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

[BriarRosie]

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)

Rosa Regale was served at the October 13th party last year. I made a point of mentioning in my trip report that it was conveniently located next to a chocolatey dessert.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I don't justify the decline at all. I expressed my own personal disappointment that there were fewer choices this year. But I also have the mindset from the first time I stumbled upon this event, quite by accident, during my first solo trip to WDW in 1997. To me, the entire festival were the food kiosks along World Showcase. I didn't know they had any special dining events back then. I didn't even book my first events until the 2003 festival.

Am I disappointed? Absolutely! But I refuse to vilify and finger-point over the changes this year. There's been a TON of speculation about what this festival will be like, and we won't know it until we see for ourselves.




And lastly, I'm one of those DVC members who bought because I enjoy WDW during various times of the year, not just the F&WF time of year. The festival played no part in my decision to buy in 2002. I don't appreciate the tone of your post implying that I must be an idiot for actually buying it. I've already gotten my money's worth on it.

I agree 100% with Briar on this one. I stopped frequenting this thread as much because so many were complaining about the lack of special events for the festival. This is not my first Food & Wine and, quite honestly, I have no problem with the schedule this year. I like the events offered and am pleased with the selection. Could there be more? Yes. Will it cause me to crucify WDW? Not a chance. Will it stop me from staying on site or going as often as I do? Absolutely not.

I go to WDW for activities other than Food & Wine. I enjoy it year round. WDW is not a place solely for this festival. I am sorry that some of you are disappointed though. Don't get me wrong there. Maybe you should express your concern to guest communications via email and letter? That's better than going on and on about it on the boards and getting more upset. At least they would learn of your disappointment.

I bought into DVC in 2007. This festival had nothing to do with my purchasing in it. I am happy with my decision. I am able to go more often and have better choices of accomodations. If it is not right for someone, they do not have to buy. It was definitely right for us and I should not be criticized for it.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I got a brochure in the mail, not sure when it came, since I've been gone all weekend, but that event on the first Saturday sounds wonderful. No way I could afford it though at that cost! That's like a month's rent.

 

[PNO4TE]

I got a brochure in the mail, not sure when it came, since I've been gone all weekend, but that event on the first Saturday sounds wonderful. No way I could afford it though at that cost! That's like a month's rent.

I think it would be a spectacular event too. I wish it were affordable for us. I hope everyone who is able to go comes back here to the DIS and posts tons of pictures and glowing trip reports!

 

[ghidorah97]

My DW, bless her heart, has just surprised me with the news that she is sending me and my two best friends to WDW for the first weekend of F&WF to celebrate my 40th. How awesome is she????? I'm a HUGE fan of the Bocuse D'or and had mentioned to her that I would love to be there to watch the competition so she made the plans for me! (yes, I married smart )

So three, not-so-single, good looking 40 yr. old guys will be heading down to enjoy some food, wine and hob-nobbing with Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, JGV, John Besh, et al. Watch out ladies!

As to the topic which seems to be at hand -- the quality of the special events. I am in total agreement that it is a MAJOR step down from past festivals. DW and I attended for the first time in '02. We did one PFTS, one Reserve Dinner and two Signature Dinners that year and they were all spectacular. Nothing that I see in this year's program comes even close from what I can tell. I still have the menus from all four events and look back fondly at the memories.

Here's hoping we all come back pleasantly surprised! I'll be calling tomorrow to hopefully book the 9/27 Italy F&W Pairing. Good luck to all tomorrow!

Brad

 

[PNO4TE]

My DW, bless her heart, has just surprised me with the news that she is sending me and my two best friends to WDW for the first weekend of F&WF to celebrate my 40th. How awesome is she????? I'm a HUGE fan of the Bocuse D'or and had mentioned to her that I would love to be there to watch the competition so she made the plans for me! (yes, I married smart )

So three, not-so-single, good looking 40 yr. old guys will be heading down to enjoy some food, wine and hob-nobbing with Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, JGV, John Besh, et al. Watch out ladies!

As to the topic which seems to be at hand -- the quality of the special events. I am in total agreement that it is a MAJOR step down from past festivals. DW and I attended for the first time in '02. We did one PFTS, one Reserve Dinner and two Signature Dinners that year and they were all spectacular. Nothing that I see in this year's program comes even close from what I can tell. I still have the menus from all four events and look back fondly at the memories.

Here's hoping we all come back pleasantly surprised! I'll be calling tomorrow to hopefully book the 9/27 Italy F&W Pairing. Good luck to all tomorrow!

Brad

Brad - You are a lucky man!! You better come home from Orlando with something special to knock your wife's socks off!

