Food and Wine Premium Package

[ksromack]

So what is this premium seating all about? Is there some sort of roped off place to sit down? You go to your booth to get your choices of snacks then come back to a special location to eat it?

What was the wine bottle that they gave you? Is it a real "glass" wine glass?

Is there some sort of official thread that I should be reading? lol This is our first time at F&W.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

IT was worth it, but I will not be doing it again because I will not be staying enough weekdays and the special seating is not valid on Friday-Sunday. Too bad because I lost the lunch bag. You do not go to the booths to get your choices. You sit down, and the cast members take your order and go to the booths FOR you.

The wine was a bottle of chianti that sold for about $18 in the Festival Center. The glass was a stemless wine glass engraved with the Food & Wine logo (engraved, not a decal)

Plus the special F&W magic band which would likely retail around $20 if they had sold it (it was available only to guests on the package).

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I loved it and thought it was totally worth it. It was great having people bring me the food after I ordered it. And even though there really wasn't seating at the tables, I still managed to sit on ledges.

I would do it again for sure.

 

[ethanwa]

I REALLY hope they open this up to AP holders or locals not staying at a resort. I live right near Epcot (like 5-10 minutes away) and wasn't able to do this package because there was no need for me to book a room!

 

[PrincessJen09]

One question I had: What happens if half of your party has the premium package and half does not? Would the half that does not be allowed to sit with you if they got their own food? Thanks!

 

[POOHsie]

One question I had: What happens if half of your party has the premium package and half does not? Would the half that does not be allowed to sit with you if they got their own food? Thanks!

Our experience last year was, if you didn't have proper credentials you weren't allowed in. We kept our credentials in my bag b/c the lanyard connection seemed flimsy. When we stopped in, it took a moment to get our credentials out -- and the CMs were right on us to leave -- then OK'd us when they finally saw the credentials.

The other thing to consider is, there's not many tables in each small area, and even less seats. If each person who entered the area brought non-credentialed friends, the few tables there wouldn't be available for those who paid.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

No credentials, no access. To eat with the party that doesn't have the access, you'd have to leave the premium area after your food was delivered and find somewhere else to eat together.

 

[PrincessJen09]

I understand now. That makes sense! Thanks for the answers.

 

[FoodieFriend]

why has the 2015 Premium package not been announced yet???? is it not going to be available?! i'm SO disappointed that it's not out yet!!!

 

[kmrada]

why has the 2015 Premium package not been announced yet???? is it not going to be available?! i'm SO disappointed that it's not out yet!!!

From what I have read, don't give up hope. Some have said that last year they announced the package 1 day before they started taking reservations.

I think we will take a pass even if they announce it. Just won't pay since we our travel falls mostly on weekend timing and part of the package is not valid on weekends. Not too disappointed since we will take advantage of MNSSHP on a Thursday night and get into MK. We only have a 4 day pass and with the ticket to the party we can get in to MK without a full day ticket. Getting as much park time as possible!

 

[FiggieFan]

I read that reservations will be opening up July 30 for 2015. Rearranging my itinerary now so we can try the Thursday night party!

 

[FoodieFriend]

keeping my fingers crossed that the Premium Package will be announced on Wednesday.

UPDATE: when i booked my Parisian Breakfast late last night (1am HST/7am EST), the CM helping me (Clara Lorraine) did say that the Premium Package is being offered this year but she was unable to book it for me at that time. the package "was not in the system" yet. i hope i'm being given accurate information. *fingers AND TOES crossed*

 

[kmrada]

keeping my fingers crossed that the Premium Package will be announced on Wednesday.

UPDATE: when i booked my Parisian Breakfast late last night (1am HST/7am EST), the CM helping me (Clara Lorraine) did say that the Premium Package is being offered this year but she was unable to book it for me at that time. the package "was not in the system" yet. i hope i'm being given accurate information. *fingers AND TOES crossed*

I hope everything work out for you today FoodieFriend!!

 

[FoodieFriend]

I hope everything work out for you today FoodieFriend!!

so i got thru, was given the info about what's in the Premium Package BUT was unable to book it. it was "pulled offline" with no info on when it would be made available again. here's the details i got: gift bag with: bottle of wine, wine glass, EF&WF magic band with "Market Sampler Entitlement Credentials" that allow entrance to area where CMs will bring your food to you. also a CHOICE of either: Sparkling Dessert Party, Culinary Demo or Beverage Demo MON-THURS. but when i asked her when the dessert party was offered she said wed, fri & sat. HUH? idk more info than that.

I did ask what about the $50 gift card that was given last year & she said it was not mentioned as being in the gift bag. Price is still $199/pp. i'm not sure if it's as great of a value as last year, but i still like the area where they bring the food to you! haha!

she (CM: Belinda Long) said to try & call back later to see if the package will be online for purchase. *sigh* where's the pixie dust, DISNEY?!?!

 

[kmrada]

she (CM: Belinda Long) said to try & call back later to see if the package will be online for purchase. *sigh* where's the pixie dust, DISNEY?!?!

Just keep CLAPPING....

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I booked it 30 minutes ago. It is different from last year. I wanted it for the special package area where the CM's get the food for you and you have a table. No mention whether those tables will have chairs or if it will be standing only. Last year it was primarily standing only.

