Break out the bubbly and warn the waiters...she's coming back!

[2xcited2sleep]

Some of the events are very hard to get into. The past two years in a row, I've missed out on the Sweet Sunday I wanted. But, I suspect that, even if I can't get int the main luncheon, there may be a book signing or cooking demo at the Festival Center. Fingers crossed!

Well I've got 8/11 marked on the calendar. I think it would be neat to see the Deens. I really wish Bobby Flay was going to be there. I have a little chef crush on him.

Just a comment on DVC dining discounts ... there are some but they are primarily for lunch and many of them are at the same places that offer AAA discounts. There are no signature dining discounts for DVC members so the argument that we DVC members would be at the bottom of the dining pecking order, so to speak, because of the discounts we receive does not hold water.

Member perks are actually not that great, imho.

I think it would be very difficult for WDW to implement any kind of tiered dining system aside from what they likely already have in place (concierge, CMs, Disney executives) simply because they would be shooting themselves in the foot in regard to the dining plan which is making them a lot of money.

One of the reasons that the F&W pairings during the festival have been so ruthlessly paired back is that they don't want to hold back tables for 30 guests one day per week for F&W when the demand at places like Coral Reef and Le Cellier is so strong. The most popular world showcase restaurants no longer offer the F&W pairings because it didn't make Disney the money that constant table turnover does. It's a shame because they were nice events that didn't cost too much (all things considered) and offered people a chance to sample restaurants that they might not otherwise dine at. Jay and I would never eat at Le Cellier on vacation (better steakhouses on property if we're craving cow flesh) but we did do a F&W pairing there that was very good. Same for Coral Reef - great F&W pairing but we'd never eat an actual meal there because there are so many places that offer much better seafood for close to the same price.

Still ... take the good with the bad.

I kinda went off on a weird tangent there ... it's the medication I'm on; sorry.

Not a weird tangent at all! I like hearing about things I haven't tried, like pairings. Too bad there are fewer. I agree that would be a neat way for a somewhat non-adventurous eater like me to try both new restaurants as well as new foods. Oh, and some wine.

Hi there, I'm late, mind if I crash the party?

Mind?? Of course not! So happy to have you here! I am so enjoying your TR. You give me fits of giggles (that's a good thing!). And I find myself noticing so many manpris. Just saw some at the grocery store.

We wacked out foodies are on phone calling at 6AM sharp to nab those F&W events. What are your dates and what events are you thinking of trying for?

It's that competitive, huh? How many spots are there, say for the demos?

This year, I'm gonna be the before ya'll (9/24 - 10/10). So I figure I have a fair shot. LOL! I'm actually kinda glad they might be charging a nominal amount for the food demos and wine tastings - weeds out the riff raff...not unlike myself I'm hoping they have tweeked the setup in the Festival Center. Didn't like that at all. I really missed The Odyssey.

I don't mind a nominal fee either. I was reading somewhere, maybe on Brenda's thread?, that people would come in, pound the wine/scarf the food and leave before the demo is over. How rude (to quote the little girl from Full House)!!

What don't you like about the Festival Center? I never saw the Odyssey set up. I did think the demo center was a little weird with just the (sorta pathetic) row of potted plants blocking it off.

I do remember my favorite find of last year was in the Festival Ctr (again, I think thanks so someone on Bendy's thread) there was a very good $3-4 glass of prosecco!

I miss the events at the Odyssey, too, but I doubt they'll hold anything there. No chance for an event after-sell, know what I mean?

Too bad our dates won't overlap; we're going to have a heck of a birthday cake party on the night of the 17th ... or so it seems right now.

I do think the San Angel pairing sounds kind of interesting ... we'll probably try for that one just to dine someplace new.

I so wish I was going to be there the same time. Maybe I should just plan to stay for the month of Oct.

A San Angel pairing dinner sounds fantastic!! Love the atmosphere in there.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

What don't you like about the Festival Center? I never saw the Odyssey set up. I did think the demo center was a little weird with just the (sorta pathetic) row of potted plants blocking it off.

You hit the nail on the head. In years past, you stood in line outside The Odyssey. The first XXX people got in and got seated. It was airconditioned and fairly quiet. Easy to pay attention to the presenters.

Last year, the first time I tried a cooking demo at the Festival Center, I got seated towards the back. A rude couple kept pushing the palm fronds aside on the potted plant so they could lurk - very distracting. Plus, I'm deaf in one ear. With the ambient noise in the building, I couldn't hear a word the speaker said. That was my one and only attempt at a session last year

Hopefully, they have addressed some of these issues this year. We'll find out in 90-days!

