Questions for F&W pros!!

[Aristomommy]

Our current plan would arrive us to WDW during the last weekend of the F&W festival. DH and I love fine dining, wine and trying new cuisine. Last time, in 2005, we sampled from the booths scattered around world showcase which left us a bit underwhelmed. There were no "visuals" of the dishes offered and sometimes what we envisioned the dish to be, was quite the opposite. Anyway, I'm hoping for a better experience this time. I have a few questions:

1. Any events we could attend the last weekend that are kid friendly?
2. What are your favorite countries to sample from?
3. What have been your favorite events/things to do?
4 How much time do you reserve in Epcot?

 

[Hopefully]

We must not be as much of "foodies" as you are, as we enjoyed trying the food booths. We had some things we liked a lot, and some we didn't like at all. But we enjoyed the experience. So my thoughts may not match your needs.
We usually reserve 2 days/evenings for the F & W festival. On one of those days we do nothing but "Nosh Around the World" for our food. On the other we will usually have a CS lunch and Nosh for dinner. So you see, we do like the food in WS.
The special events are posted today here on the DIS. I personally don't think any of them look kid friendly, but I haven't attended them personally.
I hope you enjoy the F & W fest this year.

 

[dcgrumpy]

There were no "visuals" of the dishes offered and sometimes what we envisioned the dish to be, was quite the opposite.

really, that stinks. We haven't been since 2004 and then they had a sample of everything on display.

 

[ghidorah97]

Unfortunately from past experience, I wouldn't say that any of the special events are kid friendly. It has been, admittedly, a couple years since we've attended due to the arrival of our own DD, so perhaps I could be wrong, although I doubt it.

Ever considered trying a babysitting service so that you could attend one of the other events?

 

[yearbook50]

1. Any events we could attend the last weekend that are kid friendly?
2. What are your favorite countries to sample from?
3. What have been your favorite events/things to do?
4 How much time do you reserve in Epcot?

One event that is the most kid friendly would be Sweet Sundays. Generally, the only 'value' you are missing by bringing a child is one glass of wine that you get for the brunch.

 

[TDC Nala]

The special events are not planned or orchestrated with children in mind. I have seen young children at the Party for the Senses (which would cost $135 per person for admission this year, even for children) but not any of the others, although sometimes there are teens attending the pairings; they are not given wine. I have not done a Sweet Sunday since the first time they were offered.

 

[yearbook50]

Last year when I went to the Sweet Sundays there were about 3 younger children in the group and a few teenagers. They were very well behaved too.

At the last weekend of events, its Warren Brown from the Food Network. Looking at his reviews from last year, it seems that his desserts are not too exotic for a child (unlike some of the creative fruit dishes which some children would be turned off by)

Sweet Sundays would be one of the few events I would even consider bring a child too.

I think, for the most part, stick to the booths, if you want to do that one event it would be fun.

 

[TDC Nala]

I remembered from reading through the events, there is a Chefs A'Field event that this year will be run with the featured chef doing a culinary demonstration accompanied by his or her child.

This doesn't mean the event is intended for children. The format is a three-course lunch, with wine served (obviously only the adults would get wine). And the price is prohibitive - $135 per person, plus tax. As far as I know they do not discount the price for underage attendees.

 

[ImprovGal]

I remembered from reading through the events, there is a Chefs A'Field event that this year will be run with the featured chef doing a culinary demonstration accompanied by his or her child.

This doesn't mean the event is intended for children. The format is a three-course lunch, with wine served (obviously only the adults would get wine). And the price is prohibitive - $135 per person, plus tax. As far as I know they do not discount the price for underage attendees.

I went to Chefs A'Field last year. The chef did not bring his child to do the demo live in person. Rather, the show itself features chefs and their children preparing dishes from habitat to table and they used video footage from the show during the event.

You are correct. There is no discount on any of the events for non-drinkers (whether due to age or personal choice).

