F&W or not?

[krinicone]

I need help deciding! We arrive on the last day of F&W. Our flight gets in at 2:22pm, so definitely would be going to a park for the evening. I've never been to F&W(this is my 2nd trip to WDW ever!) and probably won't get another chance to go ever again but is it too much to tackle on our first night at WDW? I'm going with my DH, DS(3 yrold) and my mom(DM?). (Still trying to get all the abbreviations down). I don't want to just sit around my hotel room that first night(trip is only 5nights), but I don't want to spend an extra night at Epcot waiting in long lines for mediocre food when we could be at MK. Also, we have FD so I know we can use snack credits for F&W. It's 1 of the 2 nights we can spend at MK during our stay bc all the other nights are MVMCP which I refuse to pay the extra $$$ for! What should I do?

 

[ehtvince]

My wife and I make food and wine an annual trio, but that's without the kids. When the kids were small and we had little time I may be thinking like you are. Now our kids are a little older 15 to 10 and all love Epcot, so food and wine would be a definite. If your there for the child, keep in mind that food and wine is for a little bit of an older crowd. If you are visiting during the week crowds aren't bad and food and drink is pretty good. Of course your in epcot and hit a couple of rides and watch the fireworks or just jump the monorail back to MK, it doesn't take long. Enjoy

 

[lilluv117]

I would definitely do it. How many days are you there for? Will you have park hoppers? The lines may not be as long because it's a weekday. The food is great! Do your research before going & decide what things you'd really like to try. There will also be reviews up of the different items by then. Some of the items cost $6/$7 so they are excellent uses of the snack credits. Then maybe pay out of pocket for the $3/$4 snacks. I think if you have a plan & know what things you'd really like to try, you'll have an excellent evening at Epcot. And maybe you could do the other night at MK that you have available & do one other morning for rope drop at MK if you really want 2 days at MK. You could do one of the other parks for the other half of the day if you have hoppers. If not, you could do all of MK in one day if you get there at rope drop on your full day. And don't discount MK on the party days! The crowds are so much lower that you can do just as much in one of those days as you'd do at a full day at the park. If you want to see wishes or the electrical parade, you could hop over just for that one day. All that to say, I highly recommend the F&W festival. Lol. Have a great trip!!!

ETA: I have a 3 year old & 5 year old & we've done F&W with them the last 2 years. They love tasting their way around the world just as much as my husband & I do. And sometimes the calmer pace & stroller ride puts them to sleep as we walk around the booths.

 

[minnie mum]

If your flight arrives at 2:20, you probably won't get to your resort til 4:00, which means not getting to a park til 5:00. That would give you only 4 hours at the most at Epcot. F&W makes WS crowded at night, although the number of drunks is less on week nights. MK will be even more crowded that night just because it is not a party night. After a tiring day of travelling, being in Epcot on a comparatively quiet night might be more enjoyable.

 

[jemlover]

We went to the last day of F&W last year and the lines were very manageable. It is a must do for DH as he loves to try different foods, beer and wine. I am a very picky eater and don't drink wine or beer so for me I could easily skip it. It really depends on your eating habits. I also agree with the poster above that it is very relaxing strolling through the World Showcase in the evening and a good choice on a travel day.

 

[danny1649]

Thanks fellow Board members for taking the time to answer OP's question. Good ideas and suggestions posted. It affirms my faith that 99 per cent of members really try to help each other out. It makes my moderating endeavors so much easter. Thanks to all Danny

 

[LisaRay]

It sounds like you are going the same week we are. If I were you I would skip the Food and Wine and just go to MK that night. Because of the Christmas Party at MK you won't have many chances to see Wishes or the light parade that week. You could maybe even get a FP for Wishes viewing area that evening since it's a shortened day in the park for you anyway.

 

[krinicone]

Thanks everybody! I think we are going to do F&W! It's my husbands first trip to WDW and if we have to battle crowds and the chaos of buses after wishes on our first night, he may never want to go again! Plus we love food & beer so I think it sounds like a good choice for us!

 

[MrKnight]

I definitely say do it! F&W is one of my favorite times of the year at Epcot! Even with F&W put aside, you will also be able to see Illuminations on your first night and that is always a nice treat! What date are you arriving? If its a day that Epcot has evening EMH that would be the perfect scenario!

 

[Cee]

If you don't think you'll ever go again....absolutely.

 

[danceintherain]

I wouldn't, but we don't drink and aren't really foodies, so the added crowds were a big deterrent.
I'm also not the kind of person that needs to be on her way to MK as soon as I set foot in Orlando, and we don't usually stay very late in the parks, so neither of those things would be a factor for me.

Ultimately, it depends on what kind of evening you want. We don't usually go to a park at all on arrival day.

 

[Accident]

I need help deciding! We arrive on the last day of F&W.

Absolutely go no matter what time you get there It'll take as much time as you want it to. You don't want to rush but it's a fun experience, last year was our first time and we're doing a short trip for dapper day and plan to also do a full F&W day.

 

[craigkerstiens]

After a day of traveling I'd say casually strolling around and tasting from booths sounds like a great way to kick things off. We prefer our first day to be a little relaxed before hitting our agenda of what we want to do. For your DS it may be a little less exciting for him, but the carrot cake for our DD (2 last year) was a big hit so she had little complaints.

 

[Coacheller]

So you're arriving Monday, Nov 16? I'd do F&W as well, esp. if you're staying at an EPCOT resort. We're at the World that day as well, and will probably be hopping to EPCOT for afternoon grazing and the free Chaka Khan concert. FYI, EPCOT is scheduled to close at 9P, MK at 8P that night.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Go for it. F&W is a great arrival day activity.

Unless you hate food and/or wine.

 

[nhtinkerbell]

We luv the F&W. we have a 12 yo who also like to go and just c what new foods they come up with. (He doesnt eat them)
Its a nice way to introduce ur DH to all the fun and neat ideas that disney comes up with throughout the yr.