V’s 2007 Epcot Food & Wine Fest Report

[PrincessV]

I don’t have the time or material for a full-on report, but did have enough fun for a mini TR!

The Crew Me and six other friends.

No kids.

NO KIDS!!!! I would be bunking with two girlfriends, while three others would share a room elsewhere and our seventh would meet us for the evening (she’s an Orlando resident.)

The Accommodations Animal Kingdom Lodge – a standard room with an AP discount.

The Plan My friend Char and I drove over Fri. and would play our afternoon by ear. We’d have dinner at Boma, then meet the others for drinks at Victoria Falls Lounge. Sat. was all F&W Fest, all the time. Sun. we’d also play by ear before heading back home.

 

[PrincessV]

The Reality

Friday, 10/12 Char had to work a bit – she had a conference call at 12pm on Fri. This began shortly before our arrival, so we lounged in the AKL lobby for an hour after checking in. Char had her meeting and I enjoyed flipping through some tabloids while looking around. I never get to do this with my DS5 in tow, so it was kind of nice!

Our room wasn’t ready so we went down to Mara for some lunch and planning. I had quite possibly the best falafel pita EVER. Good stuff there! We tossed around the idea of hitting some parks, concentrating on those rides we don’t get to enjoy with little ones with us, but, in the end, decided to enjoy some much-needed downtime at the pool.

It was a beautiful day – some of the heat and humidity had finally abated and we enjoyed every minute of poolside relaxation!

I called about 3:45pm and our room was ready, so we steeled ourselves for the inevitable parking lot view and hoped REAL hard for a room without any type of foul odor. My last three WDW resort stays have included rooms of questionable scent and, frankly, I’d about had it with that nonsense.

Room 4452. We took the elevator up and looked for the room directional signage, which was directing us AWAY from the parking lot! We found our room down Zebra Trail, right next to the second set of elevators. I cautiously opened the door, sniffing and found… no smell! We walked into the room and saw this…

That there is a POOL VIEW! My first-ever WDW upgrade – WOOO HOOOO!!!! Think I was happy?

After showers and putting away of things, we headed down for dinner at Boma.

That was my S. African White Wines flight – yummy!

This was my third visit and Char’s first. Everything was as wonderful for me as ever, and Char said she really enjoyed her meal, too.

As we were finishing up, three of our friends called to let us know they’d arrived. We met them for some drinks at Victoria Falls, a place I’d long wanted to visit. It wasn’t really as exciting as I’d imagined, but it was a nice way to start our festivities.

One of the things I really enjoy about WDW without kids is the more adult interaction with CM’s. I know that sounds weird, but let me explain. Just after our dirnks were served, another friend called to say she was there and lost in the lobby. Char went down to get her and called me to say they were putting suitcases in our room. She also asked me, specifically, not to drink her beverage.

Who could resist that temptation?! Our token male of the group asked the CM for a glass with just ice. He was drinking beer and she looked understandably confused, so he explained what was going on with Char and that we’d like to hide her real drink, replacing it with an empty one as a joke. The CM was ALL over it! She came back with a glass of ice, a teeny bit of cranberry juice and all the garnishes for authenticity. Wish we’d have snapped a pic of Char’s face when she got back! Good times.


We finished the evening with a little fireside chat around the fire pit outside and made our plans for the next day. We were off to a good start!

 

[PrincessV]

Saturday, 10/13 After breakfast and showers, we hopped the bus to EP and met up with all but one of our group at 11am. (The Orlando gal wasn’t meeting us till later.) Char had hit on a plan to start at the midway point of the booths and work our way clockwise. She figured everyone else would start at either end, so we’d miss long booth lines for at least a while. FYI – it worked like a dream!

Now Char and I had gifts for our group. Thanks to Michelle here on the Dis, I’d printed out a bunch of F&W Fest review sheets. Each booth had a page with food and drink items listed, along with a place to rate each. These I bound with a cover and – voila! – we had our own handy-dandy score books!

Char’s contribution worked in tandem with mine. She brought us all special plates that would hold both a food plate and wine glass, freeing our other hand for scoring and tasting of others’ samples. Both the books and plates were a HUGE hit and many, many people asked us about them.


We started in Germany where I sampled the Spaetzle with Creamy Mushroom Ragout and Beck's Oktoberfest. I loved that the beers were available in 6oz cups this year. Any more than that is too much for sampling for me. The Spaetzle was out of this world! I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. The Beck’s got a solid 4.


Next was Italy, where I had the Insalata Caprese Salad - Mozzarella Cheese with Cherry tomatoes and Basil Dressing, and a glass of Cecchi Chianti Classico.

We all agreed the Caprese salad was good, but needed some garlic. It got 3 stars. The Chianti was pretty good and also received 3 stars.

Our next stop was a long-standing traditional favorite: Poland for Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies.