 

[Flossbolna]

Congratulations on the ADRs!! Sounds liek you got most of what you wanted!!

One thing about CG: I have read a rumor somewhere that they open those ADRs up only at the real 90 day marks. So keep trying!! Also, if you arrive early and especial for one person, you can ask wether you can eat at the bar. When we checked in for our 5:30 pm ADR at 5:20 there was a single guy who asked wether he could be seated at the bar without an ADR and that was no problem.

 

[oybolshoi]

Not a weird tangent at all! I like hearing about things I haven't tried, like pairings. Too bad there are fewer. I agree that would be a neat way for a somewhat non-adventurous eater like me to try both new restaurants as well as new foods. Oh, and some wine.

I blame my metamorphasis from timid tastebud girl to moderately adventurous matron on the F&W Festival and all the pairings we've done over the years.

Scallops, scotch, weird cheese ... and that 20-pound weight gain ... it's all Epcot's fault!

It's that competitive, huh? How many spots are there, say for the demos?

I don't mind a nominal fee either. I was reading somewhere, maybe on Brenda's thread?, that people would come in, pound the wine/scarf the food and leave before the demo is over. How rude (to quote the little girl from Full House)!!

The competition for the pre-paid events is fierce because seating is very limited and they're only offered on one specific day and one specific time. If you want it ... you must call on the first day or risk digestive depression.

They've never taken reservations in advance for the demos or seminars so I don't how they're going to handle it this year if they're charging a fee. I don't see how they can book those in advance because they would have to know the entire festival schedule and I'm sure that they're still working all of that out.

My guess is it will be first come first serve, as in years past, but you will have to pay a $5 fee to attend. During the week you can usually get to the venue about 30 minutes before the event starts, but it depends on how popular the item is. We went to a Banfi seminar last year (Rosa Regale) and barely made it in with 30 minutes to go before it even started. They were giving out line tickets and we ended up being 96 and 97 - 100 is the max for attendance.

They're not that big a deal to Jay and me - last year's wine seminar was the first one we've ever gone to ... usually the times conflict with something else we have planned. But they are interesting and depending on what they're offering you can sometimes get a chance to try some pretty good stuff.

In years past we missed Scotch and Vodka seminars as well as Port and Cognac tastings ... oh, the humanity!!!

What don't you like about the Festival Center? I never saw the Odyssey set up. I did think the demo center was a little weird with just the (sorta pathetic) row of potted plants blocking it off.

I do remember my favorite find of last year was in the Festival Ctr (again, I think thanks so someone on Bendy's thread) there was a very good $3-4 glass of prosecco!

The problem with holding highly priced, pre-paid events in the Festival Center is that there is no privacy. If you attend a really popular event like we did, there are likely to be people who didn't pay to attend who hover outside the palm wall and peek and listen and talk ... you will have ambient noise from the general traffic in the welcome center ... and the real kitchen where your food is prepared and plated is on the second floor and has to be transported down to the demo area - the food quality at our Kitchen Conversation was dodgy at best.

Not everyone agrees with me, and that's fine, but the Odyssey was a private, intimate setting and it worked much better for these events.

I so wish I was going to be there the same time. Maybe I should just plan to stay for the month of Oct.

A San Angel pairing dinner sounds fantastic!! Love the atmosphere in there.

You will have mucho fun on your trip and occupy the Bendy Friendie post of honor as Advance Scout!

We're excited about trying to get the pairing ... we'll see what happens.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

You hit the nail on the head. In years past, you stood in line outside The Odyssey. The first XXX people got in and got seated. It was airconditioned and fairly quiet. Easy to pay attention to the presenters.

Last year, the first time I tried a cooking demo at the Festival Center, I got seated towards the back. A rude couple kept pushing the palm fronds aside on the potted plant so they could lurk - very distracting. Plus, I'm deaf in one ear. With the ambient noise in the building, I couldn't hear a word the speaker said. That was my one and only attempt at a session last year

Hopefully, they have addressed some of these issues this year. We'll find out in 90-days!

How rude of that couple. That's terrible. Although I can't say that if I'm not able to get in to see the Deens that I won't be hoping for a glimpse. But I'd never be that rude or disruptive about it!

Congratulations on the ADRs!! Sounds liek you got most of what you wanted!!

One thing about CG: I have read a rumor somewhere that they open those ADRs up only at the real 90 day marks. So keep trying!! Also, if you arrive early and especial for one person, you can ask wether you can eat at the bar. When we checked in for our 5:30 pm ADR at 5:20 there was a single guy who asked wether he could be seated at the bar without an ADR and that was no problem.

