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

[TXMemaw]

Got through on the first line (WDW-DINE) right at 7 am (5 am here) and was quoted a 2 1/2 hour wait time!!! Got through on the second line (WDW-FEST) a couple minutes later and that was a 97 minute wait time. The first line answered after 75 minutes so half the quoted wait time. Was able to get everything for DH and I that we wanted!

10/17 Parisian Afternoon
10/17 Cheese Seminar
10/24 Reserved seating at the Party for the Senses

Good Luck to everyone still trying. The first CM that answered was having difficulty finding anything so she transferred me to Debra and she was wonderful! Long morning on the phone but worth it in the end. Now the wait to October begins!!!

 

[BGK]

My 84 minute wait turned out to be 55, but it was academic. A friend of mine got through in 40 and reserved one of my events for me. The other was sold out already (both were signature dinners). Based on the small size of the dinners, it's good someone else was able to get through sooner as there's little chance the first event wouldn't have sold out.

I say this every year, but I'm kind of done. Reading everyone's stories of calling on multiple lines (which I did as well, and have for years), getting dropped, events not loaded, call center people not knowing how to reserve events, shows me how ridiculous this is getting. The festival keeps adding events, adds options to events, but does nothing to streamline the process. Yeah, yeah, sad trombones and all.

The Disney chefs are doing ever-more charitable events, particularly with Second Harvest, throughout the year. Being pretty much a local, I'm probably going to pick those more often. Those generally take about two minutes to reserve online.

 

[TDC Nala]

With the huge cost discrepancy between the Illuminations party and the culinary/beverage demos, something seems off there. I would be interested to see what happens with that premium package once the hubbub dies down.

It's ridiculous that they even considered putting this out there without releasing anything that said what you would get for your $200 though.

 

[lorifarrow]

I think 'its a small world' comes on just to test peoples resolve.....

You wont to get me tiny voices!!!!!

After over an hour wait they are telling me they can't book the premium package. She has put me on hold to speak to a supervisor... They are sold out

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't believe for a minute that they are sold out of that premium package.

 

[FoodieFriend]

on hold again for my 2nd attempt at booking the Premium Package. 43 minute wait time given & i'm 14 minutes in. come on, pixie dust!!!

 

[pepperandchips]

After over an hour wait they are telling me they can't book the premium package. She has put me on hold to speak to a supervisor... They are sold out

This experience is so irritating. There is no way these are sold out. Most CMs haven't even been able to book them! I'm still on hold hoping for one of the CMs who has figured it out...

 

[Straughn]

That exact thing happened to us last year! Either the CMs just don't know what to check for in the system, or certain tickets are released as the morning goes on. I was prepared to ask for a supervisor, but I had a really great CM who was able to find the reserved seats

I am wondering the same thing. Maybe they release seats/tickets in batches so that folks who are on hold for a hour have an opportunity to get something they want. I got PFTS reserved seating for 10/24 after holding for 45 minutes. And, I got the Jiko dinner on 10/22. Based on previous year's experiences, if I didn't get thru in the first 15 minutes, everything I wanted was pretty much booked. I still think staggered calling times and/or days, depending on the date, is the way to eliminate this chaos. Yes, some people would have to call twice if their plans overlapped two booking periods, but it would sure make it easier on the rest of us and on the cast members.

 

[YodasMom]

I called right at 7 AM, actually tried before, and got the message all circuits were busy. Called couple more times and quoted a 104 minute wait. CM picked up at around 75 minutes. I was only interested in the Sampler and possibly the Premium Package.

Got the Oct 19 Sampler package. As others reported, the credentials have to be picked up at the Festival Center on the day of the package, and can be obtained starting at 9 AM that day.

As others have reported, the Premium Package was pulled and they're planning to reload when they clarify all the booking details due to all the other components that are included. (So glad they're prepared!) She also said it looked like there was a choice of a beverage or culinary demonstration, not both.....but who knows what the case will be. Also includes the bag, wine, magic band, M-Th reserved seating around the World Showcase at 11 areas. She couldn't find anything mentioned about the dessert party coming with it. I have a feeling, since they don't know for sure what it includes, that people may be being told different things. I also asked about the demonstrations and since a lot of us early booked the ones we wanted, and she didn't know if it would reimburse for that (probably not). I think this is probably a "no go" for us.

