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

[cdtommie]

I wonder if we can get a to-go cup because we have no plans to eat there and quite frankly no interest in eating there either.

You can take it out at Cellier - they looked at me like I had two heads first and it took a few minutes wait time but it worked (they wouldn't let me use the DDE though). Rumour has it that the popcorn cart is selling bottles again (they used to but stopped a few years ago). If you like Trois Pistoles try the Maudite - a lightweight at only 8% but another that I prefer along with Trois to La Fin Du Monde.

 

[cdtommie]

Why don't they call it the Walt Disney World Drunk-a-Thon, and serve up beer and spirits as well ? I would say on average , the beer selections around "The World" are better than the wine selections ... especially at Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

At the very least, though, they could include an Oktoberfest day to celebrate brewing.

Interesting perspective - I think you're more a wine person (and very knowledgeable based on your postings)...there may be a larger beer selection but they are all basically macro lager variations with little flavor.

 

[BriarRosie]

We loves the Choco!! And yes, the DH DOES like his drinks. I will sell him on that... and maybe I can get him to hold the table while I wander around. I think it will be less overwhelming for him that way!! I am ThisCLOSE to picking up the phone and order the tickets...

Just wanted to post a reminder that you don't get physical "tickets" for any of the special dining events. You prepay and get on "The List". You check in at the event with either your name, or better still, the confirmation number given to you.

And here's another reminder: If you don't remember where you put your confirmation numbers, you can get a copy of them when you check into your Disney resort (if applicable), or at any Guest Relations window (aka where they sell tickets) at any of the parks or Downtown Disney.

I find it convenient to get the printout of my dining reservations (and those Food and Wine events!) when I'm checking in. Oh. One more thing. The food and wine events are listed separately from your regular dining ADRs. You have to ask for both.

 

[kathyg]

The offerings at the food booths seem to have diminished this year. It seems in years past the countries offered at least three different tasting portions --2 savory and one sweet plus wine or beer. This year it seems like they are offering only two. Do you think this will change closer to opening?

 

[TDC Nala]

We do not have any idea if that list is final - probably won't be known until the festival opens.

 

[Forever Fairy]

The offerings at the food booths seem to have diminished this year. It seems in years past the countries offered at least three different tasting portions --2 savory and one sweet plus wine or beer. This year it seems like they are offering only two. Do you think this will change closer to opening?

Actually, it seems as if the whole festival has been trimmed down this year. From the missing Cirque at the PFTS to the lack of Food & Wine Pairing and Signature Events.

Maybe Disney is really feeling the crunch when it comes to trying to save money. Although I can't see how as most of these events are always sold out.

This will be my first F&W event and I'm hoping I will still enjoy. Maybe since I've never been before - I won't know what I'm missing.

Does anyone know (if when the events go live) if reviews of the festival will be posted on this thread or if a new one will be started?

 

[CarolA]

I don't get the Cirque issue.

I have to be honest I was MORE disappointed a few years ago when they took away the live music. Cirque doing "random" acts just did nothing for me. It struck me as an "advertisement" to get me to spend more money at DTD......

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't get the Cirque issue.

I have to be honest I was MORE disappointed a few years ago when they took away the live music. Cirque doing "random" acts just did nothing for me. It struck me as an "advertisement" to get me to spend more money at DTD......

Are you kidding, people don't spend money at DTD. That's why they're closing the nightclubs.

 

[CarolA]

Are you kidding, people don't spend money at DTD. That's why they're closing the nightclubs.

Well since Cirque is still around...maybe they should have been adverstising AC or Comedy Warehouse!

 

[starseed]

Starseed here is a link to a menu form last years PFTS. They change every week but it will give you an idea of the foods offered.

http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw07/fw07_ps.htm

Thank you for posting that! For some reason, I had read that review previously, but didn't see the list above it!! I also read oybolshoi's recap from last year and loved her description of everything.

Just wanted to post a reminder that you don't get physical "tickets" for any of the special dining events. You prepay and get on "The List". You check in at the event with either your name, or better still, the confirmation number given to you.

And here's another reminder: If you don't remember where you put your confirmation numbers, you can get a copy of them when you check into your Disney resort (if applicable), or at any Guest Relations window (aka where they sell tickets) at any of the parks or Downtown Disney.

I find it convenient to get the printout of my dining reservations (and those Food and Wine events!) when I'm checking in. Oh. One more thing. The food and wine events are listed separately from your regular dining ADRs. You have to ask for both.

I appreciate the reminder! I am a bit of a trip nazi and have a little folder containing all necessary (and sometimes also unnecessary) info that comes with me when we travel! But it is great to know that I can get a printout of all the ressies.

