F&W- Is It Worth It?

[bobbiwoz]

Someone here mentioned the regional lunches. During the Grand Marnier event, we were chatting with locals (Tampa is local?!) who booked every one of them. So, I think they are something worthwhile to look into too! I just wish the list of events came out 10-11 months in advance, (not likely) so we knew just what things were offered, and when.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Someone here mentioned the regional lunches. During the Grand Marnier event, we were chatting with locals (Tampa is local?!) who booked every one of them. So, I think they are something worthwhile to look into too! I just wish the list of events came out 10-11 months in advance, (not likely) so we knew just what things were offered, and when.

Regional lunches? Is that new? I don't recall reading about them.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Select Fridays and Sundays, 12:00 PM- 3:30 PM at the Bistro de Paris, France Pavilion at Epcot

10/1— Champagne— Pascal Boye representing Nicolas Feuillatte
10/3— Bordeaux— Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Adrien Laurent
10/8— Maconnais & Beaujolais— Georges Duboeuf, Jorge Hernandez
10/10— Rhone Valley— Maison Vidal-Fleury, Jorge Hernandez
10/15— Alsace— Trimbach, Alexandra Marshall
10/17— Alsace— Trimbach, Alexandra Marshall
10/22— Bordeaux— Barton & Guestier, Alexandra Marshall
10/24— Bordeaux— Barton & Guestier, Alexandra Marshall
10/29— Champagne— Champagne Pommery, Frederic Goossens
10/31— Champagne— Champagne Pommery, Frederic Goossens
11/5— Cotes du Rhone— Jean-Luc Colombo, Lydia Tremble
11/7— Cotes du Rhone— Jean-Luc Colombo, Lydia Tremble
11/12— Burgundy— Jean-Claude Boisset, Gregory Patriat
11/14— Burgundy— Jean-Claude Boisset, Gregory Patriat

Price: $95.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.




Well, maybe they didn't book them all, there are a lot, but I got the feeling that they did go to the one on Friday the 1st and were very pleased.

 

[spiceycat]

you can sign up - don't remember if it was there (probably) or online - for the food/wine pamplet it comes in Aug? might be earlier.

of course the concert have not been finalized - but most of the other stuff is listed.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks Bobbi! I'll have to read more about them!

Select Fridays and Sundays, 12:00 PM- 3:30 PM at the Bistro de Paris, France Pavilion at Epcot

10/1— Champagne— Pascal Boye representing Nicolas Feuillatte
10/3— Bordeaux— Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Adrien Laurent
10/8— Maconnais & Beaujolais— Georges Duboeuf, Jorge Hernandez
10/10— Rhone Valley— Maison Vidal-Fleury, Jorge Hernandez
10/15— Alsace— Trimbach, Alexandra Marshall
10/17— Alsace— Trimbach, Alexandra Marshall
10/22— Bordeaux— Barton & Guestier, Alexandra Marshall
10/24— Bordeaux— Barton & Guestier, Alexandra Marshall
10/29— Champagne— Champagne Pommery, Frederic Goossens
10/31— Champagne— Champagne Pommery, Frederic Goossens
11/5— Cotes du Rhone— Jean-Luc Colombo, Lydia Tremble
11/7— Cotes du Rhone— Jean-Luc Colombo, Lydia Tremble
11/12— Burgundy— Jean-Claude Boisset, Gregory Patriat
11/14— Burgundy— Jean-Claude Boisset, Gregory Patriat

Price: $95.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.




Well, maybe they didn't book them all, there are a lot, but I got the feeling that they did go to the one on Friday the 1st and were very pleased.

 

[Sammie]

Well with all things it's a personal choice.

For us it was worth doing it once, but we won't repeat.

We enjoyed the concert more than the food.

It is really expensive.

We also went on the 3 record heat days at the end of the October, maybe that made a difference. I enjoyed our sit down dinners more than crowds, heat and small tastings with a big price and trying to find a place to eat my tasting.

Also and I mean this as no offense to anyone that likes to drink but we are not big drinkers, so maybe the wine, beer etc. was wasted on us. The desserts were nice and not so expensive.

I guess I just expected it to be something remarkable and it wasn't.

 

[LauraLea]

We did the scotch tasting, and it was absolutely wonderful. The presenter was from Scotland and was very entertaining. Our particular group was treated to an additional tasting of a 21 yr old scotch not included in any of the other presentations. It was sure a treat!

You will not be disappointed if you attend and follow the suggestions given, esp. TASTE EARLY. If you wait until the dinner hour, the lines will be soooooo lllllloooooonnnnnnnnnggggg.

Laura

 

[DebbieB]

Grand Marnier event is a must! Am I leaving anything out?

Also consider the Cosmo Slushie!

 

[LauraLea]

Well with all things it's a personal choice.

For us it was worth doing it once, but we won't repeat.

We enjoyed the concert more than the food.

