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

[oybolshoi]

I'm probably one of the only ones who doesn't mind Cirque bowing out of PFTS, they were too loud and too distracting.

doesn't bother me either ... I'd rather eat than watch them perform.

 

[PNO4TE]

I'm probably one of the only ones who doesn't mind Cirque bowing out of PFTS, they were too loud and too distracting.

doesn't bother me either ... I'd rather eat than watch them perform.

And, it might make a little room for more tables!

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm probably one of the only ones who doesn't mind Cirque bowing out of PFTS, they were too loud and too distracting.

Believe it or not, I found them less loud and distracting than the band that played during the South African wine event last year.

I never really paid much attention to Cirque because I was too busy doing the rounds of the PFTS.

 

[gismo1554]

Well, now I know why the price for PFTS didn't increase this year... no Cirque performances. I just got an email back from Cirque's special event department manager and she confirmed that they were not participating this year. I know some of you could care less, but I'm disappointed. We are big Cirque fans and have seen almost every show. I wonder what will replace them and if there will even be any live music? I hope they come to an agreement in the next month and I'm pleasantly surprised that there will be PFTS Cirque performances by the time we go...

Well Im glad I haven't bothered booking it now. When discussing it with my DBF who has never been we did mention going to this and I said about the performers and he seemed keen. Now I know he wont be!

 

[gismo1554]

Two years ago PFTS did not have the notched plate. Last year they did and they had a different glass, too. Goblet part was pretty much same, large size but the stems were different length. I've only been 2 times (once each year), so maybe the no-notch-ka was the exception.

I went 2 years ago and they did. Maybe you just went on a night they were low on them or something.

 

[gismo1554]

The Smithereens are awesome!!! Too bad we don't arrive until 10/17 (it's a music wasteland when we're going to be there).

We arrive on the 26th Oct and are of the same opinion! I saw Boys II men last year and although they were OK I wouldn't go out of my way to see them. The only group I'm interested in are Kool & the Gang as saw them 2 years ago and they were fantastic!

 

[gismo1554]

First of all I'd just like to thank you beer drinkers for the great suggestions ... Jay and I have been trying to expand our beer horizons and since the offerings at Epcot are kind of lame (with a few exceptions) your discussion here has been enlightening and thirst-inducing.

Oh and sorry to pop off topic but just incase you beer drinkers aren't aware (which I know you probably all are):

Big River Grill & Brewery at Boardwalk is a microbrewery and has a bar area
Blue Zoo at the Dolphin serves microbrewery beers

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Just checked The Smithereens website and it shows they will be in WDW in Oct. .
Question about PFTS-is it still rumor that Cirque de Soleil won't be performing, or is pretty much a done deal?

Hey everyone - This is the email I got back from Cirque corporate...

Bonjour Michelle,

Thank you for your interest in Cirque du Soleil.

Further to your inquiry, after verification with our special event department, La Nouba artists are not taking part in Party for the Senses this year.

Hope you will come and see us in our theater or Grand Chapiteau soon!

Best regards,

Josiane

Service à la clientèle - customer service www.cirquedusoleil.com

That's all I have to go on. There has been no mention of Cirque being at PFTS anywhere on the Disney sites, and when you call, they have no information - even when you escalate the call to a dining manager or guest relations. Now, this email could be wrong, but it's all I have to go on right now. I understand those of you that could care less about losing the cirque acts - but have you stopped to consider that we are all eating a huge price increase without them? Part of the 'price of admission' was for the performances, at least, it was for me. I will still love eating and drinking my way around PFTS, don't get me wrong, but now I will feel more pressure to get my $150 worth! LOL! Oh, and I think Lori's strategy is great and we are going to try it this year. The table thing doesn't bother me - we are going to 'float' through each section and systematically try everything. I'm also not concerned with getting there for the stampede. I will hang back this time and just casually walk in...

 

[wdwfan0123]

Well, I will be pretty disappointed if Cirque is not at the Party for the Senses, since this is the first one I will attend and I was looking forward to seeing them

But on a more positive note, I believe Cirque has been at several of the PFTS's and Disney's web page does say there will be live entertainment. Maybe they thought is was time to change it up a bit and bring in some new live entertainment. Maybe it will be awesome and we will all love it . Here's hoping.

