EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Advance Reservations?

[lawgator]

Tried calling at 8am at both the DVC number (on my landline) and the Disney number (on my computer using Google Voice). I had a 25 min wait, but got through to DVC first, so hung up the Disney number line, so not sure what that wait would have been. All went well until the CM realized she "forgot" to apply the DVC discount, so went back to do that. In the process she "lost" our culinary seminar and I think it got booked out. She put me on hold another 15 minutes and called someone to no avail. She says she is going to "make some more phone calls and call me back later", but I'm not going to hold my breath. Oh well, it's not like there's nothing else to eat or drink there, so we'll be fine and happy, but the process is a bit frustrating. We did get other things booked, just lost the one culinary seminar.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I will just share my experience. Two years ago while waiting in line for one of the culinary demos a family with two school aged kids showed up. I am thinking the kids were about 5 and 7. The CM managing the line told the parents that the kids could not attend since there was alcohol being served. The parents said that was fine, the kids would just sit with them and not eat/drink anything. The CM said she could NOT allow the kids into the demo area.

The parents then tried to sit the kids down on a nearby bench outside of the demo area. They would have still been able to see the kids from where they were sitting. Another CM saw what they were trying to do and said they couldn't leave their kids there alone while they were at the demo. The Mom asked what they were supposed to do and the CM advised that only one of them attend the demo and the other watch the kids.

The parents argued a bit that they didn't understand/agree with this policy. The CM told them to visit Guest Services. The family then left and I didn't see any of them return. I felt really sorry for them as I am guessing they never even considered it would be a problem taking the kids.

So.....perhaps they have changed their policies in the last two years, but I would certainly research this issue if you are intending to take kids.

Interesting...

I know they used to have the 'coloring' tables, but I have to say that a few times the kids were not well behaved. Perhaps they finally said enough! But it seems like they would have warned you when you called to book.

However, I do agree you can't just leave the kids sitting on a bench and try to watch them... that's a recipe for disaster!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was able to book what I wanted just now. No long telephone wait!

 

[TDC Nala]

They do allow children to attend the culinary demos, but only if they have purchased a ticket. They will not allow them into the demo area without a ticket. They will be served the food, but not the wine.

Children can't purchase tickets or go into the venue at the beverage or mixology seminars. Last year they did have the coloring table set up near the venue. Of course it would not work if you have a child too young to sit away from you.

 

[shortypots]

We tried calling today for party for the senses and they confirmed bookings start on 8/13. Next question is which # to call. Wdw fest or member services???

 

[karrit2000]

We tried calling today for party for the senses and they confirmed bookings start on 8/13. Next question is which # to call. Wdw fest or member services???

Unless Member Services is going to open at 7AM you should call WDW-Fest.

 

[kmchisholm]

All this information is great as we've attended F&W for several years but just now doing the seminars. Question for the group - do you just show up at the appointed time or pick up tickets (and if so, when and where). Reason for asking is probably best - I've booked 2 sessions for my daughter and friend but don't plan on going myself. Do their names need to be on there for ID verification purposes or is there a work around?