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

[patster734]

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.

On your first day at Epcot, stop by the F&W Center, located between the Universe of Energy and Mission Space pavilions, in the old Wonders of Live pavilion, before heading over to World Showcase. You can pick up a passport there, containing all of the kiosks and the food/drink at each one. That way you can mark which items you've purchased, and which ones you liked. Our first trip to F&W a few years ago, I wasn't aware of the center or the passport, and missed out on some things.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

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

So no matter what the EARLIEST you would get there is Thursday? Dump the Premium Package idea. It would only be good for Thursday. There's no special seating/service over the weekend with it. So if it's between that and PFTS go for the Party. Also, plan to go back to the hotel and chill out between Tequila and PFTS. The park gets packed and Tequila is a pretty good "buzz" anyway (I loved it, but boy it's a lot of tequila LOL!)

Remember that it's a "Food and WINE" paring on Monday and then you want to drive half way home? Probably not a great idea, So it's either skip the wine or don't drive for a few more hours.

 

[dreamseeker9]

Now I'm torn on the FP+ for the Eat to the Beat concert. How much time will it really save? FP+ people will still line up probably about 30 minutes before a concert starts. The main benefit seems to be securing a great seat. I'm torn - this is the only day I can get a FP+ for Test Track, and others in my party have never ridden it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Now I'm torn on the FP+ for the Eat to the Beat concert. How much time will it really save? FP+ people will still line up probably about 30 minutes before a concert starts. The main benefit seems to be securing a great seat. I'm torn - this is the only day I can get a FP+ for Test Track, and others in my party have never ridden it.

And are you sure it's a "great" seat. Remember they are also giving "preferred seating" to the Sampler Package and Eat to the Beat Dining packages. I would assume that those groups get seated ahead of FP+

Personally I have never seen any need for this with a couple of notable exceptions (Boys to Men if you want a rose for example)

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

Now I'm torn on the FP+ for the Eat to the Beat concert. How much time will it really save? FP+ people will still line up probably about 30 minutes before a concert starts. The main benefit seems to be securing a great seat. I'm torn - this is the only day I can get a FP+ for Test Track, and others in my party have never ridden it.

I'd vote for Test Track since, I believe,there are a couple of concerts each day, so you have a good chance at decent seating I would think.

 

[mara512]

Now I'm torn on the FP+ for the Eat to the Beat concert. How much time will it really save? FP+ people will still line up probably about 30 minutes before a concert starts. The main benefit seems to be securing a great seat. I'm torn - this is the only day I can get a FP+ for Test Track, and others in my party have never ridden it.

I agree I would go for Test Track.

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

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

We both LOVED the scallop at the Scotland booth last year. If you're not into seafood, second pick would probably be the cheddar cheese soup at Canada. What kinds of foods do you usually go for?

 

[YodasMom]

Sampler Package has the preferred seating for the 6:45 PM Eat to the Beat Concert only. Wonder if the FP+ is for the other two times. I wouldn't give up my Soarin' (or other) FP for Eat to the Beat, though.

 

[dreamseeker9]

We both LOVED the scallop at the Scotland booth last year. If you're not into seafood, second pick would probably be the cheddar cheese soup at Canada. What kinds of foods do you usually go for?

I love seafood, that scallop dish is on my must list for sure! So is the cheddar cheese soup!

 

[AngiTN]

So no matter what the EARLIEST you would get there is Thursday? Dump the Premium Package idea. It would only be good for Thursday. There's no special seating/service over the weekend with it. So if it's between that and PFTS go for the Party. Also, plan to go back to the hotel and chill out between Tequila and PFTS. The park gets packed and Tequila is a pretty good "buzz" anyway (I loved it, but boy it's a lot of tequila LOL!)

Remember that it's a "Food and WINE" paring on Monday and then you want to drive half way home? Probably not a great idea, So it's either skip the wine or don't drive for a few more hours.

Yeah, Thursday is really the earliest we could be in the park. The one day was a big con to the PP for sure. But we are one of the few that really like the dessert party so we could do that. And I wondered is there any value to the fact that we'd have one day where we wouldn't stand in line for everything. We'll be doing a lot of that on the only other days we are there. It could be very nice not to that one day

 

[CJ Gren]

This upcoming trip will be the first time I'll be considering purchasing wine in the Festival Center. Do they sell the wines that are available at the festival booths?

 

[POOHsie]

This upcoming trip will be the first time I'll be considering purchasing wine in the Festival Center. Do they sell the wines that are available at the festival booths?

Yes, wines from the booths are at the Festival Center, and maybe others, too. There seemed to be a nice selection. Possibly also the beers, too. We found the Hanson Mmmhops Beer there.

Last year our alcohol purchases had to be sent to the exit gate for pickup later. We couldn't take them out of the Festival Center bldg. So you might time your purchases so that you don't buy and then want to pick up your package immediately. I don't know how much time to allow before pickup. And your alcohol purchases can't be sent back to the hotel by package delivery. Disney rule of no food or drink delivered thru package delivery service.

 

[MatzoBelle]

We both LOVED the scallop at the Scotland booth last year. If you're not into seafood, second pick would probably be the cheddar cheese soup at Canada. What kinds of foods do you usually go for?

Thanks! I tend to go for "comfort foods," but am keen to try whatever others rate highly. Both dishes you name sound great.

 

[CJ Gren]

Yes, wines from the booths are at the Festival Center, and maybe others, too. There seemed to be a nice selection. Possibly also the beers, too. We found the Hanson Mmmhops Beer there.

Last year our alcohol purchases had to be sent to the exit gate for pickup later. We couldn't take them out of the Festival Center bldg. So you might time your purchases so that you don't buy and then want to pick up your package immediately. I don't know how much time to allow before pickup. And your alcohol purchases can't be sent back to the hotel by package delivery. Disney rule of no food or drink delivered thru package delivery service.

Thanks so much for the info!

 

[brnrss34]

Sampler Package has the preferred seating for the 6:45 PM Eat to the Beat Concert only. Wonder if the FP+ is for the other two times. I wouldn't give up my Soarin' (or other) FP for Eat to the Beat, though.

FP is for all times for Eat to the Beat. I did a dummy test just to see. But no way am I giving up my Test Track!!

 

[YodasMom]

FP is for all times for Eat to the Beat. I did a dummy test just to see. But no way am I giving up my Test Track!!

Well, I wonder who is going to have priority: Sampler Package priority seating, Eat to the Beat package, or FP+ or if they will just have different areas reserved.

 

[brnrss34]

Maybe first come first serve since sampler is linked to MDE maybe it's tied to your magic band, like wise for dinning package, and FP? I guess we will see.

 

[brnrss34]

Meaning a special check in area for them.

 

[Biceratops]

Anyone here bringing bread for the Smash Mouth concert?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would think the Eat to the Beat Dining package would get first 'dibs" on the seats so one check in for them. Maybe the sampler and the FP go together?

Wonder if this is coming to Candlelight Processional this winter.