Food and Wine the FIRST weekend?

[Momof6]

Well, dh and I are going to F&W - but we have to go the first weekend. Our APs expire on Oct. 5th, and we aren't getting APs for next year.
Is everything pretty much up and running for F&W that first weekend? We've been before twice and love it! I can't wait - I just hope that most everything is kind of, well, 'set up' and 'running'!


denise

 

[i3utterfli82]

We'll be there too the first weekend. I am almost positive everything is up and running...don't worry!

 

[pinkerbell]

We were there first weekend last yr (and will be this yr too) and they did have some problems, some registeres weren't accepting room cards, running out of food... not sure what to attribute it too but we were very surprised at the crowd level compared to two yrs previously and later in the event. The lines were huge, not bad for an adult, but with a then 2 and 9 month old, we couldn't wait for much. We also booked a few extra days to go midweek rather than just the weekend this year. I am sure you will enjoy it regardless..

 

[corgi_monster]

We will be there on the first weekend as well! I've read that if you head over to WS as soon as it opens, the crowds aren't too bad, so that's what we plan to do.

 

[Momof6]

I remember reading on here somewhere that the first we will hear of the exact foods at the booths and such will be after some people post the info on here - so since we will be there that first weekend, nothing at all will really be avail before, right? If that is the case, I will do my best to scan and post whatever I can after we return...
Any other tips on being able to plan? We've been before, so we know kind of what to expect - it is all the little details that I usually enjoy getting on here! LOL!


denise

 

[sasmmb]

The first weekend is always the most crowded, so make sure your Food and Wine pairings and any other reservation options are made now. Also, get to the free seminars earlier than you would have in the past. Our first F&W was the 3rd week, and our 2nd F&W was the first weekend and we were surprised how the crowds were significantly larger. Enjoy!

 

[Leota]

Every year gets more & more busy. Especially weekends. We do lunches there instead of dinners as much as possible & generally avoid weekends. Like corgi-monster said, the sooner you get there after WS opens, the less the lines are. I don'tr mind the lines so much, I just get myself in the Party Mood & go with it, but DH doesn't like them very much.

Also, like sasmmb said, get to the seminars early, esp. the wine tastings & if the have the chocolate one this year.


We like to bring a pen & highlighter with us & mark off our Festival booklet. I make alot of tasting notes on the wines because after a full day of tasting, my memory fails me a bit

They used to give out recipes cards at the booths, but now they have a Festival Cookbook. It's worth the $6 or so to pick one up for home.

It takes us about 5 days of making lunches & one dinner to complete the entire set of offerings. We split everything between the 2 of us & go back for more if we want. That way we can try more stuff.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Is anything free at food and wine or you have to pay for everything?

 

[Leota]

There are some free seminars. They usually fill up quick. The Eat to the Beat concerts are also free.

Then there are the tasting booths - Small Portions of Food & Wine that cost between $1.50 & $5.00 ish.

Then there's the Hard-Ticketed Special Events ranging from around $40 - well over $200 per person.

 

[momomonster]

We'll be there the first weekend, as well. I'm so excited!

The cookbook sounds great - $6 is a steal. Also great to hear about the "festival booklet". Thanks!

 

[oybolshoi]

FYI - last year's Festival cookbook was $11. Not that $11 is a big deal, but I just wanted to throw that out there so you're not surprised.

If there was a less expensive version available last year we must have missed it.

 

[Robert P]

No Brenda, you didn't miss anything.
The price of the recipe booklet has steadily increased over the years.

 

[momomonster]

Ha- Thanks for the info. I guess *everything* is going up. $11 is still good for a cookbook (and I promise not to be surprised if it's $14 or $15).

 

[suzimar57]

wow - i remember when they used to have those free recipe cards at each booth years ago - will still buy the cookbook when we're there in october

 

[Momof6]

When we were there the second weekend of F&W last year they didn't even have the cookbook yet. They had a list for people to sign up to get notification so that we could buy the cookbook - but never heard anything. I did buy the book the year before that and really like it. I missed it last year - and am hoping something is different so that we can get the book the first weekend, too!

denise

 

[Leota]

Brenda - I couldn't remember the exact price, I knew it wasn't much. I have several of them from over the years. Alot of repeats, but enough new that I enjoy them as a cheap & useful souvie.

For those of you who remember the recipe cards, have you looked at them lately? It's an interesting progression. My first set of cards is from 1999. The dishes were MUCH more interesting & I assume much more authentic.

It seems they have toned things way down at the Fest over the years. For simplicity? For Cost? For American Taste Buds? Who knows? It's still great fun, it's just a little less adventurous.

 

[pinkerbell]

When we were there the second weekend of F&W last year they didn't even have the cookbook yet. They had a list for people to sign up to get notification so that we could buy the cookbook - but never heard anything. I did buy the book the year before that and really like it. I missed it last year - and am hoping something is different so that we can get the book the first weekend, too!

denise

i didn't see the cookbbok last yr, now I know why.. thanks

Brenda - I couldn't remember the exact price, I knew it wasn't much. I have several of them from over the years. Alot of repeats, but enough new that I enjoy them as a cheap & useful souvie.

For those of you who remember the recipe cards, have you looked at them lately? It's an interesting progression. My first set of cards is from 1999. The dishes were MUCH more interesting & I assume much more authentic.

It seems they have toned things way down at the Fest over the years. For simplicity? For Cost? For American Taste Buds? Who knows? It's still great fun, it's just a little less adventurous.

Yes I still have my cards!! I loved that idea...even a few of the old cups...that I saved and brought back for sentimental reasons

agree on the choices, maybe this yr we will be surprised... i know they used to get the pierogi's from a local polish place, of course this made our local news and I loved them. they tasted just like mom's

 

[Leota]

i didn't see the cookbbok last yr, now I know why.. thanks



Yes I still have my cards!! I loved that idea...even a few of the old cups...that I saved and brought back for sentimental reasons

agree on the choices, maybe this yr we will be surprised... i know they used to get the pierogi's from a local polish place, of course this made our local news and I loved them. they tasted just like mom's

I have some of the old cups too. I'm such a WDW packrat, LOL