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

[oybolshoi]

Just have a glass of wine and repeat after me there is no place like home...DVC

 

[agnes01]

Hi Everyone! I just joined this forum. My husband and I are big Disney fans. We are going in late October for the food and wine festival and halloween party (staying at Pop Century). I kind of want to upgrade the hotel but it will affect our ability to do other events so I don't think we will upgrade.

Anyway, this morning we signed up for the pairing at Italy and the Sweet Sunday events (one on Saturday and the other the next day).

I was thinking of adding on the Spain City Tasting event but I wonder if it would be too much - three events in three days. Also I am not sure what to expect as it is a walkaround event. It takes up the whole evening (we could walk around Epcot and try all the different foods).

Did anyone sign up for the Spain City Tasting on 10/24? Does anyone know anything about it?

 

[ghidorah97]

Here's some info about Citricos Chef's Domain...


Here's a picture of the table...

The kitchen is through the door. This area is behind the bar as you walk into Citricos.

Thanks very much for the info! Looks like a great room, however 650 clams for three diners probably rules it out for this trip (Citricos is a nice resto and all, but it's no Per Se or Alinea, so $200+pp seems a bit steep).

I'll post mine if you post yours!

Keeping my fingers crossed that you get the Chef's Table!

You got yourself a deal -- dueling posts!! My fingers are crossed as well, however I'm trying to remain realistic and realize that it's a longshot at best. Ah well, stranger things...

Brad

 

[tkbk]

Got everything I wanted this morning!!! I was up at 4am (west coast time)

PFTS - 10/11
F&W pairing Saki,Sushi & Sashimi 10/13
F&W pairing Mediterranian Flavors 10/14
Kitchen Conversation w/ Jamie Deen 10/18

It will be our first FWF we are so excited!

 

[TDC Nala]

Okay, I'm ashamed to admit this, but I totally blew the date. For some reason I thought TUESDAY was the 25th, and didn't realize it until right now. In a panic, I looked over the schedule for the weekend we're there (10/1 - 10/5), and ended up booking the Wine School program with Karen MacNeil (who authored one of the best wine books of all time, The Wine Bible) on 10/4 from 1 - 4pm.

So here's my question (because I could only make it through 25 pages on this thread before getting burnt out) .... has anyone done the Wine School before, and how was it ? $125 was a little steep, but I've paid that for guided tastings in Napa before, so I thought this might be an interesting afternoon.

Better yet, we've got reservations at the California Grill for 6:30 that day, so it's looking like a full day.

I have done two wine schools. However, those were full day events and included breakfast (continental) and lunch. This year they've been cut down to three hours and are apparently wine only, no food. So there isn't anyone who could tell you what you're in store for, because in past years this was a very different event.

 

[ImprovGal]

Just found this ..

.

Here are a few remarkable facts about the 13th annual event:

More than 300 national and international wines
45 favulous days long
More than 76 kinds of international foods, each appetizer-sized portion priced $2-$5

Y'all were too busy looking at the typo that you missed the mathematics.
(76 food items at the kiosks) - (51 items listed in wdwinfo) = (25 yet unannounced food items to enjoy!)

 

[dparksfan]

Thanks to all who replied to my questions re: how to do the PFTS! Great advice!

I really appreciate the pics of last years clothes too! The lady on the phone today said the dress was "smart casual". Huh?!

Thank you for clarifying for us all!

 

[puffkins]

I scanned that from the front of the F&W brochure that I got in the mail on Friday. I thought it was cool too.

For those of us who are not on the mailing list...when in the 'world' is Disney going to post the brochure online?

Cover does look good for this year

 

[TDC Nala]

There is a link to a thread where the brochure was posted in the first post of this thread.

 

[puffkins]

OK, thanks. I'll take a look.

 

[Figaro]

My spouse called this morning and had no problem getting through. So we are going to the October, 18th Party for the Senses.

What time should you be there if you are not planning on attending the Eat to the Beat Concert?

Are there any issues with a wheelchair at this event? Things like the food being placed back too far to reach or no place for my spouse to sit at eye level with me?

I think we are going to use a home-made tray on my wheelchair to balance the wine and food, as it is kind of hard to manage both of our plates/wine glasses with a wheelchair.

 

[NejTheLion]

Well, we consider ourselves very lucky that we planned our trip for that first week of November, when most of the things we wanted to do were happening. And with some of the other events cancelled this year (Exquisite Evenings, Discovering Wine), we decided to try some new things. Here's what we booked:

10/31 - City Tastes - Italy
11/1 - South African Wine School (we were torn since we liked the old version, we'll have to see how it is at 3 hours, hopefully the "celebratory reception" includes some kind of food)
11/1 - PFTS
11/2 - Sweet Sundays w/Gale Gand (never done one of these)
11/2 - V&A Signature Dinner
11/3 - Sake, Sushi & Sashimi F&W pairing (never done one of these)
11/4 - Mediterranean F&W pairing (never done one of these)
11/7 - bluezoo Signature Dinner
11/8 - PFTS

And I'll do my best to put together some good reviews

 

[webray]

Are there any issues with a wheelchair at this event? Things like the food being placed back too far to reach or no place for my spouse to sit at eye level with me?

