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

[oybolshoi]

As for the food list. I kind of feel for Disney.

When they don't put on new things people complain "It's the same stuff"
When they do put on new things people complain "My favorite is gone"

And sometimes it's the SAME people who want ALL new things except for THIER favorites LOL!

I don't disagree that they're in something of a no-win situation here, but surely it wouldn't be that difficult to keep one constant at each booth that's the most popular - the cheddar cheese soup in Canada for example - while changing up the other offerings. Not trying to pick on Canada but they're offering the exact same thing this year that they offered in 2006 and 2007 ... cheddar cheese soup, salmon, and creme brulee.

Everybody's different but personally, I'd prefer to see new items now and then. It tells me that the people in charge of planning are actually putting some thought into the festival and it would give us the opportunity to try some new things.

 

[Forever42]

I disagree with the pricing issue.

Maybe they are higher then what you find in the Florida stores, but they aren't really higher then what my stores charge! There is one wine I found at the Festival I drink quite often Price at Disney and price at my local wine shop. EXACTLY the same! LOL!

Wow! We must have it pretty good in Orlando then, it's why I've always shied away from buying anything that I can't find in our local stores. The one thing I regret was the 1999 Penfolds 128 back in 2004 since it was about $7 more than ABC charged, but I was never able to find it when I went back to look for it.

And I did buy the Utopias last year for $190 since I wasn't sure I'd ever see it in stores

As for the food list. I kind of feel for Disney.

When they don't put on new things people complain "It's the same stuff"
When they do put on new things people complain "My favorite is gone"

And sometimes it's the SAME people who want ALL new things except for THIER favorites LOL!

Oh, I understand. And a lot of people don't go as often as we can, so "old stuff" can be a positive thing - if they didn't get to try it the year before!

I do like it when it's more of a 50/50 of old and new, really.

Check the list carefully...I found some of the earlier food suggestions have been changed, inlcuding a mushroom dish from Germany I was looking forward to...but are taste buds are ready come what may, it is still yummy!!!!!

The spaetzel with mushrooms? They did have that last year, and I'm grateful that it's returning since it's one of the few hearty savory vegetarian items.

And my list of what's new is from the latest that you posted from Allears, compared to previous years, so it's as updated as possible.

 

[luvpooh]

There seem to be some changes between Deb's new list and the original one posted, but still it's not complete since not all booths have wine/beer listed; some things have also disappeared from the original listing, such as the soup in Poland and the Barramundi fish in Australia (to be replaced, again, with the Shrimp on the Barbie - yuck)

BYW, does anyone know what goes into the St. Germain Red Cocktail (besides the St. Germain liquor)?

 

[kabuki]

There seem to be some changes between Deb's new list and the original one posted, but still it's not complete since not all booths have wine/beer listed; some things have also disappeared from the original listing, such as the soup in Poland and the Barramundi fish in Australia (to be replaced, again, with the Shrimp on the Barbie - yuck)



BYW, does anyone know what goes into the St. Germain Red Cocktail (besides the St. Germain liquor)?

I think it's just sparkling wine..

here is the web page!
http://www.stgermain.fr/seasonal.php?r=Champagne

 

[Forever42]

There seem to be some changes between Deb's new list and the original one posted, but still it's not complete since not all booths have wine/beer listed; some things have also disappeared from the original listing, such as the soup in Poland and the Barramundi fish in Australia (to be replaced, again, with the Shrimp on the Barbie - yuck)

BYW, does anyone know what goes into the St. Germain Red Cocktail (besides the St. Germain liquor)?

Either way, not much longer til we find out the complete list - I can't believe how anxious I am this year.

Last year, the Red Cocktail was pretty much a cranberry and vodka with St Germain added - so just cranberry, vodka, St Germain. It was definitely tasty! I love flowery notes in my beverages, so I ended up buying that one multiple times.

 

[luvpooh]

Either way, not much longer til we find out the complete list - I can't believe how anxious I am this year.

Last year, the Red Cocktail was pretty much a cranberry and vodka with St Germain added - so just cranberry, vodka, St Germain. It was definitely tasty! I love flowery notes in my beverages, so I ended up buying that one multiple times.

I know, I cannot wait to see the brochure - we're going late this year, not til the 22nd!
Thanks, I was going to buy a bottle of St. Germain (small, little larger than airplane size) to try it but I wasn't sure what the other 'ingredients' were, so I didn't; next trip to the liquor store I will be sure to, sounds yummy!

 

[lilschock]

Thanks to all of you for your help and input

I will have a car to drive to PC so I will probably stop at a ABC to get some stuff but I may pick up something at the fest if I really like it ....Thanks again

Christina

 

[webray]

I think it depends on what you're buying. We try to limit ourselves to items that we can't find anywhere else.

We found a bottle of Disney's Iron Horse Cuvee (their exclusive champagne) for about $29, which is a great deal because you'd pay twice that on the cruise.

But we also saw wines that we've purchased here at home that had been marked up by as much as 50%. We don't buy those.

I'd say the price ranges are probably anywhere between $15 - $200 depending on what you're looking at.

I totally agree. Prices per bottle are higher at disney, much higher than if you get it from your local store. $15 to $200 pretty much right on!

Last time we were on the disney ship that had cruise line wine in the gift shop. We picked some up, haven't tried it yet though. You can also grab wine in the ports to drink on the ship, or to take home. Depending on what cruise you are doing, that is your most economical option. Nassau has wonderful liquor stores if you are doing the Wonder. Haven't kept up with the magic..is it out of dry dock? If you are on the magic, you will have no problem finding something wonderful as well.!

