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

[ellie05]

I called twice this morning, we would like to book the Parisian breakfast. Both times the CMs were polite and helpful. The last CM just told me that 15% was filled for today but I could try again tomorrow when there would be more openings. So maybe I'll try again tonight?

The CM told me the same thing I said tomorrow or the 21st? She said you are right not tomorrow but thrusday.

Has anyone else had problems getting their AP discount ? I was able to get it for the beverage seminars but not for the culinary demo. She said I should get the discount but her computer was having issues, so she said let's book it and call a a later date so we can issue the refund.

 

[mac3mpc]

Ok. So I was told to call back after 9 that additional reservations would be released. The cranky CM that I got through to - who didn't even ask for my name - just briefly checked the date told me that I need to call be on Thursday and maybe something would be available. I've already wasted an entire morning and now I have to try again to possibly be able to get the only one I wanted? I'm so discouraged that I'm not even excited about the trip anymore.

 

[lgcountry]

Got through to DVC member services right at 9:00am. NO WAIT! Booked my two beverage seminars with discount. Mexican Tequila lunch did not show as available, so I'm on hold now with FEST. Said it was a 22 minute wait so we'll see. BTW, my cast member said I was one of the first and I didn't want to know how many calls were holding!

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I am on hold with this number right now. I was able to get my culinary demo booked with the DVC discount and I was able to use my Disney so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the Parisian Afternoon. If I have to wait until Thursday, what are my chances? Is this a definite sell-out event? I'm so nervous because DD11 really wants to do this.

Got through....the CM is checking the event...she was able to pull it up, but cannot book it...she's looking into it...it may just be full for pre-booking already...

...and it is full. I guess I will be calling back at 7am on Thursday.

Today's inventory is only about 15% of the total inventory. So, yes, it's probably full for today, but if you're on the phone at 7 AM on Thursday, you should not have an issue.

 

[Jing]

GAH! After being on hold with the DINE number for over an hour, the FEST number for about 50 minutes, I tried the tour/recreation number and got through after about 5 minutes to be told there was no availability for my event at this time!

I got the Tequila lunch but not the Italian one

 

[keishashadow]

Word to the wise EVERYTHING was available to book today... I confirmed that with the CM who checked for me as she was even going as far as actually checking to see if my event was full for today's availability or was not available at all today...she confirmed it was just booked and her Supervisor (who I heard over her voice) confirmed everything was open today but some were for some reason not opened right at 7.

Not thrilled I called @ 7am for trader Sam's. Told it would be inputed into system until 21st. CM checked for half an hour trying to book

Read posts here, called back and told all the Disney visa slots are booked. No other presales for trader Sam's

Told DVC/AP/TIW only on 'lesser priced' things such as beverage/cheese seminars.

Naturally, doubting that info as I was given incorrect

 

[YodasMom]

We have done it the last several years and LOVE IT! We are hoping to be able to do it twice this year - we'll see about availability on Thursday. It has been something different each day we have attended. Two years ago it was led by one of the serving staff who wanted to tell us all about his homeland which was fascinating. I'd definitely recommend it.

Thanks for the input! They're full for the early booking for my dates of availability. Will try agaaiinnnnnn..........

 

[YodasMom]

I also asked whether there was a separate allotment for DVC/AP/TIW opening up at 9am on any of these events (just to see what she'd say, I guess!) and she confirmed that only deminars could be booked by these groups beginning at 9am today -- all the rest would have to wait until Thursday.

I tried calling back to find out if any more availability was added after 9:00 AM for DVC/AP/TiW and there was still no new availability for the other things I wanted.

 

[SarahInMN]

I tried calling back to find out if any more availability was added after 9:00 AM for DVC/AP/TiW and there was still no new availability for the other things I wanted.

Thanks YodasMom for the info - you just saved me another phone call!

