And, I thought I was the only one who used "debauchery" to describe the antics at F&W. This is a great mini-trip report and I just can't believe the locals are not able to find somewhere else to get smashed. They need to show more respect towards us vacationers who make up about 3/4 of their economy.
http://www.monorailmedia.com/week-three-epcot-food-wine-festival/
Saturday, October 12 |
Week Three kicks off with the usual weekend crowds at Food + Wine. There is a drunk social gradient going on– things start with large groups, families and cute matching couples all jubilantly gathering in inconvenient clusters from Spaceship Earth to World Showcase. Slowly the few amateurs in those groups peak their boisterous bobble heads up from the crowd, yelling and looking like the life of the party. Two hours later, they are in the bushes behind the UK Pavilion taking a siesta.
“Yes. That man is sleeping darling. Come over here” (pulling child away). Everyone else seems okay, imbibing but still in control, for the next few hours at least. Then the parade starts — the ladies toppling in heels with beers, cocktails, wine and lumbering man-childs in frat mode. Criers, fighters and public displays of amorous affection have arrived. At last, the dramatic shift from festively snookered (my term– trademark) to reworded German drinking songs, long awkward hugs between strangers and full on bar debauchery ensues. It looks like some folks finally bought all the kooky hats you see for sale in each pavilion. You know, the regular vacation crowd just try them on, take a picture, post it on Facebook, slap a hashtag #Epcot #Mexico on it and put it back. Nope– not this crowd. Sombrero and Viking helmets abound! They bought the dream!
Exit Scene: Our crew heads to International Gateway, leaving for Hollywood Studios via the charming European style river boat named, “Friendship” boats. Touring Plans predicted a lower crowd level at Hollywood Studios and was correct. This proved to be the best option for our multi-generational group, who quickly tired of the mob scene in Epcot. We stayed there a few hours and escaped the madness. At 6:30pm we walked back to Epcot along the path from Hollywood Studios to Boardwalk and avoided the queue for the return ferry back to the Epcot Resort area.
Upon returning to Epcot, nearing 7pm, the wheels are starting to come off and you smile a bit because the revelers are still a friendly bunch and cooing at my child’s crazy cute little bee costume. A sweet, but definite sign to head out before the group of early twenty something’s in matching “Epcot Drinking Team 2013″ tees spill margarita on my kid. Sometimes there is a changing of the guard where the day drinkers depart and the nighttime crowds take over, fresh and still with it– but not today. My better half, stayed until 10:30pm and reported debauchery and further antics in those few hours after I left with my daughter. Fine for adults, not so much for little eyes and ears.
