Food and Wine Festival First-Timer

[LostPrincessKarleigh]

The DBF and I just made our reservations at WDW 9/30-10/6. (I freaked out and danced until I stubbed my toe, but I digress). We are both really looking forward to our first time at MNSSHP and the F&WF. What should we expect at F&WF? How is the layout? Anything we should absolutely try/stay away from? What about pricing from booth to booth? (We got the free dining plan, which is why we are going at this time)
Thanks!

 

[Bparso87]

Free dinning will help. Most booths you can use snack credits for the food. That is always a great way to get rid of snack credits. I did not have a bad booth just do what you think is awesome. It is a great time.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

What should we expect at F&WF? How is the layout? Anything we should absolutely try/stay away from? What about pricing from booth to booth? (We got the free dining plan, which is why we are going at this time)
Thanks!

Expect heavy crowds in Epcot's World Showcase, especially in the evenings and on weekends. The Festival Marketplace booths are laid out in between all the pavilions there. Expect to drop a fair amount of cash even with the use of your snack credits, especially if you enjoy adult beverages. Food and wine items are sample portions that generally cost between $2-5 each, though some mixed drinks and sparkling wines can cost as much as $10.

I think the must-try items include the Lettuce Wrap from South Korea, the Spicy Hand Roll from Japan, the Tuna Poke from Hawaii, the Lobster and Seafood Fisherman's Pie from Ireland, both tacos from Mexico, and the Sparkling Pomegranate Kir and Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush from France. I posted photos of some of these items on this thread: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-festival-marketplace-kiosk-offerings.870121/

As far as items to stay away from, that's even more subjective than what's good. I advise exercising extreme caution at the Singapore booth, though. I thought the mahi mahi was totally bland, and the Singapore Sling was so strong it tasted like paint thinner.

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

We are going from 10/5-10/12 and we too are looking forward to the F&W. There are alot of threads on here about it, so definitely check around. The one Melissa linked to above is great for sure tho.

I was planning my drinks alread and heard that the Singapore Sling was a "can't miss". Not a huge fan of paint thinner tho..lol. I may have to switch up my plans..

 

[deanaandrich]

Don't make reservations for a big meal the same day you are going to F&W. you will fill up.
Portions can be small. I like to stand in front of the booths and check out the plates before I order something.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Expect heavy crowds in Epcot's World Showcase, especially in the evenings and on weekends. The Festival Marketplace booths are laid out in between all the pavilions there. Expect to drop a fair amount of cash even with the use of your snack credits, especially if you enjoy adult beverages. Food and wine items are sample portions that generally cost between $2-5 each, though some mixed drinks and sparkling wines can cost as much as $10.

I think the must-try items include the Lettuce Wrap from South Korea, the Spicy Hand Roll from Japan, the Tuna Poke from Hawaii, the Lobster and Seafood Fisherman's Pie from Ireland, both tacos from Mexico, and the Sparkling Pomegranate Kir and Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush from France. I posted photos of some if these items on this thread: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-festival-marketplace-kiosk-offerings.870121/

As far as items to stay away from, that's even more subjective than what's good. I advise exercising extreme caution at the Singapore booth, though. I thought the mahi mahi was totally bland, and the Singapore Sling was so strong it tasted like paint thinner.

Couldn't have said it better myself Melissa. Also, since you're on the dining plan, save up your snack credits, do a QS for breakfast or lunch, and use your snack credits to eat around the world

 

[Lexi]

Make sure you pick up a Food and Wine Festival Passport so you can keep track of everything you try and feel like a kid getting it stamped all around the worlds. You have to go to the Festival Welcome Center, which is in Future World, to pick it up though.

 

[Master Gracey 5]

I went a few years ago and will actually be back the same week this fall for a repeat trip. The booths are awesome and I regretted not taking more advantage of them last trip so we'll be doing lunch days eating around the world. I'd also recommend looking into the drink seminars or tastings if you are interested in something a little more exclusive and can spring for it. Some of them are very reasonable and will give you a chance to learn and try something new without the crowds. Have fun!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Our meal strategy for Food & Wine is to sleep in and skip breakfast. We arrive at Epcot mid-morning and make sure to be waiting at the World Showcase before it opens at 11:00 AM. We then utilize the Marketplaces for brunch, generally cutting ourselves off around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. If we schedule a dinner for those days, it's a late one. Like 8:30 or 9 PM.