Thanks. I'm pretty happy with the results. The Cali Grill or Narcoossee's dinner is with Jen (jenjolt) in honor of her birthday but you have a good tip. I'm sure the two of us could fit at the bar! I have looked at the Narcoossee's menu and it looks yummy. And I've found almost nothing but postive reviews here on the DIS. But some part of me was really craving CG. Either way, it'll be great!

I blame my metamorphasis from timid tastebud girl to moderately adventurous matron on the F&W Festival and all the pairings we've done over the years.

Scallops, scotch, weird cheese ... and that 20-pound weight gain ... it's all Epcot's fault!

You should mention that to a CM when you go back and see what they can do to "make it right."

The competition for the pre-paid events is fierce because seating is very limited and they're only offered on one specific day and one specific time. If you want it ... you must call on the first day or risk digestive depression.

They've never taken reservations in advance for the demos or seminars so I don't how they're going to handle it this year if they're charging a fee. I don't see how they can book those in advance because they would have to know the entire festival schedule and I'm sure that they're still working all of that out.

My guess is it will be first come first serve, as in years past, but you will have to pay a $5 fee to attend. During the week you can usually get to the venue about 30 minutes before the event starts, but it depends on how popular the item is. We went to a Banfi seminar last year (Rosa Regale) and barely made it in with 30 minutes to go before it even started. They were giving out line tickets and we ended up being 96 and 97 - 100 is the max for attendance.

They're not that big a deal to Jay and me - last year's wine seminar was the first one we've ever gone to ... usually the times conflict with something else we have planned. But they are interesting and depending on what they're offering you can sometimes get a chance to try some pretty good stuff.

In years past we missed Scotch and Vodka seminars as well as Port and Cognac tastings ... oh, the humanity!!!

Well, I guess I'll just play it by ear and see what I can get. Have you - or anyone- ever tried the Party for the Senses? I've thought about it but it sounds so competitive to get a place to sit that I'm not sure I'd enjoy it.

The problem with holding highly priced, pre-paid events in the Festival Center is that there is no privacy. If you attend a really popular event like we did, there are likely to be people who didn't pay to attend who hover outside the palm wall and peek and listen and talk ... you will have ambient noise from the general traffic in the welcome center ... and the real kitchen where your food is prepared and plated is on the second floor and has to be transported down to the demo area - the food quality at our Kitchen Conversation was dodgy at best.

Not everyone agrees with me, and that's fine, but the Odyssey was a private, intimate setting and it worked much better for these events.

The moved it to have more room for the shopping stuff in the welcome center? I wonder, do a lot of people buy the wines there? I certainly made notes of some that I wanted to seek out back home but didn't purchase any. Other than one bottle for my room. And it was the funniest thing - they couldn't sell me both a bottle and a corkscrew at the same time. I had to buy in 2 separate transactions. Funny rule... what do they think you're going to do with wine?

You will have mucho fun on your trip and occupy the Bendy Friendie post of honor as Advance Scout!

We're excited about trying to get the pairing ... we'll see what happens.

I hope to do everyone proud as an advance scout. And will have fun checking it all out, I'm sure. Plus calories don't really count when I'm doing a public service in sampling everything... right?

 

[jenjolt]

You got great ADRs...I'm so happy with your success and I can't say thank you enough for making quite a few of those for us!!! I can't wait to share in detail the ADRs I got today...major pixie dust that I'm still smiling about!

Wednesday and Thursday are the two days I'm really really looking forward to the most and all those great meals and great company...I can't wait C!!!!

We are going to keep trying with CG the way the pixie dust is flowing I just know its going to happen with us I can tell!!!!!!!

Have a great week my friend!

 

[julezdisney]

Love your ADR's! The new system is neat.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

You got great ADRs...I'm so happy with your success and I can't say thank you enough for making quite a few of those for us!!! I can't wait to share in detail the ADRs I got today...major pixie dust that I'm still smiling about!

Wednesday and Thursday are the two days I'm really really looking forward to the most and all those great meals and great company...I can't wait C!!!!

We are going to keep trying with CG the way the pixie dust is flowing I just know its going to happen with us I can tell!!!!!!!

Have a great week my friend!

I'm really excited too! And thanks to your diligence as well as Magdalene (Flossbolna) we now have the luxury of choosing between Cali Grill and Narcoossee's. Tough choice!

I'm looking forward to all of it but Wed (Chefs for lunch and Yachtsman for dinner) and Thurs (Chef Mickey's, a bit of park time, a pedicure, GF tea and MNSSHP) are definitely going to be great!

Love your ADR's! The new system is neat.

