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

[ChrisNY2]

For the GCs, can't you just buy a F&W GC with a minimum amount on it and then transfer your balance from another GC to it via the giftcard website?

Yes.

 

[mara512]

I thought it was delicious and had a few throughout the festival That said, I typically like Mezcal as well as edible flowers.

Liking Mezcal is the key . I usually am ok with it just not this time.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Can somebody give me an idea of what type of cocktail the smoking hibiscus is? Is it a martini or margarita or a simply cocktail?

What does it taste like? Is it sweet or sour? Tropical, floral or citrus? In photos, it looks creamy. Would you say it is creamy like a pina colada?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I understand not being concerned with receipts when paying with cash. But it seems that any problem that could occur when paying by magic bands could also occur with gift cards. So reconciling purchases with a gift card would still require tracking receipts.

Every time you purchase with a gift card they give you a receipt. I check the remaining balance and I am happy.

I agree. In any event, how could an MB "not work right?" It works or it doesn't. If it doesn't work, you know immediately. It's not possible for it to charge a different amount than what's shown.

Well, I once got charged three times for a purse by the Disney IT system so.... how could it happen? Have you seen the mess Disney's IT can make out of anything?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Last year I could not use my MB to buy a F&W GC even though my CC was attached to my MB. I had to pay cash or use my Credit or Debit card.

I had the same experience which I thought was hysterical.

Maybe it's changed but you could not purchase a Gift Card with the "room charge" last year!

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

Every time you purchase with a gift card they give you a receipt. I check the remaining balance and I am happy.



Well, I once got charged three times for a purse by the Disney IT system so.... how could it happen? Have you seen the mess Disney's IT can make out of anything?

You're also given a receipt when you pay with your MB. This is useful if you'd like to make yourself depressed by seeing the true cost of two small frozen drinks & a few pieces of bread in black & white.

Disney's IT is a mess, but I've never heard of anyone being double (or triple!) charged before. How unlucky. That said, it sounds like something that can happen whether you pay by MB, GC, or CC, and you'll be standing in line to get it fixed no matter how it happens. We generally just review our account statement the day before we leave & check for discrepancies. Fortunately, we've never found one.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You're also given a receipt when you pay with your MB. This is useful if you'd like to make yourself depressed by seeing the true cost of two small frozen drinks & a few pieces of bread in black & white.

Disney's IT is a mess, but I've never heard of anyone being double (or triple!) charged before. How unlucky. That said, it sounds like something that can happen whether you pay by MB, GC, or CC, and you'll be standing in line to get it fixed no matter how it happens. We generally just review our account statement the day before we leave & check for discrepancies. Fortunately, we've never found one.

Yes and then I have to keep those little receipts to fight with Disney on the "we never make an error" reconciliation. (Actually that was the front desk at the GF who double charged me for a room and then acted indignant that I didn't want to pay for the room twice)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Well, I once got charged three times for a purse by the Disney IT system so.... how could it happen? Have you seen the mess Disney's IT can make out of anything?

Same could happen with a gift card or credit card -- I don't think that's unique to MBs. I've had a merchant put a charge through twice on more than one occasion outside of WDW; it happens on occasion.

I can totally see having a preference for gift cards if you like to see that balance at the bottom of the receipt. I just don't think Disney IT is a compelling reason NOT to use MBs if someone would want to otherwise.

 

[jerzeystar09]

I have a question about the Tasting Sampler they have...I see it is 8 items, but do they all have to be used on the same day?

 

[MissMet]

I bought a gc with my magic band last October at Thimbles & Threads. I guess I had an unaware CM??

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Same could happen with a gift card or credit card -- I don't think that's unique to MBs. I've had a merchant put a charge through twice on more than one occasion outside of WDW; it happens on occasion.

I can totally see having a preference for gift cards if you like to see that balance at the bottom of the receipt. I just don't think Disney IT is a compelling reason NOT to use MBs if someone would want to otherwise.

