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

[AngiTN]

Thank you. They made a mickey in the photo LOL

Sneaky of them, isn't it. I admit, I snagged it for my FB avatar.

 

[loves to dive]

I hit up the Lasseter seminar a few years ago and although Nancy was supposed to be the presenter, John himself conducted most of it. Got him to autograph a few things as well as he hung around for a bit afterwards!

Every time someone posts they've changed them I have to rush over and check mine, I'm kind of hoping they change some of my wine ones since they are all from Florida. Just my luck I'm going the first week and the non-California/Florida ones start after that.

 

[AngiTN]

Every time someone posts they've changed them I have to rush over and check mine, I'm kind of hoping they change some of my wine ones since they are all from Florida. Just my luck I'm going the first week and the non-California/Florida ones start after that.

Me too. I have one I signed up for that is simply showing the distributor, with Spirit TBD. I felt like taking a gamble
There's another one showing the same thing while we are there. If they would get the spirit figured out we may just want to do both.

 

[lovingeire]

They've updated seminars again. I was watching for the Nov 10 beverage TBD seminar to fill in and it's now listed for Lassester Family Winery and Wine. Pretty sure that's Lasseter though lol!

I hit up the Lasseter seminar a few years ago and although Nancy was supposed to be the presenter, John himself conducted most of it. Got him to autograph a few things as well as he hung around for a bit afterwards!

Shoot, that's the day we leave! Wonder if I could get the hubs to not leave until afterwards since we're driving? I have a feeling he'll be anxious to get home to the kids, and I probably will be too at that point. Although I'm sure my dad will be even more excited for our return!

 

[rpb718]

Saw this on Disney's Food & Wine page! Do you see what I see?


View attachment 124355

THE best Hidden Mickey I've seen in a long time. Wouldn't last long in these parts though.

Would have made a fine logo for the 20th F&W. I'd have bought a hat, shirt or even a pin with a similar image.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

They've updated seminars again. I was watching for the Nov 10 beverage TBD seminar to fill in and it's now listed for Lassester Family Winery and Wine. Pretty sure that's Lasseter though lol!

Awesome! I was disappointed they weren't on the schedule this year. As a PP said, John, at least in past years, has been a great cohost. I have several signed bottles. And the wine is great!!!!

 

[karrit2000]

Just booked the Lasseter Seminar with the DVC discount! Now I have to cancel our BOG Lunch & hope I can find one that fits our schedule better.

 

[rpb718]

The 2015 F&W kiosk map is out...

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/09/photos-epcot-map-released-for-2015-food-and-wine-festival/

First off - thanks for the map. I like what they did in the Showcase Plaza area - with the numbers along with the forks. I just wish they would have done the same around the rest of WS. Hopefully this is a work-in-progress and not the final map, but I have a feeling it may be.

 

[ChrisNY2]

First off - thanks for the map. I like what they did in the Showcase Plaza area - with the numbers along with the forks. I just wish they would have done the same around the rest of WS. Hopefully this is a work-in-progress and not the final map, but I have a feeling it may be.

I don't understand why everyone is freaking that world showcase numbers are assigned to the pavilions rather than to the individual kiosks, attractions, and retail locations. Once you go to the pavilion, it's easy to find the things that are there.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't understand why everyone is freaking that world showcase numbers are assigned to the pavilions rather than to the individual kiosks, attractions, and retail locations. Once you go to the pavilion, it's easy to find the things that are there.

I'm confused about what is wrong with it too. I found it pretty easy to see about where they are. Close is good enough. As long as I know which area that the given country I want to go to is in I'm sure if I head that direction I'll find it. For instance, say I want to eat at Poland. I know I head to Germany and I'll find Poland.

 

[rpb718]

I'm confused about what is wrong with it too. I found it pretty easy to see about where they are. Close is good enough. As long as I know which area that the given country I want to go to is in I'm sure if I head that direction I'll find it. For instance, say I want to eat at Poland. I know I head to Germany and I'll find Poland.

I'm not "freaking" - however it's disappointing. We knew that the Sustainable Chew, etc. was going to be in Future World - but those are labeled with a number. They could have just listed Hawai'i and Greece as being in Showcase Plaza without a number too. It just seemed that they are using 2 different methods/symbols to describe the same type of landmark (kiosks) on the map - which is just clumsy map-making.

 

[loves to dive]

I use the look and see method. I pick up a passport at the center and sort of look over it (I've usually seen the menus here or elsewhere so have a good idea what I want to try). Then I head to WS and wander around looking at booths and since I've already seen the menus pretty much know I don't want to stop there right now. I know I don't have a bats chance of getting everything I want, my tummy just isn't that big nor is my checking account so I start with what I think I really want. I walk and munch at the same time (I'm talented) until I come to the next booth that has what I want. I may make two or three loops at a time especially if I'm not done with what I was eating when I get to the next booth. I figure all the walking is good for me and helps soak up the wine and food. I will go for at least 4 days in a row this year in between deminars I have about 2 hours and each day my last one is around 4 so I have all evening. I'll do the other parks in the mornings. I glance at the map but really the menus on the passports are my guide.

