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

[oybolshoi]

Too steep for me but I'd be willing to attend with a little help from a sponsor like Vanity Fair or Viking or ...???

I like the way you think!

 

[ghidorah97]

Sadly I think some of these "friends" were figments of thier imagination! I saw one couple who was "holding seats" for friends sit alone ALL night until someone BUSTED them on it and htey then pouted and actually complained to a Cast Member that it was thier "honeymoon" LOL!

They just want to block the tables!

That just drives me crazy. It's amazing how rude some people can be. The first time my wife and I attended (in '02) we met another young couple who just happened to also be from Connecticut. We all had a great time (sharing tables!) and remain friends to this day.

Soooooo .... no one's going to the Bocuse Grand Gala?

We'll be going to watch the competition, but the Gala? At $450? For only three courses??? I'm sure that it will be an amazing event, but that price tag is pretty hard to justify. Think we'll just nosh around the world after listening to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy instead!

 

[ImprovGal]

Too steep for me but I'd be willing to attend with a little help from a sponsor like Vanity Fair or Viking or ...???

.... or Sally Struthers?


"Please, for only pennies a day, you can sponsor a foodie."

 

[DizDragonfly]

Soooooo .... no one's going to the Bocuse Grand Gala?

Ya, no!

 

[BriarRosie]

.... or Sally Struthers?


"Please, for only pennies a day, you can sponsor a foodie."

I can see the wheels turning in Catherine's head, figuring out how to make a "Save the Foodies" logo.

 

[gismo1554]

But I like Guinness too. Brilliant! What's a person to do!

You are a better woman than me to be able to do a mag between the 2 of you and still be able to write full sentences the next day!

lol just too much of a drinker that's my problem!

 

[gismo1554]

There are definately more wines than beer served. But it has been our experience that you will find beer at a couple stations, as well as vodka sometimes. Again, all parties are different.

And don't forget Remy Martin Brandy! Mmmm yummy

Last time we went they also had a fruit liqueur stand with different types of Vodka and Whiskey

 

[gismo1554]

Well, remember that the food last year all came from Boma. So, if that's the experience you want, do the South African wine school on Nov. 1 and then go to Boma for dinner. Not sure if you're there then (that's 6 days prior to the Lousiana dinner), but that's probaby the next best thing.

Oh hadn't actually noticed that one on the schedule somehow. May have to discuss that one with dbf

 

[gismo1554]

I was thinking with InBev's popular purchase of Busch , that they would probably like to push all their brands. They have a pretty wide portfolio of products, including English, German, Belgian, Brazilian. Fit in nicely with the whole Epcot F&W theme. Just speculation on my part. I know Disney seem to tie themselves up in knots when it comes to products sold in parks, so they might be limited as to what companies can make an appearance.

Inbev used to do a beer seminar at F&W before but when they started sniffing around Anheuser Busch they stopped. Now they own AB I guess they probably wont but it would have been nice.

 

[gismo1554]

I'm sure someone will correct me - I do remember reading about Inbev wasnt part of the WDW distribution list - which is why they no longer do the fantastic beer tastings in England - I remember they used to do full bottles of beer per table - 4 beers, one was Stella Ortois (sp?)

this was the reason cited that InBev wont be there - I hope there is a new contract signed and we can see some great beers!! (or whatever the problem was, may it get resolved!)

Stella Artois is actually still sold at the Rose and Crown in Disney however so not sure how true that is. The beer school used to have:
Guinness
Brahma (like Corona but better)
Stella Artois
Harp
Tennants

I think!

 

[gismo1554]

InBev was there last year. Over by the UK. They had Stella, some Brazilan Beer I can't recall

BRAHMA! I love this stuff! TGI Fridays in the UK sells it (not sure about the US) and it is gorgeous! So much better than Corona

 

[gismo1554]

Thank you Gismo1554! I know we'd enjoy it but DH has never been to a Food and Wine festival (I have been to one) and wants to be able to walk around and see everything and go to the booths to sample things. So we will probably do that instead.

No problem. Our first year we did none of the paid stuff and had the best time ever. There's a lot to see anyway and the free seminars are fantastic!

