Food and Wine Fest...how do I get more info?

[Chicago526]

The fest is during October, right? If so, DFi and I will be there during F&W. But I know nothing about it! I know the pavilons have more in the way of regional dishes and wines, but I know nothing else about it!

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GoodFairies]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/index.htm#hm-FW-info


It's a great time for adults in the World.

 

[Bob P]

Here's another link, you can poke around down the left hand column for other links:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/foodwine.htm

 

[Chicago526]

Thanks!

 

[susiebrown]

For anyone who has been, can you fill up with the appetizers being offered from country to country? Also, what are the beer and wine samples like? Do you think the first day (Fri., 9/30) will be super crowded in the evening? I don't think anything special is going on at the Fest that day, just glancing over the calendar. Thanks-and sorry if I'm threadjacking!

 

[Bob P]

You can definitely make a solid meal out of the various offerings.

 

[ncbyrne]

I went during this festival last year with my DGDs. To put it mildly, they are NOT adventurous eaters, so they, and their mother at at the American pavillion. However, I started grazing in Mexico as soon as the rope dropped. I ate myself around the entire WS, ending with a dessert in Canada during Illuminations. This year, DH and I are doing an adults only trip and we plan on doing Epcot two full days, and maybe a few more times for evening events. We have the dining plan, but on our Epcot days we won't be using it. It works out perfectly because we will have extra counter service to use for breakfast and extra sit-down meals to use in signature restaurants. The Food and Wine Festival is my favorite time to visit WDW.

 

[Chicago526]

I went during this festival last year with my DGDs. To put it mildly, they are NOT adventurous eaters, so they, and their mother at at the American pavillion. However, I started grazing in Mexico as soon as the rope dropped. I ate myself around the entire WS, ending with a dessert in Canada during Illuminations. This year, DH and I are doing an adults only trip and we plan on doing Epcot two full days, and maybe a few more times for evening events. We have the dining plan, but on our Epcot days we won't be using it. It works out perfectly because we will have extra counter service to use for breakfast and extra sit-down meals to use in signature restaurants. The Food and Wine Festival is my favorite time to visit WDW.

This is what we want to do! In fact, I didn't make a PS for lunch (normally I make both lunch and dinner PS's in Epcot when we plan a full day there) so we can "graze" around the world. They are going to have to roll us out of there at the end of the night, because our dinner PS is at Chefs de France!

 

[Jennygt]

This will be our first trip during the fest. I never thought about replacing a meal with the appetizers. Do they have that offered all day or just in the evening?

 

[kda]

There are booths set up all around WS, and each one usually has an appetizer, an entre, and a dessert, plus beer/wine. I did see a few people request a sample of the wine before they bought it, and were given ~ 1/4 - 1/3 " in one of the small plastic glasses. The food items may be 3-5 bites, with the price ranging from ~ $2 - $4 each.

We never got there at 11 AM when WS opens, but booths were open when we were there at 1 PM and were open all afternoon and eve. We avoided weekends because I'd read multiple posts on these boards that weekends were very busy, ESPECIALLY the first weekend---------- so, no personal experience, just what I've been reading for several years. It wasn't crowded at all during the week but this was a couple of years ago, before the crowds started to significantly increase. Most booths had a 0-5 minute wait in line, so it was no problem.

DH and I started to eat our way around the world for dinner and only made it 1/2 way around..... and we don't drink. We split one item at some booths, and several items at others. It was really fun, and we thoroughly enjoyed most of the selections. We came back another day and did this for lunch. If you were spending the entire day, there would be plenty of eat.

 

[susiebrown]

Sounds great to me--I think I'll give it a try on 9/30 and hope for the best with the crowds! I'll try to remember to post some information when I get back for any of you interested.

 

[nhmomx2]

Maybe we'll see you there DH and I arrive for a long weekend on 9/29 to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I hope the first weekend isn't too crowded

 

[susiebrown]

Me too, nhmomx2. Congratuations on your anniversary and have a great time! I am going solo this time--DH couldn't work it out and the kids are in school. Plus I'll be there for a convention so that wouldn't leave much family time. They decided to skip it this time and plan a big trip next summer. I can't wait--there is so much I want to do that my family would never be interested in!