Food&Wine Fest on a Saturday??

[leebee]

Am I crazy to consider this? We arrive at MCO at 11am on October 11, which is the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend. We are staying at BWV, and I'm not sure if we'll have a car or use DME. We have 5 day park tickets, no hopping. I am considering doing Epcot/F&W festival on Saturday afternoon/evening as it seems like the best use of our time (we will most likely do a second day at Epcot).

My "vision" is to arrive at BWV by 1pm. Not sure we can check in then, but we can walk over to Epcot and do some F&W booths for lunch, : ride some FP+ rides, head back to BWV to check in and rest (maybe… still figuring out how FP+ works), then go to Biergarten for a late supper and watch Illuminations. Does this sound doable, or will the crowds make me want to scream??!!

 

[frozengurl]

Question... Do you have young kids? It will be busy, but it's still very doable! I ask about the kids because I think the most stressful part of F&W on a busy day like that is trying to push a stroller around WS... If it was just DH & I, I wouldn't hesitate going on a busy Saturday if it worked out best with our schedule.

 

[leebee]

No kids, just me, DH, and DD21. This trip is to celebrate her 21st birthday; she's been planning this for about 5 years! Her boyfriend wanted to come alone, her BFF wanted to come along, she said nope, this is me, mom, and dad! She's grown up into a remarkable young woman, but she's still my girl!

 

[frozengurl]

No kids, just me, DH, and DD21. This trip is to celebrate her 21st birthday; she's been planning this for about 5 years! Her boyfriend wanted to come alone, her BFF wanted to come along, she said nope, this is me, mom, and dad! She's grown up into a remarkable young woman, but she's still my girl!

Then I think you will be fine!! It will be busy, but honestly I think F&W is always busy!
Your DD sounds awesome!!! Happy Birthday to her! You guys are going to have a blast!!!! I will be there that same week/weekend staying at BCV

 

[Hopefully]

We have been going to the F & W Festival in October for the last 10 years. We fly in to MCO on the Saturday arriving at about 10:30 AM. We stay at the BCV. We usually check in and then head to Epcot for lunch and the afternoon. We return to our Villa about 5 unpack and settle in and then head back to Epcot for the evening and a dinner ADR.
We have been doing this for 10 years. Each year has been more and more crowded.
That said, last year, for the first time, we left Epcot in the early afternoon and went and waited for our Villa to be ready at the Crew's Cup Lounge. The crowds at Epcot were huge and they were obnoxious. And we are a party of 4 adults.
I had read for a long time here on the DIS, about the rude F & W crowds. I always disputed this as not being true. I have now experienced it first hand and agree with this.
I am debating what we will do this year. I haven't decided yet.
Good Luck

 

[Art 1]

No, you are not crazy to go then. I go often at that time. It will just be busy and at night you will se plenty of drunk people. But other than that it's ok.

 

[JimmyV]

As long as you go with eyes wide open and somewhat lowered expectations, you'll be OK. It will be mobbed. Like 10+ mobbed on that day. Saturday of Columbus Day weekend? Probably the most crowded day of the festival. But if your goal is to hit a few booths and use some FPs, you can do it. Just don't expect a typical full day of Epcot experiences.

 

[leebee]

As long as you go with eyes wide open and somewhat lowered expectations, you'll be OK. It will be mobbed. Like 10+ mobbed on that day. Saturday of Columbus Day weekend? Probably the most crowded day of the festival. But if your goal is to hit a few booths and use some FPs, you can do it. Just don't expect a typical full day of Epcot experiences.

YES, I was figuring it'd be crowded. The October park hours, according to the travel agent schedule, show Illuminations at 10pm, which I have never heard of before. I figured the park'd be packed, but with our arrival time, I can't see using the park admission at any of the other parks; we'd never get our money's worth! I wish we could have flown down on Friday, but it's not possible with DD's college schedule and DH's teaching schedule. I'm also considering maybe DHS on Saturday instead of Epcot, but that'll take some juggling, too. Maybe not do F! this time around (although we'd decided on doing the F! dining package, but if we go into the park late, we'll not want to spend time eating…)

Honestly, with FP+ I am not sure what to expect of a "typical" day at any park anymore! I'm glad there are a few more months before our trip, to shake out the wrinkles and maybe finish "testing."

