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

[disneyfav4ever]

I would hate not having a program. Disney is really cutting back this year.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

This is going to be my first time booking the 'extra' events for the festival. We were thinking of booking the PFTS and a Cheese Tasting (both are on Saturday).

The cheese tasting is from 2:30 - 3:45 and the PFTS is from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. For those that have done these, is this too much for one day? (BTW, we aren't novice drinkers and can handle our alcohol!)

 

[dizneykid]

This is going to be my first time booking the 'extra' events for the festival. We were thinking of booking the PFTS and a Cheese Tasting (both are on Saturday).

The cheese tasting is from 2:30 - 3:45 and the PFTS is from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. For those that have done these, is this too much for one day? (BTW, we aren't novice drinkers and can handle our alcohol!)

At the Cheese Tasting last year we tasted five types of cheese with two types of wine. Now, it isn't that much in the way of making you full. And we thought the instructor was interesting.

But, at the PFTS, there is a couple of tables just full of cheese and accompaniments. It's amazing!!

So, you may want to save the $70.00per person and use it for something else. You can do your own tasting at the party. But, ultimately it will be up to you.

 

[webray]

At the Cheese Tasting last year we tasted five types of cheese with two types of wine. Now, it isn't that much in the way of making you full. And we thought the instructor was interesting.

But, at the PFTS, there is a couple of tables just full of cheese and accompaniments. It's amazing!!

So, you may want to save the $70.00per person and use it for something else. You can do your own tasting at the party. But, ultimately it will be up to you.

Good way to look at it dizneykid!

 

[TDC Nala]

Looking at the Disney F&W Site and it says "Be sure to check daily schedules posted in the Festival Center for celebrity appearances, culinary demonstrations (every day except on Mondays and Tuesdays) and daily wine tastings."

This makes me wonder. Do you think that Disney will have daily schedules for the free events? This will stink, there will be no pre-planning.

They've always posted daily schedules for those events outside the venues. The big difference is that the daily schedules for the culinary events show the dish that will be demonstrated.

I've noted that there will be no free culinary demos on Monday or Tuesday, although Monday will have those tasting things (the ones that featured chocolate or vanilla or nuts or olive oil)

 

[RachelTori]

I'm so sad about the lack of events this year. Now I'm afraid what we'll find for free events too.

I'm wondering if this is the "beginning of the end" for Food & Wine Festival. I sure hope not.


I do have one thing to be happy (and amazed!) about! My brochure arrived in today's mail!! (just wish it had more events in it!)

 

[dizneykid]

They've always posted daily schedules for those events outside the venues. The big difference is that the daily schedules for the culinary events show the dish that will be demonstrated.

I've noted that there will be no free culinary demos on Monday or Tuesday, although Monday will have those tasting things (the ones that featured chocolate or vanilla or nuts or olive oil)

Ah, you're right! Sounds good. Thanks!!

I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. My husband keeps telling me to lighten up.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Looking at the Disney F&W Site and it says "Be sure to check daily schedules posted in the Festival Center for celebrity appearances, culinary demonstrations (every day except on Mondays and Tuesdays) and daily wine tastings."

This makes me wonder. Do you think that Disney will have daily schedules for the free events? This will stink, there will be no pre-planning.

There has been huge cheese tables in the past at PFTS - we tend not to book other events so we will be really hungry for PFTS - but it is personal preference.

 

[BriarRosie]

This is going to be my first time booking the 'extra' events for the festival. We were thinking of booking the PFTS and a Cheese Tasting (both are on Saturday).

The cheese tasting is from 2:30 - 3:45 and the PFTS is from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. For those that have done these, is this too much for one day? (BTW, we aren't novice drinkers and can handle our alcohol!)

I agree with Disneykid. You can get your cheese jones on at the PFTS. I can't see paying $70 for that when you can get all the cheese and wine you want at an event you're already going to. I try to keep it light all day so I'll go in hungry!

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Thanks to everyone's suggestions on skipping the Cheese Tastings and 'saving up' for the PFTS. There are just not that many events this year. I was really disappointed in the amount of choices for the Food & Wine pairings. They only have 3 options (non of which I'm interested in).

My tentative plan is to get to Epcot on Thursday for the first free wine tastings/demos and do the 'free' stuff on Thursday before the weekend crowds get there. (That is if there are any free stuff this year!)

We want to book the City Tastes for Friday night, and PFTS on Saturday night. Last year the crowds were so bad on Saturday that we may just decide to lay out by the pool and get to the park before PFTS. Sunday we will be driving back to Tampa, so we won't be drinking on Sunday.

