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

[Missyrose]

So, the way I read the passholder email. I am thinking the early booking on the 24th is ONLY for the culinary demonstrations, mixology and beverage seminars. Not for other events like PFTS, Parisian breakfast, burger bash, what's cooking with events etc. I really hope I'm wrong. I seem to remember the same confusion last year but can't remember how it turned out...

Some people (very few) reported being able to book the events on the early booking day. For the most part, everyone was told only the demos/seminars could be booked early.

I still haven't found any information on the culinary seminars. Have they been released yet?

Nothing yet!

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Last year, I ran into that issue on early booking day too first call told me reservations were closed til the next week. Transfer 1, I was told the deminar was sold out 30 mins after phones opened. Had to get a supervisor to get me booked for Cat Cora.

 

[Brocktoon]

Yep, the reservations get crazier and more difficult every year. I'm trying for PFTS and yet again the weekend I'm visiting coincides with the 'Disney Chefs from Around the World'. Last year I took off from work on reservation opening and had family members on FOUR phones. We got through within 5 minutes of opening yet reserved PFTS seating was already sold out! The rumor is that the visiting Disney Chefs get comp'd reserved tix for their friends/family. I'll try for reserved tix again this year but I'm not getting my hopes up.

My advice for folks on the 30th is to prioritize and try to get in on the phone ASAP. Many events were sold out in under 15 minutes last year with hour+ phone waits within minutes of opening!

 

[disneyoctober2014]

Are Eat to the Beat dining options available this year (reserve seating at a restaurant and priority seating at a concert)? Can't seem to find any info on which restaurants are offering it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Just noticing that there are already a few changes to the "what's cooking with" celeb chef schedule on the website vs. what was announced at the Tables in Wonderland event / in their brochure.

Andrew Zimmern was listed for 9/27. Now 10/9.
Jamie Deen was listed for 10/9. Now listed for 10/10 (a Sat although the event is described as Fridays & Sundays)
Alex Guarnaschelli was listed for 11/13. Now TBD.
No replacement (not even TBD) listed for 9/27

Darn it! We are not going to arrive at WDW until Nov 10 this year because we are doing a family reunion cruise Nov 14 to 21. I was SURE we weren't going to be there for F&W at all so I was thrilled when it was extended for a week. I love Alex Guarnaschelli and would certainly have booked her for 11/13, but I'm not willing to book for TBD.

I don't think there will be any special events for my husband and me this year. I'm glad I don't have to decide if I want to pay so much for Party for the Senses as it is getting to be a bit crazy. I am going to just enjoy the various booths with my extended family, showing them some of my favorite dishes. (DH will be unhappy if there isn't any grilled cheese at Greece.)

 

[winthropf]

I saw the info on the Parisian Breakfast on the DFB site, but nothing on the Disney site. Is this actually on the schedule?

Also, any word on the serving sizes of the beers at the food booths? the 6oz. last year was too small in my opinion.

 

[Inkmahm]

I just saw Robert Irvine is gonna be there Oct 30th! Two days before our first Epcot day of our vacation(we arrive the 31st). My bf will be so bummed! I guess I can't be too mad though, because I would not be able to afford the $129 price tag.

We saw Robert in both 2012 and 2013. He is worth every cent. He is just as entertaining in real life as on his tv shows. And his food is delicious!

 

[wvaspartan]

Robert is the man....met him at a Cable event earlier this year

 

[Inkmahm]

Yep, the reservations get crazier and more difficult every year. I'm trying for PFTS and yet again the weekend I'm visiting coincides with the 'Disney Chefs from Around the World'. Last year I took off from work on reservation opening and had family members on FOUR phones. We got through within 5 minutes of opening yet reserved PFTS seating was already sold out! The rumor is that the visiting Disney Chefs get comp'd reserved tix for their friends/family. I'll try for reserved tix again this year but I'm not getting my hopes up.

My advice for folks on the 30th is to prioritize and try to get in on the phone ASAP. Many events were sold out in under 15 minutes last year with hour+ phone waits within minutes of opening!

I got in right away, too, and they tried to tell me things were sold out. BUT, they just hadn't been released for booking yet. I insisted the CM I got on the phone go talk to a supervisor and then they opened the booking and I was able to book both PFTS and Brian Voltaggio events (while others were told they were full.) I KNEW there was no way the events could be sold out in just a few minutes. I was also there in reserved seating for the PFTS with Disney Chefs from Around the World.

