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

[Kidoctr]

A few posts back, someone asked about dress for PFTS. I have to admit that with all of the events that we were lucky enough to attend last year, I had the WORST experience at PFTS. Why? It certainly wasn't the food or the entertainment - those were AWESOME and we would've done PFTS again this year if it wasn't for the race. We had a full day that day between our race packet pick up, cheese tasting, and checking out the food booths at EPCOT. We didn't go back to CBR to change (I never even thought about it and hadn't "researched" that part) so I was at PFTS in a knit top, blue jean shorts, with my Disney pin lanyard. DH was in a shirt and jeans. OK, we weren't "business casual" but I've never in my life been treated so poorly (by PFTS participants!). I guess one thing I didn't like about PFTS was having to oftentimes "share" a table with others - frequently standing. Many people were nice, friendly, and wonderfully happy to be participating but we met several who, IMHO, were SO snooty and didn't give us the time of day. Was it because we weren't "dressed up"? I'm just guessing that's what it was. JMHO. I think the night that we were there, it did seem like an awful lot of people were more dressy than not. FWIW. If we had it to do over again (maybe next year), I would dress up - probably a nice dress with comfy shoes rather than shorts.

 

[kabuki]

I just booked our October trip last week! DH and I attended F&W last year when we did the Race for the Taste 10K. This year, our "excuse" to attend F&W is the Tower of Terror 13K on the 25th of October so our choices of venues are limited. We'll be at WDW 22 - 27 October staying at the Boardwalk Villas.

Last year was our first time at F&W and we squeezed in every thing we could possibly swing (and just nearly fainted at the $$! ):

The Cook, the Book, and the Bottle with Nirmala Narine ($150)
Exquisite Evenings, California with Caymus Vineyards ($210)
Cheese Tasting with Max McCalman ($60)
PFTS ($135)
Sweet Sundays with Colette Peters ($65)
Food/wine pairing, Tutto Italia ($45)

We loved each and every thing that we did and will probably try to do the same this time around - schedule everything we possibly can! The ONLY problem is that the ToT 13K is on Saturday night so it looks like there's no PFTS for us this year. Wah!!!!

If you're REALLY bored, here are the pics we took on our trip: http://kidoctr.smugmug.com/gallery/3600188_iM9fC#204725788_3xe8C

I only had time to do a trip report for our first 2 days. Here's the 2nd day where we attended the Cook, Book, Bottle and EE: http://kidoctr.blogspot.com/2007/10/wdw-race-for-taste-trip-day-2.html

Can't wait for round 2 this October!!!

Oh my loved the pics and reviews! Thank you for putting the link up!
All looked great! Just can't wait for this year!

 

[NejTheLion]

I only had time to do a trip report for our first 2 days. Here's the 2nd day where we attended the Cook, Book, Bottle and EE: http://kidoctr.blogspot.com/2007/10/wdw-race-for-taste-trip-day-2.html

Ooh, I can see us in some of your Exquisite Evening photos Wasn't that dinner amazing? I may have to steal your photo of the first course!

 

[Kidoctr]

EE was our hands down favorite. Of course, it was also some serious $$ but worth it to us! I'm also excited that I just got a new camera and can take even better pictures.....of FOOD! We've been to V&A half a dozen times and think EE ranks right up there with that experience - but, V&A will always be our favorite (food) place on Earth! I really wish I had taken the time to finish the rest of those reports for the other days but the memories are all a bit fuzzy now. I plan on definitely doing some reports/blogging this year when we go.

 

[lorli]

We are hoping to make it to F&W this year!

 

[kathyg]

In anticipation of the day when reservations open (August 11, I believe), what time do the phone lines open? Any strategies for not being put on "ignore"?

Thanks.

 

[tkldisney]

Phones lines open at 7 AM EST.

 

[kathyg]

thanks

 

[mstree7832]

i love it

 

[SamSam]

In anticipation of the day when reservations open (August 11, I believe), what time do the phone lines open? Any strategies for not being put on "ignore"?

Thanks.

I hope someone knows a secret. One year I was put on hold for so long, that I actually used another phoneline to call Dining on and got through while still being on hold on the first call.

 

[kabuki]

I hope someone knows a secret. One year I was put on hold for so long, that I actually used another phoneline to call Dining on and got through while still being on hold on the first call.

My DH and I have said that this year we will have to call in on both phones. If a secret is out I would love to know about it. Waiting 20 minutes on hold at 4am here on the west coast and then getting shut out isn't fun for anyone. Good luck to all!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Has anyone done the Sweet Sundays events? What were they like?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Has anyone done the Sweet Sundays events? What were they like?

I've done it. It's similar to the cooking demos, except there are three demos, and you get a breakfast buffet, plus a glass of champagne. I don't think it's worth the cost. It's nice and all, but it's just so similar to the cooking demos that are free, that I'd just go to them instead, and save the money, unless it was a chef I really wanted to see.

 

[PNO4TE]

Did I miss any big news that will cause me to beat my head against the wall? For some reason, my sub to this thread disappeared! From the few pages I've read back there seems to be a little more news.. Anyone have a wild guess, as to when more info will be released?

I seem to have stopped seeing this thread in my User CP too. So... I am posting again, hoping that I will know when the latest news is up! Thanks, everyone.

 

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

Has anyone posted pictures of last years menus? I'm trying to budget our vacation money and curious about the prices for drinks at kiosks.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Has anyone posted pictures of last years menus? I'm trying to budget our vacation money and curious about the prices for drinks at kiosks.

I believe this is pretty much what your looking for. http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw07/fw07b.htm

 

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

Thanks! That's exactly what I need.

 

[Kidoctr]

In anticipation of the day when reservations open (August 11, I believe), what time do the phone lines open? Any strategies for not being put on "ignore"?

Thanks.

Welllllll......what days will you be there? 'Cause if you're competing with me to get those ressies, I can tell you what I do and then I'd have to kill 'ya.

Seriously, I do what I normally do trying to get those CRT ressies too (gotten them both times I tried!). 7 am EST is 6 am for us so at about 10 minutes 'til 6, I start dialing on both cell phones (one in each hand) using speed dial and speakerphone. I keep dialing and dialing until I get through. My husband thinks I'm nuts. Hasn't failed me yet! Now, if this technique works for you, I expect some sort of compensation....I'll take Disney Visa reward points, DVC points, and Paypal too.

 

[kathyg]

 

[TDC Nala]

I've done it. It's similar to the cooking demos, except there are three demos, and you get a breakfast buffet, plus a glass of champagne. I don't think it's worth the cost. It's nice and all, but it's just so similar to the cooking demos that are free, that I'd just go to them instead, and save the money, unless it was a chef I really wanted to see.

I went to a Sweet Sunday to see a particular presenter. This was not a chef or a baker, but a cake decorator. She made it clear at her presentation that she does not bake anymore, she only decorates cakes. I wanted to see her decorate some cakes. What did she do? Show how to bake them.

That and I had to get through two huge slices of cake and some cookies in addition to the breakfast buffet (which was pretty good actually)

This same presenter did a free demo the next day, which I went to because my friend wanted to. Guess what she did? Decorated cakes. And we got a slice of the same cake she presented at the Sweet Sunday. With the exception of the breakfast, the free demo was far better than the paid event. I won't be signing up for one of these again no matter who's presenting it.