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

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Hi. What is the policy for under-3's at ticketed events (specifically the Parisian Breakfast.) I know that 3-through-adults are all the same full price, but wasn't sure if under-3-year-olds can come in without buying a ticket.

Thanks!

Yes you will be asked to buy a ticket. I have seen parents with infants be told "pay up". I have read of cases where only one parent got to attend an event when they showed up with their toddler and Disney could not fit the extra person in even if they paid.


I think Disney does this to try to keep these events fairly adult


In addition the breakfast is a seated event so they would have to be a place to put your child. The time I went there were no empty seats anywhere

 

[westfield13]

Payment options - does anyone know if it is possible to book and pay for the culinary demos ($15) using a Disney gift card? We want to try and book at least one of them before we leave for Disney - then perhaps attend another one or two, if there is availability once we are at the parks.

I know you need to call to get these non-refundable reservations - was unsure if I could use one of my gift cards to pay.

Thanks!

 

[River Country]

....and still nothing on the official site about the Sampler Package for $59?????

 

[salemnews]

....and still nothing on the official site about the Sampler Package for $59?????

I have been looking for that as well. My wife and I are thinking about doing this package for the three days that were at Epcot, but we still need more details example is all alcohol covered, is all food covered, can we get the different pins for the three days that we do it? What dates?

 

[River Country]

If were to venture a guess on the sampler package is that you would buy it for a specific day, get one pin per paid guest, and I would imagine use all 8 entitlements in one day as well. I mean think about it, those dishes are small. We are a family of 3 and we would order anywhere from 2-4 items per booth even if I ordered 1 item from 24 booths I would still miss 6. According to the Disney food blog drinks are included and I would think alcohol would be included just not the beer flights or champagne....please this is just my guess...and that is even if this is going to be offered at all because there is nothing official on it..yet

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Hi. What is the policy for under-3's at ticketed events (specifically the Parisian Breakfast.) I know that 3-through-adults are all the same full price, but wasn't sure if under-3-year-olds can come in without buying a ticket.

Thanks!

Admission must be paid for everyone attending, regardless of age. Even babies and toddlers. This applies to all festival ticketed events, including the Festival Center seminars. from what's been reported, if you just show up with an unregistered infant you'll be asked to pay for the infant's admission or one parent will have to sit out if there isn't room for an additional guest.

Anyone know what time the phone lines open? Thanks

7 AM eastern. it's in the first post.

What has been released on the sampler package makes me think it is a one-day thing and you can't stretch entitlements over multiple days. If you buy it for multiple days you have a separate package each day. No idea whether they will accommodate a desire to get different pins on separate packages. As to what's included they haven't actually spelled that out yet. Right now it looks like every booth item. If that Dom Perignon is included...have at it.

 

[ELSA711]

Does anyone know where the new Chew Labs will be set up in Future World this year?

 

[BwoZoo22]

From what I have read on the AP webpage, early registration will only be open for Culinary, Mixology, and Beverage seminars this year; AP holders do not get early registration opportunities for any of the other events.

"Passholders receive a $2 discount on weekday seminars (Monday through Thursday) as well as early booking on Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars and Mixology Seminars. Early Passholder booking starts on July 24, 2015—almost a week before tickets become available to the general public on July 30!"

Has anyone heard differently? This doesn't seem like much of a 'benefit' considering these are the low cost events which do not normally sell out within minutes (or at all), such as the PFTS Reserved Seating or Hibachi Experience. And the schedule for the seminars isn't even up on the WDW website, despite registration opening in three days.

And am I the only one finding the limited information frustrating? And the new F&W webpage irritating? Or is it just the OCD planner in me (yes, I use a spreadsheet for this trip)?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If somebody like Robert Irvine does a seminar, then it's a huge advantage because he will sell out within a few days (if not one day). Some celebrity chefs apparently sell out in the prebooking...leaving nothing for those who were not eligible to prebook.

It's always been this way. No advance booking on anything but the deminars (except for the limited prebooking the day before for Disney Visa cardholders). Some guests were able to book other events early last year, apparently via an error by Disney IT.

Last year the booking date for TIW/AP/DVC deminars was 7/25 (with the public booking date being 7/31). The schedules were released on 7/24. So it is entirely possible we will not see them until Thursday.

Also, online booking is usually available only for deminars/mixology, PFTS general admission, and some of the large events in the Festival Center - general admission only. 3D Dessert has been eliminated, but it's possible general admission for the Burger Block Party will be available online.

 

[ksromack]

But I also really like your idea of printing out the info from the site and highlighting our "must try" food. It would probably be easier to plan with a hard copy, too, as I want my husband to be involved. Since we won't be going until later in October, there's plenty of time to get that done.

I love reading this FW thread - it's getting me really excited to go to this event!!!!

Makes me really excited too! I thought I had saved this thread a month ago....now I'm a dozen pages behind so I apologize if I'm duplicating replies.

I copy and pasted the DFB's listings of menu items for each booth into a word document. Then I highlighted the items of interest to me. I mainly highlighted the more expensive items because I'm trying to make sure I use my DDP snack credits on the more expensive food items. I figure we'll be spending plenty oop for the "sips" I'll probably print out this document before we go but may just save it to the cloud so I can retrieve it from my phone.

Oh that's right no GC consolidating. Probably not then. So can you use your magic band to load a F&W GC then pay the room charge with other GCs?

I read that you can, indeed, combine the Disney GCs as purchased from Target.....up to $1000 value. I believe I read this on the budget board/Disney GC thread?

