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

[pepperandchips]

I am thinking about getting the Food and Wine Festival Discovery Sampler Package... thoughts? reviews for those who purchased? TIA

I bought this and used it for high dollar drink purchases. I definitely saved some money using the sampler entitlements but you have to want to drink 8 high dollar drinks in order for that to be true. With tax, the entitlements work out to a cost of $7.85 each. I did not place any value on the reserved seating for the concert (didn't go) or the pin (gave it to a family member who collects pins). If you find value in those items, your math might be different. 3 people in my travel party used all 8 entitlements in one evening on drinks (over a period of several hours) - reviews are mixed on some of the most expensive drinks (like the Pina colada, which we liked), so I thought this was a good way to save some money while getting to try those offerings. Our other favorites were the smoking hibiscus at the Chew Lab and the ritzy lychee and Kung fu punch at China. For me personally, I would not have purchased the sampler if I did not drink liquor as the most expensive food items are only in the $7.50 range if I recall.

Have a great time!

 

[RunningAriel]

What was the Smoking Hibiscus like? That's a possible on our list!

 

[huey578]

I bought this and used it for high dollar drink purchases. I definitely saved some money using the sampler entitlements but you have to want to drink 8 high dollar drinks in order for that to be true. With tax, the entitlements work out to a cost of $7.85 each. I did not place any value on the reserved seating for the concert (didn't go) or the pin (gave it to a family member who collects pins). If you find value in those items, your math might be different. 3 people in my travel party used all 8 entitlements in one evening on drinks (over a period of several hours) - reviews are mixed on some of the most expensive drinks (like the Pina colada, which we liked), so I thought this was a good way to save some money while getting to try those offerings. Our other favorites were the smoking hibiscus at the Chew Lab and the ritzy lychee and Kung fu punch at China. For me personally, I would not have purchased the sampler if I did not drink liquor as the most expensive food items are only in the $7.50 range if I recall.

Have a great time!

So it's better value to use on most expensive drinks instead of the food?

 

[pepperandchips]

So it's better value to use on most expensive drinks instead of the food?

Absolutely. Unless you place a high value on having a reserved seat for eat to the beat (seating has been reported in different areas by different attendees) and the limited edition pin, you are wasting money spending the entitlements on even the most expensive food items. As I mentioned above, if you place value solely on the cost of the entitlements, they are $7.85 per item. That's pretty pricy for the food options but can mean a savings on drinks.

@RunningAriel the smoking hibiscus was really creamy and sweet (think Pina Colada, but minus the coconut flavor) and had a definite smoky flavor from the mezcal. I drink mezcal cocktails at our local Mexican restaurant and loved this drink - my sister who doesn't care for mezcal could have taken or left this drink. This is the biggest advantage of the sampler package to me: you can pay $62ish for 8 drinks and know that even if you end up disliking some of them, you're not out more than that $62. It's sort of like the idea of the Disney gift card (which we also did) in that you can set aside the value of the package dedicated to trying new things and once you run out, it's easy to move on to something you know you like! (Like full size Unibroue beers in Canada or the Sultan's Colada in Morocco, just hypothetically of course...)

 

[huey578]

Absolutely. Unless you place a high value on having a reserved seat for eat to the beat (seating has been reported in different areas by different attendees) and the limited edition pin, you are wasting money spending the entitlements on even the most expensive food items. As I mentioned above, if you place value solely on the cost of the entitlements, they are $7.85 per item. That's pretty pricy for the food options but can mean a savings on drinks.

@RunningAriel the smoking hibiscus was really creamy and sweet (think Pina Colada, but minus the coconut flavor) and had a definite smoky flavor from the mezcal. I drink mezcal cocktails at our local Mexican restaurant and loved this drink - my sister who doesn't care for mezcal could have taken or left this drink. This is the biggest advantage of the sampler package to me: you can pay $62ish for 8 drinks and know that even if you end up disliking some of them, you're not out more than that $62. It's sort of like the idea of the Disney gift card (which we also did) in that you can set aside the value of the package dedicated to trying new things and once you run out, it's easy to move on to something you know you like! (Like full size Unibroue beers in Canada or the Sultan's Colada in Morocco, just hypothetically of course...)

