How crowded is Epcot during a saturday afternoon during F/W?

[captaindavidhook]

I was curious since I have never been to Food and Wine, how crowded does it get on an early Saturday from say 11 am to about 4 pm? I have read crowds are awful on weekends there. Also what time does the event for F/W open time wise?

 

[maxiesmom]

It will be busy and get even more busy as the night goes on.

 

[captaindavidhook]

It will be busy and get even more busy as the night goes on.

So your saying it is a bad ideal to maybe go there on a Saturday.

 

[Claire82013]

I would avoid Saturday if possible. If it's not possible, go when World Showcase opens and leave before nighttime. I went in 2016 on a Saturday evening/night. It was hard to move around, lines were long, people were pretty drunk, and I even saw a fist fight that had to be separated by security. Another tip is to check when colleges have discounts. I believe FSU and UF have discounts for students and alumni on certain days. The Saturday I went was one of those days.

 

[nacho113]

I was curious since I have never been to Food and Wine, how crowded does it get on an early Saturday from say 11 am to about 4 pm? I have read crowds are awful on weekends there. Also what time does the event for F/W open time wise?

My son and I TRIED this in 2015.
It was our only day for Disney (and a Saturday), so we had planned to Rope Drop at HS, Lunch at the MK for the afternoon and then head over to Epcot around 4pm to sort of graze our way around the F&W festival...BIG MISTAKE.
All went well in the morning HS was great, TSMM right at RD (8am), hit ST 3 times, RnR twice single rider and ToT even did muppets.
Arrived MK before 11am,used our FP+s for the headliners and walked on to all our other favorites.
Arrived Epcot about 3:30...OMG it was busy. Judging by the number of people streaming in through the gates, many had the same idea of "grazing the festival" as we had planned.
Walked to World Showcase and it was just a sea of people. After waiting in line for our first pairing for almost 30 minutes, we gave up and fought the crowds out of the park and had a leisurely supper and evening in the MK.

I would say, unless it's an absolute "must do" and Saturday is the only day you can fit it in, then go for it but be prepared for some nasty crowds (think Christmas week almost). Plan to go early and get out before the crowds really get crazy in the afternoon/evening.

If you can reschedule it to another day, I really would recommend it, perhaps a Monday or Tuesday.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Last year I went into Epcot at 2pm on a Saturday in September just to snack at a couple of booths at the F&W Festival. I had gone earlier in the week and it was nice.
It was horrible crowds Saturday and hard to move in areas. I hate to think how bad it got later in the day.
I entered through the international gateway and went to France, Morocco and then couldn't take the crowds anymore so I turned around and went to UK and Canada before giving up and going MK instead.

It was too much for me.

 

[captaindavidhook]

As I'm the original poster of this thread, all my game plan was to go there from 11 am to about 330 pm then leave. If all of you are saying and it sure sounds like it, then anytime spent there on a Saturday is a bad ideal. One quick question along with everything else I've asked, does it really matter if I'm solo not or it just will be kind of a frustrating first time experience there. Thank you in advance.

 

[Shanti]

PP have described severe crowds, and long lines to get offerings. Those would be the same whether or not you had a companion.

 

[lovethattink]

Saturday is the worse day for F&W.

 

[mustinjourney]

I was curious since I have never been to Food and Wine, how crowded does it get on an early Saturday from say 11 am to about 4 pm? I have read crowds are awful on weekends there. Also what time does the event for F/W open time wise?

weekdays are like:

saturdays are more like:

 

[helenm29]

If you go as soon as the Food and wine opens in August you might stand a chance of getting around on a Saturday...also, if you go in November but any other time you will have to fight the crowds! lots and lots of locals come on the weekends so we don't even bother unless we have reserved specialty things. Whenever you come, don't be intimidated! go slow and enjoy!

 

[captaindavidhook]

I'm going late September

 

[stinkpickle]

If you have to go on a Saturday, go early, leave early, and pray for bad weather.

 

[Hopefully]

We have been going to F&W for the last 15 years sometime in October. We now NEVER GO on a Saturday. Period. It is unpleasant.

 

[randumb0]

I've gone on plenty of Saturdays. Yes it will be busy, but very manageable during the time of day that you are looking to go.

 

[gogo]

Hope OP doesn't mind my asking, are Fridays as crowded as Saturdays. I'll be there the first two days of the festival, August 31st and Sept. 1st (which is Friday)? I've never been to this event before, so I'm looking forward to attending both days. TIA

 

[loves to dive]

First as to going solo, I've been going solo for the last 4 years and have no problems with it. I do at least one food and wine pairing meal and the rest of the time I'm doing booths and the little deminars given in the festival center. I go for anywhere from 4 to 6 days and to to Epcot every day for at least 2 or 3 hours. I have been on Saturday many times and while the later the day goes on, the more crowded it does get, I didn't find it unbearable and I've evidently been lucky because while I've seen people who have been having a good time, I've never seen anyone out of control. I think your plan for the hours you are thinking about should be fine. Oh, I go in Sept. if that makes a difference.

 

[randumb0]

Hope OP doesn't mind my asking, are Fridays as crowded as Saturdays. I'll be there the first two days of the festival, August 31st and Sept. 1st (which is Friday)? I've never been to this event before, so I'm looking forward to attending both days. TIA

Friday nights are bad. An easy way to look at it is locals look forward to F&W. The days we'd most likely attend would be Friday nights and weekends.

 

[DWillowBay]

Busy, for sure!

 

[MischaOz]

Is the crowding mostly in World Showcase or is Future World affected as well? Thanks!