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

[TDC Nala]

Why didn't the call center mgmt ramp up capacity for the mobs of people they knew would be calling at 7AM?

They never do.

Why was everything not bookable at once? Why not give TIW/AP/DVC folks early booking windows to *everything* so as to minimize the rush for the general public?

To cut down on cries of "unfair" which have already been heard about the Chase Disney Visa prebooking, which are stilled only because there are a VERY limited number of spaces released for the prebooking. How much should be released for TIW/AP/DVC prebooking? These events are popular and some have a small capacity.

Why do we put up with this nonsense? Because at the end of the day Disney has our money...

Yes and we still call every year. I'm not sure they'd fix it even if everybody stopped going. They'd just cancel the festival or the events.

We are not even sure at this point that the Premium Package actually includes an Illuminations Dessert Party.

 

[mickeychick]

Two calls, two wait times - 75 minutes and then 45 minutes - and couldn't book the Premium Package. CM 1 said it was taken out of the system "to fix it", and CM 2 said "it's showing as unavailable". Both said to "just call back". Sigh.

 

[Chumpieboy]

details for the premium package? does it include an alternative to Late Night Live, since that is not being offered this year

Nothing comparable in the premium package per my conversation with a CM this morning.

 

[snausman]

We were able to book it on the phone this morning. Good Luck! Pixie dust for you.

Got it!!!

Called at 7, told 84 minute wait time. Got someone at 58 minutes. Booked the 2 things that I did not get booked on Tuesday. Every happy!!!
Booked
Japanese Craft Beer Tasting 10/7
Eat to the beat 10/10

Everything else I had already booked.

 

[FoodieFriend]

2nd time thru CM Renata has NO IDEA what the Premium Package is at all. first she tried to sign me up for a VIP tour. NOPE. not it. i explained what was in the package last year, then she asks me for the date when i wanted to book the package. when i told her it was Mon-Thurs she was befuddled. *sigh* she said that nothing in her system is titled as such. i asked to speak to a supervisor about it to find out if it's no longer available then she put me on hold. came back to tell me that it's "still not loaded" into their system & she has no idea when it will be available. GRRRRRRR....

it's 3am for me. i'm tapping out until later, folks. hope when i wake up there will be good news for all of us looking to book this thing!

 

[Ceryssa]

Just got off the phone. Quoted wait time of 90 minutes, actual time about 50. Was able to book the Sampler package for 11/10.

 

[pepperandchips]

Sold out means "when I go to book it, it says "NO" " and honestly to the CM that does look sold out. They don't know that "no more booking" means "your bosses are idiots" LOL!



Why should Disney hire more people or fix this? Until we vote with our $$$ there is no incentive. (And I am part of problem too LOL!)

But the Premium Package seems really stripped. You lost the extra event (Sorry that Illuminations Desert Party is just pathetic and now they are going to cram a lot more people in there LOL!), the gift card was replaced by 4 chits (Assuming $8 that's a $32 value an effective loss of $18) and your only addition is a different Tragic Band then last year's special band. Plus by allowing anyone to book they are probably definitely upping the number of bodies in the areas.

This time I actually got a CM who was helpful and seemed like she knew what she was talking about. She told me it had been pulled from availability and did not know when it would be able to book again, but meticulously read me all the info. She told me you needed to be a Disney resort guest, S/D, or golden oak resident as well. She very carefully said "or" in between the options of sparkling party, culinary seminar, and beverage seminar. All other info was as others have confirmed.

I still see this like club level access - maybe you can't identify each of the $199 specific dollar value in the package but the quality of service makes it worth it to me. I will be anxiously awaiting availability to book!

 

[jetsetter90]

Just got off the phone with a 39 minute hold and was able to get Italian Regional Luncheon for Oct 19!!!

 

[Lindaland]

I finally made it in and got what I wanted!!
Italian Regional lunch 10/30
Parisian Afternoon 10/31

Thanks to all of you who made the wait time bearable. Good luck to you all and LOTS of pixi-dust.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Reservation didnt show up in MDE, went to link it and had to cancel linking it they put it under a new version of my mde name same name, but not linked to the mde my vacation is.

 

[YodasMom]

Well, I'm just going to make up my own Premium package with what items I've booked, print off some things with descriptions and conf numbers, buy some wine glasses, treats, and a F&W bag when they come out, decorate it and place it in our room! LOL!!! Just saved myself $over $400! Boom! Done!

Thanks, Disney for saving me money

Off to work...........

 

[Chumpieboy]

Tale as old as time sung by flys???

It's from the preshow queue from It's Tough To Be A Bug.

 

[rsimon]

Got through right at 7 with no wait and got PFTS Reserved Seating for 9 people on 10/17.

Question - we have done PFTS before but never reserved seating, do you have specific tables or is it still cattle call trying to get a table? We have 9 people so want to make sure we can sit together.

You will have a reserved table with your name on it. No cattle call. They should have a table set up for 9 if that is what was in your party.

 

[randumb0]

So first rep told me know Parisian Breakfast was available. I called back was quoted a 30 minute and someone picked up in 10 minutes. Booked the Parisian Breakfast for 10/24

 

[Delphinus317]

Reservation didnt show up in MDE, went to link it and had to cancel linking it they put it under a new version of my mde name same name, but not linked to the mde my vacation is.

Yoda?!? Is that you?

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Yoda?!? Is that you?

Yep! Link my reservation right, they did not.

 

[Jen7079]

Second time through the queue, my CM says all Premium Packages are sold out for every week in October. I told her I didn't believe that, and asked her to speak with her supervisor. Same answer after being taken off hold. It is completely sold out for all of October.

I was told that they pulled it out of inventory until they can get all the details ironed out.

 

[Tozzie]

I just got off the Phone and when I asked about the premium package I asked is it available or still being worked on she said it was still being worked on. I think when people started calling and asking questions about the price differences in the varies either or events they realized they had to fix it.

I did get the sampler for 10/20

 

[pepperandchips]

Well, I'm just going to make up my own Premium package with what items I've booked, print off some things with descriptions and conf numbers, buy some wine glasses, treats, and a F&W bag when they come out, decorate it and place it in our room! LOL!!! Just saved myself $over $400! Boom! Done!

Thanks, Disney for saving me money

Off to work...........

Now that sounds like a plan. You find us a cabana boy to save tables and run for our food items and I'll gladly share your costs!

 

[FeralCatRogue]

In all seriousness though, can i manually fix what the cm did? It stats name c has its own mde, but the parties its supposed to be linked to are me and my mom under name a & b in the mde with all our stuff.