exactly how does the F&WF work?

[ellenmiele]

We'll be at BWI in the end of Oct and we are planning to spend some time at Epcot for our first time at the F&WF. What is it like?? Is there food and wine everywhere? Are tastings in the restaurants of the WS or all around? Special things for kids? How much can be done without special event PS? Since this is our first time we didn't know what kind of special events we might like, having never even experienced any of it anyway, so we figured we'd just "browse around"? Do many people do this or do most make PS? Any info/advice from anyone out there who has been would be appreciated -- esp if you've been with kids (all under 14). THANKS

 

[Deb & Bill]

They sell all sorts of samples for anywhere from $1/ to $5/taste. Some are small, some are bigger. Each country has a sampling of the items they have in their restaurants. You can also get wine samples. France is my favorite stopping place.

They also have special sitdown dinners/ wine tastings/ etc. that you need admission for.

 

[TDS373X]

I've been 3 times to Food and Wine Fest our favorite way to enjoy is to graze some every night..Never did any of the special tastings as we could never agree what to do so grazing fit everyones tastes..Canada's Maple Glazed Salmon was my favorite the last time we went (Oct 02).Enjoy and don't be afraid to eat yourself silly!!

 

[TDC Nala]

I would not sign up for any of the special ticketed events with young kids. They are not planned with children in mind. Stick with the food booths and the seminars unless the kids are really adventurous eaters.

The festival does have some special food-related things for kids around Epcot during the day.

 

[ctrabada]

They have booths all around the park with different samplings of food, wine and beer. We love to graze and taste a little of this, a little of that... the samples are mostly small, but my DH and I share so that we do not get too full too quickly.... though that doesn't seem to work and we have not been able to do it on one day.... so we go the next day and start on the other end.... Plus beer/wine samples make it difficult to walk in a straight line after a while

Also, it can get expensive.... so plan ahead... $3 here, $5 there... it adds up, but it's a wonderful time! Don't plan on having dinner that day....

 

[bobcat]

Do you need to have cash in hand for the food carts? Or can you use your room card?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Does the F&W Festival run all day long or just in the evenings? I've thought about all kinds of activities to do in the evenings if and when my DH and I go to WDW (sans children!!!), but we will only have so many evenings.

T&B

 

[TDC Nala]

Food sampling booths and free wine and cooking seminars will run all day in the World Showcase. There's a welcome center in Epcot where you can pick up a schedule.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by bobcat
Do you need to have cash in hand for the food carts? Or can you use your room card?

We charged things on our room cards last year... but we were also double and triple charged on quite a bit. We found out when we got our bill at checkout and it was easily fixed. The double charges on my regular Visa were a big hassle to remove.

Soooooo I would pay in either cash, or room charge and check your charges!!

 

[BriarRosie]

The food booths are set up around World Showcase, and they open when World Showcase does: 11am.

So technically, you can graze for lunch and dinner, and everywhere in between. Even though the sample sizes are small, there are a LOT of samples I want to try, so it gets pricey and filling after just a few samples! I found that sharing samples with a friend helped defray costs AND my appetite!

And when you pick up the schedule at the Welcome Center as TDCNala suggested, try to get to the seminars a little early, since seating is limited. Since the demos are free, people get there early to get the free samples.

I didn't even try any of the special events until last year, and I was hooked. This year, I have a lot of events booked for the week I'm there. I expect I'll be hanging out at Epcot a LOT.