Got back for an awesome Food and Wine trip on Sunday and wanted to post a quick review of PFTS and the WVL!
This was our second year doing it, and it was much improved over last year! Being able to check in starting at 11:00AM on the day of the party was great, we got to pick up our lanyards right at 11:00 before hitting up some more food booths for lunch and then getting out of the park before it got too crowded.
The best thing this year about the party this year for those in the WVL was the complimentary Minnie Van service from the hotel to the event. We scheduled the pickup for 5:50 since we were staying at the BC and it was a short drive over. The driver arrived at 5:40 and called to let us know she was there but not to worry about rushing since she wanted to get there early just in case!
When you take the Minnie Van service from the hotel, they take you in backstage where they have security set up right after you enter the backstage area so you don’t need to deal with the normal park security. This was a HUGE plus for us since last year it took well over 30 minutes just to get through security and into the park, not to mention trying to push through the massive crowds on a Saturday night!
When we entered the backstage area, the car pulled over so we could get screened, then we hopped back in and were driven around the backside of world showcase to the event. Once we arrived at World Showplace, there were multiple CMs there waiting to bring us up to the red carpet where we checked in again, then were escorted inside to wait in the AC! (Another big plus over last year waiting outside in the heat and drizzle!)
When we had picked up the lanyard, the CM told us the goal was to get all the WVL guests in by 6:15, so to arrive early. She was absolutely correct because they let us in just before 6:15! This year they had plenty of CMs to show us to our seats which was missing last year, so again, Disney seemed to have listened! Seriously, everything I wrote them about last year about this event they fixed for this year, so I was really impressed!
This year the WVL area was one big area rather than the two smaller areas with the dance floor in the middle, which I preferred. They also had the cheese table out in a permanent location rather than being rolled around like last year. In addition they had two wine bars in the WVL area that weren’t hidden backstage, so no missing those this year!
When we arrived, our table was set with a deconstructed salmon roll and a blue cotton candy drink. I did prefer the champagne from last year over the blue drink, but it wasn’t a deal breaker!
While only the WVL guests were in the room, they brought all the chefs up on stage to introduce them, which was a nice touch. However, my mom and I were focused on the food so pretty much ignored that and were out at the various food stands picking up goodies!
They didn’t let in the remaining guests until a bit after 6:45, so the WVL guests had over 30 minutes in the room with super low crowds to check out all the food. It was really nice!
The food was really good, they had a fantastic variety, and had some really awesome drink selections too this year! Also loved being able to interact with the chefs at their stands, so cool!
The band was really good. When I heard who it was I watched some videos online of them to get an idea of who they were, and my only thought on seeing them was “are they really Disney appropriate? My mom will hate them!” Well, I’m happy to say I was very very wrong. They were AMAZING!!!! My only complaint is they only played 2-3 songs per set, so it seemed the DJ was out on stage more than them!
At the end of the night we got the standard gift bag with chocolates, this time from the Ganachery, as well as a really cute Food and Wine trivet (which I have since somehow dyed blue…). Plus we got the wine glass to keep!
It was such a great event this year. I would 100% recommend it, especially the WVL seating.
Let me know if you have any questions!