 

[dreamseeker9]

For those who have been on weekends to F&W before, and especially opening weekend, how crowded does it truly get? I've listened to some podcasters describe every Saturday as a frat party to be avoided at all costs, and other podcasters say it's not that bad. We are staying at the YC, so even though we have FP+ reservations for Future World rides on Saturday afternoon, we will have to walk through Showcase Plaza (where it looks like there are several booths), Canada, and the UK to reach the International Gateway. My parents are in their mid-60s, so I'm concerned with big and rowdy crowds bothering my mother more than anything - I don't really care. Is it just a lot of people, waiting in the queued lines set up for each booth? As long as the walkways are fairly clear, we'll be fine.

Crowd calendar has Saturday, Sept. 26th as a 6, but it could definitely be higher.

 

[pepperandchips]

For those who have been on weekends to F&W before, and especially opening weekend, how crowded does it truly get? I've listened to some podcasters describe every Saturday as a frat party to be avoided at all costs, and other podcasters say it's not that bad. We are staying at the YC, so even though we have FP+ reservations for Future World rides on Saturday afternoon, we will have to walk through Showcase Plaza (where it looks like there are several booths), Canada, and the UK to reach the International Gateway. My parents are in their mid-60s, so I'm concerned with big and rowdy crowds bothering my mother more than anything - I don't really care. Is it just a lot of people, waiting in the queued lines set up for each booth? As long as the walkways are fairly clear, we'll be fine.

Crowd calendar has Saturday, Sept. 26th as a 6, but it could definitely be higher.

I was there a couple of weekends last year including the first one - it was busy but nothing like a big frat party. I always find the pathways in world showcase to be pretty busy on the weekend and they are definitely crowded during food and wine but it wasn't so unmanageable that I'd avoid the are. Mostly my complaint was the heat. There are many more folks just standing around in "weird" areas (like near the lagoon or by fences) that you don't see in non-festival times. I think you will be fine as long as you're all prepared for crowds and take plenty of time to rest and take in attractions that will take you out of the heat and crowds for a few minutes every so often. As others have said, go early and prioritize the things you most want to try. Have a great time!

 

[dreamseeker9]

I was there a couple of weekends last year including the first one - it was busy but nothing like a big frat party. I always find the pathways in world showcase to be pretty busy on the weekend and they are definitely crowded during food and wine but it wasn't so unmanageable that I'd avoid the are. Mostly my complaint was the heat. There are many more folks just standing around in "weird" areas (like near the lagoon or by fences) that you don't see in non-festival times. I think you will be fine as long as you're all prepared for crowds and take plenty of time to rest and take in attractions that will take you out of the heat and crowds for a few minutes every so often. As others have said, go early and prioritize the things you most want to try. Have a great time!

Thanks so much! We're starting that morning off with the Parisian breakfast, and we have an ADR that evening at the YC, so we probably won't need to hit the food booths much that day. But others in our party will for sure who aren't joining us for the big breakfast. I think it will work well to be in Future World that afternoon, inside when it's hottest outside. Then we'll take our time walking back to the International Gateway, keeping in mind it will be crowded. We will be back in EPCOT on Monday and Wednesday to sample more at the booths.

 

[SarahInMN]

For those who have been on weekends to F&W before, and especially opening weekend, how crowded does it truly get?

We avoid Epcot on Saturdays. We generally spend 10ish days at WDW for F&W so we have plenty of time to see and to taste on other days. It starts to fill up late afternoon friday and is cleared by Sunday am. For us, the waits aren't worth it on Saturdays to get food. Our very first F&W we arrived on a Saturday and went straight to EPCOT: we were so disappointed by the crowds and the lines. We now only go to EPCOT on Saturday for ticketed events and then clear out for another park.

 

[vettegirl]

Does anyone know if the dining eat to the beat package gets you a better seat than a fast pass for the concerts?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Does anyone know if the dining eat to the beat package gets you a better seat than a fast pass for the concerts?

I would hope so, but I don't think anyone will have a clue until the festival starts. I can also see Eat to the Beat, Fast Pass and Sampler Packages in one line and everyone else in another. Until we see what they do I would hope for the best but prepare for the worst LOL!

 

[vettegirl]

I would hope so, but I don't think anyone will have a clue until the festival starts. I can also see Eat to the Beat, Fast Pass and Sampler Packages in one line and everyone else in another. Until we see what they do I would hope for the best but prepare for the worst LOL!

Thanks I will check it out next Sunday and plan accordingly!! I really want a good seat for Starship.

 

[mickey1968]

Has anyone done the 8pm Eat to the Beat and then been able to move around to the FP+ area for Illuminations? Right now that is my plan for my first night there. It will be Air Supply's last night and I am not sure if I will be able to make it in time for the 6:45 show. This is the first time I have tried to use a FP+ for Illuminations. I will be solo, so I can move faster than most with kiddos, etc. Will it be doable?