The pierogie was out-of-this-world, but the kielbasa was strangely lacking this year. Not terrible, but not terrific, either. I gave the pierogie a solid 5, but rated the kielbasa separately with a low 2.


Want to guess what was next?

Yep, the Hops & Barley Market made Char verrrry happy! I sampled her two choices, the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat and Octoberfest and gave them 3 and 4 stars, respectively. I also got me this:

New England Crab Cake and Barley Lentil Salad. It may not look like much but it was sooo yummy! I love me some good crab cakes and this did not disappoint. It garnered 5 stars.


The USA booth was next and I was ready for some dessert in the form of Strawberry Shortcake.

Pretty good. Thye used some kind of orange flavoring on the shortcake, which didn’t excite me, but I gave the whole thing a 3-star rating.

 

[PrincessV]

If you’re keeping track, it had been three booths since I’d had a drink that wasn’t bottled water. The rest of our group settled into the crazy-long line for sushi in Japan, while Miranda and I headed into the pavilion to check out the sake bar. I had the Masumi and I forget what Miranda tried, but both were really good. And. Strong. TFI.



Our seventh member had arrived while we were gone and they were ready to move on to the next booth. On to Morocco for Kefta - Grilled Beef and Hummus in a Pita Pocket, and Zambra Sangria.

Both were fantastic! Or was I just shnockered? No, I think they really were good. I rated the Kefta a 5 and the sangria a 4. And, let me say this: that plate alone was a lunch-sized serving. I was getting pretty full and we hadn’t even reached the halfway point!

I was pretty sure I could fit some dessert in, though, and we were approaching the Oklahoma pavilion, home of Pecan Pie! I love, love, love Pecan Pie. I even tried to make it once. I’m not a baker. I ran out of sugar and threw some Sweet&Low in instead. It never congealed and I wound up with a really tasty pecan soup in a pie shell.

Anyway, this was loads better and earned 5 stars.

I really wanted to try the Seared Buffalo with Scalloped Wild Onions, but was way too full. I figured, wrongly, that we’d have time to swing back to it later. We never did and I missed out.


France was coming up and I really, really tried to find room for quiche, to no avail. I did manage to try the Coupe de Sorbets: Champagne, Framboise and Chocolat Blanc - Champagne, Raspberry and White Chocolate Sorbet and wasn’t too impressed. I don’t like white chocolate, so it had that working against it. It got 2 stars.

The Sparkling Pomegrante Kir, however received 5 stars. It was just right – not too sweet and completely refreshing!




By this time, we were having a pretty good time and things are a tad hazy in the memory. I know we did some splitting up as some headed for beer in the UK, while others hit the iced tea booth. I needed some caffeine and tried an iced green tea with mint. It was really good and hit the spot!


In Greece, I only gave the Greek Salad 2 stars. I don’t remember why.


Canada was also disappointing.

I’d tried someone else’s Maple Glazed Salmon with Arugula and Roasted Corn last year and liked it, so I got it this time. Not impressive. It just didn’t have much taste to it. I gave it 2 stars. I also got the Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay which earned a better 3 stars.


In Peru Miranda and I shared the Causa de Cangrejo - Yellow Potato Mash with Crab Salad, which was delicious! 5 stars’ worth of delicious, to be exact.



And here comes a sobering fact: we were running out of money. We had each purchased a Disney gift card for the day and I’d started mine with $100.

Yes. I’d eaten and drinken nearly $100 worth of F&W Fest offerings.

Can you say “buzz-kill”?!



But it was all good – the all-purpose gift shop was in front of us and more than willing to refill our cards. See how happy I was to hand over more money?

And that brings us roughly halfway through the trip. I’ll be back with more tomorrow!

 

[Miz Diz]

Halfway through? You are fast! I want to go to F&WF

 

[Avivasmom]

Looks like you ladies had a blast....cannot wait to stay at AKL again, we will be there in Jan.

Love the pics.

 

[mlill]

Yay!!! I'm so glad the score cards worked out for you guys!!! We didn't get to use them on our first day of feasting because it rained too much, and I didn't want to ruin them. We had to fill them out back in the room. I totally agree that the The Spaetzle from Germany was out of this world! It was one of our favorites. In fact, I had to buy the F&W Fest cookbook so I could make it at home! LOL! You look like you were having a great time with your friends! I'm so glad that you got to go back to F&W Fest! Don't worry about missing the buffalo, it was good, but not great. Boy, I'd better get busy, I'm way behind on the food pics in my TR!!!

I can't wait to read more!!!
-Michelle

 

[puggymom]

Wow V, nice report you dual trip writer

Isn't it amazing how easily we give the Mouse our money

 

[HomeschoolMama]

Mmmm... Now I'm hungry. Unfortunately it's "get your own dinner night" which means it won't be as yummy as your stuff, for sure!

