Best Time for Epcot Food & Wine Festival

[Kendallkat2]

We have decided that we would like to take a brief trip, 5 days for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. I read where it starts October 1 and ends 45 days after whatever date that is. We are open to any time then. We would be doing a Sunday to Friday (saving those points). Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Beth

 

[RumpleMom]

Beth

I've been wondering about the same thing. Aren't there special activities (ie. dinners) that you need to make a reservation for? Do these generally happen in the middle of the week, only on weekends or at both times?

We have never visited in Oct. What are park hours like?

Thanks
Janet

Sorry no answers, just more questions. Inquiring minds want to know

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I am curious about this too,my DH and I were just trying to figure out when we should go.We usually make our last trip of the year in September.
Misty

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

For DVC members, BCV and BWV are the places to stay for the F&W Festival. There are culinary demos and wine tastings throughout the day at The Terrace between France and Morocco -- which is very close to the International Gateway entrance from BCV and BWV.

2004 is the first year that the F&W Festival will start at the beginning of October and last for 45 days. For the past few years, the F&W Festival started in mid-October and lasted for 30 days.

The special dining events (such Signature Dinners, Party for the Senses, Reserve Dinners) tend to be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Reservations go fast for the dinners. The Party for the Senses has a huge capacity and is easier to get. There should be more dinners and thus more capacity this year due to the longer Festival run. They usually start taking reservations some time in July.

Unfortunately, if you limit your stay to Sunday through Thursday night to conserve DVC points, you won't be around for some of the special dining events.

Finally, I can't say that any particular week of the Festival is better than any other. There's a different roster of guest chefs and winemakers every week.

Park hours are limited during the Festival because it's a traditionally slow period.

 

[swandiverpatt]

Besides not being able to go to the special dinners, I think it'd be a good plan because the "locals" come in on the weekends = more crowds.

 

[mitros]

We have found over the years that if you wait until the festival is a little more than half way through it's run, most of the initial crowds have had their fill of the event. Also, we went one year during the last week, and got a number of close out prices on some of the stuff that they were selling. That also worked for us during the flower and garden show. At that one, we went the last day, and the vendors that still had samples and hand outs left on the last day, were pushing stuff on people. We got a bunch of seed packets that time!

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We'll be there from Nov. 7 to Nov. 12. It's also our first time at the F&W Festival. We're excited about going, and I guess, by the sounds of it, that will be the last week. Gee, we almost didn't make it.

Michele

 

[TDC Nala]

I would not go the first week, especially that weekend.

The last week is fine although on the final weekend they started running out of stuff.

There are plenty of special dinners offered during the week, if they interest you. You'd miss the Party for the Senses, which is only offered on Saturdays.

Last year the first day you could reserve your special dinners was July 24. Some of the events booked up very quickly.

 

[bsdmhutch]

My DH and I went in November 1997 and loved the Food & Wine Festival. We were there the week before Thanksgiving and it was also one of the slower weeks of the year for crowds. It was awesome. Going to try to go in July this year and I know the crowds will be larger, but will be first time for DD10 and DS7. We will have a great time.

 

[disneychick05]

Can someone thell me about the special dinners and Party of the Senses? What are they & are they appropriate for kids? Thanks!

 

[dcmbshafe]

Check out the following link for a description of th F&W Festival and the special acitvities available:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/foodwine.htm

 

[jann1033]

for anyone with limited math skills (like me) the official site says dates for '04 are10/1-11/14....now since this is value season... has anyone ever had a problem booking rooms? and is it usually warm enough to swim ? are reservations for the dinners, events 90 days out?
Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

October is regular season. Early November is value season. Last year November seemed to book up really quickly. I'm DVC and book 11 months out so it doesn't matter all that much to me. I'd book now if you know which nights you want. Call back if you find out you can get a discount.

You can't reserve the special dinners and the Party for the Senses until Disney says you can. Last year, reservations opened on July 24. Keep an eye out, because some of the dinners book up very quickly. Party for the Senses is HUGE and doesn't book up quite so fast.

I wouldn't bring children to any of the special dinners. I saw a few kids at the Party for the Senses but personally I wouldn't bring them there, either. Teens might be okay if they like trying new foods. Obviously they won't be able to have wine; I don't know what might be done about the prices in that regard. Prices for these events are all-inclusive of food and adult beverages.