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

[loves to dive]

I'm an AP holder and called around 6 pm the day we could call and had no problems getting what I wanted booked. I did know the names and times (thanks to last year's thread which also had the phone number) but the CM who worked with me knew exactly what I wanted and we whipped right through it. I didn't book any of the expensive parties, just the food and wine pairing meal at Spice Roads and about 6 of the food demos/wine tastings at the festival center. Turned out I could have just booked the festival center stuff day of, none of them were sold out.

 

[iheartbelle87]

We're juuuuuussstt missing this, going 9/4-9/9. So sad. I *think* I might remember someone saying some of the kiosks sometimes open a few days earlier? Is there any chance of this?

TIA!

 

[lilkimmyk]

Hi everyone, we will be F&W newbies this year and are super excited! When does the events list come out for free demos and even those that we have to reserve and pay for? I can only seem to find general overviews about them from years past.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Hi everyone, we will be F&W newbies this year and are super excited! When does the events list come out for free demos and even those that we have to reserve and pay for? I can only seem to find general overviews about them from years past.

Typically the information is out in mid-July. The demos are no longer free. Most were around $15 last year. Check post #3 for links to last year's demos.

 

[lilkimmyk]

Thank you so much for the info. I got so distracted checking out the rumored Eat to the Beat performers I didn't continue reading!

 

[TeresaWen]

From what I remember, there was a lot of conflicting information on what was included in the package. What was on the website and what CM's were telling people was not the same info. Seems like it was several days before it was resolved. There was also conflicting information provided on the premium package last year.

What was the difference between the premium package & VIP package? Was hoping to get the one that offered the seating areas this year

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What was the difference between the premium package & VIP package? Was hoping to get the one that offered the seating areas this year

I *think* the VIP experience last year was a single day (held only on certain days) and included the "What's Cooking With" event that morning (front table right in front of celeb chef), a demo in the afternoon, a couple rides, backstage at The Land and reserved areas for the concert and Illuminations. I don't know if it involved the food booths at all.

 

[crazy4wdw]

What was the difference between the premium package & VIP package? Was hoping to get the one that offered the seating areas this year

I *think* the VIP experience last year was a single day (held only on certain days) and included the "What's Cooking With" event that morning (front table right in front of celeb chef), a demo in the afternoon, a couple rides, backstage at The Land and reserved areas for the concert and Illuminations. I don't know if it involved the food booths at all.

That's fairly close. There is also a big difference in price! Here's the info from last year which was posted on Disney Food Blog:


Premium Package: ($199/person)

• Packages are available Monday through Thursday of each full week of the Festival.
• Each Premium Package includes access to eleven designated shaded Premium Package Areas throughout Epcot, offering concierge service (i.e. Cast Members will go purchase your booth items for you and bring them back to you in the Premium area) from 12:00 noon to 8 pm.
• Each Premium Package will also include one Amenity Bag (to be picked up at the Festival Center) including a bottle of 20th Anniversary Celebratory Wine, a wine glass, and one Festival-themed MagicBand.
• The Premium Package will include 4 Entitlement Tags for use at the Premium Package Areas running concierge service for the Festival Booths. This means you’ll get 4 booth menu items for free as part of your package.
  
• Premium Packages will include a ticket to your choice of either a Culinary Demonstration (during the 5 PM slot) OR a Beverage Seminar (during the 2 PM slot) during the week of participation.
• Premium Packages also provide entry to the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party.
• Admission to Epcot is NOT included with the Premium Package.

VIP Package: ($425/person)

Your special Food and Wine Festival experience, which will last the full day, includes all of the following:

• Seating for What’s Cooking With…, which includes a champagne toast
• A special beverage demonstration, including Wine, Spirits, and Craft Beer, in the VIP Lounge at Festival Center
• Escort to experience Soarin’ and Test Track attractions
• A Private Tasting and Pairing Event with Disney Chefs at the new Sustainable Chew Marketplace Booth which includes tasting of 3 of the most popular Food and Wine Festival pairings
• Backstage VIP Tour of The Land
• Gold Badge Seating at the Eat to the Beat Concert, plus another champagne toast
• VIP Reserved area for IllumiNations viewing

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Preview event is this afternoon! Will try to post to let you know what they highlight or I'm sure wdwinfo.com & other sites will be sharing the news as well.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Preview event is this afternoon! Will try to post to let you know what they highlight or I'm sure wdwinfo.com & other sites will be sharing the news as well.

