2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 31, 2017 - November 13, 2017

[MakiraMarlena]

I've been to a PFTS every year since 2000.

The best thing about it is that the chefs are able to let down their hair and serve foodie type stuff, and that you get to try a lot of different items you normally can't get at WDW.

If you don't like the social aspect of it, and you want more of a quiet dinner with your significant other, don't book it. In fact, if you want a quiet dinner don't book a festival event at all. Make a regular reservation at a signature restaurant.

as for this year, guaranteed seating (lowest category) means you are seated at a group table with others. Reserved means your party gets its own table. Wine view lounge means you get your table in an exclusive area and some benefits that the lower categories don't get. Don't expect to spend much time actually sitting at the table though, as you'll be roaming around schmoozing with the chefs/vintners and tasting stuff.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Help, please?

So DH and I finally had the big "What do we REALLY want to do at Food & Wine" conversation last night. It turns out we both have some reservations about trying to book Party for the Senses. Neither one of us like big crowds in enclosed spaces and it sounds like there could be a lot of standing around in line. It seems like a hefty price tag for two and a half hours of a crowded room with lots of lines and we might more enjoy a seated, themed dining experience.

On the other hand, I understand that it is the signature event for F&W. And I have certainly read lots of reviews from people who love the party. This is our first time at the festival and I don't know when/if we may be able to go again, so I don't want to miss something that I shouldn't.

I would very much appreciate any advice!

DH and I can't justify the high cost of the special events but like others have said we love going to the different booths and seeing the country specific performances. It is a personal decision on going to the PFTS and it just could be something you always remember doing.

 

[samara]

Thank you so much for all of the advice! After a lot of debate, we decided that since we were so conflicted that the best decision would be to skip PFTS for this year. Loosely planning to go back in 2019, so maybe we'll try it then with a year at the Festival under our belts

Just had a great experience on the phone with Brianna at DSS. Only waited on hold for about 5 minutes and was easily able to book the Tokyo pairing for 10/5 and the Mexican Tequila Lunch for 10/6. A completely unexpected bonus - she also got me the 8am Crystal Palace reservation I had given up on!

I also want to book a demo and a beverage seminar but I'm not really picky about which ones. I need to figure out the rest of our plans and see what fits!

 

[cdtommie]

Come to think of it the CM said that to me as well. She also said for the reserved seating that we would be seated at a table with other guests which is not true according to the Disney website when I went back to look. And she told us to arrive at 6:45 for the event starting at 7 but the website says 7:30. It looks like reserved seating and guaranteed seating don't get in early either which I didn't realize. We will definitely need to be there early now.

Seating order is by Tier. Tier 1 (WVL) and Golden Oaks residents are seated first, then Reserved and then General. Tier 1&2 get welcome drink and 15 minute jump on General admission (based upon our past experience and we have been to at least 25 of these, Tier 2 doesn't really get the full 15 minutes by the time they get everybody in). It really doesn't matter much after the first half hour anyway as the lines start to die down and people are all settled in.

In the past the only reason to get to the venue early was if you were doing General as seating for Tiers 1/2 is preassigned. With General now guaranteed seating not sure if this will be preassigned or whether you will be escorted to a table based upon admission order. We have Reserved (Tier 2) and I'm not planning on getting there until about 7PM.

 

[TeresaWen]

I thought of going to PFTS. But I don't need or want my own table. I would pefer a more social atmosphere. Get something to eat & drink. Stop at a table to enjoy and chat with others and move along. Like a cocktail party.

Now I feel it is an overpriced buffet. With great food but still just grab food and go back to our table. And if you "just" get general admission you are a third class citizen.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I thought of going to PFTS. But I don't need or want my own table. I would pefer a more social atmosphere. Get something to eat & drink. Stop at a table to enjoy and chat with others and move along. Like a cocktail party.

Now I feel it is an overpriced buffet. With great food but still just grab food and go back to our table. And if you "just" get general admission you are a third class citizen.

If your fellow guest had treated it the way you seem to think it would have worked. But instead what they did was block the entire table for their friends and family and flat out abuse people who tried to use their personal table. As a solo diner without someone to hold your table you were often Left with no place to stand at all because you didn't have anyone to reserve your table and the rude would not allow you to use the table. Talk about feeling like a third class citizen. you felt like a social outcast. After the last year of that fiasco I did not return until I came up with the reserve seating.

