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

[AngiTN]

The general public can make reservations on July 21. Annual passholders, DVC, and TiW can make reservations starting on July 19. Most likely, Disney Visa card members can make reservations on July 20 but this has not yet been confirmed by WDW or Chase.

Thanks! Perfect dates for us. We leave for our July trip on 7/22 so I can get all our F&W events booked before we leave.

 

[crazy4wdw]

The dis unplugged podcast crew posted a video of the Tables in Wonderland preview of this year's F&W Festival.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The Chew is taping episodes during our trip. Has anyone here gone to a TV show taping at Epcot? Do they have audience seating, and if so, how do you get a seat? Tickets? Wait in a queue? Lottery? Some other procedure?

My sister-in-law (one of the people I'm traveling with) is a huge Chew fan and would love to attend a taping. Can somebody tell me how we can do that?

 

[luvpooh]

The Chew is taping episodes during our trip. Has anyone here gone to a TV show taping at Epcot? Do they have audience seating, and if so, how do you get a seat? Tickets? Wait in a queue? Lottery? Some other procedure?

My sister-in-law (one of the people I'm traveling with) is a huge Chew fan and would love to attend a taping. Can somebody tell me how we can do that?

Last year they you had to sign up at the Chew's website and they contacted people (pretty close to the dates of the taping, if I recall) to advise if you were one of the 'chosen ones' who got tickets to a taping.

That said, I don't recall if they had any kind of a standby line or not the day of (I do recall people saying that it was hot sitting in the audience!)

 

[Mike Mantis]

From past years, how much of the festival is set up early? Our only day at EPCOT will be 9/13 (Tuesday) and I'm wondering if they "soft launch" anything prior to the official date. Not expecting much, just thought I'd ask.

 

[Tess]

There used to be a soft opening (Cast Member Night) on the Thursday prior to a Friday opening. Anyone could purchase, but it was a "test run" to try and work out any kinks. Since the Festival is beginning earlier this year and on a Wednesday--your guess is as good as anyone's whether it will have a Cast Member Night on Tuesday.

From past years, how much of the festival is set up early? Our only day at EPCOT will be 9/13 (Tuesday) and I'm wondering if they "soft launch" anything prior to the official date. Not expecting much, just thought I'd ask.

See the quote above yours which I answered on page 8.

 

[Kricketnp]

Subscribing as a F&W newbie.

 

[Vohdre]

See the quote above yours which I answered on page 8.

Really hoping there is the "soft launch" Cast Member Preview day on 9/13 since that is one of our Epcot days. I'm really not sure where to find that info beforehand though.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Really hoping there is the "soft launch" Cast Member Preview day on 9/13 since that is one of our Epcot days. I'm really not sure where to find that info beforehand though.

Hopefully someone will post this information on this thread when it becomes available.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The Chew is taping episodes during our trip. Has anyone here gone to a TV show taping at Epcot? Do they have audience seating, and if so, how do you get a seat? Tickets? Wait in a queue? Lottery? Some other procedure?

My sister-in-law (one of the people I'm traveling with) is a huge Chew fan and would love to attend a taping. Can somebody tell me how we can do that?

Last year they you had to sign up at the Chew's website and they contacted people (pretty close to the dates of the taping, if I recall) to advise if you were one of the 'chosen ones' who got tickets to a taping.

That said, I don't recall if they had any kind of a standby line or not the day of (I do recall people saying that it was hot sitting in the audience!)

I attended last year. Info will be posted on The Chew's site and you pretty much have to jump on it and submit your request as they go quickly. Last year you selected which show you wanted (could submit for multiple shows), how many tickets you'd like and also write a few sentences about why you wanted to attend (no idea if the latter had anything to do with selection). It was around this time last year that the requests went live but weren't notified until ~Sept that you received tickets and had to actively confirm.

There was a formal standby line (I think generated from the online requests but not sure) and I also saw producers asking people who had just gathered to see the hosts arrive if they wanted to attend .

I just saw that D23 will have a paid event that will include a taping of one of the shows. Pricey (otherwise tickets are free & even included park admission for the day last year) but guaranteed seats. That's not open for booking yet either.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Hubby and I are interested in doing the Cheese Seminar but it's the day we fly in. Our flight is scheduled to land at 5:20am and we're staying at POR. Do you all think it's a bad idea to book this? Sucks that it's so early in the morning and offered so infrequently.

I think 4.5 hours should be sufficient. Bag pick up at Orlando is usually not to bad, especially that early in the morning. Are you renting or taking a bus? Those may slow you down; waiting for a bus load can take an hour in itself. We usually just use a town car service because we don't need a vehicle while on property. Half an hour to DW, if you are on property. And if time is getting tight, there is always a taxi option from each resort so you don't have to take a Disney bus. And if you are an AP holder, or at least already have your gate tickets, that will be quick too. If you think you can do it without stressing too bad, I would. The cheese seminars are great; David's Rogue Valley seminar is worth breaking speed limits to get to.

 

[randumb0]

Please tell me they are bringing back the 3d Dessert Discovery

 

[karrit2000]

Please tell me they are bringing back the 3d Dessert Discovery

Nope.

 

[luvpooh]

I'm hoping someone would like to help me decide on an event. I am going solo, and DH will watch DS while I attend.

