Epcot International Food & Wine Festival *2011*

[1971DBday]

The Festival dates are up on the WDW website, Sept 30th - November 13th

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/pa...s/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

Here are the Eat to the Beat acts listed by Steve:
Gin Blossoms September 27-28
Taylor Dayne September 29-October 2
38 Special October 3-5
Starship Starring Mickey Thomas October 13-16
Boyz II Men October 24-26
Hanson October 31-November 1
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy November 11-13

Yay! We arrive early evening on the 5th. Drop the bags and if I need to ditch everyone else to see 38 Special for my little bday present to myself!!! (So much for relaxing by the pool )

Please let it be someone else just as good for the rest of our trip!

 

[LilyWDW]

Yay! We arrive early evening on the 5th. Drop the bags and if I need to ditch everyone else to see 38 Special for my little bday present to myself!!! (So much for relaxing by the pool )

Please let it be someone else just as good for the rest of our trip!

I can't wait to see who will be there between Starship and Boyz II Men. I'd enjoy seeing Boyz II Men but we leave the day before they get there. Hopefully I will actually recognize the performer between the two!

 

[dansyr2514]

We were there for the first week last year and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! If you really want to get alot of tasting done, my advice would be to go early afternoons. We went right around noon and there were barely any lines for the kiosks until around 3:30ish. Opening weekend evenings were a madhouse. We just wandered a bit and ate dinner in a world showcase restaurant. The only really drunk person I saw was girl at the boardwalk..who may have had just a bit too much clubbing. We also stayed at the beach club for the first time which made the experience even better. You could just stroll down at your leisure. Hot tub rumor had it, that Taylor Dane was also hanging by the pool at the beach club one evening. We're basically doing the same this year only at BWV and if my knees feel better we may do the 5k. Can't wait!!!

Oh and get the passport, we completed ours. Thanks to dbf who did the majority of the eating. My tip would be to book a late dinner on your food and wine days and snack your way around for lunch.

 

[BriarRosie]

I read that the weather in October could be quite inconsistant but even so switched my dates for Sept 25-Oct 3 to Oct 19-25 fearful of the dreaded hot and humid weather I kept hearing about in September.

I just want it not to be hot hot hot and I am going to be upset if it is since it is costing me more for 6 nights than the previous dates did for 8 nights due to discounts , although I have read that cooler weather is likely after Oct 15th I was not thinking "freezing"

The weather can fluctuate between extremely hot to more temperate, but sometimes rainy. Be prepared for any weather contingency.

 

[TPCShauna]

Add me to the list of those anxiously awaiting details for this year. Now that DH and I are slightly over an hour away from the World, we are finally able to attend and are super excited.

We are really struggling with dates though. Our anniversary is Oct. 5 and we had planned to do Sunday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 6, until someone mentioned the marathon. Now we are thinking Wednesday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 9. We are planning a MNSSHP as well. We had thought about a Party for the Senses also, but weren't sure based on some really negative past reviews.

For those of you who have been there, done that before, which set of dates would you recommend? Also, what are your thoughts on Party for the Senses? Is it as crazy madhouse as I keep hearing or had Disney worked out the kinks?

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Add me to the list of those anxiously awaiting details for this year. Now that DH and I are slightly over an hour away from the World, we are finally able to attend and are super excited.

We are really struggling with dates though. Our anniversary is Oct. 5 and we had planned to do Sunday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 6, until someone mentioned the marathon. Now we are thinking Wednesday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 9. We are planning a MNSSHP as well. We had thought about a Party for the Senses also, but weren't sure based on some really negative past reviews.

For those of you who have been there, done that before, which set of dates would you recommend? Also, what are your thoughts on Party for the Senses? Is it as crazy madhouse as I keep hearing or had Disney worked out the kinks?

We did the Party for the Senses in 2006 and in 2008. The difference from one to the next was astounding.

In 2006, we didn't know to arrive early in hopes of getting a table. We simply showed up 5 minutes before the event was scheduled to start. That being said, we found a few seats at a large table without any issue. This was when they had large round 8 top tables, smaller 5 or 6 tops and high cocktail tables. The selection of food & wine was wonderful and we still rave about certain items from that party. They even had face painting and several performances by Cirque du Soleil.

