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

[YodasMom]

Darn!! I booked the Nov 13th Cooking With Alex G. and just got an email that they've changed her date to Nov 15 ( after I've left) and replaced her with someone I haven't heard of - Sarah Fioroni. At least they gave me the option to cancel/change.
That was the reason I got up at 3:45am yesterday

If they gave you the option of canceling, I would think they would do that for you then.

 

[lcasa]

If they gave you the option of canceling, I would think they would do that for you then.

I think I'm going to -just checking with my girlfriends. I'm SO disappointed - if it didn't cost so much to change flights I'd do that.

 

[angel0321]

Anyone been able to find anything about the Japanese Craft Beer Tasting event online? When I tried calling on Tuesday, it was either already sold out for pre-booking for 2 dates, or it wasn't "open" yet. This is the 1 event we're most interested in, so I'm chomping at the bit!

 

[FiggieFan]

Has anyone had any luck booking the Sampler package? I called this morning and this afternoon and they said it didn't open until the 30th. If I'm being given wrong info and it's booked when I call back, I'm gonna be really mad.

I was worried about the same thing. I called yesterday morning about the premium and/or sampler package to book with Disney Visa. The lady was not too helpful, put me on hold, and came back and said she didn't see them. I was worried I got the wrong info. I just spoke to someone else who was very helpful and she said both the sampler and premium packages are not able to book with the Disney Visa offer, but will be available 7/30. She also confirmed that the premium package was back, but I was stupid and didn't get details.

 

[ethanwa]

Just an FYI...

I know for a fact that the Premium Package will be back this year. You do NOT need a hotel reservation to book it. It comes with a special new MagicBand in a box and is LE 3000. The MagicBand makes the sound of wine pouring from a glass at FP+ touch points. The band is blue. Booking the package should be open to the public any day now.

This is coming from a close CM friend of mine who is high up at Epcot. I live 5 minutes from WDW. I know this sounds like a "rumor" but it's VERY reliable.

I have NO other details beyond what I just posted. No idea on other gifts, etc.

Ethan

 

[Ceryssa]

I was worried about the same thing. I called yesterday morning about the premium and/or sampler package to book with Disney Visa. The lady was not too helpful, put me on hold, and came back and said she didn't see them. I was worried I got the wrong info. I just spoke to someone else who was very helpful and she said both the sampler and premium packages are not able to book with the Disney Visa offer, but will be available 7/30. She also confirmed that the premium package was back, but I was stupid and didn't get details.

I called again today too. The CM repeated what I was told (twice) yesterday, that it won't be available to book until tomorrow. She also said it would be available to book online. I'm interested to see if that's true.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I actually talked to a CM friend of mine today too. She does say that the Premier Package will be back but that it will be significantly different from last years. However, she was rather "vague" on differences, but did say she was pretty sure there was no longer a late night event, but there might be a special seating for the Eat to the Beat shows (she did say that had been debated as they seem to be giving it to everyone and they are getting a little worried it's cutting into Eat to the Beat dining package profit LOL! ) She says the reason you aren't getting much detail from the reservation CMs is that the data doesn't get given to them until tomorrow morning. (Yes, folks they will be figuring this out WHILE you are on the phone!) That's the other reason she's vague, what she saw a few weeks ago could bear little to no resemblance to what they release tonight.

Of course as she put it "you never really know what we will do until we do it, and then we have to figure out how to do what we just promised" LOL!

So if they have 3,000 Tragic Bands that's 500 packages a week. Seems higher then last year, but who knows.

I also asked if the sampler was a book the day of event only and she said that was probably not true, but that she thinks the entitlements come on a card type thing that may expire the day you select (ie. use them that day or lose them) But there apparently have been a couple of "samples' of the cards so the final product may be completely different.

 

[ethanwa]

Of course as she put it "you never really know what we will do until we
So if they have 3,000 Tragic Bands that's 500 packages a week. Seems higher then last year, but who knows.

Hotel reservations aren't required this year, so the number of bookings will be a lot higher.