Soo, I was already told I can't choose the V&A dinner (boo!), so I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

Mix it, Make it, Celebrate it - new this year so I guess not much is known. I'm wondering if it's something better to be done with friends rather than alone. Also not thrilled with the 4 pm start time.

What's Cooking with...Andrew Zimmern. I've heard mixed things about this event in reviews I read from attendees last year, particularly regarding the 'hostess'...

French Family Meal traditions - no real comments about this

Japanese Craft Beer Tasting - also new this year. This sounds very interesting, but I'm wondering how in depth it can get if it's only scheduled for an hour?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[randumb0]

So it sounds like for the Tasting Sampler i will get more than my money's worth if I use it only on expensive drinks? I dont care about the pin

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm hoping someone would like to help me decide on an event. I am going solo, and DH will watch DS while I attend.

Soo, I was already told I can't choose the V&A dinner (boo!), so I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

Mix it, Make it, Celebrate it - new this year so I guess not much is known. I'm wondering if it's something better to be done with friends rather than alone. Also not thrilled with the 4 pm start time.

What's Cooking with...Andrew Zimmern. I've heard mixed things about this event in reviews I read from attendees last year, particularly regarding the 'hostess'...

French Family Meal traditions - no real comments about this

Japanese Craft Beer Tasting - also new this year. This sounds very interesting, but I'm wondering how in depth it can get if it's only scheduled for an hour?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

1. I did What's cooking with last year. Yes, the host is annoying but he actually handles her very well. That said.... I won't do it again. I thought he would be there throughout the event. No basically, you eat breakfast and then he come out for the last half hour or so and demos one thing. I wasn't really impressed. Food and wine were fine but....

2. French Family Meal traditions. Everything I read made this sound great. It's on my potential list for this year.

So it sounds like for the Tasting Sampler i will get more than my money's worth if I use it only on expensive drinks? I dont care about the pin

Just a warning some things can be "blocked" I know last year you could not get the highest price champagnes for example.

I think I broke even using it for a few high priced food and drink items, but it was so much work just to make sure I was breaking even that I am passing this year

 

[karrit2000]

I'm hoping someone would like to help me decide on an event. I am going solo, and DH will watch DS while I attend.

Soo, I was already told I can't choose the V&A dinner (boo!), so I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

Mix it, Make it, Celebrate it - new this year so I guess not much is known. I'm wondering if it's something better to be done with friends rather than alone. Also not thrilled with the 4 pm start time.

What's Cooking with...Andrew Zimmern. I've heard mixed things about this event in reviews I read from attendees last year, particularly regarding the 'hostess'...

French Family Meal traditions - no real comments about this

Japanese Craft Beer Tasting - also new this year. This sounds very interesting, but I'm wondering how in depth it can get if it's only scheduled for an hour?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Personally of everything you listed I would go with the French Family Meal Traditions. We attended last year and probably will again this year. we enjoyed it very much & highly recommend it as a wonderful value.

We do not attend any of the pricier events like What's Cooking that they hold in the festival center anymore. We've done several in the past such as Sweet Sundays and one with Robert Irvine that was similar to Sweet Sundays. To me they are way too expensive and suffer from the location since anyone walking by can and will make much distracting noise that takes away from the experience. Nevermind having to put up with the annoying hostess. And as others have said the Chef isn't out there for the entire presentation so her long winded intros & constant yakking and attemps at the limelight are extremely intrusive. According to her excessive monologues it seems each & everyone she introduces is a very close personal friend.

The new Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It sounds interesting but I'd rather use that money on one of the events in France or Italy.

 

[Missyrose]

Did anyone do the signature meals last year? We're eyeing the Raglan Road dinner (they weren't on the list last year), but I wanted to see if anyone went to any of those meals and what you thought of it.

 

[BwoZoo22]

I'm hoping someone would like to help me decide on an event. I am going solo, and DH will watch DS while I attend.

Soo, I was already told I can't choose the V&A dinner (boo!), so I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

Mix it, Make it, Celebrate it - new this year so I guess not much is known. I'm wondering if it's something better to be done with friends rather than alone. Also not thrilled with the 4 pm start time.

What's Cooking with...Andrew Zimmern. I've heard mixed things about this event in reviews I read from attendees last year, particularly regarding the 'hostess'...

French Family Meal traditions - no real comments about this

Japanese Craft Beer Tasting - also new this year. This sounds very interesting, but I'm wondering how in depth it can get if it's only scheduled for an hour?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

And to make your decision even harder...

The only event on your list we have done is the Japanese Craft Beer. We loved it! Ours went well over the hour, had more food than we could finish, and were presented with six beers I think. It was a lot! Each one was very different (who knew Japan brewed dark beers?!) and the host had lots of information for each. Even with the price increase, we are considering doing this one again.

 

[luvpooh]

And to make your decision even harder...

The only event on your list we have done is the Japanese Craft Beer. We loved it! Ours went well over the hour, had more food than we could finish, and were presented with six beers I think. It was a lot! Each one was very different (who knew Japan brewed dark beers?!) and the host had lots of information for each. Even with the price increase, we are considering doing this one again.

So it isn't new this year? I thought on Disney food blog it said new...hmm, guess I should Google some reviews, thanks!

I think I do in fact have it narrowed down to the Japanese and the French events. @karrit2000 , I agree that being in the festival center isn't the greatest, however, the last paid event I attended took place in the Oddesey, and I think that was a bit more quiet and secluded.