2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: September 14 - November 14, 2016

[bellrae]

Has anyone spied a review for the first VIP experience yet?

 

[loves to dive]

How is the seating this year at F&W? Are we going to be eating on trashcans? I sure hope not. Does anyone know of countries that offer seating also?

They put out lots more of the standing tables this year. Between them and the benches, I never had to eat on a trash can, not even Saturday evening.

 

[Hikergirl]

We've been here for the last two days and while the crowd seems heavy, I didn't think the lines were too long. We always managed to find a table, bench or fence to lean on too with no problems. 2 more days here so it will be interesting to see the difference in crowds on weekdays.

 

[EasternShoreGal]

My husband and I got them last year and we waited less than 10 mins each time (walked up once) and always when we were read for an air conditioning break.

 

[jerseygal]

We've been here for the last two days and while the crowd seems heavy, I didn't think the lines were too long. We always managed to find a table, bench or fence to lean on too with no problems. 2 more days here so it will be interesting to see the difference in crowds on weekdays.

Good to hear, weekdays always seem so much more pleasurable!

 

[EasternShoreGal]

Hubby and I were there Halloween weekend last year 10/28-11/3 and we got ours that Monday the 2nd.

 

[rachdd]

Hi!! Just returned home yesterday from 4 days of Food and Wine. It was our first time and my husband and I both loved it. We tried at least one thing from every booth, it was our goal and we achieved it! Let me know if anyone has any questions.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Reports are that there are more tables, but they are standing tables. There isn't much extra in the way of being able to sit.

Actually in my experience the trash can lids appear to be kept cleaner than the tables.

 

[EasternShoreGal]

What's everyone's take on "winging it" vs planning each booth?

I'm taking the obsessive planner approach to F&W next week... I have every single item I want to try listed by booth on a digital note in my phone, Including some "Might" try items. I've even listed the prices as to make sure I know which ones I should use my vouchers for.. Oh if only I could get my hands on a spreadsheet or excel file

My GF however....

is taking the winging it approach. She has looked over menus and food photos with me and said "I want that..and that" but ultimately her plan is to just walk up to each booth and see if she wants anything.

I'm curious to see how other people approach F&W

So I like to plan everything as well but when it comes to F&W, I looked at the menus and photos to get an idea but from prior experience, on any given day I may not be feeling a certain taste so I. am with your GF...wing it. I find it works better.

 

[EasternShoreGal]

Not sure if you have heard since you posted this but I did hear back saying I had gotten tickets for the taping on Friday. I checked back and I received that email on the 9th.

Sorry meant to insert the quote but forgot. Mathis was in reference to the question about the Chew tapings.

 

[backformore]

Hi!! Just returned home yesterday from 4 days of Food and Wine. It was our first time and my husband and I both loved it. We tried at least one thing from every booth, it was our goal and we achieved it! Let me know if anyone has any questions.

What were your standout favorites as far as food? How about drinks? DESSERTS?
Any items you would suggest avoiding completely?

 

[Chisoxcollector]

Wife and I spent all day at Epcot on Saturday. We did a world showcase lap right at 11am, and the lines weren't too bad at all.

We attended the Morimoto Mix It Make It Celebrate It event and had a blast! We've attended lots of celebrity chef events over the last few years, and this may have been our favorite. He started the event by going around sweeping the floors, and ended it by singing! I got both things on video, which is pretty cool! He did a book signing after, and my wife and I were lucky enough to be the first to meet him. The man sure knows how to sign a book! He pretty much filled the entire title page, signing in both English and Japanese.



We did a second lap around the world afterwards. Between the two laps, we tried everything that we really wanted except for two items. Our favorites were the brisket from Hops and Barley, the shrimp and noodles from China, the hummus fries from Morocco, the pork belly from Brazil, the waffle with berries from Belgium, and the duck confit from Greenhouse Guru. There were 3-4 lines that were absolutely nuts during our second lap, but other than those it wasn't bad at all.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

What about La Fin Du Monde? Its available all year at the Canada beer stand. I had it on our last trip and liked it a lot. Is it popular in Canada?

At the end of August it was gone from the stand. Unknown if temporarily or permanently. They had no Unibroue on tap outside but the "shop bar" had a bottled one (it wasn't Fin)

 

[StarWarsJez]

...

 

[samsteele]

At the end of August it was gone from the stand. Unknown if temporarily or permanently. They had no Unibroue on tap outside but the "shop bar" had a bottled one (it wasn't Fin)

I think Josh at easywdw just noticed that Unibroue is now back at the Canada stand. So Yaay! if it stays.
Is it popular in Canada? Not really. At least not in Ontario. I love it but it is considered a higher-end "craft" type beer so not commercially as popular as Blue, Canadian, Sleeman's, etc.

 

[patster734]

At the end of August it was gone from the stand. Unknown if temporarily or permanently. They had no Unibroue on tap outside but the "shop bar" had a bottled one (it wasn't Fin)

Nooo!


I guess I will be giving Unibroue a try. Hopefully, it doesn't cause me to grow a unibrow.

 

[samsteele]

Hopefully, it doesn't cause me to grow a unibrow

LOL. Just think "you-knee-brew" & you're good to get to go!

 

[patster734]

LOL. Just think "you-knee-brew" & you're good to get to go!

I just checked EasyWDW, and I believe La Fin Du Monde is still there in Canada unless I read the wrong post. La Fin appears to be made by Unibroue.

 

[rachdd]

What were your standout favorites as far as food? How about drinks? DESSERTS?
Any items you would suggest avoiding completely?

A few of our standouts were:
FOOD:
Hawaii - Poke salad
Patagonia - Roasted Salmon with Quinoa
South Korea - Korean style BBQ Beef

DRINKS:
France - La Passion Martini Slush (I had 2 of these, pricey but good!)
Refreshment Port - Dole Whip with Rum and the Dragon Berry Refresher (we had 2 of these)
China - Kung Fu Punch
Refreshment Cool Post - Frozen Brown Elephant (again a little pricey but was SOO good)
My husband tried LOTS of different beers and I tasted most of them. The Two Henry's Blueberry Vanilla at the Craft Beers booth stood out to me.

Desserts:
This is where I told my husband we failed and needed another day for these. I did try a waffle from Belgium that was really good as well at the Liquid Chocolate Nitro and that was good as well.

For the most part I liked everything with the exception of one dish. We tried the Mussels in New Zealand and all I can say is horrible. I had read else where that they were good but not the ones we got. My husband said they were over cooked. Really bad!

 

[BeerMe]

It has been insanely hot the past few days and there has been a lot of rain - downpours. Friday night Starship shows - two were canceled. But we saw them Saturday and Sunday night. Awesome. Taking a day off. I need to pace myself - we're here for 7 more weeks!