Food and Wine or January?

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

I am trying to decide between going to WDW in late September or October or in January. I have been to Disney many times at different times of the year including October and January, so I know what to expect in terms of basic planning.

What I'm wondering is if the F&W is a must do because that is the only reason I would go in the fall, as I have never been to the festival. Can anyone who has been to F&W help me out? Is it worth planning my trip around? Are the crowds larger than they would be in January? Anything else I would need to know? Thanks!

 

[Livingthedisneylife]

Food and wine is delicious, We are goin during the last days of F&W next year and i couldn't be more excited. The food selections is amazing and there is no way you would be able to eat at all of them. But the ones you do are amazing, so I would say go to F&W.

 

[babesboo99]

We went twice and are going again this year. We loved the variety of food and drink and the atmosphere was terrific. We love going during F&W festival . And since it's right in our backyard ( we are staying at BCV) we can go every night after the other parks.

 

[Stefecatzz]

I'd suggest going for F&W if you haven't experienced it yet.

I've noticed in the past that Epcot will draw more crowds for the festival but it draws some attention away from the other parks. I can't really comment on crowds at MK b/c ever since NF opened, they've seemed to remain at a pretty steady higher crowd level no matter when you go. It is still generally considered slow season though so you should be fine going in late Sept. or early/mid Oct.

And if you're staying on property & do not have the TIW discount card, then the DDP will be a good way to use snack credits for the samples from the booths at a great value since you can find snacks for over $5. Between all the different kind of food & drinks available, you will not be bored there. I'd recommend definitely researching the booths & menus when they become available for the 2014 festival so that you have a good idea of where you want to stop & what you'd like to try.

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

I'd suggest going for F&W if you haven't experienced it yet.

I've noticed in the past that Epcot will draw more crowds for the festival but it draws some attention away from the other parks. I can't really comment on crowds at MK b/c ever since NF opened, they've seemed to remain at a pretty steady higher crowd level no matter when you go. It is still generally considered slow season though so you should be fine going in late Sept. or early/mid Oct.

And if you're staying on property & do not have the TIW discount card, then the DDP will be a good way to use snack credits for the samples from the booths at a great value since you can find snacks for over $5. Between all the different kind of food & drinks available, you will not be bored there. I'd recommend definitely researching the booths & menus when they become available for the 2014 festival so that you have a good idea of where you want to stop & what you'd like to try.

Thanks for the ideas! Have you ever gotten free dining during F&W?

We went twice and are going again this year. We loved the variety of food and drink and the atmosphere was terrific. We love going during F&W festival . And since it's right in our backyard ( we are staying at BCV) we can go every night after the other parks.

I love staying at BCV due to its location near Epcot! I loved walking to International Gateway and you could even hear the British Revolution from outside our room. I would love to stay there again, but we only did because we had a discount. I don't think it will be in our budget this year, but the Dolphin is a good possibility (with a teacher discount)!

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'd say F&W as well, but I'm thinking about skipping F&W this year for a couple of reasons:
1. Too crowded
2. Epcot DVC already "sold out."

Went last year and Friday night was wall-to-wall people. MK on Saturday night was awesome, though. Walked on everything. So agree with PP that F&W on weekend nights might take crowds away from other parks.

Having said all that, I'll probably go if DVC opens up for the weekend I have my eye on.... Because I have yet to actually say "no" to a WDW vacation if I've got one on my mind...

 

[Stefecatzz]

Thanks for the ideas! Have you ever gotten free dining during F&W?

I only started staying on property this past year so no. But if it's offered for your dates, I say go for it if you'll be staying on property anyway! I'm learning as I go about the DDP & have used it at booths in March for the F&G.

I'd say F&W as well, but I'm thinking about skipping F&W this year for a couple of reasons:
1. Too crowded
2. Epcot DVC already "sold out."

Went last year and Friday night was wall-to-wall people. MK on Saturday night was awesome, though. Walked on everything. So agree with PP that F&W on weekend nights might take crowds away from other parks.

Having said all that, I'll probably go if DVC opens up for the weekend I have my eye on.... Because I have yet to actually say "no" to a WDW vacation if I've got one on my mind...

I'm a passholder & one thing I've changed is my schedule for F&W. I try to only go to Epcot on weekdays since the 1st year I went on a weekend. I was there for the opening weekend on a Sunday evening & it wasn't too bad at all. I've heard from others not to go on Fridays or Saturdays so I just switched the schedule around & it's been working out fine.