Thanks Julez. I do think the system is pretty cool. I have discovered that they are not just "waiting" for me in My Disney Vacation. I have to enter each confirmation # to retrieve them. That's kind of a pain. And I can't amend them - change the party size; update the celebration -- have to call for that.

But all in all am very pleased!

 

[MEK]

Christine:

I love your PTR. Why didn't I find this sooner. Great ADR's. I wondered why Sanaa didn't come up on the online reservation system. I am so bummed that everyone, I mean EVERYONE is going to Disney the week of Sept 28th and I can't go that week. That is so awesome that you are staying at the BC. I am dying to stay there. I really want to try for BCV at 7 months out for a trip in May. If I can't get it in May I am definately going for it in January 2011!

 

[MegansMom]

Hey C!!! I have been a very bad Gnomie.........did......not.......see.......your......PTR.....link......in......your....siggie......until....today!!!!!! Yes, I am ashamed!!!! I am here dearie!!! All caught up!!!! I fear our plans will not ever have us criss-crossing paths, but I will be smiling brighter while I am there knowing how many of you lovely ladies are somewhere there too!!!!! SO CLOSE!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Christine:

I love your PTR. Why didn't I find this sooner. Great ADR's. I wondered why Sanaa didn't come up on the online reservation system. I am so bummed that everyone, I mean EVERYONE is going to Disney the week of Sept 28th and I can't go that week. That is so awesome that you are staying at the BC. I am dying to stay there. I really want to try for BCV at 7 months out for a trip in May. If I can't get it in May I am definately going for it in January 2011!

Hi Mary Ellen! So happy to have you here! I have no idea about Sanaa... maybe it is too new? But if Jiko still has openings I have to believe that Sanaa does.

Lots of people are going that week- wish that you were too!

Oh how I love the Beach Club. In fact that may be an update unto itself, "ode to the Beach Club." You will love it!

Hey C!!! I have been a very bad Gnomie.........did......not.......see.......your......PTR.....link......in......your....siggie......until....today!!!!!! Yes, I am ashamed!!!! I am here dearie!!! All caught up!!!! I fear our plans will not ever have us criss-crossing paths, but I will be smiling brighter while I am there knowing how many of you lovely ladies are somewhere there too!!!!! SO CLOSE!

Hi Jen!

No worries. Not too much has been happening - just the regular run of the mill obsessive Disney planning! I was thinking the same thing as I looked at your plans... not much chance of a meet. But you never know!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sometimes at night I have trouble going to sleep. Trouble turning my brain off from work and other stuff and just getting some rest. So what is my favorite topic to turn my brain toward? Disney planning, of course! My latest game is the ABC's of dining locations I have yet to try.

A - Akershus
B - Biergarten
C - Crystal Palace
D - ?? Something in Dino Land??
E - Enchanted Grove (MK)
F - Flying Fish
G - Goofy's Candy Co (not a restaurant, I know!)
H - Hurricane Hannahs (have eaten here but couldn't think of another)
I - ?? Anyone??
J - Jelly Rolls? Do they serve food there? Jiko - but I have eaten there
K - Kona (eating there this trip!)
L - Liberty Tree Tavern (eating there this trip)
M - Mama Melrose
N - Narcoossee's
O - O'Hana
P - Paradiso 37
Q - ?? Anyone ??
R - Rose & Crown (eating there this trip!)
S - Spoodles
T - Tony's Town Sq (haven't eaten here since I was a kid)
U - ?? Anyone ??
V - Victoria & Alberts
W - Wolfgang Puck Express
X - ?? Anyone ??
Y - Yak & Yeti
Z - ?? Anyone ??

So now that I've played this game in my head so many times I need a new variation. Maybe the ABCs of characters? Drinks? Rides?

Don't tell me I'm the only nut who falls asleep dreaming of Disney!

 

[MegansMom]

I LOVE that.....I'm just afraid it is going to become my newest obsession too!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

This new little game is going to drive me nuts!

 

[jenjolt]

I vote you do the ABCs of Disney Drinks next LOL!! And no you are not the only one who goes to sleep thinking of Disney however I'm usually trying to get my intinerary straight in my head LOL!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I play the same game to go to sleep! Usually I'll do characters or rides.

D- Dino Diner
H- Herbie's Drive-In (stand in DHS)

 

[Flossbolna]

Have you been to the House of Blues in DTD?

And if bars count as well, Dawa Bar at AK (near Tusker House) serves nice drinks!

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, I totally want to play the ABC drinks game.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love the ABC game! What a great idea!!!

I think you should do the drinks one next!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I have been having so much trouble sleeping and after you told me about this game a few days ago I have been playing it. I did dining one night and then characters last night. It's fun!