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

[Forever42]

They still have the WDW dates listed on their official website.

WHEW!! Sorry about that, stupid me was looking at Allears and didn't see the "2007"

 

[kkproulx]

Just found this thread, want updates when they come.....

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Greetings Everyone: I found out I may be able to attend a conference at the Contemporary Resort Sept 24-26. I thought maybe I would have my wife come down on the 26th, and we could have an adult weekend and take in the Food and Wine Festival. I just found this thread, and I'm a little concerned about the crowds that first weekend. Hopefully it will work out that we can go, and have a good time.

We have gone several times in the past for opening weekend and never found the crowds to be much at all. The last time we did this was 2006. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Go and just enjoy yourself.

 

[Kidoctr]

I'm so disappointed with the date change. On the 25th of August, we'll be on day 5 of our 10 day Mediterrenean cruise. When I told DH about the change, he suggested looking up the schedule online while we're on the ship and then calling his mom to make our ressies for us. What a PITA!!

For the PP who was wondering about EE, here's my TR : http://kidoctr.blogspot.com/2007/10/wdw-race-for-taste-trip-day-2.html

 

[cdtommie]

The best act for Eat to the Beat this year is Los Lobos - these guys are unbelieveable musicians. They have an album of Disney songs coming out in November...rest of the lineup is pretty disappointing this year.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

This is just a tip and not festival information so I am not inclined to post it on the first page.

When the schedule is released it will take up a LOT of space on that page.

ok - thanks

 

[pixie08]

I'm so disappointed with the date change. On the 25th of August, we'll be on day 5 of our 10 day Mediterrenean cruise. When I told DH about the change, he suggested looking up the schedule online while we're on the ship and then calling his mom to make our ressies for us. What a PITA!!

For the PP who was wondering about EE, here's my TR : http://kidoctr.blogspot.com/2007/10/wdw-race-for-taste-trip-day-2.html

Ugggh I am so sorry. At least you have his mom to help you guys out. I must admit I am getting so impatient lol!

 

[DisneyDeeva]

I have an odd question. This will be my first PFTS (10/4). I'm going by myself but have will be joined by a few other DISers and we'll enjoy the festivites together.

They open the venue doors at 6:30 and we all rush in like the running of the bulls at Pamploma, right? But what happens at the stroke of 9:00. I'm assuming we don't all turn into pumpkins (although, I'll probably feel like one at that point). How do they get us all out the door.

I mean, is it like at the end of the Enchanted Tiki Room where Iago says "thank you for coming...GET OUT!"? Or, is it a bit more subtle. Like they close down the food and beverage stations and hover politely until you get the message?

Inquiring minds want to know

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I have an odd question. This will be my first PFTS (10/4). I'm going by myself but have will be joined by a few other DISers and we'll enjoy the festivites together.

They open the venue doors at 6:30 and we all rush in like the running of the bulls at Pamploma, right? But what happens at the stroke of 9:00. I'm assuming we don't all turn into pumpkins (although, I'll probably feel like one at that point). How do they get us all out the door.

I mean, is it like at the end of the Enchanted Tiki Room where Iago says "thank you for coming...GET OUT!"? Or, is it a bit more subtle. Like they close down the food and beverage stations and hover politely until you get the message?

Inquiring minds want to know

If I recall correctly they make an announcement thanking your for coming, they don't say "time to leave folks", but you do get the drift and they also tell you that you can step outside to view Illuminations which will be starting shortly. I never saw any of the food stations pack it in before we left.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Okay, here's my weird off-the-wall question: does anyone remember how much the cookbook for the Food and Wine Festival was last year? Also, did they have like a poster with the logo or something? Trying to plan my souvenir list!

Thanks so much!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Okay, here's my weird off-the-wall question: does anyone remember how much the cookbook for the Food and Wine Festival was last year? Also, did they have like a poster with the logo or something? Trying to plan my souvenir list!

Thanks so much!

Last years cookbook was $13.50 plus tax. Can't help you with the poster question, but I'm sure someone here has that answer.

 

[kaseyC]

We have gone several times in the past for opening weekend and never found the crowds to be much at all. The last time we did this was 2006. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Go and just enjoy yourself.

That's good to know. Me, my sister and a couple of friends are going the first weekend as well. It was the only time that worked with all of our schedules and the availability of a 1bdrm villa at BWV.

I'm really enjoying this thread and the wealth of information shared by all of the posters. This our first F&W trip, as well as a "girls only" weekend, so we are really excited.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Last years cookbook was $13.50 plus tax. Can't help you with the poster question, but I'm sure someone here has that answer.

Great, thanks so much!!!

 

[B'rer Karen]

The best act for Eat to the Beat this year is Los Lobos - these guys are unbelieveable musicians. They have an album of Disney songs coming out in November...rest of the lineup is pretty disappointing this year.

