Got a call from Disney today to inform us that due to "unforseen challenges" the Champagne Brunch that we booked for 10/14 has been canceled.
That must be some kind of record ... four days after booking opened.
I called just to try to get some information and couldn't get anyone to tell me what the "challenges" were. I also expressed my lack of enthusiasm over the culling of the program for this year's festival and was told that this was in response to customer surveys taken at various festival events last year, including the regional feasts, signature dinners, and exquisite evenings.
She said attendees were all asking for "something different" and when I said something different doesn't equate to eliminating all of those events that were obviously popular since they were selling out every year, she proceeded to tell me that people wanted more celebrity chef appearances.
She tried to get me excited by telling me about the City Walk events (not being offered during our stay, thanks anyway) and then she tried to get me even more excited about Jamie Deen. I don't like Paula Deen why would I want to pay money to see one of her offspring? And I'm pretty sure he's making an appearance at a time other than our trip, anyway.
I know that we're all different and we all look for different things from the Festival, but for Jay and I meeting a "celebrity chef" is not what we travel to Florida and WDW in October to do. We are looking for unique and educational dining experiences that we could never have here in St. Louis. We used to get that from Epcot, but based on the conversation I had this afternoon it sounds like what we are seeing this year is the new and exciting wave of the future.
We'll still have a great time this October, but we continue to be disappointed by the line up for this year's festival. I definitely plan on writing a letter once we get home from our trip - I will send it to many people who will not care but it will make me feel better for about five minutes.
BTW - I've never taken any kind of survey for F&W organizers and no one has ever been remotely interested in any suggestions or comments that we've offered in past years. Anyone else here taken a survey?
This way, if you do spill, it won't be noticed. A nice deep wine glass works better also.
I think I need to donate the "girls" to the needy! Maybe auction them off on Ebay? 
waiting for friends to come over for BBQ white DH is playing World of Warcraft 
The lanyards I bought are very sturdy and work well.
