***Epcot Food And Wine Festival Info 2008***

[JenniBugInPink]

Well, that's it. I am, finally, certifiably insane.

Just got off the phone with our good friends at Disney Dining and, $1,400+ later, three of us will be attending the Bocuse d'Or Grand Gala Saturday night.

I want a description of every single solitary bite and every single chef and soux and assistant (and every single anything else that I'm not thinking of). Every speck of dust. Every garnish. EVERYTHING!!!! How EXCITING!!! HAVE A BLAST!!!!!

 

[NejTheLion]

Well, that's it. I am, finally, certifiably insane.

Just got off the phone with our good friends at Disney Dining and, $1,400+ later, three of us will be attending the Bocuse d'Or Grand Gala Saturday night. It comes at the expense of a V&A dinner (note for any interested -- there is now a V&A table available Friday, 9/26 @ 9:30) and the ability to join in the festivities at PI's last night.

But after seeing that menu (and the chefs who will be preparing it), I just couldn't stop myself! If I run into John Besh or Thomas Keller, I will prostrate myself I did find it interesting that it is not a black tie event. Kinda thought that it would be. In fact, the dress code was only jacket suggested, so not even jacket and tie required.

Thankfully, we will be partying it up at the Adventurer's Club Friday night, so even though it's not the final night I'm thinking it will still be a great time!

I'm glad someone will be going. Of course, if we'd known about this in advance, we might have decided to plan our trip for the first week of the festival. Sadly, we won't be down until November. So, that's money Disney lost that we would gladly have spent. Think they'll start announcing things earlier? I doubt it

But we can't wait to hear all about it! Bet you're going to have a fabulous time!!!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

From AllEars

Reduced Price for Bocuse D'or Grand Gala: $325 for Annual Pass or Park Ticket Holders

Due to the high demand for the Bocuse d'Or Gala dinner from Annual Passholders and Guests who are already in possession of park admission to Epcot, Disny has announced that there will be a special fee of $325.00 per person for the event -- exclusive of park tickets and tax. To benefit from this special rate, simply tell the Disney Dining Reservation Agent that you are a Passholder or have park entrance previously arranged. Available by calling 407-939-3378.

JMO, but it sounds to me like Disney is offering this because of lackluster ticket sales. Kind of odd to reduce the price and make the announcement only a week before the event. I wish they would have made this announcement back in July...I might have been tempted and would have changed my vacation time around. I'm glad to hear someone from the Dis is going though and I'm eager to hear all about it!

 

[JenniBugInPink]

Sadly, we won't be down until November.

We went the first week of F&W last year, and felt like we missed out on a lot because so many of the events were held later in the event. So...this year we're going toward the end and what do they do??? They have this HUGE event the first week! My timing is always off! Truthfully, I don't think I would have ever gotten my husband to go, though I might have conned him out of one ticket for me for my 50th birthday (it was August, but we didn't do anything to celebrate - this trip is my present).

 

[oybolshoi]

How exciting that you'll be able to attend! Please come back and share the details with the rest of us.

And I don't understand the logic behind "high demand" and lowering the price of admission to the event. That's not how supply and demand work ... even I know that.

 

[lilyv]

How exciting that you'll be able to attend! Please come back and share the details with the rest of us.

And I don't understand the logic behind "high demand" and lowering the price of admission to the event. That's not how supply and demand work ... even I know that.

Hmmmm.... I think I understand the demand part. People call, are told it's $450.00 per person, and lucky you! we'll toss you a couple of Epcot tickets as a bonus. The caller demands a better deal, because they already have tickets, of course. They don't want the basically useless Epcot tickets that are driving up the price of an overpriced event.

Disney must have looked at a lot of empty seats about a week out, and decided a $125.00 discount was in order. Good move. Corporate sponsors must not have bought as many tickets as I thought they would. When I saw the original price I figured it was sky high because they planned to just sell whole tables to corporations.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Hmmmm.... I think I understand the demand part. People call, are told it's $450.00 per person, and lucky you! we'll toss you a couple of Epcot tickets as a bonus. The caller demands a better deal, because they already have tickets, of course. They don't want the basically useless Epcot tickets that are driving up the price of an overpriced event.

