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

[oybolshoi]

Someone probably tried to drink the perfume.

That, or someone realized that they didn't want to have to give up a bottle or two of chateau d'yquem for everyone to try that morning.

 

[oybolshoi]

You mean like Todd English? So all the events could take place the week he was there?

When I see Todd I am asking when he'll be back next year, that'll be the week I'll book.

She was annoyingly non-specific. When I kept asking her for hard details about what people were asking for she'd just try to point me torwards another event. I can't blame her - there's nothing much she can do. And I was polite but I made it very clear that there were definitely people who were not at all pleased with what was being offered this year.

Less programming for more money doesn't sound like anyone's idea of a good line up.

 

[webray]

BTW - I've never taken any kind of survey for F&W organizers and no one has ever been remotely interested in any suggestions or comments that we've offered in past years. Anyone else here taken a survey?

Sorry to hear they cancelled the champagne brunch, I am guessing it would have been fantastic.

I have never taken a survey either..I wonder where they are getting their info.

 

[TDC Nala]

That's been the excuse regarding the extensive live entertainment cuts that are being made this September - "you guests said you wanted something different."

I think that's just what they're told to say because Disney can't say "We can change things if we want, suck it up."

 

[TDC Nala]

I mention Todd because they've got Cat Cora coming back but they don't have her doing any events other than probably PFTS. Yet Todd gets a signature dinner (probably because he had the sense to have his own restaurant with his name on it).

 

[webray]

I have this theory that part of the reason the festival was so cut back is that it must be costing them a mint to get Bocuse d'Or down there.

I dont' think this has anything to do with Bocuse. This is a huge thing for WDW. I think there is a bit of a reorganization going on with the food/wine fest planning. I am thrilled with everything we have booked. Love the fact that they are bringing in more celebrity chefs...and can't wait to see what next year holds for us all.

 

[oybolshoi]

Sorry to hear they cancelled the champagne brunch, I am guessing it would have been fantastic.

I have never taken a survey either..I wonder where they are getting their info.

Yeah, we thought it might be pretty good too, that's why we were willing to roll the dice on it. Oh well, more to spend somewhere else!

I think their info comes from themselves, just like TDC Nala said.

 

[TDC Nala]

I guess I should write them and tell them I cancelled half my week long f&w trip in November because of the lack of events. (I have three other weekends so I will be doing the food booths and demos - I don't need to do them all again that week).

But I just got done writing about the Adventurers Club. (Which, by the way, I would have stayed the first half of that week for anyway if it were going to be open then)

 

[dizneykid]

You know, I never did see this event on the Disney F&W site. I saw it on the "unofficial" ones, but never Disney's.

 

[dizneykid]

Brenda, I'm with you. I can't stand Jamie Deen. Such a momma's boy. I can't stand when he is on her show and all you hear is "yes, momma". And she says, "OK, son".

It's amazing how Publix can get Paula Deen to come and do cooking demonstrations at their store in Tampa, but Disney can only get her "son". Yes, momma.

 

[oybolshoi]

You know, I never did see this event on the Disney F&W site. I saw it on the "unofficial" ones, but never Disney's.

But it was listed on the brochure and they knew exactly what it was when I was making reservations on Monday.

Eh, it's not that a big of a deal in the overall scheme of things but it does make me feel like we're just not destined to ever get to any kind of signature event ... we struck out again this year.

On the really bright side at least we get to use our cool wine lanyards in October!

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda, I'm with you. I can't stand Jamie Deen. Such a momma's boy. I can't stand when he is on her show and all you hear is "yes, momma". And she says, "OK, son".

It's amazing how Publix can get Paula Deen to come and do cooking demonstrations at their store in Tampa, but Disney can only get her "son". Yes, momma.

We can't even bring ourselves to watch her show.

 

[PNO4TE]

Got a call from Disney today to inform us that due to "unforseen challenges" the Champagne Brunch that we booked for 10/14 has been canceled.
...

BTW - I've never taken any kind of survey for F&W organizers and no one has ever been remotely interested in any suggestions or comments that we've offered in past years. Anyone else here taken a survey?

I am sorry to hear that they are making changes to the already sparse offerings! And even sorrier that you and Jason will have less to try, Brenda.

I have never been asked to fill out a survey about the events and we have been going to the F&W Festivals for a long time!

 

[dizneykid]

But it was listed on the brochure and they knew exactly what it was when I was making reservations on Monday.

Eh, it's not that a big of a deal in the overall scheme of things but it does make me feel like we're just no destined to ever get to any kind of signature event ... we struck out again this year.

