Epcot's Food/Wine Festival?

[barefootMom]

What is the food/wine festival like? I cannot find much info. on it in my books. Does it make Epcot much more crowded? We have many adr's at Epcot and I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect. Also, can anyone tell me overall how crowded Disney is the first week in October? Thanks!

 

[fanofdisney]

It's been a few years since we've been at that time. Last time, October was a great month as far as crowds go, and I hear it's still that way. The food and wine festival area was the biggest crowd we encountered, but still not that big.

 

[bjsmico]

We went once the second week in October. The weather was PERFECT!!!!! The F/W festival was only a bit more crowded than any other time. We literally started in Canada and ate at EVERY SINGLE stand each country had, Now mind you, we ate only one thing at each country and tasted only about 6 glasses of wine but boy! was that Lowenbraugh beer tasty

 

[debbiedoo]

I enjoy the food and wine festival ---

eat and drink around the world!!

If you get the chance--do Party of the Senses

 

[Nikayla]

Going in about 2 weeks to Food and Wine Festival... will let you know what it's like if you're not there yet

 

[StewartG]

Soooo....

What exactly is the F/W festival? How does it work? Can anyone who has the time (and knowledge) post more details?

Thanks!

StewartG

 

[Luv2Roam]

Food & Wine Festival:
There will be quite a few kiosks in addition to the regular WS restaurants. Food offerings will include items from FL, Austrailia, Africa, Ireland, etc.
Also in front of American Pavilion each year they will feature a specific section of the U.S. Last year it was the northeast with maple sugar/syrup, dairy products, etc.
There will be large wine tasting tents, and other places to buy wine.
The building where the Fountainview Cafe is will host more wines to buy, artists, etc.
Also last year they had several chefs and cooking demonstrations in the Odyssey building.
The food in the kiosks is very good. But like much of WDW, can be pricey. The samples are more like a small serving, and will cost around $3.50+, as a rule of thumb.
The lines can be long. I think sometimes people just go to the ones with the shorter lines, rather than the ones they really want.
They can move the line along pretty well though.
As of last year they placed a sign more towards where poeple stand in line as to what they offer and the prices.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Oh -- and how could I forget the Eat to the Beat concerts that are in front of the American Showcase!?

From the Disney web site:

Set the mood for food with the savory sounds of your favorite musical acts, live on stage at World Showcase, America Gardens Theatre. There are three shows daily at 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Schedule of Performers:*

Kansas
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 "TBD"
The Commodores
Oct. 3 - 6 "Brick House"
Edgar Winter
Oct. 7 - 9 "TBD"
Kool & the Gang
Oct. 10 - 13 "Celebration"
The Gap Band
Oct. 14 - 16 "TBD"
Arturo Sandoval
featuring Nestor Torres
Oct. 17 - 19 "TBD"
Starship featuring
Mickey Thomas
Oct. 20 - 23 "We Built This City"
The Beach Boys
Oct. 24 - 25 "Good Vibrations"
FamilyStoneExperience
Oct. 26 - 28 "TBD"
The Miracles Review
featuring Sydney Justin
Oct. 29 - 31 "TBD"
Chubby Checker & the Wildcats
Nov. 1 - 4 "The Twist"
The Rippingtons
Nov. 5 - 7 "TBD"
Loverboy
Nov. 8 - 10 "TBD"
Three Dog Night
Nov. 11 - 13 "Joy to the World"


Dates: Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Location: Epcot®

Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005

Take a culinary tour around the world as you celebrate the 10th anniversary of the extraordinary Epcot® International Food and Wine Festival. Delight in this gastronomic adventure complete with food and wine marketplaces representing more than 25 different countries and regions. Enjoy demonstrations, sample wines and shop for authentic merchandise at the Festival Center. And don't miss a sizzling "Eat to the Beat" concert that ends every evening!

Festival Food & Beverage Culinary Experiences which require separate admission, such as Party for the Senses, Exquisite Evenings at Epcot® and the Signature Dining Series, will go on sale at 7:00 a.m. EST on July 25, 2005. Beginning at that time, please call (407) WDW-FEST (939-3378)† to book these experiences.

Special Exhibits Epcot®
Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Tour the promenade and visit amazing cultural exhibits featuring exotic cuisine and fascinating demonstrations from countries and regions near and far.

International Marketplace Epcot®
Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Enjoy traditional tastes from around the globe.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series Epcot®
Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Boogie, twist and get down to fantastic live entertainment every night.

Fun for Families Epcot®
Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Children of all ages participate in memorable festival events.

Festival Food & Beverage Culinary Experiences Epcot®
Friday, September 30 - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Discover a vast repertoire of activities ranging from elegant dinners to complimentary tastings.

†Remember: If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent or guardian's permission to dial this number.

 

[TDC Nala]

The festival really only impacts crowds in the World Showcase. If you're going and you want to visit the international food kiosks, go on a weekday. The weekends have much longer lines to wait in, because that is when the locals show up (and the weekend visitors, like me).

 

[Rpsemont]

We have many adr's at Epcot and I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

Personally, I'd rethink these and just plan to eat at the kiosks at the f&w. Or maybe try to book a wine pairing.

Check out this link. And read some of the prior year reports here, too.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/foodwine.htm

We've never been this first week in October, but in general, have not found it substantially more crowded.

We love going during f&w!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Here's the listing of all the food available at the kiosks from allears.net:


http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw04c.htm


Can anybody tell me what kind of crowds to expect for the Eat to the Beat series. We've never been to that before. Also, it's outdoors isn't it? Is there seating or do you just stand?

 

[TDC Nala]

Personally, I'd rethink these and just plan to eat at the kiosks at the f&w. Or maybe try to book a wine pairing.

If you have young children, you might be able to feed them from the kiosks but personally I would not take children to the wine pairings; these are geared for adults. I've seen children at the Party for the Senses and in the free cooking seminars, but don't generally see them at any other food & wine events. Adventurous kids and teens would probably really enjoy the kiosks. Teens who like new and different foods might enjoy the wine pairings, but if they're under 21 you'd be paying full price for them and they can't have the wine.

Some folks who like to go to F&W yearly have discussed amongst themselves whether or not there should be a "junior option" for the inclusive food & wine events, where the kids can come but are charged less since they're not getting wine. Disney ought to come up with a few paid F&W events for parents and kids to go along with the adult events, that might be kinda cool and get the parents to drop a little more cash!

 

[eeyore45]

Here's the listing of all the food available at the kiosks from allears.net:


http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw04c.htm


Can anybody tell me what kind of crowds to expect for the Eat to the Beat series. We've never been to that before. Also, it's outdoors isn't it? Is there seating or do you just stand?

FYI - thats a great site, but it is from 2004, I've read we have to wait until F&W starts, and someone posts a new list for 2005 (I take it from reading that disney wont be doing this, we internet people do!! )

Also, if anyone has been to the ChicagoFest, or has neighborhood "festivals" this is similiar in style... but done Disney Style of course!! (ChicagoFest is done before July 4, and booths compete to do business, and you buy tickets for Chicagofest, NOT f&w, I've read for F&W you should carry low bills $1 and $5) so kinda grazin and drinkin around the world!!

YUM!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Oh, my! I didn't realize that was from last year! I thought it was this year's and have made my plans accordingly! OOOOPS! That should teach me to read from now on!!!!