 

[cmp1111]

Oh, I am SO freakin' jealous. That all looks so yummy and the wine and beer also sound wonderful...

Thanks as always for sharing - and I'm SO glad the smelly room curse appears to be broken!

 

[askelton]

Great idea to start in the middle. We're always too full to eat much when we get there.

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Yay!! Another V adventure.

 

[jcc0621]

Looks like a great time V. I jave already informed Jim that when Jimmy starts college (14 years from now ) that we are going to F & W Fest. He just at me

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

OMG! OMG! OMG! I CANNOT wait to get to F&W Fest!!!!

Thank you for all the tips V!!

Wonder if I can find those little plate thingies in Orlando...

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Looks like you are having a great adults only trip.

Also, on the non-stinky upgraded pool view room!

 

[KatGarcia]

My mouth is watering just looking at the pics, I am hyped to go!!! I can't wait to eat myself silly at F&W!

 

[Lauralee131]

OMG - what fun!!! I may have to invite myself next year!! How nice to see those silly smiles on Char's face! And love the view from your AKL room! The curse appears to be broken!! I think my room was directly above yours on the 5th floor - we had the same view. Ahhhh...I love love love the AKL....

Can NOT wait for more!!!

 

[PrincessV]

Continuing our clockwise approach to the Fest, Dominican Republic should have been next. I’d been looking forward to trying the Pastelon de Platanos Amarillos - Ripe plantain with Vegetable Casserole topped with Avocado, but we heard they’d run out of plantains! Oh well. My tummy couldn’t fit much more anyway, and something good was just around the corner…

Champagne!!! I selected one of my all-time faves, the Moet and Chandon White Star and Miranda and I shared the Duo of Chocolate Truffles: Dark Chocolate and Malted Milk. 5 stars!

Next stop was Argentina. Last year, I LOVED the Grilled Beef Sirloin with Chimichurri Sauce. This year – not so much. My slice of beef was totally overcooked and kind of fatty. A real disappointment. 1 star. The Bodega Norton Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, however, was pretty good and received 4 stars.


Things get VERY fuzzy around this time – good thing we had pictures for evidence! According to my score book, I tried the Boxty Potato Pancake - with Bacon Chips and Kerrygold Garlic and Fresh Herb Butter in Ireland. Apparently it was good, as I gave it 4 stars.



We paused at this point for our only two attractions of the trip. Mexico…

And Norway…

And Char and I just had to recreate last year’s Troll shot…

2006

2007

So much better this year, dontcha think?!


By this time it was getting late and we started thinking about Illuminations. Sadly, we lost three of our group, who had to get back to Tampa early the next morning. The rest of us made a stop at the South African booth, where I sampled the Bored Doe - Bordeaux Red Blend. Great name, okay wine. It earned 3 stars.


Strangely enough, Miranda and I were desperate for another round at the Saki bar in Japan, so we headed in there before making our way to Canada for Illuminations.

Afterward, we took our time exiting the park, saying goodbye to our Orlando friend and getting back to AKL. Our day of never-ending food and drink had come to a close.






Or had it????


Not by a long-shot. We decided to grab a martini at Victoria Falls, and there, of all the crazy things, decided to order a cheese plate and a pita/hummus plate to be delivered to our room! We wound up bringing these down to the hot tub, where we ate and chatted late into the night. I don’t know how we found the room, but that was one fantastic cheese plate!

We knew we’d never make it to our Kona breakfast ADR the next morning, so we filled out the nifty little In-Room Dining card and hung it on the door. Really – at 1:00am, after drinking your way around the World, a $15 omelet sounds perfectly acceptable.



Sunday, 10/14 I hadn’t slept well at all either night and it really hit me that final morning. Apparently it hit Char and Miranda, too, because after we downed our obscenely-expensive-but-oh-so-yummy room service breakfast, we managed to don bathing suits and lay down on some chairs by the pool.

And that’s all we managed to do. For several hours. It was just the right temp for lounging and dozing and we did it up. Eventually, Miranda had to head home and Char and I handed over the very last of our money at the Mara for lunch and Mickey Head crispie treats before hitting the road ourselves.

When we checked out, I noticed something peculiar about the bill. Our room was $208.16 per night, including tax. I’d paid for the first night when I reserved. Char paid for the second night when we checked in. But it showed she was charged $246, not $208.16. Upon further inspection, we figured out that they’d CHARGED US FOR THE UPGRADED VIEW!!!!! No biggie – I showed my reservation confirmation and the CM refunded the amount we were overcharged. But can you believe my luck?! I finally get a room upgrade and they try to charge me.


All in all, it was a fantastic weekend. I’m sad I missed some foods I really wanted to try… but there’s always next year, right?!

 

[Lauralee131]

FUN FUN FUN!!! Sounds like a wonderful time...thanks for sharing!!

Wish I was there....

 

[DisneyJo]

V I'm just marking my spot, back to read later