Party for the Senses 2010 ??

[scottie]

Never been to the food and wine festival before, but we had a nice conversation with Chef Lee Lucier in Hilton Head this past week and he suggested we attend. He talked up the Party for the Senses, so the group of us want to look into attending that event. We have some questions that I am hoping someone can help with:

-What goes on at the Party for the Senses?
-For those with past experience, did you find the Party well worth the cost?
-What day(s) does the Party for the Senses take place?
-When should we expect 2010 dates/tickets to be released?
-Any idea on the cost to attend the Party?
-Is a EPCOT admission also required to attend the Party?

 

[TDC Nala]

-What goes on at the Party for the Senses?

It is a little like the World Showcase kiosks (different stations, each serving a different item to taste), except 1) it's indoors; 2) you pay one price and get all the food samples you can eat and all the wine samples you can drink; 3) celebrity, restaurant and Disney chefs are available to dish out their samples, which are usually of a somewhat higher quality than the mass-produced ones served at the kiosks.

-For those with past experience, did you find the Party well worth the cost?

Yes.

-What day(s) does the Party for the Senses take place?

The party is always Saturday evenings (except for one year there was one party on a Friday as the World Showplace was in use for something else on Saturday).

-When should we expect 2010 dates/tickets to be released?

The booking date is 7/20/10. Schedules should be out before that.

-Any idea on the cost to attend the Party?

Last year it was $135 per person with an optional $75 add on for the Wine View Room, an exclusive area (fenced off) where guests got everything the party offered plus a full bar, special gifts and guaranteed seating (the party is "cocktail party" style and if you do not pay for the Wine View Room there is no guaranteed seating). The price will either stay the same or go up for 2010, I think there's no chance it will go down.

Is a EPCOT admission also required to attend the Party?

Yes.

 

[safetymom]

We did it two years ago. I don't think it is worth the money.

 

[BriarRosie]

We did it two years ago. I don't think it is worth the money.

Based on my multiple experiences over the years with Party for the Senses, Kathy, I have to agree with you that 2008 was not a good year for PFTS. I believe Disney comped too many admissions, making the venue more crowded than in prior years. Much of it with the Year of A Million Dreams comps.

I actually skipped PFTS in 2009 because I was wary of going back after the 2008 experience. My friends, who are braver than I am, also PFTS veterans, told me 2009 was improved. I plan on going back again this year.