Food & Wine fest. vets, I have a few questions

[ppony]

I was trying to find out on the "official thread" but wasn't getting any answers.
I just realized yesterday that we'll be arriving on the last weekend of the Festival. We've never gone but since we're going to be there and have the days to spare on the tickets, I was wondering how that last weekend seems to be? Crowd-wise, food-wise...etc. Do they seem like they are just packing everything up and it's like the last hours of a garage sale on it's last day with not much to bother? We'll have half a day to spare the day we arrive and since we can, we thought about heading there just for this and doing the rest of Epcot another day.
Opinions? feedback? ... Bueller?

PS: in case it matters, we won't care about the wine stuff anyway. I know I know. Sacrilege.
I suppose most of the merchandise is gone? Are those some of the things you can purchase by calling the phone number (can't think of the name right now) that you can call to get specific park items?

MODS: Please move this to the theme park strategies etc. if it should be there.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Actually, you should be ok. You might even get lucky with the merchandise, as sometimes if it has the date/year on it, they'll discount in during those last few days.

The last weekend (as all weekends during the festival) can be really busy so be prepared for that.

 

[ppony]

Actually, you should be ok. You might even get lucky with the merchandise, as sometimes if it has the date/year on it, they'll discount in during those last few days.

The last weekend (as all weekends during the festival) can be really busy so be prepared for that.

Thanks!!!! I'll be hopeful but pragmatic. I'm hoping that since it's kind of a throw-away day for us being only half of one, and we won't be going to do any of the attractions really, that that will lessen my stress and expectations. Not to mention we'll be high on just have gotten there.

 

[Neverland98]

We have the same plan! We arrive that Sat. and thought we'd start our trip with a wander through F&W.

Any tips?

Me (34), DH (34) , DS (8) , DS (7) , DD (5)

 

[phyllis1966]

On our last 2 November trips, we arrived on the last Saturday of the F&WF. We checked into our resort by 11:30 am and headed right to the Festival to eat around the world instead of sitting down for lunch. The food is great, but the lines at some of the more popular kiosks can be quite long. If it's hot and sunny, you may not feel like waiting on line for 20 minutes for a morsel of (yummy) food.

We still think it's worth it, though. We waited until Sunday, late afternoon to hit the really crowded kiosks (when they were no longer crowded), and got to taste something from almost every line, only exceptions being the ones we weren't interested in. By late Sunday night (I guess ariound 8-ish), they start running out of the most popular items, but you should be able to taste everything your hearts (and stomachs!) desire in those last 2 days.

Have a great time!

 

[ppony]

On our last 2 November trips, we arrived on the last Saturday of the F&WF. We checked into our resort by 11:30 am and headed right to the Festival to eat around the world instead of sitting down for lunch. The food is great, but the lines at some of the more popular kiosks can be quite long. If it's hot and sunny, you may not feel like waiting on line for 20 minutes for a morsel of (yummy) food.

We still think it's worth it, though. We waited until Sunday, late afternoon to hit the really crowded kiosks (when they were no longer crowded), and got to taste something from almost every line, only exceptions being the ones we weren't interested in. By late Sunday night (I guess ariound 8-ish), they start running out of the most popular items, but you should be able to taste everything your hearts (and stomachs!) desire in those last 2 days.

Have a great time!

AWESOME!!! Primo info and exactly what I was looking for between you and the OKW DVC-er. . Thank you!
I'll promise to not nudge you out of line Neverland!

 

[phyllis1966]

My pleasure! DD was 10 for our last visit and she enjoyed it more than ever...she even printed out a list of the food selections at each kiosk before we went, checked off her interests (and there were many, mostly desserts ) and carried that thing with her so she could plan her tastings! She can't wait to go back this year...me either!

 

[ppony]

My pleasure! DD was 10 for our last visit and she enjoyed it more than ever...she even printed out a list of the food selections at each kiosk before we went, checked off her interests (and there were many, mostly desserts ) and carried that thing with her so she could plan her tastings! She can't wait to go back this year...me either!

I'll be sure to tell my 10 year old DS that. Maybe he'll TRY a few things if another 10 year old did!

 

[Disney Bunny]

My pleasure! DD was 10 for our last visit and she enjoyed it more than ever...she even printed out a list of the food selections at each kiosk before we went, checked off her interests (and there were many, mostly desserts ) and carried that thing with her so she could plan her tastings! She can't wait to go back this year...me either!

When/where can you find this list?

Thanks.

 

[phyllis1966]

When/where can you find this list?

Thanks.

There were detailed lists with prices (by kiosk) on both the DIS and allearsnet...they weren't available until maybe 2 months before the F&WF opened. DD highlighted all the things she wanted to taste, which was quite a lot over only 2 days, and she carried it and checked things off as she tried them. It actually started driving us crazy after a while because we'd be halfway around the WS when she'd realize she'd missed something, then she'd beg us to go back!

 

[Disney Bunny]

There were detailed lists with prices (by kiosk) on both the DIS and allearsnet...they weren't available until maybe 2 months before the F&WF opened. DD highlighted all the things she wanted to taste, which was quite a lot over only 2 days, and she carried it and checked things off as she tried them. It actually started driving us crazy after a while because we'd be halfway around the WS when she'd realize she'd missed something, then she'd beg us to go back!

Thanks so much. I'll be sure to be on the lookout for that.

 

[Cptnkirky]

Thanks so much. I'll be sure to be on the lookout for that.

Exactly what I would have said...print out the list and mark all the things that look of interest. This is what we have always done and it works well for us to make sure we don't miss anything we want to try
The lines will always be a little longer on the weekends, more between the hours of 12-3 and 6-9, but it is worth it. Some of our favorite places are germany, poland, South africa and france. Also, the lobster roll...not worth it in our opinion, if you think about getting it. Have a good time...we always went on the last weekend and usually got around it visiting about 75% of the booths in about 3 hours total (and are only "food" visitors, not drinkers).