Help for a Newbie

[Poppins2010]

I am a West Coastie so have Disneyland experience, but in Florida, not so much.
It turns out that I am slated to go to a work convention in Orlando the last weekend in October, and I have 1 day for the parks. (I'm looking at it as a cup half full... 1 day is better than nothing?)
I'd love to see Epcot. I'm a little confused about the Food and Wine festival. Does this increase crowds? is being there on this Saturday even doable? Does it mean that we will not need dinner reservations as we will be grazing around the World?
Any help is appreciated!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Epcot is likely to be very crowded on a Saturday during F&W, but I’m sure you’ll still have fun.

 

[hiroMYhero]

is being there on this Saturday even doable?

Plan to be in World Showcase at 11:00a and have a plan.

A reservation for dinner will help you avoid long lines at the booths after grazing for lunch.

The F&W info can be found here:
2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 30 to November 12, 2018

 

[DCLPrincess]

Saturday is the most crowed day for F&W but if that was the only day I could go I would do it. I usually don't book a meal and just eat at the kiosks. They have so much good stuff.

 

[Tomh]

I would listen to what hiroMYhero says . . . hiro knows best

 

[Magical2017]

I'd do it. Epcot is huge and will provide a different experience that DL. It is always crowded on F and W weekends,, but it is a great park.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I second what hiroMYhero says... and add the thought of getting to Epcot at or before rope drop to get in Future World before heading to the World Showcase at 11am. Come hungry and start grazing for lunch. Spend a few minutes ahead of time reviewing the menus to pick out a few "must tries". Yes, the Saturday crowds will build, especially in the evening, but if you are there early you will be ahead of them.

 

[gap2368]

yes go have fun it will be crowded but you will have fun make sure you book your FP and pick up a food and wine book when you get there and look thought it mark things you would like to try you do not really have to have a dinner reservation but Epcot does have some amazing places to eat ( they have an EPCOT after 4 pass for FL residents because so many people love to go have dinner there, also check out what concert is going on that weekend

just know it will be crowded you will wait in line to get food ( I would say an average of 10-15 minutes sometimes more sometimes less) the latter in the day world showcase will get more crowded so go to world showcase at 11 and pane for world showcase to pick up around 4pm until park closes.

 

[Wild4Walt]

We did Epcot on Saturday a few years back when the F & W had really picked up speed. It was busy, lunch time was very crowded but aside from that hour and a half, it was pleasant. I was still able to get around without issue and the lines for the food booths were manageable. I'd go but are Hiromyhero said - have a plan and I, too, would recommend getting an ADR for either lunch or dinner to get out of the crowd for a bit.