Tinkerbelll's 11 Day Free Dining Report 2007 (with F&WF pics!) COMPLETE!

[khurley23]

Thanks so much for sharing your reviews with us!

 

[aviva5675]

Ok is it me? The only pics I could see were on the last post. The rest said update photo bucket. So do I have to? Or did the pics exceed DIS bandwith??

 

[sunlover13]

Hi Tinkerbelll! We met at the POP glow party last September. I just started going through some Food and Wine Festival food porn and came across yours. You did a great job with your report. Everything looks soooo good! We have never been to Food and Wine Festival, but may be there this year for it. Right now, we are booked at POP again for 9/21 - 9/27. I'm going to try to add a couple days and change to 9/20 - 9/28. That will give us a day or 2 of it. I'm not sure how well that will work with a 5 yr old in tow, but she's usually pretty good. Looks like we will only get to go on the weekend when I'm sure it will be crazy crowded. Any suggestions?

Are you guys bouncin' back in Sept?

 

[Tinkerbelll]

Hi Tinkerbelll! We met at the POP glow party last September. I just started going through some Food and Wine Festival food porn and came across yours. You did a great job with your report. Everything looks soooo good! We have never been to Food and Wine Festival, but may be there this year for it. Right now, we are booked at POP again for 9/21 - 9/27. I'm going to try to add a couple days and change to 9/20 - 9/28. That will give us a day or 2 of it. I'm not sure how well that will work with a 5 yr old in tow, but she's usually pretty good. Looks like we will only get to go on the weekend when I'm sure it will be crazy crowded. Any suggestions?

Are you guys bouncin' back in Sept?

Hi Sunlover! It's really funny that you found this thread because I was actually looking through pictures this weekend and found this one...

I'm pretty sure that's your window! Bravo!


Unfortunately we didn't get to book bounce back because DBF will be starting law school in August. We won't get to do our annual 10 days at F&WF . But hopefully he'll make up for it by buying me DVC in 2012! He will be attending school in Florida though, so I'll be at F&WF every chance I get! Don't skip it for fear of the crowds... you will be fine. It's a must do, especially if your on free dining and have all those snack credits! Save them up! You guys will have a blast!! And if you guys want an amazing unforgettable night, I would highly recommend getting tickets to the Party for the Senses. It's every Saturday night throughout the festival and is the most amazing event. Me and my mom did it this past year and loved it! Unlimited food and wine! Everything was outstanding. Any more questions, feel free to ask! If we end up in the World at the same time, we'll have to meet for a drink! And those pictures of your daughter are adorable!

 

[sunlover13]

Congrats to your DBF on law school! That is great! I guess that is a good reason to miss.

That is my window! I'm surprised you saw it. I didn't think anyone would b/c we were a corner room facing the lake. It was a perfect location though and will ask for it again.

I'll look into the Party For The Senses. Maybe we will have to try out a babysitter for that evening.

Thanks for the compliments on DD. She's a keeper. You got to see a rare meltdown if I remember correctly. Can't blame her though since it was midnight. I'm surprised she lasted as long as she did.

I'm going to send the link of your food porn to DH to read at work. He is sooo excited that we will be there for FW&W. He will love all the pictures of what he can get. We always end up with all our snack credits at the end and take home candy, treats, etc. for our family so they will miss out this year b/c we are going to use them all for the FW&W. I'm assuming you have to pay for the wine, right? I'm not a wine drinker at all, but DH is so I'll just sample his.

If you end up last week in Sept, definitely send me a PM and we can meet for a drink or two or three..........

 

[BabyPiglet]

Great reviews! I did see your window when we were there last September! We were at the Glow party but sadly, couldn't stay long. I'm glad you had a great trip.

 

[natesmommy]

Everything looks so yummy!!

 

[kabuki]

I don't know how I missed your reviews before but have enjoyed them this morning! Your pictures were great. I am going with a group to the Food and Wine this year a bit earlier in the Festival then normal. How was the heat in Late Sept/Early Oct.? and Crowds?

 

[ILoveMK2008]

I know you finished up this report a few months ago but I just wanted to say what a great job you did... all the food looks so good and you got all the reviews up so FAST! Awesome report

 

[Liliyana]

Okay, I have to ask. In the picture of your sausage rigatoni from Spoodles... what is in the dish next to it? Looks like a plateful of shredded cheese!

I'm going to have to show your Blueberry Bliss photo to dh; he's all about blueberries.

We have a Wolfgang Puck Express here where I live. I agree about the crackrock mac & cheese! Except it always looks totally different here from your pics; there's more fluffy whiteness in my local one (more gorgonzola perhaps?). I had been wondering about that particular sandwich you got, now I know to go ahead and try it!!!