Thanks for the info

 

[samsteele]

Re the Discovery Sampler Package, is there a time expiration for it? In other words, does it have to be used up within 24hrs? I can't down 8 cocktails in one day . . . well, I could, but I'd have to be carried back to my room Looking at it for my upcoming trip just for the $ cocktails. I don't see any real savings for food.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I bought this and used it for high dollar drink purchases. I definitely saved some money using the sampler entitlements but you have to want to drink 8 high dollar drinks in order for that to be true. With tax, the entitlements work out to a cost of $7.85 each. I did not place any value on the reserved seating for the concert (didn't go) or the pin (gave it to a family member who collects pins). If you find value in those items, your math might be different. 3 people in my travel party used all 8 entitlements in one evening on drinks (over a period of several hours) - reviews are mixed on some of the most expensive drinks (like the Pina colada, which we liked), so I thought this was a good way to save some money while getting to try those offerings. Our other favorites were the smoking hibiscus at the Chew Lab and the ritzy lychee and Kung fu punch at China. For me personally, I would not have purchased the sampler if I did not drink liquor as the most expensive food items are only in the $7.50 range if I recall.

Have a great time!

It's like you are reading the drink menu in my mind

We will be there most of the day on a Tuesday so I plan on using it to taste drinks throughout the day. And I actually do want the seating that night, so now I can also FP soarin before they change it!

 

[DarkSideRunner]

Ok what's the BEST thing at the food and wine fest? I went a few weeks ago and everything was amazing - but didn't really hit any of the international stations except for Mexico (chilaquiles were awesome!). My husband tends to not be adventurous with what he eats. Next trip out there though, we're definitely trying some escargot.

 

[samsteele]

Ok what's the BEST thing at the food and wine fest? I went a few weeks ago and everything was amazing - but didn't really hit any of the international stations except for Mexico (chilaquiles were awesome!). My husband tends to not be adventurous with what he eats. Next trip out there though, we're definitely trying some escargot.

I haven't been yet this Fall (but will be there later this Fall) but there are some perennial favs that are must haves. Mexico: shrimp tacos. Australia: Lamb Chop. Brazil: Pork Belly. France: Escargots (and I heard these are the best ones yet) Ireland: Seafood Pie. Canada: Filet Mignon. I have also heard great things about Mexico's chilaquiles. Ditto re the Chew Lab's nitro dessert. Same with Dominican Republic's Souffle de Yucca. It has griddled cheese. I really miss Greece's griddled cheese so thought I would try to sub.

 

[pepperandchips]

Re the Discovery Sampler Package, is there a time expiration for it? In other words, does it have to be used up within 24hrs? I can't down 8 cocktails in one day . . . well, I could, but I'd have to be carried back to my room Looking at it for my upcoming trip just for the $ cocktails. I don't see any real savings for food.

Nope, you can use them all the way through the end of the festival. November 15th is the expiration and written right on the entitlements!

Ok what's the BEST thing at the food and wine fest? I went a few weeks ago and everything was amazing - but didn't really hit any of the international stations except for Mexico (chilaquiles were awesome!). My husband tends to not be adventurous with what he eats. Next trip out there though, we're definitely trying some escargot.

We REALLY liked the pork belly in Brazil, the Chew Lab frozen truffle and NY strip steak, the macaroni and yard bird from Farm Fresh, Patagonia's beef skewer, the Lamington and lamb chop from Australia, South Korea's pork lettuce wraps, butter chicken at Africa, Hops & Barley's beef slider with pimento cheese, chocolate pudding from Ireland, and everything from Canada. We went back for seconds on most of those things during our week.

I could eat spanakopita of any variety, so I feel it's worth a mention. As you said, I also liked the chilaquiles. Other honorable mentions include the duck, slider, and shrimp noodles at China, kimchi dog at Refreshment Cool Post, and French Beef bourguignon.

Drinks: we liked the Florida non-flavored flight at craft beers, the smoking hibiscus, pina colada at Dominican Republic, Farm Fresh cider flight, Guava margarita and tequila flight from Mexico (had quite a few of these....), ritzy lychee and kung fu punch at china, and of course I recommend everyone trying the French passion martini slush.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Has anyone been to a culinary demo? I just noticed that there is one available for my week. Just wondering if it's worth the time and money!

Thanks!

We did one for pastries with the Chef from Via Napoli (but I think he has since moved to Tutto Gusto), Vincezo Vaccaro. He prepared Semifreddo al Torroncina Alla Fruita Caramellata Nutella Cookies. He made an ice cream base from whipping cream, egg yolks, almond Croccant, Galliano and sugar. Then a fruit topping of strawberries, raspberries and blue berries and Grand Marnier. He froze the ice cream base, sliced off a section (it was in a loaf pan), put a spoonful of the fruit on it and then placed a Nutella cookie that he had made on it. It was very good. It was paired with Rosa Regale, rather sweet, but a good complement to the dessert. The ice cream base melted very quickly, so you had to eat it quickly and I forgot to take a picture of it.

