Countdown to October Trip and Food and Wine Festival!!

[keishashadow]

Thanks for all the reassurance, everyone. I am beyond excited to have landed a BCV for F & W Festival and know that it is going to be the vacation of a lifetime. I may not ever board a bus the entire time I'm there!

congrats, walking back to the resort is the best thing!

I called MS this am to book a culinary event near 8:30 am. She told me I was the 1st person she had spoken to booking, was sorta surprised.

 

[Cee]

Is anybody booking seminars/tastings, etc.?

 

[Thumper4me]

Friday I booked three wine seminars and one mixology seminar for our October trip. I just called the regular WDW - FEST phone number. I had no issues with the bookings.

I can't wait for our trip. It has been a few years since we have been able to attend the Festival.

Kelly

 

[rentayenta]

I booked one Mixology. I've never heard of either alcohol but it worked with our schedule. We've got Via Napoli right after so it'll be perfect.

 

[oufpat]

Only 60 days until we are back home at BLT, can't wait!!

 

[DFD]

posting ticker for F&W!!!

see real soon!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I booked one Mixology. I've never heard of either alcohol but it worked with our schedule. We've got Via Napoli right after so it'll be perfect.

I'm guessing one of the alcohols for your mixology seminar is Xante if you haven't heard of it! We did that one last year and had lots of fun. We've made several of the drinks since then and they were well-received. Be sure and leave yourself enough time to get from the Festival Center to Via Napoli... that's not a quick trip!

I've been reading through this thread since it started, anticipating our annual F&W trip. We've been every year for the last six years, staying at our favorite resort, BWV. We just found out today that we can't go this year. I suppose it could be worse though... if I had found out a day later, then we would have already purchased all of our event tickets and would have been out a whole lot more than $ for airfare!

If any of you are looking for recommendations for events to attend, there are a few events offered this year that we did last year and really enjoyed. First, the Tequila Lunch was AWESOME!!!! The tequila was not just served as shots... it was actually paired in place of a wine with the different courses. I had never experienced straight tequila that way, and I was very surprised at how different the flavors were and how well it worked. Second, the Italian regional lunch at Tuto Italia was very fun! It was a close second in the fun factor to the French regional lunch... and since the French one isn't offered at all this year, the Italian one would have been our first choice. The regional lunches have always felt like "mini" signature dinners to me. You get to know the folks at your table and also the presenter. Truly a fun experience! And, finally, the Party for the Senses is always a winner for our family. We've done the Wine View Lounge since Disney started offering it, but this year we were just going to opt for the reserved seating. Honestly, I did enjoy having the private reserved table with our own waiter for the last few years, but we never partook of the full bar or the artisanal cheese selection.... so I couldn't see spending an extra $100 per person more ($270/person versus $170/person) for those.

Good luck to everyone in the AM. May your fingers be FAST for your favorite events!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Is anybody booking seminars/tastings, etc.?

I looked at the schedules and what was being offered, and with my arrival and departure dates the way they are, I'm either arriving on a day of an event I would like to attend, or leaving!! So I think after I do my errands (providing I get OFF this computer) I'll look at the events again.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm guessing one of the alcohols for your mixology seminar is Xante if you haven't heard of it! We did that one last year and had lots of fun. We've made several of the drinks since then and they were well-received. Be sure and leave yourself enough time to get from the Festival Center to Via Napoli... that's not a quick trip!

I've been reading through this thread since it started, anticipating our annual F&W trip. We've been every year for the last six years, staying at our favorite resort, BWV. We just found out today that we can't go this year. I suppose it could be worse though... if I had found out a day later, then we would have already purchased all of our event tickets and would have been out a whole lot more than $ for airfare!

If any of you are looking for recommendations for events to attend, there are a few events offered this year that we did last year and really enjoyed. First, the Tequila Lunch was AWESOME!!!! The tequila was not just served as shots... it was actually paired in place of a wine with the different courses. I had never experienced straight tequila that way, and I was very surprised at how different the flavors were and how well it worked. Second, the Italian regional lunch at Tuto Italia was very fun! It was a close second in the fun factor to the French regional lunch... and since the French one isn't offered at all this year, the Italian one would have been our first choice. The regional lunches have always felt like "mini" signature dinners to me. You get to know the folks at your table and also the presenter. Truly a fun experience! And, finally, the Party for the Senses is always a winner for our family. We've done the Wine View Lounge since Disney started offering it, but this year we were just going to opt for the reserved seating. Honestly, I did enjoy having the private reserved table with our own waiter for the last few years, but we never partook of the full bar or the artisanal cheese selection.... so I couldn't see spending an extra $100 per person more ($270/person versus $170/person) for those.

Good luck to everyone in the AM. May your fingers be FAST for your favorite events!

