F&W Festival -- Recommendations for a First Timer?

[JulieWent]

This will be our first time ever to go to F&W Festival. We are limited in that we will only be there from Thursday evening through Sunday morning, but we want to take advantage of everything we can in this time.

I saw the Tasting Sampler advertised, but I have no idea if it's a good deal or worthwhile. F&W veterans: What do you think? And would you recommend any other specifics for a first timer (to F&W -- been to Disney a zillion times)?

 

[OKW Lover]

For a first timer, I'd stick with just hitting the various kiosks. There are ~30 of them around World Showcase and there's really no way to hit them all in one day. Stopping at each one and trying 1-2 items for each will leave you full by the time you get half-way around. We like to go clockwise one day and counter clockwise the next. On the third day we start at the back.

 

[vettegirl]

Just go with the flow, I like to take a look at the menus online so I have an idea as to what I would like to try. They also have a passport book with all the foods/drinks which is a great way to preview. Also I recommend catching a concert or two and the merchandise they have for the festival is super cute and tempting to not want it all. Enjoy!

 

[karrit2000]

The Tasting Sampler is not a good deal based on the average price of most items offered at the booths. We do not know what items they will be excluding but except for the $8+ drinks offered at some booths the majority of items range from $2.50-$6. You can book fast passes for any of the concerts so that is a valueless inclusion IMO. The pin if sold would be in the $10-13 range. I think you would be better served putting that amount of money on a gift card & eating what you want from the booths. You will get a lot more out of the Gift card than the sampler entitlements. Since it's your first time it would advise taking your time just visiting the booths. Many of the events are worthwhile but you have a very limited time to try to do anything & it is very busy from Friday through Sunday afternoon.

 

[JulieWent]

Thank you all for taking the time to help. I had wondered if the Tasting Sampler was a bit overpriced, and I'm glad for the DIS for the millionth time in my Disney life. Alas, we're teachers and college profs on a very short fall break, so we'll have to stick to the weekend. But I'm sooooo excited. I had no idea you could FP+ the concerts. Thank you all!

 

[craigkerstiens]

As previous posters have said, going with the flow is a good plan. That said taking a look at the menu's ahead of time in case you know you want to check out some particular booths or menu items is a good to do. A few of our favorites include: The carrot cake, pork chop, lamb meatballs, we always enjoy everything at Canada, and Hawaii was pretty refreshing last year.

You don't need to plan out a full itinerary, but having some idea of your personal must do's is good. Here's the menu for reference - http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-booths-menus-and-food-photos/

And here's a personal run down of the wines in case you're curious on those - http://thedisneywineblog.com/2015/07/21/disney-food-and-wine-festival-wine-rundown/

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Also before you start going around to the kiosks stop in the Festival Center and get a cute little book that you can have stamped at each kiosk. Some people just get every kiosk but I like to only get the stamps of the ones I stop at and mark what I eat so I have a fun reminder of what I tried. I even make notes in it if I didn't like something.

It is fun and free!