 

[dizneykid]

Thanks to everyone's suggestions on skipping the Cheese Tastings and 'saving up' for the PFTS. There are just not that many events this year. I was really disappointed in the amount of choices for the Food & Wine pairings. They only have 3 options (non of which I'm interested in).

My tentative plan is to get to Epcot on Thursday for the first free wine tastings/demos and do the 'free' stuff on Thursday before the weekend crowds get there. (That is if there are any free stuff this year!)

We want to book the City Tastes for Friday night, and PFTS on Saturday night. Last year the crowds were so bad on Saturday that we may just decide to lay out by the pool and get to the park before PFTS. Sunday we will be driving back to Tampa, so we won't be drinking on Sunday.

Sounds like a great plan.

Isn't it nice that the drive back from Disney isn't so bad anymore. We are about a half an hour more West from Tampa in Largo and the ride is actually pleasant sometimes. Makes weekend trips very accessible!!

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Sounds like a great plan.

Isn't it nice that the drive back from Disney isn't so bad anymore. We are about a half an hour more West from Tampa in Largo and the ride is actually pleasant sometimes. Makes weekend trips very accessible!!

I know. I don't understand people that say they live in FL and never go to Disney! I think we are so lucky to be able to hop in the car drive 1 hour and 15 minutes (or less) and be at Disney.

 

[jiminyfan]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one who is not happy with the number of events. I planned my trip around F&W and there are no Vertical tasting neither weekend I am there.

I guess this is part of the cutbacks. In the past we have a lot more Signature dinners to go for and additional events.

I am very concerned about actually getting in the events I want as there are so few to choose from.

I would have thought with the higher prices they would be making a good bit on these events and they would want to expand on them rather then cut back on them.

Also, in the past you held the slim chance someone would cancel their ressie, this year all are non-refundable nor transferable.

Looks like I may have wasted my vacation time on F&W this year.

 

[PNO4TE]

I'm so sad about the lack of events this year. Now I'm afraid what we'll find for free events too.

I'm wondering if this is the "beginning of the end" for Food & Wine Festival. I sure hope not.


I do have one thing to be happy (and amazed!) about! My brochure arrived in today's mail!! (just wish it had more events in it!)

The Pony Express rider has made it into Georgia! By September 25th he ought to make it to Virginia, don't you think??

 

[PatriciaH]

I love the Abita Purple Haze. I wonder if they will be at the City Taste LA? I would like to do the KC on 10/2 with them and Commanders Palace but we are going to Halloween Horror Nights that day SO ANNOYING that info came out so late this year and I made other plans already. They are loosing a lot of business.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one who is not happy with the number of events. I planned my trip around F&W and there are no Vertical tasting neither weekend I am there.

I guess this is part of the cutbacks. In the past we have a lot more Signature dinners to go for and additional events.

I am very concerned about actually getting in the events I want as there are so few to choose from.
I would have thought with the higher prices they would be making a good bit on these events and they would want to expand on them rather then cut back on them.

Also, in the past you held the slim chance someone would cancel their ressie, this year all are non-refundable nor transferable.

Looks like I may have wasted my vacation time on F&W this year.

I'm worried about this also. I'm going to have my cel phone in one hand, my land line phone in the other, and just keep hitting redial. Hopefully I'll get through and be able to get reservations for what we want to do. Otherwise, we may cut the trip by 1 night.

 

[sharonkurland]

Also, in the past you held the slim chance someone would cancel their ressie, this year all are non-refundable nor transferable.

That was the policy last year, as well. Hubby and friends and I figured it was to cut down on people making reservations for everything and then making a bunch of last-minute cancellations 72 hours out or whatever it was.

Whatever the case, yeah, definitely a lot of cutbacks for F&W this year. NONE of the special dinner pique our interest. We'll go to 2 or 3 PftS and that's all. We'll save our "nice dinners" for the wine pairing and similar dinners that the Orlando-area places off Disney property offer.

 

[LaurenNJ]

For those of you that received a Festival Brochure in the mail, are you Vacation Club members or on some special list of some sort?

 

[kabuki]

For those of you that received a Festival Brochure in the mail, are you Vacation Club members or on some special list of some sort?

It was sent to people who have the DDE card.

and I have one and am a Vacation Club Member but still haven't seen mine in the mail!

 

[LaurenNJ]

OK, don't all throw things at me at once, but, "DDE"??