Disney finally gave up. As Americans get more rude Disney had to give up on trying to teach us how to behave at a cocktail party

I will miss the running of the bulls that occurred when they opened up general admission as rude people race to grab a table and block it for themselves. Last year one of the Chefs was totally shocked at the behavior he saw. Couple of others actually took video of the running of the balls

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

Has anyone been able to book the Italian Food Wine vs. Beer Pairing at Via Napoli for Nov 2nd? I have an AP so I just called and tried to book this (trying to avoid the rush tomorrow morning), but the CM seemed clueless about F&W. She said the only thing coming up was Eat to the Beat so it makes me wonder if she was even searching the special events. Plus, when I told her It was fine and I would just call back in the morning when general booking starts she seemed to get offended and said she could only do what the computer would allow her to do

Anyway, should I try again or have others been told the early release seats are sold out for Nov 2nd?

 

[randumb0]

I know several people have had question about PFTS so I've decided to include scans from the booklet I received from last year's event. This particular event featured Disney Chefs

 

[crazy4wdw]

I know several people have had question about PFTS so I've decided to include scans from the booklet I received from last year's event. This particular event featured Disney Chefs

Thanks for posting this!

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

Has anyone been able to book the Italian Food Wine vs. Beer Pairing at Via Napoli for Nov 2nd? I have an AP so I just called and tried to book this (trying to avoid the rush tomorrow morning), but the CM seemed clueless about F&W. She said the only thing coming up was Eat to the Beat so it makes me wonder if she was even searching the special events. Plus, when I told her It was fine and I would just call back in the morning when general booking starts she seemed to get offended and said she could only do what the computer would allow her to do

Anyway, should I try again or have others been told the early release seats are sold out for Nov 2nd?

Did she take your AP#? At least one person on the board had trouble booking because they couldn't find the events without the AP# in first.

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

Did she take your AP#? At least one person on the board had trouble booking because they couldn't find the events without the AP# in first.

No she didn't I told her at the beginning of the call I was an AP holder and wanted to book a F&W event, but she never asked for the number. Looks like I need to try again

 

[crazy4wdw]

Tables in Wonderland preview of this year's festival (posted on Allears.net)

http://land.allears.net/blogs/allearsteam/2017/07/2017_epcot_food_and_wine_festi.html

http://land.allears.net/blogs/allearsteam/2017/07/2017_epcot_food_and_wine_festi_2.html

 

[captaindavidhook]

Since this is the first time I'm going to food & wine how do I go about booking for mix it, make it, celebrate it workshops? Do I call Disney or can this be booked online and if so, how? I know tomorrow booking will be open.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Since this is the first time I'm going to food & wine how do I go about booking for mix it, make it, celebrate it workshops? Do I call Disney or can this be booked online and if so, how? I know tomorrow booking will be open.

It appears from the WDW website that this event can be booked online. You can begin to call in to WDW-FEST at 7:00 am EST. I don't know if online bookings will open at 7:00 am EST or earlier. If you're up before 7:00, I'd check the website just in case online booking is already open .

Here's the link that you'll need: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/food-wine-mix-it-make-it-celebrate-it/

 

[Auntie_Maim]

I have such a narrow window to be there (October 10-14) and none of the seminars appeal that much (vinegar?). I'm just going to lurch around WS and eat and drink.

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

L

I have such a narrow window to be there (October 10-14) and none of the seminars appeal that much (vinegar?). I'm just going to lurch around WS and eat and drink.

Always a good plan! Lol

 

[captaindavidhook]

Once again thank you everybody for answering my question since I'm like food and wine rookie making his first time of parents there during this year. My question basically is are any seminaries worth it? Some some pretty interesting and some some not so that's why I'm just asking everybodys opinion thanks again.

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

No she didn't I told her at the beginning of the call I was an AP holder and wanted to book a F&W event, but she never asked for the number. Looks like I need to try again

Wanted to provide an update on my booking process. After another 40 minutes on hold I was finally able to book the Italian Food Wine vs. Beer Pairing on Nov 2nd This time I made sure the first thing I said was "I'm an Annual Passholder, do you need my pass number." It still took the CM a while to find the event (side note: how many events do they have to look through/what makes it so hard to find it when I give the exact event name, time, and date?)

Anyway, turns out the reason why the first CM couldn't find anything was because she never entered my pass number apparently they have to enter the number before they can check availability

Good luck to everyone booking tomorrow!

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

Wanted to provide an update on my booking process. After another 40 minutes on hold I was finally able to book the Italian Food Wine vs. Beer Pairing on Nov 2nd This time I made sure the first thing I said was "I'm an Annual Passholder, do you need my pass number." It still took the CM a while to find the event (side note: how many events do they have to look through/what makes it so hard to find it when I give the exact event name, time, and date?)

Anyway, turns out the reason why the first CM couldn't find anything was because she never entered my pass number apparently they have to enter the number before they can check availability

Good luck to everyone booking tomorrow!

Congrats! That's great! I was hoping it was a correctable error.

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

Congrats! That's great! I was hoping it was a correctable error.

I'm so glad I called again! Thank you so much for the advice about making sure the CM enters the annual pass number.. I had no idea they needed it before they could see availability for the events