 

[mommyrosa2]

That's too bad that you had that experience with it, we didn't go last year but the other two times we went the pours were crazy, yes they poured a pairing size taste but if you liked it they continued pouring you more. They kept walking around wih the bottles until the next course was poured. We left very very happy both times if you know what I mean.

This was our experience last year at the Italian Regional luncheon as well. We had very generous pours and as much as we wanted. In fact, they kept reiterating not to be shy if there was a particular wine we wanted more of. We enjoyed it so much, that we booked again for this year.

 

[tink1957]

Not thrilled I called @ 7am for trader Sam's. Told it would be inputed into system until 21st. CM checked for half an hour trying to book

Read posts here, called back and told all the Disney visa slots are booked. No other presales for trader Sam's

Told DVC/AP/TIW only on 'lesser priced' things such as beverage/cheese seminars.

Naturally, doubting that info as I was given incorrect

I called twice and was told that my date was full for the Trader Sam's prebooking. I was on hold 75 minutes the first time using the Disney Visa # and got through right away using the tour #. Lesson learned.

Not looking forward to doing it again on Thursday.

 

[Tink10]

Was able to book PFTS RS Oct 28th by calling DVC at 9am. I had called Fest about an hour earlier and was told nothing in RS for the 28th or 29th.

FWIW...The DVC Member Services rep advised that the Premium Package is forthcoming and is expected to be bookable within the next couple of weeks.

 

[mommyrosa2]

So glad to see that not much has changed from previous years - still a chaotic mess for many. This isn't Disney's first time at the rodeo so one would think they'd get more organized and make it less painful .

 

[cdtommie]

This was our experience last year at the Italian Regional luncheon as well. We had very generous pours and as much as we wanted. In fact, they kept reiterating not to be shy if there was a particular wine we wanted more of. We enjoyed it so much, that we booked again for this year.

I think what has happened is that the Winery Rep/Distributor used to supply all the wine and they only had a limited number of bottles. Two years ago wine became the restaurant responsibility (this is why the French Regional lunch jumped from $99 to $135). When the event didn't sell as well in 2014 at the new price point it was scaled back last year (hence the "French family meal traditions" theme for $95, still a fine event). Probably the same logic now for the Italy events.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

So glad to see that not much has changed from previous years - still a chaotic mess for many. This isn't Disney's first time at the rodeo so one would think they'd get more organized and make it less painful .

They have no incentive to do so since they know the money is coming in either way.

 

[mommyrosa2]

They have no incentive to do so since they know the money is coming in either way.

So true - as much as I'll complain, I'll always be one of those folks who'll want to book something each time . Although I will say my call this morning, with the exception of the wait time, went very smoothly and the CM I had was very nice.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

FWIW...The DVC Member Services rep advised that the Premium Package is forthcoming and is expected to be bookable within the next couple of weeks.

Oh, good!! Another day of booking insanity!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[patster734]

I just called and a CM picked up in about a minute. When I tried after 9am, the wait was listed at 20 minutes, but because I had to leave for work, I couldn't wait 20 minutes.

Yeah I just made Robert Irvine booking online

Looks Like Robert Irvine is sold out for pre-booking today...Glad I got in and looked online

What date is Robert Irvine? The F&W website showed Saturday, Sept. 24, but the CM and the booking engine had Sunday, Sept. 25th. Unfortunately, we leave that day.

Mexican Tequila Lunch was not able to book yet

I booked the Mexican Tequila Lunch for Thursday, Sept. 22.

 

[renes]

This is my first time booking F&W events. I am an AP. It appears that some can be booked on line and some can't? The one I really want to attend is Alex Guarnaschelli but it appears it is full for today and I will have to try on Thursday. I looked at other dates and it shows availability for other chefs, but I really want to see Alex. I was also looking at the Italy Food & Wine Pairing Lunch. Can that not be booked online?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I called back at lunch and was able to get my Tequila Lunch on Sept 16th. Probably for getting in right away at 7AM - not everything was loaded yet. The guy I had tried really hard and even tried a bunch of different ways to get into it but it wouldn't let him.