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

[Cee]

I don't know how much they charge for the Halloween Party(only attended it once many years ago), but F & W if wonderful. My adult DD got a passport and got it stamped everywhere she sampled. It was great to look back on later and it helped us remember all the deliciousness. Get the gift cards on wristbands too. Those were fantastic to just swipe and go and EAT.

 

[ses1230]

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

$50-60 per ticket. Look on the member site after Disney releases the dates - there are some nights that there is a DVC discount.

 

[deej696]

Since you're going for F&W, did you give some thought to trying for BW or BC? We go two or three weekends a year during F&W, and always try and do one of these resorts. The ability to walk out of Int Gateway and to our room is awesome at the end of a long day of...well, Food and Wine

 

[DenLo]

Here's a link to information on the 2010 F&W from the Disney Food Blog. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/about/2010-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

There is even a link to the Special Experiences that were offered and gives you an idea of the prices. I remember that the Grand Marnier Tastings in France were really popular, same with the French Regional Lunch and many of the signature dining events. Since you are a foodie I thought you might enjoy these dining events.

 

[dmbkmb]

If they offer it again, attend the 3D Dessert event. I can't remember the exact name, but it is a weekday event at night in Epcot. It is desserts and liquors. Lets just say it was awesome!
Also, my husband and I have been to the Halloween party 2 times now. Once just the 2 of us and once with my in-laws. I think my mother-in-law had the best time of us all. She loved trick or treating. It was funny. Your will not be disappointed and yes, the parade is fantastic!
Have a great trip! We are headed out next Sat for our trip this year. Can't go at our usual time for F&W since I am due 8/3 with our first child...so, next time I'll have a 1 yr old in tow! This child will have been to Disney 2 times before it is even born! Spoiled brat already...haha

 

[ccgirl]

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.

What is this?

Since you're going for F&W, did you give some thought to trying for BW or BC? We go two or three weekends a year during F&W, and always try and do one of these resorts. The ability to walk out of Int Gateway and to our room is awesome at the end of a long day of...well, Food and Wine

They are DVC members and BC and BW are all full.

We go for a long weekend every year, without the kids, to celebrate our Anniversary. This year, we are staying at BC and go the QSDP since it includeds 2 snack credits per night and they can be used at the food booths. We will eat 1 TS meal four our anniversary but would really just like to spend our time exploring the countries and not sitting at dinners. Can't wait to hit the tequila bar in Mexico!

 

[keishashadow]

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

indeed most pick the headless horseman's ride as their fav, but we're fans of the Haunted Mansion portion of parade & catch it twice. Cannot wait to be there this year again!

OP if you like really scary grown up stuff, check out Universal's HHN, the best haunted houses anywhere

re F&W if possible, skip the weekends & visit mid-week, you wouldn't believe how many people they pack into the park! The overwhelming smell of beer has made me woozy on occasion

 

[medic318]

We did the 3D Dessert part last year and it was great. I found a really good sweet red "ice" wine that I had to buy when I got home. The Jim Beam donuts with Red Stag vanilla ice cream was great, as was the great viewing section for Illuminations. We had to cut our food booth tasting short since my daughter was sick, but we are going again this year from 10/8-10/16 so we hope to make up for it.

The MNSSHP was great also. I even said it was better than MVMCP, which is surprising, b/c I didn't think WDW could top that.

Only 162 more days....

 

[dgaston]

Info usually comes out in late July or August and there will be a "sticky" thread at the top of the Dining Board. I find that helpful to learn ins and outs for planning. We have done about 5 Party for the Senses, but we are switching to the French Regional Lunch. Had an excellent time with Bordeaux tasting at Bistro de Paris with a multi course meal themed to the wines. We share the food samples and it still takes us 2 to 3 times to get around the World Showcase -- we just fill up too fast!

We generally don't do any TS when we're in F & W mode, but this year will be a 2 family event with our new granddaughter (should be about 5 months old then) so everything is up for grabs. (Already rented a stroller from Magic Strollers )

 

[disney212]

Info usually comes out in late July or August and there will be a "sticky" thread at the top of the Dining Board. I find that helpful to learn ins and outs for planning. We have done about 5 Party for the Senses, but we are switching to the French Regional Lunch. Had an excellent time with Bordeaux tasting at Bistro de Paris with a multi course meal themed to the wines. We share the food samples and it still takes us 2 to 3 times to get around the World Showcase -- we just fill up too fast!

