

For a number of years, Food & Wine was typically a 45 day period beginning during the last week of Sep or Oct 1 and ending between Nov 8 and 14. This year Disney added 8 days in Sep to make 53 from Sep 19-Nov 10. Whether that longer period will be continued is unknown. In any event, unless Disney decides to make some major changes like doing away with the event, you can count on October being included and likely at least the last week of Sep and first 8 days of Nov (in 2009, which calendar year is an exact match for 2015 for days of the week on which dates fall, it ran from Sep 25-Nov 8).

As to booking a room in Oct: If you want BCV, BWV, BLT or a studio at VGF, you should do it at 11 months out for any time in Oct or Nov. If you want the Thursday before the Columbus Day weekend through the Monday of that weekend or the Thursday of the weekend after that through the Sunday, you should consider also reserving VWL, OKW or AKV 11 months out. If you go into Nov, you should also consider reserving VWL, AKV, OKW and even potentially SSR at 11 months out if you want the last weekend of Food & Wine (likely the nights of Nov 6 and 7), when there is also the Food & Wine race on the Sat).

 

[DebbieB]

It used to be the first Halloween part was at the beginning of October and the first Christmas party was after Thanksgiving. Disney knows how to milk the cash cow, the dates will keep getting longer rather than shorter.

 

[ktate82]

For a number of years, Food & Wine was typically a 45 day period beginning during the last week of Sep or Oct 1 and ending between Nov 8 and 14. This year Disney added 8 days in Sep to make 53 from Sep 19-Nov 10. Whether that longer period will be continued is unknown. In any event, unless Disney decides to make some major changes like doing away with the event, you can count on October being included and likely at least the last week of Sep and first 8 days of Nov (in 2009, which calendar year is an exact match for 2015 for days of the week on which dates fall, it ran from Sep 25-Nov 8).

As to booking a room in Oct: If you want BCV, BWV, BLT or a studio at VGF, you should do it at 11 months out for any time in Oct or Nov. If you want the Thursday before the Columbus Day weekend through the Monday of that weekend or the Thursday of the weekend after that through the Sunday, you should consider also reserving VWL, OKW or AKV 11 months out. If you go into Nov, you should also consider reserving VWL, AKV, OKW and even potentially SSR at 11 months out if you want the last weekend of Food & Wine (likely the nights of Nov 6 and 7), when there is also the Food & Wine race on the Sat).

Do you think there will be any 7 month availability at BWV for the middle of October? We own at AKL and will book a studio there, but would like to move to a studio at BWV at the 7 month mark.

 

[drusba]

Do you think there will be any 7 month availability at BWV for the middle of October? We own at AKL and will book a studio there, but would like to move to a studio at BWV at the 7 month mark.

Though you can never say never, it is likely to be difficult. During 2013 and 2014, BWV studios were mostly full for the period from Oct 6 to Oct 23 at 7 months out except for a few days in pool/garden view and those were not consecutive days. 1BR pool/garden view was the only BWV room category open most days.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I know it's still 2014, but since we're almost 11 months from 2015 F&W booking, does anyone know the dates for the 2015 F&W festival? Also, I'd imagine that for booking the Epcot area resorts, it's best to book first thing in the morning on the first day I can, 11 months out. Am I right that I need to be this vigilant? Also, we're planning to spend several days at OKW, just resting and so Guy can golf trying to burn off some of the calories we've eaten! So for non-Epcot resorts (OKW), is it still a good idea to book right at 11 months, or do you think we can maybe wait until at least 9 months or so? It's so hard, since we're not sure of the exact dates we want yet.

Haha...just thinking the same thing! Guess I'll read the replies now!

 

[MaryJ]

I might also add that if you're interested in attending the Party for the Senses to keep in mind that it's unlikely that one will take place on the night of Nov. 7, 2015. This is the night of the Food and Wine Half marathon and there has not been a party on that night for the last 3 years.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I might also add that if you're interested in attending the Party for the Senses to keep in mind that it's unlikely that one will take place on the night of Nov. 7, 2015. This is the night of the Food and Wine Half marathon and there has not been a party on that night for the last 3 years.

