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

[Missyrose]

Do the premium packages sell out?
Do you have to carry everything in the amenity bag around with you all day (wine bottle and wine glasses would be a pain)??
And if two people in the same DVC room order the package do they give you only one wine bottle, but 2 of everything else?

I've never heard the PP sell out. When you pick up your package goodies at the Festival Center, you can have everything sent to the front of the park (or to the International Gateway) so you can pick it back up on the way out of the park. We had two people last year and got two bottles of wine. The first year was resort-guests only and they did the wine by room instead of by guest. But that changed last year.

 

[SarahInMN]

I have to say that THE biggest mess (to us) of the Premium package was picking up the goodie bag and credentials at the Festival Center. It was a madhouse. But we were also there on the fist possible day that anyone could pick anything up, so the cast members were a little all over the place. My hubby & I each received the same goodie bag, so we got 2 bottles of wine. We chose 1 red & 1 white. They couldn't ship them back to the resort because of the wine, but we were at BWV, so we just took them back to the room right away.

We were there the last full week of the festival and picked up our bags early on Monday - they had all the kinks worked out. Very small line, we took what we wanted from the goodie bag (ie lanyard, etc), and had the rest shipped to the international gateway for pickup later that day. It was pretty smooth.

I don't know why, but I have a feeling that prices will go up....I hope not, but that's what my gut is telling me

Yeah, I am betting it will be back but at a higher price. If it included weekends, I would be willing to pay ALOT more for it. During the week, I suspect there will be a point where it's not worth it but we just loved the relaxed pace of sitting around while someone gets our food. My in-laws are really excited about the package so I hope it is back.

 

[Tink10]

If it included weekends, I would be willing to pay ALOT more for it.

You & me both

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I wish there was a daily package that included just access to the seating areas & maybe a concert or dessert party.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

There is the sampler pack didnt that give 1 concert and 8 foods/drinks?

 

[MrsScooby]

I have to say that THE biggest mess (to us) of the Premium package was picking up the goodie bag and credentials at the Festival Center. It was a madhouse. But we were also there on the fist possible day that anyone could pick anything up, so the cast members were a little all over the place. My hubby & I each received the same goodie bag, so we got 2 bottles of wine. We chose 1 red & 1 white. They couldn't ship them back to the resort because of the wine, but we were at BWV, so we just took them back to the room right away.

It really was a great way to enjoy F&W and well worth the price...Enjoy!

Thank you!

1) Yes they can sell out - do they? I don't know. Our week did not seem very crowded. (Oct 17-25, 2015)
2) I heard in 2014 the wine went to your room. In 2015 you had to pick it up. We got our credentials at 9 a.m. on Monday because I had heard early reports of long lines. There was nobody there when we picked ours up. I have no idea if they would hold the wine for you to come back for later, we just put it in our backpack.
3) You get 2 of everything including wine (one of everything per person). It's a per person package, regardless of whether you stay together. Since we got 2 bottles one of us chose white and one red.

I've never heard the PP sell out. When you pick up your package goodies at the Festival Center, you can have everything sent to the front of the park (or to the International Gateway) so you can pick it back up on the way out of the park. We had two people last year and got two bottles of wine. The first year was resort-guests only and they did the wine by room instead of by guest. But that changed last year.

We were there the last full week of the festival and picked up our bags early on Monday - they had all the kinks worked out. Very small line, we took what we wanted from the goodie bag (ie lanyard, etc), and had the rest shipped to the international gateway for pickup later that day. It was pretty smooth.



Yeah, I am betting it will be back but at a higher price. If it included weekends, I would be willing to pay ALOT more for it. During the week, I suspect there will be a point where it's not worth it but we just loved the relaxed pace of sitting around while someone gets our food. My in-laws are really excited about the package so I hope it is back.

