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

[crazy4wdw]

I swear I read somewhere that Chase is sponsoring the lounge in the American pavillion again. Nothing on ETB seats though.

You're correct: https://disneyrewards.com/offers/epcotfoodwinjul16/

 

[AngiTN]

For my own sense of closure I emailed WDW Guest Services asking about the Premium Package. A CM called me today to let me know it will not happen for 2016. I know others already said this but I just wanted to add mine to the pile.

Bummer. This may actually be the last straw for us and cause us to cancel our trip. There are other things unrelated to Disney that were making it less than ideal but the thought of the package was enough to keep me wanting to go
It will make us shorten our trip without a doubt.

 

[VrBchJ]

Bummer. This may actually be the last straw for us and cause us to cancel our trip. There are other things unrelated to Disney that were making it less than ideal but the thought of the package was enough to keep me wanting to go

It will make us shorten our trip without a doubt.

Can you pls write Guest Services and express your dissatisfaction? I wrote saying almost exactly what you said in your post. A couple of days later I got the call suggesting we do the VIP tour instead. I told her that was not an equivalent to the Premium. Maybe they'll include it next year if enough people request it. Doubt it but worth a try.

 

[sunshinecruise]

We are suddenly debating doing a 2nd PFTS. Has anyone been told the 10/22 party reserved seating is sold out?

LOL, I love this "We are suddenly debating doing a 2nd PFTS". That sounds like something that would happen at my house. I might suddenly bring up adding another quick 2 or 3 day trip to the Food and Wine festival. And I am sure I would add another special event while we are there.

 

[jerseygal]

LOL,"THINKING" about some amazing food and drink at F&W this October. "HAPPY to report", LOL that after pulling apart a few kitchen cabinets searching for the Food and Wine tray, I found it, came in very handy last year, will pack it for this trip! CAN'T WAIT!

 

[AngiTN]

LOL,"THINKING" about some amazing food and drink at F&W this October. "HAPPY to report", LOL that after pulling apart a few kitchen cabinets searching for the Food and Wine tray, I found it, came in very handy last year, will pack it for this trip! CAN'T WAIT!View attachment 185834

Good point. Ours are in our tailgating gear but without the sit down spots this year I guess we'll need our plates

 

[FoxC63]

I swear I read somewhere that Chase is sponsoring the lounge in the American pavillion again. Nothing on ETB seats though.

Yes you are correct, Chase is sponsoring the lounge however the question was regarding what freebies they are offering like wrist bands for Eat to the Beat Reserved Seating. Which they have made public at this time.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am going to suggest that if you call Disney to complain about the Premium package you tell them how much you would have been willing to pay. I think profit margin was not what they wanted it to be and the only way to make it profitable is to increase the cost and they didn't think it would sell. So if you are willing to pay more than the $200 I would tell them so and give them a price point! If you think it's coming back for $200 I think it's time to accept that's gone.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disney Parks Blog just posted info on this year's cookbook, it will include receipies from Flower & Garden as well as the Food and Wine Festival:

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...l-epcot-international-flower-garden-festival/

 

[Straughn]

LOL,"THINKING" about some amazing food and drink at F&W this October. "HAPPY to report", LOL that after pulling apart a few kitchen cabinets searching for the Food and Wine tray, I found it, came in very handy last year, will pack it for this trip! CAN'T WAIT!View attachment 185834

Recently moved and found our trays from last year among the kitchen items. Have already put them in my suitcase so I don't forget them. We loved last year's trays as the held the wine glasses very securely.

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

This will be my first Food & Wine festival and I'm really excited

Does anyone know if Canadian Chase Visas will get you into the Chase lounge? Also I head there will be book signings? Is there a list of who will be there for signings?

 

[GDUL]

You're correct: https://disneyrewards.com/offers/epcotfoodwinjul16/

Does everyone in your group have to have a Chase VISA card or just one person in the group?

Thanks!

 

[TeresaWen]

Am alone feeling a bit glad that there is no premium package this year... hear me out. I was planning on getting it. Then I booked a few events and will not be do the booths for four straight days. And I am happy to know I may find some free shade.

Also part of our fun in the past has been walking from booth to booth, chatting with folks on line, strolling with our wine, talking with the cast members behind the booths, and generally exploring. We treated Epcot like a large cocktail party. Sitting and having runners get our food changes the whole experience and I'm not sure in a good way.

Weekdays are not very crowded anyway and frankly interacting with others while we enjoy our food & wine and while waiting on line is all part of it.

And I know you can say - well just don't purchase it if you don't want it. But if it is not offered then all those premium shady spots will be available

 

[tony67]

Am alone feeling a bit glad that there is no premium package this year... hear me out. I was planning on getting it. Then I booked a few events and will not be do the booths for four straight days. And I am happy to know I may find some free shade.

Also part of our fun in the past has been walking from booth to booth, chatting with folks on line, strolling with our wine, talking with the cast members behind the booths, and generally exploring. We treated Epcot like a large cocktail party. Sitting and having runners get our food changes the whole experience and I'm not sure in a good way.

Weekdays are not very crowded anyway and frankly interacting with others while we enjoy our food & wine and while waiting on line is all part of it.

And I know you can say - well just don't purchase it if you don't want it. But if it is not offered then all those premium shady spots will be available

I have no interest in the premium package...I'm quite glad to have all those "premium shady spots" back

If they had this on Saturday that would be a different story...but I'm still not sure I would bother

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have no interest in the premium package...I'm quite glad to have all those "premium shady spots" back

If they had this on Saturday that would be a different story...but I'm still not sure I would bother

I have always felt that without this being offered on the weekends it was just not worth it. But the truth is a lot of those 'premium' spots were only shady because they had umbrellas. The first year they offered the package I was there week one and there were no umbrellas and those spots looked just as hot as the rest of the park LOL!

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Thanks for posting that app link @Doug S.

I installed it and think I'll have fun with it.

Looks like the link may have been removed. Can anyone provide some information on where I can find the link?

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Looks like the link may have been removed. Can anyone provide some information on where I can find the link?

Never mind, noticed it was a hyperlink. Thanks.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Win a trip to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival - From Disney Parks Blog:

ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show “The Chew” is giving a lucky winner the chance to join them when it returns to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this fall.

The Chew’s Magical Culinary Adventure Sweepstakes will send one winner and their three guests to to stay in the middle of the magic at Walt Disney World Resort between October 5-9, 2016, and experience the 21st annual appetizing event.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-a-trip-to-the-epcot-international-food-chew/

 

[crazy4wdw]

Does everyone in your group have to have a Chase VISA card or just one person in the group?

Thanks!

I think as long as one person in your group has a Chase Visa, they will let you in the lounge. Now if you're trying to get six or eight people in with just one card, that might be a problem.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think as long as one person in your group has a Chase Visa, they will let you in the lounge. Now if you're trying to get six or eight people in with just one card, that might be a problem.

From last year...

"While we were there, the cast members were only letting up four people per card. This could be an issue for larger parties, so either bring two cards, or be aware your whole party may not be allowed upstairs."

http://www.**************.net/2015/10/photos-chase-visa-lounge-at-epcots-food-and-wine-festival/​