I'm a local and couldn't book it last year (I wasn't willing to book a room for just the Premium Package when I live 5 minutes away). I will be booking it this year.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am actually even less likely to book Premium now. The only real appeal was the low crowds.. adding a lot of people is kind of a turn off

But until they extend it to weekends and/or closing I just don't see the need. And since I splurged on Wine View Lounge it's probably good it doesn't appeal to me .

 

[YodasMom]

A couple of CMs told me yesterday, when I called to make reservations, that the Premium Package would be back at the same price and the same offerings this year, and also that they could be booked tomorrow. I was pretty sure that was probably not totally correct, especially since there has, so far, been no indication that the Late Night events were coming back. If they don't have it available to book tomorrow, it's going to be hard to add it later to my own plans since my other plans will have been made.

 

[moonburst37]

So maybe I missed this in a previous post, but if they are offering the premium package again this year what will the the big draw? Other than the gifts & the entitlements? Will they be supplementing an event for the LNL? Access to the festival after park hours was a huge factor for me. Any ideas or did I misunderstand something with the new premium package rumors?

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

If it's still for a week type thing for the premium I still won't be able to do it. We leave 9/28. I guess I can just be glad I won't be tempted to splurge.

 

[Disney102015]

For booking tomorrow, is it like regular dining, where online booking opens at 6 and phones open at 7? (I know not everything can be booked online....just wondering for the things that can be booked online.)

 

[sunnygal041]

This is odd, I was just playing around and found out you are able to book Burger Party GA now on the site.

 

[mrobin023]

This is odd, I was just playing around and found out you are able to book Burger Party GA now on the site.

Yes and general admissions for PFTS also!

 

[wvaspartan]

This is odd, I was just playing around and found out you are able to book Burger Party GA now on the site.

Lets everyone be shocked...or not...Disney IT messed up again. EVERYTHING that is bookable online is available right now.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

it is? i cant book family meal traditions yet.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I actually talked to a CM friend of mine today too. She does say that the Premier Package will be back but that it will be significantly different from last years. However, she was rather "vague" on differences, but did say she was pretty sure there was no longer a late night event, but there might be a special seating for the Eat to the Beat shows (she did say that had been debated as they seem to be giving it to everyone and they are getting a little worried it's cutting into Eat to the Beat dining package profit LOL! ) She says the reason you aren't getting much detail from the reservation CMs is that the data doesn't get given to them until tomorrow morning. (Yes, folks they will be figuring this out WHILE you are on the phone!) That's the other reason she's vague, what she saw a few weeks ago could bear little to no resemblance to what they release tonight.

Of course as she put it "you never really know what we will do until we do it, and then we have to figure out how to do what we just promised" LOL!

So if they have 3,000 Tragic Bands that's 500 packages a week. Seems higher then last year, but who knows.

I also asked if the sampler was a book the day of event only and she said that was probably not true, but that she thinks the entitlements come on a card type thing that may expire the day you select (ie. use them that day or lose them) But there apparently have been a couple of "samples' of the cards so the final product may be completely different.

I was all excited about the premium package this year. Was hoping it would be the same as last year. I would have booked it then if it were just me going, but I was with someone who wasn't staying long enough anyway and...well...let's just say I won't be going to WDW with him again for other reasons anyway...

If what you report comes to pass, and it's the same price, I certainly won't book it. That wouldn't be worth it to me. I don't really care a bit about the concerts. I was just looking forward to the party, the gift bag (with the $50 gift card) and the areas with runners to get your food for you. I know it's not that busy Mon-Thurs anyway, but I still thought it would be nice to have someone bring me items from a couple of booths rather than me having to visit them individually myself. Yes I'm that lazy.

It will be interesting to see what the offer actually ends up being and to see the comments about it here!

 

[wvaspartan]

it is? i cant book family meal traditions yet.

Family Meal Traditions will only be bookable over the phone...

As far as I am aware only the seminars, Whats Cookin With, PFTS GA, and Rockin Burger GA will be available online. I may be missing a couple others but I think that was it.

 

[wvaspartan]

FYI I just booked a Beverage Seminar online...looks like only inventory in system may be what was available via the early booking as some things are coming up sold out.