Epcot International Food & Wine Festival *2011*

[ILuvDVC2]

SO... i know it's seven months from the start date, but I want to start a thread for the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. I have been twice (2008 & 2010) and can't wait for this year's festival!!!

We are planning to go for the first week of the festival. I wanted to find out if anyone here has been to the first week in previous years, and if so, what are the crowds like? We've been during the third week in previous years, and the crowds have been manageable, but we have not heard what the first weekend into the first full week are like. Any experienced F&W veterans who have been during the first week who can share your experiences? We'd love to know what to expect!!!

 

[aliasblackhawk]

Joining in cause I would love to know the answer to this question as well. I have never been to the food and wine festival but I plan on going the first week this year! Yay!

 

[DisneyHardin]

We are going the first week of Oct for the FW Festival. I can't wait. I've never done Disney except in the dead of summer, so I am pumped about a fall trip.

 

[jnfr2424]

Looking forward to our yearly trip Columbus Day Weekend!

 

[FireDancer]

I would avoid Epcot on the first Friday night and Saturday. Not only do all the locals show up but that is the weekend for the Wine & Dine half matathon which bring down about 11,000 runners, many of whom will be in Epcot. I'd make Friday and Saturday days to visit other parks and hit the festival during the week. The World Showcase is much less crowded and hectic then.

Just my two cents.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We love the F&W and go every single year since it started. I can tell you to stay away from it on Fri late afternoon until late afternoon on Sunday because the place is slamming and the lines for the food is just insane. If you go during the week it is dead, no lines, hardly any people...its perfect!

 

[ccgirl]

I have been the last two years during Columbs Day Weekend and didn't find it too bad at all. Nothing like waiting 60 minutes for rides at MK.

 

[babyrich]

Last year my DH and I went the first week. We were there on the first Monday, so we missed the first weekend. Like FireDancer said, there is a marathon and the locals come. We were told by the CM's it was very crowded. Our week was just fine, crowds were not crazy, lines were not too long. You will have a great time.

 

[nkereina]

I would avoid Epcot on the first Friday night and Saturday. Not only do all the locals show up but that is the weekend for the Wine & Dine half matathon which bring down about 11,000 runners, many of whom will be in Epcot. I'd make Friday and Saturday days to visit other parks and hit the festival during the week. The World Showcase is much less crowded and hectic then.

Just my two cents.

My last two days at WDW are that Friday and Saturday, the first two days of F&W. We didn't care much about the F&W fest but thought we'd check it out since we'll be there anyway. Would you recommend just staying away in our case or is it worth at least a pass through? We have park hoppers. Thanks!

 

[FireDancer]

My last two days at WDW are that Friday and Saturday, the first two days of F&W. We didn't care much about the F&W fest but thought we'd check it out since we'll be there anyway. Would you recommend just staying away in our case or is it worth at least a pass through? We have park hoppers. Thanks!

In that case I'd suck it up and go. Food & Wine is great and if my only options were to go the first weekend or not go at all I'd go. I would recommend going earlier in the day and making the festival kiosks lunch instead of dinner though.

 

[LilyWDW]

My last two days at WDW are that Friday and Saturday, the first two days of F&W. We didn't care much about the F&W fest but thought we'd check it out since we'll be there anyway. Would you recommend just staying away in our case or is it worth at least a pass through? We have park hoppers. Thanks!

If you want to check it out some, then I would suggest getting there early on Friday. The World Showcase opens at 11AM and I would get there for lunch. Eat around the world for your lunch that day. Locals won't be heading out until after work so that evening will start getting busy as the night goes on.

 

[kiddo76]

We will be there the last week in October. I've been to one F&W in 2009 and DH and I loved it, so we planned this year's trip to attend F&W again. We can't wait. Last time we just did the food booths, but this time I am looking forward to perhaps doing some of the special events. I can't wait!

 

[MrsG]

DH&I just got back from WDW and decided to book Columbus Day weekend to enjoy the F&W festival. We were lucky to get a room at BCV (studios were gone already so we took a 1 BR!)

