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

[kabuki]

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

SORRY!!!! No throwing! Disney Dining Card.. you pay.. I think it's 85$ and you get a card that gives you 20% off food and drinks at most disney restaurants!

 

[PNO4TE]

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

No throwing! How would you learn what things are if you don't ask??

Disney Dining Experience card. Cost is $60 a year for Annual Passholders and $75 for Florida residents. It gives a 20% discount on food and beverages, including alcohol, at most table service restaurants on WDW property. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

 

[PNO4TE]

I have to take back my wisecrack about the Pony Express... my F&W brochure arrived this afternoon. What a nice souvenir.

 

[WDWguru]

Maybe I missed it, but I have DDE and am also a DVC member and AP holder. I realize I can't use DDE for events but are there DVC or AP discounts? For some reason I remember getting a discount a few years ago for Party of the Senses with either DVC or AP but I could be insane.

 

[kabuki]

Maybe I missed it, but I have DDE and am also a DVC member and AP holder. I realize I can't use DDE for events but are there DVC or AP discounts? For some reason I remember getting a discount a few years ago for Party of the Senses with either DVC or AP but I could be insane.

They don't give discounts on the events .. it's too bad but they don't!

 

[LaurenNJ]

Thanks for your patience with me guys. So, here's my million dollar question...any of my fellow "first weekers" thinking of shelling out $450 a ticket for the Bocuse d'Or Gala?

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks for your patience with me guys. So, here's my million dollar question...any of my fellow "first weekers" thinking of shelling out $450 a ticket for the Bocuse d'Or Gala?

No waaay

Even if it weren't too expensive, I have somewhere else I need to be that night.

 

[WDWguru]

They don't give discounts on the events .. it's too bad but they don't!

Okay, insane then. That's what I thought.

 

[PNO4TE]

Thanks for your patience with me guys. So, here's my million dollar question...any of my fellow "first weekers" thinking of shelling out $450 a ticket for the Bocuse d'Or Gala?

Never even crossed my mind!

 

[kathyg]

Is that all there is???????? I am sooooo disappointed in the offerings for the time we will be there. This is our first and it will definitely be our last. Thank goodness I love disney and will occupy myself with dining at Disney restaurants. Sorry to say this, but all the hype I've read about this "festival" doesn't seem to be panning out . It looked so very good in years gone bye that I couldn't wait to go. This is definitely not what I thought it would be.

 

[RachelTori]

Is that all there is???????? I am sooooo disappointed in the offerings for the time we will be there. This is our first and it will definitely be our last. Thank goodness I love disney and will occupy myself with dining at Disney restaurants. Sorry to say this, but all the hype I've read about this "festival" doesn't seem to be panning out . It looked so very good in years gone bye that I couldn't wait to go. This is definitely not what I thought it would be.

Believe me, it caught all us veterans off guard too. Food & Wine Festival was my favorite time to go to WDW. I don't think that will be the case any longer.

 

[WDWguru]

kathyg - do keep in mind that these extra events are by far NOT the entire festival! I personally usually only do maybe one or two of the big events. The best part of the fest for me is the booths in the world showcase and the daily free wine tastings. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at all there is to do that doesn't require a reservation and hundreds of dollars extra.

 

[Sk8Leigh]

I'm glad I'm not that into food. I'm perfectly happy going around to the booths, not disappointed at all! I'm pretty picky, so I'm doing well just to try a few new things. Last year I tried spanakopita (sp?), and I loved it, and have eaten it since then a few times around home. I also tried escargot. It was a great chance to try that, and I liked it. (And a co-worked told me that if I tried it, she would reimburse me for it, so I didn't even have to pay for it! I should get a sponsor for all my foods!) I'm glad that those two items and a few others that I like are still on the menu for this year.

This year my parents are going with me, so hopefully we'll all have another great time!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I think this event is very European and cutting edge in the industry. There are quite a few similarities between the study of perfume and wines. I would love to see the menu.
Tasted

And, to the poster who thinks there is some relationship between perfume and wine, other than that they both smell and France makes some of each, I can't imagine what that would be. France makes a lot of other consumer products and goods, and lots of stuff smells.

If one wants to say that both wine and perfume can be in the luxury goods category, then fine. So can leather goods, couture clothing, Rolls Royces, etc., none of which have anything to do, really, with food or wine.

I stand by my position that anyone with a product to promote who is willing to pay the money can now have a place at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, no matter how totally unrelated to food and wine the product is. The Festival has always been a bit of an advertising- and promotion-heavy event, but perfume is ridiculous.