 

[gismo1554]

Sadly I think some of these "friends" were figments of thier imagination! I saw one couple who was "holding seats" for friends sit alone ALL night until someone BUSTED them on it and htey then pouted and actually complained to a Cast Member that it was thier "honeymoon" LOL!

They just want to block the tables!

I'm still amased by this. Personally I found the tables had no view of the performers and standing up was actually better. We used a perch table rather than a proper one and had no problem. I always assumed that the main tables were more geared towards disabled guests anyway and wouldn't have wanted to take someones seat who might have actually needed it.

 

[webray]

I've had (and enjoyed) them both, but for me the perfect balance of price, taste and hops is Bell's Two Hearted Ale. Outstanding stuff, and Bell's is one of the best all-around microbreweries in the country, IMHO.

Cool, where is Bell's located. Would love to look for it.

 

[webray]

Having never been to the Festival, I wanted to bring my 19 year old son who is about to start Culinary Art School in January. I know wine and beer is served, but I am guessing that they just won't give him any as I see no age limit to any of these events that have to be paid separately for? Any info would be great, thanks!

Yes, he can attend the festival with you. He still pays full price and they will designate him somehow as not being able to drink.
I think he would have a great time.

 

[PNO4TE]

Having never been to the Festival, I wanted to bring my 19 year old son who is about to start Culinary Art School in January. I know wine and beer is served, but I am guessing that they just won't give him any as I see no age limit to any of these events that have to be paid separately for? Any info would be great, thanks!

The Culinary Arts School here at NMC in Michigan. I just thought the festival would be a great way for him to see outstanding chefs and culinary creations. Do you think he would enjoy it?

I agree! He will love it. We have been taking our younger DD to PFTS since she was 18. Although she could not drink she loved the many foods she was able to try. After she turned 21 the Party became even more enjoyable for us all.

 

[PNO4TE]

Soooooo .... no one's going to the Bocuse Grand Gala?

I kept hoping that Bob would have surprised me with reservations, but... apparently I was dreaming BIG TIME! He said, "HOW MUCH?!?!? PER PERSON?!?!?!"

 

[webray]

Soooooo .... no one's going to the Bocuse Grand Gala?

We would really love to go but with everything else booked I had to draw a line somewhere. I could change my mind though...lol.

 

[ElizabethB]

The seating difficulty is one reason we no longer do PFTS. We tire very quickly of trying to hold a spot at a table and run around getting samples of things. We don't like trying to stand, and balance food and wine. Although we love to meet people and chat, we don't like asking if we can join a table only to be told, "No, we're saving those seats." One is as likely to encounter rude people as nice ones, unfortunately. So, not worth the trouble.

Another is we hate the jumbled order of food -- a bit of meat, followed by a gazpacho shot, followed by a taste of dessert, followed by a fish sampling. We'll do that going around the booths, but we're not interested in doing it at the PFTS price.

Further, the wines in our experience are run-of-the-mill. And, the number of people and size of the space are daunting. And, although dh likes Cirque de Soleil, it does nothing whatsoever for me. Obviously, it's just me, but I think it's really weird and off-putting.

So, for us, definitely not worth $270. We much prefer a quiet dinner somewhere with one truly outstanding bottle of wine.

Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled to see the Exquisite Evenings replaced with more World Showcase walkabouts, though I can see why Disney is doing them. Many more people can participate -- and it no doubt costs Disney less per person.

But, all of the foregoing creates a positive in one respect -- none of you will have to share a table with me (the DIS F&W Festival chief complainer)!

Since the sad fact about the Exquisite Evenings was only revealed at a date that was really too late to change our plans, Dh and I will be doing two events (down from the 10 or so we've done other years), which events shall remain nameless as I'd probably be tarred and feathered if my true identity became known. Trust me, however, neither event is a walkabout of any kind -- PFTS, City Tastes or otherwise. And, neither involves a celebrity chef with a book to hawk. Hmmm. What's left? I may be giving too many clues, so I'll stop.

But, never fear -- all you walkabout lovers are safe!

 

[redzinner]

I was sitting here wondering about what to take out of the freezer for dinner and my mind went to Louisiana - yes there is a vast empty wilderness to roam between my ears ...

but do you think they will serve some Cajun Dirty Rice at the Louisiana kiosk?
the real stuff with chicken gizzards?