It's our first time doing F&W and haven't made too many ADRs for this trip because we intend on Epcot booth hopping. Is that a good strategy? Or would we exhaust all the booths within two or three visits?

 

[kabuki]

Thank you for posting that! For some reason, I had read that review previously, but didn't see the list above it!! I also read oybolshoi's recap from last year and loved her description of everything.



I appreciate the reminder! I am a bit of a trip nazi and have a little folder containing all necessary (and sometimes also unnecessary) info that comes with me when we travel! But it is great to know that I can get a printout of all the ressies.

It's our first time doing F&W and haven't made too many ADRs for this trip because we intend on Epcot booth hopping. Is that a good strategy? Or would we exhaust all the booths within two or three visits?

It is a good strategy. We make a few ADR's and then cancel if we are full. Depending on how long you go .. it's nice to sit and eat rather then walking with food all the time. Plus the A/C helps!

You say trip nazi like it's a bad thing?! FOLDERS are key and so is my hi-liter!
It's more MAGICAL if I am prepared at all times!

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

It's our first time doing F&W and haven't made too many ADRs for this trip because we intend on Epcot booth hopping. Is that a good strategy? Or would we exhaust all the booths within two or three visits?

I would suggest making a few ADR's, especially if your trip falls over the weekend. At times the lines for the food booths over the weekend are 20-30 minutes long. Plus as kabuki stated there will be times when you just want to sit, have somebody wait on you and relax in the AC. You are on vacation after all!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I would suggest making a few ADR's, especially if your trip falls over the weekend. At times the lines for the food booths over the weekend are 20-30 minutes long. Plus as kabuki stated there will be times when you just want to sit, have somebody wait on you and relax in the AC. You are on vacation after all!

Really that long a wait???

We are going over a weekend -- a Friday and Saturday -- will Friday be quieter? Will it be quieter earlier in the day and then get busier as the day goes on?

 

[oybolshoi]

Really that long a wait???

We are going over a weekend -- a Friday and Saturday -- will Friday be quieter? Will it be quieter earlier in the day and then get busier as the day goes on?

It's always better to go earlier in the day ... no matter which day of the week you're visiting. The crowds pick up noticeably by late afternoon and evening. Friday and Saturday nights have always been pretty crowded in our experience.

 

[Charleston Princess]

It's always better to go earlier in the day ... no matter which day of the week you're visiting. The crowds pick up noticeably by late afternoon and evening. Friday and Saturday nights have always been pretty crowded in our experience.

Okay...I guess we will plan on getting started as soon as the booths open each day. Thanks!

 

[oybolshoi]

Okay...I guess we will plan on getting started as soon as the booths open each day. Thanks!

I don't mean to make it sound like a bad experience ... we've had some good times munching around the world at night. But initially on our first visit or two to the festival we like to go early in the day so that we can enjoy everything with fewer people around and take our time scoping out everything the booths have to offer.

Everyone has their own way of touring ... just have fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't mean to make it sound like a bad experience ... we've had some good times munching around the world at night. But initially on our first visit or two to the festival we like to go early in the day so that we can enjoy everything with fewer people around and take our time scoping out everything the booths have to offer.

Everyone has their own way of touring ... just have fun!

No, I didn't take it that way -- ideally, we would go during the week, but this is a quick weekend trip around my school's fall break (I am a teacher) so we have to deal with the busy weekend.

I am very excited though because it's our first time going to Food and Wine! We will have fun no matter what!

 

[gismo1554]

The offerings at the food booths seem to have diminished this year. It seems in years past the countries offered at least three different tasting portions --2 savory and one sweet plus wine or beer. This year it seems like they are offering only two. Do you think this will change closer to opening?

I assumed, as I think happened in previous years, Disney only gave you a glimpse at what would be at the booths, giving just one or two items per booth. Remember this list doesn't include any drink or anything so there's a good chance there will be other stuff added.

 

[gismo1554]

It's our first time doing F&W and haven't made too many ADRs for this trip because we intend on Epcot booth hopping. Is that a good strategy? Or would we exhaust all the booths within two or three visits?

I would say it depends on how much you like to eat. I personally find the booths to be great to get a few different things for lunch or dinner and could definately spend days doing it depending on the offerings.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I assumed, as I think happened in previous years, Disney only gave you a glimpse at what would be at the booths, giving just one or two items per booth. Remember this list doesn't include any drink or anything so there's a good chance there will be other stuff added.

Yes, and I am waiting very impatiently for the full list.........