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

[Simba's Mom]

How long are the culinary demos? I have a 1pm one scheduled and trying to arrange Possible other events

I had one at 1:00 today, and by 1:45, we were out.

 

[blackmamba10000]

I'm getting excited! We are headed to Disney World this weekend! We plan on going to the Food and Wine festival a couple of the days we are down there(one of my favorite Disney events). My significant other is a very picky eater. He doesn't like spicy foods either. What are some good recommendations for him food wise from the Food and Wine festival?

 

[samsteele]

I'm getting excited! We are headed to Disney World this weekend! We plan on going to the Food and Wine festival a couple of the days we are down there(one of my favorite Disney events). My significant other is a very picky eater. He doesn't like spicy foods either. What are some good recommendations for him food wise from the Food and Wine festival?

Does he like steak? Canada's Filet Mignon is very good. However, also very $ for the small sz. If you have the DP, your snack credit is a good play here.
Australia's lamp chop is an excellent choice. Again, $ so use a snack credit if you have it.
Ireland's Lobster & Seafood Fisherman's Pie is incredible. Big chunks of seafood. But it is very hot (not spicy but temperature wise. I always burn my tongue!)
For sweets, don't forget the Cronut at Epcot's Refreshment Port.

 

[blackmamba10000]

He does like steak, as long as there aren't mushrooms and he only eats his seafood fried. But, the cronut is definitely an option! Any other suggestions?

 

[jerseygal]

MAGIC BAND OR RELOADABLE F&W CARD???? I can use either, but I am "leaning" toward using the reloadable F&W Card to avoid a ton of small food and wine purchases from the magic band charges on the resort bill. I always go through each charge very carefully on resort bills and match them against any receipts. When you get a receipt for a food or drink purchase if using the reloadable card, will it tell you the remaining balance LEFT on the card? TIA!

 

[samsteele]

He does like steak, as long as there aren't mushrooms and he only eats his seafood fried. But, the cronut is definitely an option! Any other suggestions?

I think Canada's filet mignon has mushrooms and a creamy sauce so maybe a no go.
Germany has roast bratwurst and apple strudel. Anything from the Werther's Chocolate Shop is usually a hit. I like the salted chocolate caramel. Werther's isn't a F&W thing (is year round) but always a good thing.

 

[samsteele]

MAGIC BAND OR RELOADABLE F&W CARD???? I can use either, but I am "leaning" toward using the reloadable F&W Card to avoid a ton of small food and wine purchases from the magic band charges on the resort bill. When you get a receipt for a food or drink purchase if using the reloadable card, will it tell you the remaining balance LEFT on the card? TIA!

I think it did last year.

 

[loves to dive]

MAGIC BAND OR RELOADABLE F&W CARD???? I can use either, but I am "leaning" toward using the reloadable F&W Card to avoid a ton of small food and wine purchases from the magic band charges on the resort bill. I always go through each charge very carefully on resort bills and match them against any receipts. When you get a receipt for a food or drink purchase if using the reloadable card, will it tell you the remaining balance LEFT on the card? TIA!

yes

 

[AngiTN]

MAGIC BAND OR RELOADABLE F&W CARD???? I can use either, but I am "leaning" toward using the reloadable F&W Card to avoid a ton of small food and wine purchases from the magic band charges on the resort bill. I always go through each charge very carefully on resort bills and match them against any receipts. When you get a receipt for a food or drink purchase if using the reloadable card, will it tell you the remaining balance LEFT on the card? TIA!

I went with MB because I didn't see the point in having a 2nd item on my wrist that I used to pay for things. But I don't carefully check my bills, or even keep the receipts. Most I do is scan to make sure things look as I expect. If you have a fixed budget the card may be a better option. Or for bill watchers so you don't have to worry about checking the band purchases at all..

 

[samsteele]

MAGIC BAND OR RELOADABLE F&W CARD???? I can use either, but I am "leaning" toward using the reloadable F&W Card to avoid a ton of small food and wine purchases from the magic band charges on the resort bill. I always go through each charge very carefully on resort bills and match them against any receipts. When you get a receipt for a food or drink purchase if using the reloadable card, will it tell you the remaining balance LEFT on the card? TIA!

I've always gone with the reloadable F&W card. I like putting some kind of brakes on my spending. I load it with approx $70 and then use that as my budget. I also use my Dining Plan snack credits for the most $ items so it works well. If I have to add more, I can. But the magic band is just too convenient IMO.

 

[blackmamba10000]

I think Canada's filet mignon has mushrooms and a creamy sauce so maybe a no go.
Germany has roast bratwurst and apple strudel. Anything from the Werther's Chocolate Shop is usually a hit. I like the salted chocolate caramel. Werther's isn't a F&W thing (is year round) but always a good thing.

