Food and Wine expectations?

[JB212]

Quick background: 3 kiddos (one teen, one preteen, one almost preteen) who have been to both Disney World and Disneyland multiple times. We went to WDW in 2016 on Spring Break and my foodie kids fell in love with Epcot's Flower and Garden food kiosks. That was their favorite part of the entire trip, just walking around each section in Epcot, picking out different things to try and learning about each area. Ive told them that Food and Wine has even more kiosks and they've looked up this years offerings and pictures online.
The opportunity has come up to go over Veterans Day weekend (Friday through Sunday), and at first I was excited because Food and Wine will still be going on. But the more Ive read, the more I'm concerned. Ive read that it is VERY crowded in Epcot on the weekends, and I'm worried the kids are going to not have the fun strolling around experience they had before with giant crowds and lines.
Also, MK is having a Christmas party both Friday and Sunday that we will not be attending, but that will drive up attendance in MK those days I'm sure. (We're planning Epcot, MK and HS, skipping AK this time around)
2 kids say they'd like to go even if its packed and 1 kid says wait until next year when we can go at a slower time.
If your main focus was Epcot, would you avoid Veterans Day weekend altogether? Or push through with a good plan? We're not experts, but we've been several times and there are MANY things we just skip altogether because we've done them so many times before. (Small World ride, I'm looking at you!) I haven't bought the tickets yet, but I'm also a bit concerned that fastpasses may be long gone by tomorrow when I was planning to get the tickets. Normally we plan this out much farther in advance! Last minute planning is making me anxious!

 

[emilyrachael]

Not only is it the weekend, but it's the final weekend of F&W. I'm only go if you're willing to get there early (right when the food booths open.) It's not much fun when you can't even find somewhere to stop and eat your food.

 

[msp2mco]

That's exciting to try to figure out. We have been to Epcot often during the Flower and Garden Festival, and we love it. It seems like the lines at the kiosks aren't bad and there are a lot of fun things to try.

I haven't been a bit attender of F&W, but I've been there a few times during the event. My experience has been that weekends are very crowded to the point of being unenjoyable. A line at a Mexican kiosk during the middle of the day was outrageously long. I was with my DS18, and he would not want to go again, but he isn't a foodie. If you want to go, just plan for long lines. I'm sure the food is great.

 

[fla4fun]

As far as MK goes, if you don’t mind the shorter hours, going on a party day can mean lighter crowds, especially in light of it being the last F&W weekend. Many people want to maximize their park time and will go to MK on the non party day to stay later. If you have hoppers you could go to Epcot in the evening, or if you don’t you could go to Disney Springs, which has added a lot of good food spots this year.

 

[minniegirl19]

If you have the money to spend then why not? The last weekend is very crowded I'd avoid that Saturday there all together but if you could go next year too then why not do a weekend getaway this year? Have so much fun!

 

[JerseyJanice]

FWIW, I would take a crowded week at WDW over a week at work. LOL!

It's going to be busy at Epcot anytime the MK closes for a Halloween or Christmas party. There are not a load of things to do at AK at night and the Studios have been closing early. When the MK closes early for parties, guests flock to Epcot. Conversely, you will see heavy attendance at MK during non-party days. Not everyone springs for park hopping.

I think that these facts will have far more impact on the crowds than it being Veterans Day or the last days of F&W.

Go in with a plan, and you'll be able to do most of what you want to do. Have fun!

 

[holden]

Hit FWF as soon as it opens at 11am. Crowds will be thicken as the day goes on.