Old Odyssey restaurant

[KYMickey]

I noticed looking at the Food & Wine Festival events calendar that they're no longer using the former Odyssey restaurant building for any of the events. In the past it used to host most of the major events. Has this building deteriorated to the point is no longer usable for such events? They are now using the former Wonders of Life building in the World Showplace building in world showcase. It's too bad because the Odyssey had very convenient access and you can walk out and watch illuminations.

I suppose the Odyssey will just become another boarded vacant building to blight WDW.

 

[TDC Nala]

No. They moved all the Festival events to the former Wonders of Life pavilion. Odyssey is apparently still used for special events and I think they do or did some Grand Gathering stuff in there. The Grand Gatherings were cancelled during F&W last year because F&W was using the Odyssey. With WDW's current emphasis on families, and the effort they're putting out to get extended families to sign up, I could bet they didn't want to cancel any more grand gatherings.

 

[doconeill]

I took a peek in the front area of the Odyssey this past week while waiting by the bathrooms. It is untouched from what was there in December, although it didn't look any dirtier. The front area has a curtain going across, cutting off the rest of the area. In front of it is a small "bar" setup - two chest-like tables on wheels end to end with a hutch behind it with hanging wine or water goblets. Another of the tables was off to the side. To the right of the curtain, near the right-side doors, is a large sign for Illuminations.

It appears set up almost like a short-term reception area, perhaps for the Grand Gatherings.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

The Odyssey building is still used for Grand Gathering events such as the International Dinner & Illuminations Dessert Reception. It's also used for private functions. I attended one there last October for the Epcot 25 celebration. The building is by no means detoriating. In fact, it closed for about two weeks at the beginning of the year for a small refurbishment.

 

[KYMickey]

I am certainly disappointed that they're not using it for Food & Wine. It's a much better facility than either of the ones being used now. I guess they're just trying to kill the festival like they have so many other things.

 

[jfinke]

I am certainly disappointed that they're not using it for Food & Wine. It's a much better facility than either of the ones being used now. I guess they're just trying to kill the festival like they have so many other things.

Haven't they been expanding the FWF? That is partly why we stopped going in the fall. It became so large and so long and brought in a lot of people. It used to be this nice intimate event (as much as one can be at Epcot). Now, it is like going to a city fair.

 

[doconeill]

Haven't they been expanding the FWF? That is partly why we stopped going in the fall. It became so large and so long and brought in a lot of people. It used to be this nice intimate event (as much as one can be at Epcot). Now, it is like going to a city fair.

Which is why I think they've moved out of the Odyssey and into WoL - they needed more space. And the Odyssey can continue to be used for GGs and such without interference from F&W.

 

[TDC Nala]

Haven't they been expanding the FWF? That is partly why we stopped going in the fall. It became so large and so long and brought in a lot of people. It used to be this nice intimate event (as much as one can be at Epcot). Now, it is like going to a city fair.

This year there was a sharp curtailment in the free seminars and special paid events offered.

At a guess (and it's only a guess), within a couple of years the Food and Wine Festival will probably still exist, but will consist of only the World Showcase kiosks and maybe the Party for the Senses and perhaps other large-scale walkaround events - no more small intimate meal events.

 

[jfinke]

Hmm.. Interesting... Oh well.. The one year we really enjoyed it was right before it hit its peak I think. 2004 maybe?

 

[DisFlan]

I remember eating in the restaurant at the Odyssey. We peeked in the door when we were there a couple of weeks ago - it's sort of a sad building now. I wish they'd do something more interesting with it, but short of tearing it down, I can't think of what. It always seemed to be a bit out of the main flow of traffic to be a good place for a restaurant.

DisFlan

 

[ClareH37]

Does anyone remember the brunch they used to do there during the flower festival - I think it was called something like 'food amongst the flowers' - we went there in May 2001, fabulous food (buffet) and it was gorgeously decorated with fresh flowers everywhere.

Wish they'd start doing that again

 

[KYMickey]

This year there was a sharp curtailment in the free seminars and special paid events offered.

At a guess (and it's only a guess), within a couple of years the Food and Wine Festival will probably still exist, but will consist of only the World Showcase kiosks and maybe the Party for the Senses and perhaps other large-scale walkaround events - no more small intimate meal events.

I definitely agree with your analysis. F&W used to be a small classy event where you could sample and learn about some of the great wines of the world. It now has diminished to a point where most of the wines served are much lower quality and the events themselves are no longer a treat to attend. We no longer even bother attending most years because the value and enjoyment are gone. Sadly F&W continues to diminish in quality and the crowds continue to climb so it is actually probably making Disney executives very happy. Its intent is no longer to educate about wine, its sole purpose now is to get people through the gates!

 

[doconeill]

I forgot - last December I snapped a picture of the inside of the Odyssey from around the corner. It is on the "What Is That Place? - Epcot" page on my web site, in my signature.

As of this past week, it looked exactly the same.

 

[Chuck S]

Does anyone remember the brunch they used to do there during the flower festival - I think it was called something like 'food amongst the flowers' - we went there in May 2001, fabulous food (buffet) and it was gorgeously decorated with fresh flowers everywhere.

Wish they'd start doing that again

I loved Food Among the Flowers. We were able to go two years before it was discontinued. I wish they'd bring it back, too. Flowers, live entertainment (instrumental quartet one year, harpist the next) lovely.

 

[suzimar57]

the F&W has really "grown" since it started - it's become extremely crowded, the offerings are more expensive and it does seem more like a "fair" instead of how it was originally: a smaller, more intimate festival

we used to go every year, but after last year, no more - crowds (in october, when we went) were out of control during the afternoon weekdays - weekends were much worse - we're visiting during december for a change this year - still miss grazing the booths....