It is Xante. I hadn't heard of Cherry Heering either but found their websites and both look delicious. We've got dinner with the kids at Via after at 7:00 so we'll have them head over and check us in in case DH and I are running a few minutes late. Thanks for the heads up. I have no clue the proximity between Italy and the Welcome Center.

The Regional Lunches look delicious but DH didn't want me to plan too much as its our first F&W and we'll have a whole world of first time tries.

I'm sorry you'll miss F&W this year.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Well, I just checked the schedule and even went as far as to call WDW to book an event until they said it was "non-refundable" and I stopped. I was going to try and do the Tequilla Lunch on the day I arrive but if I ran into any problem with the ME and got there late; well I would be outta luck. So I'll look at my schedule again and see if there's anything during the week I would like to try. And, if I don't it's fine. I absolutely love the F&W as is and hopefully next year DH will be with me and we both can do something special.

 

[rentayenta]

Well, I just checked the schedule and even went as far as to call WDW to book an event until they said it was "non-refundable" and I stopped. I was going to try and do the Tequilla Lunch on the day I arrive but if I ran into any problem with the ME and got there late; well I would be outta luck. So I'll look at my schedule again and see if there's anything during the week I would like to try. And, if I don't it's fine. I absolutely love the F&W as is and hopefully next year DH will be with me and we both can do something special.

That's another reason I didn't book more than a Mixology class. Non refundable is no bueno but I totally understand the reasoning.

 

[Cee]

All that sounds wonderful! We're getting closer, everyone!

 

[Ms. WDW]

All that sounds wonderful! We're getting closer, everyone!

Yes we are!! 52 days left for me!!

 

[Ms. WDW]

That's another reason I didn't book more than a Mixology class. Non refundable is no bueno but I totally understand the reasoning.

I'm still looking! I'll make a final decision by tomorrow.

 

[karrit2000]

Well I was only able to book 2 of the 4 special dining events I wanted. I got the Tequila Lunch & the Italian Food & Beer Pairing. I had no end of trouble trying to call from Disneyland. I had 2 1/2 hours of Busy signals, All circuits are Busy & multiple dropped calls after 30, 45 & 22 minutes and more. Even tried to get trough to Member Services once it was 9AM EDT only to have that call drop too. I gave up & tried to get a little more sleep. When I was showering it hit me that I could call the Member Services 800 # from my room without being charged for it. I got the wonderful DVC CM Lynn, she's such a doll, I love it when I get her. She double checked & triple checked everything for me to make sure they were really sold out on the Italian Regional Lunches & Italian Food & Wine Pairings so hopefully I'll have better luck next year. At least I'll remember I can call Member Services from the hotel phone. Since I'm planning to go to the D23 Expo next year I'll probably have to call from out there again. It went so smoothly when I called last year I wasn't expecting to have so much trouble. I think someone was jamming the satellites since my friend had trouble with her phone too. I'm also doing one of the Mixology Seminars, the Patron one on 10/15.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Well I just booked a Mixology Seminar for the evening I arrive. I thought this would be a nice way to start the week!! All I heard was "Rum" and I said "that's for me". There were other cordials/liquors mentioned but I didn't catch the names. So I guess it'll be a surprise!!!

 

[LVSWL]

Well I just booked a Mixology Seminar for the evening I arrive. I thought this would be a nice way to start the week!! All I heard was "Rum" and I said "that's for me". There were other cordials/liquors mentioned but I didn't catch the names. So I guess it'll be a surprise!!!

My DH & I are taking that same one, can't remember which day. Should be fun!

 

[Ms. WDW]

My DH & I are taking that same one, can't remember which day. Should be fun!

Mine is October 7th. After looking at a link with all the Mixology Seminars offered I think there are two different ones offering Rum and something....

I just know it's gona be fun! In all the years of my going to the F&W this is the first anything I've booked!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Did I read somewhere that the Welcome Center has been moved? If so does anyone know where it's now located? Also has anyone see a Festival Guide Map yet? I see the one from last year but so far nothing for 2012.

 

[karrit2000]

Did I read somewhere that the Welcome Center has been moved? If so does anyone know where it's now located? Also has anyone see a Festival Guide Map yet? I see the one from last year but so far nothing for 2012.

As far as I Know the Welcome Center is still in the old Wonders of Life pavilion. I'm thinking about booking us for the Rum & Cordials mixology also but I'll probably try for the Thursday session to save a few $.
I think they may have posted the map on the Disney Food Blog but it's a bit hard to read. I know it's definitely been posted on one of the unofficial sites. They don't like to hand out the booklet anymore like they had in previous years. We had to beg for one last year. They told us that they stopped handing them out because there were too many changes made after the booklet was printed so a lot of the info was incorrect.