Crowds during Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

[MNMinnie]

Help!

I just booked our first Disney trip for October, when I thought it would be a relatively low travel time.

I Got the new Birnbaum's guide and just read that during the food and wine festival it is very crowded. Is this true?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,


October is a very good time to visit. The F&W Festival itself does lead to larger crowds in the World Showcase (especially on weekends). But Epcot is built to hold the crowds very well.

 

[Gomez Gang]

#1...I have found the "unofficial guide by bob sehlinger" is much better than
Birbaum's and more accurate--in my opinion.

#2....We have been there the second week of november for the food wine fest and crowds are very minimal (the weekends are a bit more crowded because I think the locals like to enjoy the fest.) I would not worry too much about crowds, because like before mentioned, Epcot is designed to always "feel"
spacious.

Enjoy!!

 

[MNMinnie]

Thanks for the responses!

That is so good to know about the crowds - I was a little worried!

I did also buy the "Unofficial Guide"... I had heard that that's the one to go with!

All you Disney people know everything!

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

#2....We have been there the second week of november for the food wine fest and crowds are very minimal (the weekends are a bit more crowded because I think the locals like to enjoy the fest.) I would not worry too much about crowds, because like before mentioned, Epcot is designed to always "feel" spacious.

I'm one of the locals who really enjoys going to the Food and Wine Festival. Last year I went in early November and it was really crowded that day but the food was good but pricey...most stands sold "entrees" for $4.00 and up so be prepared and don't eat everything you see. If there is an Native American stand this year and they have the seared buffalo, make sure to get that...it's DELICIOUS!

 

[Anc96]

We were there last year in early Oct. The crowds were very low. We were able to walk up to any stand with no wait.
I didn't get to try the wines, though I would have LOVED to... but I go with just me and my dd (10 then), so no wine for me. But we did try many of the plates! The food was great at most places! Even my usual very finicky dd tried most things. The do run from about $3.00 - $4.50 for each sample. But I thought the samples (most of them) were decent portions. Sharing each sample, I'd say we had about 10-12 dishes ..lol. We ate most of all the samples too. We were very full! We did that one night in place of dinner and had a lot of fun!

 

[KKB]

And found the crowds very managable. As said, EPCOT is VERY spacious.

I was a bit disappointed w/ the food samples. Few appealed to me (and I am an adventurous foodie!), and the ones we tried were nothing to write home about. Luckily we had amazing ADRs..all from research on these boards!

We did enjoy the beer tasting, and DH loved the beers from China!

 

[luvmikids]

I too read that in Birnbaums book. I booked for October also. I hope it won't be too busy.

 

[mickeymousemom]

October isn't bad at all. The F&W Fest is so much fun and I agree with the previous poster...Epcot can handle it...also...just avoid Epcot on the weekends when the locals are there. The Food booths are awesome. You get samples(not "entrees") of food from all over the world and they usually range in price from around $2(sometimes less) up to about $5. The post that mentioned the $4 and up was a bit inaccurate. You will pay more sometimes for the beer and wine part of the festival, and you get only about a 4oz serving. This was where I first tried sushi. I didn't pay much, but it allowed me to see whether or not I liked it. I did NOT. Some samples are good size for the price, others are just ok. If you go, I recommend taking a couple days to slowly "nosh" around the world. It can get expensive.

As far as crowds...like I said...they are about moderate. Certainly no park is dead, but not so packed you can't move either(just watch what day you hit each park). The weather is generally very good. We are ones who went back before everyone caught on to going in October, and even though the crowds have picked up we still love it!

 

[ntsammy5]

Even if it's crowded it's worth it! The crowds only affect Epcot though. We've managed to go the first and last weekends of F&W in the past and we're going back this year for the last weekend. Gluttons for punishment or maybe just gluttons.

I love eat to the beat too - especially after lots of beer and wine!

 

[luvmikids]

okay going back to the crowds, last time we went in November 2006 (unseasonably cold week) We waited maybe 30 minutes tops t get on rides. Are the wait times longer than that or does it just affect the F&W festival? I love you disboarders you are a great resource!!!

 

[yettimedic]

okay going back to the crowds, last time we went in November 2006 (unseasonably cold week) We waited maybe 30 minutes tops t get on rides. Are the wait times longer than that or does it just affect the F&W festival? I love you disboarders you are a great resource!!!

we went last in 2004 it was wonderful especially if you go more towards the begining of the Food and Wine Festival we are giong back this year for the last week of Sept and the first week of Oct. it is something not to miss

 

[pillow]

Also check the website for the Schlesinger (sp?) book - the Unofficial Guide to WDW. You can pull up a "crowd rating" for the day in question. For example, we are planning to be at Epcot during the festival on Sunday, September 28th. The crowd rating is a 5 for that day - not too bad since we've been when its higher over Spring Break. If I can deal with Epcot over Spring Break, then a "5" can't be too bad!!!

Question - should we forget about making dinner reservation for that night and just sample foods from the booths? I always love dining at Epcot.

Jodie

P.S. The boards aren't letting me give the name of the touring plans website. Email me if you want it - jodie.pillow@comcast.net

 

[tlrotzoll]

you should be fine. We went at that time in 2004 & it was great. We really enjoyed the Festival too. Infact, I was trying to get back there for it this year & unfortuantely we are going to just miss it. Enjoy!

 

[PennyLane1084]

I'm so glad to hear the crowds are not bad. I'm going in late October this year. I think we're planning to hit EPCOT mid week. So the crowds will probably be even smaller. This is one thing I won't miss. I probably won't be in Disney during this time again!

 

[dsnymomadopt2china]

When we went back on Monday it was perfectly fine at lunch time. But, whew! you can't even imagine a Friday night! I didn't know if we would get a chance, so we started off our trip here. It was packed, mid October of 2007.