 

[JennyDrake]

It will be very crowded and inappropriate or obnoxious behavior by drunks may or may not be an issue. As Jiimy V said , it is a holiday which will make it much worse. For comparison, I was there the Saturday of Veterans weekend 2 years ago and by 1 pm 2 lines at the Canada booth each had close to 40 people in them.

As far as FP+, _I_ would not leave the F&W area after about 3 pm to try to ride something and then come back as you will be fighting terrible crowds. But then the first few hours you want to knock off as much stuff in the F&W area as possible.

 

[csmith041177]

Thanks for the information. We are going to try and brave it on a Saturday also. Good luck!

 

[PSUGuy]

I would avoid this particular Sat during F&W. This Oct will be our 5th F&W, 3 of the last 4 were in Oct but not including Columbus Day, last year we came the Thurs before CD 'til the Fri after. The holiday weekend is more crowded than other F&W weekends and Sat is unpleasantly crowded in any case. Expect to waddle around WS, shoulder to shoulder with the crowd, long lines at every kiosk and possibly unruly behavior. The pic below shows that we have a positive attitude towards fermented beverages and 'spirited' celebration does not bother us, we're actually involved sometimes. but last Oct we dropped into WS shortly after 11 am on Sat, grabbed a Guinness and a Lobster pie each and sat in the R&C patio area to people watch. Young folks arrived obviously 'pre-lubricated' and before noon WS had the look and feel of a late Happy Hour.

Bill From PA

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Should we expect that Sun and Mon to be just as bad?

Current plans have us at F&W that Fri, Sun, Mon afternoons, skipping Sat.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Young folks arrived obviously 'pre-lubricated' and before noon WS had the look and feel of a late Happy Hour.

 

[ChadsGirl]

We were in Epcot on a Saturday during F&W last year, although it wasn't Columbus Day weekend. It was a chilly, rainy morning that we spent in FW hitting some attractions. We had not planned to go to F&W that day (since we had heard to avoid on Saturdays) but thought we'd pop into WS for a quick bite at lunchtime before leaving the park. We thought maybe because of the weather the crowds would not have hit yet.

Uh, WRONG. It was a mob scene. Long lines everywhere, people wearing girls' weekend, bachelor party T-shirts, lots of college T-shirts. People just threw on ponchos and went with it. We walked into WS, saw the lines at the first 2 kiosks, and turned around and left.

We are F&W vets who usually avoid weekends, and we definitely noticed a difference. Personally I will never try that again. I don't have a problem with a party atmosphere. I like to have a good time with the best of them! It was the lines/crowds that I wouldn't want to deal with.

 

[ChadsGirl]

Should we expect that Sun and Mon to be just as bad?

Current plans have us at F&W that Fri, Sun, Mon afternoons, skipping Sat.

We went Sunday evening and it was crowded, but nowhere near as bad as what we saw on Saturday afternoon. Monday should be totally fine.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We went Sunday evening and it was crowded, but nowhere near as bad as what we saw on Saturday afternoon. Monday should be totally fine.

Thanks! I think I may swap that Sun with a midweek day I had planned... just to be a tad safer...

 

[disnut8]

Am I crazy to consider this? We arrive at MCO at 11am on October 11, which is the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend. We are staying at BWV, and I'm not sure if we'll have a car or use DME. We have 5 day park tickets, no hopping. I am considering doing Epcot/F&W festival on Saturday afternoon/evening as it seems like the best use of our time (we will most likely do a second day at Epcot).

