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

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I don't remember face painters and jugglers, but I do remember the Cirque bicyclist almost running me down three times. I am glad they got rid of him the following year. I didn't want to be PFTS Roadkill.

Maybe the wine pours seemed smaller because the glasses suddenly became ginormous? Still, I did think the wine pours at PFTS were always a lot more generous than the South African event I went to last year.

I remember the the jugglers and face painters because my teenagers were totally in love with both of those stations in years past. I do recall the Cirque bicyclist, but there were other walking performers that they nixed too. Like I said, for a lot of people, they never noticed or it didn't/doesn't apply for them...so no loss to the masses.

I've never been the the South African event, just not a personal desire of mine, so I can't compare wine pours there. Maybe it is the large glasses, maybe not...but my perception is that they are getting stingy all around at PFTS. I'm very interested to see how it plays out this year. I'm already expecting the worst, so I can only be pleasantly surprised at this point.

 

[webray]

Now we noticed a decline at PFTS, however maybe it was not apparent to all...our observation comparing last year with years past.

I hope everyone realizes that every PFTS is different, even the ones in the same year are different. Different wineries, chefs, food etc. You could attend everyone in a given year and not have the same experience.

Yes, some are better than others, that is why I really like that they have released the chefs for this years. I hope Disney continues to release more and more information about each event in years to come so we can all make informed decisions as to what we want to book to make our own experiences the best they can be.

 

[webray]

I had to edit to mention that the wine pours were a lot skimpier at this event than at Party for the Senses. Sure, you could go back, but I had to request a few times that I wanted more than a thimbleful of wine.

And the waffle scenario you posted....very funny.

Ya know, if I thought they didn't pour enough in my glass while I was there, I asked for more to be poured immediately. Most were accomodating, as they all love to talk about their individual wines.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Ya know, if I thought they didn't pour enough in my glass while I was there, I asked for more to be poured immediately. Most were accomodating, as they all love to talk about their individual wines.

I agree, I don't think I it's necessary for a large pour of wine, especially since there is no limit to how much you're allowed to drink, and if they were pouring full glasses, or even half-full glasses, I wouldn't be able to drink more then a few.

 

[Me&3]

Sandy321 Happy Anniversary . I'm sure whatever you decide will be great after all you will be with your DH of 27 years .

 

[redzinner]

Ya know, if I thought they didn't pour enough in my glass while I was there, I asked for more to be poured immediately. Most were accomodating, as they all love to talk about their individual wines.

Agreed! And maybe the distributor, vendor, winery person, whoever is pouring for you that evening, wants to pour a small amount first, just in case the guest doesn't care for it. That would be a terrible waste of wine ... pouring for people who would walk away and dump it in a pail!

Save the Wine!

 

[dizneykid]

I agree, I don't think I it's necessary for a large pour of wine, especially since there is no limit to how much you're allowed to drink, and if they were pouring full glasses, or even half-full glasses, I wouldn't be able to drink more then a few.

You are so right. They probably learned over the past year to give smaller portions because they saw so much of the wine getting poured out and wasted. There was probably way too much waste in giving larger pours.

The whole idea of the PFTS is that they are giving you a "tasting" portion. If you like it, then go back and get more. I have done that in the past. I have also tasted it in front of the distributor and asked for more if I liked it or if I didn't poured it out and asked for another.

Honestly, there is much waste in Disney with food and drink. I have seen the castmembers on Club Levels dumping full baskets of breakfast pastries into the garbage because the "guest" demand those baskets be full at all times.

 

[k5thbeatle]

You are so right. They probably learned over the past year to give smaller portions because they saw so much of the wine getting poured out and wasted. There was probably way too much waste in giving larger pours.

The whole idea of the PFTS is that they are giving you a "tasting" portion. If you like it, then go back and get more. I have done that in the past. I have also tasted it in front of the distributor and asked for more if I liked it or if I didn't poured it out and asked for another.

Honestly, there is much waste in Disney with food and drink. I have seen the castmembers on Club Levels dumping full baskets of breakfast pastries into the garbage because the "guest" demand those baskets be full at all times.

I agree with this but if you find a wine you really like and ask for a full portion they will not give you one? At least that has been my experience. If one really finds a wine one enjoys why not give a glass versus having to continually return? A small matter, yes, but I agree that I can see how much would be wasted as you say otherwise. It's a good time for sure!

