Food & Wine weekday evenings

[Melanie415]

We will be at WDW 10/16-10/28 doing a split split stay at BLT 10/16-23 and then BCV 10/23-28.
Our plan is to go to F&W during our BCV stay Monday- Thursday nights after going to various parks for the day, swimming, then put the kids in kids camp 4:30- ? To walk over to Epcot and enjoy F&W Events (Eat to the Beat concerts, etc.). How busy are weekday evenings during that time? I'm considering purchasing the Premium pass for those 4 nights to avoid huge crowds. We have Park Hoppers.

 

[laura_<3]

We did a Friday then the following Tuesday. We didn't find them too busy although the Friday was busier than the Tuesday.

 

[Hopefully]

This will be our 12th F & W over the years. We will be there the same time as you this year. We are 3 adults and staying at the BCV
I think you have a good plan. The booths will be busy but not un-doable those evenings. I think you will have great fun.
Personally we have not felt the need to upgrade to the Premium pass, although the "special" seating areas do look nice. It is more than we felt we want to pay to have someone stand in the line and for a few minutes to sit.
Have Fun

 

[OKW Lover]

Weekday evenings aren't bad. Yes, you'll find a lot of locals then but its no way near as much as you'll find in Epcot over the weekends. The lowest time for F&W though is weekdays right at 11:00 am.

 

[DizDaD7]

We will be at WDW 10/16-10/28 doing a split split stay at BLT 10/16-23 and then BCV 10/23-28.
Our plan is to go to F&W during our BCV stay Monday- Thursday nights after going to various parks for the day, swimming, then put the kids in kids camp 4:30- ? To walk over to Epcot and enjoy F&W Events (Eat to the Beat concerts, etc.). How busy are weekday evenings during that time? I'm considering purchasing the Premium pass for those 4 nights to avoid huge crowds. We have Park Hoppers.

That sounds like a great plan...Weekdays are certainly less crowded than a Weekend for sure... Have for me..LoL

 

[Hikergirl]

I'll be going to my first F&W in Sept, can someone tell me what the premium pass is. Is it like fast passes for the food lines? Thanks!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'll be going to my first F&W in Sept, can someone tell me what the premium pass is. Is it like fast passes for the food lines? Thanks!

It includes seating area, an Illuminations dessert party, and a gift bag for around $200.

 

[Hikergirl]

It includes seating area, an Illuminations dessert party, and a gift bag for around $200.

Thank you! I did some researching and it sounds like something I'd like but may not be worth it if it only is good M-Th.

 

[FoodieFriend]

We will be at WDW 10/16-10/28 doing a split split stay at BLT 10/16-23 and then BCV 10/23-28.
Our plan is to go to F&W during our BCV stay Monday- Thursday nights after going to various parks for the day, swimming, then put the kids in kids camp 4:30- ? To walk over to Epcot and enjoy F&W Events (Eat to the Beat concerts, etc.). How busy are weekday evenings during that time? I'm considering purchasing the Premium pass for those 4 nights to avoid huge crowds. We have Park Hoppers.

For my 1st experience at F&WF, I decided to splurge & get the Premium Package for 4 adults & we really felt it was worth it just for the shaded seating areas. We really thought it was a great experience not having to wait in line or have to search for somewhere to sit & a place to put all of our plates. All of the CMs that were tending the booths were very nice & fun to chat with. Everyone will have their own opinion about the Premium Package, but we really felt it was worth it. I think you can see it as a time saver also because the CMs seem to have "front of the line" access & bring your food orders very quickly. There are other benefits with the package, but it's been varying over the past two years, so wait until it's released before deciding about it. in '15 it came with a food or beverage demonstration (you choose from what they allow you to use. We had a bacon seminar with a Disney Parks chef which included a glass of wine, sample of the dish & copy of the recipe) AND an Illuminations Dessert party (our party was different from most Illuminations Dessert parties. Our desserts were in the China pavillion & included champagne, non alcoholic drinks & lots of desserts that were from the booths, then we were escorted to a viewing area near the water's edge). We also got a swag bag which included a limited edition Magic Band, bottle of wine (white or red), wine glass, premium pass credential badge with lanyard, passport (blue instead of the regular maroon one).

Thank you! I did some researching and it sounds like something I'd like but may not be worth it if it only is good M-Th.

Yes, the Premium Package seating areas are only available M-Th. If that's not when you're planning to go to the festival, then it's not worth it. BUT if you were able to use it M-Th, it's awesome!

 

[smcabee]

Dont worry, Im sure the bean counters will come up with a way to charge more $$$ for a weekend premium package in the near future.

 

[DebbieB]

I was there around that time in 2014 and weeknights were not bad, short lines. I arrived on Saturday and it was crazy that night. Sunday less than Saturday.

