Epcot in October-Food/Wine Fest

[PoorGABoy 4]

I know this is a little early, but wanted to understand how Food/Wine Festival works at Epcot. We normally have the second week in September off- but this year, it has been moved to second week in October. Epcot is our favorite park and wanted to understand how this works. From the trip reports I've read, I know many Fiends have attended this event.

Can someone provide a brief explanation and instructions. Thank you

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

It's not too hard to figure out.

They set up a bunch of booths all around World Showcase. Each booth represents a country and sells a few small servings of food items from that country along with a beer and wine and sometimes cocktail selection. Each booth also has dessert items. The food items generally cost in the range of $5 per serving and the liquor is about what you pay anywhere on property-around $6 for a beer.

So, the deal is you just walk stumble around and buy and eat/drink what you want.

They publish a map each year which shows where everything is. Here's last year's:

They also have concerts and other special events. The concerts are free, as are some of the special events. There are also classes and other things that you pay for.

Last year, all of the information showed up on-line well before the Food and Wine Festival started. I would expect the same this year.

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

That's it in a nutshell!

If it helps, here is last year's info thread for F&W with all the gory details on the menu and event offerings (free and paid)

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/5793-food-and-wine-festival-2012/page__hl__%2Bfood+%2Bwine+%2B2012

Here are some F&W trip reports from last year with lots of photos...

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/7782-a-trip-around-disneys-epcot-food-wine-festival-pics-included/page__hl__%20food%20%20wine%20%202012

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/7786-2012-food-and-winefestival/page__hl__%2Bfood+%2Bwine+%2B2012

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/7787-food-and-wine-experiences-2012/page__hl__%2Bfood+%2Bwine+%2B2012

As TCD mentioned, you get small "tasting" sized portions of items for about $5 each (some a little less, some a little more). If you're on the DDP, you can use your snack credits for most items.

Eating "around the world" can take a couple of tries, and a fair amount of $$, but it's also a lot of fun. :)

[PoorGABoy 4]

This is what I looking for. Thanks for the info.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

If you want to spend the really big bucks, there are also weekly featured chef dinners. There are also smaller cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, book signings, etc. Also they have a marketplace in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion with merchandise, which is really quite unique. They also sell most of the wines featured at the booths by the bottle there. There is also something called Party of the Senses, where you go into one big room and for one price can sample pretty much everything that's at each of the booths. Get all your tasting done in one big sweep.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Here's a tip we found out 2 years ago... check out the Wine & Dessert party. It's actually one of the cheaper "big events" at F&W and you get a LOT for your money! I think it was $50/per person when we went in 2011. It's gone up a little since then, but it's still a lot cheaper than some of the other events.

You get unlimited food and beverages, and it's not just desserts! When we went there was also a pretty extensive fruit, cheese and meats spread that you could easily have made a meal of. Beverages are primarily wines, but they also had specialty liquors and brandies and lots of champagne.

There was a live band playing and plenty of tables for everyone to have a seat, which was great. They had VIP level (for more $ of course) which got you into the party a little earlier than everyone else, and you had your own special section to sit in with a chocolate fountain. We skipped the VIP and didn't feel like we missed anything.

Everyone got a goodie bag a the end with chocolates, and then they led us all over to reserved seating for Illuminations.

We'll be there for F&W this year and are really hoping it's offered again. If it is, we'll be signing up for sure!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

One tip for anyone who hasn't been before- Friday and Saturday nights can be really, really packed, especially if the weather is nice.

If you want a leisurely, peaceful experience, go during the day or on a week night.

The weekend crowds tend to be a bit rowdy, and you will often see groups "drinking around the world." This sometimes gets out of hand. I think it's hilarious, but many people get offended by it.

TCD

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

The FF BATWIT crew wandered the Food/Drink booths on Halloween afternoon, starting about 1pm. We were able to walk up to literally EVERY booth without a wait!! Also having a large group kinda spreads out the cost. Each of us would take turns buying a sample or two and share!! That way we got more tastes without totally filling up or completely emptying our wallets! Also, if there was a drink or food somebody didn't like, there was probably somebody that loved it! So nothing went to waste!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

The FF BATWIT crew wandered the Food/Drink booths on Halloween afternoon, starting about 1pm. We were able to walk up to literally EVERY booth without a wait!! Also having a large group kinda spreads out the cost. Each of us would take turns buying a sample or two and share!! That way we got more tastes without totally filling up or completely emptying our wallets! Also, if there was a drink or food somebody didn't like, there was probably somebody that loved it! So nothing went to waste!

Plus it's LOAD of fun!!