Question about Food &Wine Pairings & Luncheons

Dancind

Tinkerbell's Mom
Joined
Jul 25, 2001
Messages
7,730
This will be our first trip to the Food & Wine Festival, and we're very excited. We are trying to decide if we should do one of the special luncheons, or the food and wine pairings. We've been looking at the ones listed on the internet, and the one at Coral Reef sounds the most to our liking. It's an afternoon tasting. So my question: has anyone done these, and was it worth the $$? The Party of the Senses is of course sold out, though some luncheons are still available. Second question, what does our 13 year old DD do while we are eating and drinking? Can she order something off the menu? Thanks!
 
Originally posted by Dancind
This will be our first trip to the Food & Wine Festival, and we're very excited. We are trying to decide if we should do one of the special luncheons, or the food and wine pairings. We've been looking at the ones listed on the internet, and the one at Coral Reef sounds the most to our liking. It's an afternoon tasting. So my question: has anyone done these, and was it worth the $$? The Party of the Senses is of course sold out, though some luncheons are still available.
Most of the special lunch-n-learns, pairings, and dinners were sold out on the first day that reservations opened (July 20, 2004, for the 2004 F&W Festival) -- many in the first hour. So, before you get your hopes up about a specific event, call Disney Dining.

If all events are sold out, don't give up. There will be cancellations. At the time that we booked (on July 20), we were told the events would be billed to our credit card in August. So far, no charges have hit our card. But when people who booked many events get their credit card bills next month, some are likely to get sticker shock and cancel some of those events. So you should call back often.

In past years, the Party for the Senses was one of the easiest events to book. That's because each Party has a capacity of hundreds of people. In fact, last year they were still taking bookings during the week of the event. I'm sure there will be cancellations, as people see $202.35 per couple hit their credit card.

In answer to your question, "was it worth the $$?" the answer is a qualified yes. The qualification is that the events are not cheap, so someone who is looking for lots of food at a modest price would do better elsewhere. But if you like food and wine, and you want to learn more about both, the F&W Festival events are great fun. And, as indicated by how quickly they book up despite the prices, they're worth the $$ to many people.
Originally posted by Dancind
Second question, what does our 13 year old DD do while we are eating and drinking? Can she order something off the menu? Thanks!
Nope. DD13 will need to go elsewhere. With a younger child, that could be a problem. But if your DD13 is a responsible child who will follow your rules, you could "set her free" in Epcot for the duration of the event. She might really enjoy the freedom.
 
Wow, a party for the senses is already sold out. I hope its not ours:D It will be real crowded.

Anyway, last year we did the Coral Reef tastings and it was well worth it. This year it looks like it is only three courses :( . Last couple of years itwas four.

Anyway, we had the same concern last year but our (then 12 yo DD) enjoyed herself on MS and TT. This year we are planning to do the same thing.

Ed
 
I moved your question over here hoping some of the great dining experts here can give you some more feedback. Danny
 















Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top