F&W Fest -- Over-rated???

[JimboJones123]

A few years ago, I went the 2nd week of Oct and missed it and have longed to go ever since. So we kinda planned this years trip around it.

I think I let the hype get to me.

I'm not a drinker, but I was really looking forward to trying LOTS OF STUFF. We cruised the WS a few times. I got the

Argentenia
Emanada- Too sweet, kinda yucky.

Mexico
Chicken Verde thingie-Very Spicy and Very Good.
Quesadilla - Not so good. The inside ones are better.

Mideastern place near Morrocco (it's been a few weeks, I forget)
Pocstacio Blacava - Great! Nice mix of flavors.
Mint Green Tea - Awesome! I want more

Canada
Cheese Soup- Oversold and underdelivered. I made the make-at-home version from the recipe page and it was much better at home. Guess Le Cellier isn't in my future.

US
Blueberry Cobler - TOTALLY THE BEST -- but it was 2 bites big. I wish I could buy a full helping w/ice cream.

Most of the rest was Fish. I don't eat fish, so I felt VERY left out. I did miss the Leek Soup at Ireland, my only regret. But I expected a bit more Non-Fishy stuff, and it didn't really deliver for me.

So I can easily avoid busy times at Epcot and skip Oct/Nov next year. That will also keep me in Value anyways. I do LOVE the F/G fest though. This and Xmas are really worth seeing, but F/G I thought would knock my socks off. I found it an almost cheap rip-off of any "Taste Of..." fest and with food that isn't really all that great.

Go ahead, rip me if you want. But unless you are really wanting to try about 30-40 new wines, it didn't do much for me. I would have been better going in May for the F/G

 

[DWGIRL]

We went to F/W last year and felt the same as you. It was not worth fighting the crowds to attend it. We prefer the F/G as well.

 

[Gorjus]

If you aren't into wine or beer, then yes, I can see how you would be less than thrilled with the Food and Wine fest.

I LOVE the F&W fest. I love trying lots of different wines and then pairing them with a variety of different foods. I love being able to try lots of food from different countries without having to purchase a full size helping. I prefer appetizers to a full meal anyway. It is great to have little samplings.

I think you missed some of the great dishes like Chicken Sha Cha from China and Durban Spiced Chicken from S. Africa. Sure some of it isn't going to hit your palette well, but that is the joy of the sample sizes.

But don't get me wrong, I'm really fine with anyone who isn't a fan to stay away...Less Crowds.:lol:

 

[JimboJones123]

If you aren't into wine or beer, then yes, I can see how you would be less than thrilled with the Food and Wine fest.

I LOVE the F&W fest. I love trying lots of different wines and then pairing them with a variety of different foods. I love being able to try lots of food from different countries without having to purchase a full size helping. I prefer appetizers to a full meal anyway. It is great to have little samplings.

I think you missed some of the great dishes like Chicken Sha Cha from China and Durban Spiced Chicken from S. Africa. Sure some of it isn't going to hit your palette well, but that is the joy of the sample sizes.

But don't get me wrong, I'm really fine with anyone who isn't a fan to stay away...Less Crowds.:lol:

Bless the wine lover that really gets joy out of this. Glad it's great for you.

 

[Master Yoda]

The wife and I spent 2 days eating our way around the World Showcase and absolutely loved it. Neither of us care for wine so we skipped that part but we really loved the food. I think the key is not to be a picky eater. With a couple of minor exceptions (still cant get the wife to try raw fish or snails) we will eat pretty much anything. There were dishes that I liked more than others but I can't think of a single thing I hated and we ordered pretty much the entire food menu at nearly all the countries.

 

[gatordoc]

Still think it's great, though definitely much better during the week when the crowds are smaller. I'm not much of a seafood eater either, but I found lots of things to try, and enjoyed most of them.

 

[davinakb]

Still think it's great, though definitely much better during the week when the crowds are smaller.

Word on the weekdays. Totally rock.[SIZE=-1] I am not a HUGE wine drinker, but still totally love sampling. If you go during the week, you not only miss the crowds, you have a better chance of making more of the free (yes, I said FREE. At Disney.) wine, beer and food presentations. They really make a nice way to try new things without spending too much money.[/SIZE]

Like Gorjus I can see how the F&W festival may not "wow" if you're not a big foodie or [SIZE=-1]connoisseur. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Jim I liked the beef empanada from Argentina, sorry you didn't. The F&G festival is very pretty, there's a nice butterfly room, and if you're into it, gardening presentations.
[/SIZE]

 

[Tim G]

Every year the family and I visit F&W Festival for an afternoon...

Buy and try every starter available... and we love it... all of us... :slurp:

So over rated??? could be... but not for us

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I have not actually been, but I have heard mostly fantastic things. Can't wait to get there myself one day...

 

[majortom1981]

Hmm

I would gather it would depend on where you live at home. I work in avillage that has tons of international food and I would not plan a vacation around the f&w festival because i can do that at home. But if you live where there is not very much international food then you might find it inteeresting.

 

[teebin]

As I see it... it is a $78.00 pu-pu platter. And that is expensive for a one person pu-pu platter. (math: $3.00 x 26 country booths). Add in wine at $2.50 and it is a $143.00 pu-pu platter per person with beverage. The whole thing is a money making rip-off. And it is very successful and bringing in the bucks in the off season which is what WDW was working to achieve! So, it is successful... but still a rip-off. I will buy my $2.50 diet coke and now think, "wow, a full bottle of coke for only $2.50!"

 

[mousermerf]

I honestly wasn't impressed this year, and felt the event was okay, but nothing exciting compared to past years. The booths just weren't grand as in the past. The year Spain was there for example. That was a really nice setup.