 

[ImprovGal]

and yet, where else can I taste ostrich??!!

Chef Brian seems to have given ostrich regular appearances on the Jiko dinner menu. I had an ostrich schnitzel appetizer there a few months ago.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Chef Brian seems to have given ostrich regular appearances on the Jiko dinner menu. I had an ostrich schnitzel appetizer there a few months ago.

The menu just changed. There's still an ostrich appetizer, but it's different, I just saw a review on it yesterday.

 

[kabuki]

I agree 100% with Briar on this one. I stopped frequenting this thread as much because so many were complaining about the lack of special events for the festival. This is not my first Food & Wine and, quite honestly, I have no problem with the schedule this year. I like the events offered and am pleased with the selection. Could there be more? Yes. Will it cause me to crucify WDW? Not a chance. Will it stop me from staying on site or going as often as I do? Absolutely not.

I go to WDW for activities other than Food & Wine. I enjoy it year round. WDW is not a place solely for this festival. I am sorry that some of you are disappointed though. Don't get me wrong there. Maybe you should express your concern to guest communications via email and letter? That's better than going on and on about it on the boards and getting more upset. At least they would learn of your disappointment.

I bought into DVC in 2007. This festival had nothing to do with my purchasing in it. I am happy with my decision. I am able to go more often and have better choices of accomodations. If it is not right for someone, they do not have to buy. It was definitely right for us and I should not be criticized for it.

NikkiBell .. My husband and I couldn't have said it better. We are excited and ready to go.. Happy with our DVC and are in for a GREAT time!

 

[parrotheadlois]

We agree as well. Happy DVC owners - happy with the Food & Wine - Happy we'll be going to the Party for the Senses for the __th time (don't know how many), but our first was when it was in the Odyssey Building (it was a relatively small event - we were hooked).

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

I know that most everybody on this thread loves Disney, which is the reason we all go back time and time again, but there are other great Food & Wine festivals around the country at various time of the year. For those that are extremely disappointed, you can always look at other festivals.

I attended the Santa Fe Wine & Chilie Festival last year which was outstanding and compared to Disney prices, it is probably a better value (and it was not cheap!). I obviously enjoy going to Disney and I have the added benefit of being so close that I can drive.

Maybe if Disney, and their vendors who pay to attend, start to see declines in attendance they will take a look at making changes in the future. You can always send an email to Disney to explain your disappointment.

I’m hoping for the best as I’ve been talking up the festival all year to my friend who will be attending with me for the first time. Honestly, I’ll be fine with whatever (I’m easy going). I just hope my friend isn’t disappointed considering the hype I’ve built up about the festival.

 

[kabuki]

Well, good night to all and good luck tomorrow calling in to those who are going for any special events! It will be 4am here .. could someone have coffee ready please?!

 

[SamSam]

Well, good night to all and good luck tomorrow calling in to those who are going for any special events! It will be 4am here .. could someone have coffee ready please?!

I feel for you. I was visiting DS in California 2 years ago and had to do the 4am call in. Makes my 6am (kansas) seem like a sleep-in. Guess, I should be gettin' myself to bed soon.

 

[cityofweasels]

Well, good night to all and good luck tomorrow calling in to those who are going for any special events! It will be 4am here .. could someone have coffee ready please?!

You know, I planned to look over the brochure one more time tonight and make my final decisions. While doing so, at some point I realized I was settling on things that seemed like the best picks of the lot... as opposed to previous years when I'd see an event and immediately say "Oh, I've just GOT to do that."

The realization left me at a loss; I'm not sure I see anything worth planning a trip around. I'm frequently in the area and will likely make the rounds of the booths once, but unless I have a change of heart overnight I'm thinking I'll skip the special events this year. I admit this disappoints me, but I don't want to force it.

Anyone else similarly torn at this late hour?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Here we go! Everybody ready to call?

On hold......blah, I am ready to go back to bed! lol

 

[kabuki]

holding...

 

[*NikkiBell*]

What are you all booking?

Does PFTS usually sell out fast? Should I be freaking out that I am on hold?

 

[PNO4TE]

I am anxiously awaiting the results of all your phone calls! I hope everyone is able to book every event they want.

 

[oybolshoi]

got home really late last night fom our trip ... stupid Fay mucked up travel on Friday and yesterday but at least we got to where we needed to be.

Got through right at six but thanks to the stupid automated questions am now sitting on hold. Tried calling on the cell and all circuits are busy.

Annoyed I am ... yes, I often channel Yoda when I'm tired and haven't had coffee.

 

[WDWguru]

Blurg... got up at 4:55am local time to call. Rang through right when they opened but have now been on hold for 9 minutes...