Strategies for F&W on Saturday

[jedi jen]

Help. This is my first time to F&W and I am sooo excited. However, the only time we could squeeze it in is the last two days--Sat. and Sun. Nov. 12 and 13. We are committed to going on Nov. 12 and are trying to formulate our strategy. The crowd calendars predict a 10 out of 10 that day. We know if it gets to crowded for us, we will leave and hit another park. Any suggestions about getting the most out of F&W on a crowded Saturday. We are planning to be there at rope drop and starting the food booths at 11:00 when WS opens. Do they have a rope blocking off WS before 11:00 or can you walk through it? Any tips much appreciated. Also, if any of you are also stuck with F&W on Saturday, would love to hear from you and know who else out there is in the same predicament.

 

[OKW Lover]

As you already realize, F&W will be very busy that day. The best strategy I can think of is to be there right a 11:00 am and bypass the first 4-5 booths to get ahead of the crowds. You'll see long lines at the booths right by the entrance to WS simply because people just get in line for the first one they see.

 

[snappy]

I entered via the international gateway this past Saturday. Some kiosks opened before 11 am. The ones by the entrance from the front gate were very busy early on, Canada, on the one side, Mexico on the other. Given that, I saw many more Cm's working the boots. If you have a credit card or the gift card on the wrist band, there were cm's with hand held reading machines to expedite payment.

The only problem I encountered was they ran out of the rice pudding with strawberry sauce in the Scandinavia booth. Another batch was whipped up quickly and brought out, so I did not miss out. I found the lines long for the boats during the weekends.

Thursday and Monday were much better, Friday the crowds built up substantially as the day wore on.

Also, finding a place to sit and eat was tricky so if you can eat on the run, all to the good. We had someone in our party in a wheelchair and we still ate everything we wanted in about 4 hours on Saturday.

Not sure if the LAST Saturday might be somewhat worse though. Maybe some one who has attended that day will see your thread.

I thought the offerings were very good this year, lots of different flavors.

 

[Tony-NJ]

We were there this past Saturday - got to WS at 11 amd within 90 ,minutes WS was packed! So if you go fast LOL you should be OK. Epcot was great all morning until noon - then it was insane. We left at 1:30.

 

[JDUCKY]

we were there this past Saturday. Got to WS right after 12 and while lines were pretty long, they all moved pretty quickly. Didn't really have much trouble finding a place to eat either...all day. Longest line I saw was for Belgium and that still seemed to go rather well (but then I had to wait a bit longer as they were waiting on more Leffe to be brought out)

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

We have gone that weekend the past several years. After the first year, my fiance made me swear that I would never take him into the World Showcase on the last Saturday/Sunday and to tour elsewhere. We felt like we needed helmets and battle gear to get through the crowds. There were drunk girls crying, people passed out on the lawn (literally sleeping in the grass), stumbling, beer and wine spilling on you--- it was for real-- no joke... just be prepared!! Two years ago, I got an ADR at LeCellier (tried forever to get-and wasn't worth it, lol) that forced us to go back there and we saw the same sights.

We're sticking with Wednesday and Thursday this year!

 

[TDC Nala]

Go at opening. Leave by 3 or 4. If you want to see a concert (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are awesome) then hang around but it will be crowded in the Showcase. Better yet, wait and see them on Sunday.

 

[rlovew]

I was there this past Saturday. I arrived at the park about 10:45 and had parked and walked into the world showcase area right before 11am. I got in the line for Hawaii and it was just about 11am when I finished. I moved on walking while I ate my sandwich and there was a slight line at Ireland when I arrived but it moved very quickly. I again ate while walking and there was hardly anyone at France(Booth) or in the caramel shop in Germany. After getting the caramels I wanted I had a short line at Italy and Poland before sitting for about 1/2 hour an eating with someone I met sitting on the steps. I headed to Portugal and while it was my 2nd longest line of the day it only took a few minutes. I ate while heading out and by the time I got back to the Canada/Ireland/Greece area the booth lines were long (20-30 people). I stopped at desserts for my last taste before heading out and was back in my car by 12:30. Saturdays are doable- and this past one was very crowded but if you jump in line just before 11 and really move around to the back side of the world showcase you will have short lines for at least the first half hour. After that just be ready to wait a bit, again if you are not starving just find out what those around you have tried and what they thought of it while waiting.

 

[jedi jen]

Thanks all. I am taking lots of notes.