 

[crostorfer]

I saw the info on the Parisian Breakfast on the DFB site, but nothing on the Disney site. Is this actually on the schedule?

Also, any word on the serving sizes of the beers at the food booths? the 6oz. last year was too small in my opinion.

While my more responsible side appreciates that the beer pours are smaller, (so that I don't end up an ugly day drunk by the time I reach the American Adventure), I agree that it is kind of highway robbery to charge full price for half a normal serving. If I was a betting woman, I'd say expect the pours to stay 6oz, if for no other reason that I think they want to discourage the number of people that end up sick and belligerent.

Last year was our first time there on a Saturday. WOW. I had no idea about the "Drinking Teams". Hey, I like to let loose have a good time too, but there were dozens of them, and they all converged at a certain point into a loud, hootin' and a holleran', stumbling mess. I can't imagine that the 100 degree heat index and lack of water did them any favors after a few hours. Some of those people looked worse for the wear on the way out.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love Alex Guarnaschelli and would certainly have booked her for 11/13, but I'm not willing to book for TBD.

The Disney Parks Blog posted the original schedule including her so who knows. I submitted a comment asking which was correct but it hasn't been approved for posting as of yet.

 

[emilymad]

Do the Parisian breakfasts's book up fast? We are looking to book for the first weekend. Do I need to call when the phones open on the 30th?

 

[Redwitch]

This event intrigues me....

Tokyo Pairing

This event will feature three regional wines and tasting-size portions of Japanese cuisines.


Where: Tokyo Dining, Japan Pavilion
When: Thursdays, 4:30-6:30PM
Price: $100 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Epcot admission required.

We have attended the previous event (X3) which was marketed as a "Food and Wine Pairing" for $55. "Learn about particular wine growing regions while sampling three beverages and three tasting-sized portions of menu items from Epcot’s ethnic restaurants. Featured wines and tastings will change daily." Description is similar but the price almost doubled. Any one have any thoughts on the change in price?

 

[akayek31]

Hopefully they will have the Disney Chase holder lounge again this year so I can go and see Rick Springfield up close. If not I will be the first in line!!!

 

[River Country]

Last year was our first time there on a Saturday. WOW. I had no idea about the "Drinking Teams". Hey, I like to let loose have a good time too, but there were dozens of them, and they all converged at a certain point into a loud, hootin' and a holleran', stumbling mess. I can't imagine that the 100 degree heat index and lack of water did them any favors after a few hours. Some of those people looked worse for the wear on the way out.

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

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Hopefully they will have the Disney Chase holder lounge again this year so I can go and see Rick Springfield up close. If not I will be the first in line!!!

If you're referring to the Chase lounge that has been in the American Adventure building the past couple of years, I just want to clarify that it has been open to anyone who shows any Chase credit or debit card, not just the Chase Disney Visa.

Every year there seems to be confusion on that point. Some people think it's only open to Disney Visa cardholders but that has not been the case in the past.

 

[marsh0013]

We saw Robert in both 2012 and 2013. He is worth every cent. He is just as entertaining in real life as on his tv shows. And his food is delicious!

We are beyond excited that our trip finally falls when he is there this year! Now to be able to get through and hopefully not find it sold out!

 

[Splashboat]

Will they provide of list of who the chefs are for the culinary experiences or do you sign up without knowing?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I've already penned in PFTS and the Parisian Breakfast for 10/17.

I'm contemplating the French Family Traditions on Friday the 16th. Since it's brand new, I have no idea what to expect and whether it'll be great or a bust.

If I make a reservation and I read reviews and they're mediocre (yeah, I know to take reviews with a grain of salt), will I be able to cancel and get my reservation money back or am I stuck?

I wish they would post the chefs that are conducting the culinary seminars, too!

Since I'm TiW and AP, I can make reservations on the 24th so I'm hoping they've fleshed things out more before that date.

Nope. All reservations are final. No cancellations.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Will they provide of list of who the chefs are for the culinary experiences or do you sign up without knowing?

They always have provided the culinary demonstration detail in advance..but I think I remember at least one year when it wasn't until the day before the early passholder registration opened.