Food and Wine 2015 Changes being made- What is up?

[wisbucky]

We just found out that certain singers and bands are not being asked back for the concerts in 2015 at the Food and Wine Festival. Apparently Disney is changing things up. We are curious if anyone knows what these changes are. Someone thought that younger bands drawing young kids and young adults were being brought in. I can only see this causing some serious issues. Including heavy drinking and crowd control problems. But this could be wrong. Does anyone know what the changes are?

 

[tony67]

I think I heard something about a lumberjack show.....


Anyway - it's about time - I mean it's a lot of the same bands every year.
The week I go is always the exact same lineup - at least mix it up.

 

[minnie mum]

While a little variety to the same ol' same ol' lineup doesn't sound like a bad thing, why does the cynic in me think that they're getting new acts because they come cheaper?

 

[disnut8]

I haven't heard anything but when I saw the lineup for this years' shows and saw Fuel, I asked my husband (he's 54) if he knew the band. He was shocked that Disney would have that band but then was ticked because we aren't going this year because he wanted to see them!

So I don't think different musical acts are going to make a huge difference in any of the guest participation. If the acts are "younger" that doesn't mean packs of younger drinkers are going to make the Festival a huge party zone any more than it is now. Legal age to drink in Florida is 21 and that won't change. I don't think the DUI laws will change either.

I'm 52, husband is 54 and we are going in 2015 no matter who is performing.

 

[wisbucky]

I haven't heard anything but when I saw the lineup for this years' shows and saw Fuel, I asked my husband (he's 54) if he knew the band. He was shocked that Disney would have that band but then was ticked because we aren't going this year because he wanted to see them!

So I don't think different musical acts are going to make a huge difference in any of the guest participation. If the acts are "younger" that doesn't mean packs of younger drinkers are going to make the Festival a huge party zone any more than it is now. Legal age to drink in Florida is 21 and that won't change. I don't think the DUI laws will change either.

I'm 52, husband is 54 and we are going in 2015 no matter who is performing.

Age of concert goers does make a huge difference. When the band Hanson was there the concert goers ran over an elderly man to get in. It was total chaos. The cast members were not able to control the crowd. This is my concern if Disney elects to bring in bands that will attract much younger crowds. I will avoid Epcot if this happens. We go to Disney for vacation since it is a safe place and they are able to control crowds. But with the direction Disney appears to want to go this is not going to be a safe environment for families. As it is now on weekends there are plenty of intoxicated people in Epcot many being between the ages of 21-30. I am not pleased that Disney allows this behavior to start with. But to encourage more in the future tells me Disney cares more about the dollar sign then safe family fun.

 

[tony67]

As it is now on weekends there are plenty of intoxicated people in Epcot many being between the ages of 21-30. I am not pleased that Disney allows this behavior to start with.

It seems to me that they are making some efforts here - and I've seen far less comments on it this year than last - but maybe people just gave up complaining about it.

They are giving small snacks with the craft beers and they are not offering the large beers this year at the F&W locations. Although not huge these are steps in the right direction - and it seems to be helping - but I could be way off base here.

The cast members were not able to control the crowd. This is my concern if Disney elects to bring in bands that will attract much younger crowds. I will avoid Epcot if this happens. .

It does have to change with the times IMO - but if your going to bring in bands that attract a younger overexcited crowd - than have people who know how to do concert security in place - that's the real issue IMO - not just some cast members.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

The 'Eat to the Beat' line-up always seems to be quite a stroll down Memory Lane. It would be nice to have a somewhat current act or two. BTW, I am 60, and while my playlist does contain some oldies, I am always adding new music.

After all, variety IS the spice...particularly at F&W, right?

 

[disnut8]

Age of concert goers does make a huge difference. When the band Hanson was there the concert goers ran over an elderly man to get in. It was total chaos. The cast members were not able to control the crowd. This is my concern if Disney elects to bring in bands that will attract much younger crowds. I will avoid Epcot if this happens. We go to Disney for vacation since it is a safe place and they are able to control crowds. But with the direction Disney appears to want to go this is not going to be a safe environment for families. As it is now on weekends there are plenty of intoxicated people in Epcot many being between the ages of 21-30. I am not pleased that Disney allows this behavior to start with. But to encourage more in the future tells me Disney cares more about the dollar sign then safe family fun.

But, that is a general statement. I go to Disney World about four times a year. I only do the Food and Wine Festival every other year. I have seen falling down drunk people maybe three times. And only once at the Festival. And that was one person and she was over the age of 30 (well, maybe not some of her body parts).

I'm over the age of 50 and at the last Food & Wine Festival I attended, I had a glass of wine and was walking around the Showcase. My sneaker came untied, I didn't notice, and tripped over the shoelace. A woman behind me shouted, "you drunken idiot!". I had had two sips of the wine.

 

[gwynne]

But, that is a general statement. I go to Disney World about four times a year. I only do the Food and Wine Festival every other year. I have seen falling down drunk people maybe three times. And only once at the Festival. And that was one person and she was over the age of 30 (well, maybe not some of her body parts).

I'm over the age of 50 and at the last Food & Wine Festival I attended, I had a glass of wine and was walking around the Showcase. My sneaker came untied, I didn't notice, and tripped over the shoelace. A woman behind me shouted, "you drunken idiot!". I had had two sips of the wine.

