What is the Party for the Senses?

[Nickymouse]

Okay, I know this is an event held during the Food and Wine Festival, but can anyone tell me what to expect. Is this an event where you just walk around tasing different foods, or is this a "sit down" style dining experience with someone serving you your food? I am planning a nice dinner with our friends when we go in Nov., but I'm not sure if this is going to be the relaxed night we are hoping for.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Found this explanation on the Dis:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/#senses

 

[Nickymouse]

Thanks. Based on this, it looks like you walk around to different stations. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[parrotheadlois]

There are little booths all around the World Show case, somewhere I have pictures, ok, here's a link, maybe it'll work, just select the whole thing and paste it into your browser (address) window:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZMXLJq4bNGdf&notag=1

Each country sells a couple of samples of wine and a couple of samples of food from their country, i.e., Mexico - chicken quesadillas, Canada, cheddar cheese soup - mmmmm, I'm getting hungry just think about it!

The pictures are from 2003, the countries change, but you get the idea.

 

[TDC Nala]

There are little booths all around the World Show case, somewhere I have pictures, ok, here's a link, maybe it'll work, just select the whole thing and paste it into your browser (address) window:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZMXLJq4bNGdf&notag=1

Each country sells a couple of samples of wine and a couple of samples of food from their country, i.e., Mexico - chicken quesadillas, Canada, cheddar cheese soup - mmmmm, I'm getting hungry just think about it!

The pictures are from 2003, the countries change, but you get the idea.

This is the regular Food and Wine Festival offering outside in the World Showcase, not the Party for the Senses.

The Party for the Senses is a ticketed event in the World Showplace (the old Millennium village) usually taking place Saturday nights during the food and wine festival. It's like an upscale version of the food booths, but indoors and prepaid.

They do not serve the food or wine. You walk to different stations and pick up tasting portions (as much as you want, but a bit at a time). There is seating in the room, but not enough for everyone, and you will have to leave the seat to pick up food and beverages.

 

[Allison]

There are little booths all around the World Show case, somewhere I have pictures, ok, here's a link, maybe it'll work, just select the whole thing and paste it into your browser (address) window:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZMXLJq4bNGdf&notag=1

Each country sells a couple of samples of wine and a couple of samples of food from their country, i.e., Mexico - chicken quesadillas, Canada, cheddar cheese soup - mmmmm, I'm getting hungry just think about it!

The pictures are from 2003, the countries change, but you get the idea.

The Party of the Senses is actually different than this. It is a ticketed event that is part of the Food & Wine Festival you are describing.

 

[Figment2]

A group of us go every year. If you are looking for an evening where in you can sit and chat, then this is not it. Cirque du Soleil puts on several shows so the music is fairly loud if you sit where you can see the acts. Plus everyone runs around to the different booths so most of our conversations were along the lines of "where did you find that or did you try the xxx."

We love this event and hope to do it twice this year. It always amazes us how much food you can eat in a couple of hours.

Cyn

 

[parrotheadlois]

There are little booths all around the World Show case, somewhere I have pictures, ok, here's a link, maybe it'll work, just select the whole thing and paste it into your browser (address) window:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZMXLJq4bNGdf&notag=1

Each country sells a couple of samples of wine and a couple of samples of food from their country, i.e., Mexico - chicken quesadillas, Canada, cheddar cheese soup - mmmmm, I'm getting hungry just think about it!

The pictures are from 2003, the countries change, but you get the idea.

ooops, my mistake! Yes, this is the regular Food and Wine fare around the World Showcase.

I have no photos of the Party for the Senses, but yes, there are tables set around the room and stations with WONDERFUL samples of food! Everything is unbelievably delicious. One year we at so much, we didn't save room for the dessets, which are FANTASTIC!!! We can't wait till July 31st to insure ourselves a space at the November 4th (I guess it will be the last one for the 2006 Food & Wine). We're going with my sister and her husband, it's their first time at the F&W.