 

[dizneykid]

I agree with this but if you find a wine you really like and ask for a full portion they will not give you one? At least that has been my experience. If one really finds a wine one enjoys why not give a glass versus having to continually return? A small matter, yes, but I agree that I can see how much would be wasted as you say otherwise. It's a good time for sure!

That wasn't nice, was all the distributors? When I went last year, we would ask for a larger pour and we got it. We brought a friend who didn't really drink wine much and when she found one she liked, she would go up and tell them she finally found one she like and they would fill her glass.

I also remember, at the end of the night most of the guests start leaving around 8:30 - 8:45 to go and view Illuminations. We stayed until the very end and they were giving away whole unopened bottles of the wine. Maybe that was a fluke but I thought it was wonderful!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

I can't see why they wouldn't give a full portion....!!

I didn't see why not either??? Maybe it's just me! LOL!!!

 

[redzinner]

I also remember, at the end of the night most of the guests start leaving around 8:30 - 8:45 to go and view Illuminations. We stayed until the very end and they were giving away whole unopened bottles of the wine. Maybe that was a fluke but I thought it was wonderful!!

This reminds me of one our experiences a few years ago. As you see by my DIS name I enjoy zinfandels (red not white). At the PFTS we attended there was not 1 vendor that was pouring a red zin. We made some polite inquiries and before you knew it we had a bottle of red zin at our table. A Disney CM had heard us and he made it happen! We definitley had a full pour that night!

 

[sharonkurland]

We've been going to PftS since 2001 and it's been out experience that the size of the pour really varies...not just from year to year, but also based on who doing the pouring, how much "stock" they have left, etc.

Wine pourers who are just Disney CMs tend to pour whatever amount they've been told to pour (generally 1 oz). We've had company owners pour super heavy or super light, depending on circumstances. The year that I fell in love with icewine, I experienced my pour going from about 1.5 oz to about 0.5 oz over the course of the night, as their supplies dwindled.

 

[webray]

I agree with this but if you find a wine you really like and ask for a full portion they will not give you one? At least that has been my experience. If one really finds a wine one enjoys why not give a glass versus having to continually return? A small matter, yes, but I agree that I can see how much would be wasted as you say otherwise. It's a good time for sure!

I have never had a problem getting a full portion/multiple refills of something I really enjoy. Either at PFTS, or a paid event.

 

[webray]

This reminds me of one our experiences a few years ago. As you see by my DIS name I enjoy zinfandels (red not white). At the PFTS we attended there was not 1 vendor that was pouring a red zin. We made some polite inquiries and before you knew it we had a bottle of red zin at our table. A Disney CM had heard us and he made it happen! We definitley had a full pour that night!

Now that is some disney magic, lol. Good for you!

Like dizneykid stated, we always stay after everyone leaves for illuminations.
Love visiting with the wine reps..when everything is quiet.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

We were really struggling on decisions for what to do on the Friday night that we are going to be at the festival. We were prepared to book the City Tastes tomorrow a.m. when reservations open, but decided instead to splurge for Victoria and Albert's with the wine pairing!! This is my first time to V&A and I’m really excited. It has always been on my ‘wish list’ of things to do, but usually wasn’t either in my budget or the person I was traveling with.

The biggest deciding factor is that I just wasn't sure what the food/wine quality was going to be at the City Tastes, since it's new this year and there isn’t any past reviews to base a decision on. I hope for all that are going that it’s going to be great.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

I'm going through planning for our Food and Wine visit in October. I keep coming upon the "World Showplace" as a venue. Where exactly is "World Showplace" located?

Thanks in advance!

 

[webray]

We were really struggling on decisions for what to do on the Friday night that we are going to be at the festival. We were prepared to book the City Tastes tomorrow a.m. when reservations open, but decided instead to splurge for Victoria and Albert's with the wine pairing!! This is my first time to V&A and I’m really excited. It has always been on my ‘wish list’ of things to do, but usually wasn’t either in my budget or the person I was traveling with.

The biggest deciding factor is that I just wasn't sure what the food/wine quality was going to be at the City Tastes, since it's new this year and there isn’t any past reviews to base a decision on. I hope for all that are going that it’s going to be great.

Don't forget..Friday nights are EMH for EPCOT and during food and wine fest the booths stay open late. It is the best time to work your way around and try things out of the heat of the Florida sun and no crowds, lines.

 

[webray]

I'm going through planning for our Food and Wine visit in October. I keep coming upon the "World Showplace" as a venue. Where exactly is "World Showplace" located?

Thanks in advance!

