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

[PatriciaH]

We have been going to PFTS since 2004 and I can count the people on one hand I have seen in shorts. Usually 3-5. Most wear khakis, polos, shirt and tie, dresses, nice pants/blouse. The res agents always say business casual- no shorts. There are always some that just come right from the park in casual shorts, bb hats and t-shirts, but they stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[Forever42]

How about a nice pair of white dress capris (not denim) with a knit sweater set and strappy white sandals. Will I be underdressed? I'll have a couple dresses with me but was planning on wearing those to a couple signature meals.

I think that sounds nice Do make sure your shoes are comfortable, as well.

 

[cdtommie]

See, we've only been doing it since 2004, but we've always been told "no shorts" and a "business casual or dressier" dress code on the phone, as well.

I don't find it very casual at all, either - we've always described it as a large cocktail party. DH wears pants, a button up long sleeve shirt and a tie, and I wear a nice dress with dress shoes and we've always been around the middle of the "dress" - we usually can count on one hand the number of people in shorts, and we normally see quite a few people in suits/tuxes and long cocktail gowns.

We have been going 2X times per year and yes, people in shorts are a minority but it is certainly more than a handful. As long as you're dressed appropriately (ie. dress shorts and a polo shirt for guys) I don't think you stand out. Some people (like me) have a more difficult time with the Florida heat than others.

Perhaps casual wasn't the right word but it's certainly not like going to a F&W signature dinner or EE (both I which i would certainly not wear shorts to).

I have not been told 'no shorts' when making reservations except for when I booked in 2006 - it depends upon which CM you talk to I guess.

 

[dizneykid]

How about a nice pair of white dress capris (not denim) with a knit sweater set and strappy white sandals. Will I be underdressed? I'll have a couple dresses with me but was planning on wearing those to a couple signature meals.

I don't think you will be underdressed. I think that sounds like a very nice outfit.

 

[dizneykid]

Lying?? What happend Lori?

He "fluffed" his resume a bit.

 

[BriarRosie]

Lying?? What happend Lori?

He "fluffed" his resume a bit.

Yeah, the hype about him cooking for royalty and presidents? Not so much, I guess. You'll notice that Michael Symon, aka the newest Iron Chef America, is now the host of "Dinner Impossible".

 

[dizneykid]

Yeah, the hype about him cooking for royalty and presidents? Not so much, I guess. You'll notice that Michael Symon, aka the newest Iron Chef America, is now the host of "Dinner Impossible".

I saw the pilot for Symon's Dinner Impossible. Although he is not bad, he is definitely not Irvine. In my opinion, Irvine just had a way about him.

 

[oybolshoi]

Home early today ...

So, are there any other regional feasts or signature lunches being offered this year?

Thanks!

 

[webray]

Well, don't keep me in suspense! Someone on the podcast board mentioned that 10/16 Kitchen Conversations TBA was due to Robert Irvine being the scheduled chef. Given his recent circumstance of lying on his resumé, I wanted to know if that TBA has been changed.

Yes, Robert Irvine is doing Kitchen Conversation on 10/16. Should be a blast,
he called me at home to let me know! It was great talking with him.

 

[webray]

Yeah, the hype about him cooking for royalty and presidents? Not so much, I guess. You'll notice that Michael Symon, aka the newest Iron Chef America, is now the host of "Dinner Impossible".

Yep, Michael Symon is doing Dinner Impossible, he is pretty good, no Robert Irvine though.

 

[webray]

Home early today ...

So, are there any other regional feasts or signature lunches being offered this year?

Thanks!

Nope, nothing other than what is on allears

 

[oybolshoi]

Nope, nothing other than what is on allears

thanks for checking ... but that totally stinks.

I was hoping that great foodie cities might mean a regional feast featuring Dublin or Madrid. It's as I feared ... no one from Wonderland wants to come to WDW.

 

[dizneykid]

thanks for checking ... but that totally stinks.

I was hoping that great foodie cities might mean a regional feast featuring Dublin or Madrid. It's as I feared ... no one from Wonderland wants to come to WDW.

Oh, Dublin would have been wonderful!! I would have booked that one definitely!

 

[ElizabethB]

Unless there is some breaking news coming tomorrow, it looks like the plan was to have lots of foodie cities come to the Festival and sponsor regional feasts. Looks like there were no takers.