Disney must have looked at a lot of empty seats about a week out, and decided a $125.00 discount was in order. Good move. Corporate sponsors must not have bought as many tickets as I thought they would. When I saw the original price I figured it was sky high because they planned to just sell whole tables to corporations.

Well, they'd better throw in some free airfare then - who is going to be able to book a last minute trip now?! I really would have loved to attend this, but between the late announcement of info and the inflated price, there was no way. What a shame. It's definitely going to be 'the event that got away' in my book.

 

[Inkmahm]

JMO, but it sounds to me like Disney is offering this because of lackluster ticket sales. Kind of odd to reduce the price and make the announcement only a week before the event.

I was thinking the same thing.
I wonder if all those people who paid full price and don't need the admission part of the ticket can get a refund? I'd be really irritated if I paid full price and found out that I didn't need to.

 

[webray]

I was thinking the same thing.
I wonder if all those people who paid full price and don't need the admission part of the ticket can get a refund? I'd be really irritated if I paid full price and found out that I didn't need to.

We are about to find out if they will refund, as we booked weeks ago.
Also, the official bocuse site states that that $450 per person includes WDW resort accomodations for the night of the 26th and 27th. Of course when I booked disney denied this.

I am totally ticked with the whole situation!

 

[lilyv]

We are about to find out if they will refund, as we booked weeks ago.
Also, the official bocuse site states that that $450 per person includes WDW resort accomodations for the night of the 26th and 27th. Of course when I booked disney denied this.

I am totally ticked with the whole situation!

Webray...I went to the Official Bocuse D'Or site to see what's there. Did you call the number and get the cost for the "Amex Card Member Exclusive Experience?"

It could be a deal, or it could be incredibly expensive. Would love to know what the actual cost is for this.

For anyone who wants to read the details: http://www.bocusedorusa.org/gala_dinner.html

 

[oybolshoi]

Webray...I went to the Official Bocuse D'Or site to see what's there. Did you call the number and get the cost for the "Amex Card Member Exclusive Experience?"

It could be a deal, or it could be incredibly expensive. Would love to know what the actual cost is for this.

For anyone who wants to read the details: http://www.bocusedorusa.org/gala_dinner.html

The American Express experience sounds great (depending on the pricetag). And it sounds like disney dropped the ball somewhere along the way ... no real surprise there given how things shook out this year with F&W anyway.

Hope you get some satisfaction, webray.

 

[CarolA]

Webray...I went to the Official Bocuse D'Or site to see what's there. Did you call the number and get the cost for the "Amex Card Member Exclusive Experience?"

It could be a deal, or it could be incredibly expensive. Would love to know what the actual cost is for this.

For anyone who wants to read the details: http://www.bocusedorusa.org/gala_dinner.html

Yeah as I read it that's a different deal. It's not the ticket's it's the Amex VIP deal which comes with tickets, hotel etc.... I don't get anything on there that says you get two nights with the basic $450 ticket!

I actually dialed the number and it's the DDE number you have to call to book this one, not the WDW FEST Number.

 

[webray]

Yeah as I read it that's a different deal. It's not the ticket's it's the Amex VIP deal which comes with tickets, hotel etc.... I don't get anything on there that says you get two nights with the basic $450 ticket!

I actually dialed the number and it's the DDE number you have to call to book this one, not the WDW FEST Number.

It was the DDE line, you are correct

 

[webray]

The American Express experience sounds great (depending on the pricetag). And it sounds like disney dropped the ball somewhere along the way ... no real surprise there given how things shook out this year with F&W anyway.

Hope you get some satisfaction, webray.

The amex price tag is $450

 

[webray]

Yeah as I read it that's a different deal. It's not the ticket's it's the Amex VIP deal which comes with tickets, hotel etc.... I don't get anything on there that says you get two nights with the basic $450 ticket!

I actually dialed the number and it's the DDE number you have to call to book this one, not the WDW FEST Number.

