What do you recommend for Food and Wine Festival?

[eva]

I'm sure there are some threads out there on the Food and Wine Festival, but I just can't seem to get the search to find any. This will be our first time at the festival and are wondering beyond just tasting and drinking our way around the World, what we should make sure we do. From WDW's website they talk about things like Party for the Senses and Exquisite Evenings at Epcot. But they give very little information as to what they are and the costs. For those of you that have gone, what do you reccommend? How can I find more information on what will be offered the dates we are there?

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have gone to the F&W for the last 5 years or so and find the menu to be almost identical every year, the portions are smaller and the price is the same. (cost is usually $2.75 to 4.50 per menu item, not alchohol)

I think closer to the time of the F&W allears will have a menu on their site.

 

[Werner Weiss]

This will be our first time at the festival and are wondering beyond just tasting and drinking our way around the World, what we should make sure we do.

I have an article, "Not Just Food Booths, The Other Side of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival," at http://www.yesterland.com/wine2006.html

The food booths and concerts only represent the surface of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

In the past, Disney has started to take bookings for paid events at some point in July. Many events sell out the first morning. WDWinfo.com and AllEarsNet.com publish the schedule and the booking date ahead of time. Disney's official site has been slower with the details than WDWinfo.com and AllEarsNet.com

The paid events are pricey. Some are better values than others. When it all works, they can be genuinely memorable experiences worth the premium price. But we've also come away from events wishing we had spent the same money on a nice meal with wine at a signature restaurant instead.

 

[eva]

Thanks for the information. Anyone out there ever go to the Party for the Senses? Deb's site mentions it, but never really says much about it. The WDW site has this on it:

Party for the Senses - Eat, Drink and Celebrate
Feast on this tribute to the sensory arts! Begin your evening with a reserved seat at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre. Following the show, World ShowPlace becomes the setting for a sensational evening showcasing the talents of more than 25 eminent chefs and the diversity of over 70 wines and beers. Wander among tempting tasting stations in the midst of imaginative décor and awe-inspiring acts from Cirque du Soleil® La Nouba™.

We are celebrating our 25th and this sounds like a great way to celebrate that special day. I just wondered how it works and the price. We also wondered if they publish the seminars and such ahead of time somewhere. Thanks again!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Thanks for the information. Anyone out there ever go to the Party for the Senses? Deb's site mentions it, but never really says much about it.

Please take another look at my article. It has a picture from a Party for the Senses in 2006, and it includes the following information about pricing: "For example, in 2005, the Party for the Senses was $95 plus tax per person; but for 2006, it was $125, which works out to $266.25 (including tax) for a couple. We decided to go anyway. In 2007, we won’t."

It's too early to know what the price will be in 2007. I hope it won't be more than the $266.25 (including tax) per couple in 2006, but the price seems to go up every year.

The description that you posted from the official WDW site is accurate. The Party for the Senses takes place in World Showplace (the former Millennium Village). You go from station to station to get tasting samples of foods and wines, often standing in line for a minute or so first (sometimes longer at very popular stations). You can eat standing up, or you can find places to sit, but the idea is to wander around through the massive hall, not to stay in one place.

There are are often very good foods and wines available. This is not a simple buffet with ordinary buffet food. It's an opportunity to try unusual items that you've never tasted before.

By the way, the description of the "reserved seat at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre" is not accurate. It's just a reserved section, not a reserved seat. Because so many people attend the Party for the Senses, it's a very large, wide section. You still have to wait in line if you want good seats.

 

[QueueCT]

I would recommend a food and wine pairing event. We attended one at Marrakesh last year and it was quite good. We also went to one of the "cook, the book & the bottle" events and loved it. The food was great, the chef entertaining the cookbook really useful.
There are other things like seminars on various wines, etc but, as a PP said, there will be more detail to come. I also recommend that you go to 2006 info on allearsnet, the info is fairly complete.

 

[eva]

Please take another look at my article. It has a picture from a Party for the Senses in 2006, and it includes the following information about pricing: "For example, in 2005, the Party for the Senses was $95 plus tax per person; but for 2006, it was $125, which works out to $266.25 (including tax) for a couple. We decided to go anyway. In 2007, we won’t."

Werner, I apologize. Somehow I read your post and missed the first sentence. Your article is great and was exactly what I was looking for. Is there anyway that I can find out when they will begin taking reservations for the reserved events?

 

[Werner Weiss]

Werner, I apologize. Somehow I read your post and missed the first sentence. Your article is great and was exactly what I was looking for. Is there anyway that I can find out when they will begin taking reservations for the reserved events?

I'm glad you found "Not Just Food Booths, The Other Side of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival" to be useful.

Last year, the first date to make reservations was July 31. I recall that in other years, the dates have been July 15 or July 25. There is no date yet for 2007.

I would check WDWinfo.com and AllEarsNet.com daily beginning in late June. Also, I would look for the preliminary event schedule on WDWinfo.com and AllEarsNet.com about a week or so before reservations begin.

You might also want to call 1-407-WDW-DINE and check the official WDW website. In the past the unofficial sites have had the information before the official site, but there's always a possibility that could change this year.

The only published information so far is the schedule for the "Eat to the Beat" Concert Series at Epcot's America Gardens Theatre and a press release with a high-level summary of the 2007 event.

 

[eva]

Thanks again. I will just keep checking all the sites about a month from now. DH and I are very excited to be going this year. I can't believe that we have been to WDW over 20 times and still have never been there during the Food & Wine Festival. I'm going to make sure we do quite a few of the seminars and a couple of dinners. Plus the Beach Boys will be there the week we are!

 

[JERSEYDISFAN]

Eva, if you want to get a real feel for the event, check right here on the DISboards. Go to the top of the page and click on events. Then scroll down to the International Food & Wine Festival ad and click on the link in the ad. This will take you to a page that includes links to the 2006 festival events and will give you a very detailed look at what the festival is really all about. While the signature/dinner events change every year, the food kiosks items generally remain about 70-80% the same as last year. Check back here on the DISboards frequently in July as this is usually the first place the current year events are posted. Reservations for the ticketed events usually open up at the end of July. If you're interested in any of the special dinner events, be quick in making your reservations as some have been known to sell out in 20 minutes.

DW and I will be at the festival from 10/24-10/31 and are eagerly awaiting the release of the schedule of events.

 

[girt25]

Thanks for the information. Anyone out there ever go to the Party for the Senses? Deb's site mentions it, but never really says much about it.

Been to party for the senses the last couple of years and absolutely loved it everytime. It's a blast, way more food and wine than you can possibly sample, then you walk right out as illumination starts. I haven't found a better way to spend a saturday night. They do seem to oversell for this event, a lot of people walk around without a table to take their food to etc, but shouldn't be a problem if you get there early.

the price went up a good bit last year, and who knows what it'll be this year, but so far it's been worth the price, and I plan on going again this year... if it's under $200 per person.