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Food and Wine Festival-pls tell me about it
- Thread starter mrsmtc
- Start date
There's a bunch of good information on the festival from last year found here:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Events/International-Food-and-Wine-Festival.htm
They haven't released the details on this year's festival however. :wave:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Events/International-Food-and-Wine-Festival.htm
They haven't released the details on this year's festival however. :wave:
copcarguyp71
Well-Known Member
It is worth it in my opinion. Great to snack and drink your way around the world! The food is good and in many cases better and more true to the real thing you would get in each country than the homogenized offerings at the regular restaurants.
scpergj
Well-Known Member
well, you see....there's food....and wine....and people, lots of people...
Seriously, we try to go at least once during the festival - last year we actually had three evenings tasting various foods (and BEER - GOOD BEER!!!). Crowds on weekends can be pretty crazy - line can easily be 30 or more minutes for the more popular booths.
This year, we picked up a passport that at every country you bought something, they would stamp the passport. We thought that was pretty cool.
I have seen people that have had a bit too much to drink (out son actually says they've had 'all 15' in reference to the 15 different beers they had a couple of years ago), but they really are pretty mild.
Try it - you'll have fun!
Seriously, we try to go at least once during the festival - last year we actually had three evenings tasting various foods (and BEER - GOOD BEER!!!). Crowds on weekends can be pretty crazy - line can easily be 30 or more minutes for the more popular booths.
This year, we picked up a passport that at every country you bought something, they would stamp the passport. We thought that was pretty cool.
I have seen people that have had a bit too much to drink (out son actually says they've had 'all 15' in reference to the 15 different beers they had a couple of years ago), but they really are pretty mild.
Try it - you'll have fun!
lbrad
Well-Known Member
DH & I went last year on the first day (our first time) ... no crowds.
We had fun. Enjoyed ALL the food we ate from the boothes. We used our "snack points" for all of our food so no out of pocket expense.
We returned Saturday evening to eat dinner at Rose & Crown ...YIKES!
Many college aged men/women that truly had too much to drink. We ignored all the misbehavior ... once we were seated for dinner all was good. I would recommend going :wave:
We had fun. Enjoyed ALL the food we ate from the boothes. We used our "snack points" for all of our food so no out of pocket expense.
We returned Saturday evening to eat dinner at Rose & Crown ...YIKES!
Many college aged men/women that truly had too much to drink. We ignored all the misbehavior ... once we were seated for dinner all was good. I would recommend going :wave:
Jseven
Member
Midweek during the first week or two of F&W is usually not as bad traffic-wise as the rest of the festival. Get there as early as the World Showcase opens (11am) to avoid the drunkards and crowds. This way you will be able to enjoy your day to the max! F&W is our favorite event in Orlando!! Enjoy! :wave:
Mickey_777
Well-Known Member
Personally I found the food to be okay at best. Plus it's very expensive given the portion size of most things you order. I'd go again but I'd be very selective with what and how many food and wine items I buy. My wife and I prefer to eat a real meal at one of the many great restaurants in World Showcase.
JiminyandTink
Well-Known Member
Agreed
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
It's Food so good you Whine about it..:ROFLOL:
F&w
After a number of years attending it's a learning experience. First time didn't realize how expensive it was-the entry ticket, parking, foods, drinks, etc. Second time the crowds were horrible. Now we're passholders so we go during mid-week, we just purchase one food item & drink that day and enjoy. We live 10 minutes away less gas cost. It's the most relaxing time and avoid much of the crowds, under age drinkers (yep this occurs) long lines, etc. We really enjoy this event now.
After a number of years attending it's a learning experience. First time didn't realize how expensive it was-the entry ticket, parking, foods, drinks, etc. Second time the crowds were horrible. Now we're passholders so we go during mid-week, we just purchase one food item & drink that day and enjoy. We live 10 minutes away less gas cost. It's the most relaxing time and avoid much of the crowds, under age drinkers (yep this occurs) long lines, etc. We really enjoy this event now.
Bocko57
Well-Known Member
DW and I went last year on the 1st Friday it started. We had such a great time we are going back again this year. Make sure you get your Food and Wine purchase card. It's like a debt card. You put whatever amount of money on it and use it at each station. Also if you are on the Dining plan, you can use your snacks at most of the stations to purchase some of the food. Someone mentioned it is a little pricey which is true but what isnt at Disney but we felt the food and drinks were well worth the money we spent, and of course the experience to try different foods and beverages around the world. Matter of fact we really enjoyed several types of wines and beverages and have bought several of them when we got back home.
fmingo36
Well-Known Member
I love the Food & Wine fest!