.

 

[ghidorah97]

You can all definitely count on a full report of the Gala when I get back! I'm not bothered at all by the lower price for the non-Epcot tix deal, since we hadn't yet purchased our park tickets anyway (so it evens out).

I do wish that I knew about the Amex VIP thing beforehand - and might still make a bit of a stink about it - since that would have saved us the cost of our rooms for Friday and Saturday.

Disney definitely isn't very good at that whole communication thing!

I'm still excited to see the competition and attend the event. Hopefully I'll come back with tons of quality pictures as well!

Brad

 

[webray]

You can all definitely count on a full report of the Gala when I get back! I'm not bothered at all by the lower price for the non-Epcot tix deal, since we hadn't yet purchased our park tickets anyway (so it evens out).

I do wish that I knew about the Amex VIP thing beforehand - and might still make a bit of a stink about it - since that would have saved us the cost of our rooms for Friday and Saturday.

Disney definitely isn't very good at that whole communication thing!

I'm still excited to see the competition and attend the event. Hopefully I'll come back with tons of quality pictures as well!

Brad

.

 

[CarolA]

The Amex deal is NOT the same as the $450 tickets.

Reading that website it looks pretty clear to me that the Amex VIP deal is a different deal and you it's not quoted as a price. It's not the same basic package price.

And why are folks blaming DISNEY? This is not on Disney's website. It's on the Boucse D'or's website. So the responsiblity for something not being delivered should be there too. Disney never has said there was any type of Amex deal. So you are going to "fuss at Disney" because of something they don't control????

Now I bet it's actually something assoicated with Bocuse D'or and they should NOT have referred you to Disney. You MIGHT try calling the Amex rewards folks. Disney no longer has any type of "perferred" relationship with Amex and the website showing this was not Disney's which is probably why they don't have a clue! They didn't set this thing up!

And if you look at the Bocuse D'or site, Amex is THIER sponsor.

I would give them a call and ask them who you really are suppose to be dealing with. On thier website is an entire contact section. Tell them you want the free rooms and let us know what happens, but I think Disney is the wrong target here!

Interestingly the Amex website also has nothing about this deal....

http://thedish.amexnetwork.com/SF/

 

[webray]

I'm still excited to see the competition and attend the event. Hopefully I'll come back with tons of quality pictures as well!

Brad

We are thrilled to be going! Can't wait..it is going to be a blast!

 

[ghidorah97]

The Amex deal is NOT the same as the $450 tickets.

Reading that website it looks pretty clear to me that the Amex VIP deal is a different deal and you it's not quoted as a price. It's not the same basic package price.

And why are folks blaming DISNEY? This is not on Disney's website. It's on the Boucse D'or's website. So the responsiblity for something not being delivered should be there too. Disney never has said there was any type of Amex deal. So you are going to "fuss at Disney" because of something they don't control????

Now I bet it's actually something assoicated with Bocuse D'or and they should NOT have referred you to Disney. You MIGHT try calling the Amex rewards folks. Disney no longer has any type of "perferred" relationship with Amex and the website showing this was not Disney's which is probably why they don't have a clue! They didn't set this thing up!

And if you look at the Bocuse D'or site, Amex is THIER sponsor.

I would give them a call and ask them who you really are suppose to be dealing with. On thier website is an entire contact section. Tell them you want the free rooms and let us know what happens, but I think Disney is the wrong target here!

Interestingly the Amex website also has nothing about this deal....

http://thedish.amexnetwork.com/SF/

Woah, settle down killer! Don't think I ever said that I was going to "fuss at Disney". Believe that I said "might" (as in maybe, possibly, potentially) -- in other words, I needed to find out what the deal was first.

After looking further into it -- confirmed by yours and Webray's feedback -- it doesn't seem like anyone knows anything about this possible offer. So I'll pay for my rooms (my DW got us great rates anyway) and happily attend the Gala event.

I think people are looking to Disney (and not the Bocuse organization) because everything points us back to Dis for booking the event. Pretty much a logical extension there, yes?

No matter...