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

[karrit2000]

Question for you experts..... is it worth bothering with the Party for the Senses if we can only get General Admission? It's me and DH
We have just 1 long weekend to work with and made a decision to go just last week so we are left with what we can get. I'm lucky as can be to get a room at BC and find any events to book.
I'm reading through the thread but thought I'd better ask this now, so we can book if it's worth it, before it's gone

Personally I don't think PFTS is worth the $ even for GA. Of course if money is no object & one can afford it whether it's GA or Reserved or Wine View it is an experience. Personally I much rather spend my $ attending the special events held in the different countries like France, Italy, Mexico & Morocco. They are much more relaxed & you get to sit & be waited on.

1st time attending the Food and Wine and just learning about the F&W sampler package. We are a party of 5 but if I read correctly, I do not need to purchase a sampler for each member correct? I guess the bigger question is.... Is it worth it, value-wise? the 8 samplers....etc
Additionally, we probably will not take advantage of the concert. So other than the pin, is it worth purchasing the Sampler Package or should we just go with Gift Cards?

Any advice or help from those who've used in the past is greatly appreciated.

I don't think the Sampler package is worth the money they are asking. The reserved seating for the concerts is of no interest to me & unless prices at the booths are skyrocketing this year you'd be lucky to break even with the Sampler Package.

Anyone else thinking that a blog post warning tickets are "going fast" may indicate the opposite?

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...urger-block-party-yelloween-masquerade-party/

That was my thought exactly. Can't see spending $100 for a burger party.

 

[MatzoBelle]

We're going to be at F&W a month from today!! We already have our booths and food/beverages picked out. I'm super excited AND nervous.

Would you be willing to share what your #1 must-try dish is?

 

[AngiTN]

Personally I don't think PFTS is worth the $ even for GA. Of course if money is no object & one can afford it whether it's GA or Reserved or Wine View it is an experience. Personally I much rather spend my $ attending the special events held in the different countries like France, Italy, Mexico & Morocco. They are much more relaxed & you get to sit & be waited on.



I don't think the Sampler package is worth the money they are asking. The reserved seating for the concerts is of no interest to me & unless prices at the booths are skyrocketing this year you'd be lucky to break even with the Sampler Package.



That was my thought exactly. Can't see spending $100 for a burger party.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree, if rather have the pairing events in WS. Sadly most the ones offered on our weekend are sold out. We got the Mexican lunch so far. Since there are no cancellations I'm guessing we are OOL for the others.

 

[angel0321]

They also seemed to really be pushing the fact that the burger party is not JUST burgers. (Hint to Disney, things will sell better if you figure this out EARLIER! A lot of us already signed up and spent our money so this "but wait we have this feature" is too little too late to get our cash.)

Exactly! Given all the yummy details in the blog, we would have signed up. Now our schedule is set. Disney's still getting our funds, just not at their Rockin' Burger Block Party. When will they learn?? (It is the 20th anniversary, after all.)

 

[BwoZoo22]

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree, if rather have the pairing events in WS. Sadly most the ones offered on our weekend are sold out. We got the Mexican lunch so far. Since there are no cancellations I'm guessing we are OOL for the others.

We really enjoy PFTS. Even GA. My recommendation is to get there a few minutes after the opening to avoid the 'stampede' for a table. Not everyone protects their table like a mining claim; we have met some really nice people in GA. The higher quality, different foods, as well as the nicer atmosphere compared to the WS booths, makes it for us. Reserved seating was ridiculously close to the stage last year.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Plus the burger thing is only three nights, and the one night it's happening during my trip is a Friday, and the first night of the Osborne Lights. I will not be in Epcot that night.

 

[Dug720]

According to the offer you can only go once per day and must show your AP & ID in order to get the passport stamped. One would hope (yea I know we're talking Disney here) they will actually be scanning the AP to verify you have not already gotten your stamp for the day. Since they scan the card for discounts there should be a way to do it for the glasses also.

I wasn't even thinking about that. I was thinking about how you can complete one passport with three visits, then on your fourth get another passport to complete, and then on your seventh and so on.

 

[AngiTN]

I sure wish I could decide what extras to book for F&W
We are currently planning on leaving about noon on Thursday, getting down there at 8:00 or so that night. Then we leave as soon as we check out on Monday, trying to hit home by about 6:00 or so in the evening, if not earlier.

With that plan we would not do anything Thursday or Monday at all. Just travel days.

So now I'm trying to decide if I can talk DH in to going down on Wednesday instead, leaving later and arriving later but giving us all of Thursday. And give us some of Monday in Disney, spending the night closer to home and going straight to work on Tuesday, getting to our offices by about noon or so. This would give us time to do more events at Epcot.

So far all I have are 2 beverages seminars, one on beer and one on liquor TBD. And the Mexican Tequila Lunch on Saturday.

There are 2 big ticket events I can book but 1, the Premium Package, would mean we make the change I want on our plans. The other, Party for the Senses (only general admission left, standing room only) would not. If I could get the reserved seating for the Party for the Senses I would book it and be done but they are sold out and as it's a no refund, no change kind of thing so chances of a cancellation are nil. It's not the money so much (the cost is in the budget). It's which we would get the most use out of. I'm pretty clear on what's in each and I'm torn. There are plenty of cons to both (and some pros too). I wish we had a full week but we've already done over 3 weeks at Disney parks this year so we can't muster another week off work

I really want to stay some on Monday to do the Mediterranean Food and Wine Pairing. But it isn't over till 3:00. No idea if I can talk DH in to that or not.

