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

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Has anyone heard anything about the VIP package? I'm beginning to worry they aren't bringing those back for this year.

I expect they will be back. Disney won't want to pass up the $$$. Now will we know what you are getting by next week... unlikely, Disney already knows we will throw cash at them with no details.

I have three views on what they will offer this year

1. Same basic package, small price increase.
2. Reduced benefits, maybe fewer locations, no wine etc., same price
3. Dramatically higher price with a few "no value" additions.

 

[Straughn]

I was disappointed to see the only 2 per day culinary demos, and then more so by the offering on my dates (10/12-18). Probably even more disappointed with moving the time of the first one from 1PM to Noon. I like to go to another park in the morning and then hop to Epcot for the festival. This will make for short mornings if I sign up for a Noon seminar. On the bright side, I was telling myself I can't continue to do three in one day and I have to do less overall. Now forced into this.

I had the exact same reaction. We also go to another park in the morning and generally have lunch there. Unless there was a 1:00 seminar that was a must do, we booked seminars and tastings starting at 2:00. I am wondering if they are having a hard time recruiting chefs to do these. I see that many of this year's chefs are from restaurants on property. They probably have to do it.

Also, I am less than impressed with the wine seminars this year. For the week we are there, three of them are TBD and many are repeated, so fewer choices.

On the positive side: All of the begging with Disney to release the info earlier than one or two days before the early booking date must have finally worked.

I got my AP newsletter yesterday and it has early booking for pass holders on July 18, not July 19. Is this accurate?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I met a man who used to do the wine seminars for his company. He did a great job so I asked him why he hadn't returned.... cost! Disney actually charges them to do these according to him and the cost was just too high for what they felt they got in return. He indicated that they did the festival until the participation cost got way too high. He said they focus more on the festivals around the country that are focused on food and wine without a "theme park" as the guests are more likely to be long term customer prospects based on their marketing studies. Just a thought on why the wine seminars have gone down hill for some of us.

 

[knicksak2]

are the premium packages just for disney visa card holders? was interested in maybe booking one

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

Someone enlighten me about the PFTS "cheap seats". Do you play musical chairs the whole night? I'm wondering if I should just leave my stuff at a table to keep it. Will everyone have a seat?

If you want a guaranteed seat, you need to pay for it. People can, will & should move items left on tables so that they can be used.

 

[RachelTori]

are the premium packages just for disney visa card holders? was interested in maybe booking one

No, those packages were open to anyone who was willing to pay!

 

[knicksak2]

No, those packages were open to anyone who was willing to pay!

cool...im trying to figure out if its worth it. I guess its only worth it if you use it the whole week instead of going one or two nights.

 

[Missyrose]

cool...im trying to figure out if its worth it. I guess its only worth it if you use it the whole week instead of going one or two nights.

You'll get a mixed bag of responses, some liked it, others didn't. My husband and I did the premium package last year and enjoyed it. It included one culinary demo we were booking anyway and we really enjoyed the reserved seating areas and being able to order food and have it brought to you. Is it a steep price for that? Yep? Is it a limited time frame to use it? Yep (Monday-Thursday, noon to 8). But we're planning to book it again. We even chose to do the premium package instead of a second MNSSHP this year.

 

[sunshinecruise]

About 4 years ago,DH and I walked the F & W 5k. We checked into the CBR about the last three days of F&W festival. It was our first F& W experience. We enjoyed it even though things were winding down by then- Tokyo Dining was about the only opening for a special meal( turned out to be one of our best meals ever!!). We're going to WDW next month,the last week of August and will probably be booking a bounce back offer for next year.
We'd like to do the F&W 5k again( I got a new right knee in January and can walk again!). We'd like to do the same thing- book during the last few days of F& W. When do the 2017 F & W dates come out? Will I be able to see them by the end of August?

The Food and Wine race events are all sold out except for some of the kid's races. Races Generally go on sale 7-9 months before the event and they have been selling out quickly. Sometimes within hours.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The Food and Wine race events are all sold out except for some of the kid's races. Races Generally go on sale 7-9 months before the event and they have been selling out quickly. Sometimes within hours.

Minutes is more like it. Seriously you must be on line and booking as they open

 

[wvaspartan]

Why does it seem like there is nothing new on any of the returning booths? Or very limited new items. Something tells me this is not the final list and it is going to change as according to what I read (people at the media event last month) over half the items for F&W were going to be different this year.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I am wondering if they are having a hard time recruiting chefs to do these. I see that many of this year's chefs are from restaurants on property. They probably have to do it.

I met a man who used to do the wine seminars for his company. He did a great job so I asked him why he hadn't returned.... cost! Disney actually charges them to do these according to him and the cost was just too high for what they felt they got in return. He indicated that they did the festival until the participation cost got way too high. He said they focus more on the festivals around the country that are focused on food and wine without a "theme park" as the guests are more likely to be long term customer prospects based on their marketing studies. Just a thought on why the wine seminars have gone down hill for some of us.

