Food & Wine--when to go?

[twinsouvenirs]

Trying to determine whether Epcot Food & Wine is basically going strong from the first to the last day or if there are better weekends than others. Planning future years trips...I know we'll want to do Christmas some year, Epcot Food & Wine, Star Wars weekends... what are the other 'biggies?'

 

[OKW Lover]

Crowd-wise you'll do better to avoid opening and closing weekends. For that matter, avoid all weekends and go during the week if possible.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I enjoy Flower and Garden time at Epcot! Flower Power Concerts are only Fridays to Sundays now, but they did add food booths this past year. I go to workshops and enjoy the topiaries. I've also done the behind the scene F&G tour!

 

[brertoad]

In the past, the last weekends of F&W have been hellish. As PP said, weekends are going to be peak attendance, and if you can go during the week it would be less crowded.

I recall many times having to wait in very long lines to use the bathroom. It's not often we (as annual passholders) see this level of crowdedness; having to wait through 15 people ahead of you and full stalls to use the restroom is annoying. I've actually had to go searching for a bathroom in an emergency, and skipped over Japan because they have a small 3 stall bathroom, and went down to Germany because they have a large maybe 10 stall sized bathroom and the line would go faster. Alcohol goes right through me. Bring your adult diapers...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Little known fact (and I probably shouldn't share it....)

Last year they put in temporary restrooms at the America Pavilion. They were on the "access" road in between America and Japan (It looks like you are going back stage but there were signs back there directing you.)

I would see HUGE lines for the bathrooms in the America pavilion, but no one in the "temporary" restrooms (they were not porta potties, they were in big trailers) They had signs but I guess folks can't (or won't) read LOL!

Don't know if they will have them this year, but it's worth paying attention and looking!

Now I generally just skip weekends. This year on Saturday I will spend the day by the pool at BCV prior to heading into Epcot for PFTS.... So the only time I have to deal with the crowds is the short walk from IG to PFTS (and I leave during Illuminations which is a breeze!)

 

[DizDays]

When you're checking weekends for F&W, make sure to see when the marathons or 1/2 marathons are. These really up the number of people and also book things out faster. Just something to consider. We try to avoid marathon weekends at all costs (unless you're a runner - friends of our love these events).

 

[blueferral]

@Brertoad my five year old DS just saw the mickey bar in your signature and said, "Oh, that's the yummiest thing in the world!"

 

[Missyrose]

Avoid weekends at all costs. Go during the week (on non-EMH days preferably). Lunchtime will always be less crowded than dinner.