Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[doctornick]

The only thing I can think of that we think is unique, snack-wise, at Disney is the Butterfinger Muffin at Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios. Yum!

I don't know how unique they are, but the Zebra Domes at AKL are probably my favorite guilty pleasure at WDW.

 

[The Mom]

I have only been to the F&W festival once. It was a zoo. Future World was empty. But the World Showcase was shoulder to shoulder with drunk locals clogging the walkways swapping notes on what to eat and drink. Trying to navigate that with two kids and a stroller was a mess. These people were too caught up in their own thing and/or too drunk to notice people trying to walk from one pavilion to another. It was not a place for kids.

It wasn't always that way. I really enjoyed the first few, and would make a trip every year. But I haven't been to one in several years because of the atmosphere you described.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I have only been to the F&W festival once. It was a zoo. Future World was empty. But the World Showcase was shoulder to shoulder with drunk locals clogging the walkways swapping notes on what to eat and drink. Trying to navigate that with two kids and a stroller was a mess. These people were too caught up in their own thing and/or too drunk to notice people trying to walk from one pavilion to another. It was not a place for kids.

This was my introduction to epcot and the flower and garden show. "Show" being the drunks everywhere, for one.

Not a good intro to Epcot, no wonder I'm really not a fan of that mall.... Errr, park.

 

[flynnibus]

I know I have had a churro. My wife got a taco salad in the Mexico pavilion and since we were on the meal plan, the churro was included as dessert. She didn't want it, so I got it. It was fine, but I can get a churro anywhere.

Churro was another one I found foul. Tastes like a cinnamon laced tortilla chip IMO. But I love me some stuffed pretzels

Snacks at Disney are tasty because snacks are tasty and hard to screw up. But there's nothing wondrous about Disney junk food.

They have some good stuff - just some of these things are tradition for folks so they take on a life of their own

 

[71jason]

It wasn't always that way. I really enjoyed the first few, and would make a trip every year. But I haven't been to one in several years because of the atmosphere you described.

Weekdays are still fine, only weekends get out of control.

 

[GoofGoof]

Weekdays are still fine, only weekends get out of control.

Did the issues begin after PI was closed? They did have a place to go where adults could drink with other adults. It's a shame they got rid of it.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Wish they would move the F&W to the Boardwalk. Maybe spread it out all across that lake. Then add a little nightime entertainment on the shore and the lake itself.

Let EPCOT remain a theme park, and a family one too! (And the world's most majestic and dignified at that, as it once was...)

 

[JimboJones123]

I have only been to the F&W festival once. It was a zoo. Future World was empty. But the World Showcase was shoulder to shoulder with drunk locals clogging the walkways swapping notes on what to eat and drink. Trying to navigate that with two kids and a stroller was a mess. These people were too caught up in their own thing and/or too drunk to notice people trying to walk from one pavilion to another. It was not a place for kids.

F&W is great on weekdays until about 2:30. After that, it is just not worth the trouble.

 

[71jason]

Did the issues begin after PI was closed? They did have a place to go where adults could drink with other adults. It's a shame they got rid of it.

Agreed on your basic point, but I think would've happened anyway

 

[lebeau]

Churro was another one I found foul. Tastes like a cinnamon laced tortilla chip IMO. But I love me some stuffed pretzels


They have some good stuff - just some of these things are tradition for folks so they take on a life of their own

The stuffed pretzels are good.

Don't get me wrong, I have never had a snack at Disney I didn't like. (I'm not touching a turkey leg.) But like you say, people get all worked up over tradition and lose sight of the fact that it's just theme park food. You can get the same snacks at most state fairs and they are usually just as good. And the things that are somewhat unique are unusual aren't worth the fit some people throw over them.

If a first timer ever talked to a pixie duster before they left, they would be disappointed by every thing they put in their mouth at Disney. Wait, that didn't come out right...

 

[lebeau]

F&W is great on weekdays until about 2:30. After that, it is just not worth the trouble.

We weren't actually trying to attend the F&W festival. We just needed to get to Askerhus for our 6:00 reservation. This was 6:00 on a Thursday. We only had to make our way past Mexico and into Norway thank goodness. It was fine once you got into the pavilion because no one was there for attractions. But the walkways were like swimming upstream.

I'm sure if it had just been my wife and me, it would have been a different experience. But I will avoid that thing like the plague while we have kids with us. Probably be better off taking them to Halloween Horror Nights.

 

[Wikkler]

Unless you don't like Butterfinger candy bars, you probably will love the Butterfinger muffin...

 

[bhg469]

I still enjoy food and wine but it has to be during the week and if you're on the dining plan it really ruins everything. I do miss the dining plan being really worth the cost.. You can still make out if you try, but you used to not have to try.. On the topic of fast pass... Can Disney charge for it already? It would make life easier for everyone...

 

[Disneyfan_76]

Wish they would move the F&W to the Boardwalk. Maybe spread it out all across that lake. Then add a little nightime entertainment on the shore and the lake itself.

Let EPCOT remain a theme park, and a family one too! (And the world's most majestic and dignified at that, as it once was...)

Good idea, but disney would never go for this due to the loss of all of those theme park ticket sales.

 

[Cody5242]

I can't stand the churros at the Mexican pavilion but I love the ones sold at the MK and HS

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Good idea, but disney would never go for this due to the loss of all of those theme park ticket sales.

But WDW loses customers too. (Us)

Not that they mind. There's more money to be made from drunkards than from people who want ro ride rides.

If I were Disney, I would add a casino to EPCOT too. And a hooters. And some strip joints. These all bring in even more money!
(translation: that is a sarcastic way to say that each business decides not by economic necessity, but by choice, what clientele to aim at)

 

[EpcoTim]

But WDW loses customers too. (Us)

Not that they mind. There's more money to be made from drunkards than from people who want ro ride rides.

If I were Disney, I would add a casino to EPCOT too. And a hooters. And some strip joints. These all bring in even more money!
(translation: that is a sarcastic way to say that each business decides not by economic necessity, but by choice, what clientele to aim at)

I'd like to sign up for your newsletter kind sir.

 

[nytimez]

Maybe I'm just a hopeless lush... but I've always loved F&W and still do.

 

[ThemeParkJunkee]

Hello, I am a brand new member of this site and just finished reading all 91 pages of this thread. I joined because of this thread as I enjoy opinions on various topics and especially rumors and news. The last time I attended F&W was November 2010. We liked it so much, we are going back. I did not see any of the drunken, unruly behavior described by PPs and wonder if this has occurred since or was I just lucky.

Also, you are all really a great "crowd". Thank you for the stimulating thread.

 

[Brewmaster]

Maybe I'm just a hopeless lush... but I've always loved F&W and still do.

F&W fest is a great event, regardless of the neigh-sayers. In my experience, as the clock grows near 5pm the crowds increase and with that it would become more difficult to navigate a stroller or small children. However this is not an indication of a poorly crafted event, or "just a way to make a quick buck". I've enjoyed the F&W fest for many years, and I hope it keeps getting better!