A few questions

1) is it worth it doing the DDP during the event? The main reason we are there is to sample the food, but I would think the kiosks are more for lunch.

2) Do the restaurants have special menus during this time? Are we better off just munching here and there instead of a sit down meal.

3) I know we can book some special events. Any idea when the itinerary will be out? I think we get a mailing as AP/TIW holders but I never paid attention as to when it came in the mail.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[babyrich]

DH&I just got back from WDW and decided to book Columbus Day weekend to enjoy the F&W festival. We were lucky to get a room at BCV (studios were gone already so we took a 1 BR!)

A few questions

1) is it worth it doing the DDP during the event? The main reason we are there is to sample the food, but I would think the kiosks are more for lunch.

2) Do the restaurants have special menus during this time? Are we better off just munching here and there instead of a sit down meal.

3) I know we can book some special events. Any idea when the itinerary will be out? I think we get a mailing as AP/TIW holders but I never paid attention as to when it came in the mail.

Thanks for all your help!

My DH and I get the DDP during the F&W, we just find it easier to have everything paid for so we do not have to bring much cash. We end up at F&W when the showcase opens and sample. We usually book a later dinner (after 7pm). Do we end up eating alot of food... yes, but we think its worth it. We also use our snack credits for the sampling.

I have never seen a special menu at the restaurants.

I am not sure when the itinerary comes out. I want to say during the summer but I can be totally off. I print it out every year, you think I might remember .......

 

[LWQuestie]

My last two days at WDW are that Friday and Saturday, the first two days of F&W. We didn't care much about the F&W fest but thought we'd check it out since we'll be there anyway. Would you recommend just staying away in our case or is it worth at least a pass through? We have park hoppers. Thanks!

Since you will have park hoppers, I'd recommend also stopping by Epcot on Wednesday and Thursday. They might have a soft opening and you may get a chance to get an early look and taste of the foods and drinks at the booths!

 

[LJD2143]

I am not sure when the itinerary comes out. I want to say during the summer but I can be totally off. I print it out every year, you think I might remember .......

In my recollection, Festival details are released in July.

 

[beroh2253]

We will be there the last week in October. I've been to one F&W in 2009 and DH and I loved it, so we planned this year's trip to attend F&W again. We can't wait. Last time we just did the food booths, but this time I am looking forward to perhaps doing some of the special events. I can't wait!

We went to th F& W last year the last week in October and was great, not too crowded and the temp still 80-90 but not as humid, this yer can't wait to go back but have to go th 3rd week in Oct since we have an AP don't know if renewing so want to be their before it expires. Can't wait. We have gone the last week in Sept several times which ran into the first couple days of Oct. but was the start weekend and was very crowded and hot, but had to go, that is why we now prefer October during the weekdays.

 

[sasmmb]

In my recollection, Festival details are released in July.

I think last year the info was announced in June, and you could start booking in July. IIRC, previous years info was announced in April, with booking still in July.

 

[keith-atl]

SO... i know it's seven months from the start date, but I want to start a thread for the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. I have been twice (2008 & 2010) and can't wait for this year's festival!!!

We are planning to go for the first week of the festival. I wanted to find out if anyone here has been to the first week in previous years, and if so, what are the crowds like? We've been during the third week in previous years, and the crowds have been manageable, but we have not heard what the first weekend into the first full week are like. Any experienced F&W veterans who have been during the first week who can share your experiences? We'd love to know what to expect!!!

We were there the first week a few years ago wasnt too bad, it was also the 25th anniversary of epcot and again crowds were fine. I think that is one of the best times to go during the year.

 

[sjs314]

I am so excited to be attending the F&W Festival in Epcot for the first time this year. There will be 2 less people there opening weekend since we switched our dates to mid-October 19-25 for possible better weather and crowds while we are there.
I am now anixously awaiting the announcement of who will be in the 'Eat to the beat " concerts and when they will be appearing at the Festival.