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

[backformore]

Wait, do you need tickets for the concerts?

 

[patster734]

Wait, do you need tickets for the concerts?

Only if you're doing a Eat to the Beat dining package, and that is to get you in the reserved seating line. The regular seating line doesn't have a ticket.

If you are doing a Eat to the Beat dining package, I believe the restaurant gives you the ticket during your meal.

 

[sking85111]

We used the wrist giftcard and then the sampler vouchers for high priced alcohol (that we bought with the GC). I liked that each receipt gave you the remaining balance.

We usually purchase the gift card, I am curious about the sampler voucher, don't recall seeing that before. What is it and what does it cover?

 

[Hikergirl]

We usually purchase the gift card, I am curious about the sampler voucher, don't recall seeing that before. What is it and what does it cover?

Post #2084 has a picture of what is excluded.
Its basically a bunch of coupons that you use for the booths, and it comes with a F&W pin but it was out of stock when we went. They are mailing it to us, but the truth is I really didn't care too much about it so if it doesn't come I'll be okay with that.
There are 2 versions, and 8 and a 16 one. I bought the 16 one for $109 + tax to share between dh and me. We used it specifically for our alcohol purchases since they were the mostly around $9-$10.

 

[RoyalJay]

Only if you're doing a Eat to the Beat dining package, and that is to get you in the reserved seating line. The regular seating line doesn't have a ticket.

If you are doing a Eat to the Beat dining package, I believe the restaurant gives you the ticket during your meal.

Can anyone who has done the dining package this year report on the location of the reserved section? I've read in the past that it started 7th row center, but haven't seen any reports on this year's seating now that there is no FP.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Anyone would likely be able to show up for most of those concerts, walk in and get a seat. But if you're paying for a dining package, I would assume you want the seating advantage that you are paying for. And I don't think you can just show up right before showtime and still get a seat in the reserved section. I think you need to be there before they let the general public line in.

At some point they take down the ropes at the reserved sections in the interest of seating as many guests as possible in the theater. If you come in much later than they say to when you get your package ticket, you will probably get a seat, but it may not be in the reserved section.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

And I don't think you can just show up right before showtime and still get that seating advantage. I think you need to be there before they let the general public line in.

This would bug me if I had any interest in these concerts! Paying extra, but have to show up EARLIER. Defeats the purpose for me, personally.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You just need to show up earlier than they take down the ropes on the reserved section and let anybody sit there. That is, if you want to sit in the reserved section. They seem to do this about 10 minutes to showtime.

Those who pay for the dining package ought to know exactly what they are paying for, and it's not the ability to show up a couple of minutes before the show starts and still sit in the reserved section. If you want to show up that late, save your money on the package, and just pay for dinner somewhere.

 

[LMO429]

I showed up a few minutes before each concert and had no problem getting a seat for my DH and I.

is that with the eat to the beat dining package ? or just in general???

 

[vettegirl]

is that with the eat to the beat dining package ? or just in general???

In general. Both the Fuel and Bodeans concerts were not full. Air Supply was packed but found a seat 10 min before the last show.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just ate at the Italian Regional lunch with wine pairing st Tutto Gusto. It was fabulous. Five wines and fivee courses to our meal. Started with Insalata d'Astice (lobster salad with caviar dressing). Paired with Prosecco and they poured it pretty freely. Second course was Gnudi al Tartufo (Ricotta dumpling, sweet butter, parmesan, wnite truffle). Paired with Orvicto La Carraia (also freely poured). Third course was Petto gi Faggiano (pan-roasted breast of pheasant, vanilla and pears). Oh, my goodness this was excellent. Paired with Barbaresco Batasiolo. Fourth course was Piatto di Formaggi (three cheeses) ,paired with Fior d'Arancio Montegrande (very sweet). Final course was Il Piano (Torta alla Nutella). This dessert was so creative and delicious. Similar to Tiramisu, but it looked like a little piano. Paired with Corbinello Montegrande.

The meal started at noon and we finished around 2:30. All the guests were seated at tables, most with other guests. We had three couples of two at our table of six.

Lovely, lovely meal.

 

[backformore]

In general. Both the Fuel and Bodeans concerts were not full. Air Supply was packed but found a seat 10 min before the last show.

Good to know. We, I am told, will be attending a concert by a band called the Plain White T's.
I never heard of them, but they are a big deal to at least one person in my family.

 

[dmc6469]

Question - the $200 gift card you can buy with the lanyard and such....can we purchase that with a Disney gift card? I already have a Disney gift card of what I plan on spending in my 4 days there and don't want to spend another $200 outside of that card to buy more.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We just ate at the Italian Regional lunch with wine pairing st Tutto Gusto. It was fabulous. Five wines and fivee courses to our meal. Started with Insalata d'Astice (lobster salad with caviar dressing). Paired with Prosecco and they poured it pretty freely. Second course was Gnudi al Tartufo (Ricotta dumpling, sweet butter, parmesan, wnite truffle). Paired with Orvicto La Carraia (also freely poured). Third course was Petto gi Faggiano (pan-roasted breast of pheasant, vanilla and pears). Oh, my goodness this was excellent. Paired with Barbaresco Batasiolo. Fourth course was Piatto di Formaggi (three cheeses) ,paired with Fior d'Arancio Montegrande (very sweet). Final course was Il Piano (Torta alla Nutella). This dessert was so creative and delicious. Similar to Tiramisu, but it looked like a little piano. Paired with Corbinello Montegrande.

The meal started at noon and we finished around 2:30. All the guests were seated at tables, most with other guests. We had three couples of two at our table of six.

Lovely, lovely meal.

D&B, that sounds amazing. I bet that is an experience you'll always remember.

Edited to add: This is the second review on this thread about the pairings lunch at Tutto. It sounds incredible and a good value for what you get. $99 includes gratuity, correct? And it's food & wine.

 

[vettegirl]

Good to know. We, I am told, will be attending a concert by a band called the Plain White T's.
I never heard of them, but they are a big deal to at least one person in my family.

You should be fine!!

 

[ellie05]

Question - the $200 gift card you can buy with the lanyard and such....can we purchase that with a Disney gift card? I already have a Disney gift card of what I plan on spending in my 4 days there and don't want to spend another $200 outside of that card to buy more.

No GC-GC transaction allowed.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I am hoping to purchase the "sampler ticket" and also get the limited edition F&W gift card. Do you think they would accept discover card? I know some places only accept visa/mastercard? thanks in advance

Doing a quick search, WDW accepts Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, American Express, JCB (Japanese Credit Bureau), Disney Visa Rewards Card, and the Disney Gift Card so you should be OK with using your Discover Card.

 

[randumb0]

I wish that you could order the mac n cheese without bacon

 

[MrsScooby]

I wish that you could order the mac n cheese without bacon

I know how you feel. I've been wondering if I can get the filet without the mushrooms...

 

[jerseygal]

Read various posts on the small F&W gift card wristlet. We saved ours from last year in case we needed it, but just wanted to clarify. Are they selling this type again, another words you can activate it with any amount to begin, like for example $100 and reload???? Don't want the one that begins at $200. If the $200 is the only wristlet gift card available, then am I correct, I could bring the old one and "reload" the F&W wristlet from last year? THANKS as always!