I can't wait to read your report. Maybe there will be some info on the Eat to the Beat concerts!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Just starting. Celeb chefs will include Robert Irvine (2 dates), Bryan Voltaggio, Andrew Zimmern, Alex Guarnaschelli, Cake Boss, Graham Elliott. More to come...

 

[IamTHERebelSpy86]

Subbing!! We will be there Oct. 21-25. Can't wait!!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Info scheduled to go live July 11th on website. No word on when booking starts. " Subject to change" has been stressed at least 10x.

Speaking of, correcting prior post only one date for R. Irvine.

ETA: regular booking scheduled to open 7/21

 

[Missyrose]

Info scheduled to go live July 11th on website. No word on when booking starts. " Subject to change" has been stressed at least 10x.

Speaking of, correcting prior post only one date for R. Irvine.

ETA: regular booking scheduled to open 7/21

No word on early booking options?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

No word on early booking options?

I didn't hear any reference to early dates but doesn't mean there won't be.

 

[NejTheLion]

I posted photos over in the dining review section of all the dishes offered at today's festival preview event if you would like to take a look!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-epcot-food-wine-festival-preview-event-with-photos.3521991/

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Disney Food Blog has posted a lot of info. Early booking for DVC, AP, and TIW is 7/19. They don't mention Chase but I won't be surprised if it's 7/20.



They have details on lots of things including the Party for the Senses. (October weekends only). They put in 2015 Premium Package details and say they have no details on this year.

 

[Missyrose]

Disney Food Blog has posted a lot of info. Early booking for DVC, AP, and TIW is 7/19. They don't mention Chase but I won't be surprised if it's 7/20.



They have details on lots of things including the Party for the Senses. (October weekends only). They put in 2015 Premium Package details and say they have no details on this year.

The special event details release feels like Christmas morning!

 

[SarahInMN]

I realize this makes me a Party for the Senses party pooper but the two best party dates for us are "***Features Yelloween Masquerade in observance of Halloween, guests are encouraged to dress in yellow and black in something “stylish and charming”. I know I don't have to dress up and I know not everyone will be dressed up but this make our decision about PFTS WVL for us this year.

That said, we'll be going for the cheese seminar, the Geoffrey Zakarian "what's cooking with," maybe the Cali Grill dinner, and definitely the Premium package.

We are red eyeing in and probably won't book the David Gremmels cheese on 10/22 - if anyone is interested though he is awesome and his Rogue Creamery makes the best domestic blue (granted we're Oregonians).

Also, we did the VIP tour thing last year - if anyone is interested, I can give details. We aren't going to book it this year - it was fun to do once but the other group members were not very fun.

Disney Food Blog has posted a lot of info. Early booking for DVC, AP, and TIW is 7/19.

It looks like though the early booking is only for lower cost not the special events if I'm reading the FoodBlog correctly.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I realize this makes me a Party for the Senses party pooper but the two best party dates for us are "***Features Yelloween Masquerade in observance of Halloween, guests are encouraged to dress in yellow and black in something “stylish and charming”. I know I don't have to dress up and I know not everyone will be dressed up but this make our decision about PFTS WVL for us this year.

That said, we'll be going for the cheese seminar, the Geoffrey Zakarian "what's cooking with," maybe the Cali Grill dinner, and definitely the Premium package.

We are red eyeing in and probably won't book the David Gremmels cheese on 10/22 - if anyone is interested though he is awesome and his Rogue Creamery makes the best domestic blue (granted we're Oregonians).

Also, we did the VIP tour thing last year - if anyone is interested, I can give details. We aren't going to book it this year - it was fun to do once but the other group members were not very fun.



It looks like though the early booking is only for lower cost not the special events if I'm reading the FoodBlog correctly.

I agree. The theme for PFTS does nothing for me. Luckily I have 10/22 targeted.

Thanks for the info on the 10/22 cheese seminar. I may try that too.