 

[Tinkerbelll]

Congrats to your DBF on law school! That is great! I guess that is a good reason to miss.
That is my window! I'm surprised you saw it. I didn't think anyone would b/c we were a corner room facing the lake. It was a perfect location though and will ask for it again.
I'll look into the Party For The Senses. Maybe we will have to try out a babysitter for that evening.
Thanks for the compliments on DD. She's a keeper. You got to see a rare meltdown if I remember correctly. Can't blame her though since it was midnight. I'm surprised she lasted as long as she did.
I'm going to send the link of your food porn to DH to read at work. He is sooo excited that we will be there for FW&W. He will love all the pictures of what he can get. We always end up with all our snack credits at the end and take home candy, treats, etc. for our family so they will miss out this year b/c we are going to use them all for the FW&W. I'm assuming you have to pay for the wine, right? I'm not a wine drinker at all, but DH is so I'll just sample his.
If you end up last week in Sept, definitely send me a PM and we can meet for a drink or two or three..........

Absolutely look into PFTS. I don't have any pictures of that night, because we were so engulfed in walking around the room trying all the food, but it was awesome. And if you can do a babysitter, that's probably the way to go. Neverland club? As for your DD, I remember her being one heck of a trooper that night! And at the point she may have shown signs of meltdown, I was already melting down myself!

At F&WF, you do pay for the wine, but they are small samples. Most of them are between $2.00 and $5.00 a glass. And then there are wine flights, last year they were in Australia and America. You pay one price and sample 4 - 5 different wines. There are also free wine tastings in the festival center if your willing to wait in line for like 20 minutes. These were great. And, of course, the Sam Adams beer tasting. That's always fun. I can't wait to go back!
We'll deff be there for F&WF opening weekend, which looks like it's the 26th - 28th... drinks around the world it is....

I don't know how I missed your reviews before but have enjoyed them this morning! Your pictures were great. I am going with a group to the Food and Wine this year a bit earlier in the Festival then normal. How was the heat in Late Sept/Early Oct.? and Crowds?

The heat was hit or miss... some days there was a beautiful breeze and then others it was dead heat and humidity. But, that's Florida for you! Just drink lots of water and you'll be great. The crowds, however, are a little more predictable. Weekends are a madhouse. Starting at about 1 or 2pm on Friday until Sunday night is packed with lots of locals (like us now ) and CM's. But it is always manageable. Just know what to expect. Going during the week leaves more time for exploring with shorter lines and less rush etc, but the weekends are like one big party! Have a plan, and you'll be great. When we go on the weekends we like to book an event just so that we know we have at least one thing to look forward to that doesn't involve mobs of people. Last year we did a Cook, the Book, and the Bottle event, which was fantastic, and an Odyssey Kitchen Conversations event with Tracy Griffith. She did American Sushi and it was by far my favorite demonstration! And the BLT sushi was so different and delicious! Paired with a few glasses of cava... yum!

Any way plan for heat and crowds, and book an event or two for an escape!

Okay, I have to ask. In the picture of your sausage rigatoni from Spoodles... what is in the dish next to it? Looks like a plateful of shredded cheese!
I'm going to have to show your Blueberry Bliss photo to dh; he's all about blueberries.
We have a Wolfgang Puck Express here where I live. I agree about the crackrock mac & cheese! Except it always looks totally different here from your pics; there's more fluffy whiteness in my local one (more gorgonzola perhaps?). I had been wondering about that particular sandwich you got, now I know to go ahead and try it!!!

Yes, that IS in fact a plate of freshly grated cheese that they bring out with the meal. It was delish! We have been back to Spoodles a few times since then and it does not disappoint! Spoodles is awesome. But possibly not as awesome as the food crack

 

[luna99]

I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your review!! DH and I love trying new foods and really appreciate a great meal and I think we are going to try California Grill and Spoodles now thanks to your review!! Your blueberry dessert at California grill looked devine and like something my DH would love and I adore sushi so for those two reasons alone I think we will try CG.

as for the F&WF ... I've done it back in 2001 and I remember that pizza from Italy as being the best pizza I've ever had!! It's so funny because I figured "oh, it's just pizza..and it's from Italy.. so of course it will be good" and then when I tasted it I was just like.. "WOW!" it was soooooooo delicious I just couldn't believe it!

I also now am on a quest for the mac and cheese from wolfgang's.. I love me some mac and cheese!

thanks again for your great review!

 

[kathymc]

great reports - missed them the first time. Getting so excited for our first F&WF!
thanks for sharing

 

[arieljasmine]

I have really enjoyed your reports, thanks for sharing them with us. I am also so pleased to have found someone else who had a less-than-out-of-this-world experience with Jiko - I found it completely underwhelming to how it was built up to be!

Laur's

 

[DisneyJo]

Thanks so much for your great reviews

 

[Disney owl]

great reviews & photos

 

[plutosgirl]

Coming in a little late here but great reviews!!! I can't wait to go and try some new things!! Thanks so much!!

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Thank you so much for selling me on the F&WF! My DS (14) and I are going for MNSSHP this fall, and we were going to skip it before I read your review. He can appreciate the good ethnic meal (and I can appreciate a good glass of wine ), so I think we'll both really enjoy it! Thank you so much!

 

[CJ]

Wonderful review and just great pictures!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!!