2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 31, 2017 - November 13, 2017

[FastPasser.]

Just to be clear, early check-in does not mean early entry. Except for WVL guests, who may or may not be allowed in 15 minutes early, the event officially begins at 7:30.

You can check in within the park as well, much earlier than 7:15 for all categories.

Yes you can and there is a 3rd early check-in option. Because it includes VIP seating at the American Gardens Theater for the 5:30 and 6:45 Eat to the Beat Concerts, you can check in there as well.

For our party this year we checked in at 6:30 at WSP,

There was a down side to checking in at the WSP gates,.....I was there.

so sadly for our party the perk of having 15 minutes in the room didn't happen.

After all is said and done, and for whatever reason there's hardly any difference.

What I don't understand is why more WVL guests are not using the Minnie Van shuttle from the front of the park to the private backstage venue entrance. That's a rhetorical comment.

We will be Reserved.

You should be fine.

Can we check-in earlier, get a wrist band, and then return around 7:30?

Yes you can. You can obtain a wrist band and table number either by checking in early at the WSP gates or at the American Gardens Theater and because you have your table number, when you return at 7:30, you proceed directly to your table, you're no longer escorted.

But do not be at the WSP before the gates open, you'll end up waiting on the promenade and next time if it does rain and because of the chaos and and safety issue it created, I don't know if guests will be allowed inside, rain or no rain.

ETA, "rhetorical comment"

 

[VAtink]

Just to be clear, early check-in does not mean early entry. Except for WVL guests, who may or may not be allowed in 15 minutes early, the event officially begins at 7:30.

Actually, according to the email from Disney it does:
· Wine View Lounge opens at 7:15PM. Feel like a true VIP as you enter through a “backstage door” to begin your tasteful event!

The problem wasn't that WVL got in late, we actually entered just before 7:05, the problem is the next tiers were let in so early, only about 5 minutes after WVL guests.

What I don't understand is why more WVL guests are not using the Minnie Van shuttle from the front of the park to the private backstage venue entrance.

A lot of people stay in the Epcot area resorts so can just walk in through the IG.

 

[DVC4US]

Yes you can. You can obtain a wrist band and table number either by checking in early at the WSP gates or at the American Gardens Theater and because you have your table number, when you return at 7:30, you proceed directly to your table, you're no longer escorted.

But do not be at the WSP before the gates open, you'll end up waiting on the promenade and next time if it does rain and because of the chaos and and safety issue it created, I don't know if guests will be allowed inside, rain or no rain.

Okay, thanks. So we have to figure out where our table is? That's kind of confusing but we will go with it - we have 9 people so we can spread out to look for the table. We will plan to check-in early but not be back to WSP until about 7:30.

Anyone else been with reserved seating? How difficult was it to find your table?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[FastPasser.]

Actually, according to the email from Disney it does: Wine View Lounge opens at 7:15PM.

There's conflicting information though, MDE says the following:

"Category #1: Wine View Lounge 7:15 PM check-in at Main Entrance Guest Relations "

If check in begins at 7:15 at the front, by the time guests arrive at the venue it's about 7:30

Also, I excluded WVL guests in my post:

Except for WVL guests, who may or may not be allowed in 15 minutes early, the event officially begins at 7:30.

The problem wasn't that WVL got in late, we actually entered just before 7:05, the problem is the next tiers were let in so early, only about 5 minutes after WVL guests.

That's why I said:

After all is said and done, and for whatever reason there's hardly any difference.

Actually I know the reason, the rain. There were late arrival issues at the first party as well and it didn't rain.

A lot of people stay in the Epcot area resorts so can just walk in through the IG.

I don't know how many of the 125 guests were staying in the Epcot Resorts Area and it's fully understandable that they may walk over, but in chatting with some WVL guests prior to and after the party, many who were staying elsewhere walked in from the front.

The bottom line is that there are too many glitches in the the WVL category.

 

[FastPasser.]

So we have to figure out where our table is?

It's not too bad. At check in, you'll receive a colored card with the table number. The room is set up in sections with each section's tables having tablecloths with a distinct color. Find the section that matches your card color and then find your table number. The numbers increase as you go further into the room. It seems to work out ok.

 

[Flossbolna]

@FastPasser. thanks for all your info about PftS! We will be there with reserved seating, so from what you and others have posted, a good strategy seems to be to go to the 6:45pm Eat to the Beat Concert, check in there to get our wrist band and once the concert is over, get over to the venu to arrive there at 7:30pm and walk straight in?