He would love the brat on pretzel bun! I saw a picture of it earlier on in this thread

 

[jerseygal]

AngiTN,Samsteele THANKS for the replies! Knew that someone here would "be in the know"!

 

[jerseygal]

yes

GOOD NEWS; think I will go with the reloadable card.

 

[Scoobypop]

Hi, just wanted to do a quick post. Been here since Sunday, staying at Boardwalk. The premium package has been great for us again, second year doing it, completely pleased with the areas and the festival overall. I hadn't seen this listed, but may have missed it. I know some people compiled a list for the best use of the entitlements, and they involved cocktails around $10. We found the best use so far is at the Joffreys carts. Each one had a food and wine specialty item and stamp. They are priced at $8. something, and they have Baileys or Kahlua, and the extra shot is normally an extra $1. It can also be included with the tabs, so the total for those drinks $11.18. They are all delicious, and that was the most expensive item we'd noticed for the tabs. Again, maybe someone already mentioned it, but I didn't recall. It's been great again this year, those of you yet to come, the weathers great this whole week. Enjoy!

 

[pepperandchips]

GOOD NEWS; think I will go with the reloadable card.

As an aside, if you have any other Disney gift cards at home and they won't combine on the Disney gift card website (the ones I purchased through target only combine with each other, not with the ones I purchased through Disney) you can hole punch them in a corner that's not on the mag stripe and add them to the same wristband as the official food and wine gift card. Very handy to not dig through a bag or wallet at the register! The f&w wrist gift cards come on a little binder ring that you can string any other hole punched card onto.

 

[ChrisNY2]

I just noticed this on the Disney Vacation Club Membership Magic page for the F&W Festival. Does anyone know anything about it?

---

Delightful Cocktails
Unwind in a relaxing atmosphere with good company and specialty cocktails. These mouthwatering delights are available at the Festival Center each Monday. Bring your friends—a Member and 3 guests can be served at one time!

• Dates: Every Monday, September 28 – November 16, 2015
• Time: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Location: Festival Welcome Center at Epcot
• Price (for Member): Complimentary*

Please note: There will be a children's option available.

*Admission to Epcot is required.

 

[AngiTN]

Hi, just wanted to do a quick post. Been here since Sunday, staying at Boardwalk. The premium package has been great for us again, second year doing it, completely pleased with the areas and the festival overall. I hadn't seen this listed, but may have missed it. I know some people compiled a list for the best use of the entitlements, and they involved cocktails around $10. We found the best use so far is at the Joffreys carts. Each one had a food and wine specialty item and stamp. They are priced at $8. something, and they have Baileys or Kahlua, and the extra shot is normally an extra $1. It can also be included with the tabs, so the total for those drinks $11.18. They are all delicious, and that was the most expensive item we'd noticed for the tabs. Again, maybe someone already mentioned it, but I didn't recall. It's been great again this year, those of you yet to come, the weathers great this whole week. Enjoy!

You got lucky or I got unlucky. We left on Monday. I had 2 different Joffrey's tell me I could not get the extra shot with the tab, not even if I paid cash for the shot since they couldn't mix payments.
I tried at the booth near Test Track and the one in Canada. I was at the Test Track booth on Monday

 

[jerseygal]

I just noticed this on the Disney Vacation Club Membership Magic page for the F&W Festival. Does anyone know anything about it?

---

Delightful Cocktails
Unwind in a relaxing atmosphere with good company and specialty cocktails. These mouthwatering delights are available at the Festival Center each Monday. Bring your friends—a Member and 3 guests can be served at one time!

• Dates: Every Monday, September 28 – November 16, 2015
• Time: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Location: Festival Welcome Center at Epcot
• Price (for Member): Complimentary*

Please note: There will be a children's option available.

*Admission to Epcot is required.

I saw the same thing a while ago and I believe I posted a question to see if anyone had any info on this.
Haven't heard members talking about this. Interested also.

 

[jerseygal]

We just posted our blog and vlog from our F&W trip - go check it out! http://themeparkguru.net/2015/10/epcot-food-and-wine/

We had a great time and were not bothered by the crowds at all. It was pretty busy but Disney did a great job keeping the lines under control and serving guests as quickly as possible!

GREAT to hear about the crowds! THANKS for posting. In regard to the Chase Lounge, others have said that there are no wristbands for Illuminations, but have mentioned that there is a special viewing area by Italy and to present a Chase Card? TIA for clarification.

 

[blackmamba10000]

Do you need a Chase Disney Visa, or just a Chase card to get into the lounge?