On the really bright side at least we get to use our cool wine lanyards in October!

Your are right, it is on the brochure. I wondered why it was never on their site. It's sad they had to do this.

I bet they charged your credit card already - I wonder how long it will take for them to get your money back to you.

Who knows - maybe next year will be different. I hope they get some new blood in F&W Planning Management.

Like you said, we are still very much looking forward to this year. We have a few things booked - things we never have done before.

And of course looking forward to just walking around with my wine glass in my lanyard (full of course) and just enjoying the night!!

 

[oybolshoi]

I am sorry to hear that they are making changes to the already sparse offerings! And even sorrier that you and Jason will have less to try, Brenda.

I have never been asked to fill out a survey and we have been going to the F&W Festivals for a long time!

I was teasing Jay that maybe we'll have to order caviar service at Victoria & Albert's to make up for the disappointment ... with a nice bottle of champagne.



After he came around from his fainting spell I told him was I was just kidding.

 

[PNO4TE]

I was teasing Jay that maybe we'll have to order caviar service at Victoria & Albert's to make up for the disappointment ... with a nice bottle of champagne.



After he came around from his fainting spell I told him was I was just kidding.

I suggested to Bob that we book a dinner at V&A this trip and he said, "Um... I don't think so." He cowers when the bill for the two of us goes too high.

 

[oybolshoi]

Jeanne, when I spoke with disney dining today I was told that our credit card had already been refunded. I guess we'll see how accurate that is when the statement shows up.

 

[CarolA]

so is it official that no Performers at this years PFTS? I have booked my late Oct PFTS yet as i was really looking forward to this (Plus I am on vacation now at the beach and was going to worry about it when I got home)....

There are peformers at PFTS. It's just no the ones that were there LAST year! (GASP!)

There is going to be live music this year which I thought was sorely lacking last time I went. (Sorry but having all the entertainment centered on the stage seemed poorly designed to me at this type of event!) The live music they use is more 'moveable'.

 

[CarolA]

Brenda, I'm with you. I can't stand Jamie Deen. Such a momma's boy. I can't stand when he is on her show and all you hear is "yes, momma". And she says, "OK, son".

It's amazing how Publix can get Paula Deen to come and do cooking demonstrations at their store in Tampa, but Disney can only get her "son". Yes, momma.

Having met them BOTH in person. Bring on Jamie. The truth is he is a much better "presenter" then his Mom. She's a great "celebrity", but he's much more polished especially on his own. (And he's the one who runs that empire day to day LOL!)

But I think the REAL reason the Food Network stars aren't there is that Food Network has a HUGE presence at the South Florida Food & Wine festival so that's where they put their money, efforts and stars... Orlando's probably "competetion"

 

[kabuki]

Got a call from Disney today to inform us that due to "unforseen challenges" the Champagne Brunch that we booked for 10/14 has been canceled.

That must be some kind of record ... four days after booking opened.

I called just to try to get some information and couldn't get anyone to tell me what the "challenges" were. I also expressed my lack of enthusiasm over the culling of the program for this year's festival and was told that this was in response to customer surveys taken at various festival events last year, including the regional feasts, signature dinners, and exquisite evenings.

She said attendees were all asking for "something different" and when I said something different doesn't equate to eliminating all of those events that were obviously popular since they were selling out every year, she proceeded to tell me that people wanted more celebrity chef appearances.



She tried to get me excited by telling me about the City Walk events (not being offered during our stay, thanks anyway) and then she tried to get me even more excited about Jamie Deen. I don't like Paula Deen why would I want to pay money to see one of her offspring? And I'm pretty sure he's making an appearance at a time other than our trip, anyway.

I know that we're all different and we all look for different things from the Festival, but for Jay and I meeting a "celebrity chef" is not what we travel to Florida and WDW in October to do. We are looking for unique and educational dining experiences that we could never have here in St. Louis. We used to get that from Epcot, but based on the conversation I had this afternoon it sounds like what we are seeing this year is the new and exciting wave of the future.

We'll still have a great time this October, but we continue to be disappointed by the line up for this year's festival. I definitely plan on writing a letter once we get home from our trip - I will send it to many people who will not care but it will make me feel better for about five minutes.

BTW - I've never taken any kind of survey for F&W organizers and no one has ever been remotely interested in any suggestions or comments that we've offered in past years. Anyone else here taken a survey?

Yes! We have for WDW and Disneyland Food and Wine weekends At least we got $10 for Disneylands feedback! Well At least Jason did .. I guess I don't count!?! Too bad I eat way more then him!