 

[Hikergirl]

For my 1st experience at F&WF, I decided to splurge & get the Premium Package for 4 adults & we really felt it was worth it just for the shaded seating areas. We really thought it was a great experience not having to wait in line or have to search for somewhere to sit & a place to put all of our plates. All of the CMs that were tending the booths were very nice & fun to chat with. Everyone will have their own opinion about the Premium Package, but we really felt it was worth it. I think you can see it as a time saver also because the CMs seem to have "front of the line" access & bring your food orders very quickly. There are other benefits with the package, but it's been varying over the past two years, so wait until it's released before deciding about it. in '15 it came with a food or beverage demonstration (you choose from what they allow you to use. We had a bacon seminar with a Disney Parks chef which included a glass of wine, sample of the dish & copy of the recipe) AND an Illuminations Dessert party (our party was different from most Illuminations Dessert parties. Our desserts were in the China pavillion & included champagne, non alcoholic drinks & lots of desserts that were from the booths, then we were escorted to a viewing area near the water's edge). We also got a swag bag which included a limited edition Magic Band, bottle of wine (white or red), wine glass, premium pass credential badge with lanyard, passport (blue instead of the regular maroon one).



Yes, the Premium Package seating areas are only available M-Th. If that's not when you're planning to go to the festival, then it's not worth it. BUT if you were able to use it M-Th, it's awesome!

We'll be getting there Friday night and leaving late (hopefully) on Wednesday. I think based on your description I'm going to go for it. Even if we only get 3 days of it. It will be nice to know that I don't have to worry about seating, or the sun in the middle of the afternoon. I was considering the dessert party anyway so if its included that would be great. The bottle of wine and glass is good too LOL

Do you know when the pass typically goes on sale, and does it sell out fast?

 

[FoodieFriend]

We'll be getting there Friday night and leaving late (hopefully) on Wednesday. I think based on your description I'm going to go for it. Even if we only get 3 days of it. It will be nice to know that I don't have to worry about seating, or the sun in the middle of the afternoon. I was considering the dessert party anyway so if its included that would be great. The bottle of wine and glass is good too LOL

Do you know when the pass typically goes on sale, and does it sell out fast?

Booking it was a nightmare because the CMs on the phone had no idea how the package was supposed to be booked. ugh. there was a Disboard thread that I was following about it last year. I'm sorry I can't remember when it was released, maybe 2 months or less before the 1st weekend of the festival start? Even after booking it, I had to keep calling back to arrange the dessert party and the cooking demo. It ended up going well, but the stress PRIOR was tough for me as the trip planner. i have no idea if it was a sellout or not. maybe that would depend on when you were using it? We actually only used it for 3 of 4 days but it was still well worth it for our group! we had the package on the 2nd week of the festival, so we didn't run into many people using the Premium seating areas which was GREAT! we always had a shady place to sit & enjoy our food from the booths. I think we only had to wait for a seat at 1 of the areas on the very 1st day.

We did see a group of 4 gentlemen who seemed to have purchased the Premium Package on the 1st Monday because they were so upset about how long the food lines were. They were telling the CMs at the seating area near the Brazil booth how long the lines were & how the Premium seating area was much better than waiting, plus there was nowhere to sit & eat if they didn't pay for the seating area. That really made us appreciate having pre-purchased the package! If they were able to purchase it on the day of, maybe it wasn't sold out? I don't know how anyone would get stats on that, though...

Have a great time!! It was a great event & we would do it the exact same way the next time we attend the F&WF!!

 

[DizDaD7]

We'll be getting there Friday night and leaving late (hopefully) on Wednesday. I think based on your description I'm going to go for it. Even if we only get 3 days of it. It will be nice to know that I don't have to worry about seating, or the sun in the middle of the afternoon. I was considering the dessert party anyway so if its included that would be great. The bottle of wine and glass is good too LOL

Do you know when the pass typically goes on sale, and does it sell out fast?

FWIW, Depending on what week you're going in Sept. you may not have to purchase the premium, based on crowds...I realize that WDW keeps setting record attendances, but Sept. is typically one of the best months to visit....Crowd wise at least...So I'm guessing with all the southern schools back in session, and the rest of the country back in as of Labor Day, not many people pulling there kids out for a vacay, come Sept.

 

[Hikergirl]

FWIW, Depending on what week you're going in Sept. you may not have to purchase the premium, based on crowds...I realize that WDW keeps setting record attendances, but Sept. is typically one of the best months to visit....Crowd wise at least...So I'm guessing with all the southern schools back in session, and the rest of the country back in as of Labor Day, not many people pulling there kids out for a vacay, come Sept.

We will be there 9/16-9/21. I was worried that the start of F&W would be pretty crowded.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We will be there 9/16-9/21. I was worried that the start of F&W would be pretty crowded.

I think the two worst weekends are Columbus Day weekend and the Wine and Dine weekend, and probably also the weekend as the Food and Wine Classic and opening weekend.

 

[DizDaD7]

We will be there 9/16-9/21. I was worried that the start of F&W would be pretty crowded.

I would guess you're probably right, but more so on that Fri. & Sat. that you arrive.

 

[kdisser]

We actually ended up planning to where we will be in EPCOT on opening day Sept 14 (Wednesday I think..) is it more crowded opening day or the during the weekend?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We actually ended up planning to where we will be in EPCOT on opening day Sept 14 (Wednesday I think..) is it more crowded opening day or the during the weekend?

The weekends will always be the most crowded.

 

[kdisser]

The weekends will always be the most crowded.

I just wasn't for sure if we should plan for weekend crowds on opening day. I don't think it will be a problem, I was just wondering others experiences.