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

[brnrss34]

My take on the Food and wine Festival this year ( this is my third year). Be careful if you buy the sampler package!!I was in a down pour running through the rain with a poncho on, once I got inside The land area I lost 4 of my vouchers!! They just came apart from the lanyard. When I went to pick them up someone else grabbed them. The French Parisian breakfast was not worth $40 a person. I really thought I'd enjoy that after years of rave reviews. I don't think $40 for bread type of foods and mimosas that were just ok was worth it. On top of that no one said take your plate and help yourself. We had to figure that on our own. It also took 20 mins for a waiter to help me get a drink for my DD. The lobster roll I enjoyed in years past was blah this year. Other than that it was a great time. I used the other 4 vouchers on expensive $10 drinks.

 

[hippiechicken]

Tonight's theme for Party for the Senses is Disney Springs.
And, they got to keep those fancy wine glasses.

Apparently, my kids especially like the watermelon margarita.

 

[Chisoxcollector]

My wife and I were also at PFTS tonight, and agree that it was amazing. The Carnitas Tostada from Rick Bayless and the Peking Duck Tacos from Morimoto were the highlights.

Did you guys see that Grant Hill was there tonight?

 

[Billabongi]

How was Epcot today, typical Saturday or less busy?

 

[bellrae]

Just thought I would check again if anyone has seen a review of the VIP F&W experience?

 

[ellie05]

Here since the 1st. Once the governor declared state of emergency had no issue cancelling Wednesday's eat to the beat concert dinner pkg and beverage seminar. The skies did clear and we were able to see the last Blues Travelers show of the day - yea!

Have been @ Universal - Royal Pacific since Thursday, we were treated well. Moving back over to Disney on Monday, glad our Trader Sam's event is next week. A bit disturbed to see lamb on the menu. We don't eat it. Wonder if they will substitute something else for us.

Make sure you call an put a note on your reservation. I eat seafood but no other meat when I checked in the manger was super nice talked to me about the notes and went to talked to the chef. They gave me salmon.

 

[randumb0]

Can someone talk more about the PFTS entertainment?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Can someone talk more about the PFTS entertainment?

I wish I had written it down


Started with a Dj. Not bad

Then we got Raglan Road band and dancers. They were great.


I think some magic act guy was next. I went and got food

Nova Jazz who play a lot at DS. Another one I liked

A duo whose band I missed but they were good.

Mexican/Hispanic group with music and dance

Mitch Corbin Trio

Grand Finale was this gospel choir and band from House of Blies.


Overall I was much happier with the entertainment than in past years. I had a great seat on the Wine View lounge and loved sitting and watching. I've never stayed to the end before.

This was overall the best Party I've ever been too. The only good miss was Rainforest Cafe. They had some pasta dish that was boring and generic

Of course the weather helped. This party was way undersold. My waiter told me they only had 100 in the lounge and even then there were several empty tables.

They was lots of extra food. I saw some people get doggy bags

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One other note from last night

If you only eat beef or chicken, are vegan or vegetarian, this is not the event for you. I met one woman in line for DeLuxe Burger's option who was very upset since she does not like seafood, refused to try lamb etc... (I expect the burger was not a hit for her either. It was spicy but good). Seriously, picky eaters or those with restricted diets need to avoid this event. There's really no way for them to adjust for you

By the way I also did Parisan Breakfast and really enjoyed it.

 

[randumb0]

One other note from last night

If you only eat beef or chicken, are vegan or vegetarian, this is not the event for you. I met one woman in line for DeLuxe Burger's option who was very upset since she does not like seafood, refused to try lamb etc... (I expect the burger was not a hit for her either. It was spicy but good). Seriously, picky eaters or those with restricted diets need to avoid this event. There's really no way for them to adjust for you

By the way I also did Parisan Breakfast and really enjoyed it.

My wife is a vegetarian and we are attending next week. Did you notice any vegetarian items that were not dessert? I'm hoping for at least 1 or 2 dishes that she can enjoy

 

[randumb0]

I wish I had written it down


Started with a Dj. Not bad

Then we got Raglan Road band and dancers. They were great.


