Food and Wine Festival

[Mis4Mouse]

I don't know if this can fall under "attractions" but I figured this might be a good place to start.

I just booked a trip for me and my son for his 16th birthday in October. He is a true foodie and loves excellently prepared foods and loves to try new things, expecially ethnic food. He's been ordering off the adult menu since he was 5, and he's never been a "chicken nugget" kind of kid.

Can anyone share with me their experiences at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival....(ie. what was their favorite experience, or what was the biggest disappointment)

We've been to WDW a few times and Epcot is his fav park, but neither of us know what to expect as far as the Festival goes.

Thanks!
Susan

 

[Ted and Holly]

If he is a foodie, check out the cooking demonstrations. Last year, they held them in the Oddessy(spelling?). If you can, check out John Ashton. But get there early, he is popular. We got into these last year and we barely went to the food kiosks around the World Showcase.

Ted

 

[wdwcindy]

We went to the festival last year for the first time. We loved it! There are booths set up all around the World Showcase with food and drink from different countries. They sell small portions of the food items for between $2 and $5. They also sell glasses of wine or beer etc that are "native" to that particular country.

I am not very adventurous but tried a number of different items that I would never order a whole meal of in a restaurant. Many times our group of four would even share one of the small portions so we could just have a taste to see if we liked it. Also by sharing we didn't get full as fast and could try more stuff. We are going back again this year.

wdwcindy

 

[Mysteria]

If you want to see what was available where last year look Here

I'm hoping to be there this year!

Myst

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.........................................Four trips during the Food and Wine Festival, guess we like it a little!

We like to eat around the world. There are 25-30 extra countries represented, so you get to try many things. And if you don't like it, don't worry as you waste a couple bucks, unlike if you don't like it and it's a full meal!

Couple of tips. Try to go midweek, the locals tend to go on weekends and it gets a little crowded. To do even better try to eat when other don't. Last year, walked by the French booth at around 1:30 pm and there were about 15 people in line. Passed by at 3:30 pm and there was only 3 so we got in line. for some dumb reason I can't remember we ended up passing by again around 6:30 to 7:00pm, and there were 29 people in line! Yes, I just had to count them all!!!

 

[jeanelle]

If you son is a food junkie, he will love it. We took my son last year to Epcot for his birthday. I didn't think he would like it but he loved it. This year he has made a point of requesting to go again for his birthday. There is so much new stuff to try. My son was really suprised at some of the things he actually liked after trying it.

Jeanelle

 

[ncbyrne]

I went last year during this festival with my DGDs. I knew my DH would enjoy it more than the kids, so I booked another trip for us this year. There are numerous hard ticket functions, but also many free demonstrations daily. There are food booths located all around WS. They are placed out of the way of traffic and blend in nicely so that they look like they are always there. We don't plan on making any PS for our Epcot days. We will eat our way around the world, bite by bite, from rope drop to close. The sampling of foods was excellent and they oftentimes had food that was not readily available on restaurant menus. My DH has always been like your son....he's very adventurous with food and truly enjoys good eating and trying new things.

 

[Leota]

We are all foodies, including my DS (who is also 16) We have been to F&WF several times. DS loved the cooking demonstrations & noshing around the WS. We get recipes every year so we can make our favorites at home. I am happy that you can now purchase a recipe booklet instead of having a stack of index cards to deal with.

I second going during the week. The weekends do get quite crowded now. It is becoming a very popular event.

We have never done any of the hard-ticketed events, but hope to in the future. Late Oct. is our favorite time to visit WDW.

 

[Daydreamin]

cook, drink fine wines and make/taste beer. We also love Epcot! I know that he'll enjoy the food side of this festival, but wonder how many opportunities he'll have to learn about beer. Any F&W Festival experts out there that can help me convince him that he needs to go.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Ted and Holly]

cook, drink fine wines and make/taste beer. We also love Epcot! I know that he'll enjoy the food side of this festival, but wonder how many opportunities he'll have to learn about beer. Any F&W Festival experts out there that can help me convince him that he needs to go.

Thanks in advance for your help.

There is a beer tasting seminar at the UK several times a day. Or, rather, there was this past year. Also, there is a lot of beer from around the world at each kiosk.

Ted

 

[estnh]

We went last year, and from now on its an annual event!

We did the Party for the Senses, and it was incredible. All kinds of foods that you probably would never try anywhere else, but were so good.

(Lots and lots of wine flowing, though, and not sure its a great event for kids).