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

[patster734]

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

No. The $50 costs $48.88. The $150 costs $142.98. The $500 is $474.98. So the discount of the first 2 cards is less than 5%, and the $500 is 2 cents better than 5%. And the $500 gift card is showing "out of stock".

 

[MakiraMarlena]

the smaller sampler is about $62 with tax. Divide by 8 and that is $7.75. There's also the lanyard and pin. I don't know the cost of the larger one when tax is included.

The prices of the samples that you see posted at the kiosks will already include tax.

 

[patster734]

$150 GC for $142.89 at mine

The $150 Disney gift card used to be available in my local Sam's, but I haven't seen it now for a couple of months. That is why I looked online and saw the $500 Disney gift card at a better discount. Also, I had a rewards balance, which I wasn't aware of, that I was able to apply to the gift card purchase.

 

[elaine amj]

$150 GC for $142.89 at mine

Awww...I am a Costco member so no Sam's Club discount. Might have to think of it for our big trip next year though. If we are spending $8k, the Sam's club membership should pay itself off in no time.

 

[damskipi13]

I decided to go with some of this years raved about dishes for lunch. Both were good, but IMHO not the best thing I've tried. I still prefer the beef skewer from the Chew Collective.

Korean BBQ beef with rice and cucumber kimchi from South Korea. $5.25. This was a really, really large portion for $5.25. Not just the rice, but also the beef. I asked for extra cucumbers so the normal serving of those is less. This was more spiced than spicy, i.e. not hot spicy. I enjoyed it. Slight snag at the booth - the workers had plenty of food ready, but the people waiting for their food had to wait a long time because the person taking the receipts and handing over the food was moving at sloth speed for no apparent reason. The cashiers kept having to wait to take orders because the food line was backed up into the cashier area.

Hummus fries from Morocco. $5. Good, but not the mind blowing goodness the blogosphere seems to have experienced. This is a messy dish so grab a fork. I was expecting a softer, hummus-y interior. I think it's actually couscous with maybe just a bit of hummus binding it? The topping is delicious.

I'm hiding out in the Chase Lounge now. It is blazing hot today, much worse than day one.

 

[BwoZoo22]

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.

This is a good point. We will be a group of three most of our visit, so I think just buying one of each sample separately, and sharing, will be our modus operandi.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I'm hiding out in the Chase Lounge now. It is blazing hot today, much worse than day one.

You didn't happen to ask about the preferred seating for the Eat to the Beat concerts? I still have not seen any confirmation that they are or not are being offered this year. Thanks!

 

[Tess]

You didn't happen to ask about the preferred seating for the Eat to the Beat concerts? I still have not seen any confirmation that they are or not are being offered this year. Thanks!

I'm pretty sure many pages back someone reported being in the lounge and getting their wristbands for the ETB preferred seating. They were offered two different shows from which to choose. Further, they had to have a Disney Chase to get those wristbands. I believe the person even indicated the bands were put on so tight that it wasn't comfortable. I hope I wasn't dreaming all of that detail. . .

 

[Mac4life30]

Anyone know of a good page that will give honest real reviews on both foods and alcohol? I use to use easywdw... Not sure if they are doing it this year..

 

[Veronique]

Anyone know of a good page that will give honest real reviews on both foods and alcohol? I use to use easywdw... Not sure if they are doing it this year..

I think he is going to update this list: http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/new-and-returning-items-to-the-2016-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/

 

[damskipi13]

You didn't happen to ask about the preferred seating for the Eat to the Beat concerts? I still have not seen any confirmation that they are or not are being offered this year. Thanks!

I didn't but if I remember I will ask when I go back. The concerts on Wednesday weren't full, I know that for sure. Plenty of room to sit down if you wanted.

 

[kricha06]

Anyone know of a good page that will give honest real reviews on both foods and alcohol? I use to use easywdw... Not sure if they are doing it this year..

Disney tourist blog is doing reviews too. They only have a few booths up so far though.

 

[patster734]

If you have the Tasting Sampler, and want to use a coupon for one item, and pay for another item, can you do it in one transaction or do you have to do it in 2 transactions?

 

[kricha06]

I didn't but if I remember I will ask when I go back. The concerts on Wednesday weren't full, I know that for sure. Plenty of room to sit down if you wanted.

Did they have illuminations wrist bands too or just ettb?

 

[Mac4life30]

Thanks

 

[damskipi13]

Did they have illuminations wrist bands too or just ettb?

I'll have to check when I go back. I'm headed to AK right now. There is definitely a table with someone handing out something but I never bothered to check because the crowds are so low there is no need. On Wednesday I got a FP+ for Illuminations after 6pm with more still available. I settled into a spot front and center in the FP+ area about 10 min before the show and had a great view. Wristbands just aren't needed right now, IMO.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

not sure what an honest real review is. I know yesterday I saw two reviews, from different people, on the same day, at the same booth (Hops & Barley.) One said the beef dish there was literally inedible, the other said it was one of the best things they tried that day. I suppose if it looks good to you, try it for yourself.

Someone posted a photo of the Illuminations Chase area sign up in Germany, so they're doing it. But no real info on if it's going to be every day or not.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Anyone know of a good page that will give honest real reviews on both foods and alcohol?

I have always had a good experience with Disney Food Blog (http://www.disneyfoodblog.com).

You obviously have to adjust with what your own tastes are, but I've generally agreed with their reviews for the most part.

 

[ChrisNY2]

If you have the Tasting Sampler, and want to use a coupon for one item, and pay for another item, can you do it in one transaction or do you have to do it in 2 transactions?

Last year it had to be done in 2 different transactions.

 

[loves to dive]

Peanut Butter and White chocolate Mousse with caramel drizzle from The Chew Collective. It was good but the crumbles on top made it next to impossible to get down to the mousse.


Greenhouse Guru Chilled Tomato Gazpacho. It was refreshing on a hot day, not bad.


Had the artisian cheese trio from Wine and Dine Studio but forgot to take a picture. Tiny little two bites of cheese with various toppings. I love cheese so can't go wrong there but I'm talking tiny.

Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel. This was huge and I could only eat half, definitely something to share. Very sweet and not really much but a chocolate mousse with some sauce. Sorry I had already started eating when I remembered to take the picture.


Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Creak Cheese and Guava sauce from Islands of the Caribbean. Again forgot to take the picture before I started eating. The pastry was tough as all get out, I tried cutting it and gave up and picked it up and ate it. Seemed like more of a croissant than a pastry to me.


Hawaii - Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise. Messy as can be but not bad. I could have done without all the sauces, I'm a Georgia girl, just give me pork.