is this true?

[sdoll]

I have always wanted to go to Epcot during the Food and Wine fest. This year we are there for the first day only. I have heard that it is super busy but I have also heard that the tents and vendors will be able to serve you the week prior to the official first day. Is this true? We are there Sept 19-26 I would love to spend our time meandering the different booths I would hate to feel rushed on our last night.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

It is pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights when I was in WDW in the past during the event. We went on Saturday night and heard back at the hotel Friday night was crazy busy also. The 25th is a Friday night so maybe during the day while locals are at work you would be ok. I don't think it should stop you from going though, you should at least try and check it out and if it is too busy, you can leave. You should just have a back up plan for the evening.

 

[abc999]

We left last year the day before F&W and there were no booths opened yet. A couple of days before we left, we had an early ADR at Akershus and we saw groups of CMs walking through the world showcase and we were talking to a couple of them and they were still finalizing the setup.

 

[Neesy228]

We left last year the day before F&W and there were no booths opened yet. A couple of days before we left, we had an early ADR at Akershus and we saw groups of CMs walking through the world showcase and we were talking to a couple of them and they were still finalizing the setup.

We had a similar experience. There were a lot of things set up and people training for the openings, but nothing was open prior to the official start of F&W. Sorry

 

[disnut8]

This is from my trip report from last year. The date was Thursday, September 25, 2008.

"I noticed that the Food and Wine Festival booths were all doing business tonight. The official opening was tomorrow which was the reason I wanted to see Illuminations tonight. I thought we wouldn't have the crowds. Oh well, we'd have to deal with it."

 

[cdepauli]

I was there last year, and the booths opened the day before - Thursday - not the week before. It was just as busy that day too, since they've been doing that for a few years.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Thursday is a soft opening and practice day.
2) CM's are invited to go and not have it count against their allotted days.
3) There is no other early opening days.
4) And, yes, it is mobbed on the first Friday.

 

[DisDeac]

Last year the evening before F&W official opening I just happened to be walking around World Showcase and noticed booths were opened. One thing not set up were the large menus, there were only small print paper size menus in a stand which people in line had to pass around so guests could see what the booth offered. I'll have to say I was a little worried what with cost cutting measures that Disney had gone from the big menus to a piece of paper, but a CM said just hadn't had time to put out the regular menus.

DisDeac

 

[WriteDisney]

This is from my trip report from last year. The date was Thursday, September 25, 2008.

"I noticed that the Food and Wine Festival booths were all doing business tonight. The official opening was tomorrow which was the reason I wanted to see Illuminations tonight. I thought we wouldn't have the crowds. Oh well, we'd have to deal with it."

That was our first day last year... we noticed this at Epcot as well.. that the booths were open early.

 

[aurorae]

If Food and Wine is important to you, start your walk around the World early, when World Showcase first opens. Most people will still be inline at Soarin' or Test Track.

For the first hour or so, the lines at the food booths tend to be pretty short, until the crowd level builds.

 

[enchantingodin]

I'm going opening day as well. A few things that might ease your mind. F! is showing at HS, MNSSHP is going on at MK, and AK has evening EMH until 8pm. I hoping HOPING that means that most of the 'on site' guests will be dispersed into the other 3 parks. Originally Epcot was only supposed to be open until 8pm on 9/25, but I looked again recently and they did extend it to it's normal 9pm closing time. Even still thats only about 3-4 hours to be there for the locals. Being a former one myself - to me it doesn't seem worth the effort. Not sure what if any events for F&WF are going on the night other than Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is playing.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I was there last year, and the booths opened the day before - Thursday - not the week before. It was just as busy that day too, since they've been doing that for a few years.

I concur, but it was soft opening. Not all the booths were open, and not all the food/drink options were available.

On the flip - if you are onthe dining plan - it was a great way to use snack credits! Many places let you use snack credits for items that were over $4 cash price. Lucky for us, we had some.

WE went to Epcot that Thursday and Friday. It was crowded at the booths at night, but the rest of the park all day was not bad. Another year, we went on a weekend towards the middle or end of F&W and it was PACKED at every booth. WE skipped most of them that year.

You could also sign up for one of the more formal events. There are many to choose from.

One other thing I'll comment on...well, F&W at night is the least child appropriate location in all the parks. There is lots of alcohol for starters. Last year F&W coinsided withthe close to PI - so maybe that was part of it - but we saw lots of folks dressed like they were at a club, not a family amusement park. High heels, spandex, exposed flesh, body jewelry, leather, gold lame (that's lom-MAY - a gold colored stretchy fabric - I don't know how to add an accent mark to a word here). It was crazy! the other year we went eh attire was not so crazy, but the drunk behavior (and all that entails) was just as obvious. I'm no prude, and there were still plenty of families there, but it's just not quite what you normally see in WDW.