World Showplace is between Canada and the UK pavilions.

 

[Sandy321]

Perfectly said!! For us the festival is all about walking around and enjoying the same things you mention. We always do the PFTS and we're happy to see no price increase this year. I'm hoping we see a return of the fun Australia area. The Louisiana area should also be a lot of fun. So we're focusing on the positive and not going to worry about the rest. I'm confident Disney will never allow the festival to die because they've taken a usually down time at Disney and now you can't find a room. Also, I'm not at work so that makes it ever more special!!

Only 40 days and counting......

ITA - and every year is different!! I have a friend on another Message Board from Louisiana, and she is coming down - she isnt going to be there the week we are - she said that they have divided Louisana into regions and each region was assigned a week! I am definately looking forward to this treat!

Ya know, if I thought they didn't pour enough in my glass while I was there, I asked for more to be poured immediately. Most were accomodating, as they all love to talk about their individual wines.

I hesitate to post my experiences, esp if they are negative, because they are "my" experience, and 2 you get jumped on for being "negative" it gets blown out of proportion.

that being said, I am by no means a wine snob, or extremely knowledgeable about wines... I do LOVE wines -red in particular - I was blown away by the first Party 4 years ago, and we were so enamored we over indulged!! but we took notes - and we met a Dis'er who was able to get some to pour substantial amounts (even the Remy cognac) and at the end of the night we were given full glasses of wine...

The next year, gynourmous glasses indeed, and again, no big complaints, lots of variety for us uneducated, we did learn however NOT to over indulge!! We focused on favorites we couldnt afford, Ice Wine, we know this is a small pour, and expensive - and so enjoyed...

Last year - the guy pouring the ice wine was condescending!! Truly I got in his line FIRST, and he said it was a dessert wine, and I should enjoy other parts of the festival... again, I completely understand why Ice wine is a .05 ounce and why they run out, and dont bring large quantities....

But that set the tone, I could not cajole anyone into pouring more, even teasing that I wasnt driving!! That's when we started comparing other Parties to this one, we again sat with another Dis couple and compared notes -

Both mentioned that the first Party isnt as good as other parties, esp with selections of certain wines, one that stood out to me was the Rosa Regale Champagne it has never been at the Party we've been too - but Korbel has - one year they had the French Pomfrey Champagne (I think that's about $25 a bottle, where as Korbel is more like $10)

So this year we planned a different week to go - and I am debating on trying something different, but, we truly enjoy the Party, sitting and talking with people we've never met, and will never meet again! The whole atmosphere is amazing - but the lines were longer, and the time went by much faster for some reason...

I found I really loved the ostrich offering by the chef from Boma, and I seriously went for that 3 or 4 times, each time hoping to get at least a 3 ounce pour of a wine to sit and enjoy flavors - I was not successful. BUT, I of course just went back twice - it wasnt a "damper" to an incredible meal, just a "huh" wonder why that is? and a "hmmmm wonder if anyone else noticed it?"

and maybe it will be different.

but does a wine vendor seriously pay $30,000 to come to the festival? WOW

I hope everyone realizes that every PFTS is different, even the ones in the same year are different. Different wineries, chefs, food etc. You could attend everyone in a given year and not have the same experience.

Yes, some are better than others, that is why I really like that they have released the chefs for this years. I hope Disney continues to release more and more information about each event in years to come so we can all make informed decisions as to what we want to book to make our own experiences the best they can be.

Sandy321 Happy Anniversary . I'm sure whatever you decide will be great after all you will be with your DH of 27 years .

Thank you, that is very nice of you to take the time and post!!

Again, in posting my experience, it isnt a major deal - we do go around the Wold Showcase, and we do at least 2 wine flights (Spain, Austraila, etc) I enjoy learning about regional wines, and I dont mind paying for them.

Its just my observation, not to be taken out of context, its like I'm sitting in a room just talking and being excited about an event. I am in no way bitter, or angry... just more like "hmmm I wonder if..."

 

[BriarRosie]

I agree, I don't think I it's necessary for a large pour of wine, especially since there is no limit to how much you're allowed to drink, and if they were pouring full glasses, or even half-full glasses, I wouldn't be able to drink more then a few.

I agree, but if you compared what they poured me at the South African event to what they poured me at the PFTS, it was a big difference. Even the people I was with somehow got a better pour (and I'm talking getting hardly one sip.) I was starting to get a complex about it.

I wouldn't want anywhere close to a half glass, but that thimbleful...I wasn't kidding.