 

[FastPasser.]

@FastPasser.from what you and others have posted, a good strategy seems to be to go to the 6:45pm Eat to the Beat Concert, check in there to get our wrist band and once the concert is over, get over to the venu to arrive there at 7:30pm and walk straight in?

Excellent plan, it's perfect timing.

 

[loves to dive]

So glad to hear this about the flower and garden festival. We've already decided that this may be our last F&W-we're going to try the flower and garden festival in the spring and maybe go to that every year instead of the F&W. Also, the bands are more of "our generation".

I usually go to both, there is a different feel to them so for me, they are nothing alike. F&G doesn't have as many booths,but is much prettier. I don't like the fact that the festival center is only open on the weekends as we aren't always there on a weekend. I enjoy the little seminars at the Festival Center and even though they cut the wine out at the food demos, I still felt like I got what I paid for. I think there is something to offer at each festival, the weather is a little cooler early on in F&G and it doesn't seem as crowded to me, but I really enjoy both.

 

[loves to dive]

Has anyone attended the Parisian Afternoon or the Mediterranean Food & Wine Pairing? I have tickets to both and am curious about the reviews.

I've gone to the Med for the last 3 years and love it. The food isHe always excellent and the people doing the pairing are always entertaining. Here is part of the menu with wine pairing, the dessert was a special baklava.

The wine pours

The tuna with eggplant

The lamb

I forgot to take a picture of the shrimp and the dessert.

 

[loves to dive]

We are about one month away from our first F&W trip!! We arrive on a Saturday and we are forgoing our tradition of Epcot on our arrival day because all the reviews I've read say to avoid F&W on weekends.

This means our first visit to F&W will be on a Monday night.. hopefully this will be a better experience than a Saturday night

I also get a little nervous reading everyone's detailed plans for attacking the food booths. I intended on making a "must try" list, but looking at all of the booth menus overwhelmed me and I have so much going on between planning our Disney wedding and (hopefully) buying our first house. So right now my only plan is to walk around WS and try what interests me. Hopefully that's good enough

Still super excited about F&W in general.. especially when looking at everyone's food pictures

Don't stress it, I never make a plan. I think I make a plan by sort of looking at the menus and prices before I go then I just walk around and stop when something looks interesting. I always think I'm going to get something from every booth since I go for at least 5 days and never end up doing it as I just get way too full.

 

[DVC4US]

It's not too bad. At check in, you'll receive a colored card with the table number. The room is set up in sections with each section's tables having tablecloths with a distinct color. Find the section that matches your card color and then find your table number. The numbers increase as you go further into the room. It seems to work out ok.

Awesome! Thanks for that info it is very helpful and sounds like it should work out okay!

 

[karrit2000]

What I don't understand is why more WVL guests are not using the Minnie Van shuttle from the front of the park to the private backstage venue entrance.
You should be fine.

There are a number of reasons guests will not use the specially provided Minnie Van Shuttle for this event. One already mentioned is that many guests stay at the EPCOT area resorts so they definitely aren't going to hike past the event venue to the front entrance just to use the free private shuttle.

Another reason is if they've entered the park through the main entrance they may have entered too early for the Minnie Van Shuttle for several reasons including attending the Eat to the Beat Concerts prior to the party, maybe the wanted to stop at a few booths enroute to the party, maybe they wanted to shop for festival souvenirs prior to the party, or maybe they spent several hours in the park prior to the party doing whatever. None of those guests are going to walk all the way back to the front gates just to take the provided Minnie Van Shuttle.

While the event planners may think the Minnie Van Shuttle is a terrific perk for the WVL guests they as usual fail to think outside the box and just assume those targeted guests will all enter via the main entrance just prior to the start of the event. They forget that some if not all those guests will want to take advantage of their reserved seating at the ETTB concerts and as such will arrive earlier in the day and therefore have no need to return to the front entrance just to ride the van back to a venue they need to walk past in order to get to the front entrance. They also as usual fail to make accomodations for those many guests who will enter via IG.

I know you just work the events and have no control over these type of things. I personally don't attend this particular event so I can't complain about it but I do see the flaws that the event planners either choose to ignore or don't even think of. I was burnt by a similar situation years ago when attending one of the Wine School events. We had to wait for a special escort via private ride from IG and then were subjected to a scolding from the event staff for being late when we finally arrived at the event venue. We were late because they only had one or two vehicles providing the transport from that location and we had to wait our turn for over half an hour.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

They did the same thing at the first party when it wasn't raining, think this perk is gone.



