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

[HelenParr]

Hi! Erstwhile lurker, first-time poster. I'm currently planning a trip to next year's F&W festival, and wanted to know:

What's a good strategy for a first-time attendee? I already will be avoiding the festival on Saturday (especially Saturday evening), will be staying close by at Yacht Club to be close to things, and will be reading up on the menus ahead of time so I know what I want.

Agree that weekdays as soon as booths open is important. Monday and Tuesday can be really nice for touring. Good plan to study up on over the booth menus before travel. I split it up by "must see" "skip" and "only if the line is not long". I've never had huge success just trying to hit every booth in order, but others might enjoy that approach. And if you partake of adult beverages, hyrdrate and don't try to do it all. It can catch up with you!

 

[vettegirl]

Any word on merchandise yet?

 

[churchlady]

Just watching this thread so I can stay on top of things! We will be there September 24th-30th!

 

[huey578]

Is there a map listing all the food booths,etc?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Huh, so we're still not seeing those chase ETTB reservations, eh?

I haven't seen any information yet, we may not know until the Festival beings on 9/14. Also, it doesn't appear that FP+ will be available for the concerts.

Are all the kiosks in WS? Any in Future World? And where is the Festival Center, and when does it open?

Last year, the kiosks in Future World were located in the area between Innoventions West, Journey Into Imagination, and The Land. The Festival Center is located in the old Wonders of Life pavilion (the building with the gold dome), between the Universe of Energy and Mission: Space. The Festival Center opens at 9:00 am, when the park opens.

Any word on merchandise yet?

No, still waiting on information regarding merchandise.

Is there a map listing all the food booths,etc?

One should be out shortly and at the latest on 9/14. Here's the map from last year: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/foodandwine-map.htm

 

[VAtink]

We're trying to come up with our plan for hitting the booths, and have come up with our "must do" list. It is very very long (why must everything sound soooooo good?!?). We've never been before so we're completely clueless on how big the servings are. How many of the food items do you think is reasonable for each day and how big are the portions? Thanks!

 

[txlibrarian]

We're trying to come up with our plan for hitting the booths, and have come up with our "must do" list. It is very very long (why must everything sound soooooo good?!?). We've never been before so we're completely clueless on how big the servings are. How many of the food items do you think is reasonable for each day and how big are the portions? Thanks!

We always share servings so we can try more items. We have shared with two and three people. Sharing with three gives you about a good sized bite. Hope that helps.

 

[crazy4wdw]

We're trying to come up with our plan for hitting the booths, and have come up with our "must do" list. It is very very long (why must everything sound soooooo good?!?). We've never been before so we're completely clueless on how big the servings are. How many of the food items do you think is reasonable for each day and how big are the portions? Thanks!

Most of the samples are "tapas" sized, about three to four bites. For me, I can do about 8 to 10 samples in a day. For me, it also depends on how many times I walk around World Showcase Lagoon!

Here's a link for the Disney Food Blog. It has photos of several samples which may help with your decision: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2016-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-booths-menus-and-food-photos/

 

[Mike Mantis]

For those of you who have attended in years past, is there a soft open prior to the official date? We are going to EPCOT Tuesday the 13th, the day before it starts, and I'm wondering if All we will see is closed food shops.

 

[vettegirl]

For those of you who have attended in years past, is there a soft open prior to the official date? We are going to EPCOT Tuesday the 13th, the day before it starts, and I'm wondering if All we will see is closed food shops.

They normally have some open the day prior.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

For those of you who have attended in years past, is there a soft open prior to the official date? We are going to EPCOT Tuesday the 13th, the day before it starts, and I'm wondering if All we will see is closed food shops.

There's generally a soft opening. The booths may open late and will probably close early. And the lines can be long as they encourage cast members to come out and 'test' . I "think" the CMs get a discount on that day that maybe they don't get on a regular day?

 

[gometros]

There are a few in Future World now. The Festival Center is over near Mission Space and opens when the park opens at 9.

Isn't it still in the old Wonders of Life building still?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Isn't it still in the old Wonders of Life building still?

Yes, the Festival Center is still located in the former Wonders of Life Pavilion, between Universe of Energy and Mission: Space.

 

[patster734]

Isn't it still in the old Wonders of Life building still?

