The Party for the Senses FAQ Thread!

[TinkerBelle_325]

I didn't see any other thread dedicated to the Party for the Senses and thought it might be fun to start one. So far I've seen great advise, tips and information scattered across the DIS anywhere from Theme Parks to DIS Unplugged.

WHAT?
The Party for the Senses is a weekly event that is part of Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival. It is a special event which features more than 25 chefs and more than 25 wineries from around WDW and around the world. The event is set up like a huge cocktail party with stations featuring different dishes and wines located throughout the venue. There is also entertainment located on three stages throughout the venue.

WHERE?
World Showplace, a large event venue located between the Canadian and United Kingdom Pavilions in Epcot's World Showcase

WHEN?
Every Saturday of Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, 6:30 - 9pm
(Oct 4, 11, 18, 25 & Nov 1, 8)

COST?
$135/person, plus tax, gratuity included.
Fee entitles each guest to a souvenir wine glass to be used throughout the party. In addition, each party guest is given special reserved seating for the 5:15pm Eat to the Beat Concert at the America Gardens Theater.

HOW?
There are NUMEROUS strategies as to how you can approach the party.

A few words of advise
- Eat to the Beat wristband distribution starts at 4:45pm at the Japan side of the America Gardens Theater
- Check-in at the podium near the lake at World Showplace begins between 5 and 5:30
- Guests are allowed into the "holding area" of World Showplace at 6pm
- Curtain goes up to allow entrance to the venue at 6:30pm
- 6:30pm is also known as The Running of the Bulls, as guests make a mad dashes to secure the limited low top tables scattered throughout the venue.
- Because of the "cocktail" party nature of The Party for the Senses seating is NOT guaranteed.

Attending the Concert
If you plan to take advantage of the reserved seating at Eat to the Beat, plan to be at the Japan side of the America Gardens Theater around 4:45pm. Please be advised that the concert will end around 6:15, and you will still have to walk to World Showplace, gather your program, plate and wine glass and enter the party. While the event officially starts at 6:30, arriving at World Showplace at this time severely jeopardizes your chances of securing a table.

Not Attending the Concert
If you plan to skip the concert and proceed straight to the venue my advise would be to check-in around 5 or 5:30pm at the podium by the lake near World Showplace. You will then be ushered along a red carpet to gather your program, plate and wine glass. At 6pm you will be admitted into the "holding area" of World Showplace. If a table is of importance, arrive early at get near the front of the holding area to participate in the Running of the Bulls.

TIPS
- Bring a pen
- A small flashlight
- A camera
- Comfortable shoes
- Dress Casual attire (I saw anything from cocktail dresses to jeans and nice shirts)

Program Controversy
At the first party of this year, Oct 4th, guests were surprised to receive a very simple 2 page program. It contained a list of chefs and a list of wineries. While this may seem perfectly acceptable as a program it is a HUGE departure from programs of parties past.

The Party for the Senses is arranged in coloured sections.
Green is Grand
Blue is Beautiful
Pink is Pizazz
Yellow is Mellow
Red is Ravishing
Purple is Passion

Each section features a few chefs and a few wineries. In the past, programs have had 6 coloured sections, each with lists of chefs, menus, wineries and wines. This made the party very easy to navigate as you could determine what and who you wanted to visit and where they were located without wandering around aimlessly searching. The most confusing aspect of the plain 2 page listing provided this year is that the chefs and wineries were still divided into coloured sections but there was no indication of who was located where.

I've yet to see any reports on the programs from last nights party. But there were reports that many guests complained to management. Lets hope that they have taken action based on the complaints and that they have returned to the old style of programs for all further parties.

I made this thread for anyone and everyone to post Reviews, Questions, Tips. I just thought it would be nice to have it all in one location.

I'll be attending the Oct 25th party and I will be posting a review as early as 11pm that evening!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Bumping!

The programs have been altered. On the Oct 11th party they were divided by colour, listing chefs and wineries, but still no menu listings.

 

[betterlatethannever]

...Program Controversy
At the first party of this year, Oct 4th, guests were surprised to receive a very simple 2 page program. It contained a list of chefs and a list of wineries. While this may seem perfectly acceptable as a program it is a HUGE departure from programs of parties past.

The Party for the Senses is arranged in coloured sections.
Green is Grand
Blue is Beautiful
Pink is Pizazz
Yellow is Mellow
Red is Ravishing
Purple is Passion

Each section features a few chefs and a few wineries. In the past, programs have had 6 coloured sections, each with lists of chefs, menus, wineries and wines. This made the party very easy to navigate as you could determine what and who you wanted to visit and where they were located without wandering around aimlessly searching. The most confusing aspect of the plain 2 page listing provided this year is that the chefs and wineries were still divided into coloured sections but there was no indication of who was located where.

I've yet to see any reports on the programs from last nights party. But there were reports that many guests complained to management. Lets hope that they have taken action based on the complaints and that they have returned to the old style of programs for all further parties...

Kabuki posted on the main F&W festival thread (sticky at top of page) that the menus , while still only two pages, were color coded so locating chefs/wineries were a little easier.

Ed

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Thanks, i noticed that as well. I'll edit it in the main thread!

 

[parrotheadlois]

We went Saturday and really missed the menus on the programs. The color coding worked fine but we missed knowing what we were eating My husband and I had a table, one of us would sit at the table, and the other went "hunting and gathering." And for me this included looking at the sign indicating what the item was and trying to keep repeating it to myself all the way back to the table so I could explain what it was. After a glass of wine (or two), this got trickier. But that one issue aside, we had a great time, the food was fabulous!!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Thanks!

I'm really hoping that for the coming weeks they add the menu items to the program. If not its not the end of the world. I'll be armed with a camera, flashlight, pen and a pad of paper! I'm a die hard foodie AND reviewer! hehe

Anyone else planning on attending the Oct 25th party?

I'm also thrilled to hear that the removal of the large center stage has provided more room for tables. I think that, coupled with the fact that the parties dont seem to be selling out this year will make it much easier to find a seat.