Need advice from Food & Wine Veterans

[opal]

Dh and I will be in Fl for what was to be a non-Disney vacation. That is until dh asks what I would like for my upcoming 50th b-day and our 25th annv. Both are within a few weeks of each other and our trip. We visit WDW every year, but have never been to Food & Wine.... To make a long story short, we are now booked at the Swan 11/4 - 1/8 Here's where I need help. I have read the threads talking about how crowded it can be for Food and Wine and Jersey week. Dh loves Disney......just not quite the same way dd and I do. I'm hoping to arrive early enough on the 4th to visit a park. Which day/days would you Food and Wine veterans recommend. This is our first Food & Wine visit. (I'm hoping to make many more!!!) We are not booking any of the events, we just want to eat and drink our way around the World.

 

[bunnymkc]

Have been to 2 of them and never had a problem with any days we went. Epcot is able to swallow people and not make it seem as crowded as the other parks. My advice is go whenever you want and enjoy your special trip..MarianneHAPPY BIRTHDAY AND ALSO HAPPY ANNIVERSERY!!! HAVE FUN

 

[cleo]

I've never had problems at Food and Wine Festival either. But Friday is generally a slow day at Epcot so you may want to go then.

 

[Livie's Mommy]

I have never been Jersey week, so I can't comment there. I have not seen the F & W Fest. make a huge difference on the crowds at EPCOT.

 

[eeyore45]

, we are now booked at the Swan 11/4 - 1/8

Somebody has to ask - are you going for 4 days or 3 MONTHS!!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!

We celebrated 24 years last week, and will celebrate again in Oct for F&W - we're going to do a Party for the Senses, and enjoy the delicacies around Epcot a couple of times!!

We live near Chicago, and Chicago has ChicgoFest, so I figure Epcot cant be any worse - so my expectations, are, some lines, some lines are worth it!!

Keep watching, you know everyone that goes will come back and report (isnt it mandatory??? )

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We go every year just for the F&W Festival and it's never crowded. The Unofficial Guide recommends visiting Epcot on the weekends as most weekend visitors hit MK and a lot of class trips hit Epcot during the week and especially on Friday.

Honestly though, we go every day to Epcot in late October and never find it crowded.

Happy Birthday and Enjoy!

 

[ElmosMom44]

Can't speak for the whether or not any day is less crowded than another. I will offer my advice on visiting the festival. Don't make any lunch or dinner reservations. We ate at Mexico the last time we were there and while it was very good, I feel like I missed soem good things at the festival. We were just too full form lunch! Pick a starting point and check the menu at the festival booth. Try to find a food item and at least one wine to try at each booth. The portions of both food and wine are small enough that 2 people can share them and by the end of the day you will have had enough. Maybe you won't be able to try wine at every booth!

 

[opal]

Yikes! I wish I was going for 3 months. But I will happlily settle for 4 days since it was not in the original plan. We plan to spend most of our time in Epcot but will have hopper passes so there will probably be short visits to the other parks to do our favorites and maybe check out the emh and see if they are as bad as I have heard. Dd and I were there in Jan during the first week emh were offered in the evening. Even though that is traditionally a slow time, we found it to be extremely crowded. We have not booked meal ressies because we want to enjoy the Food & Wine offerings. Both dh and I enjoy our wine!!! I'm relieved to hear that Epcot does not seem overly crowded during Food & Wine.......that increases my chances of yet another visit in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[dvcgirl]

We go every year just for the F&W Festival and it's never crowded. The Unofficial Guide recommends visiting Epcot on the weekends as most weekend visitors hit MK and a lot of class trips hit Epcot during the week and especially on Friday.

Honestly though, we go every day to Epcot in late October and never find it crowded.

Happy Birthday and Enjoy!

While it may be true that it's a good idea to hit Epcot during the weekend normally, it's definitely not a good idea to visit on the weekends during Food and Wine! Very crowded due to locals going over. If you'd like to hit the F&W booths, definitely shoot for Mon-Thurs

 

[chyam]

While it may be true that it's a good idea to hit Epcot during the weekend normally, it's definitely not a good idea to visit on the weekends during Food and Wine! Very crowded due to locals going over. If you'd like to hit the F&W booths, definitely shoot for Mon-Thurs

Was going to say the same thing......weekends are defineately more crowded at EPCOT during the festivals, since many locals are also passholders and go especially for the concerts, Although the band that is going to be there is not someone I am familiar with so don't know if they will be popular or not. But my advice unless you want to see that particular concert is to go during the week.............and yes don't plan on eating a big meal, there is so much to taste and sample from booth to booth! Cheddar cheese soup here I come!!!

 

[ncbyrne]

I was there with my grown DD and 2 DGDs last year during Jersey Week. While it was definitely more crowded on Saturday it was still manageable. I liked it so much that just DH and I are going back alone this year again from Oct 13-24. We are going to visit Epcot at least three times and probably more.

 

[Rpsemont]

If you're going as "just adults" I would allow for spending lots of time in Epcot. They have great free wine tasting seminars and cooking demonstrations - the only catch is that you have to get in line to get in - usually 20-45 minutes during the week, maybe earlier on weekends. Since you're not going until the first week of November, you'll have lots of time to "study" the schedule before you go. There are some Someliers (Wine gurus) that are very good and entertaining and some that may not be. (we went to a wine tasting on wines from Spain last year that I thought was a real sleeper - JMHO. And I would plan to eat every meal in Epcot - just by walking around the booths and sampling. This will be our 4th year and I'm planning to take a full seven days to try everything. While I know you were not planning on any ticketed events, is you were to do just one, my vote would be for Party for the Senses. 20 chefs, 20 vineyards, one big cocktail party. If you enjoy trying new food and tasting wines, it's well worth it.
This year DH and I are going for 2 days alone before DD and BIL arrive. I can't wait!