Since my friend is coming for the first time, she is wanting to experience the festival the first time without the premium dining events, so I'm not booking those this time, but thought the sampler and premium packages might be good options. So, probably just doing Sampler Package that I booked.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I remembered the earlier post, and specifically asked the CM. She read it again and said her sheet definitely says "or." There's a bit of a price difference between a $49 dessert party and a $15 deminar, and I asked her about that. (She was done with me, and ready to move on.) She said you get one or the other.

That doesn't mean I believe it, though. LOL

And how are you going to get the seminar you want? I don't think they were organized enough to hold back spots LOL!

After a 50 minute wait, I was able to book the Premium package. I did get a confirmation number and it's showing in MDE. The CM told me that we had to pick up our credentials as the festival center, so will they be in the room?? Who the heck knows

The reserved seating for PFTS for 10/3 was sold out

Since anyone can book this year I doubt it's in your room.

You know, I'm really getting upset with Disney. 30 minutes ago, I was told no availability for PFTS 10/24 Reserved Seating, so I bought general admission.

Call back, While they will not "change" you they will upgrade you. I did it last year. (Also remember that posting time is not equal to "real time" Some folks do things in between booking and posting LOL!)

 

[karrit2000]

"Sold Out" seems to be the standard response when the CM has no clue what is going on, can't find the event you are asking for and can't be bothered to put forth a little effort. A few years ago I got one of the clueless CM's who told me sold out or there is no such event for every event I was trying to book. Called back, waited for over an hour & was able to book pretty much everything I asked for. Yes it's very frustrating but we come back each year to do it all over again.

 

[YodasMom]

With the huge cost discrepancy between the Illuminations party and the culinary/beverage demos, something seems off there. I would be interested to see what happens with that premium package once the hubbub dies down.

It's ridiculous that they even considered putting this out there without releasing anything that said what you would get for your $200 though.

The CM I talked to first said there were 2 different Premium packages, possibly 2 different prices, with different options. I don't think she knew (obviously not). Also that some of the things (demos) would have to be booked at the same time. Right now, no one seems to know. No surprises!

 

[WDWGeek1971]

Was just able to book Italian Regional Lunch, on 11/11, and Hibachi Experience on 11/10. WOOT!!!!!! I also found a used copy of "Where the Magic Lives" CD on Amazon and ordered it while on hold. Just call me a glutton for punishment!

STATS: 54 tries to get through, wait time prediction 80 minutes, actually on hold for 62 minutes.

 

[YodasMom]

This experience is so irritating. There is no way these are sold out. Most CMs haven't even been able to book them! I'm still on hold hoping for one of the CMs who has figured it out...

Re: Premium Package: A lot of us have been told they cannot book them right now, that they have been pulled from the system while they clarify, reword terms, and work out the booking details. That's what I was told. My CM said they can't book them, and they are therefore not sold out.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

The CM told me that we had to pick up our credentials as the festival center, so will they be in the room??

There is always a desk right inside the Festival Center where you can pick up your passes for the Seminars, etc. If it is not well-marked, and sometimes it isn't, you can ask any cast member where you need to go.

 

[garris3404]

Called right at 7am this morning & was quoted a 17 minute wait, which was more like 15 minutes. I got Chefs de France with Eat to the Beat Concert on 11/9 & the Festival Tasting Sampler for the following day. So excited!!!

Can you use TS credits for Eat to the Beat Concert dining packages? Is it 1 or 2 TS credits? Do you also get an appetizer?

 

[pperfectmom]

Has anyone been able to find/book the sampler package online? I was able to book one of the mixology seminars and the only other thing I want is the sampler package. If I have to call, I'm going to wait a day and hope for the best.

 

[Lindaland]

I have now exceeded my estimated wait time.....

 

[alievans719]

Good luck to anyone trying to get through today! I opted not to book anything. But hopefully everyone else gets what they want!

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I have now exceeded my estimated wait time.....

same, but i'm making it a race. what will come first reervation or a good pug on warcraft....neither is winning yet.