Epcot Food & Wine- How "All That" Is it?

[MarieKat]

My husband and I are going to WDW in October. It's my first time, and he hasn't been since he was a teen. So it's kind of going to be new for both of us in different ways. Epcot Food & Wine is going on, but so far we're not planning to partake in any particular special events as we're pretty booked up. is there anything unmissable about it? Or can we just do a Disney trip and ignore it, and not miss out on anything special? Thanks

 

[elgerber]

I don't think I am the right person to answer, as we make special trips just to go to F&W. We have never done a seminar or any special event, but we love to sample the food and drinks from the various countries.

 

[PSUGuy]

We switched from WDW trips in March to Oct just for this fest. We 'Graze Around the World', sampling from the 30 or so food kiosks. We've not been tempted by and of the events that are extra cost but we look forward to the Eat to the Beat concert series. Avoid WS on Sat.

Bill From PA

 

[pilferk]

You don't even need to do the special events to participate. There are booths around World Showcase (and, apparently, a couple in Future World this year) where you can buy samples of food and wine (and some mixed drinks/cocktails, in some spots!). And...THAT is well worth doing. There's SO much good stuff!!

As to your question: It's all that and a bag of chips (gourmet, specialty, amazing chips!!!).

If you want to try to attend ONE of the special events (concert, demonstration, whatever) it can be a neat (and fun) addition to the festival. But....we don't always do ANY of them, and still LOVE Epcot during the festival.

 

[JimmyV]

It's a nice event that brings a vibrancy to Epcot at a time when it sorely needs it. But if you are looking for a "real" Food and Wine event, this doesn't come close. It is nothing whatsoever like the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, or the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, or the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival. If you are looking for something like that, you will be disappointed. But if you want to spend some time eating samples of food that only make an appearance at Epcot once (or sometimes twice) a year, it is fine. On the wine side, you have to set your expectations way, way down. In fact, they should just call this the Epcot Food Festival. I haven't found anything wine-related that is worth going to. The wines featured at the event can be found at Publix for between $8-$25 per bottle for the most part. I suppose given the wide range of guests who go to WDW, there are some people who can derive an education from the wine offerings. But if you already have enough of an interest in wine so as to go to "wine events", you are probably already past the level of interest that would make this event worthwhile.

 

[Twincess]

I'm in that boat as well where I enjoy this event so much that I often plan my trips around it. But it depends what you're into. I love food and beer/wine so much that eating and drinking is like a serious passion of mine lol.
I have never even done any of the special events during the festival, mostly because they are expensive and for me, the food booths are the best part. I love the sampling. And I love being outside exploring the countries and people watching with a nice cold beverage in hand. To me, it's relaxing.
I wouldn't go out my way to avoid it if I were you. If you're going to be in Epcot anyway, I would definitely take the time in the World Showcase to explore some of the offerings.

 

[basketlacey]

It's all that. So much all that, I have planned 4 trips around it (with another this year). We don't do the special events although, every year I consider it but then don't end up booking. We do like the Eat to the Beat concerts though. But the food booths and the atmosphere - so FUN! We drink more beer than wine but regardless, it's a blast. If you are going to be there, you need to experience at least part of it and see for yourself!

 

[Hopefully]

It is all that and way more. We go annually, this will be our 12th visit. We love it so much that we bought DVC at the BC just so we could be within walking distance of Epcot for F & W. You can have a fun experience without doing any of the extra cost special events if you choose. Some of the low cost seminars are fun.
But if you are going with the attitude that it isn't for you , I don't think you will enjoy it.
Good Luck

 

[jaccceee]

is there anything unmissable about it? Or can we just do a Disney trip and ignore it, and not miss out on anything special? Thanks

Filet Mignon w/ truffle butter and Dom Pérignon is a not miss.

 

[Eeyore2003]

We have gone all months of the year but now only go during f&w festival. We do attend chef demonstrations and our special treat of the year is wine view lounge at party for the senses, but we also just love walking around tasting food. In fact we don't make very many restaurant reservations anymore since we just eat there. On the other hand if this is a first time or it's been a while you need to pick and choose what you want to get in. You can't even begin to do it all so just relax and enjoy what you do!!! I would at least go over to get a "taste" of what it is!!!

