food and wine festival crowds?

[jimmyzluck]

We are scheduled to arrive sept.25th for 9 days.I see now that is the opening
of the epcot festival.Would it be worth it for me to move up our trip a week and arrive on the 18th?worried about how much more crowded it will be.Does the food and wine event up the crowds substantially?any help appreciated!

 

[doconeill]

We went to F&W last year, in the second week of October. Frankly, it seems to be such a light time crowd wise that it really shouldn't matter at all. However, we avoided Epcot on the weekend days because that is supposedly when it is most crowded. If you don't plan on attending any of the specific F&W events, you can still take advantage of the foodstuff offered during the week.

We had no problems with crowds anywhere while we were there.

 

[KYMickey]

It makes EPCOT a little more crowded and restaurant reservations there may be a little harder to get but elsewhere in Disney will have very low crowd levels. I wouldn't bother change your plans because of it. Depending of the ages of those in your group it may be enjoyable to visit some of the booths set up around world showcase for the festival.

 

[Stitch's mom]

Have been there the last two years just because it works with our kids' school schedule. It gets crowded at the end of the day but is tolerable.

 

[dizneyfan23]

alot of the crowds at Epcot at that time seem to be centered around World Showcase and all the food pavilions (which can have some very looong lines, such as Mexico & Canada)

 

[jimmyzluck]

Thanks for the info.we are in Branson at the moment and wow is it busy
on the road out here.reminds me of disney in the summer.we are discussing
our options but are leaning towards moving up.we were trying to go the
week later because our son is out of school that friday and so he would
only miss 4 days but crowds are my wifes kryptonite!!!

 

[mitros]

These F&W events usually attract a LOT of bodies. Especially this year, with all the "specials" Disney is doling out {resort 4+3 free, free dining, etc.} Your best bet would be to get there as SOON as the park opens, as it does tend to become quit crowded by mid-day. Staying at The Boardwalk, Y&B Club, or the Swan And Dolphin would make it far easier to accomplish the early start.
PS: We truly understand your wifes problem with crowds, and the way Disney has been lately, it's worse than ever!

 

[kathylovesmatt]

We'll be there 10/17 - 10/25, for our 6th anniversary. We experieinced the wine and food festival for the first time last year the crowds weren't that bad. As someone else said here, towards the end of the day are when the crowds can get a little much. But other wise its really a fun experience.

 

[jimmyzluck]

We love going during the fall because crowds are less.We are booked
sept.18th to 27th at Bonnet creek.(3rd time at b.c.)And your right
ITS ALLWAYS FUN!!!

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Yes, we're going to be there September 26th through the 29th because of the dining plan and the crowds being so nice and low. Don't worry at all.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I'm with Mitros again. We were there the first week of F&WF about 3-4 years ago. It was a nightmare. It was wall to wall bodies. I don't know what 'crowd levels' people here are comparing them to, but it certainly wasn't the Sept crowds I had expected, and it positively was NOT the crowd levels we have experienced every Sept SINCE then. (Ever since then we have been sure to book early Sept). There are other things to consider as well. Lets just say if you like to like to drink and party it's a great week. If you don't... you might want to change your plans.
Epcot is my single favorite park. We have watched Illuminations (added it up last trip) almost 100 times. If we spend 8 days on Disney property we spend 5 of them in Epcot. The first week of F&WF was NOT the Epcot I love.
It's completely possible that we just had a bad week and a bad set of circumstances, and it's VERY possible that you would have a blast. But you asked, so thats my opinion. I won't do it again.
With that being said I agree that it gets worse towards the evenings, but that's my favorite time in Epcot.

 

[mitros]

I'm with Mitros again. We were there the first week of F&WF about 3-4 years ago. It was a nightmare. It was wall to wall bodies. I don't know what 'crowd levels' people here are comparing them to, but it certainly wasn't the Sept crowds I had expected, and it positively was NOT the crowd levels we have experienced every Sept SINCE then. (Ever since then we have been sure to book early Sept). There are other things to consider as well. Lets just say if you like to like to drink and party it's a great week. If you don't... you might want to change your plans.
Epcot is my single favorite park. We have watched Illuminations (added it up last trip) almost 100 times. If we spend 8 days on Disney property we spend 5 of them in Epcot. The first week of F&WF was NOT the Epcot I love.
It's completely possible that we just had a bad week and a bad set of circumstances, and it's VERY possible that you would have a blast. But you asked, so thats my opinion. I won't do it again.
With that being said I agree that it gets worse towards the evenings, but that's my favorite time in Epcot.

Well, I guess we must be cut from the same bolt of cloth.......except when it comes to Beverly................... :}

 

[jimmyzluck]

beverly,mmmmm!sept/oct usually lucky for us but one year we cought
the golf tourney in late oct. and cought a couple of silly days.we have moved
up as far as possible due to work this year to end any worry.must keep
the boss happy or trip is doomed before we leave!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Jimmy... Have I found another Beverly fan???

 

[jimmyzluck]

Probably for different reasons!I love to get people I am with to try it
while acting like it has hardly any taste at all.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Alas, but my son does the same thing. Then a few minutes later he's sneaking up beside me telling some stranger "yeah, He REALLY likes the stuff! Can you believe it???" As if I'm some sort of circus freakshow....
I stand on my previous comment on another thread... If an entire country likes it it can't be all bad.

 

[mitros]

Alas, but my son does the same thing. Then a few minutes later he's sneaking up beside me telling some stranger "yeah, He REALLY likes the stuff! Can you believe it???" As if I'm some sort of circus freakshow....
I stand on my previous comment on another thread... If an entire country likes it it can't be all bad.

You know, some day, you guys are gonna be at Club Cool when we are there with my brother-in-law, and I want to see which one of you can drink the most Beverly. I know he will give you a run for the money!............

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

You know, some day, you guys are gonna be at Club Cool when we are there with my brother-in-law, and I want to see which one of you can drink the most Beverly. I know he will give you a run for the money!.........

I'm a Man vs Food fan, so it could be interesting!!!

 

[momof3+twins]

Saturday nights are usually packed but most are drinking so if you aren't worried about the lines for the drinks and food you are good. We walked on all the rides and right up to the princesses. Just very congested. But, we have kids and have a different objective there, so it didn't bother us at all!

 

[darlak]

OP, your travel dates are exactly the same as mine. We also checked in on the first day of the F&W Festival last year and the year before.

Honestly, the crowd levels never seemed bad at all. The only thing I can remember having long lines were some of the specialty food booths once or twice. Overall it's a great time to visit WDW, low crowds in general and not too hot. If your wife really dislikes crowds, I would do as a PP suggested and avoid Epcot on the weekends, but I wouldn't change my dates.