My "vision" is to arrive at BWV by 1pm. Not sure we can check in then, but we can walk over to Epcot and do some F&W booths for lunch, : ride some FP+ rides, head back to BWV to check in and rest (maybe… still figuring out how FP+ works), then go to Biergarten for a late supper and watch Illuminations. Does this sound doable, or will the crowds make me want to scream??!!

Well, first of all, you can check in at the Boardwalk at 1:00 so do that. If you can, do online check in so you can note your arrival time (I'd do an hour earlier so say noon). You room may possibly be ready. If it's not, you will get a text or phone later giving you the room number and you don't have to do anything except go back to your room no matter what time it is - no need to stop at the front desk since you will already have your room keys.

Then go over to Epcot and do as much of the Festival as you can. Yes, it will be crowded and yes there will be some people who are enjoying a lot. But, it's your daughter's 21st birthday so might be a good thing for her to see how people can get (although sports crowds can be a lot worse). You can do FastPass + but I'm not sure I would want to do that but you could and then change to something else or cancel depending on how you feel about the Festival stuff.

That Saturday night will be an experience and since it's just the three of you, go with an open mind and have fun even if you don't do all that much. Experience the people. My husband and I did that a few years ago (he wanted to go on a Saturday night). We weren't offended by anything at all. Also remember that everything else in World Showcase is open so you can always get your drinks at the regular places which is what we did on that Saturday night. Visit the regular Italy and France wine stands and not the kiosks outside. Go to the Liberty Inn for a beer (and a burger) and sit outside to eat. Have some pot stickers and egg rolls at the Lotus Blossom Cafe (they serve beer and wine there too).

The most fun thing to do at the Food & Wine Festival on a Saturday night? Try and see all the offerings at the kiosks by the A-frame signs to the side of the kiosks. You'll be standing back reading and people will walk right in front of you instead of staying to the side. You can have fun with a little patience.

 

[MHSweb79]

We're going in September and may or may not brave F&W on the weekend. We don't drink so essentially it means waiting in 30-40 minute lines for 2 bites of food.

Of course, we have hoppers, so if we get there at noon and it's already insanity, we can just go someplace else. Your only alternative would be to go to Future World.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

...Then go over to Epcot and do as much of the Festival as you can. Yes, it will be crowded and yes there will be some people who are enjoying a lot. But, it's your daughter's 21st birthday so might be a good thing for her to see how people can get (although sports crowds can be a lot worse). You can do FastPass + but I'm not sure I would want to do that but you could and then change to something else or cancel depending on how you feel about the Festival stuff.

That Saturday night will be an experience and since it's just the three of you, go with an open mind and have fun even if you don't do all that much. Experience the people. My husband and I did that a few years ago (he wanted to go on a Saturday night). We weren't offended by anything at all. Also remember that everything else in World Showcase is open so you can always get your drinks at the regular places which is what we did on that Saturday night. Visit the regular Italy and France wine stands and not the kiosks outside. Go to the Liberty Inn for a beer (and a burger) and sit outside to eat. Have some pot stickers and egg rolls at the Lotus Blossom Cafe (they serve beer and wine there too).

The most fun thing to do at the Food & Wine Festival on a Saturday night? Try and see all the offerings at the kiosks by the A-frame signs to the side of the kiosks. You'll be standing back reading and people will walk right in front of you instead of staying to the side. You can have fun with a little patience.

I have to say that I think this is really a great attitude! Just go and enjoy the experience with your daughter. Just prepare yourself mentally that there will be long lines, and I HATE waiting in lines! You might have to wait if you want items from the booths, but otherwise just try to enjoy the time together.

 

[jaz0308]

Ok...possibly dumb question here. We will be there columbus day weekend also but having heard not to go on the weekend, we are considering doing F&W on Tuesday (day after CD) We DO have small children so want to avoid the drunken masses! Will F&W be operating at full schedule on Tuesday? And will the crowds be more on order with a normal day in EPCOT? We are used to summer crowds, so I'm expecting to be about the same...am I right about that?