I also wonder if the price they are charging for the seminars/demonstrations, now $15 a person, is keeping people from booking them? I've noticed for the past two years that most of the seminars I've attended are at best half full. When they started charging for the seminars, the price was around $4 to $5 per person. The price has slowly increased over the years to $15.

 

[FoxC63]

Oh, I see I wasn't clear. We have an Epcot day planned later in the week that we'll FP Frozen for. What I was thinking was go mid-afternoon on arrival day to FP Soaring' and just hang out in Future World for a few hours.

You're asking specifically about wait times for the rides, correct? Like how crowded the park will be? Just so I understand.

 

[SOAT]

Why does it seem like there is nothing new on any of the returning booths? Or very limited new items. Something tells me this is not the final list and it is going to change as according to what I read (people at the media event last month) over half the items for F&W were going to be different this year.

I agree, it seems this year not many items changed. I even remembered the number quoted from the reports after the TIW as being 39 new or re-imagined dishes and 47 new beverages. By my count, only 30 new and that is including the craft beers new piggy wings. I am even counting the Belgium beef as re-imagined as I think it will be without a waffle, but that could be a misprint. I am now not as excited as in previous years or as I thought I would be. I hope this is not more of the same cutbacks we have been seeing over the past year. I guess it could be that I need to review changes from previous years to do a true comparison. But, yes, it feels very little has changed from returning booths.

 

[SOAT]

I agree, it seems this year not many items changed. I even remembered the number quoted from the reports after the TIW as being 39 new or re-imagined dishes and 47 new beverages. By my count, only 30 new and that is including the craft beers new piggy wings. I am even counting the Belgium beef as re-imagined as I think it will be without a waffle, but that could be a misprint. I am now not as excited as in previous years or as I thought I would be. I hope this is not more of the same cutbacks we have been seeing over the past year. I guess it could be that I need to review changes from previous years to do a true comparison. But, yes, it feels very little has changed from returning booths.

And where is the duck dish from the preview that showed unnamed booth???

 

[FoxC63]

You're asking specifically about wait times for the rides, correct? Like how crowded the park will be? Just so I understand.

I just wanted to be sure and not waste your time - you and I will be there the same day at Epcot. I have no use for F&W and really want to take advantage of the rides. From everything I've read, this is a good day to go on rides. Gotta take a break but right around 5/6ish waits for rides will be low 30/45 minutes soarin'

 

[samsteele]

I also wonder if the price they are charging for the seminars/demonstrations, now $15 a person, is keeping people from booking them? I've noticed for the past two years that most of the seminars I've attended are at best half full. When they started charging for the seminars, the price was around $4 to $5 per person. The price has slowly increased over the years to $15.

I'm also passing on the culinary deminars for the reasons mentioned by PPs. I used to attend a few each festival but last year was my last. For the last several festivals, the moderator/hostess has been either acting tipsy or genuinely was tipsy during the late afternoon deminars. Interrupting the chef, asking for simple instructions to be repeated, and swinging her glass of wine. Last year, priority seating was given to either AP or DVC holders (and I don't have a problem with either getting some goodies as they pay high fees) but I had the misfortune of sitting next to an entitled seatmate who wasn't happy that the masses were allowed to sit near the stage when seats remained available after the priority call. I had lined up 30 mins b/f so didn't feel bad about my seating. All in all, no longer that fun. This year, I'm simply going to enjoy the booths and relax.

 

[FoxC63]

Actually Sunday afternoon/evening aren't bad.

Friday evening and Saturday are very packed.

I actually have never had a real issue with the "bar crawl" (I have seen some spectacular screaming fits by the morality police however )

Your big problem with the "party" is that anytime MK closes early for a party the "overflow" seems to come to Epcot. That's not the drink around the world group, but it's a lot of strollers and overtired kids so.... YMMV

Strollers are a nightmare during this wild time. They shouldn't be allowed pose too much of an issue. Ha nothing like getting the back of you foot snagged - repeatedly.

 

[FoxC63]

are the premium packages just for disney visa card holders? was interested in maybe booking one

I believe Disney offered a discount, nothing to write home about but it was a savings nonetheless.

 

[NicoleLarson]

I'm also passing on the culinary deminars for the reasons mentioned by PPs. I used to attend a few each festival but last year was my last. For the last several festivals, the moderator/hostess has been either acting tipsy or genuinely was tipsy during the late afternoon deminars. Interrupting the chef, asking for simple instructions to be repeated, and swinging her glass of wine. Last year, priority seating was given to either AP or DVC holders (and I don't have a problem with either getting some goodies as they pay high fees) but I had the misfortune of sitting next to an entitled seatmate who wasn't happy that the masses were allowed to sit near the stage when seats remained available after the priority call. I had lined up 30 mins b/f so didn't feel bad about my seating. All in all, no longer that fun. This year, I'm simply going to enjoy the booths and relax.

Just FYI it's disney visa holders that get the early entry, not APs or DVC and you can't just show up and show your card. They have a VERY limited amount of tickets that you have to know to ask for at least 3-4 hours before the event.