EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, Sept. 25 - Nov 16 2015

[redzinner]

When do they release the menu's for food and wine?

Do you mean the food booth menus around World Showcase? I have never seen those posted until 1 or 2 days before opening. As soon as the poster placards are placed by the booth someone usually gets the info and posts it here. However, you never know with Disney, it could change. If the info isn't here check the Disney Food Blog, they usually try to stay on top of things.

 

[LVSWL]

I believe it is mid July. Pretty sure that's when they release all the info for the seminars and special events. Keep an eye on this thread, I'm sure someone will post when it comes out.

 

[kristenrice]

NEW!Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package - This package is available just for guests of the Walt Disney World resorts and the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Package includes in-room gift with wine (for guests 21 and older), festival wine glass, truffles, Food & Wine Festival MagicBand, $50 Disney gift card and credentials for Premium Package Areas. The credentials will allow guests access to 10 VIP areas around World Showcase - order items from the Marketplaces and have them delivered to you in the VIP area. Admission to Late Nights LIVE! is also included. 12:00-8:00pm Monday - Thursday from 9/22-11/6. $199 per guest, plus tax. Theme park admission required.

So tell me about this...is it $199 (or whatever the 2015 price will be) for your entire stay, or is it per day? I'd like to "treat" my mom to something special and it seems like the VIP areas (with tables...what about seating?) seem like a great way to sample food from a few booths at a time. That would allow us to try out multiple booths while minimizing our wait times and walking distance. The cost ($150 after you deduct the value of the gift card) is not too bad if it means you get access to an area with a table (no more dining on a trash can) and can "order" food from multiple booths at once to be delivered. It sounds like a leisurely way to enjoy F&W....perfect for my 63-year-old mother.

I'm trying to decide between this and PFTS, both of which I've never done so I have nothing to compare. My dad told me that he would like to surprise mom by paying for one of these options, but he wants me to choose...I don't want to make a bad choice. Neither of us drink beer, mom likes an occasional glass of wine and I can really only tolerate whites (reds give me migraines), and all seafood is pretty much a "no". If PFTS is heavy on those items and light on what we would actually enjoy, then the premium package may be a better deal.

Thanks for any input! I am getting so excited.

 

[k_hase]

I know that I can use my Disney Visa Rewards Dollars at Disney, but can I use them to purchase PFTS tickets and other special events? We've acquired quite a few (we use it as a business card...the premium reward for gas in a business that involves driving is great!!) and as DVC members and AP holders I'm looking for options beyond room and tix.
Thanks!

 

[eva]

I know that I can use my Disney Visa Rewards Dollars at Disney, but can I use them to purchase PFTS tickets and other special events? We've acquired quite a few (we use it as a business card...the premium reward for gas in a business that involves driving is great!!) and as DVC members and AP holders I'm looking for options beyond room and tix.
Thanks!

I'd like to know this too. We built a house and completed the entire inside of the house ourselves. So we used our cards for everything from cabinets and hardwood floors to bathroom/kitchen fixtures. Not to mention appliances and such. Plus we have all the expenses for a trip to Hawaii on one of them. And we haven't been to WDW in 3 years. So we have a few thousand reward dollars to spend this year. I'm ready to spend some money!

 

[ashleybea1]

NEW!Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package - This package is available just for guests of the Walt Disney World resorts and the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Package includes in-room gift with wine (for guests 21 and older), festival wine glass, truffles, Food & Wine Festival MagicBand, $50 Disney gift card and credentials for Premium Package Areas. The credentials will allow guests access to 10 VIP areas around World Showcase - order items from the Marketplaces and have them delivered to you in the VIP area. Admission to Late Nights LIVE! is also included. 12:00-8:00pm Monday - Thursday from 9/22-11/6. $199 per guest, plus tax. Theme park admission required.