 

[Aristomommy]

Thanks for the responses. I seems that there aren't many things for families to do together for the F&W. I understand that it is nice to have events for adults only, that way DH and I can keep coming to WDW when our kids are grown (or is gives us a handy excuse ). At this time when we come to WDW, it is family time and I wouldn't want to get a babysitter for them. I think we might try the booths again. I didn't mean to imply it was horrible experience before, I would just like to make it better.

 

[ImprovGal]

Thanks for the responses. I seems that there aren't many things for families to do together for the F&W. I understand that it is nice to have events for adults only, that way DH and I can keep coming to WDW when our kids are grown (or is gives us a handy excuse ). At this time when we come to WDW, it is family time and I wouldn't want to get a babysitter for them. I think we might try the booths again. I didn't mean to imply it was horrible experience before, I would just like to make it better.

There's more to the food & wine festival besides just the ticketed events and the booths. They do offer activities geared towards families with children. They just aren't part of the ticketed events. The official Disney website for the festival has a link labeled "Fun For Families". It doesn't have much up there now (mostly just lists offerings in the Land pavillion), but the information will be expanded as festival time approaches.

 

[PatriciaH]

Food was on display last year at the booths. I thought it was in 2005 too. It is usually right near where they make it.

 

[Quinn222]

Argentine was probably my favourite last year. Here's how we do it:

2 days is better than one if you can swing it. We buy one of everything from every country (there are four adults though!) and then we all get a taste. We make it about half way around before running out of steam (and room!) which is why 2 days is better. Start one day at Mexico and one at Canada.

 

[Eeyore2003]

We've gone for the last 3 years and if you walk up to the booth, they always had a case which showed the food they served. Not in big dishes or anything, just the portion you would receive.

I agree with many, Sweet Sundays is nice, but it's a Champagne Brunch and then the chef or "baker" shows how to make 3 desserts which are then served. It is one of the least pricey, but still pricey for a child, which would be up to you.

We have been there that week-end and it's a zoo. I believe it's the last week-end of Jersey Week. From experience, my recommendation would be to do the Food and Wine Festival on Sunday and MAKE SURE you have dinner reservations for Saturday night.

My suggestion would be to enjoy the Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney on Saturday. They have activities for children and the sidewalk chalk art is really something to see. We did this with my 8 year old niece and she enjoyed it.

That night (Saturday) I had planned on "eating around the World" for dinner. WHAT A MISTAKE!!!. The place was swamped. The last day of Jersey Week, plus last week-end of the Festival. We got to EPCOT, it took me about 10 minutes of shoving through people JUST to WALK, and we turned around and left. Of course, since I planned on eating at the Festival, I had no dinner reservation that night. There was not one reservation to be had through Disney dining, (this was about 4:30), we were at the Beach Club Villa's, so I went to the concierge desk and they did get me in to Cape May Clam Bake, but we waited 1 1/2 hours to get seated. And we are not crazy about seafood!!!

Needless to say, not one of our best nights at Disney!!!
We went back to the Food and Wine Festival on Sunday, and since most of the people from the last week were leaving. Sunday was MUCH better!!! Gradually throughout Disney World on Sunday, it became quieter and quieter.

So, all in all, I'd check in on the Festival of the Masters Saturday and have RESERVATIONS for a nice dinner on Saturday and enjoy EPCOT on Sunday. At least that's from our experience of that week-end. BTW, it's actually my favorite week-end to be there, since I really enjoyed the Festival of the Masters and the Food and Wine Festival is our favorite event at WDW AND the next week was awesomely quiet with the Christmas stuff going up, the Osbourne Lights already showing and I think now even a MVMCP to go to!!!

 

[Eeyore2003]

To add to my long saga!!! That Sunday at the Food and Wine Festival was one of the nicest we've had. Like I said, as the day went along, there were less and less people around and we literally ate our way around the world with not much waiting. My niece would pronounce herself "STUFFED" at one booth and then run to the next, see what they had, and be SO hungry for "whatever".

I'm a sucker for Epcot at night too, so it just got nicer as we went along.