The food is usually handed to you by someone at each section to keep the line moving quickly.

If you want to sit...just find a table. Usually hubby and I take turns getting wine and food so we don't lose the table until we are ready to get up. Works out great. Most the tables are larger, so we usually end up sharing the table with 2, 3, 4 other couples. Good way to make new friends also!

 

[gismo1554]

Hi Everyone! I just joined this forum. My husband and I are big Disney fans. We are going in late October for the food and wine festival and halloween party (staying at Pop Century). I kind of want to upgrade the hotel but it will affect our ability to do other events so I don't think we will upgrade.

Anyway, this morning we signed up for the pairing at Italy and the Sweet Sunday events (one on Saturday and the other the next day).

I was thinking of adding on the Spain City Tasting event but I wonder if it would be too much - three events in three days. Also I am not sure what to expect as it is a walkaround event. It takes up the whole evening (we could walk around Epcot and try all the different foods).

Did anyone sign up for the Spain City Tasting on 10/24? Does anyone know anything about it?

Personally I think 3 events in 3 days is a lot. I'd tend to stick with the 2.

The Spain thing is new this year so dont have much info on it but I think its going to be like a small Party for the Senses

 

[gismo1554]

Congrats to all those that got what they want. We've opted to not bother this year as frankly nothing inspired us (was so hoping for an African Adventure like last year). Still looking foreward to the free stuff and they food booths.

 

[jcvalenti]

I have done two wine schools. However, those were full day events and included breakfast (continental) and lunch. This year they've been cut down to three hours and are apparently wine only, no food. So there isn't anyone who could tell you what you're in store for, because in past years this was a very different event.

Well, I assume since you did two, they were worth it. The 3 hour version sounds like plenty for me. I'm looking forward to listening to Ms. MacNeil, as I've read several of her books and enjoy her approach to discussing - and educating - about wine. Plus you really can't go wrong with a topic like Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ... so many good ones to choose from.

 

[oybolshoi]

Well, we consider ourselves very lucky that we planned our trip for that first week of November, when most of the things we wanted to do were happening. And with some of the other events cancelled this year (Exquisite Evenings, Discovering Wine), we decided to try some new things. Here's what we booked:

10/31 - City Tastes - Italy
11/1 - South African Wine School (we were torn since we liked the old version, we'll have to see how it is at 3 hours, hopefully the "celebratory reception" includes some kind of food)
11/1 - PFTS
11/2 - Sweet Sundays w/Gale Gand (never done one of these)
11/2 - V&A Signature Dinner
11/3 - Sake, Sushi & Sashimi F&W pairing (never done one of these)
11/4 - Mediterranean F&W pairing (never done one of these)
11/7 - bluezoo Signature Dinner
11/8 - PFTS

And I'll do my best to put together some good reviews

Nice! I'm already looking forward to your reviews!

 

[RachelTori]

Well, I assume since you did two, they were worth it. The 3 hour version sounds like plenty for me. I'm looking forward to listening to Ms. MacNeil, as I've read several of her books and enjoy her approach to discussing - and educating - about wine. Plus you really can't go wrong with a topic like Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ... so many good ones to choose from.

I'm always hesitant to book anything that requires an entire day! This shorter wine school sounds more appealing to me (although I didn't book it!)

I hope you will come back and give us a review. TIA!

 

[Steve-O]

I have done two wine schools. However, those were full day events and included breakfast (continental) and lunch. This year they've been cut down to three hours and are apparently wine only, no food. So there isn't anyone who could tell you what you're in store for, because in past years this was a very different event.

I, too, have done two, 6 hour wine schools in the past. Can't remember whether there were 8 or 10 wines. They were full pours, though, unlike the vertical tastings. With three hours, I'd guess six wines. It's like going to a seminar in a hotel. Large room with no windows, tables set up class room style, instructor in front with overhead projector. Instructors were very knowledgeable and you really learn in the schools. It's pretty stiff (not party-like) until after about 4 glasses. For my taste, the 6 hours was a bit much. Four with lunch would have been better. They've cut it to 3 without lunch for the same price. Last note - there are the ineveitable show-offs who sit in the first row and ask a million questions, the answers to which they already know. Just ignore them and sit near the waiter stations and quietly ask for refills on the wines you really like.

 

[NejTheLion]

Congrats to all those that got what they want. We've opted to not bother this year as frankly nothing inspired us (was so hoping for an African Adventure like last year). Still looking foreward to the free stuff and they food booths.

If you're looking for something like the South African Wine Adventure, it sounds like the new City Tastes events are going to be pretty similar - kind of like a smaller version of PFTS based around a specific region. If they can just improve the food plan (spread things out so one long buffet line doesn't happen), I'm hoping these events will be just like the South African event last year.

Or were you looking for something specifically African?