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

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you are not getting there until after 5 you really are not missing a lot of the premium package since it ended at 8


Unless it's a major music act at Eat to the Beat I find weekday evenings are not that crowded

As for seminars, I enjoy the beverage. I skip the food as the "happy" hostess gets on my last nerves. (All the chefs are her "close friends" and she needs to quit drinking on the job)

 

[BeerMe]

We have 10 Demonstrations booked and 3 premium events....... we'll be there from 9/16 - 11/5 just chillin................... Last time we did that was in 2013. Great time but I remember it was hot! Or son and his family were with us for part of the 2013 trip - that kid cost me a lot in beer!!!!!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

For my own sense of closure I emailed WDW Guest Services asking about the Premium Package. A CM called me today to let me know it will not happen for 2016. I know others already said this but I just wanted to add mine to the pile.

This seems to be what everyone is hearing. I think it's out for this year.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

For my own sense of closure I emailed WDW Guest Services asking about the Premium Package. A CM called me today to let me know it will not happen for 2016. I know others already said this but I just wanted to add mine to the pile.

Thanks for sharing. I'm bummed as I was planning to book it this year. I totally get it's a matter of profitability for the company. Can't help but wonder if "take rate" might have been better last year if the offering had been thoroughly explained and available at start of booking. There were so many questions last year. In other words, not sure people weren't /wouldn't be interested in this offering to a level of profitability if they had all the info at the time of booking. Oh well. Will make the best of it and still think it's "the most wonderful time of the year."

 

[Straughn]

If you are not getting there until after 5 you really are not missing a lot of the premium package since it ended at 8


Unless it's a major music act at Eat to the Beat I find weekday evenings are not that crowded

As for seminars, I enjoy the beverage. I skip the food as the "happy" hostess gets on my last nerves. (All the chefs are her "close friends" and she needs to quit drinking on the job)

Over the last few years I have noticed that many of the chefs generally ignore the "happy hostess" and just do their presentation. Robert Irvine is superb at shutting her down. I will agree that she is someone who, if you removed "I and me" from her vocabulary, wouldn't have anything to say.

 

[tkbk]

Thats so funny because i thought we were the only one who thought that about her. two years ago Alex Guarnecelli was awesome at shutting her down and flat out told her no when she said lets get started and Alex said no i want to talk to everyone and see if they have any questions, I was dying laughing it was great.

Over the last few years I have noticed that many of the chefs generally ignore the "happy hostess" and just do their presentation. Robert Irvine is superb at shutting her down. I will agree that she is someone who, if you removed "I and me" from her vocabulary, wouldn't have anything to say.

 

[SMorgan711]

anyone try to book back to back beverage and culinary seminars via the web? I have done back to back before and they never over lap and are right next to each other but apparently MDE won't let me book the 2PM culinary after I booked the 3PM beverage b/c it thinks they overlap. Really not looking forward to calling tonight!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Thats so funny because i thought we were the only one who thought that about her. two years ago Alex Guarnecelli was awesome at shutting her down and flat out told her no when she said lets get started and Alex said no i want to talk to everyone and see if they have any questions, I was dying laughing it was great.

Good to hear as I booked "what's cooking with... Alex Guarnascelli!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Over the last few years I have noticed that many of the chefs generally ignore the "happy hostess" and just do their presentation. Robert Irvine is superb at shutting her down. I will agree that she is someone who, if you removed "I and me" from her vocabulary, wouldn't have anything to say.

Andrew Zimmer did a good job of managing last year, but it's a risk....

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Thanks for sharing. I'm bummed as I was planning to book it this year. I totally get it's a matter of profitability for the company. Can't help but wonder if "take rate" might have been better last year if the offering had been thoroughly explained and available at start of booking. There were so many questions last year. In other words, not sure people weren't /wouldn't be interested in this offering to a level of profitability if they had all the info at the time of booking. Oh well. Will make the best of it and still think it's "the most wonderful time of the year."

I agree! We barely heard about it ourselves and were really uncertain about booking it! Also, when I had it in our vlog so many people have never heard of it that go to Food & Wine every year!!

 

[ellie05]

It sounds like we need a petition to replace the "happy hostess".

 

[willidc]

anyone try to book back to back beverage and culinary seminars via the web? I have done back to back before and they never over lap and are right next to each other but apparently MDE won't let me book the 2PM culinary after I booked the 3PM beverage b/c it thinks they overlap. Really not looking forward to calling tonight!

I had the same issue last week trying to book back-to-back seminars. I could only book one each day and had to call to add the others. I mentioned the issue when I called (two different times), but apparently they are not going to address it right now.

When I called, I got all of the rest of our seminars and all appeared in MDE correctly. It wasn't a big deal and all went smoothly. Just be sure they have any discount code entered (like DVC member number, etc.) before you book or else the discount did not show up for me on Mon - Thurs seminars. Likewise, for weekend seminars, make sure the discount code is OUT of there since when my DVC number WAS in her panel, it showed NO availability for any of the weekend seminars. It was apparently trying to book weekend seminars with discounts---and, of course, there are not any of those. Once the discount was removed the weekend seminars were able to be booked.

Other than that, a very smooth phone call with positive outcome.

 

[wvaspartan]

It sounds like we need a petition to replace the "happy hostess".

Gonna be hard since Disney hired her to run the portion of F&W in the festival center. In fact if I remember correctly from last year she was given basically full responsibility for the festival with limited oversight beyond top mgmt.

 

[ellie05]

Gonna be hard since Disney hired her to run the portion of F&W in the festival center. In fact if I remember correctly from last year she was given basically full responsibility for the festival with limited oversight beyond top mgmt.

I would imagine if they get enough complains from presenters and guest they wouldn't bring her back.

 

[Straughn]

I would imagine if they get enough complains from presenters and guest they wouldn't bring her back.

Don't hold your breath for that to happen. People have been complaining for several years. She just keeps popping up. There is a very pleasant man who subs for her occasionally who is very likable and defers, in a positive way, to the chefs.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Gonna be hard since Disney hired her to run the portion of F&W in the festival center. In fact if I remember correctly from last year she was given basically full responsibility for the festival with limited oversight beyond top mgmt.

I think that was what she wants you to believe. I don't think it's true. I know she had no responsibilities for the booths or other special events. Her "view " of her role grows based on the amount of wine she consumes


I did get a refund for one seminar after complaining about her being drunk

 

[SarahInMN]

I did get a refund for one seminar after complaining about her being drunk

That. Is. Awesome.

 

[Hikergirl]

Anyone know if the tasting sampler includes alcoholic drinks? It says some exclusions apply and will be listed on the voucher.

 

[patster734]

Anyone know if the tasting sampler includes alcoholic drinks? It says some exclusions apply and will be listed on the voucher.

I think last year, you could buy individual alcoholic drinks with it, but not the beer flights. There are also some high priced wines that are excluded.

 

[Hikergirl]

I think last year, you could buy individual alcoholic drinks with it, but not the beer flights. There are also some high priced wines that are excluded.

That sounds pretty reasonable. I was thinking of getting one for me and one for dh to take care of our drinks at the booths. I'll have to check the menus though to see if its worth it cost wise.