What's the scoop on the finish line party (Wine and Dine)?

[rutgers1]

I am running and my wife and kids have tickets to the finish line party. I probably should have asked about it prior to purchasing the tickets, but I'm still wondering what to expect. The website says that a few rides will be open, as well as some Wine and Dine kiosks.

- Any idea how many rides will be open?
- What type of kiosks are they referring to?
- Was the main point of paying all that money to give my family a place to "hang out" while they are waiting for me to finish?

Part of me is wondering if it would be better for them to go back to the hotel and get some sleep. Then again, if there are a bunch of rides open with no line, and if there are other cool things to see and do, maybe it will be worth it.

 

[butiflfeet]

DH and I ran the W&D last year and by the time we finished the race around midnight the F&W kiosks were pretty jam packed. World Showcase was pretty crowded and we didn't really stick around too long because of that. All of the kiosks were open and most of the rides as well. After we finished we were waiting around for my sister to finish and we wandered over to Soarin' where there was a 15 minute wait. I'm assuming most of the rides were pretty much walk-on.

Maybe someone who was there just for the party could chime in to let us know what the party was like before the runners started trickling after the race.

 

[Figment1990]

I was at last year's W&D Finish line party pretty much from 10pm til 1am (my sister was running). We didn't stick around much after she finished (I think she finished around 1am). But during the time waiting for the finishers it was not crowded. I mean, yes there were people around but not really crowds. The biggest crowds were at the movie screen they had up for spectators to watch runners on. It was set up by Nemo, but I'm not sure where it will be this year (if anywhere). They had music playing through the speakers around the park and in this spectator area. It was pretty strange to be sitting in Mexico, or American Adventure listening to LMFAO and Springsteen and stuff like that rather than the usual WDW background music! We didn't ride rides while we were waiting for her (but we could have) and the world showcase felt "dark" as it always does to me during evening EMH. But again, we did not go back into the WS or try to ride rides after my sister was finished running because she did not feel well.

I'm running this year with a friend and our DH's are attending the party while we run. I'm sure they will be more than pleased to enjoy the beer, wine and food while we chomp on energy chews. Pretty much I plan to run the race, clean up a bit, eat food my DH has packed for me, and then have him carry me back to the Boardwalk to dump me into the shower and fall asleep. On Sunday, we plan to hit Epcot and enjoy F&W together... My backup plan is to actually finish the race strong enough that I want to stick around longer at the party. But if there are lines for food, I envision sitting on a bench or something and sending my DH into line to get it! (why else bring him along? )

 

[rutgers1]

Thanks for the replies.

Two other questions:

1) What are at the kiosks?

2) This question is for Food and Wine Festival in general, not just on race day. Is this something that I need to make a reservation for beforehand (the eating part), or can I just go to Epcot and visit each country to eat? I know that most restaurants require a reservation during other parts of the year, but I thought that perhaps it was different during Food and Wine. I guess my overall question is --- how does it all work?

 

[regul8ter18]

the kiosks are little stations that have the food from around the world. When I ran last year I was able to eat the one I wanted to. by the time I got to all the ones that I wanted to hit it started to get crowded. my parents were at the party from the time I started so when I finished we went straight to test track and then my mom said "good job" and she went back to the hotel and my dad walked around with me eating and riding the rides.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Thanks for the replies.

Two other questions:

1) What are at the kiosks?

2) This question is for Food and Wine Festival in general, not just on race day. Is this something that I need to make a reservation for beforehand (the eating part), or can I just go to Epcot and visit each country to eat? I know that most restaurants require a reservation during other parts of the year, but I thought that perhaps it was different during Food and Wine. I guess my overall question is --- how does it all work?

The kiosks don't need reservations, but if you are really interested in a certain restaurant, presentation, etc. they all seem to require reservations or tickets. It is like a food festival that you may have in your hometown - we have them all the time here. The only difference is that restaurants aren't featured, cuisine based on location is. Hope that helps. It will make more sense once they release the program for the after race stuff, and I think there is already information for the rest of the vendors. I know that there is actually an app for your smart phone just for the festival. It is a lot more fun than I thought it would be.

 

[lerxst]

I remember last year was the first time we went to Food & Wine (not after party just the regular festival). I was so disappointed at the sheer mass of people that were in WS. I was severely bummed at how long the lines were.

Sounds like lines at the food kiosks/booths are some what better for after party. I am certainly gonna temper my expectations this go around.

 

[Figment1990]

I just wanted to mention that as I am sure things have changed a bit over the years, but I remember in 2007 the world showcase was not so crowded that it shocked me. Of course that was not necessarily a Friday or Saturday night at 6pm. It was the last week in October and we were able to go to the kiosks with not a lot of wait and I don't remember it being an odd time of day. I believe we were also there another year in September maybe and I also don't remember it being mobbed.

 

[MightyDuck001]

I haven't been to the party yet but did go to F&W last fall. World Showcase was packed and the lines for the kiosks were pretty long on a Saturday and actually not bad on a Sunday morning just before lunch. It seemed like a lot of local people came in for the F&W and to drink around the world on Saturday and that thinned out.

The menus for each kiosk are already up on the F&W website so you can pre-plan where you want to eat and even better have your family go buy it for you while you're running! That was my plan since I want the creme brulee from France and waffle from Belgium!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I haven't been to the party yet but did go to F&W last fall. World Showcase was packed and the lines for the kiosks were pretty long on a Saturday and actually not bad on a Sunday morning just before lunch. It seemed like a lot of local people came in for the F&W and to drink around the world on Saturday and that thinned out.

The menus for each kiosk are already up on the F&W website so you can pre-plan where you want to eat and even better have your family go buy it for you while you're running! That was my plan since I want the creme brulee from France and waffle from Belgium!

That sounds delicious! Definitely checking out the menus now!

 

[mking624]

I remember last year was the first time we went to Food & Wine (not after party just the regular festival). I was so disappointed at the sheer mass of people that were in WS. I was severely bummed at how long the lines were.

Sounds like lines at the food kiosks/booths are some what better for after party. I am certainly gonna temper my expectations this go around.

Did you go during the W&D Half Marathon weekend last year? Because if so, keep in mind that was the opening weekend for the festival. Also, weekends will always be busier for it between the tourists and the locals.