Woah there was a bar for WVL at the first party??? No one told us we had to go backstage for it, we asked one of the servers about it and they just told us to get drinks for the various stations around the room! Glad to see they moved it though for the next party, just wish our server had told us about it during our party!

I was not told either and have let Disney know I was not happy

WVL guests can begin checking in at the front of the park at 7:15. By the time they reach the WSP, it's at least 7:30, which is the check in time for the other two categories.
Yup, no guests backstage. You'd be amazed at what's going on back there. I am.

Basically there is no early advantage this year.


As for the "Minnie Van", I sat around and waited for 45 minutes on the van. Perhaps people aren't taking it because you can walk faster?



As was pointed out above, some of us who have paid for WVL for years are probably done!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Good idea.
Which category?
I expect to be at all the PFTS and always a pleasure to chat with guests.
But technically we're out of the rainy season, so it was somewhat unexpected. I've been at the PFTS for a number of years and this was a first for me. All and all, it was handled as well as it could have been under the circumstances, so that in effect may be the plan. It would have helped considerably if there weren't 500 or so guests waiting at the gates an hour before they are allowed in. Guests who checked in that early at the World Showplace were encouraged to go and enjoy the park and return closer to opening time, but that didn't work out so well, they stayed anyway.

It's hurricane season and rain is unexpected. Really?????


And apparently I've been going longer than you because I've done a few parties in a HUGE downpour.

 

[FastPasser.]

It's hurricane season and rain is unexpected. Really?????

Unexpected that night at that time.

And apparently I've been going longer than you because I've done a few parties in a HUGE downpour.

Apparently

 

[marianne98]

Hi Everyone,
Is there any credits you can buy for the Food and Wine, if you are going to be tasting around the world? we are not doing the dining plan, just wondering if I'm missing any other options?

thanks,
Marianne

 

[DVC4US]

Hi Everyone,
Is there any credits you can buy for the Food and Wine, if you are going to be tasting around the world? we are not doing the dining plan, just wondering if I'm missing any other options?

thanks,
Marianne

There are no credits you can buy but you can load a Gift Card and use that at the booths. This is what we do and when it runs low, you just reload it. Very easy to use at all the booths. Also, there is a Tasting Sampler you can purchase for around $69 but it is best used on items over $8.65 which is mostly the pricey drinks.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Based on my own spending of an 8-pack of Sampler coupons, I rate these being the best buys with #1 being best for me enjoyment wise:

10. Joffrey's Coffee and Kalhua Festival drink at the Joffrey's cart in Canada.

9. Spicy apple margarita at Mexico kiosk.

8. Caipirinha from Brazil kiosk.

7. Frozen mojito from Islands of the Caribbean.

6. Classic Lime Margarita in Mexico.

5. Ritzy Lychee at China kiosk.

4. Rosa Regale from the Chocolate Studio

3. Veuve Clicquot, Almond Orchard

2. Moët & Chandon Imperial Rose at Almond Orchard.

1. LePassion frozen martini at France Festival kiosk.

If this list is appealing to you, get the Sampler.

 

[Mika02]

Was there a Theme for the Food this week's PFTS? The September 23rd was Disney Springs and I found the food to range from pretty good to amazing. I didn't eat any of the red meat though that night for Health reasons only the Fish, Pork or Chicken options as well as the deserts which were all except the Gluten free table ones really good.

And it sucks the entertainment wasn't good ours were really good a nice mix of everything to dance to.

 

[brewhome]

Based on my own spending of an 8-pack of Sampler coupons, I rate these being the best buys with #1 being best for me enjoyment wise:

10. Joffrey's Coffee and Kalhua Festival drink at the Joffrey's cart in Canada.

9. Spicy apple margarita at Mexico kiosk.

8. Caipirinha from Brazil kiosk.

7. Frozen mojito from Islands of the Caribbean.

6. Classic Lime Margarita in Mexico.

5. Ritzy Lychee at China kiosk.

4. Rosa Regale from the Chocolate Studio

3. Veuve Clicquot, Almond Orchard

2. Moët & Chandon Imperial Rose at Almond Orchard.

1. LePassion frozen martini at France Festival kiosk.

If this list is appealing to you, get the Sampler.

You have convinced me, @JerseyJanice.