I'm am very excited to see Jonny Lang. I'm actually surprised he's performing there because while he may not be widely known, he is a current artist. He is an amazing guitarist with an even more amazing voice, and he's only like 27 years old. He's on of my FI's favorite performers and the whole reason he is willing to get on a plane for the first time. So if you're there when he's performing (it's either the 7th and 8th or 8th and 9th) I highly recommend catching one of his sets.

 

[orlandomom]

I am not sure if this has been brought up yet, but don't remember seeing it so....

based on info rec'd this afternoon, there is not going to be a scotch pairing this year

and.... A friend of mines husband is schedule to be a guest chef at one of the PFTS, and has no clue which date so we can make arrangements

I am really concerned about the late planning and how it is going to affect turn out.


just me

 

[shovan]

Actually my husband and I do the same thing you do - we pick our vacation for October and book the flight and room and then wait on F&W programming to be released, keeping our fingers crossed that there will be some "good stuff" offered during our stay. But it still annoys me that by the 25th of August we will only have 43 days until our trip ... I'm not willing to roll the dice and leave all those nights open with no dining reservations for us on the off chance that there will be a festival event that we could book. So I went ahead and planned as though there wouldn't be any special events that we will particpate in this year.

So aside from being really annoyed at the delay for details ...

And I don't understand how a company that releases program information for Christmas in late May / early June can struggle so to provide us with details for something that kicks off in 60 days. And the comment I got from one CM about it being tied to "pinning down guest chefs" is bogus because every event has a disclaimer that it can change at any time for any reason and Disney is not obligated to refund the cost based on those changes.

They just need to put some of us in charge of the whole thing!

I agree, totally annoyed & frustrated with the way WDW is handling the schedule release & booking for F&W. They have forced & "trained" us to plan every detail of our trip, months & months ahead of time. Then they give a couple of days to decide & book some rather expensive events.

We have a local F&W experience with Chefs & wineries from across the world. The events are posted at least a month ahead of time. So I am also skeptical about claims that the guest Chef's are hard to schedule.

I'm am very excited to see Jonny Lang. I'm actually surprised he's performing there because while he may not be widely known, he is a current artist. He is an amazing guitarist with an even more amazing voice, and he's only like 27 years old. He's on of my FI's favorite performers and the whole reason he is willing to get on a plane for the first time. So if you're there when he's performing (it's either the 7th and 8th or 8th and 9th) I highly recommend catching one of his sets.

You are lucky to be able to catch him! We love his music! Great Blues Guitarist! We, like oybolshoi, book the rooms & adrs, then hope we get lucky with the F&W events. DH is excited about the Alanta Rythm Section, but I'm overall disappointed in the concerts we'll be able to catch. Enjoy Jonny Lang for us!

 

[Paul in CT]

Okay, here's my weird off-the-wall question: does anyone remember how much the cookbook for the Food and Wine Festival was last year? Also, did they have like a poster with the logo or something? Trying to plan my souvenir list!

Thanks so much!

My DW and I are going for the first time in October. I expect they will have a poster and a pin available with the logo if it's like the Flower and Garden festival that we have attended a couple of times.

 

[oybolshoi]

Too bad if the news about the Scotch pairing turns out to be true. We really enjoyed it last year and would have tried to do it a second time had it been available during our trip this year.

I guess the hubby and I will just have to indulge in a scotch flight over at Raglan Road instead.

 

[lilyv]

I don't buy the excuse about the guest chefs being one of the reasons F&W booking are going to be so late. Chefs have schedules and responsibilities, too. I'm sure they would like to know ahead. This is great publicity for them, and I'm sure they appreciate it, but they have other commitments, as well.

What would I buy? Disney is having a lot of trouble with their computer system. It may be that they aren't certain the have the capability to handle the crunch of all the calls with folks attempting to book. Hey, it's just a theory.

 

[oybolshoi]

I agree, totally annoyed & frustrated with the way WDW is handling the schedule release & booking for F&W. They have forced & "trained" us to plan every detail of our trip, months & months ahead of time. Then they give a couple of days to decide & book some rather expensive events.

I think that's what annoys me the most - not even being able to plan for the sticker shock. I don't like having to make expensive decisions quickly, especially when they're non-refundable.

We have a local F&W experience with Chefs & wineries from across the world. The events are posted at least a month ahead of time. So I am also skeptical about claims that the guest Chef's are hard to schedule.

Most of our local events are published / posted anywhere from 30-90 days in advance to allow people time to plan (and find cash, too, I assume!), so I poo-pooh the idea that it's all about nailing down the guest chefs.

The cynic in me thinks it's about getting people to engage in knee-jerk spending ... but we all know Disney would never do that.