In 2008, we showed up VERY early, an hour before I believe. We were right outside the gates to World Showplace. The crowd packed in as we waited and about 30 minutes before event time they allowed us into the indoor waiting area. The small rush from one waiting area to the next was madness. We went from being right at the front, to being about 40 people deep, smack in the middle of the crowd. Then, when they allowed us into the event space it was sheer insanity. People running, pushing, shoving, using their cocktail plates to slap down on the tables basically saying "This is MINE!" We had teamed up with another couple and we BARELY got a table.

In 2009, they introduced the Wine View Lounge...basically paying an extra $90/person for a guaranteed seat and slightly early entry into the venue.

In my opinion, PftS just isn't worth it anymore. We tried Victoria & Albert's in 2009 as an alternative, and now we will never look back. The food quality, experience and value for money just can't be compared.

Do we regret attending PftS? No! We loved the two parties. I would recommend trying one if the concept appeals to you. Just be aware that it is much more like a cocktail party now, and even finding a temporary place to stand at a high table may be difficult.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Has anyone done a "beverage demonstration?" I'm looking at the schedule from last year and want to try to book a beer tasting for DH and his brother. It said something about beer and wine tastings but the only thing I can find on the schedule is the "beverage tastings" so I'm curious to hear anyone else's experiences.

 

[sjs314]

I can't wait to see who will be there between Starship and Boyz II Men. I'd enjoy seeing Boyz II Men but we leave the day before they get there. Hopefully I will actually recognize the performer between the two!

I am also waiting to see who will be playing from the 17-23, we arrive on the 19 and leave on the 25 so at least I know I get to see Boys II Men

 

[lucky978]

Same here. My friend and I are either going 10/13-10/16 or 10/27-10/30. Hopefully there will be a good performance that second week!

 

[PatsMom]

We will be there in October and are very much looking forward to F&W. We've been several times and always enjoyed it very much. We try to go during the week to avoid the crowds.

 

[ars0525]

I read that the weather in October could be quite inconsistant but even so switched my dates for Sept 25-Oct 3 to Oct 19-25 fearful of the dreaded hot and humid weather I kept hearing about in September.

I just want it not to be hot hot hot and I am going to be upset if it is since it is costing me more for 6 nights than the previous dates did for 8 nights due to discounts , although I have read that cooler weather is likely after Oct 15th I was not thinking "freezing"

After Columbus weekend '08 & '09 having "record heat" we went the last week of Oct '10. Again, "record heat" (95-97 degrees). I said next time I will go in December & dare the weather gods to have 90 degrees then! Of course the day we left it was "normal" mid-80's.

But we were at Epoct the last Wednesday in October '10--perfect!! Crowds very manageable. None of the really crazy drinking we saw past years on weekends. Minimal waits at the food booths.

Not sure if we are going this year, but I will say after 3 years of the F&W fest I will miss it if we don't!

 

[tambam500]

I'm also going the first weekend. I guess we will just plan to spend the afternoon's at F&W and then move onto other things for dinner. This was very helpful though. I just canceled all my lunch adr's cause I think that will just be too much food.

So are the rest of the parks pretty empty in the eve since everyone is drawn to Epcot?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

add me to the list of those attending this years festival (from Oct 8th - 15th)

We last went in 2009 and love it - we usually try to fit in a few demonstrations (saw Robert Irvine and Andrew Zimmern last trip) perhaps a lunch or dinner ... and of course the kiosks

Looking forward to doing something tied in with the tequila bar this trip

 

[PatriciaH]

We will be there October 29th-November 8th. I may extend my stay until November 12th to see Festival of The Masters and visit with my parents some more. We will do at least 1 PFTS. Last years was great. Much better than the year before. Cirque was back and the wines and food were really good. Two of my favorite wines were there-Caymus Cab and Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block and we were happy One year Piper-Heidsieck and Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee were there and that was fun! There were a lot more seats last year-much better set up. Hope to do several days of F&W, MNSSHP, MVMCP, tours, etc.

 

[TPCShauna]

We will be there October 29th-November 8th. I may extend my stay until November 12th to see Festival of The Masters and visit with my parents some more. We will do at least 1 PFTS. Last years was great. Much better than the year before. Cirque was back and the wines and food were really good. Two of my favorite wines were there-Caymus Cab and Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block and we were happy One year Piper-Heidsieck and Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee were there and that was fun! There were a lot more seats last year-much better set up. Hope to do several days of F&W, MNSSHP, MVMCP, tours, etc.