I'm just very glad that I decided to get tickets to see La Nouba when we are down there. We've never seen it and am looking forward to it.

And mostly, we're looking forward to all the delectable food and wine

Kristi

 

[Sandy321]

Question - at PFTS, the book you mention, is that handed out there? Can you get one ahead of time? Or do they give them to you as you go in? Or do you have to go to a specific table/booth to pick one up?

Thanks in advance for any info!

I agree with the PP that said you get them when you get your glass and plate - we dont go to the Eat to the Beat Concert, so we get in maybe a bit after 6pm to a "holding" room...

In this area 2 years ago they had Mimes that stood around... then moved... not really bothering anyone, but they were entertaining... they also had some going from table to table areas -

CMs hand out the programs at the same time that they give you your wine glass and notched plate. You can't get one in advance of the event because it changes from week to week.

there it is- what she said!!

Believe it or not, I found them less loud and distracting than the band that played during the South African wine event last year.

I never really paid much attention to Cirque because I was too busy doing the rounds of the PFTS.

This is also what I do, at times their music could be loud, but mostly I didnt pay any attention to them - but, like DISneyfamily said, I always counted on part of my admission price was paying for the uniqueness that is cirque, so they did raise this years party's prices... and its dern hard to get $150 food and drink and still be coherent!! lol (it was easier at $99 I can tell you that!!)

How many pours of ice wine? of Remy Martin Cognac? How many ostrich tastings? 9are the tastings an amuse boosh - I dont have time to google the correct spelling, I hope you'll understand!)

(I do love this thread - its sure providing an excitement for our trip!)

 

[webray]

I'm probably one of the only ones who doesn't mind Cirque bowing out of PFTS, they were too loud and too distracting.

I don't mind them not being there, I enjoy the bands we have heard through the years, never watched the cirque performances anyway. Need all the time for tastings, lol.

 

[webray]

And, it might make a little room for more tables!

Good thinking!

 

[webray]

Oh and sorry to pop off topic but just incase you beer drinkers aren't aware (which I know you probably all are):

Big River Grill & Brewery at Boardwalk is a microbrewery and has a bar area
Blue Zoo at the Dolphin serves microbrewery beers

I love that food and wine fest does include beers. Now, just to get them to include some good ones.

Rocket Red is my favorite at Big River.

I don't recall anything out of the ordinary at blue zoo as far as microbrews, hopefully they will have something new and exciting this fall. Usually just what we can already find at the local grocery store.

 

[Forever42]

Rocket Red is my favorite at Big River.

Same here.

For those of you needing an Orlando beer store, here's the best in the area (IMHO)

Knightly Spirits at Metrowest
2603 South Hiawassee Road
Orlando, FL 32825
Phone: (407)298-1515
Fax: (407) 298-1515
Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Saturday
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Sundays

 

[gismo1554]

I agree with the PP that said you get them when you get your glass and plate - we dont go to the Eat to the Beat Concert, so we get in maybe a bit after 6pm to a "holding" room...

In this area 2 years ago they had Mimes that stood around... then moved... not really bothering anyone, but they were entertaining... they also had some going from table to table areas -

I think these were the cirque performers weren't they? I remember the Clown with the feathery skirt (in fact still have the feather she took from her dress and put in my hair).

How many pours of ice wine? of Remy Martin Cognac? How many ostrich tastings? 9are the tastings an amuse boosh - I dont have time to google the correct spelling, I hope you'll understand!)

(I do love this thread - its sure providing an excitement for our trip!)

From what I remember the ice wine was around a 1 once pour and we only got 1 of them as when we went back around 20 mins later it was all gone!!!!!! The Remy Martin flowed all night and they were shot measures (actually they might have been doubles as they guy seemed to like me and my mum and always gave us loads). We had quite a few that night and paid for it the next day (I still remember swearing never to drink any ever again but hey never mind)

 

[gismo1554]

I love that food and wine fest does include beers. Now, just to get them to include some good ones.

