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

[iona]

Speaking of lines, I went to pick up my tickets to the wine tasting and food demo for today and that line took 15 min. only one person working and she felt the need to chat with about every other person. If anyone didn't know, even though you make and pay for your reservations in advance for the little $15 wine and food seminars, you still have to pick up a ticket. You get them from the information booth at the Festival Center and you can only get that days. There were a number of people in front of me in a wine tasting I attended who didn't know this and refused to go get one since they had a confirmation they paid. They were allowed in but make it easier on yourself and just pick up your tickets. You can do it at any time the day of.

I didn't know this - thank you!

 

[TheJRock300]

Called this morning the number on the Epcot Tasting Sampler Page (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/food-wine-festival-tasting-sampler/) in an effort to pre-pay over the phone and charge it to my Disney gift card. They had ZERO CLUE what I was talking about. They then transferred me over to guest services, who said that I can't pre-pay for the tasting sampler. The website says differently, but it also says book your reservation at Tasting Sampler, which also doesn't make sense...

Is this true? I've read that you can and should pre-purchase this..

 

[Missyrose]

I haven't seen anything about the cranberry bog, did it return this year or was it nixed?

It's gone, there's a regular garden setup there this year with F&W signage. https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct/status/775441856947642368

Called this morning the number on the Epcot Tasting Sampler Page (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/food-wine-festival-tasting-sampler/) in an effort to pre-pay over the phone and charge it to my Disney gift card. They had ZERO CLUE what I was talking about. They then transferred me over to guest services, who said that I can't pre-pay for the tasting sampler. The website says differently, but it also says book your reservation at Tasting Sampler, which also doesn't make sense...

Is this true? I've read that you can and should pre-purchase this..

Everything I saw from last year and this indicates that this is an in-park purchase.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You cannot prepurchase the tasting sampler this year. Must be purchased in-park. (You COULD prepurchase it last year. That has changed.)

The website is confusing, but them's the facts.

Honestly, you do not need to prepurchase it. You can't use it until you get to Epcot anyway. There are several places there you can buy one. I have heard, though, that they don't have the pins and people are filling out forms to have the pin shipped to them. There were only a couple of shops that had the pins.

Most beer samples are 6 oz, and have been for the past 2 years.

 

[lovingeire]

Video posted by some of the Dis Unplugged team:

The comments on the weather were cracking me up! That's how we felt last year Wine & Dine weekend because it was in the high 90s. We didn't end up trying as much as we anticipated because the hot weather made us not as inclined to eat. We did drink plenty of grapefruit beer though!

 

[backformore]

Same here. But I do set a budget. We buy gift cards with our reward dollars. And when its gone its gone. And then we buy more gift cards!! Ha ha!

Since we won't have magic bands, (staying at the Swan) gift cards sound like a better option than the sampler pack. Where can you buy gift cards? Is this a better idea than cash?

 

[stasijane]

The only thing I obsess about is getting my passport stamped at every booth. Other than that we just wander hitting booths as we go.

This is our game plan also.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Went last night after work and was surprised at the size of the crowds. But as usual, the booths were well staffed so all lines moved very quickly. Only tried samplings at 5 booths but will be back more than a few times before it's over. Had the Loaded Mac & Cheese from Farm Fresh (my favorite item so far), the Shrimp Taco from Mexico, the Buttered Chicken & Naan bread from Africa, the Spicy Hummus Fries from Morocco, and the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Truffle from the Chocolate Studio. Wasn't disappointed in any of these but the Hummus Fries were a bit too spicy for me. I'm a wimp when it's comes to spicy/heat in food! Ha!

 

[Hikergirl]

Since we won't have magic bands, (staying at the Swan) gift cards sound like a better option than the sampler pack. Where can you buy gift cards? Is this a better idea than cash?

I was told on this thread that you can buy the sampler pack with a giftcard. That is my plan because I do expect to use the sampler pack for the higher priced cocktails during my stay.
I will pay for any food with a giftcard though because its just more convenient than using my MB and then going to the front desk to pa the balance with the GC.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Yes, you can buy the sampler pack at Epcot with a gift card. But if you're not going to use the sampler vouchers for items that cost more than $7.50, then just use a gift card (unless you really want the lanyard and pin)

 

[patster734]

BBQ makes its presence known in the spring at Flower & Garden Festival. It is called The Smokehouse and is located in the American Pavilion in lieu of the Hops & Barley location at F&W. We find the BBQ quite nice.

I will say though--I somewhat agree with the whole beer discussion. For Brewer's Collection (which used to carry 8 different samples of beer) to have a mere few is extremely disappointing. These used to be Bavarian/German beers and not types that are readily available in the U.S. Likewise, the Craft Beer area in the former Odyssey Pavilion (and before that on the main causeway from FW to WS). Disney used to do a much better job with regard to variety and products that were unique.

The 3 sample flight is another major disappointment. We often shared a flight (4 small samples) between 2 and 4 people. Three is (no pun intended) just an odd number for sharing. I'm over the lack of full size beers at the kiosks--we will simply do less sampling from the kiosks when we want something a bit larger and at a better price.

What really grinds me is the loss of the margarita kiosk in Mexico--I will truly miss my Fiesta Margaritas.

I plan to skip the beer flights this year because its not a good value. 66% of the alcohol (4 ounces instead of 6 ounces) for 75% of the price ($9 compared to $12). I might reconsider if Disney would include the flights on the Tasting Sampler, but I don't see that happening.

As for the Fiesta Margaritas, we miss them too.

 

[patster734]

Yes, you can buy the sampler pack at Epcot with a gift card. But if you're not going to use the sampler vouchers for items that cost more than $7.50, then just use a gift card (unless you really want the lanyard and pin)

Considering that taxes need to be paid on the Sampler, but are already factored in the food and drink prices, the break even price is probably $7.75 or $8.00 instead of $7.50.

 

[backformore]

When you mention gift cards, do you mean Disney gift cards? Where do you buy them?

 

[TeresaWen]

Since we won't have magic bands, (staying at the Swan) gift cards sound like a better option than the sampler pack. Where can you buy gift cards? Is this a better idea than cash?

You can get Disney gift cards in just about any store on Disney property. The Disney store as well. There are food & wine themed gift cards at a few places in Epcot - I know for sure in the festival center

Cheers!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Most beer samples are 6 oz, and have been for the past 2 years.

Thank you! Do you know how many ounces are in each beer flight sample?

And while we are at it, how many ounces are in the regular wine samples? And how many in a wine flight?

 

[patster734]

When you mention gift cards, do you mean Disney gift cards? Where do you buy them?

If you are a Sam's Club member, you can buy discounted Disney gift cards from their website.

 

[jerseygal]

When you mention gift cards, do you mean Disney gift cards? Where do you buy them?

Last year we purchased a "wristlet" F&W gift card at the Festival Center. Would imagine that they have the same this year. Came in very handy!Getting VERY EXCITED!

 

[FLkid]

Considering that taxes need to be paid on the Sampler, but are already factored in the food and drink prices, the break even price is probably $7.75 or $8.00 instead of $7.50.

So the prices on the menus include tax already?


Hmm this changes things regarding if the vouchers are worth it for me. I plan to have mixed drinks, but not 8 of them

 

[JerseyJanice]

If you are a Sam's Club member, you can buy discounted Disney gift cards from their website.

Is Sam's discount better than 5% off the face value?

 

[FLkid]

Is Sam's discount better than 5% off the face value?

$150 GC for $142.89 at mine