I agree with you.
Your shoe experience must have been so annoying. FWIW, I think people often "find" what they are looking for. People who expect/assume there are lots of drunks, seem to complain about them.
We enjoy food and wine. We rarely have an observation or complaint about other guests.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I think they are altering the demographic intentionally. DH and I are in our mid 30s. Half the performers we have never heard of and even if we have we wouldn't waste our time going to see. (The Pointer Sisters, The Commodores and Christopher Cross were there when we were. I had to google all of them to figure out a song they sang and dh and I have opposite tastes in music so its not like we are all popular music people or something). At the same time they are offering the VIP package (which we did and very much enjoyed) to add something to the older demographic that has the funds to "waste" $200 a pop. I think it is a good change.

Oh and to comment on the fall down drunk comments, we have seen far worse behavior from the pop warner and other groups of unsupervised teenagers than any of the drunk adults at Food and Wine.

 

[danygirl]

I was there last weekend. The Sat nite crowd was younger and more openly drunk - there was a woman puking like crazy in the bathroom and the crowd was ruder. Came back Sunday nite and the crowd was mellower

 

[DOOM1001]

I've been going to the Eat to the Beat and Flower Power concerts for like 15 years,back then both concert series were mostly groups from the 60's.About 6-7 years ago Eat to the Beat started getting more 70's,80's and 90's groups,maybe even a group from 2000 on.Obviously the newer the group the younger the crowds,I don't know what changes you're referring to as the groups have been getting younger every year but I don't think they can do a dramatic change only bringing in groups from the last 10-15 years,doing something like that would definitely anger a lot of people.I think you have to keep bringing in the crowd favorites like Starship,Boys II Men,Air Supply,Hanson,Smashmouth,Sugar Ray,Dennis Deyoung and work some newer groups in the mix to see what people like.For example they had Gin Blossoms for a couple of years and they were OK but nothing amazing and they haven't been back for a couple of years now.Keep the favs,bring some new ones in to see if they can become favorites to bring back yearly.

 

[DebbieB]

We just found out that certain singers and bands are not being asked back for the concerts in 2015 at the Food and Wine Festival. Apparently Disney is changing things up. We are curious if anyone knows what these changes are. Someone thought that younger bands drawing young kids and young adults were being brought in. I can only see this causing some serious issues. Including heavy drinking and crowd control problems. But this could be wrong. Does anyone know what the changes are?

Where did you hear this? This year's food & wine isn't over yet.

 

[wiscbugs]

Any band you can see at the local County Fair should get the ax....bands like Startship, Dennis DeYoung, Sugar Ray, Air Supply..they all need to go. I think Fuel is a great new addition....I not a huge Fuel fan but there are a lot of bands from the 90s/2000s like Fuel who would bring in big crowds. It might even get me to fly down for a few shows, which is what they want rather than the locals coming out to dance to the oldies.

 

[PCFriar80]

The 'Eat to the Beat' line-up always seems to be quite a stroll down Memory Lane. It would be nice to have a somewhat current act or two. BTW, I am 60, and while my playlist does contain some oldies, I am always adding new music.

After all, variety IS the spice...particularly at F&W, right?

Been going since 2001 and here are some of the acts we've seen that have not been around lately..... three dog night, expose, orleans, beach boys, lovin' spoonful, howard jones, the rascals, the four tops, gloria gaynor, classic rock allstars, john secada..... the list goes on and a lot of the band members have left us....Rob Grill, Paul Revere. Seeing Jim Brickman, Wilson Philips, Los Lonely Boys and Denis Deyoung for the first time when we drop in on 10/23. And if I may, Smash Mouth, Starship and 38 Special put on a good show! And for the record, I just wanted to get my triple 8 post.

 

[tony67]

Oh and to comment on the fall down drunk comments, we have seen far worse behavior from the pop warner and other groups of unsupervised teenagers than any of the drunk adults at Food and Wine.

Got to agree with you on this - but really any large group of unsupervised teenagers tends to be an issue IMO

Half the performers we have never heard of and even if we have we wouldn't waste our time going to see. (The Pointer Sisters, The Commodores and Christopher Cross were there when we were.

I mid 40s and I really have no interest in any of these bands - my parents would be more interested in them.
I don't think we will ever see a band I'm interested in playing Disney, although ICP was once on a Disney owned label.

In the end very few people travel to Epcot for the eat to the beat concert IMO - if you get lucky and someone you actually want to see is there than great - but it is mostly hasbeens.

 

[debedo]

I know the dates have not been released yet - but we are going to the food and wine festival for the first time next year, any guesses as to what the dates might be?

 

[carlyle688]

Mickey Thomas said that Starship is going to only be playing in the spring instead of twice a year because Disney was "making some changes."

 

[DOOM1001]

Mickey Thomas said that Starship is going to only be playing in the spring instead of twice a year because Disney was "making some changes."

Well that's not right,I think they've only missed one festival like in 10 years as they've been doing both pretty much every year.Even though I love Starship and love having them at both but if Disney wasn't doing the "Things" they've been doing lately I might tell myself "well that's fine they're still going to be at the Flower Power festival and Disney will surely bring in incredible new acts to the Eat to the Beat concerts",but the problem with that thinking is that this is the year of Disney making changes,(Highly Unpopular Changes),and who knows what they're planning to bring in!!

 

[AmyB2006]

Any band you can see at the local County Fair should get the ax....bands like Startship, Dennis DeYoung, Sugar Ray, Air Supply..they all need to go. I think Fuel is a great new addition....I not a huge Fuel fan but there are a lot of bands from the 90s/2000s like Fuel who would bring in big crowds. It might even get me to fly down for a few shows, which is what they want rather than the locals coming out to dance to the oldies.

ITA. It would be nice for a change in some of the same old tired music.

But I'm curious as well, OP... where is your source for this information? I haven't seen anything on next year's F&W. This one isn't even over yet.