Thanks everyone
I actually bought the premium package back in 2014 and found part of the goodies delivered to my DVC room in BLT and part I had to pick up at a desk in the Contemporary. There was talk at the time that only one bottle of wine was included per room and I wasn't sure if that was continued or not.
Hopefully picking up the lanyards and such and leaving the glass items for later pickup will be available this year too.
Definitely buying it this year if available.
Really appreciate the feedback and info here from everyone.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Thanks everyone
I actually bought the premium package back in 2014 and found part of the goodies delivered to my DVC room in BLT and part I had to pick up at a desk in the Contemporary. There was talk at the time that only one bottle of wine was included per room and I wasn't sure if that was continued or not.
Hopefully picking up the lanyards and such and leaving the glass items for later pickup will be available this year too.
Definitely buying it this year if available.
Really appreciate the feedback and info here from everyone.

I forgot to answer your weather question. We had decent weather. Not cool, but not blistering hot except maybe one day.

 

[SarahInMN]

Hopefully picking up the lanyards and such and leaving the glass items for later pickup will be available this year too.

I think it there has to be some sort of delivery option - when we buy wine in the wine shops, the NEVER let us carry it because they don't want glass/breakable items out in the park from a safety standpoint. So, carrying that logic forward, I can't imagine that there would not be some sort of "delivery" option for the glass items

 

[FoodieFriend]

Do you have to carry everything in the amenity bag around with you all day (wine bottle and wine glasses would be a pain)??
And if two people in the same DVC room order the package do they give you only one wine bottle, but 2 of everything else?

@MrsScooby Although you've received many responses to your questions about PP, I thought I'd put in my thoughts on it. During our 1st F&WF last Sept/Oct, I purchased the Premium Package for our group of 4 adults. We all thought it was very well worth the cost even if we only got to use it for 3 of the 4 days. The seating areas were very well worth the $199+tax price of the package. Epcot does offer seating to the non-PP guests but NO tables, so if you're purchasing more than one item at a time, you'll have to find some way to balance it all on your lap or on a trash can top (yuck!). So IMHO, the tables & chairs provided in the PP seating areas were WONDERFUL! we never had to worry about snacking "around the world". It really did give you a VIP feeling too, which was our 1st. loved it!
We were in Epcot on the Saturday before our PP package was supposed to start (attended the Parisian Breakfast). As we were touring the Events Center, I saw guests picking up their Sampler Lanyards, so I went to investigate & saw that they had the PP gift bags there too. So I stood in line & before giving me the gift bags, they explained that they would have to escort me out of the park with the wine or I could have it sent up to the front of the park to be picked up a few hours later. We were already heading out of the park so they packaged up our gift bags (securely wrapped & stapled up each gift bag in Disney shopping bags so nothing could be removed) & found a CM to walk us to the front gate to guarantee we left the park. I would advise picking up the gift bag in advance if at all possible.
And yes, each of us got the full list of gifts in our gift bags including a bottle of wine per person. It was a choice of white or red. Our group got 2 bottles of each.
Our group absolutely felt the PP was worth it. It's not always the monetary portions that count (I thought the dessert party that was included was awful) but the value in the seating areas & CM interaction that doesn't have an exact price tag that made it "worth it" to us.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

@MrsScooby Although you've received many responses to your questions about PP, I thought I'd put in my thoughts on it. During our 1st F&WF last Sept/Oct, I purchased the Premium Package for our group of 4 adults. We all thought it was very well worth the cost even if we only got to use it for 3 of the 4 days. The seating areas were very well worth the $199+tax price of the package. Epcot does offer seating to the non-PP guests but NO tables, so if you're purchasing more than one item at a time, you'll have to find some way to balance it all on your lap or on a trash can top (yuck!). So IMHO, the tables & chairs provided in the PP seating areas were WONDERFUL! we never had to worry about snacking "around the world". It really did give you a VIP feeling too, which was our 1st. loved it!
We were in Epcot on the Saturday before our PP package was supposed to start (attended the Parisian Breakfast). As we were touring the Events Center, I saw guests picking up their Sampler Lanyards, so I went to investigate & saw that they had the PP gift bags there too. So I stood in line & before giving me the gift bags, they explained that they would have to escort me out of the park with the wine or I could have it sent up to the front of the park to be picked up a few hours later. We were already heading out of the park so they packaged up our gift bags (securely wrapped & stapled up each gift bag in Disney shopping bags so nothing could be removed) & found a CM to walk us to the front gate to guarantee we left the park. I would advise picking up the gift bag in advance if at all possible.
And yes, each of us got the full list of gifts in our gift bags including a bottle of wine per person. It was a choice of white or red. Our group got 2 bottles of each.
Our group absolutely felt the PP was worth it. It's not always the monetary portions that count (I thought the dessert party that was included was awful) but the value in the seating areas & CM interaction that doesn't have an exact price tag that made it "worth it" to us.

