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

[cdtommie]

This sounds like something I wouldn't want to waste time with even if free. Seems like a different problem.


I guess I don't see an issue with this -- sounds like a business to me. Vendors will either decide that placement at this festival helps THEIR bottom lines or it doesn't. Another business decision.

Not saying what they are doing is an issue (I've worked in corporate finance for one of the most recognizable brands in the world for 37 years now). The result of their actions is that many small wineries, brewers and distillers no longer participate due to the associated costs and you'll see plenty of the Bacardi and INBEV type corporations in their place. The three beers served at the Belgian booth are all INBEV mass produced macros. None are remotely representative of Belgium. This is a loss for the festival goers. Lot of corporate brands doing those Mix It events this year.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I could book reserved seating for 10/21 but she told me that we would be seated with other people. Is this correct?

The CM who booked our Reserved Seating a couple days also rattled off to get there early as seating would be early for Reserved and there would be a special cocktail toast. As none of that is mentioned online I'm running under the theory they're rattling off a previous year's disclosures.

 

[Astryd]

Nope. I've been trying since Tuesday to book one. The first two CMs I spoke to on Tuesday couldn't find it (through both the DVC and FEST numbers). The third found it and said it was "booked" -- which she said "probably" meant early seats were booked. This morning, I got through and they found it, but say it's sold out. I simply don't believe them. Nobody anywhere online has said they've booked the one I'm looking at, so I just have a really hard time trusting that info.

Seems we have had similar experiences.

I will try again a bit later. Then again, I already have a California Grill reservation that night. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me I should just stick with that.

 

[Mal6586]

Are there any folks in the know who might answer this question?

Do cast members get any discounts on the culinary demonstrations at F&W? I'm vacationing with a CM in September, and I started to book one, but then I wondered if he should do it instead of there was a discount available? He looked on the HUB and didn't see anything, but he also didn't know much about what I was talking about, so it's possible he didn't know where to look.

 

[grinninghost]

Ok so I think I finally got decent info on trader Sam's. Sounds like they allowed 26 slots to be booked Tuesday by dvc, ap, tiw. 4 slots were saved to be booked today. FOUR SLOTS. So if you booked today congratulations. Disney wasn't particularly generous with saving slots for the regular guests.

 

[PatriciaH]

Ok so I think I finally got decent info on trader Sam's. Sounds like they allowed 26 slots to be booked Tuesday by dvc, ap, tiw. 4 slots were saved to be booked today. FOUR SLOTS. So if you booked today congratulations. Disney wasn't particularly generous with saving slots for the regular guests.

WOW! Not very fair.

 

[grinninghost]

WOW! Not very fair.

Congrats if you got one!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Ok so I think I finally got decent info on trader Sam's. Sounds like they allowed 26 slots to be booked Tuesday by dvc, ap, tiw. 4 slots were saved to be booked today. FOUR SLOTS. So if you booked today congratulations. Disney wasn't particularly generous with saving slots for the regular guests.

If that's accurate, I don't think that's fair. However, I feel like I will only believe something like this if repeated by a dozen CMs or so!! We just so frequently get incorrect info when calling...

 

[grinninghost]

If that's accurate, I don't think that's fair. However, I feel like I will only believe something like this if repeated by a dozen CMs or so!! We just so frequently get incorrect info when calling...

The guest services member I just talked to had the list pulled up for Sept 13th. She said 26 were booked Tuesday, four were booked today. Interestingly she said that 1 reservation from today was listed as online but the others were phone reservations.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The guest services member I just talked to had the list pulled up for Sept 13th. She said 26 were booked Tuesday, four were booked today. Interestingly she said that 1 reservation from today was listed as online but the others were phone reservations.

I also wonder whether that was an error that 26 were able to book...

I guess I'm just skeptical because EVERY YEAR things go wrong with booking, and almost EVERY YEAR in multiple ways that I would never have anticipated!

