2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 30 to November 12, 2018

[goofy78]

I didn't realize Wine Bar George did anything but wine but now that I see the menu I think I need to scout out some Yelp reviews for some pics of those family platter plates...

Only look up the reviews if you have time to go! It looks fantastic and the reviews are great! I’m still going to try and get there but it would have to be later in the evening.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We bought three too, LOL, and used all of them on drinks.

If we drown our sorrows in champagne this year can we pretend we’re getting 25% off since we basically got half off last year? Just split the savings right? #DisneyMath

 

[gottalovepluto]

Only look up the reviews if you have time to go! It looks fantastic and the reviews are great! I’m still going to try and get there but it would have to be later in the evening.

We have a night at a hotel around Disney Springs before our trip starts so we’re for sure doing 1 dinner (but only 1) at Disney Springs. No idea where we should go though! Picking one place for dinner is not going to be easy!

 

[gottalovepluto]

We know for sure the sampler has been dxed? Boooo!

The Maple Bourbon cheesecake is so up my alley!

I secretly hope the CMs are wrong but they’ve been right about no signature dining events outside of Epcot

 

[jenjersnap]

If we drown our sorrows in champagne this year can we pretend we’re getting 25% off since we basically got half off last year? Just split the savings right? #DisneyMath

I would need to get a fair bit of champagne into DH, the engineer, to fall for Disney Math. But I am willing to give it a try.

 

[Doug S]

There is an error in the drinks, the Almond Orchard booth will have Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne this year instead of last year's rose (but Veuve gets the rose this year as stated in the list, last year Veuve had the brut. Idk why they switched but cool to try new stuff. But devastating that the sampler tabs won't be back to pay for them!)

Thanks for catching that!

 

[TeresaWen]

Thanks for catching that!

My plan is to buy a few bottles and enjoy them on my porch on my “relax at the resort” days. Without the sample package I’ll pass on this at the booth. Too pricy for a plastic, smallish flute

Sorry. I replied to the wrong comment. Clearly I need some sparkling wine

 

[ksromack]

Maple Bourbon Cheesecake: OMG YES
Beer braised beef in France: What the heck? I already want my Cab braised beef back (not a beer fan admittedly)
Short rib tostada: I won't be able to pass up trying that and I'm from CA, I don't do MX food outside of my hometown and MX. Kinda excited!
Cronut on steroids this year: I'm gonna eat WAY too many cronuts this trip!

Right? It doesn't seem right to braise short ribs with beer but I'm sure willing to take one for the team

I was also upset about the beef in France but there are still mashed potatoes so I’m holding out hope.

I do not get the champagne and almond booth combo other than that used to be the champagne and desserts booth. So sad there’s no sampler. I think I used all 8 tickets at that booth over a 10 day trip. Sorry if I’m why we can’t have nice things, LOL.

There does seem to be more variety in wines and more flights. I’m excited to hear first reports later this month!!

:::raises hand::: we used all of our tabs on alcohol too. I mean I wasn't about to let Disney get the best of me

We have a night at a hotel around Disney Springs before our trip starts so we’re for sure doing 1 dinner (but only 1) at Disney Springs. No idea where we should go though! Picking one place for dinner is not going to be easy!

We love Morimotos but are trying Ragland Road for the first time this trip!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Do people post reviews on this thread or only on the dining reviews page?

 

[Haley R]

Right? It doesn't seem right to braise short ribs with beer but I'm sure willing to take one for the team


:::raises hand::: we used all of our tabs on alcohol too. I mean I wasn't about to let Disney get the best of me


We love Morimotos but are trying Ragland Road for the first time this trip!

We just did raglan road and it was so much fun! We originally had a dinner planned for 6 pm but went early at 4:30. It was a perfect time to go because the entertainment was just starting and it wasn’t crowded inside

 

[Pdollar88]

There are samples of the dish, there is no wine anymore (a couple years ago they used to give you a wine sample). We did a couple last trip and one was excellent, we're returning to see that chef again this year. The other sucked so much. We went to a crab demonstration where they spent the ENTIRE time making pasta (ravoili maybe for a crab filling?), our gluten free fam member loved that (especially when they slammed gf a bit "you just can't make good pasta with gf" or something like that)). No wait, I exaggerate- they did say "taste the crab first to make sure it's not too salty". So, they did give us a few words not on freaking pasta. What exactly you're supposed to do if your crab is too salty they didn't cover.

As pissed as I was about the crab demo we had a great duck demo and that's the chef we'll return to see, and heaven help us we're trying a new one as well. The value isn't great or even good TBH, the sample is equivalent to what you'd get at a booth, but we do like the time off our feet and usually learn a little something about cooking. I like to grab a champagne/wine to sip on during the demo

The crab one sounds like a mess. But thank you for sharing your experiences! Do you remember the chef you liked? And the one you’d avoid? I might give it a whirl just to do it.

 

[dachsie]

Did anyone try the escargot dish in France last year and if so how was it?

 

[FortWildernessLoopy]

Did anyone try the escargot dish in France last year and if so how was it?

Yes, and it was delicious but I did think maybe it had been under the heat lamp for a bit, so I would try to get it earlier in the day. Very buttery and garlicky.

 

[smcabee]

The escargot was decent. I still wish they would go back to the old way in the mini bread bowls. It was much better imo in that version.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Is it true that you can't use a Magic Band to pay for food at the festival?

 

[tink1957]

Is it true that you can't use a Magic Band to pay for food at the festival?

No, you can use it at all the booths.

 

[Tess]

Is it true that you can't use a Magic Band to pay for food at the festival?

No, you can use it at all the booths.

One caveat, you won't be able to use the MBs IF you are a guest at a non-Disney owned resort, e.g., Swan/Dolphin.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Is it true that you can't use a Magic Band to pay for food at the festival?

No, you can use it at all the booths.

One caveat, you won't be able to use the MBs IF you are a guest at a non-Disney owned resort, e.g., Swan/Dolphin.

One more caveat. Disney’s systems have been known to be fickle so, while unlikely, there’s a chance the readers won’t be functioning. I always try to have alternate payment with me, just in case.

 

[loves to dive]

How are the culinary demonstrations? I see "chicken" as the description for one of my dates, and that doesn't tell me a ton. Are they worth the time? Are there samples?

I usually do a couple of them every year. It really depends on who the chef is as to how they are, it's hit or miss. I find the samples are a pretty good size, but I'm not a huge meal eater and the samples actually almost work as a meal for me. I've never been to one that you participate in, those are the mix it shake it things, I just go to the ones where you watch the chef prepare it and they bring a sample out to you.

Do people post reviews on this thread or only on the dining reviews page?

In previous years people have posted reviews on this thread, I find it helpful and try to post them as well.

 

[gharter]

Is it true that you can't use a Magic Band to pay for food at the festival?

We stay onsite and use our MB to pay at every kiosk and never had a problem in the last few years. Much easier than pulling out the credit card or cash. Also much easier to spend more.