But things cycle, maybe next year will be great - you can't win them all right?

 

[disneygal1012]

A few years ago, I went the 2nd week of Oct and missed it and have longed to go ever since. So we kinda planned this years trip around it.

I think I let the hype get to me.

I'm not a drinker, but I was really looking forward to trying LOTS OF STUFF. We cruised the WS a few times. I got the

Argentenia
Emanada- Too sweet, kinda yucky.

Mexico
Chicken Verde thingie-Very Spicy and Very Good.
Quesadilla - Not so good. The inside ones are better.

Mideastern place near Morrocco (it's been a few weeks, I forget)
Pocstacio Blacava - Great! Nice mix of flavors.
Mint Green Tea - Awesome! I want more

Canada
Cheese Soup- Oversold and underdelivered. I made the make-at-home version from the recipe page and it was much better at home. Guess Le Cellier isn't in my future.

US
Blueberry Cobler - TOTALLY THE BEST -- but it was 2 bites big. I wish I could buy a full helping w/ice cream.

Most of the rest was Fish. I don't eat fish, so I felt VERY left out. I did miss the Leek Soup at Ireland, my only regret. But I expected a bit more Non-Fishy stuff, and it didn't really deliver for me.

So I can easily avoid busy times at Epcot and skip Oct/Nov next year. That will also keep me in Value anyways. I do LOVE the F/G fest though. This and Xmas are really worth seeing, but F/G I thought would knock my socks off. I found it an almost cheap rip-off of any "Taste Of..." fest and with food that isn't really all that great.

Go ahead, rip me if you want. But unless you are really wanting to try about 30-40 new wines, it didn't do much for me. I would have been better going in May for the F/G

Please don't let this make your decision about Le Cellier, it is an awesome restaurant. I go there for lunch everytime I am in Orlando. I even got to take my mom this summer when my family came to visit and she thought that it was awesome. So please don't let the soup stop you from going to eat at Le Cellier.

 

[tecowdw]

A few years ago, I went the 2nd week of Oct and missed it and have longed to go ever since. So we kinda planned this years trip around it.

I think I let the hype get to me.

I'm not a drinker, but I was really looking forward to trying LOTS OF STUFF. We cruised the WS a few times. I got the

Argentenia
Emanada- Too sweet, kinda yucky.

Mexico
Chicken Verde thingie-Very Spicy and Very Good.
Quesadilla - Not so good. The inside ones are better.

Mideastern place near Morrocco (it's been a few weeks, I forget)
Pocstacio Blacava - Great! Nice mix of flavors.
Mint Green Tea - Awesome! I want more

Canada
Cheese Soup- Oversold and underdelivered. I made the make-at-home version from the recipe page and it was much better at home. Guess Le Cellier isn't in my future.

US
Blueberry Cobler - TOTALLY THE BEST -- but it was 2 bites big. I wish I could buy a full helping w/ice cream.

Most of the rest was Fish. I don't eat fish, so I felt VERY left out. I did miss the Leek Soup at Ireland, my only regret. But I expected a bit more Non-Fishy stuff, and it didn't really deliver for me.

So I can easily avoid busy times at Epcot and skip Oct/Nov next year. That will also keep me in Value anyways. I do LOVE the F/G fest though. This and Xmas are really worth seeing, but F/G I thought would knock my socks off. I found it an almost cheap rip-off of any "Taste Of..." fest and with food that isn't really all that great.

Go ahead, rip me if you want. But unless you are really wanting to try about 30-40 new wines, it didn't do much for me. I would have been better going in May for the F/G

I agree that the F/W isn't much special for me ~ not being a big food fancier. Give me a food court over that "different" stuff anyday.

Speaking of Canada's soup, I heard alot of good about it. Tried it last year at the F/W and it was too watery for me. Ick.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

I agree with the weekday suggestion. I wouldn't even bother going to World Showcase on a weekend during this event, it's capacity crowds especially whenever the an Eat to the Beat performer is on stage.

 

[v_misses_epcot]

As I see it... it is a $78.00 pu-pu platter. And that is expensive for a one person pu-pu platter. (math: $3.00 x 26 country booths). Add in wine at $2.50 and it is a $143.00 pu-pu platter per person with beverage. The whole thing is a money making rip-off. And it is very successful and bringing in the bucks in the off season which is what WDW was working to achieve! So, it is successful... but still a rip-off. I will buy my $2.50 diet coke and now think, "wow, a full bottle of coke for only $2.50!"

That's why I'm glad I work here. I get to try out all the booths before the end of the festival with only trying out a few of them at a time....

And while I think the portions are small, you must remember that it is disney and it's fresh....you can't have everything free at disney. =/

 

[Gorjus]

It absolutely is a very expensive meal if you consider it as a Pu Pu Platter. I agree 100%. But if small portions of a variety of foods is something you enjoy, it is well worth it. If you go alone, it can get expensive. If you go with a large crowd, sharing is a great way to cut expenses. We will go with 10-15 people and at each booth 4 people buy the 4 different wines and 3 people buy the 3 different foods (this is a rough example). Then everyone takes a little bite of everything and a little sip of everything. If there is something absolutely yummy, you can go buy a glass or plate for yourself. If not, you've tried it and haven't spent a lot.

I work at a restaurant part time. At this restaurant, your dinner comes with appetizer, salad, entree, vegatable, and a starch/potato. These are all included with the price. Yet there are some that come in and say: "just bring my prime rib and baked potato. I don't want anything green." Different people like different things. I absolutely see how the F&W fest would not be thrilling to some people. For me, it is a must do.

Gorjus