F&W Festival

[DisneyObsessed87]

Hello! I have a week long trip planned to WDW on November 9th, which happens to be the last weekend of the Food and Wine festival. Originally we planned to leave our arrival day open but now think it makes good financial sense to add another day at the parks. We have one day at each park already planned plus MVMCP. It is not our first trip.

So, my questions are... Has anyone been to the food and wine festival on the last weekend and how crowded is it really? Secondly, do you think it is worth it with three kids (9, 8, and 1) being we have never been before?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[goofy4tink]

Not only is it the last weekend for Food and Wine, it's also race weekend!!! Lots of guests coming in for the half marathon and the 5K. Food and Wine was crazy last year over that weekend!!!

 

[Teresa82]

Well I have only been 1 time, but the weekends are super busy and I was there last year on the last weekend and it was crowded but do-able. We took it in sections, whether it is worth it for your family, not sure. We went with all adults and that was worth even a 1/2 day.

Have a Great Time.

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Not only is it the last weekend for Food and Wine, it's also race weekend!!! Lots of guests coming in for the half marathon and the 5K. Food and Wine was crazy last year over that weekend!!!

Thank you for the information. I almost forgot that!

Well I have only been 1 time, but the weekends are super busy and I was there last year on the last weekend and it was crowded but do-able. We took it in sections, whether it is worth it for your family, not sure. We went with all adults and that was worth even a 1/2 day.

Have a Great Time.

Thank you!

 

[JustLikeMe]

Don't forget that the last day of Food and Wine is Monday the 10th, and I'm guessing that it will be quieter then than the weekend.

We get in on Saturday the 8th and we're staying at the Beach Club, so I was tempted to do Food and Wine booths for dinner that night... Then I realised it was the last weekend of Food and Wine AND the marathon so decided to book Via Napoli instead! Planning on hitting Epcot on Sunday and Monday and eating around WS.

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Don't forget that the last day of Food and Wine is Monday the 10th, and I'm guessing that it will be quieter then than the weekend.

We get in on Saturday the 8th and we're staying at the Beach Club, so I was tempted to do Food and Wine booths for dinner that night... Then I realised it was the last weekend of Food and Wine AND the marathon so decided to book Via Napoli instead! Planning on hitting Epcot on Sunday and Monday and eating around WS.

Sounds like a fun time!

 

[JennyDrake]

Not only is it the last weekend for Food and Wine, it's also race weekend!!! Lots of guests coming in for the half marathon and the 5K. Food and Wine was crazy last year over that weekend!!!

Don't forget that it is also a federal holiday (sorta) weekend. Expect Monday to be very crowded as well.

_I_ would strongly advise being there at opening every day you wish to attend. As the day progresses and into evening, expect the atmosphere to become more colorful due to those who have imbibed, and crowds thicken.

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Don't forget that it is also a federal holiday (sorta) weekend. Expect Monday to be very crowded as well.

_I_ would strongly advise being there at opening every day you wish to attend. As the day progresses and into evening, expect the atmosphere to become more colorful due to those who have imbibed, and crowds thicken.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[sweepy109]

We have done F&W a bunch of times on October. Last year we moved our trip to November which left us there for only the last weekend of F&W. I'm not afraid of crowds but the WS was so crowded you couldn't move. My husband waited 40 minutes at one station and left without getting food. This was only around noon, and CMs said it gets much more crowded later on in the day! Wall to wall people and very very long lines. The rest of the park, however, was pretty empty.

 

[nj disney family]

Last year we arrived on the last day. we didn't want to spend a lot of time in ws with a 3 & 2 yr old, so before the trip we looked at the menus online and picked out the things we wanted to try. Saved us time having a little plan in advance. It was not crowded when they opened up.

 

[Doofenschmirz Evil]

I think to really enjoy Food & Wine, you need to consider two things.

First, can you just enjoy relaxing and walking around?

Second, can you be comfortable with spending a lot of money on small portions?

We've found F&W to be our favorite adult activity. As compared to most days when we run around trying to hit as many rides as possible, the Food & Wine days are just about taking a leisurely stroll through the beauty that is Epcot. If you can set your kids up on Phineas and Ferb, and casually walk from country to country, you can have a phenomenal time.

A lot of people even complain about the lines, but for me, F&W is the one time the lines don't bother me. The fun is to get some food and then get in the next booth line and relax and eat while you wait to get to the front of that line.

On a rushed Disney vacation, when you are trying to do so much, it's the most relaxing thing we do, so we love it. But I can understand why some people don't feel like they are accomplishing anything just waiting in food lines.

It can also be pretty pricey to buy a bunch of items. But I look at it as the cost of a nice dinner. Instead of one nice sit down dinner, get a bunch of small portions. And I love trying so many different things. Basically, if you like Tapas restaurants, it is great, if you prefer buffets or restaurants with large portions, it might not be for you.