I am not sure why you think there were no tables unless you pay for the package. Trust me I did not have to balance my food on anything I put it on the table at every booth. Some of the booths have very elaborate seating areas. Disney does provide tables for other guests.

The only times I have a hard time finding a place to eat correspond with the times the premium areas were closed.

I have no problem with anyone paying for the package, but there is no need to scare people into it with "no tables"?

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

I am not sure why you think there were no tables unless you pay for the package. Trust me I did not have to balance my food on anything I put it on the table at every booth. Some of the booths have very elaborate seating areas. Disney does provide tables for other guests.

The only times I have a hard time finding a place to eat correspond with the times the premium areas were closed.

I have no problem with anyone paying for the package, but there is no need to scare people into it with "no tables"?

I look at the premium package as a type of "insurance" odds are it may not be busy during the times we are going and we might be able to find a nice spot to rest our trays and eat/relax etc, but we get it as a peace of mind type thing where we will know for sure that we'll have a nice out of the way area and not have to stand in any lines.

 

[Billabongi]

Does anyone have any experience with dietary restrictions with the special events? My wife is vegetarian but really wants to do the Irvine event, is it possible to have a vegetarian meal or it is what it is?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I look at the premium package as a type of "insurance" odds are it may not be busy during the times we are going and we might be able to find a nice spot to rest our trays and eat/relax etc, but we get it as a peace of mind type thing where we will know for sure that we'll have a nice out of the way area and not have to stand in any lines.

I agree it is great for that. I just did not want people to get the idea that the only way you ever had a table was to pay extra for it

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Does anyone have any experience with dietary restrictions with the special events? My wife is vegetarian but really wants to do the Irvine event, is it possible to have a vegetarian meal or it is what it is?

If it is the What's Cookin With I saw no evidence of any options besides the pre-plated meal

 

[BwoZoo22]

Does anyone have any experience with dietary restrictions with the special events? My wife is vegetarian but really wants to do the Irvine event, is it possible to have a vegetarian meal or it is what it is?

If you call Dis, they MAY be able to make accommodations. They do everything they can for allergies, so it is possible. Not guaranteed, but worth a call.

 

[mara512]

@MrsScooby Although you've received many responses to your questions about PP, I thought I'd put in my thoughts on it. During our 1st F&WF last Sept/Oct, I purchased the Premium Package for our group of 4 adults. We all thought it was very well worth the cost even if we only got to use it for 3 of the 4 days. The seating areas were very well worth the $199+tax price of the package. Epcot does offer seating to the non-PP guests but NO tables, so if you're purchasing more than one item at a time, you'll have to find some way to balance it all on your lap or on a trash can top (yuck!). So IMHO, the tables & chairs provided in the PP seating areas were WONDERFUL! we never had to worry about snacking "around the world". It really did give you a VIP feeling too, which was our 1st. loved it!
We were in Epcot on the Saturday before our PP package was supposed to start (attended the Parisian Breakfast). As we were touring the Events Center, I saw guests picking up their Sampler Lanyards, so I went to investigate & saw that they had the PP gift bags there too. So I stood in line & before giving me the gift bags, they explained that they would have to escort me out of the park with the wine or I could have it sent up to the front of the park to be picked up a few hours later. We were already heading out of the park so they packaged up our gift bags (securely wrapped & stapled up each gift bag in Disney shopping bags so nothing could be removed) & found a CM to walk us to the front gate to guarantee we left the park. I would advise picking up the gift bag in advance if at all possible.
And yes, each of us got the full list of gifts in our gift bags including a bottle of wine per person. It was a choice of white or red. Our group got 2 bottles of each.
Our group absolutely felt the PP was worth it. It's not always the monetary portions that count (I thought the dessert party that was included was awful) but the value in the seating areas & CM interaction that doesn't have an exact price tag that made it "worth it" to us.

