was wondering about the F&W festival...

[shortypots]

So, we got our Waitlist for our BCV studio for Oct 11-13 and I cannot wait. Our intention is to get completely gorged out on yummies from the food and wine festival then transfer over to our VWL 2bd on Sunday (unless our waitlist comes through for a 2bd BCV for the week, but I doubt it)

My question is, is there a better time on Saturday and sunday to hit up the F&W festival? I know they are typically the worst days to try to go, but maybe there is a time that is better than others to visit the booths.

Appreciate the help!

 

[erionm]

My question is, is there a better time on Saturday and sunday to hit up the F&W festival? I know they are typically the worst days to try to go, but maybe there is a time that is better than others to visit the booths.

The World Showcase (and the food kiosks) open at 11 AM. The earlier you get there, the better.

 

[DeadHead]

Could not agree more. The earlier the better on a weekend. It has a tendency to get very crowded very quickly.

 

[drusba]

You will be hitting Columbus Day weekend. The crowds will be heavy both days. Late afternoon/evening is heavier than earlier. Though much is in World Showcase, there is some in Future World also. For example, they turn the old Wonders of Life pavilion into a huge wine cellar where you can get wine and food.

 

[mdsd8700]

Agree with all pp, the earlier the better. We were there that same exact weekend last year and did the F&W on Friday and Saturday. Both days we arrived exactly as the WS opened. Friday in our opinion was actually a very manageable crowd until we left about 2 pm. However Saturday was much different. It was crowded by 12:30 and the evening was full! Still it was a great time.

 

[bigtony777]

If it starts getting crazy busy, grab an extra drink at a few stations. After a couple you won't be so frustrated with the crowds.

 

[AmyB2006]

Agreed. Weekends are the worst. But weekend nights are even.... uh, worse"est". LOL I would go in the morning/afternoon.

Mid afternoon is when I tend to notice the locals coming out to F&W, and it just generally gets more crowded. Usually around 4pm onward.

If it were me, I'd lunch my way around the lagoon and head out after.

 

[shortypots]

Appreciate it folks, so it sounds like I should get there right at 11 am (maybe even earlier to scope a place to sit!) and eat around til the crowds are more than I can handle... maybe I should hope for rain! haha Cause that won't stop us!

 

[tb1972]

The weekends do seem crazy esp at night. This F & W, we're landing in Orlando around noon on a Sunday. We plan to do MK on Sunday and then hit Epcot during the week.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The World Showcase (and the food kiosks) open at 11 AM. The earlier you get there, the better.

Yup, what we do when we stay at BCV for the F&W festival is enter the WS thru the IG around 10:30. Then we sit by Rose and Crown and wait for the booths to open. Some of them open around 10:50. Last year, I remember Ireland opening before 11:00, and so we got our seafood pie and chocolate dessert with no wait.

 

[MinnieLee]

Yup, what we do when we stay at BCV for the F&W festival is enter the WS thru the IG around 10:30. Then we sit by Rose and Crown and wait for the booths to open. Some of them open around 10:50. Last year, I remember Ireland opening before 11:00, and so we got our seafood pie and chocolate dessert with no wait.

We also stay at BCV and Ireland is my first stop - LOVE that seafood pie! Anything on the weekends, as everyone else has said, plan on being there when WS opens. You start seeing the crowds building around 3 and by 5 the lines are so long. During the weekdays, if you are there early, you can just about walk up to any kiosk and get what you want.

Our favorite time of the year to go crowds or no crowds!!!

 

[lucyem]

We did a Saturday afternoon once. Arrived at 11 through international gateway. By 12 the wall of people was insane. Lines were super super long. Day was HOT. No expensive bites of food are worth that. I dont do long lines in the hot sun.

We left and went back to the pool. Had an ADR around 6:30 at via Napoli. So walked back over and ate. On our way out after dinner the lines were not so long. Crowded yes but people had had their food and were not so frantic for the booths. We hit more booths with less lines and no hot sun bearing down on us.

Since then we stick with the same plan every day during our October trips. AM start at another park followed by lunch and then time at the pool. In the evening wander Epcot world showcase snacking. Works for us.

 

[shortypots]

We like to take our trips as relaxing as possible. We don't commando the parks anymore unless friends go with us. So we would probably have a light breakfast in the room, relax a little, check email, and then head over around 10:30 on Saturday. On Sunday our transfer day, we might head over early 10:30ish and then when we are done eating, go check in to our new resort (unless our waitlist gets major pixie dust and we get in, then it is just checking in to our 2bd unit at BCV), relax, take a nap, then head back over for dinner. I figured dinner time on Sunday might be a little easier then the rest of Saturday.

I am trying to convince hubby to do the party for the senses Saturday night as my b-day present and do the $180 one, but he is not fond of spending that much money.

We will be there all week too, so it is not like we cannot go into epcot and get some yummies during the week too, just we will be with the nieces and they are not too fond of the world showcase (they are 9 and 5). The purpose of us going down a few days earlier is so we can enjoy the Festival, even if there are a few lines it shouldn't be a big deal. Or so we hope! haha