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

[Missyrose]

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.

Not new, my husband did the Japanese beer tasting last year and LOVED it.

 

[karrit2000]

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.

It was much nicer when they used the Odyssey for the special events, other than having to wait out in the blazing sun to get in. I don't mind The Festival Center for the basic seminars but when they charge so much for the other events you would expect a bit of privacy, other than some potted plants, would be included. They should really hold them in the lounge upstairs but I can understand them only wanting to set up one demo kitchen although many years ago they actually had an outdoor one set up between France & Morocco in addition to the one in the Odyssey.

 

[LauraLea]

Anyone else notice that the French Family Meal Traditions is listed on The Disney Food Blog as being from 1:30-3:30? In the past this event was from Noon to 3:30. This year's is a whole 1.5 hours less. Less food, less wine, same price. This has been a favorite of ours for several years now and we had planned to invite friends because it was such an awesome and fun way to spend the afternoon. I will be so disappointed if it does not live up to the same experiences we have had before.

Laura

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Anyone else notice that the French Family Meal Traditions is listed on The Disney Food Blog as being from 1:30-3:30? In the past this event was from Noon to 3:30. This year's is a whole 1.5 hours less. Less food, less wine, same price. This has been a favorite of ours for several years now and we had planned to invite friends because it was such an awesome and fun way to spend the afternoon. I will be so disappointed if it does not live up to the same experiences we have had before.

Laura

Interesting... Not having done it before, I would be deterred by something that took up that much of my day (12-3:30), but WOULD consider a 1:30-3:30 event. I wonder which it will actually be??

 

[karrit2000]

Anyone else notice that the French Family Meal Traditions is listed on The Disney Food Blog as being from 1:30-3:30? In the past this event was from Noon to 3:30. This year's is a whole 1.5 hours less. Less food, less wine, same price. This has been a favorite of ours for several years now and we had planned to invite friends because it was such an awesome and fun way to spend the afternoon. I will be so disappointed if it does not live up to the same experiences we have had before.

Laura

That's the time frame that was listed in the TIW event brochure. I don't see how they can possibly do the event as it was last year in 2 hours without cutting at least one course. I know we were there for at least 3 hours last year. Hopefully it is an error in the brochure & they accidentally listed the time from the Parisian Afternoon Event. They've always listed the Tequila lunch in Mexico as 1.5 hours but when I did it a few years ago it was definitely way longer than that. Same with the events in Italy. The only one that seems to clear out earlier than scheduled is the Parisian Breakfast. The Deminar schedule for the festival center is totally different this year too and they've halved the number of times for the Back to Basics events. It's still a work in progress so hopefully there will be some updates.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Definitely want to book the Wine Pairing Luncheon again at Tutto Gusto but it's maddening that with the booking window just around the corner they've yet to release the actual dates - still says "select" Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! Also, am I understanding correctly that as an AP & TIW holder, I may be able to book the luncheon on the 19th?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Definitely want to book the Wine Pairing Luncheon again at Tutto Gusto but it's maddening that with the booking window just around the corner they've yet to release the actual dates - still says "select" Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! Also, am I understanding correctly that as an AP & TIW holder, I may be able to book the luncheon on the 19th?

They did this last year. I just had to call and ask if "my day" was a 'select'

It appears from the Disney Food Blog that you can only book the seminars on the 19th, but... who knows.

 

[mommyrosa2]

They did this last year. I just had to call and ask if "my day" was a 'select'

It appears from the Disney Food Blog that you can only book the seminars on the 19th, but... who knows.

I thought I was able to book it last year before the GP date.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Another question...

If I'm able to book the wine pairing luncheon earlier than the GP, does anyone know if I could also book for another couple that's coming with us? We wanted to do the luncheon together.

 

[CMouser]

Can you pay for the special events using a disney gift card when you call to book? Thnx

 

[KPSmithSr]

Subscribing to the thread. This will be F&W Festival #13.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Another question...

If I'm able to book the wine pairing luncheon earlier than the GP, does anyone know if I could also book for another couple that's coming with us? We wanted to do the luncheon together.

Based on the way this worked a few years ago you would have to book a party of 4 in your name. The AP name has to match the booking name

 

[mejo]

Can you pay for the special events using a disney gift card when you call to book? Thnx

Yes, I paid for everything last year with gift cards

 

[BeerMe]

After going to several of the premium events over the years we have decided to skip them this year - we will go to the regualr daily events - they are sometimes very, very good, and much cheaper.

We will go to one of the French breakfast mimosa bashes

 

[crazy4wdw]

Definitely want to book the Wine Pairing Luncheon again at Tutto Gusto but it's maddening that with the booking window just around the corner they've yet to release the actual dates - still says "select" Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! Also, am I understanding correctly that as an AP & TIW holder, I may be able to book the luncheon on the 19th?

Last year, I was able to book the Italian food pairing with wine/beer at Via Napoli on the day Disney Visa card-members could call in.

 

[randumb0]

The Parisian breakfast was carb overload

 

[mommyrosa2]

Based on the way this worked a few years ago you would have to book a party of 4 in your name. The AP name has to match the booking name

Last year, I was able to book the Italian food pairing with wine/beer at Via Napoli on the day Disney Visa card-members could call in.

Thank you!!

 

[Hikergirl]

Does anyone have any ideas about when the premium pass info may be announced? I assumed it would have been announced with everything else, and able to be booked when everything else is. Is that not how it has worked in the past?

 

[Biceratops]

Does anyone have any ideas about when the premium pass info may be announced? I assumed it would have been announced with everything else, and able to be booked when everything else is. Is that not how it has worked in the past?

Last year it was announced on July 30th so there's still time.

 

[Hikergirl]

Ok, thanks. I'm just getting anxious to get my plans finalized!