It does get a bit pricey but it is so enjoyable walking around WS and sampling from all the different countries. I love getting a passport and interacting with the cast members.
Weekends get VERY busy with locals. And nights tend to be rowdier. Try and get there when WS opens.
There are seminars & food/wine tastings as well but I've never attended them. But they seem to sell out so I'm guessing they are good.
They also have the Eat to the Beat concert series with well-know musical acts performing a few times nightly at the arena across from the American Pavillion.
It does get a bit pricey but it is so enjoyable walking around WS and sampling from all the different countries. I love getting a passport and interacting with the cast members.
Weekends get VERY busy with locals. And nights tend to be rowdier. Try and get there when WS opens.
There are seminars & food/wine tastings as well but I've never attended them. But they seem to sell out so I'm guessing they are good.
They also have the Eat to the Beat concert series with well-know musical acts performing a few times nightly at the arena across from the American Pavillion.
We stayed at the Dolphin last year for the Food and Wine Event. We attended the Chocolate and Cordials (name?) in Epcot. My SIL and DB bought the tickets. I am not big on chocolate so I wasn't sure I was going to love this. It was wonderful. Not just chocolate and wonderful desserts, but a wide variety of food, wine and cordials. Great entertainment and terrific seats for Illuminations. When we got out of the event it was pouring, and there were CM's handing out ponchos.
I couldn't imagine what would top that, but we attended the Food and Wine event at the Swan and Dolphin. It was supposed to be outside but it was raining, thus it was moved inside. Every restaurant at the Swan and Dolphin was represented with food samples. Most were very good; one was awful. (pork bellies on toast). Every wine vendor I have ever seen and some I haven't were there. The food and wine were unlimited. The entertainment was wonderful. It was a great party with a lot of people there but not crowded. I would definitely do that again.
I couldn't imagine what would top that, but we attended the Food and Wine event at the Swan and Dolphin. It was supposed to be outside but it was raining, thus it was moved inside. Every restaurant at the Swan and Dolphin was represented with food samples. Most were very good; one was awful. (pork bellies on toast). Every wine vendor I have ever seen and some I haven't were there. The food and wine were unlimited. The entertainment was wonderful. It was a great party with a lot of people there but not crowded. I would definitely do that again.
muse1983
Well-Known Member
Huge crowds, overpriced samples of food and a lot of obnoxious drunk people...that summed up my experience with it:wave:
Look before I get attacked I realize that this isn't the experience for everyone at the Food and Wine Festival :lol:
RonAnnArbor
Well-Known Member
"well, you see....there's food....and wine....and people, lots of people..."
THIS !!!!!
Something to keep in mind: things like this were designed to bring in the locals...specifically designed to bring in the locals...
The Food and Wine Festival has succeeded beyond their wildest dreams -- except for a few early days, and bad weather days (and even then it is full) this event pulls in HUGE crowds, not moderate, not large, HUGE....
That means for the casual Epcot visitor its a miserable experience in World Showcase. Not only do the locals come in van-fulls, the local colleges also come in bus loads...it's become a trendy thing to do; wear your school shirts, dress in khaki shorts and dress shirt and tie, etc....and those busses come in the dozens, not one or two per school.
As a result, your wait for food can be 30-45 minutes at some of the stands; the lines are at least 15-20 minutes everywhere, and it basically means that unless you plan to spend 6 - 7 hours at the Food and Wine Festival, you are not going to sample much more than a few things before you give up and head over to a different park for the evening....
Keep that in mind. If you don't mind crowds and long waits, then it is like one huge street party all around the WS....if things like street fairs drive you insane, then stay away....
THIS !!!!!
Something to keep in mind: things like this were designed to bring in the locals...specifically designed to bring in the locals...
The Food and Wine Festival has succeeded beyond their wildest dreams -- except for a few early days, and bad weather days (and even then it is full) this event pulls in HUGE crowds, not moderate, not large, HUGE....
That means for the casual Epcot visitor its a miserable experience in World Showcase. Not only do the locals come in van-fulls, the local colleges also come in bus loads...it's become a trendy thing to do; wear your school shirts, dress in khaki shorts and dress shirt and tie, etc....and those busses come in the dozens, not one or two per school.
As a result, your wait for food can be 30-45 minutes at some of the stands; the lines are at least 15-20 minutes everywhere, and it basically means that unless you plan to spend 6 - 7 hours at the Food and Wine Festival, you are not going to sample much more than a few things before you give up and head over to a different park for the evening....
Keep that in mind. If you don't mind crowds and long waits, then it is like one huge street party all around the WS....if things like street fairs drive you insane, then stay away....