We have never been to WDW in the fall. This year we will be there at the end of October and staying at BCV. Can someone explain how the Food and Wine Fest works in "basic, someone who has never been there" terms? What is free (other than admission)? What are the highlights, etc??
This is from memory, so I may be forgetting:
There are a few free demonstrations, often depending on what they're highlighting that year, but also including the Eat to the Beat concerts.
There are some things with a nominal cost. (<15/per person or item)
There are some things with a more-than-nominal cost. ($45 and up)
For the nominal fee there are two different things: Seminars and Food booths.
The Seminars are done in the old Wonders of Life building (between Ellen's Energy Adventure and Mission:Space). They added a small price (which is dependent on the seminar, and there are AP and TIW discounts available if either of those apply) a few years ago because the lines were getting unreasonable. You can sign up for these ahead of time (usually starting in August - watch MousePlanet for info) or try day of or day before, if it's not sold out. For the beverage seminars, you generally get 3 items to taste and they have a representative talking about either the winery or region or brewery or whatever the 'theme' for that seminar. For culinary demonstrations they generally have a wine paired with them, the chef demonstrates on stage making the dish, and you're given a small appetizer sized version of it (that was prepared before). I really like the seminars to get a little education (sometimes not much with some of the beverages) and to taste different things. Others don't like the fact that they now charge for something that was free on the pocket book. The last couple of years before they implemented the fee, though, if it was something fairly popular, you'd have to line up an hour or more before in hopes of getting into it, and that's just not free when it comes to my vacation.
The food booths are the most visible part of the F&W fest. Around World Showcase they set up a couple dozen booths that sell generally 3 or 4 different foods (a few bites worth) and 2-3 beverages (usually wines, though they're getting more beers too), themed to each booth. I don't recall if there were any foods over $5 last year - most in the 3ish range. I did a blog post on MousePad a couple of years ago with all the food items and prices. Let me know if you want me to find that link. My sister and I (when it's just the 2 of us) generally plan 3-4 meals of 'eating around WS' during our vacation and try just about everything food-wise. We just get one of each and share. It's a GREAT way to try something you wouldn't order in a restaurant (escargot or frog legs, for example) but maybe would if you knew if you liked it. Good for introducing tweens (and younger/older kids) to new tastes, too.
The more expensive things include food & wine pairings, where you get a larger size of 3 dishes and pairings to go with; also specialty wine dinners (we did one a couple years back that was 6 or 7 courses, fully paired - we ROLLED out of that one!); specialty luncheons (we did a tequila one last year and really want to try La Hacienda for a meal some time!) and 'Sweet sunday' brunches. They also have a dessert 'reception' that we've done twice on Fridays, and the Party for the Senses on Saturday (I've never done that one). All of the info on these (and ability to register) is generally available in August as well.
Hope you're not sorry you asked!!!
Cathy
The Food & Wine is a must do, imo! I try everything at least once during the week I'm there! I think you'll love it!
This is on my bucket list for when it's just me a few years down the road, or maybe when I've moved to Florida in retirement to work part-time with the rest of the gang here who are planning the same thing.Originally Posted by carolinakid
1999 - Coronado Springs (1 night); 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier (5 nights); 2005 - All Star Music (7 nights); 2007 - POP Century (10 nights); 2008 - DL's Paradise Pier (5 nights); 2009 - POP Century (10 nights); 2010 - Dolphin (2 nights); 2011 - POP Century (7 nights); June 8-18, 2012 - POFQ (10 nights); next trip,June 18-22, 2013 - POFQ (5 nights). If I'm not at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, I'm not really happy.
We've never done the seminars but for the food booths, these are set up all around World Showcase and feature different countries other than what is already represented, although all the regular countries have a booth in additional to their normal counter service places. Wine is also featured and lots of booths also have a beer available as well as another alcoholic drink. Several have non-alcoholic specialties. Portions are like tapas so it's not a full meal and the prices are pretty reasonable for the food. I found the "other" alcoholic drink prices to be too high for what you get - some taste like a flavored kids drink.
I highly advise to avoid Saturday nights as the place gets packed with locals. Friday nights are bad as well but Saturdays are awful. Sundays are OK. Last year, we went for Monday through Thursday and loved it.
The booths are set up so you enter a queue, order and pay for your food and then move up in the queue to pick up your food and/or drink. You can get loadable wristcards if you don't want to pay any other way. Cash, gift cards, room keys, and credit cards are also accepted. I never do the dining plan but I believe this qualifies as snacks but someone else can verify.
The only problem with the Festival is I would advise you to throw your table service dining plans out the window for the day(s) you are doing the Festival. You won't be hungry.
Hey, you stole my plan!
We're all gonna have to have a retirement club going on, with regular park meets!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Hey, you stole my plan!At this rate we'll out-number the guests!
In my mind, I'm already there!
I've met MANY CMs who just work the F&W Fest as a retirement job. The crew that does the seminars is great, but good luck cracking into that gig! But working the booths/etc you still get to visit with people from a lot of different areas of the world.
Cathy
Maybe I'll do that during the Fest. The rest of the time I'm gonna be driving boats!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
I thought it seemed the booths had an "overabundance" of CMs of a certain age. However, they are friendly, talkative and sweet as can be in general!
I was told by a college aged kid on a boat from WL to the MK that there are two types of people that work the boats - college kids and retired folks. Maybe the same thing happens during the F&W Festival.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
And some of the 'chefs' at the booths are culinary students getting some work-study hours in.
Cathy
I'm really hoping I get to tag along with DH on his union trip to Orlando in October so I can do F&W. The only reason I wouldn't get to is if I get into nursing school this fall...which is chosen via lottery and my chances are slim since its only my 2nd year applying.
I second all these emotions!
You can indeed use the dining plan to pay for any food purchases - one snack credit covers one food "tasting." These can range anywhere from $4 - $9, so they are a very good use of snack credits. However, alcohol cannot be paid for by snack credits, so the reloadable wristcards are perfect. They also let you forget how much you're spending
You will NOT need to eat after going to F&W - so plan on skipping either lunch or dinner. Also, if you consider yourself a foodie and/or a drinker, you may want to plan two trips. We started at Canada, and by the time we were half way around were too full to eat anything else, and by the time we were to Mexico we were pretty tipsy and hadn't even had a beverage at many of the places.
As far as crowds, if you stick to Mondays - Thursdays, or Friday/Sunday at lunch, you should be good. Otherwise, it can be VERY crowded.
One plus - this is one of the most "adult" events I've been to at WDW - it was a real treat to just chat with people while we sat/stood and muched and drank. I wish I was there right now!
The one time I used the dining plan, I saved up all my snack credits and used them at the F&WF. Worked great!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Bookmarks