So tell me about this...is it $199 (or whatever the 2015 price will be) for your entire stay, or is it per day? I'd like to "treat" my mom to something special and it seems like the VIP areas (with tables...what about seating?) seem like a great way to sample food from a few booths at a time. That would allow us to try out multiple booths while minimizing our wait times and walking distance. The cost ($150 after you deduct the value of the gift card) is not too bad if it means you get access to an area with a table (no more dining on a trash can) and can "order" food from multiple booths at once to be delivered. It sounds like a leisurely way to enjoy F&W....perfect for my 63-year-old mother.

I'm trying to decide between this and PFTS, both of which I've never done so I have nothing to compare. My dad told me that he would like to surprise mom by paying for one of these options, but he wants me to choose...I don't want to make a bad choice. Neither of us drink beer, mom likes an occasional glass of wine and I can really only tolerate whites (reds give me migraines), and all seafood is pretty much a "no". If PFTS is heavy on those items and light on what we would actually enjoy, then the premium package may be a better deal.

Thanks for any input! I am getting so excited.

Link to that please? Im intrigued

 

[crostorfer]

NEW!Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package - This package is available just for guests of the Walt Disney World resorts and the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Package includes in-room gift with wine (for guests 21 and older), festival wine glass, truffles, Food & Wine Festival MagicBand, $50 Disney gift card and credentials for Premium Package Areas. The credentials will allow guests access to 10 VIP areas around World Showcase - order items from the Marketplaces and have them delivered to you in the VIP area. Admission to Late Nights LIVE! is also included. 12:00-8:00pm Monday - Thursday from 9/22-11/6. $199 per guest, plus tax. Theme park admission required.

So tell me about this...is it $199 (or whatever the 2015 price will be) for your entire stay, or is it per day? I'd like to "treat" my mom to something special and it seems like the VIP areas (with tables...what about seating?) seem like a great way to sample food from a few booths at a time. That would allow us to try out multiple booths while minimizing our wait times and walking distance. The cost ($150 after you deduct the value of the gift card) is not too bad if it means you get access to an area with a table (no more dining on a trash can) and can "order" food from multiple booths at once to be delivered. It sounds like a leisurely way to enjoy F&W....perfect for my 63-year-old mother.

I'm trying to decide between this and PFTS, both of which I've never done so I have nothing to compare. My dad told me that he would like to surprise mom by paying for one of these options, but he wants me to choose...I don't want to make a bad choice. Neither of us drink beer, mom likes an occasional glass of wine and I can really only tolerate whites (reds give me migraines), and all seafood is pretty much a "no". If PFTS is heavy on those items and light on what we would actually enjoy, then the premium package may be a better deal.

Thanks for any input! I am getting so excited.

Um.....yes, please. Where did you find this??? If they truly aren't going to do an upcharge party at MNSSHP again this year, I'm totally doing this.

 

[kristenrice]

I will try to find it (I'm using my phone right now....will have wait until tomorrow to get to the computer) but it was found under the information for the 2014 F&W information. It is NOT listed anywhere for this year...yet

UPDATE: Good Morning! Here is the website...the information was found under "Dining Experiences"...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/#diningexperiences

 

[Shells9]

NEW!Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package - This package is available just for guests of the Walt Disney World resorts and the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Package includes in-room gift with wine (for guests 21 and older), festival wine glass, truffles, Food & Wine Festival MagicBand, $50 Disney gift card and credentials for Premium Package Areas. The credentials will allow guests access to 10 VIP areas around World Showcase - order items from the Marketplaces and have them delivered to you in the VIP area. Admission to Late Nights LIVE! is also included. 12:00-8:00pm Monday - Thursday from 9/22-11/6. $199 per guest, plus tax. Theme park admission required. .

I hope they bring this back this year. We were looking forward to trying it. I suspect if it comes back it will be with changes. Late Night LIVE! hasn't been mentioned yet, but there is mention of a "Rockin' Burger Block Party". I suspect that may take place of Late Night LIVE. Anyone know?

 

[redzinner]

Here is the Disney Food Blog's review of the Premium Package

I did it for a couple days last year. Good concept if you don't like to walk continuously around the World Showcase. At some stations we had to wait very long stretches of time for the runners to come back with our food. I probably won't do it again. If you are in any way walking impaired this is a great way to enjoy the food booths.