The other I want to do would mean we need to get there earlier on Thursday, the Italian Food and Wine Pairing.

I think I will book the French Family Meal Tradition on Sunday. That doesn't require any changes to our plans. Who knew this impromptu trip would be so difficult. I have called and confirmed, for the moment, all of the offerings I'm considering have openings

 

[dreamseeker9]

For those who have been to the Eat to the Beat concerts in the past, what time do you recommend for lining up for the first concert at 5:30 PM? That's the only time we can go due to an ADR for dinner later that evening. I'll be going on Monday, Sept. 28th to see Wilson Phillips. I don't mind standing to watch, but I want to make sure my parents get a decent seat. Thanks!

 

[randumb0]

For those who have been to the Eat to the Beat concerts in the past, what time do you recommend for lining up for the first concert at 5:30 PM? That's the only time we can go due to an ADR for dinner later that evening. I'll be going on Monday, Sept. 28th to see Wilson Phillips. I don't mind standing to watch, but I want to make sure my parents get a decent seat. Thanks!

30 mins before for really good seats. The line will appear to be long but there will be plenty of seats

 

[Stinky_Pete]

For those who have been to the Eat to the Beat concerts in the past, what time do you recommend for lining up for the first concert at 5:30 PM? That's the only time we can go due to an ADR for dinner later that evening. I'll be going on Monday, Sept. 28th to see Wilson Phillips. I don't mind standing to watch, but I want to make sure my parents get a decent seat. Thanks!

I remember a couple of years ago I was there and a handful of people actually were sitting "in line" for Hanson at noon! But it was only like 8-10 people. I just found it funny they were lined up so early.

 

[dreamseeker9]

I remember a couple of years ago I was there and a handful of people actually were sitting "in line" for Hanson at noon! But it was only like 8-10 people. I just found it funny they were lined up so early.

Too funny! We definitely won't be doing that. Wilson Phillips are there 2 days, and while I think they'll draw in people, I'll be surprised if a bunch of people are in line before 4:30 PM for the 5:30 PM show, especially on a Monday. But I could be wrong!

 

[Biceratops]

I remember a couple of years ago I was there and a handful of people actually were sitting "in line" for Hanson at noon! But it was only like 8-10 people. I just found it funny they were lined up so early.

Nostalgia is a funny thing.

OT: I saw Hanson years ago and fell asleep through most of the concert and woke up to their encore "If Only." Good times.

 

[RunningAriel]

Can't wait!!! This will be my 17th year going! My how time flys. This will be the first trip for my DBF though. He has never been to Food and Wine and has never stayed on property! He may or may not be a convert by the time we leave.

 

[crazy4wdw]

FastPass+ Reservations Now Available For Eat to the Beat Concerts During 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Posted today on Disney Parks Blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-20th-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

 

[FoodieFriend]

FastPass+ Reservations Now Available For Eat to the Beat Concerts During 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Posted today on Disney Parks Blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-20th-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

I checked it out & it's a "tier 1" FP so i dumped my Test Track FP to get it. Some ppl from the parks blog are saying they can't book this further than 30 days out. i'm in the 30 day window so i guess it might be true?

 

[Tiggeroo]

OK, help. There are 103 pages here. We are going on a trip with two couples, no kids the 2nd week in October. We have never been to Food and Wine. I don't even know where to start here. I don't know if I should be reserving any kind of event. I don't know what is the best time of day or night to go. I don't know how many nights/days I should give up of the rest of my trip for this. We do love epcot so tend to spend a decent amount of time strolling through there anyway.

 

[jedijill]

I checked it out & it's a "tier 1" FP so i dumped my Test Track FP to get it. Some ppl from the parks blog are saying they can't book this further than 30 days out. i'm in the 30 day window so i guess it might be true?

I'm 50 some days out and it was available to me.

Jill in CO

 

[FoodieFriend]

OK, help. There are 103 pages here. We are going on a trip with two couples, no kids the 2nd week in October. We have never been to Food and Wine. I don't even know where to start here. I don't know if I should be reserving any kind of event. I don't know what is the best time of day or night to go. I don't know how many nights/days I should give up of the rest of my trip for this. We do love epcot so tend to spend a decent amount of time strolling through there anyway.

I advise reading page 1 at least to get the links to info on different events. i've never been yet either but i've read thru this whole forum a while back & it's helped a lot plus questions i've asked have been answered. special events will depend on your group & you will have to read about them to decide what's a good fit. other ppl have said there are openings for certain events still available which is good news for you!
crowd wise, it's been said that weekdays are less crowded than weekends.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I checked it out & it's a "tier 1" FP so i dumped my Test Track FP to get it. Some ppl from the parks blog are saying they can't book this further than 30 days out. i'm in the 30 day window so i guess it might be true?

I'm 52 days out from my arrival date and was able to book a FP+ for Eat to the Beat.