So excited, too excited, I messed up the description above - SORRY! (but, they're nice pictures of the regular booths).

 

[Nickymouse]

Thanks for all your replies. I think we may do this alone, not with friends we were hoping to have a relaxing conversation with over dinner. I thought I had read about certain restaurants doing special meals during thr F&WF. I have no info. on this, but it might be more what we are looking for. Has anyone done this?

 

[ImprovGal]

Thanks for all your replies. I think we may do this alone, not with friends we were hoping to have a relaxing conversation with over dinner. I thought I had read about certain restaurants doing special meals during thr F&WF. I have no info. on this, but it might be more what we are looking for. Has anyone done this?

Certain restaurants do offer special meals during the F&WF. They are separate ticketed events and have to be reserved specifically. You will be able to converse, but expect to pause for intermittent presentations by the chefs and vinters at each course. Also, there may be others seated with your party.

Epcot restaurants have offered 3 course food & wine pairings in the past. Last year, Mitsukoshi -- Mondays(in the Matsu No Ma Lounge -- sake, sushi, and sashimi), Marrakesh -- Tuesdays, Coral Reef -- Wed - Fri, Cellier -- Fridays (the prior year, though, they were offered Wed - Fri), Bistro de Paris -- Saturdays, Alfredo -- Sundays. Nine Dragons once offered a chinese food/beer pairing. These all take place in a 90 minute segment during a gap between the restaurant's lunch and dinner service (2:30 - 4, 3-4:30, 3:30 - 5). If your trip covers more than a week, note that Mitsukoshi, Marrakesh, Bistro, and Alfredo all repeat the same menu/pairing throughout the festival. Coral Reef and Cellier have different food & wine offerings daily.

My experiences? I'm a sushi fan and I really enjoy the pairing at Mitsukoshi. Last year, the chef decided to mix things up a bit from what was done in 2004 (the spicy tuna variations were now presented as a sashimi course instead of maki sushi, previous sashimi was now presented as a nigiri course). It's great to try the different sakes (some filtered, some unfiltered), all chilled. I tried Bistro and Alfredo in 2004 and enjoyed both. My favorites are the ones at Coral Reef, though, and I enjoy booking more than one during my trip since the menus do change daily.

There are also Signature Dinners -- 5 course dinner experiences prepared by visiting chefs paired with wines by featured wineries. These are one-nighters (read: sell out very quickly!). Sometimes they feature cuisine in theme with the restaurant (Jiko seems to do a Flavors of Africa signature dinner every year; California Grill/Californian cuisine; last year, Bistro de Paris and Le Cellier hosted French and Canadian signature dinners, respectively). Sometimes it's outside the normal scope of the restaurant. (Last year, I went to an outstanding signature dinner at Jiko featuring Indian cuisine. Citricos also hosted an Aussie dinner.)

Hope this helps!

 

[Nickymouse]

Thanks for the info. I think we would love to do a signature dinner. All of us are into wine and would enjoy the pairings with each course. Is the host restaurant closed to other patrons during the signature dinners? Do you sit at your own table or are others seated with you? How quickly does this event fill up?

 

[ImprovGal]

Thanks for the info. I think we would love to do a signature dinner. All of us are into wine and would enjoy the pairings with each course. Is the host restaurant closed to other patrons during the signature dinners? Do you sit at your own table or are others seated with you? How quickly does this event fill up?

The host restaurant is not closed to other patrons during the signature dinners; the signature dinner takes place in a private room in the restaurant, though. (For example, the Jiko one takes place in the restaurant's wine room which is closed off from the main restaurant seating area.) If you book your party together, your party will be seated together. However, others will be seated with you if the tables have more seats than are in your party. These dinners book up very quickly (sell out the day reservations open. They are a prepaid event (credit card charged in full at time of booking), though they sometimes have cancellations (especially around the last chance for a refund mark -- either 48 or 72 hrs).