Or, as Brenda humorously (as usual!) puts it, "No one from Wonderland wants to come!"

Reminds me of the old question, "What if we throw a party and no one comes?"

 

[Regina]

Well, don't keep me in suspense! Someone on the podcast board mentioned that 10/16 Kitchen Conversations TBA was due to Robert Irvine being the scheduled chef. Given his recent circumstance of lying on his resumé, I wanted to know if that TBA has been changed.

I'm the "someone on the podcast board." As I explained, I'm also the one doing these updates. When I saw Robert Irvine scheduled as a rep for the Food Network's Dinner Impossible, I made the decision to change it to TBA.

Due to Irvine's situation, I find it extremely unlikely that he'll be hosting that event. If I had used it, it could have led to speculation regarding the accuracy of all of the information.

We'll just have to wait and see what they schedule on that date.

 

[dizneykid]

Unless there is some breaking news coming tomorrow, it looks like the plan was to have lots of foodie cities come to the Festival and sponsor regional feasts. Looks like there were no takers.

Or, as Brenda humorously (as usual!) puts it, "No one from Wonderland wants to come!"

Reminds me of the old question, "What if we throw a party and no one comes?"

On the brochure, the only Regional Feast is the Celebrating Greece on 10/22 for $160pp.

The other is the French Regional Lunches that are at Bistro De Paris on select Sundays for $135pp.

 

[shovan]

Unless there is some breaking news coming tomorrow, it looks like the plan was to have lots of foodie cities come to the Festival and sponsor regional feasts. Looks like there were no takers.

Or, as Brenda humorously (as usual!) puts it, "No one from Wonderland wants to come!"

Reminds me of the old question, "What if we throw a party and no one comes?"

This article ran in our local Times Picayune. At the price it's costing Louisiana, it's no surprise they didn't get more takers.

Disney kiosk may tout Louisiana culture
Tourism officials in talks to promote state at park Wednesday, March 19, 2008By Ed Anderson
BATON ROUGE -- The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is in talks with Disney World-EPCOT Center to staff a kiosk to promote the state's culture, food and drink starting Oct. 1 and running through mid-November, Chuck Morse, the agency's director of tourism, said Tuesday.

But it will cost the state $500,000 to $750,000 to showcase Louisiana at the Disney tourist destination in Buena Vista, Fla.
"We have been approached to do food and wine at EPCOT Center," Morse told the Louisiana Tourism Promotion District board, the agency that oversees how the revenues from .03 percent of the state's 4 percent sales tax is spent on tourism needs.

Morse said that the state will ask local convention and visitors bureaus "to buy into the program," reducing the state's costs and giving local areas a chance to show off their food and culture.

"We think this will hit our sweet spot," Morse told the board of the 45-day engagement at EPCOT.

The board went along with the proposal.

The state will be meeting in coming weeks with Disney engineers and artists who will design sets and backdrops of Louisiana landmarks for the event in the coming weeks, Morse said.

"This will be a good way to put our culture in display," Morse said. "This will help us clear the perception that we are still down from the storms (of 2005). This will show everybody we are open for business. . . . We are figuring out now how to make it happen."

 

[dizneykid]

Shovan,

Louisiana is doing the City Taste on Friday, November 7th for $95.00pp.

I started thinking that I wonder if when Cat Cora emailed "redzinner" that she would be doing some demos at the F&W that she will be at this event?? I don't remember what weekend she said she would be there. On the brochure, she is not listed doing any paid events. It would make sense if she was at this one. Maybe??

 

[BearFan]

The smart money is on John Besh being there.

 

[shortypots]

I am taking a first-timer this year... we are doing the kiosks and Party For the Senses. While I love to amble about the World Showcase nibbling and sipping, there's just nothing like the wow factor you get when you step into PFTS for the first time (ever, or in a year, no mind). The colors, the smells, the people, the music, the performers, the chefs, the wine... it truly is one big party! It's in my top ten things to do at Disney, without question.

No matter what... HAVE A GREAT TIME AT F&WF!

I am a first timer and convinced DH to do Party for the senses as a b-day present for me! I have heard so many good things about this festival - I am totally psyched about going! Otherwise, we will probably meander through World Showcase enjoying the items from the kiosk. I cannot wait! Unfortunately, I have to work at least half days while I am there