This is what I posted on the food and wine festival thread in the restaurant forum.

I booked the premium package. I asked what it included and this is what she said and it sounded like she read it off directly from her screen:

It is good Monday - Thursday 12 noon - 8pm
comes with 4 entitlements
The bag is picked up at Festival center and comes with a bag, festival glass, wine, magic band
The package comes with a choice of 1 culinary or wine seminars - they are booked at the festival center when you pick up your package and the times must be either 2pm or 5pm - I already have the wine seminar booked I want to attend so maybe I'll try for a culinary one.
And your credentials will list the areas where you can go to have the special spots with the tables and cast members who will pick up your food for you
Bring your ID - you will need it to pick up your credentials and the Cast Members in the Package areas will ask for it if you are ordering alcohol.

And that is it - no mention of a special Illuminations viewing area or dessert party. The cost with tax was 211.95 per person.

 

[Tess]

I booked it 30 minutes ago. It is different from last year. I wanted it for the special package area where the CM's get the food for you and you have a table. No mention whether those tables will have chairs or if it will be standing only. Last year it was primarily standing only.

This is what I posted on the food and wine festival thread in the restaurant forum.

I booked the premium package. I asked what it included and this is what she said and it sounded like she read it off directly from her screen:

It is good Monday - Thursday 12 noon - 8pm
comes with 4 entitlements
The bag is picked up at Festival center and comes with a bag, festival glass, wine, magic band
The package comes with a choice of 1 culinary or wine seminars - they are booked at the festival center when you pick up your package and the times must be either 2pm or 5pm - I already have the wine seminar booked I want to attend so maybe I'll try for a culinary one.
And your credentials will list the areas where you can go to have the special spots with the tables and cast members who will pick up your food for you
Bring your ID - you will need it to pick up your credentials and the Cast Members in the Package areas will ask for it if you are ordering alcohol.

And that is it - no mention of a special Illuminations viewing area or dessert party. The cost with tax was 211.95 per person.

That doesn't scream "deal" to me. Not many perks in that package.

 

[Marionnette]

I booked it 30 minutes ago. It is different from last year. I wanted it for the special package area where the CM's get the food for you and you have a table. No mention whether those tables will have chairs or if it will be standing only. Last year it was primarily standing only.

This is what I posted on the food and wine festival thread in the restaurant forum.

I booked the premium package. I asked what it included and this is what she said and it sounded like she read it off directly from her screen:

It is good Monday - Thursday 12 noon - 8pm
comes with 4 entitlements
The bag is picked up at Festival center and comes with a bag, festival glass, wine, magic band
The package comes with a choice of 1 culinary or wine seminars - they are booked at the festival center when you pick up your package and the times must be either 2pm or 5pm - I already have the wine seminar booked I want to attend so maybe I'll try for a culinary one.
And your credentials will list the areas where you can go to have the special spots with the tables and cast members who will pick up your food for you
Bring your ID - you will need it to pick up your credentials and the Cast Members in the Package areas will ask for it if you are ordering alcohol.

And that is it - no mention of a special Illuminations viewing area or dessert party. The cost with tax was 211.95 per person.

The CM that I spoke with mentioned "Late Night Live" is held outdoors and could be canceled if there is inclement weather. So, it looks as if
event is being included. What confused me, is that she had to book a specific day for my package. I'm assuming that it is for the seminars? I thought the credentials were good for all 4 days (Mon. THRU Thurs.). I would prefer to pick up my package early (like on Saturday or Sunday?) so that I can get it right before leaving the park instead of having to carry it around all day.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

That doesn't scream "deal" to me. Not many perks in that package.

Nope - not a big deal per say but I want to be waited on and not be standing in lines and hovering for the few tables that are available. I don't like buffets for that reason either - I want someone to take my order and bring me my food. So for me, I like the premium package except that I'll miss the 50.00 gift card we were given last year.

The CM that I spoke with mentioned "Late Night Live" is held outdoors and could be canceled if there is inclement weather. So, it looks as if
event is being included. What confused me, is that she had to book a specific day for my package. I'm assuming that it is for the seminars? I thought the credentials were good for all 4 days (Mon. THRU Thurs.). I would prefer to pick up my package early (like on Saturday or Sunday?) so that I can get it right before leaving the park instead of having to carry it around all day.

I really don't think there is a "Late Night Live" this year - I think your CM might have been reading off something old. I believe the specific day is for the seminar that you will be booking. I also think the credentials are good for Mon thru Thursday. I will be picking up my package hopefully early Wednesday evening and using it some that night and then Thursday is when I told her the date since that will be my full day in Epcot.

I'm ok with carrying it around on Wednesday night if I need to but if I have to wait and pick it up on Thursday, I'll be sending it to the front of the park for pick up later for sure.

I can't wait until September when others first pick up their premium packages - then we'll know for sure.

 

[kmrada]

Thanks for the updates everyone. We have decided against the Premium Package. Just isn't worth it for the time we are there. But did want to say that when I called to purchase our tickets for MNSSHP and KTTKT, the cast member was wonderful! She was extremely helpful. Spoke with us about the F&W festival, listed off some of the events we might be interested in and even made a note on our reservation that we where there to "eat and drink" our way around the world. Just thought that was a nice touch.