Is there anything to "plan" for food and wine?

[daisyx3]

We just booked a 3 night trip in October to visit my daughter, who will be in the CP program. We will be at BLT.
I would like to just wander around Epcot one of the days because I've never been in October and I'd like to check out the Food and Wine festival. We will have APs so tickets aren't an issue. I know Sunday night I'd like to go to MNSSHP so this would probably be Monday. Of course some of this depends on where she works (which we won't know until she checks in in August) and when she works that weekend.
Am I missing something by thinking I can just leisurely browse around? I realize there will be lines, but if I'm not worried about rides or anything there isn't the usual pressure, right?
Daisyx3

 

[OKW Lover]

IMHO, the best time to do F&W is during the week. Plan on hitting Epcot's World Showcase right at 11:00 am and be gone by 4:00 pm. That's when the lowest crowd levels will be. In the evenings and on weekends, the locals flock to the park.

 

[JennyDrake]

IMHO, the best time to do F&W is during the week. Plan on hitting Epcot's World Showcase right at 11:00 am and be gone by 4:00 pm. That's when the lowest crowd levels will be. In the evenings and on weekends, the locals flock to the park.

Ditto!

The other thing I would "plan" is to spend more money than you think and I'm not being snarky. I'm a hard core foodie but I'm not much of a drinker at all yet I went through $75 in less than a day (11-4) and a half. If alcohol is in the picture, you can just watch your money grow wings and fly!

F&W gets VERY crowded on weekends. Ex: at 2 pm at the Canada booth there were over 40 people in line.

One last tip is to get a Disney gift card or F&W gift card to use to pay--MUCH easier and keeps the line moving rather than using your wallet (like I did the first year.)

 

[purple figment]

Along with the food and beverage kiosks there will be daily activities ranging from free (Eat to the Beat concerts and some exhibits) to paid activities (inexpensive seminars to expensive dinners, lunches and parties). The hasn't been a lot of info on this year's F&W yet, but here's a site with plenty of info on last year's festival (scroll part way down the page for the 2013 info):
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2014-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/

 

[schmcktgt]

I have to agree with JennyDrake. You can spend a lot of money very easily at F&W. A little of this, a little of that, a drink or two, and some dessert all adds up fast! Plan on sharing so you can try a bigger variety. And have fun!

 

[robndani]

Another thing I've noticed is that the lines tend to be inconsistent, so don't worry about skipping something and coming back later. The lines go from huge to short (or the opposite) constantly.

Also, If you're planning on being there when it opens at 11:00, walk to the middle first, rather than starting with the first kiosk like so many others will do.

ENJOY, it's awesome!

 

[xie]

Bring lots of money, and good walking shoes, and if you're planning on touring WS during the day, sunscreen and a hat. You'll be standing in a lot of lines...

 

[jcmaro]

Enjoy! The food really is awesome!

 

[Art 1]

We just booked a 3 night trip in October to visit my daughter, who will be in the CP program. We will be at BLT.
I would like to just wander around Epcot one of the days because I've never been in October and I'd like to check out the Food and Wine festival. We will have APs so tickets aren't an issue. I know Sunday night I'd like to go to MNSSHP so this would probably be Monday. Of course some of this depends on where she works (which we won't know until she checks in in August) and when she works that weekend.
Am I missing something by thinking I can just leisurely browse around? I realize there will be lines, but if I'm not worried about rides or anything there isn't the usual pressure, right?
Daisyx3

That's pretty much how I go, just walk around with friends and hang out.

 

[glamdring269]

It just depends on you really. The crowds at night during F&W didn't really bother me last year and tbh I really enjoyed it much more at night than during the day. I liked walking around having a beer or two, sampling the food, making a stop at the stage to watch Sugar Ray, etc. It was a good way to end each night for us.

 

[xie]

Oh, and maybe some Prilosec or something. Partly because it's easy to eat and drink a bit too much at F&W (a bite of this, a bite of that, and when you paid $7 for it, you feel bad throwing it away). And partly because half the point is to eat things you don't normally eat, and you never know how your tummy's going to like that.

 

[McLaughlinS]

Yes, you need to find out the dimensions of the trashcans at Epcot so you can sew a personalized table cloth trashcan covers with flatware pockets.