DH and I've been wanting to do PftS, but I've heard bad things. Your review is the first I've heard on here that was positive. Care to elaborate? Did you do the special wine package or go with general tickets?

 

[TDC Nala]

I go to PFTS every year. My positive review would probably not be all that accepted, because I prefer to go without consideration of getting a table. I prefer to wait until everybody else runs in and claims tables, and then go in. I like to do the desserts or the cheese first. There is no one at the dessert and cheese stations early on. Then, when the lines start getting smaller at the "entree" stations I will do those. Unless I have my mother, who needs to sit, or friends who want to sit with me, I will get my samples, eat them at the standing tables, and move on, then leave when I've eaten enough and walk back to BCV (I usually stay there). No problems.

I do not do the Wine View Room, but I have friends who swear by it, and it includes assigned seating, a full bar, early entry and a few extras, so if you want guaranteed seats it is the way to go.

 

[TPCShauna]

I go to PFTS every year. My positive review would probably not be all that accepted, because I prefer to go without consideration of getting a table. I prefer to wait until everybody else runs in and claims tables, and then go in. I like to do the desserts or the cheese first. There is no one at the dessert and cheese stations early on. Then, when the lines start getting smaller at the "entree" stations I will do those. Unless I have my mother, who needs to sit, or friends who want to sit with me, I will get my samples, eat them at the standing tables, and move on, then leave when I've eaten enough and walk back to BCV (I usually stay there). No problems.

I do not do the Wine View Room, but I have friends who swear by it, and it includes assigned seating, a full bar, early entry and a few extras, so if you want guaranteed seats it is the way to go.

Sadly, I have a knee problem and walk with a cane so I would need to at least try to find a place to sit for a small bit of time. I understand the nature of the event and attend others like it where I used to live, but they usually have had somewhere you can sit for at least a portion of the time.

 

[TDC Nala]

If your enjoyment of the event entirely depends on whether or not you get a seat, then either: 1) have someone in your party who can run in when they open the doors and secure seats or 2) pay for the Wine View Room (it costs at least $90 extra per person, that's assuming they charge the same this year as they did last year...the price might go up) and get guaranteed seating. Yes, they have put in more seating for those who do not purchase Wine View Room status, but if you choose a crowded party you are still not guaranteed a seat.

The usual experience of those who get seats outside the Wine View Room is that someone must hold those seats, as seats are not assigned and it is a cocktail party walkaround atmosphere. It has been noted that is not a lot of fun for many couples as one generally has to stay at the table while the other goes to get food.

It doesn't generally matter to me, but I am usually either with just a couple of people and we all wander and don't try to claim a table for ourselves, or with a group, which makes it easier to hold a table.

 

[TPCShauna]

If your enjoyment of the event entirely depends on whether or not you get a seat, then either: 1) have someone in your party who can run in when they open the doors and secure seats or 2) pay for the Wine View Room (it costs at least $90 extra per person, that's assuming they charge the same this year as they did last year...the price might go up) and get guaranteed seating. Yes, they have put in more seating for those who do not purchase Wine View Room status, but if you choose a crowded party you are still not guaranteed a seat.

The usual experience of those who get seats outside the Wine View Room is that someone must hold those seats, as seats are not assigned and it is a cocktail party walkaround atmosphere. It has been noted that is not a lot of fun for many couples as one generally has to stay at the table while the other goes to get food.

It doesn't generally matter to me, but I am usually either with just a couple of people and we all wander and don't try to claim a table for ourselves, or with a group, which makes it easier to hold a table.

I would definitely not say that my enjoyment depends on getting a seat. Rather, I know that I will need to sit down for 15 minutes or so at some point to "recharge" my knee. We certainly would not necessarily want to keep seats for the whole night as we don't tend to remain seated at one of these events.

Do you have any insight into which parties might be more crowded than others?

 

[TDC Nala]

If it makes a difference, the last PFTS I went to for the past two years (they were among the last two PFTS in November) were so uncrowded that they were offering half price tickets to cast members. Not that I can ever predict what crowds at any specific event will be like from year to year.