Yes, but I am standing right there looking at the transaction on the gift card. You don't actually see what Disney "posted" on the room account until you get the bill and you discover "creative accounting" has occurred.

When I went to the front desk about my purse charge they told me "it happens all the time with this system" She then proceeded to tell me about one guest whose room was apparently charged with all the purchases at someplace for an hour because "her account was stuck in the system according to IT" LOL! They front desk quickly fixed my account , but I decided then and there to quit charging with Tragic Bands.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yes, but I am standing right there looking at the transaction on the gift card. You don't actually see what Disney "posted" on the room account until you get the bill and you discover "creative accounting" has occurred.

When I went to the front desk about my purse charge they told me "it happens all the time with this system "LOL! Took it off no problem and no fuss, but.... I decided then and there to quit charging with Tragic Bands.

"Creative accounting" is a term usually used to refer to accounting that is intentionally misleading -- clearly, Disney is not AIMING to double/triple charge MB users!

I get it -- you hate the bands!! And that's ok!!

And I'd be surprised if it happened "all the time", and the home-of-all-Disney-complaints (DIS) doesn't see threads about this all the time. That's my two cents, anyway.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

"Creative accounting" is a term usually used to refer to accounting that is intentionally misleading -- clearly, Disney is not AIMING to double/triple charge MB users!

I get it -- you hate the bands!! And that's ok!!

And I'd be surprised if it happened "all the time", and the home-of-all-Disney-complaints (DIS) doesn't see threads about this all the time. That's my two cents, anyway.

They'd definitely be here. People complain about minutiae - being charged 2x or 3x would NOT go undocumented, and I've never seen a single thread about it.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I have a question about the Tasting Sampler they have...I see it is 8 items, but do they all have to be used on the same day?

They do not!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

"Creative accounting" is a term usually used to refer to accounting that is intentionally misleading -- clearly, Disney is not AIMING to double/triple charge MB users!

I get it -- you hate the bands!! And that's ok!!

And I'd be surprised if it happened "all the time", and the home-of-all-Disney-complaints (DIS) doesn't see threads about this all the time. That's my two cents, anyway.

You assume Disney is not aiming to double/triple charge. Maybe that's the new financing system for China! LOL!

 

[jerseygal]

Whatever resort we are at, Disney or non, we always make it a point, of stopping by the front desk late the night before checkout and reviewing the charges to date, especially when you are at a resort when you are charging a lot. Much easier to review it, reconcile to charge slips and if there are any discrepancies, resolve it rather than attempting to do that the morning of check out if you are running to leave resort or catch a plane. That way, the only charges that have not been reviewed on the morning of check out are typically the room charges plus tax for the last evening.

 

[tony67]

With so many small items being charged during F&W I just don't use the band - it would be difficult for just my self - and if it was a family of four all the harder to track - 3.50 here , 5.50 there etc..for most other things I don't mind using the band

At least with the gift card I can keep an eye on the running total and it is typically themed for the F&W festival so it is a "souvenir" as well

 

[ChrisNY2]

Can somebody give me an idea of what type of cocktail the smoking hibiscus is? Is it a martini or margarita or a simply cocktail?

What does it taste like? Is it sweet or sour? Tropical, floral or citrus? In photos, it looks creamy. Would you say it is creamy like a pina colada?

I would say the consistency is similar to a pina colada (but the flavor is nothing like it.) It's a frozen drink garnished with an edible hibiscus flower. It has a smoky flavor from the Mezcal, which I like, but others don't, and also has floral notes.

One of the fun things about the Food & Wine Festival is that you can try a bunch of stuff, so it's probably worth trying one!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I liked the smoking hibiscus, but I could see where other's would not.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

For any who are interested, the process has opened to request tickets to any of the 5 planned tapings of The Chew. Go to the show's page on abc.com, select "get tickets" and follow the prompts. It will say "join waitlist". If it works like last year, everyone joins the waitlist initially (they cut it off eventually) and then you're notified by email if your request was accepted.