FIRST TIMER FOOD AND WINE Question!!

[GeorgiaHoo]

I would avoid Friday and Saturdays after 2pm.
I went last year in September on a Saturday at 6:30pm. I was just going to grab some nibbles at a couple of booths and then walk up front to go to another park. It was insane. I managed to wait 30 minutes for one booth and shared a table with a nice couple.

Then I tried to walk to another booth and couldn't even get through the crowds - it was worse than I-285 in Atlanta during rush hour. I just left at that point and went to MK which was also busy but at least I could get some food!

Yeah, good point. Certainly may run into long lines and crowds on the weekends.

 

[TNickell27]

Regardless of barfing I recommend avoiding Saturdays. F & W is extremely popular with the locals and draws huge crowds on the weekends.

How are Sundays? Still pretty crowded?

 

[jsmla]

How are Sundays? Still pretty crowded?

I would say that the evenings are less nuts than Saturday but it's still busier than weekdays, especially in the afternoons. I like M-Th during F&W.

 

[useakiss]

The OP didn't ask but I'll offer some advice of a general nature. Disney offers a small gift card on a wrist band. You pre-load it with $$ either by cash or your credit card. These are very handy because you just swipe them at the food kiosks, you get a receipt giving you your remaining balance and there's no accumulating loose change from your purchases.
Bill From PA

I like this idea. Once you've purchased one, can you add to it if need be? What if you have money left on it when you're done--can you cash it out at the end?

 

[PSUGuy]

Add any time, I believe there's a $20 minimum when loading and adding. Don't think you can cash out, could be wrong. We usually hit the Belle Vue Lounge our last night there and spend it down. I've got 20 some dollars on last year's bracelet which I'll take down and re-load. There's a website where you can check your remaining balance.

Check this site, last year you got a gold (painted) medallion with a clear sleeve for the card for loading $200. We blew through by day 3.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-2016-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

Bill From PA

 

[useakiss]

Is that card good in the other parks as well or just for the festival?

 

[summerlvr]

Is that card good in the other parks as well or just for the festival?

You can use it anywhere you use a regular Disney gift card. I love them, so convenient!

 

[js]

The OP didn't ask but I'll offer some advice of a general nature. Disney offers a small gift card on a wrist band. You pre-load it with $$ either by cash or your credit card. These are very handy because you just swipe them at the food kiosks, you get a receipt giving you your remaining balance and there's no accumulating loose change from your purchases.

Sat in WS is crazy busy, we avoid it, perhaps just popping in from our Board Walk resort just to see the insanity.

There are free concerts nightly at the American Pavilion, here's the line-up: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/eat-to-the-beat-concerts/ - 3 shows nightly, the first is the most crowded the last the least. We often do no TS meals preferring to 'Graze Around the World'.

Bill From PA

Hi. Where would I purchased the small gift card for the wrist band? Thanks so much!

 

[Doug S]

Hi. Where would I purchased the small gift card for the wrist band? Thanks so much!

They're only available at Epcot at the festival merchandise booths/stores. They work just like normal Disney Gift Cards, so you can register it online and transfer balances to/from other cards. This is what I did last year and plan to do again this year.

 

[jsmla]

Just a tip-save your receipt and take a picture of the back of the gift card. Mine once fell off of my wristband and having those made replacing it easy-peasy.