Will I be disappointed in Food and Wine?

[RweTHEREyet]

We are used to Food and Wine at WDW, where there are dozens of food and wine kiosks to get samplings for $3-$4 or so per item. I believe I read that the one at DL is more about the seminars, etc. and there are few places for samplings, is this true? It also sounded as if the samplings at DL are actually located at the restaurants, so does this mean you have to wait in the regular lines as if you were ordering.

The one session that is open that I am considering attending is a sweet Sunday, but other than that, we probably just wish to sample new food items and do some shopping. I was so excited to learn a couple of weeks ago that the Food and Wine would be going on when we make our trip in May, but now I wonder if we might be used to something on a grander scale and just might be a bit disappointed.

Anyone been to both that would care to share their experience?

 

[LavenderPeach]

Our one trip to WDW happened to be during the food and wine festival. I remember there were a lot of little stands to get different food at so I expected something similar when we happened to be at DCA during the festival last year and it wasn't anything like that. Like you said, it does seem to be more about the seminars. There were signs around telling you about the special menu items for the different restaurants but it didn't seem like it was the same as at WDW. But i skimmed through a description of this year's festival and i thought it sounded like there might be food booths this year? Maybe i didn't read that right though. I don't know if you would be disappointed but you just need to realize that it will be different and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Califgirl]

In a word ~ yes.

Hopefully this year they have stepped it up a little. I think for the first time it is not just on the weekends.

WDW has a lot of wonderful food booths, CA has one 'restaurant' at the wharf that sells the festival food selections. WDW has well thought out and executed demonstrations, mostly inside with adequate seating, ~ CA has you stand out in the sun for hours hoping to get one of a couple of dozen seats that for a demonstration that is outside.

WDW has a variety of classes and experiences running from under around $65 and up~ CA has very few for under $100 this year: sweet Sundays, Taste Wine like an Expert, and the Reidel glass tasting. And there is not the variety of subjects as WDW offers.


CA F&W is extreemly small compared to Epcots and while not worth a trip for this alone, it is a nice addtion to your trip if you happen upon it. In contrast, I try to get to WDW specifically for the F&W Festival.

Here's a link to the schedul on pdf. It does seem to have a lot more offerings this year. But I still wouldn't expect anything like WDW.
http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/me...Events/foodWine/FoodWineDailySchedule2010.pdf

 

[RweTHEREyet]

In a word ~ yes.

Hopefully this year they have stepped it up a little. I think for the first time it is not just on the weekends.

WDW has a lot of wonderful food booths, CA has one 'restaurant' at the wharf that sells the festival food selections. WDW has well thought out and executed demonstrations, mostly inside with adequate seating, ~ CA has you stand out in the sun for hours hoping to get one of a couple of dozen seats that for a demonstration that is outside.

WDW has a variety of classes and experiences running from under around $65 and up~ CA has very few for under $100 this year: sweet Sundays, Taste Wine like an Expert, and the Reidel glass tasting. And there is not the variety of subjects as WDW offers.


CA F&W is extreemly small compared to Epcots and while not worth a trip for this alone, it is a nice addtion to your trip if you happen upon it. In contrast, I try to get to WDW specifically for the F&W Festival.

Thanks, at least I know not to have high expectations, and then I might be pleasantly surprised. I appreciate your honest thoughts on this. Our trip was planned out already, and this is just a nice little added bonus. And I know not to count on Food and Wine as my meal, maybe a snack, whereas at WDW, we normally "eat and drink around the World."

 

[brergnat]

Last year, the different Counter Service restaurants had one or two "special" items for the F&WF. To be honest, some of these were VERY VERY good. Most were large enough to stand alone as a meal. Just check out what is being offered, and try what sounds good!