Is that definitely the date of the F&W half marathon? DH just told me that he's considering doing it in 2015 (second time, he did it in 2011). However, we couldn't find the exact date for that nor for the TOT 10 miler.

 

[MaryJ]

Is that definitely the date of the F&W half marathon? DH just told me that he's considering doing it in 2015 (second time, he did it in 2011). However, we couldn't find the exact date for that nor for the TOT 10 miler.

RunDisney tweeted and posted on Facebook the 2015 calendar about a week ago. Nov 6-7 is listed as Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend. There is no ToT race scheduled for 2015. There is much speculation that this is because they have closed down the backstage tour area and are planning to do construction there. Since the ToT course goes through part of the backstage area, it might make things difficult. No one is more disappointed about this than I am, as I have made it my five year goal to do all ToT races through 2016. It is the only RunDisney race that I have legacy status in. I am hoping that they will bring it back in 2016 and I will just add 2017 to it so I can get in my five years.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Is that definitely the date of the F&W half marathon? DH just told me that he's considering doing it in 2015 (second time, he did it in 2011). However, we couldn't find the exact date for that nor for the TOT 10 miler.

The Wine & Dine Half Marathon will be November 7th with the 5K being the morning. The Wine & Dine Expo will be on the 6th & 7th.

There is no ToT 10 Miler next year. I'm glad I was able to do it this final year! No news if it will be returning in 2016 or 2017.

We were able to switch to BVW at 7 Months for our Tower of Terror trip.

Next year we are going to do a split stay between VGF & AKV though for our long F&W Trip. We haven't decided on the W&D location yet.

 

[keishashadow]

Do you think there will be any 7 month availability at BWV for the middle of October? We own at AKL and will book a studio there, but would like to move to a studio at BWV at the 7 month mark.

I've had issues when waiting until mid morning to book at 11 months for a standard studio.

RunDisney tweeted and posted on Facebook the 2015 calendar about a week ago. Nov 6-7 is listed as Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend. There is no ToT race scheduled for 2015. There is much speculation that this is because they have closed down the backstage tour area and are planning to do construction there. Since the ToT course goes through part of the backstage area, it might make things difficult. No one is more disappointed about this than I am, as I have made it my five year goal to do all ToT races through 2016. It is the only RunDisney race that I have legacy status in. I am hoping that they will bring it back in 2016 and I will just add 2017 to it so I can get in my five years.

while I feel for those who will 'miss' the race next year, I am hoping that if they do bring it back it, it won't be during the weekend pre-Columbus day. That time period has gotten increasingly busy in the world since they offered the race to point where we would've switched our fall visit if we weren't meeting friends whose schedule is inflexible.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The Wine & Dine Half Marathon will be November 7th with the 5K being the morning. The Wine & Dine Expo will be on the 6th & 7th.

There is no ToT 10 Miler next year. I'm glad I was able to do it this final year! No news if it will be returning in 2016 or 2017.

We were able to switch to BVW at 7 Months for our Tower of Terror trip.

Next year we are going to do a split stay between VGF & AKV though for our long F&W Trip. We haven't decided on the W&D location yet.

Thanks very much for the info! Didn't know about the T0T 10 miler. I remember this year when we checked in to OKW the day before the 10 miler, they said that the resort was at capacity because of the race.

 

[quinnc19]

Any word on whether Poly will be open then? I am hoping to stay there next October as a new owner but I guess I should book BW as a backup just in case.

 

[keishashadow]

Any word on whether Poly will be open then? I am hoping to stay there next October as a new owner but I guess I should book BW as a backup just in case.

lucky you! I booked a short stay at the Poly for the end of August '15 for my GD's 5th birthday trip. I had inquired of the TA as to when the construction should be finished and was told before our trip. Would be nice but I'm not holding my breath unless they start selling the DVC portion soon.