Haven't heard if they will bring it back this year or not.

 

[Shells9]

Hmm...that's a bit of a mixed review. Guess we might look at something else. We try to do a tour or something we have not done before each time we go. That was going to be this year's activity.

 

[Brocktoon]

Late Night LIVE! hasn't been mentioned yet, but there is mention of a "Rockin' Burger Block Party". I suspect that may take place of Late Night LIVE. Anyone know?

No information yet, but I think we'll start to hear things in a few weeks when they have the Tables in Wonderland preview dinner which typically includes a lot of F&W details. Right now I'm also thinking the Burger Party may replace the Late Night Live stuff. I don't think it was very popular last year. If I recall I think they cancelled many of the Late Night parties and rescheduled ticket holder to different nights

 

[loveshak22]

I know that I can use my Disney Visa Rewards Dollars at Disney, but can I use them to purchase PFTS tickets and other special events? We've acquired quite a few (we use it as a business card...the premium reward for gas in a business that involves driving is great!!) and as DVC members and AP holders I'm looking for options beyond room and tix.
Thanks!

I'm 99.99% sure you can use your DV redemption card for packages. I haven't done it yet but when I called to see if the Food and Wine Ultimate VIP tour was released yet I asked if DV holders would get 15% and if I had to use my card since I was planning on redeeming my points to pay. He said last year the 15% was not given for this tour but if it is this year I may have to put part of the payment on the card to get the 15% and then use the redemption card. So...I take that to mean I can use the card! I'll know for sure once I can actually buy the tour!!

 

[loveshak22]

Hmm...that's a bit of a mixed review. Guess we might look at something else. We try to do a tour or something we have not done before each time we go. That was going to be this year's activity.

I don't know what your price point is, but have you looked at the Food and Wine Ultimate VIP tour? Last year was the first year it was offered and it was $399 a person, but sounds really cool. We are redeeming rewards points to pay for it. When I called to get information about this year's package there wasn't any information about it yet. At that time the CM mentioned that they were still focusing on SWW and that the ultimate SW VIP tour didn't give the DV 15% off last year but did this year...it may not mean anything for the F&W VIP tour but I'm hoping!!

 

[Shells9]

I think we will check that out, and possibly consider it if they have it on a day we are there. This will be our first year going only during the week, with no weekend days. The weekends can be so crowded! The only thing is that I am not sure we would want to be tied up for that length of time. We will for sure check it out, though when details come out. We are anxiously awaiting the menu releases!

 

[loveshak22]

I think we will check that out, and possibly consider it if they have it on a day we are there. This will be our first year going only during the week, with no weekend days. The weekends can be so crowded! The only thing is that I am not sure we would want to be tied up for that length of time. We will for sure check it out, though when details come out. We are anxiously awaiting the menu releases!

From what I read about last year's tour, it was about 6.5 hours. You meet at 10:30 and have a kick-off drink and small bite, then rides, and then I think a 6-course lunch with wine pairing. Then you get free time to explore the festival on your own. Then you get VIP tickets to the Eat to the Beat and Illuminations. It is definitely a longer tour/event than most of the F&W events! I hope you all find something perfect for you!

 

[Aurora0427]

We booked our October trip last December. Now I'm pregnant. No booze for me and I'm bummed! Guess I will simply eat my way through our first F&W!

 

[threeboysmom]

We booked our October trip last December. Now I'm pregnant. No booze for me and I'm bummed! Guess I will simply eat my way through our first F&W!

You have the BEST excuse for eating!!!!! Congrats!

 

[Aurora0427]

You have the BEST excuse for eating!!!!! Congrats!

Thank You! My husband promised to go back to F&W for our anniversary one year when I'm not pregnant, without kiddos!

 

[redzinner]

News from the Disney Park Blog
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ed-in-2-first-ever-future-world-marketplaces/