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

[AquaDame]

After 45 mins on hold was told no availability for the Parisian breakfast on Nov 4th.

My CM said the same thing but that things "may" open up later today... I asked if they were having IT issues and she admitted they were. YMMV... my husband gets up in 10 min so I am waiting so I don't disturb him then I'm going back to bed. Bright side, I made him some yummy coffee an hour ago. Being able to book what I wanted would have been nicer though. Heck, even having it be legitimately full so I can stop fretting would have been nice.

 

[Jays2013]

9?! Sigh. I can't decide whether to stay on the line again or just call back then.

 

[Jays2013]

My CM said the same thing but that things "may" open up later today... I asked if they were having IT issues and she admitted they were. YMMV... my husband gets up in 10 min so I am waiting so I don't disturb him then I'm going back to bed. Bright side, I made him some yummy coffee an hour ago. Being able to book what I wanted would have been nicer though. Heck, even having it be legitimately full so I can stop fretting would have been nice.

Same. If it was simply full, I'd be sad, but I'd manage. I hate this limbo.

 

[AquaDame]

9?! Sigh. I can't decide whether to stay on the line again or just call back then.

$5 says they push it back... going through this so many times has made me a pessimist I guess but in the past they have pushed it back to 9, then 11, then sometimes even 1... I chose to wait a second time while I wait for my husband to get up. 17 min into an estimated 30 min wait now.

 

[tink1957]

I'm debating on trying again for TS at 9 or just settle for what I booked

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sadly the only thing that will make them stop doing this is if we stop booking and we are not going to do that. So they know it's going to sell out even if they can't get their act together


Sure some will you will be upset that you didn't get what you want, but the truth is Disney will sell them all out and all they care about is they got the expected amount of cash for the event


Customer satisfaction is not a big deal with current management

 

[tony67]

Normally I would agree with you. But it's not like they had a good operation before then either.

May I suggest everyone head over to Twitter and other social media and slam them for this

Yeah - I recall this was the exact same last year - and their web site has always been mediocre at best.

I remember people calling in not being able to book because things were already full - and I was booking the same things on line.

Universals is pretty awful as well....my guess is they never wanted to pay what a junior web developer makes, let alone someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[AquaDame]

OK just got off again after a 25 minute hold - this CM wasn't even seeing the breakfast at all, then I told her when and where and she then said it was full so... best of luck everyone! I'm going back to bed!

 

[Jays2013]

OK, got through a second time. A very nice, very apologetic CM said there was no availability, but to try back between 9 and 10. And if THAT didn't work, to try between 1 and 2.

I feel for them. They can't do anything about it, but you know they're getting the brunt of some people's anger.

 

[AquaDame]

OK, got through a second time. A very nice, very apologetic CM said there was no availability, but to try back between 9 and 10. And if THAT didn't work, to try between 1 and 2.

I feel for them. They can't do anything about it, but you know they're getting the brunt of some people's anger.

Yep, when this happens I am extra nice and assure them I know it's not their fault. I work in IT so I get it but I also absolutely do NOT get it. We would all be fired if this happened more than once in a career (and even that one forgiveness is iffy)

 

[georgina]

After 30 minute on hold, I got the same trying for French Family Meal Traditions - not in the system yet to book. Try later. She was very pleasant and appreciated that I was pleasant back.

She tried to encourage me by saying I was the first person who asked for that this morning. I'm not too worried about it filling up, but would like to have it booked and be done.

 

[PatriciaH]

After 30 minute on hold, I got the same trying for French Family Meal Traditions - not in the system yet to book. Try later. She was very pleasant and appreciated that I was pleasant back.

Yes, I tried again too. Waited 1/2 hour, but nothing open yet. She said to try calling back and get in que again, but now it is saying 5 minute hold-LOL.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

the events are not full. Something is wrong with the system.

Shades of 2013 when most of the events didn't load properly until about an hour after opening and most of the CMS were telling callers that they were "sold out" because they were showing in the system with no availability. Hang in there if you want something.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Customer satisfaction is not a big deal with current management

I think this is a bit much. Is this the same "current management" that is investing in the parks in a HUGE way right now, or JUST the "current management" of this event that appears to turn over annually?

I share my annoyance as well -- and I've said many times that it's ridiculous that they don't have F&W running like a well-oiled machine. But these sweeping statements just don't seem accurate.

 

[rosiect]

Ugh. On PST so up early. Was told at 8 am EST that Parisian Breakfast hasn't been posted yet and to try back every hour. CM said she thought there would eventually be an online link as well. So frustrating.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I just checked online and it looks like culinary demos are loaded from festival start through Oct 2... ...

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/food-wine-culinary-demonstrations/

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I think this is a bit much. Is this the same "current management" that is investing in the parks in a HUGE way right now, or JUST the "current management" of this event that appears to turn over annually?

I share my annoyance as well -- and I've said many times that it's ridiculous that they don't have F&W running like a well-oiled machine. But these sweeping statements just don't seem accurate.

Yep

It's the same current management that is having to invest in a HUGE way because for years they invested in a 'as little as possible way'.

They are "investing" because of competition not customer satisfaction (If that was the case you would be getting a discount for going to Hollywood Studios which is basically a shell of a park!)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yep

It's the same current management that is having to invest in a HUGE way because for years they invested in a 'as little as possible way'.

They are "investing" because of competition not customer satisfaction (If that was the case you would be getting a discount for going to Hollywood Studios which is basically a shell of a park!)

OK. So now we're putting "investing" in quotes when this is an obvious, actual case of "investment".

I'm all for legit constructive criticism, but geez. Probably best for me to back out of a bashing discussion in the context of all of their D23 announcements. And none of this bashing or response-to-bashing helps anyone trying to get ADRs this morning.

 

[crazy4wdw]

This really does not make sense. Wouldn't all of the F&W events have been downloaded for the early bookings on Tuesday?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I booked all my stuff on Tue, but will keep checking periodically online in case I find anything like my post above...

culinary demos loaded online from Aug 31 to Oct 2... https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/food-wine-culinary-demonstrations/