It is really expensive.

This is true, but if you plan for it it is not that bad. On our F&W trips we do not do any signature dining. For the 4 days we were there we only had ressies at Kona Kafe and Chefs de France for dinners, Yacht Club for breakfast, Prime Time for lunch and a lunch at Beaches and Cream. We did not really spend any more for food than we normally do.

Laura

 

[eporter66]

If you have never been to the F&W fest I say give it a try. We always make sure we plan our day(s) at EPCOT for mid-week rather than a weekend. I think the weekends may get more crowded with Florida residents (just a guess).

It was not bad at all when we were there (Wed Oct 20th), the lines for food were not too long at all. Plus, you have a lot of music going on, it really is a well done fun day. It is my favorite event at WDW -

 

[Ms. WDW]

Someone here mentioned the regional lunches. During the Grand Marnier event, we were chatting with locals (Tampa is local?!) who booked every one of them. So, I think they are something worthwhile to look into too! I just wish the list of events came out 10-11 months in advance, (not likely) so we knew just what things were offered, and when.

Now that would be nice!! Seems each trip I take I miss out on things I "would have loved to do" either the week before or the day I leave!!

 

[ToddyLu]

I kinda agree with Sammie. We have been during F&W several times. 2009 was the busiest I have seen in Epcot on on a Saturday (Oct 30th I think). We walked once around and then left. I have actually never tried any of the food at F&W. DH and I have LOVED alcohol in the past, too much, so we no longer drink---of course there is always a glass of Reisling (dp) at Cali Grill---that doesn't count because it is once a year I get how fun it could be and know that many folks really enjoy it. The samples seem small and expensive. DH and I just prefer the sit down dinner at Chefs, Coral Reef and Nine Dragons....heck so full, I can't even think about stopping at a booth to try stuff. But I do enjoy reading about everyone's experiences.

Trip next year is (hopefully) 10/28-11/04 with my parents....will see if they want to do some of F&W.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Is there a better week in Oct. to visit? I know there is a marathon the first weekend. Any other events?

 

[dvc4life]

This will be our 5th year in a row to go to F&W. We leave tomorrow and absolutely love going. We meet with up with our friends who live in Florida and have a ball.

Me and my DH have really enjoyed he food tastings. And for our girls, they are more than willing to try the different foods that they have there than they are willing to try at home. So we feel it is offering them a very unique experience in the cultures of other foods.

As with anything else, it is a matter of opinion. All I can say is we love it and will keep going back!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

The weekends are most crowded for F & W. We were there Oct 23-29. Weather was hotter than expected, there were record highs 2 days in the low 90's. Normal is mid 80's. No rain.

We did:

Saturday - arrived afternoon, went to Epcot (crowded)
Sunday - MK (not crowded)
Monday - DHS (little crowded)
Tuesday - MK (not crowded)
Wednesday - Epcot (not crowded)
Thursday - AK (not crowded), Epcot in evening (not crowded)
Friday - MK (little crowded)

we were down from 10/24-10/31.....weather was hotter than normal but we loved it......used the pools in the afternoon and again at night.....parks were not crowded......World Showcase was crowded Friday & Saturday nights for Food and Wine.....would go again the last week in October

 

[cricketjamest]

If you are looking for small crowds, the day before the official opening of F&W is usually a soft opening. This year it started at 1pm. Most of the booths were open and the lines were small which led to a very enjoyable day.

We went again a few days later and the crowd was quite a bit larger but we still have a good time. We feel it's certainly worth going to.

 

[dreamlinda]

Went for the first time this year and really enjoyed it, BUT - stay away from weekends, especially the first weekend. Crazy crowds, crazy people and this year the added feature of a half marathon. Monday - Thursday were great...

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you are looking for small crowds, the day before the official opening of F&W is usually a soft opening. This year it started at 1pm. Most of the booths were open and the lines were small which led to a very enjoyable day.

We went again a few days later and the crowd was quite a bit larger but we still have a good time. We feel it's certainly worth going to.

Great news, thanks! We're already booked for 9/30 next year (9/27-10/4) and that's what we were hoping for that day. It would be nice if the booths opened at 11:00 that day, but we'll take 1:00!

 

[sissy_ib]

I see many people talking about the small portions and the high prices. I really don't feel we spent more than we would have if we would have gone to TS restaurants on out Epcot days. And the portions were not that small to me. Not a meal by themselves, but after a few booths I was satisfied.

 

[SFLTIGGER]

I agree with sissy_ib!
We were there on 10/30. Of course we were there from11:30 to 8:30 with only about an hour break to take 8yr old DS to Sandcastle club. So you would have to count that as 2 TS meals.
And we did eat (and drink) ALL...... the way "around the world" (stopping at about 20 different booths).
Had some lines, but much better than I remember from 2009, was not near as crowded. Great time meeting and talking to people as we shared tables, etc.