...snipped from article... Andreas Larsson, Best Sommelier of the World 2007, surprised wine and perfume specialists alike with a completely new approach to tasting which revealed the similarity between wine and perfume aromas. After their initial surprise, the guests showed great interest in this unusual subject.

Lively discussions ensued and happy pairings between Baron Philippe de Rothschild wines and the perfumes were found. Mouton Cadet, the official wine partner of the Cannes Film Festival, found some exceptional matches during the wine & perfume experience.

I'm sorry, but this reply is just rude. Did you even read the article that redzinner linked to? If it's something that Andreas Larsson is currently doing with his wine tastings, then I'd say there's something to it. Unfortunately, the event starts before we arrive in WDW, so we won't be able to attend that day. I look forward to seeing the reviews. To each, their own...

 

[Sandy321]

http://allears.net/tp/ep/foodwine.htm

The 13th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will run
September 26-November 9, 2008!


Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival – Great Food Cities of the World


Fine Cuisine and wines from some of the best "foodie"cities in the world will take a bow at the 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines and beers, learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Plus, be sure to savor the sizzling sounds of the "Eat to the Beat" concert series that boasts a stellar line-up of popular musical acts!


Booking begins at 7 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2008.

Please note all bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable. Limited availability and subject to change. Call 407-WDW-FEST (407-939-3378) for additional information and reservations


I'm all a twitter reading!! This page doesnt list a Sept Saturday for Party for the Senses! still $135 - but all the others look tempting too -

Food and Wine pairings - any input?
City Tastes $95 new this year
French Regional lunches $135
Several $100 + or - on Wine tastings... ??

I see Chef Robert Irvine will be there for the Cook Book and Bottle - $150 tho?

Kitchen conversations with him would only be $75

 

[Sandy321]

oh I meant to include this gem :

SPECIAL CULINARY EVENTS

Bocuse d'Or Grand Gala -- Dine in high fashion and mingle with some of the most respected and high-profile chefs, personalities, and professionals in America at this grand gala and awards ceremony for the culmination of the Bocuse d'Or USA competition at Epcot. Reception with cocktails, champagne, and fine wines
-- Three-course dinner
-- Dessert walk-about
-- Live entertainment
-- Unique event!

The Bocuse d'Or is the acclaimed international culinary competition held every two years in Lyon, France and was founded by the legendary Chef Paul Bocuse. Eight candidates have been selected to compete at Epcot for one of the highest culinary honors in the nation…to represent the United States at the Bocuse d'Or. The winning competitor will be revealed at the dinner.

-- WHERE: World ShowPlace Pavilion
-- WHEN: Saturday, September 27, 7 - midnight.
-- COST: $450 per person, plus tax, gratuity included; Theme Park admission NOT required


IF and When I WIN the Lottery - I can see me spending the $450 for this event.... because after all, you dont need Theme park admissions!!

(seriously tho, it sounds so awesome, an "if only" event!!)

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Is that all there is???????? I am sooooo disappointed in the offerings for the time we will be there. This is our first and it will definitely be our last. Thank goodness I love disney and will occupy myself with dining at Disney restaurants. Sorry to say this, but all the hype I've read about this "festival" doesn't seem to be panning out . It looked so very good in years gone bye that I couldn't wait to go. This is definitely not what I thought it would be.

There is a lot of extra things to do like the free wine tastings and eating the food from the various booths. Drinking champagne, wine, etc. I think you will still have a great time regardless if there are less 'extra' events this year. I just love going during the festival because you find that you have something in common with most people (love of wine/food). I've had some very interesting conversations with random people I've met just waiting in lines.

 

[SamSam]

There is a lot of extra things to do like the free wine tastings and eating the food from the various booths. Drinking champagne, wine, etc. I think you will still have a great time regardless if there are less 'extra' events this year. I just love going during the festival because you find that you have something in common with most people (love of wine/food). I've had some very interesting conversations with random people I've met just waiting in lines.

Although this is true, Dh and I are still hugely disappointed in the special events this year. We have been going for longer and longer periods during the festival (this year 2 1/2 weeks), with our plan being to eventually stay for the whole festival. If this year is an example of future cut backs, then our long term plans will definitely change.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Although this is true, Dh and I are still hugely disappointed in the special events this year. We have been going for longer and longer periods during the festival (this year 2 1/2 weeks), with our plan being to eventually stay for the whole festival. If this year is an example of future cut backs, then our long term plans will definitely change.

Wow, I would be disappointed also if I was coming for 2 1/2 weeks and you primary reason to visit was the festival. I guess we will all have to wait and see about the free wine tastings and cooking demos... let's all keep our fingers crossed that they don't drastically cut these also.

 

[webray]

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?

The advance brochure is for DDE members.