Get there early to get seated. We arrived about 15 minutes early and they had already seated people. We had the Chase preferred seating card, too, and could not use it for that one.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I really hope they bring back the 3d Dessert Discovery next year

We did it in 2013 and were very disappointed in it. More whiskey than wine and popcorn than good desserts. We were expecting something like the MK dessert party with wine, but it was nothing like that.

 

[crazy4wdw]

If you have a ticket for beverage seminars/culinary demos and have a Chase credit card, you are eligible for priority seating at your seminar. The people with priority tickets are seated first. I don't remember reading this information anywhere but found out yesterday at one of my beverage seminars

 

[lilluv117]

Nope, you can use them all the way through the end of the festival. November 15th is the expiration and written right on the entitlements!"

Question... I keep reading that you can use the entitlements until November 15th but I thought the last day of the festival was November 16th. Our trip is 11/10-11/17 & we had planned to be at Epcot 11/11 & 11/16. I was considering the sampler package but will it be expired by 11/16? It wouldn't be worth it for me if it was only good for one day. Also, is November 16th really the last day or is it the 15th? I'd hate to go thinking Food & Wine was still going on only to find out I missed it by a day! Thanks in advance!!!

 

[mara512]

Question... I keep reading that you can use the entitlements until November 15th but I thought the last day of the festival was November 16th. Our trip is 11/10-11/17 & we had planned to be at Epcot 11/11 & 11/16. I was considering the sampler package but will it be expired by 11/16? It wouldn't be worth it for me if it was only good for one day. Also, is November 16th really the last day or is it the 15th? I'd hate to go thinking Food & Wine was still going on only to find out I missed it by a day! Thanks in advance!!!

According to Disney's website the last day is the 16th. Hope your vacation is full of pixie dust!

 

[gottalovepluto]

If you have a ticket for beverage seminars/culinary demos and have a Chase credit card, you are eligible for priority seating at your seminar. The people with priority tickets are seated first. I don't remember reading this information anywhere but found out yesterday at one of my beverage seminars

How early do you have to be there to get preferred chase seating? (My deminar is sold out online & if it's not too long I don't want to miss my chance at good seats.)

 

[westfield13]

If you have a ticket for beverage seminars/culinary demos and have a Chase credit card, you are eligible for priority seating at your seminar. The people with priority tickets are seated first. I don't remember reading this information anywhere but found out yesterday at one of my beverage seminars

What do you need to do to get the preferred chase seating? Do we show our Chase credit card when we pick up our seminar tickets (actually, we paid for them with our Chase Disney Visa). Or do we show the credit card "at the gate"? Finally, how early do you suggest we arrive - our demo starts at 1 pm. Thanks!

 

[crazy4wdw]

How early do you have to be there to get preferred chase seating? (My deminar is sold out online & if it's not too long I don't want to miss my chance at good seats.)

What do you need to do to get the preferred chase seating? Do we show our Chase credit card when we pick up our seminar tickets (actually, we paid for them with our Chase Disney Visa). Or do we show the credit card "at the gate"? Finally, how early do you suggest we arrive - our demo starts at 1 pm. Thanks!

When you pick up your tickets, tell them you have a Chase credit card. You will be given a priority seating ticket along with your tickets for the seminar (s). They start letting the folks with the priority tickets in about ten minutes before everyone else. You are able to select any seat you want. There is a separate entrance for people with priority tickets. There have not been that many people in line with priority tickets for the seminars that I have attended so far.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

When you pick up your tickets, tell them you have a Chase credit card. You will be given a priority seating ticket along with your tickets for the seminar (s). They start letting the folks with the priority tickets in about ten minutes before everyone else. You are able to select any seat you want. There is a separate entrance for people with priority tickets. There have not been that many people in line with priority tickets for the seminars that I have attended so far.

Thanks for sharing! I had no idea this benefit existed.

 

[loves to dive]

Thanks for sharing! I had no idea this benefit existed.

To add to this, for the culinary demos I think the priority seating is an advantage, it really doesn't matter for the wine demos. They already have the wine poured and on the tables, there are cameras and big screens but you can see the stage from everywhere so even if you are the last person to arrive, you are still going to taste the same time everyone else. The advantage to either getting in line early or the priority seating at the culinary demos, as mentioned, is you are going to be close to the stage, thus get served both the wine and food earlier. Another good thing to do with your time if you arrive early is sit on the benches outside the demo areas and watch the culinary demos. You won't get to taste the food and you won't get the recipe (unless you can talk a couple who got two into giving you one as they are leaving) but you will get to see the demo and I enjoyed a few of them I did that way while I was waiting for mine to start. Also, I didn't have any problems picking up wine demos the day of, didn't try any culinary ones since there was too much food to eat at the booths anyway.