 

[cdtommie]

I watched a guy stumble and trip over the small fence across from the Yorkshire Fish stand in England at first I went to help him as I thought he was really hurt, he probably was just didn't know it, he was wasted it was really funny but not the place for it. Most of us have been there but it was really hot and I am sure he was drinking for a long time and not water. People can put themselves in grave danger by doing this, plus I really do not want to subject my DD (8) to a bunch of drunks, if I had wanted to do that I would take her to a NY Jets game

Nice cheap shot about the Jets, I'm a season ticketholder for 35 years and it is rare that I have witnessed "a bunch of drunks", let me guess, you're a Giants, Dolphins, Steelers, Cowboy fan etc. and they are all of course role models for football game behavior.

 

[ksromack]

And am I the only one finding the limited information frustrating? And the new F&W webpage irritating? Or is it just the OCD planner in me (yes, I use a spreadsheet for this trip)?

My sista from another mista. You know if you make your spreadsheet on your Google Drive you can have it at your fingertips (on your phone) the entire vacation?

If somebody like Robert Irvine does a seminar, then it's a huge advantage because he will sell out within a few days (if not one day). Some celebrity chefs apparently sell out in the prebooking...leaving nothing for those who were not eligible to prebook.

It's always been this way. No advance booking on anything but the deminars (except for the limited prebooking the day before for Disney Visa cardholders). Some guests were able to book other events early last year, apparently via an error by Disney IT.

Also, online booking is usually available only for deminars/mixology, PFTS general admission, and some of the large events in the Festival Center - general admission only. 3D Dessert has been eliminated, but it's possible general admission for the Burger Block Party will be available online.

So the Deminars are the $15 demos by famous/disney chefs? And these are still not listed as of yet, correct? I was under the assumption that everything related to the F&W extra events had to be booked on the phone. Online booking would be easier for me but I'm guessing the French Family Meal event and the Regional Italian wine pairing would have to be booked via phone?

 

[DVC4US]

7 AM eastern. it's in the first post.

Thanks, didn't see it when I read the first page and didn't go back to check.

Am I understanding correctly that PFTS Reserved Seating will not be available for advanced booking for AP/DVC/TIW?

Also, you mentioned limited availability for Disney Visa cardholders to book a day early. Is this available for this year and would it be the 23rd or 29th?

 

[Hannah M.]

Long time lurker, first official post: We are very excited about the festival! Attended last year, coming back in September!

 

[River Country]

Nice cheap shot about the Jets, I'm a season ticketholder for 35 years and it is rare that I have witnessed "a bunch of drunks", let me guess, you're a Giants, Dolphins, Steelers, Cowboy fan etc. and they are all of course role models for football game behavior.

Hahaha no I am Chicago Bears Fan.

 

[BwoZoo22]

To all who have been before...

My mom is coming this year and I would like to take her to several special events. Do you think the "Moroccan Food & Wine Pairing" and the Mediterranean Food & Wine Pairing" will be sufficiently different to make doing both worthwhile? I would like to do the Hibachi Experience instead of the Moroccan, but Hibachi is almost three times the price!

 

[River Country]

Is it possible that the CM's at 407 WDW-FEST have zero information on any of these special events? I called today and I was told No sir we can not book until 7-30. I stated I didn't want to book anything I just wanted more info.

 

[TDC Nala]

I believe all of this is in the first and/or third post, but here goes:

So the Deminars are the $15 demos by famous/disney chefs? And these are still not listed as of yet, correct? I was under the assumption that everything related to the F&W extra events had to be booked on the phone. Online booking would be easier for me but I'm guessing the French Family Meal event and the Regional Italian wine pairing would have to be booked via phone?

Deminar schedules have not yet been released.

The ONLY events that have been available for online booking have been: The Festival Center deminars (culinary, beverage and mixology), Party for the Senses (general admission only) and usually the large events taking place in the World Showplace (this year the only candidate is the Burger Block Party) but ONLY general admission. (It is not confirmed that Burger Block Party will be offered online but it seems likely)

If you want PFTS Wine View Lounge or Reserved Seating, you must book by phone.

If you want Burger Block Party VIP Nosh Pit or Reserved Seating, you must book by phone.

Deminars are available by phone only 7/24 through 7/29 for Tables in Wonderland members/Annual Passholders/Disney Vacation Club members. You must have your annual pass, DVC member number or TIW member number when you call. Starting 7/30 they will be available for booking online, and for booking by the general public.

If you are not a TIW/DVC/AP member and you want any event other than PFTS General Admission, Burger Block Party General Admission (anticipated) or deminars you will need to book by phone starting on 7/30.

Summary:
July 24: Deminars only, TIW/DVC/AP members, phone only
July 29: Possibly Disney Visa prebooking. Limited availability all events, might exclude deminars and small capacity events, phone only, must have a Chase Disney Visa to book (still unannounced for 2015)
July 30: General public booking. Deminars, PFTS General Admission and (anticipated) Burger Block Party General Admission available online. All other events by phone only.

Am I understanding correctly that PFTS Reserved Seating will not be available for advanced booking for AP/DVC/TIW?

Yes. Only the deminars will be available 7/24 for AP/DVC/TIW (unless there is another error). If I remember last year's error correctly some said they were able to book Party for the Senses early in this fashion but not many did this. It's possible it was caught and stopped.

Also, you mentioned limited availability for Disney Visa cardholders to book a day early. Is this available for this year and would it be the 23rd or 29th?

It has not been announced for this year yet. If it does happen, it will be the 29th. By phone only, limited availability. I don't believe this includes deminars or events with a very small capacity (maybe under 20 persons).

Is it possible that the CM's at 407 WDW-FEST have zero information on any of these special events?

WDW-FEST is the same phone line as WDW-DINE. All it is really good for is booking reservations. They will not have any information that you do not already have.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Has anyone found any information about the Japanese Craft Beer Tasting event on the WDW website?

 

[pinksand]

How long are the deminars? 30 minutes?