Rocket Red is my favorite at Big River.

I don't recall anything out of the ordinary at blue zoo as far as microbrews, hopefully they will have something new and exciting this fall. Usually just what we can already find at the local grocery store.

Being from the UK we don't get that many microbrews over here so its nice to get some different beers. However we're lucky and get a lot of European beers which personally I prefer.

I am hoping this year that there are some beer offerings from some of the different countries such as Austria! We have some great Austrian beers over here (dont ask me names as I go by the look of the bottle lol) and it would be nice to see some at F&W. There are great Greek beers too like Mynthos (think that's how you spell it) which I would love to see at F&W but alas it seems its just the wines they import in I guess Peroni is the only one they can easily import for the booths maybe?

Anyone who went last year, any beer you can remember from the booths that weren't typical american beer (not that I have anything against Sam Adams but I wanna try something different too).

Also did anyone have the St Germain Cocktail from the France booth last year? I have a bottle of St Germain and only ever have it with wine so was wondering whether the combination worked?

 

[Forever42]

Anyone who went last year, any beer you can remember from the booths that weren't typical american beer (not that I have anything against Sam Adams but I wanna try something different too).

Also did anyone have the St Germain Cocktail from the France booth last year? I have a bottle of St Germain and only ever have it with wine so was wondering whether the combination worked?

There was Okocim in Poland, but that's readily available in shops here in Florida anyway. The usual beers at Germany. Morocco had my LOVE, the Tusker lager - it's nothing terribly special, but I get such a warm fuzzy feeling walking around Epcot with a Tusker. Japan, Kirin, Australia, Fosters, Turkey, Efes.

One thing I'm hoping comes back is the lemon lime lager that PR had the one year - I thought it was terrible the first time I had it, but it was so refreshing that it grew on me, and now I crave it.

For the St. Germain liqueur, I absolutely think the combo worked - got it a few times, even. I bought the bottle at FWF last year because I hadn't seen it elsewhere (have since found it at Knightly Spirits).

 

[gismo1554]

There was Okocim in Poland, but that's readily available in shops here in Florida anyway. The usual beers at Germany. Morocco had my LOVE, the Tusker lager - it's nothing terribly special, but I get such a warm fuzzy feeling walking around Epcot with a Tusker. Japan, Kirin, Australia, Fosters, Turkey, Efes.

One thing I'm hoping comes back is the lemon lime lager that PR had the one year - I thought it was terrible the first time I had it, but it was so refreshing that it grew on me, and now I crave it.

For the St. Germain liqueur, I absolutely think the combo worked - got it a few times, even. I bought the bottle at FWF last year because I hadn't seen it elsewhere (have since found it at Knightly Spirits).

Thanks! Ill get the ingredients tonight and try it!

I like Tusker actually. We can get that over here and Kirin, Fosters & Efes. Never heard of Okocim but might have a look for that one! The Germany ones we can't get here (other than Becks) but we can get a few better ones.

What was the Sam Adams Special one like last year? My fave was the Chocolate beer they did but didn't go last year so don't know if I missed anything good.

 

[Forever42]

Thanks! Ill get the ingredients tonight and try it!

I like Tusker actually. We can get that over here and Kirin, Fosters & Efes. Never heard of Okocim but might have a look for that one! The Germany ones we can't get here (other than Becks) but we can get a few better ones.

What was the Sam Adams Special one like last year? My fave was the Chocolate beer they did but didn't go last year so don't know if I missed anything good.

Ah, the 2007 Sam Adams Festival Beer, funny story that...

So we're in line last year, and DH and I remark at how Sam Adams would brew a beer JUST for Epcot! When the CM says, "oh, they didn't brew anything special - it's just the regular Winter Lager"

So you didn't miss anything last year!

 

[gismo1554]

Ah, the 2007 Sam Adams Festival Beer, funny story that...

So we're in line last year, and DH and I remark at how Sam Adams would brew a beer JUST for Epcot! When the CM says, "oh, they didn't brew anything special - it's just the regular Winter Lager"

So you didn't miss anything last year!

Now Im disappointed!