 

[webray]

. Not trying to pick on Canada but they're offering the exact same thing this year that they offered in 2006 and 2007 ... cheddar cheese soup, salmon, and creme brulee.

Everybody's different but personally, I'd prefer to see new items now and then. It tells me that the people in charge of planning are actually putting some thought into the festival and it would give us the opportunity to try some new things.

I too would love new items every year. Those of us who go mulitiple times per year would appreciate trying new things, and those who go once a year or less, well, it wouldn't matter to them.

Although...I would love the Maple Fudge from Canada to come back, lol.

 

[webray]

Thanks to all of you for your help and input

I will have a car to drive to PC so I will probably stop at a ABC to get some stuff but I may pick up something at the fest if I really like it ....Thanks again

Christina

Oh, no problem then. ABC right there near the port!

 

[Forever42]

Haven't kept up with the magic..is it out of dry dock? If you are on the magic, you will have no problem finding something wonderful as well.!

We're going to be on the Magic later this year, so I've been keeping up She's just out of drydock and passengers should be loading up right now for the 3-day special, first post-drydock cruise.

Also, DCL has fairly reasonable prices for glasses and bottles of wine - we're only bringing a few special bottles that we can't purchase on board. Keep that in mind as well!

/end my DCL related talk.

 

[cdtommie]

I think it depends on what you're buying. We try to limit ourselves to items that we can't find anywhere else.

We found a bottle of Disney's Iron Horse Cuvee (their exclusive champagne) for about $29, which is a great deal because you'd pay twice that on the cruise.

But we also saw wines that we've purchased here at home that had been marked up by as much as 50%. We don't buy those.

I'd say the price ranges are probably anywhere between $15 - $200 depending on what you're looking at.

I though the Mission Hill Riesling Ice Wine was pretty reasonable last year (like around $50) so we took one home with us.

 

[casumners]

Do the booths stay open during extra magic hours?
And do they open at 11:00 am like the rest of the WS?
In general what are the times of the free wine seminars? I know someone is going to post the schedule thrus night, but I am so impatient! Have to get my touring plan together. This is the main reason my father is coming as he is experimenting with making his own wine and I remember that the presenters were very open for questions when I was there two years ago. Many of them stayed afterward to talk to people. He has 2 acres of vines in three or four different varieties in southern Alabama (not the most hospitable climate for grapes!) I know he will have a barrage of questions. We are sooo excited!

 

[betterbutter]

Popping out of lurker mode so be patient please. We're going in a few weeks, and might want to book one or two of the special events. A neighbor told us that we should have booked the day they started to take reservations because everything sells out quickly. We were hoping to play it by ear until a day or two in advance after we get there. I've been looking around and I can't find a list of what might be sold out already. Does anyone know? We don't want to consider anything that is already sold out. Thanks!

 

[kabuki]

Popping out of lurker mode so be patient please. We're going in a few weeks, and might want to book one or two of the special events. A neighbor told us that we should have booked the day they started to take reservations because everything sells out quickly. We were hoping to play it by ear until a day or two in advance after we get there. I've been looking around and I can't find a list of what might be sold out already. Does anyone know? We don't want to consider anything that is already sold out. Thanks!

From what has been reported nothing has sold out yet. We called a couple days ago on a few things and every event was still available. The best way to know for sure is to call them if you have one or two in mind! Good luck and have fun!

 

[Inkmahm]

I too would love new items every year. Those of us who go mulitiple times per year would appreciate trying new things, and those who go once a year or less, well, it wouldn't matter to them.

Although...I would love the Maple Fudge from Canada to come back, lol.

I've never been to FFW before and I'm looking forward to everything in the Canada booth! The soup, salmon and dessert all sound very good to me.

 

[webray]

We're going to be on the Magic later this year, so I've been keeping up She's just out of drydock and passengers should be loading up right now for the 3-day special, first post-drydock cruise.

Also, DCL has fairly reasonable prices for glasses and bottles of wine - we're only bringing a few special bottles that we can't purchase on board. Keep that in mind as well!

/end my DCL related talk.

Lucky you...we probably won't be on the disney ships again until they get a new itinerary, lol. Love them, but hate the same old ports all the time. Can't wait for the new ships.

 

[webray]

Do the booths stay open during extra magic hours?
And do they open at 11:00 am like the rest of the WS?
In general what are the times of the free wine seminars? I know someone is going to post the schedule thrus night, but I am so impatient! Have to get my touring plan together. This is the main reason my father is coming as he is experimenting with making his own wine and I remember that the presenters were very open for questions when I was there two years ago. Many of them stayed afterward to talk to people. He has 2 acres of vines in three or four different varieties in southern Alabama (not the most hospitable climate for grapes!) I know he will have a barrage of questions. We are sooo excited!

The past couple years, yes, the booths did stay open during EMH, I hope they do this year. We will be there this coming Friday to check it out, hubby will have the laptop..so I can let you know!

 

[webray]

I though the Mission Hill Riesling Ice Wine was pretty reasonable last year (like around $50) so we took one home with us.

Depends on which one it was...if it says Vidal on the label, depending on the year it sold for $19.99 per bottle, I see, since it has won many awards the current release is now up to $49.99 per bottle.

 

[KPSmithSr]

Over the years, DW and I developed a tradition of stopping by the Ireland Booth and getting a glass of O'Mara's Irish Cream to sip on the walk out. Much to our dismay, last year they did not have it!!! Fortunately, we found out soon enough and bought a bottle to keep back at the RV so we could have a glass at the campsite. I would ask that someone check Ireland as soon as they can and see if they include Irish Cream so I will have time to buy a bottle if they do not. Thank you for help with this vital information.