I think some magic act guy was next. I went and got food

Nova Jazz who play a lot at DS. Another one I liked

A duo whose band I missed but they were good.

Mexican/Hispanic group with music and dance

Mitch Corbin Trio

Grand Finale was this gospel choir and band from House of Blies.


Overall I was much happier with the entertainment than in past years. I had a great seat on the Wine View lounge and loved sitting and watching. I've never stayed to the end before.

This was overall the best Party I've ever been too. The only good miss was Rainforest Cafe. They had some pasta dish that was boring and generic

Of course the weather helped. This party was way undersold. My waiter told me they only had 100 in the lounge and even then there were several empty tables.

They was lots of extra food. I saw some people get doggy bags

Looks like the entertainment may change every week since your entertainment seemed to be DS themed

 

[ellie05]

Here are my thoughts

The kiosks were just like every other year hit or miss depending on what you like/eat. The heat during mid day was more than we have experience in other trips and we end up taking a longer break instead of going around and trying kiosks.

The seminars: the wine one was just ok. The pours were very small even from a wine tasting stand point. We will not do this again.

The Jack Daniel's was fantastic totally worth it. We got 3 shots of whiskey . Jeff Arnett did the seminar and took his time answering questions afterward. DH was in heaven talking brewing with him. We will totally do this again it was worth the price.

Culinary demo was also good. Besides Pam being annoying we really enjoyed it and was worth the price we will also do this again.

Behind the scenes at Trader Sam's

We loved this event! The food and drinks were good. They were able to substitute the lamb for me. The service was great the chef and the manager both came to check that the food was good and something I liked. The staff as always was great. The food was enough to call it a meal and the drinks were full size except for the first one. For the price this was totally worth it and we will definitely do it again.

 

[ellie05]

My wife is a vegetarian and we are attending next week. Did you notice any vegetarian items that were not dessert? I'm hoping for at least 1 or 2 dishes that she can enjoy

Yes there are some vegetarian items they are marked with a V at the kiosk. Not a lot of them this year, but enough not to go hungry.

 

[randumb0]

Yes there are some vegetarian items they are marked with a V at the kiosk. Not a lot of them this year, but enough not to go hungry.

Are you talking about Party for the Senses?

 

[ellie05]

Are you talking about Party for the Senses?

Sorry no

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My wife is a vegetarian and we are attending next week. Did you notice any vegetarian items that were not dessert? I'm hoping for at least 1 or 2 dishes that she can enjoy

I did no kiosks on this trip. That's later this month. At PFTS I don't recall anything besides desert without seafood or other meats

 

[sunshinecruise]

Here are my thoughts

Behind the scenes at Trader Sam's

We loved this event! The food and drinks were good. They were able to substitute the lamb for me. The service was great the chef and the manager both came to check that the food was good and something I liked. The staff as always was great. The food was enough to call it a meal and the drinks were full size except for the first one. For the price this was totally worth it and we will definitely do it again.

Happy to hear that Trader Sam's was great. But sad that we had to miss it. We cancelled Trader Sam's and the French Family Tradition lunch due to the hurricane.
We are rescheduled for the last week in Oct. I managed to get a reservation for the Moroccan lunch at Spice Road Table and I think we will go to the Swan and Dolphin Food and wine Classic. I hope they have an event at Trader Sam's again next year.

 

[hippiechicken]

Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It. 10/9

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

One other note from last night

If you only eat beef or chicken, are vegan or vegetarian, this is not the event for you. I met one woman in line for DeLuxe Burger's option who was very upset since she does not like seafood, refused to try lamb etc... (I expect the burger was not a hit for her either. It was spicy but good). Seriously, picky eaters or those with restricted diets need to avoid this event. There's really no way for them to adjust for you

By the way I also did Parisan Breakfast and really enjoyed it.

Reading this reaffirms by decision to forego it this trip, I love trying new dishes and my tastes cover a wide spectrum my gf on the other hand will only stick to what she knows and on top of the that is gluten intolerant and has a nut allergy.

 

[pmdeve]

No, this thread is dedicated to the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. If you're interested in finding out if a specific special event is sold out, you can check availability on the WDW website. You can find links for the information on demonstrations on page 1 of this thread, post #3.

Thanks