Either way, I'm sorry you didn't get the event you were looking for.

 

[grinninghost]

I also wonder whether that was an error that 26 were able to book...

I guess I'm just skeptical because EVERY YEAR things go wrong with booking, and almost EVERY YEAR in multiple ways that I would never have anticipated!

Either way, I'm sorry you didn't get the event you were looking for.

I appreciate it. It just really stings that I was disconnected at 9:45 on Tuesday in the middle of making a booking.

 

[grinninghost]

I also wonder whether that was an error that 26 were able to book...

I guess I'm just skeptical because EVERY YEAR things go wrong with booking, and almost EVERY YEAR in multiple ways that I would never have anticipated!

Either way, I'm sorry you didn't get the event you were looking for.

Seems like they flipped the 10% number usually held for DVC. They held about 10% for regular guests... Disappointing.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Guys remember when the tastings (Sushi, Sake, Sashimi, scotch tasting at UK, Coral Reef, etc.) were $35pp? The Deminars were FREE? There was a FREE beer tasting (UK and near AA at one point?) PFTS was $75pp? They had the Spirited Ball at AA? That would be $300pp today.

http://www.yesterland.com/yesterwine1.html

DH and I do remember the international beer tasting next to the U.K. Pavilion and Sam Adams. Like you, didn't think there was near the drunks or rudeness we see now. FWIW...we remember when Outback Steakhouse gave complimentary salads and now counts as a side with the meal. I guess All things change....

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

DH and I do remember the international beer tasting next to the U.K. Pavilion and Sam Adams. Like you, didn't think there was near the drunks or rudeness we see now. FWIW...we remember when Outback Steakhouse gave complimentary salads and now counts as a side with the meal. I guess All things change....

Well the only time I've ever been drunk at Epcot was the free beer seminars. It was next to Rose and crown and they gave 2 of us 6 or 8 beers. Full beers. LOL

 

[gottalovepluto]

Seems like they flipped the 10% number usually held for DVC. They held about 10% for regular guests... Disappointing.

I would not be shocked if they didn't mean to flip the 10%-90% availability...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Seems like they flipped the 10% number usually held for DVC. They held about 10% for regular guests... Disappointing.

Also.... I hope all of you are able to find a wonderful alternative! That's just so disappointing!

 

[PatriciaH]

Congrats if you got one!

Thank you and sorry it was so annoying/stressful Tuesday and today. I have been hung up on/disconnected after waiting an hour and told an event was full when it was not (the Grand Marnier mixing on the first year they had it) over the years! I got disconnected on Tuesday and today. It was just pure luck I called at 10:54am right as TS got loaded. The person on Facebook booked at 11am.

 

[grinninghost]

Thank you and sorry it was so annoying/stressful Tuesday and today. I have been hung up on/disconnected after waiting an hour and told an event was full when it was not (the Grand Marnier mixing on the first year they had it) over the years! I got disconnected on Tuesday and today. It was just pure luck I called at 10:54am right as TS got loaded. The person on Facebook booked at 11am.

Yes I was on with them at 11:01 and no TS showed available. Tough luck for me. Hard to be too upset, still going to Disney! And now have a spare 280 dollars to blow elsewhere!

 

[VictoriaT]

Ok so I think I finally got decent info on trader Sam's. Sounds like they allowed 26 slots to be booked Tuesday by dvc, ap, tiw. 4 slots were saved to be booked today. FOUR SLOTS. So if you booked today congratulations. Disney wasn't particularly generous with saving slots for the regular guests.

Thank you for looking into this It would be nice if they were able to add dates, since this seems to be one of the hottest events of the festival.

 

[tony67]

The three beers served at the Belgian booth are all INBEV mass produced macros. None are remotely representative of Belgium. This is a loss for the festival goers. Lot of corporate brands doing those Mix It events this year.

Yeah - the beer selection has become somewhat of a joke - they have a better selection at the wave in the contemporary and the prices are far better