We generally don't do any TS when we're in F & W mode, but this year will be a 2 family event with our new granddaughter (should be about 5 months old then) so everything is up for grabs. (Already rented a stroller from Magic Strollers )

Sounds fun! To be honest that is one of the reasons we purchased into DVC, the hopes of maybe one day having grandkids!

 

[hlyntunstl]

I suggest an early breakfast and don't plan any meals the rest of the day. You can get a full meal by visiting every country while walking off every bite/sip.

Another vote for the MNSSHP. As mentioned previously, the fireworks are great and the parade is the best one in the parks. It's also fun to dress up and people watch to see all of the creative costumes (faves from the past were fastpasses for closed rides and the entire Flintstone family). It's definitely not just for children. Note that I am biased as a Halloween baby!!

 

[rice00]

It's our favorite time to visit WDW and Epcot. It's great to walk around World Showcase when it's fairly quiet and you can try something you have never had before. But when it's crowded there's this fun atmosphere where you can sit on a wall and people watch.

We try to go every year for the F&W. Looking forward to this October.

 

[disney212]

It's our favorite time to visit WDW and Epcot. It's great to walk around World Showcase when it's fairly quiet and you can try something you have never had before. But when it's crowded there's this fun atmosphere where you can sit on a wall and people watch.

We try to go every year for the F&W. Looking forward to this October.

thanks again for all the great advice!

 

[starbox]

I have one very helpful piece of advice - the culinary demonstrations and events do sell out quickly online BUT they hold back tickets for day-of sales and release them each morning as soon as the festival center opens. I got into every single sol-out demo I wanted by showing up and being in the front of the line each morning. They had a limited number of tickets to everything, but they sell very quickly.

Heard raves last year about the Grand Marnier event and will definately book it if it's offered this year. And we loved, loved, loved the Party for the Senses - we did do the wine view lounge which was worth every penny. It was amazing.

Was not crazy about the tequila seminar, but I'm not a fan of straight tequila shots. It was interesting though.

 

[BrerNashville]

We made the mistake of getting the DDP the first year we went to F&W (I think it was free dining, though). The last thing we ended up wanting after a day of lamb sliders and pot stickers was to sit down for a big heavy meal. If you snack your way around the world, you probably won't need dinner.

Also, the HQ is that big yellow building over near Mission Space and Universe of Energy. They've got passports with all the countries and menus, and you can get stamps from each of the countries you visit. We got obsessed with filling our passports up with stamps from every booth. You can also make any notes about the foods/wine you taste.

 

[princessbride6205]

We also like the passport books. If you try at least one thing in every country, you can go back to the Festival HQ and get a completion stamp. We did that in 2010 and had a lot of fun eating and drinking around the world.

If you have young kids, some of the little food items are enough for a meal. DD's favorite was the ravioli in Italy.

We found it best to use a gift card. That way we had some idea of how much we were spending. We had used our room key a previous year and it can be a surprise how much those seemingly inexpensive snacks add up! They sell cute F&W cards in Epcot that are smaller and have a wrist strap so you can wear it.

 

[disney212]

I will certainly be getting one of those passports! Is it October yet, I am getting hungry, ha!

 

[DonnaL]

DH and I attended F & W last year for the second time.....the first time we were with friends who hadn't been to WDW for years so we sort of ended up doing a lot of stuff instead of focusing on F & W....we had a great time last year.....spent most of our four days at Epcot....attended three seminars.....one on wines and two on desserts......all great. However, we were there from Wed afternoon until Sunday afternoon and found by Friday afternoon it was packed.......lots and lots of drunks all weekend......soooo....this year we're arriving on Sunday 10/16 and departing on Thursday 10/20......we'll see how that works.

 

[disney212]

DH and I attended F & W last year for the second time.....the first time we were with friends who hadn't been to WDW for years so we sort of ended up doing a lot of stuff instead of focusing on F & W....we had a great time last year.....spent most of our four days at Epcot....attended three seminars.....one on wines and two on desserts......all great. However, we were there from Wed afternoon until Sunday afternoon and found by Friday afternoon it was packed.......lots and lots of drunks all weekend......soooo....this year we're arriving on Sunday 10/16 and departing on Thursday 10/20......we'll see how that works.

sounds like we lucked out by booking our arrival on Sunday night and our departure on Friday morning, we booked around a super low airfare! Now I don't feel so bad about "missing" Saturday night!

 

[Iceman13]

We did the F&W and the MNSSHP for the first time last year and we are going back this year. We weren't sure our daughter would like the F&W, but she enjoyed it, but there were plenty of things for her to do and see. My DW and I were luke warm on the MNSSHP when we first got there, but we really had a good time. We said we would go again even without kids.