I would expect so. That's where it has been the previous years, and I don't see a reason to move it.

 

[RachelTori]

I would expect so. That's where it has been the previous years, and I don't see a reason to move it.

For anyone who hasn't been attending F&W for years: the Wonders of Life building has been the best thing that ever happened for the F&WF!! Prior to that, we had to stand in line outside by where the Character Spot is now for the Beverage seminars, many of us baking in the sun. The culinary demos were in Odyssey and again, we had to line up outside in the sun!

That was in the days when these deminars were "free", first come-first served. I'll gladly pay the small fee for the way things are now!

 

[chinarider]

I remember seeing the list of the food at the Burger Party ..... thanks

 

[patster734]

For anyone who hasn't been attending F&W for years: the Wonders of Life building has been the best thing that ever happened for the F&WF!! Prior to that, we had to stand in line outside by where the Character Spot is now for the Beverage seminars, many of us baking in the sun. The culinary demos were in Odyssey and again, we had to line up outside in the sun!

That was in the days when these deminars were "free", first come-first served. I'll gladly pay the small fee for the way things are now!

Thanks. We started going in 2012. That first year, we weren't aware of the festival center, and missed it. We also weren't aware of the passport or the specialty events. It wasn't until I started reading reviews after we got back that I realized that we had missed it. We made sure to visit the festival center the following year, and also pick up passports.
Fascinating to hear what the festival used to be like.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

For anyone who hasn't been attending F&W for years: the Wonders of Life building has been the best thing that ever happened for the F&WF!! Prior to that, we had to stand in line outside by where the Character Spot is now for the Beverage seminars, many of us baking in the sun. The culinary demos were in Odyssey and again, we had to line up outside in the sun!

That was in the days when these deminars were "free", first come-first served. I'll gladly pay the small fee for the way things are now!

I go back farther then that. They used to have some tents at the back of World Showcase where you stood in line to go in. And because they 'campers' were not required to leave between events you might stand in line for an event that seated 20 and only a few get in. They literally never made people leave and they would just sit there and camp out all day and drink. One time I went to one and the "hostess" said "since all of you have been here all day I won't bother to introduce the speaker again" I did complain as I had NOT been camped out in there and felt it was rude not to explain who he was.

I am all for a small fee. It got rid of the 'campers' and the 'slammers' (That was the group that would go into a wine demo, slam down their samples and get up half way through the demo to get in line for the next one! )

 

[RachelTori]

I go back farther then that. They used to have some tents at the back of World Showcase where you stood in line to go in. And because they 'campers' were not required to leave between events you might stand in line for an event that seated 20 and only a few get in. They literally never made people leave and they would just sit there and camp out all day and drink. One time I went to one and the "hostess" said "since all of you have been here all day I won't bother to introduce the speaker again" I did complain as I had NOT been camped out in there and felt it was rude not to explain who he was.

I am all for a small fee. It got rid of the 'campers' and the 'slammers' (That was the group that would go into a wine demo, slam down their samples and get up half way through the demo to get in line for the next one! )

You do go back a few years! I remember how incredibly rude the campers/slammers were. The fee did put an end to that!

I also remember the Sam Adams beer seminars by The American Adventure. You'd see the same people lining up again and again! I guess it became known as the place to get some free beer. Too bad. It was a nice, informative seminar. The Sam Adams reps were fun!

 

[crazy4wdw]

For anyone who hasn't been attending F&W for years: the Wonders of Life building has been the best thing that ever happened for the F&WF!! Prior to that, we had to stand in line outside by where the Character Spot is now for the Beverage seminars, many of us baking in the sun. The culinary demos were in Odyssey and again, we had to line up outside in the sun!

That was in the days when these deminars were "free", first come-first served. I'll gladly pay the small fee for the way things are now!

Yes, I remember the wine tasting demos being in one of the Innoventions buildings. The first few years I attended the Festival, I didn't know about the special events and the demonstrations or how to book them. I think I finally discovered threads on this board which helped immensely.

I also remember when Disney started to charge for the demos, the charge was around $3 to $4 a person. Now that price has increased to $15 a person which I think is a tad bit excessive. The price keeps from booking as many demos as I once did in the past.