 

[JimmyV]

Filet Mignon w/ truffle butter and Dom Pérignon is a not miss.

Well, if you substituted the DP for a '97 Gaja, I'd be right there with you!

 

[jaccceee]

Well, if you substituted the DP for a '97 Gaja, I'd be right there with you!

The only things I know about champagne is it's bubbly and the name Dom Perignon. Can I get Gaja at Food and Wine? I'll put it on my itinerary. Any other recommendations?

 

[disnut8]

My husband and I are going to WDW in October. It's my first time, and he hasn't been since he was a teen. So it's kind of going to be new for both of us in different ways. Epcot Food & Wine is going on, but so far we're not planning to partake in any particular special events as we're pretty booked up. is there anything unmissable about it? Or can we just do a Disney trip and ignore it, and not miss out on anything special? Thanks

You do not have to be signed up for any special events to enjoy the Festival. Just take an afternoon (during the week) and visit Epcot and the Festival. I would advise not getting any meals planned for that afternoon if you just want to snack around the World Showcase. If you have a meal planned, you can still enjoy the Festival but the servings can be a bit overwhelming with the taste and the experience. You don't even have to partake in the alcohol as there are several non alcoholic choices around the lagoon.

I would strongly suggest at least a few hours just for the experience if nothing else.

 

[holden]

We've been going to FWF just about every year since our kids were both in strollers. They are now 8 & 12.

We wouldn't miss it!

 

[jacksgirl]

I totally plan our trips around F&WF too! It is my absolute favorite event all year at WDW!

 

[JimmyV]

Can I get Gaja at Food and Wine?

Not unless it is being poured at a special wine dinner. Bottles of Gaja very expensive. But a nice aged Barolo from Gaja just happens to be the perfect pairing for beef and truffles!

 

[ELSA711]

We switched from WDW trips in March to Oct just for this fest. We 'Graze Around the World', sampling from the 30 or so food kiosks. We've not been tempted by and of the events that are extra cost but we look forward to the Eat to the Beat concert series. Avoid WS on Sat.

Bill From PA

Okay - need some advice.
I looked at the preview menu and want to try 29 things how do I do it? LOL
Sounds like a lot of food and we have to fit in Akershus for my girls.
Hope to spend 2 half days and one full day at Epcot.

 

[mountdew1]

Okay - need some advice.
I looked at the preview menu and want to try 29 things how do I do it? LOL
Sounds like a lot of food and we have to fit in Akershus for my girls.
Hope to spend 2 half days and one full day at Epcot.

Take them for what they really are - "tastes". I found that one would need 4-5 (usually) to equate an actual meal. So if you split those 29 things 4 ways, suddenly you are only getting one or two bites of each. Last time we did F&W we hit every booth at least once, took my DW and I two days. Might have been done faster, but it's hard to find veggie friendly food (although I love Terra's offerings), so she ended up eating much by herself.

 

[Vernie822]

Last year was the first trip together for my fiance and I. We went in September. We just so happened to catch the first day of F&W on the last day of our trip. At the beginning of our planning when we chose the trip dates we had no idea about the festival.

Needless to say, it was so much fun! We did some rides at Epcot that morning then spent a lot of the afternoon/evening snacking around and trying different things. Even if you don't do any special seminars/shows/etc, I think it's still worth a go. Even for an afternoon or an evening if that's all you can fit. At the end of it, we wished we had more time there. There was so much we wanted to try that we weren't able to in one day! This year we planned a trip for November specifically so we'd be there for F&W.

 

[lindsmom]

DH and I did F&W for date night - left the kids at Beach Club kids club for a few hours and walked over - so much fun! We ate and drank around the world (well, I drank - hubby was DD for the evening). It was lovely and we plan to go to Le Cellier for our anniversary just because of the filet with truffle butter. Holy moly. Desserts were lovely. DH isn't as "daring" as I, so didn't try as much but it was a fun experience for us.

If you are at Disney during F&W I highly recommend you make a point of going. Personally I wouldn't book JUST for F&W, but we don't go often so we have other priorities for choosing our timing.