Talk to me about Food & Wine

[pixie08]

Hi everyone! DH and I are planning our first Food & Wine trip this Oct. Now we will be going to EPCOT for at least 2 days to do this. I know there are special dinner events but do they happen everyday? I am trying to figure out if I should make at least one dinner ressie one of those nights or if I should just wait an see what is realeased. Do the restaurants do anything special or is it basically the food booths and special drink tasting/ seminars.

Help...I have no clue of how to begin planning for this esp since the dates won't be released for a while not soemthing an a type planner likes to hear TIA!!

 

[BriarRosie]

Last year, we didn't know the booking date was going to be August 6 for the special dining events until about 7-10 days before we could book it! Disney fan sites had the info up before Disney's site had it.

I know that AllEarsNet.com has a history of previous years' events in their Dining section. Reading the section should give you an overview of the events, the seminars, and reviews from those who attended some events.

I reviewed a bunch of Food and Wine events in my trip report (linked in my signature). We'll probably be discussing this topic more when July rolls around.

 

[TigerKat]

We're going for the first time also, I'd like to hear from the vets too!

 

[ElizabethB]

The dinner events do not happen every night. If the past is any indication (and who knows if it is?), for the last two years there have generally been dinners on Wed., Fri. and sometimes on Sunday evenings (although that varies somewhat).

There is usually a signature dinner on Sunday evenings, although last year they were not held every Sunday evening. There is usually one Exquisite Evening at Epcot per week (traditionally on Friday evening -- used to be Thursday and Friday evenings but they cut back). The last two Festivals have also featured a Regional dinner on most Wednesday evenings of the Festival, when the travel council of a country or region (Peru, Italy, etc.) hosts a dinner.

Prices range from $150 or so per person to $350 or so per person (V&A signature dinner).

There are other events that happen during the day -- Food and Wine Pairings at the Epcot Restaurants, lunch events, cooking schools, vertical wine tastings, etc. There is also a popular event every Saturday night of the Festival called the Party for the Senses, which is a cocktail-style party with many foods and wines offered for tasting. Many people love it.

Finally, Epcot sets up 25 or so booths around World Showcase which feature foods and wines from various countries and regions, and there is usually special entertainment at Epcot each night of the Festival.

 

[lilyv]

We're going for the first time, too, this year. I went ahead and booked a reservation each day. Then, when the F&W info comes out later in the year, I'll just cancel a couple of the reservations and substitute in something from Food and Wine.

It would be great if we could use this thread to share information, tips and ideas.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

My DH & I would like to try some of the wine tastings, since our DS should have a friend with him this year. Do you make advanced reservations for those, or do you just kind of happen upon them? We've been to the F&W festival several times, but only ate from the booths. Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[oybolshoi]

My DH & I would like to try some of the wine tastings, since our DS should have a friend with him this year. Do you make advanced reservations for those, or do you just kind of happen upon them? We've been to the F&W festival several times, but only ate from the booths. Thanks in advance for the info.

Once the festival guide is released you'll see that Epcot offers free wine tasting and culinary seminars on each day of the festival - the dates, times, locations, and "expert" leading the event will be listed in the guidebook. These events are free (with your park admission) and we noticed that people start lining up about 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled start time. It's probably closer to an hour ahead of start time on the weekends, when Epcot is much busier during F&W. And if it's someone really popular, like Cat Cora or Keegan Gerhard it might be even longer. We've never made it to any of the seminars ... yet.

There are a lot of really nice DISers who offer to mail programs to those of us stranded far from the Mouse and someone usually will scan it too, so that people can review the offerings in advance of their trips.

Just keep checking back here for updates!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Once the festival guide is released you'll see that Epcot offers free wine tasting and culinary seminars on each day of the festival - the dates, times, locations, and "expert" leading the event will be listed in the guidebook. These events are free (with your park admission) and we noticed that people start lining up about 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled start time. It's probably closer to an hour ahead of start time on the weekends, when Epcot is much busier during F&W. And if it's someone really popular, like Cat Cora or Keegan Gerhard it might be even longer. We've never made it to any of the seminars ... yet.

Thanks for the info. Your post has me thinking I'd rather pay for the wine flights in the countries & skip the freebies. Do you know, if they still offer these, during the festival? I'd much rather pay than stand in lines like that.

 

[oybolshoi]

Thanks for the info. Your post has me thinking I'd rather pay for the wine flights in the countries & skip the freebies. Do you know, if they still offer these, during the festival? I'd much rather pay than stand in lines like that.

I know that France still offers one. I think Germany and Italy do as well, but I don't know for sure.

With the freebies I think it depends on the day, the time, and the winery / presenter. There were some days that the hubby and I could have walked in to a wine seminar at the very last minute and there would still have been space for us. There were other days when we just kept walking ...

You should think about trying a food and wine pairing at one of the restaurants ... those are usually very good and are still reasonably priced (all things considered).

The last couple of years had F&W pairings as follows:

Monday: Japan
Tuesday: Morocco (Restaurant Marrakesh)
Wednesday & Thursday: Coral Reef
Friday: Canada (Le Cellier)
Saturday: France (Bistro Paris)
Sunday: Italy

 

[davinakb]

Thanks for the info. Your post has me thinking I'd rather pay for the wine flights in the countries & skip the freebies. Do you know, if they still offer these, during the festival? I'd much rather pay than stand in lines like that.

IIRC the wines in the flights in France and Italy are pretty much the same all year around. Last year during F&W there were additional kiosks that had wines from CA, NY; Argentina, Chile, Australia, a Champagne booth; and each country kiosk usually has a wine or drink or two. That said, the festival guide will give details, but the classes over a much greater variety of wines, many of which are not available for purchase by the glass. It varies week to week. So if you really like to try new wines, you may want to do the lines for a class or two (and believe me, sometimes the kiosk lines can get pretty long too). FWIW.

 

[pixie08]

Wow great info. You guys are always so helpful and knowlegable! Now I guess we have to wait and see what events get posted! I love trying new foods and wines so I am really looking foward to this even though I have a trip coming up in under 2 months lol! I think I will make a ressie for at least one night and then wait for the dates.

Briairrosie & oybolosoi- I am reading your reports asap!

tigerkat- I am excited to read your review of this years festival!

lilyv- I think I am going to do the same thing and book at least one or two things

elizabethb- thank you for the detailed info!

Davidb- I am happy to hear there is a detailed guide- thank you!