 

[The Incredible Schmulk]

Edit: Yeah, what ↑ she ↑ said.

Best advice I can give you is to start your lap around the lagoon as soon as the World Showcase opens at 11 AM, and plan on leaving around 2 or 3 PM. By the time the early dinner crowd wanders in, the place gets packed. During the weekdays before 2 PM, you can usually find a quiet place to sit or stand and enjoy your tastes. After that, you will likely be walking and eating.

Bonus to using this strategy: you can still eat at a nice restaurant for dinner and not feel like you're packing it in, as long as you book a late reservation.

 

[baloofigment14]

We love the food and wine festival a lot! The Dining Plan snacks help since you can use it on some of the foods. It also smells amazing around the World Showcase! Below is a link of the different country's and their menus.
Enjoy your trip! I am sure you will enjoy it very much!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/inte...festival-marketplace-kiosks-now-available.htm

 

[tare]

It will prob be quite crowded. Looking forward to going someday myself. Enjoy!!!!

 

[danpam1024]

In addition to what everyone else has said- I like to purchase the Disney giftcard that comes on the wrist band bungee. (to pay for drinks). Better than digging out your cc all the time and easy to keep track of! no matter how much you plan for the first time, you WILL be overwhelmed (in a good way)-and will have a better strategy for your next trip!

 

[franksharonri]

Getting a GC is the way to go or use your kttw card. For your security most CC company's shut off your card when it is used too many times in a row. We use the gc the last couple of years and I like that it is on my wrist ready to go.

 

[JohnD]

I'm going in same timeframe. Not on dining plan, though. I booked room-only and have an AP, so I can't even convert to free dining offer unless I opt to purchase tickets. Recommendations for someone paying for food OOP?

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I'm going in same timeframe. Not on dining plan, though. I booked room-only and have an AP, so I can't even convert to free dining offer unless I opt to purchase tickets. Recommendations for someone paying for food OOP?

I think the aforementioned gift card idea is probably a good one for convenience. We don't do that because we'd rather rack up the rewards points on our credit card. I get double points for "restaurant" purchases, and the Festival Marketplace kiosks ring up as fast food restaurants. We probably spend about $50 per person per day (which includes sharing a handful of plates and imbibing in copious amounts of adult beverages).

 

[dadddio]

I'm going in same timeframe. Not on dining plan, though. I booked room-only and have an AP, so I can't even convert to free dining offer unless I opt to purchase tickets. Recommendations for someone paying for food OOP?

You might consider checking out the cost difference of going ahead and adding two-day tickets and free dining to your reservation. You can then use the value of the park tickets toward your APs when you renew.

 

[JCtheparrothead]

The DBF and I just made our reservations at WDW 9/30-10/6. (I freaked out and danced until I stubbed my toe, but I digress). We are both really looking forward to our first time at MNSSHP and the F&WF. What should we expect at F&WF? How is the layout? Anything we should absolutely try/stay away from? What about pricing from booth to booth? (We got the free dining plan, which is why we are going at this time)
Thanks!

We are going to be there at the same time and are first timers too. You're thread came at a great time. Looking forward to all the veteran tips and tricks.

 

[JohnD]

You might consider checking out the cost difference of going ahead and adding two-day tickets and free dining to your reservation. You can then use the value of the park tickets toward your APs when you renew.

I'm a Florida Resident so bought a Weekday Select Pass voucher at AAA in March. I exchange it for the actual pass upon arrival on 9/29. The one-year clock starts then. Not sure where there would be savings by purchasing a two-day ticket. I appreciate the tip, though. Thank you.

 

[harryk]

Did the F&W last year (for the 2d time) and found that being there at 'rope drop' proved to be a great idea.
We just wandered around the lagoon taking in all the views and offerings before actually stopping and purchasing anything. Found the offerings at each kiosk to be absolutely wonderful. Had lunch at those spots several days running. Experienced the largest crowds along the roadway at Canada / United Kingdom. The visit to the F&W welcome center is an absolute must. Last year it was at the old Wonders of Life location. It was open before World Showcase opened.