I have to agree with you 100%. If it is during the week there are no tables as the PP seating locations are just that, for people who purchased the PP.
Friday - Sunday there is no PP so the tables are available on a first come first serve basis. They can keep the dessert party and reduce the PP ticket and that would be ok with me. The seating, gift bag, runners and CM interaction are absolutely worth it to us too.

 

[MrsScooby]

@MrsScooby Although you've received many responses to your questions about PP, I thought I'd put in my thoughts on it. During our 1st F&WF last Sept/Oct, I purchased the Premium Package for our group of 4 adults. We all thought it was very well worth the cost even if we only got to use it for 3 of the 4 days. The seating areas were very well worth the $199+tax price of the package. Epcot does offer seating to the non-PP guests but NO tables, so if you're purchasing more than one item at a time, you'll have to find some way to balance it all on your lap or on a trash can top (yuck!). So IMHO, the tables & chairs provided in the PP seating areas were WONDERFUL! we never had to worry about snacking "around the world". It really did give you a VIP feeling too, which was our 1st. loved it!
We were in Epcot on the Saturday before our PP package was supposed to start (attended the Parisian Breakfast). As we were touring the Events Center, I saw guests picking up their Sampler Lanyards, so I went to investigate & saw that they had the PP gift bags there too. So I stood in line & before giving me the gift bags, they explained that they would have to escort me out of the park with the wine or I could have it sent up to the front of the park to be picked up a few hours later. We were already heading out of the park so they packaged up our gift bags (securely wrapped & stapled up each gift bag in Disney shopping bags so nothing could be removed) & found a CM to walk us to the front gate to guarantee we left the park. I would advise picking up the gift bag in advance if at all possible.
And yes, each of us got the full list of gifts in our gift bags including a bottle of wine per person. It was a choice of white or red. Our group got 2 bottles of each.
Our group absolutely felt the PP was worth it. It's not always the monetary portions that count (I thought the dessert party that was included was awful) but the value in the seating areas & CM interaction that doesn't have an exact price tag that made it "worth it" to us.

I am not sure why you think there were no tables unless you pay for the package. Trust me I did not have to balance my food on anything I put it on the table at every booth. Some of the booths have very elaborate seating areas. Disney does provide tables for other guests.

The only times I have a hard time finding a place to eat correspond with the times the premium areas were closed.

I have no problem with anyone paying for the package, but there is no need to scare people into it with "no tables"?

I look at the premium package as a type of "insurance" odds are it may not be busy during the times we are going and we might be able to find a nice spot to rest our trays and eat/relax etc, but we get it as a peace of mind type thing where we will know for sure that we'll have a nice out of the way area and not have to stand in any lines.

All opinions are helpful and appreciated
Thanks al !!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have to agree with you 100%. If it is during the week there are no tables as the PP seating locations are just that, for people who purchased the PP.
Friday - Sunday there is no PP so the tables are available on a first come first serve basis. They can keep the dessert party and reduce the PP ticket and that would be ok with me. The seating, gift bag, runners and CM interaction are absolutely worth it to us too.

Were we at the same event. Hmmm.... Big seating area next to the Brazil booth with tales and decor. Picnic tables in Germany, stand up tables in France. Very nice areas with tables at the new places in Future World! Big picnic table area near the Lobster Roll booth. Tables with chairs on the "porch" surrounding the Mexico Pavilion, tables and seating at the beer garden. An entire "restaurant" area in the Odessy. These pop easily to my mind and NONE of the were for Premium guests.
Not sure why you think that there are no tables unless you pay extra, but I'm sorry to inform you that while you may not have noticed them, there are lots of tables.


I honestly did not ever have a trouble finding a table last year during the week.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Good Luck tomorrow everyone.

 

[LMO429]

will anything be available to book online today at 6am???