Solo During Food and Wine Festival

[Northern_Julie]

Wondering if anyone has done the EPCOT food festival solo? I just got up the courage to us airmiles and book my trip in October. I am thinking this gives me a little flexibility in eating but wondering if ther are any other solo tips I should look at whn planning.

Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

do the wine tasting - some are even FREE!!!

 

[chyam]

The concerts are usually pretty good......quite honestly I like doing the F&W Festival solo, it allows me to just graze as I please around the world, and you would be surprised how many solos you will see.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd be interested in this too! I recently booked my first solo trip to the 2008 F&W festival. One thing I'm wondering is if the little samples you can buy at the different booths might be more suited for a solo than some meals are. It seems that at many resturants, portions are huge and there's no one to share them with, so you waste food AND money!

 

[buena vista]

The concerts are usually pretty good......quite honestly I like doing the F&W Festival solo, it allows me to just graze as I please around the world, and you would be surprised how many solos you will see.

I had to smile when I read this. I love "grazing" through the world showcase, and did it once solo - one of the few times when I went on a golf trip with my buddies and we rented a house in Kissimmee. They're not into Disney, but I went by myself because I couldn't be that close and not visit the World in the afternoons and evenings. The pace is right, the price is right, the weather is ideal, and it's a good time of year to enjoy the World as an adult.

 

[dahirsh]

I've done the F&WF twice solo. I love going that time of year. The F&WF at Epcot and MNSSHP at MK.

I try for several partial days at Epcot to graze my way around

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've gone solo once, and with my mom once. Except for Party for the Senses, I liked it better solo. I got to go to the wine tastings I wanted to, and the cooking demos I wanted to, as well as trying what I wanted from the booths.

When I went with my mom we went to a beer tasting I had absolutly no interest in, since I don't drink beer, and there were serveral things we got at the booths to share, that I wasn't really interested in.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

My trip this year starts a few days before the Festival does, but I do have a full week in Disney as soon as it starts.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Yep, I've done it twice solo. You will have a blast! Highly recommend doing the free wine tastings, and get in line early b/c they fill up quickly! I would stand in line for the tastings with a glass of champagne (which they sell in the F&W pavilion) and talk to all the other people. It's a lot of fun talking with all the other people and finding out what they had done and what they liked/not liked. You’ll find that most people leave one tasting and get in line for the next one, so you get an opportunity to talk with the same people.

Also, when you graze around the countries, just grab a table that you stand up at (near the booths). I met a ton of people this way also. Let’s face it, get a few drinks in most people, and they are pretty friendly and chatty!!

I probably enjoyed going solo to the F&W festival more than going with friends. The other times I went with people, they either didn’t drink wine and weren’t’ interested in the tastings, or didn’t want to spent the $ on the small tasting size portions, etc. The great thing about going solo… you get to do whatever YOU want!

 

[englishrose47]

I don't drink but I want to do the F & W in 2009 solo I want to taste all the different foods . Are theyvery expensive are any free, what are these cooking demos ???

 

[Northern_Julie]

So when you say graze can you still get in alot of variety without getting uncomfortable? I don't want to be stuffed but am anxious to sample.

I am getting really excited now.

 

[dahirsh]

Very little of the food is more than $4 or $4.50

As far as getting stuffed, I guess that's an individual thing. I'm not the type that fills up on a side salad and a diet soda. If you are your experience will be different. As I said in my earlier post, I spend part of several days at Epcot and graze my way around the world starting from both directions on different days. The first trip I don't think I had any TS or CS meals at Epcot at all and in '07 I only ate at Le Cellier. So all, or most of my food at Epcot came from the booths. Over the course of a week's trip I manage to try pretty much all that I want to, and a favotite or two twice.

 

[Northern_Julie]

Very little of the food is more than $4 or $4.50

As far as getting stuffed, I guess that's an individual thing. I'm not the type that fills up on a side salad and a diet soda. If you are your experience will be different. As I said in my earlier post, I spend part of several days at Epcot and graze my way around the world starting from both directions on different days. The first trip I don't think I had any TS or CS meals at Epcot at all and in '07 I only ate at Le Cellier. So all, or most of my food at Epcot came from the booths. Over the course of a week's trip I manage to try pretty much all that I want to, and a favotite or two twice.

Thanks that really helps. I didn't plan on any TS in EPCOT either. I think I may gravitate to EPCOT for part of each day for a meal. The only other eating expierances I want are tea the GF and a special dinner a Jiko. There is little opportunity where I live to not sample the world.

 

[Northern_Julie]

Also, when you graze around the countries, just grab a table that you stand up at (near the booths). I met a ton of people this way also. Let’s face it, get a few drinks in most people, and they are pretty friendly and chatty!!

QUOTE]

This makes me feel more confidant. I come from a smallish place where evryone strikes up conversations so this is somewhat natural...but often looked at strange in other places.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I don't drink but I want to do the F & W in 2009 solo I want to taste all the different foods . Are theyvery expensive are any free, what are these cooking demos ???

I don't really drink either, though I do like tropically mixed drinks. I go to the F&W Fest for the food.

Each day there are several free cooking demos, which are held in the Odysses (sp?) building right outside of World Showcase on the east side, (near Mexico.) The chef cooks a dish, which you then get to sample. You have to get in line early for these to, since there is limited seating, and some of them are very popular.

The booths sell items ranging in price from $1.50 to $6.50, though most items are around $3. They were allowed as snacks on the DDP for the past three years, I'm hoping it's going to stay that way this year.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thanks, all, for the positive reinforcement. I've been thinking about booking a solo trip for this October and I think you've convinced me!! Let the countdown begin...

 

[Northern_Julie]

Thanks, all, for the positive reinforcement. I've been thinking about booking a solo trip for this October and I think you've convinced me!! Let the countdown begin...

If you are around at the same time as me it would be fun to meet up.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you are around at the same time as me it would be fun to meet up.

Sounds like there are several of us "solo at the F&W". How do you find out about the free cooking demonstrations? And I'm particularly interested in anything with Twinnings tea. Where do I learn about that demo?

 

[Northern_Julie]

Sounds like there are several of us "solo at the F&W". How do you find out about the free cooking demonstrations? And I'm particularly interested in anything with Twinnings tea. Where do I learn about that demo?

Oh I am hoping they do the Twinings one again too!! I couldn't find Irish Breakfast tea in my stores and had mom send me some.
I heard it goes up in April and the ones that need tickets go on sale in August.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The Festival starts on 9/26 I believe, so I'll be there when it starts.