Any advice for a new DVC'er going to Food & Wine Fest

[disney212]

Just made our reservation for the food & wine fest in October. Staying a SSR since our home,BLT, is sold out but we are on the wait list. Hear that the Halloween party will be going on too. Is the Halloween thing just for little ones, we are sans kiddies? DH & I are both foodies, I used to teach cooking to Army wives. Any booths we should hit first, any we should avoid? Any and all advice is welcome.

Can't wait until October!

 

[erionm]

Hard to say what to hit and miss until Disney announces the countries of the booths and the menus. The food booths open at 11am when the World Showcase opens and will get busier as the day passes. Weekends will be crazy as that's when us locals usually attend.

 

[disney212]

Hard to say what to hit and miss until Disney announces the countries of the booths and the menus. The food booths open at 11am when the World Showcase opens and will get busier as the day passes. Weekends will be crazy as that's when us locals usually attend.

Thanks, I figured the booths would stay the same - didn't realize they changed! We are arriving on a Sunday night and leaving on Friday so hopefully we miss most of the crowds!

 

[jimmytammy]

MNSSHP is for kids and adults. You can trick or treat like the kid days and no one will look at you like you are strange. Lots of fun!

Food is def. the forefront of F&W fest. but Eat to the Beat shows are great too, especially if you just love music. We will be there and cant wait to see the complete lineup of musicians.

 

[Sammie]

Honestly I enjoyed the Halloween party way more than the Food and Wine. Not a drinker and the food was just ok and expensive. The concert was the best part.

 

[KPOP]

I love walking around Epcot during F&W with my family. Stop at every booth - if it doesn't seem like its for you...just walk another 10 feet, and find something you love!

Enjoy!

 

[LisaS]

There are also culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars for a small fee. Last year DVC members got a bit of a discount. We paid about $6-$7 per seminar. Many of the seminars sell out in advance so it's best to sign up as soon as Disney starts taking reservations which was in late August last year. DVC members (and probably AP holders too) got to sign up a day early which was helpful for those who wanted to attend a demonstration by a celebrity chef.

The Halloween party is fun and it's definitely not just for kids. The parade and fireworks are a real treat and now thanks to this thread I have that "Boo to You" tune stuck in my head!

 

[erionm]

Thanks, I figured the booths would stay the same - didn't realize they changed! We are arriving on a Sunday night and leaving on Friday so hopefully we miss most of the crowds!

They don't usually change many. The menu may change depending on how well (or not) items sold. Once everything is set, Disney will post the current festival guide here:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/pa...s/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

 

[mouseaider]

We will also be there this October 5th - 12th and we can't wait to see the entertainment line up.

We are on the fence about paying extra for the Halloween party as we did pay for the Christmas Party in 2008 and we didn't think it was worth the $$, but we'll see.


We are lucky enough to be at BWV for five of the nights so we'll come and go as we want.

 

[AnnaS]

We enjoyed the halloween party and might do it again this year - two adults only here too (kids are big and staying home - well actually my oldest will be there with his girlfriend).

We really, really enjoyed the concerts and can't wait to see the line-up again for this year.

Of course F & W booths are great too. Don't forget to relax, observe, absorb, participate and enjoy it all!!!!

 

[erionm]

We will also be there this October 5th - 12th and we can't wait to see the entertainment line up.

We are on the fence about paying extra for the Halloween party as we did pay for the Christmas Party in 2008 and we didn't think it was worth the $$, but we'll see.


We are lucky enough to be at BWV for five of the nights so we'll come and go as we want.

The Boo To You Parade during MNSSHP is probably the best parade at WDW.

 

[sleepydog25]

Just made our reservation for the food & wine fest in October. Staying a SSR since our home,BLT, is sold out but we are on the wait list. Hear that the Halloween party will be going on too. Is the Halloween thing just for little ones, we are sans kiddies? DH & I are both foodies, I used to teach cooking to Army wives. Any booths we should hit first, any we should avoid? Any and all advice is welcome.

Can't wait until October!

We were on the DxDP during our stay two F&W festivals ago, and the snack credits were great to use for food at the booths. Highlights for us were the escargot in France (not close to the best I've had, but it was tasty) and the lamb sliders in New Zealand paired with a nice Shiraz. Most excellent!

 

[disney212]

Thanks for all the great tips! DH and I foodies so this should be right up our alley!

 

[Thumper4me]

Excellent time of the year to visit!! We enjoyed the Halloween Party much more than the Christmas Party. We do the Halloween Party every year - the fireworks are fantastic!!

Food & Wine Festival is wonderful. Try to attend some of the demonstrations or a food & wine pairing. They are definitely worth the price.

Most of all - ENJOY!!!

 

[KerTggr]

Is definately not just for kids! While the last time we went we were with my Sis and nephews, we were able to break away and ride Space Mountain...4 times...in a row. I will say that walking the queue each time seemed REALLY long.

 

[dvcbrad]

Just made our reservation for the food & wine fest in October. Staying a SSR since our home,BLT, is sold out but we are on the wait list. Hear that the Halloween party will be going on too. Is the Halloween thing just for little ones, we are sans kiddies? DH & I are both foodies, I used to teach cooking to Army wives. Any booths we should hit first, any we should avoid? Any and all advice is welcome.

Can't wait until October!

We went to F&W last year for the first time. Enjoyed the booths, and I did one night as mostly wine, the next night as mostly beers. We thought two nights was fine for F&W, as then it seems to become just more of the same, so we did one night as a nice meal at Flying Fish instead. We did one wine tasting, but thought it was somewhat lame, although we might have been a little biased, as we had been in Napa the prior October.

No matter, what, you'll definitely enjoy it!

PS - my wife said to add that the wine is only served in small, light-weight glasses, and reminded me that by the end of the second night all that she was saying was that "she wanted a big-girl glass of wine"!

 

[sissy_ib]

The one thing I regret about my F&WF trip last year is not remembering all the yummy wines I tried! Especially since they were all listed in the brochures and all I had to do was mark them off! lol So my advice is to bring a pen!

 

[Tamar]

Thanks, I figured the booths would stay the same - didn't realize they changed! We are arriving on a Sunday night and leaving on Friday so hopefully we miss most of the crowds!

As foodies, too bad you won't be there on a Saturday night for PFTS. We really enjoy that, and it's a great way to see all the chefs and wineries who've done presentations in that week.

 

[ses1230]

We will also be there this October 5th - 12th and we can't wait to see the entertainment line up.

We are on the fence about paying extra for the Halloween party as we did pay for the Christmas Party in 2008 and we didn't think it was worth the $$, but we'll see.


We are lucky enough to be at BWV for five of the nights so we'll come and go as we want.

I have done both MNSSHP and MVMCP and the halloween party is better by far, imo. Better fireworks, better parade, better overall atmosphere. Definitely not just for kids. It's almost worth it just to see the headless horseman ride!

OP, if you are doing the dining plan, you can use snack credits for the F&W offerings.

 

[disney212]

How much "extra" do they charge for the Halloween party?