Feedback on Swolphin Food Classic

[OKW Lover]

On this week's podcast Pete asked for feedback from those that attended this year's Swan/Dolphin Food and Wine Classic. Lets use this thread to relate our experiences and suggestions.

Val & I went both nights and really enjoyed it. As was suggested on the podcast, we decided to go to this event this year because of the great review of last year's event. We thought the price was very reasonable for the offerings, especially since we had the room package that included wristbands for both of us.

In a later post I'll go into the different offerings and what we especially liked.

It was great seeing the other DIS'ers there too.

 

[slapwhitey]

We attended last year and really enjoyed it and it is part of the reason we were convinced to reattend this year. We were there on the rain shortened Friday night. Being that the cost went up almost 50%, the fact that the event was shortened due to the rain and the fact that I don't eat seafood I'm not sure I got my value as far as food is concerned. That being said, this event for us is more about spending time with friends and if I use that as a benchmark this event was a success for us.

The food I did have I really enjoyed and I probably had more to drink that night than I have in the last year....who new watermelon moonshine would be so good.

Thanks to all who helped make this a memorable event for us.

 

[WebmasterMike]

I thought it was a fantastic event.

the Good:
The food was great
The company was amazing
the attention to detail was fantastic

the bad:

Charging for Cokes and Water - when you pay $70 for a wrist band, all beverages should be included

 

[OKW Lover]

I thought the moonshine booth was very interesting. Wasn't at all sure I was going to like this stuff, but I tried the "tea" and it was very nice. I can see having something like that around the pool on a restful afternoon.

Really enjoyed the lobster rolls (yes, I had more than one) and the crab cake slider too.

Loved the trays with the integrated cutout for your wine glass so you could hold both with one hand.

A complaint from my drinking companion was that they didn't pour enough wine at the various booths - only enough for a few sips so you really didn't get to enjoy the glass.

 

[DisneyKevin]

That being said, this event for us is more about spending time with friends and if I use that as a benchmark this event was a success for us.

This is perfect and I couldn't agree more.

 

[disney dog lover]

Scott and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves
The food was great. The wine I drank (I don't usually drink wine) was very good and the friends very awesome
And I did get to meet Todd English

 

[OKW Lover]

Scott and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves
The food was great. The wine I drank (I don't usually drink wine) was very good and the friends very awesome
And I did get to meet Todd English

Have you washed that hand yet?

 

[skunkvette]

It was our first time at the Classic, and we had planned the dates of our trip around the event due to the great reviews we had heard about last year's Classic.

My sister, BIL and nephews joined us, also their first Classic.

We all really enjoyed the food,drink, staging/presentations, atmosphere and beautiful evening (until the monsoon).

If we would have had another hour to enjoy the offerings, we all agreed it would have been worth the wristband cost. I never got to the beer booth.

Pluses

- Spectacular venue, especially if you stay in either hotel.
- Great friends, had a few lovely surprises of seeing friends we did not know
were going to be there.
- Did I mention the food?

Downers

- Short pours on wine tastings. Barely a taste.
- No soft drinks unless you paid for them, if you had a wristband you should be able to get a soft drink.
- Going to our room, not knowing that some of the event had moved inside, and watching the Phillies lose and to end their season.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I agree with everything everyone has said here

I think we should have mentioned on our podcast(s) about this event is that you can and should "ask for more" of the things you like.

Kevin found a white wine he particularly liked (I think it was sugar and water) and he asked the lady pouring to 'fill it up' on his second glass - she was happy to do so.

When we were huddled on the walkway during the rain I ran out to get provisions for the shut-ins; the folks serving were glad to give me multiples of anything I asked for. Although I did get 'side eyes' when I asked for 8 lobster rolls.......

I definately enjoyed this event more this year because of the people attending.

Let's hope next year they think to have a plan B if it threatens to rain.

Oh, and Swan/Dolphing folks if you're listening - DO NOT raise the price next year. You will scare people away if you do.

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

I enjoy this event...I didn't get almost close to the value of my wristband due to the monsoon! However, I love the atmosphere and getting together with friends. I agree with having to pay for softdrinks and water -- last year they had none so this was an improvement.

I would like to see a less expensive wrist band option for those that don't drink alcohol.

 

[TammyA]

We experienced our first food and wine classic on Friday night. I first heard about the event from listening to a podcast about the 2010 MNSSHP, Epcot F&W and F&W classic. I was thrilled to find out the event for 2011 would take place during our trip, but I was reluctant to purchase tickets at $74 versus $50. Finally, after channeling some Ferris Bueller, I broke down and bought some tickets. Good choice! We had an amazing time! We got there at 5:30 and managed to visit many booths before the rain.

Some highlights and observations from a first timer...

1) The price was a good value. A fine dining dinner experience would have cost us more. If I priced out purchasing the offerings individually, they also would cost more than $75.

2) Couldn't possible shake Todd English's hand; mine were both full of lobster.

3) When we got caught in the rain we staked out a spot near the Chandon booth....good move.

4) Some of the other food I particularly enjoyed: pork sandwich with fried pickles, dessert, shrimp cocktail shooters (not particularly tasty, but fun) and dessert.

5) If it's unnaturally purple, thick and it contains alcohol, we probably shouldn't drink it.

6) We met many people throughout the evening including John in the dessert line. Rain brings people closer together and that's a good thing.

7) The only suggestion I would make is the obvious one. Better communication to guests about a plan B in case of rain.

8) We had a really enjoyable evening. I would recommend this event and I can't wait to do it again. It's enjoyable enough that if I visit again in the fall, I will plan my trip to coincide with this event.

 

[OKW Lover]

I've got to agree with the above. I'm pretty sure that, if we aren't actually living in Orlando by then, we will plan next year's trip to coincide with the start of this event and then stay after for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. We did it the reverse this time.

 

[TammyA]

Just listening to the podcast now and realized I forgot to mention the sushi - really yummy.

 

[jacstangler]

I had a great time seeing everyone. I thought the food was great for the $75.00 price. I agree soda and water should be included. I had no trouble with the portions of wine. They poured as much as I wanted. I did shake Todd English's hand and he asked how many lobster I wanted. I took 2 and they were outstanding. The steak at Shula's was tough and hard to cut and gristly. If that is what they offer in the restaurant count me out. I liked the small area to walk around in and the tables and chairs by the lake. I will go back next year for sure. I like it much better than what EPCOT does.

John without Christy who was working.

 

[travisx4]

It sounds like everybody attended Friday night. We had wristbands for both nights but because of a 6 hour flight delay coming out of Logan we completely missed Friday night. We went on Saturday but did not run into or recognize anyone. The event was enjoyable but I am not sure it was worth the price but we will probably attend next year. The lobster rolls were the biggest hit. The steak at Shula's was very good on our first visit but our second one was almost unedible, the creamed spinach was fantastic though.
Jeff, good luck with the move, not sure that I could ever leave New England.

 

[dansyr2514]

I enjoy this event...I didn't get almost close to the value of my wristband due to the monsoon! However, I love the atmosphere and getting together with friends. I agree with having to pay for softdrinks and water -- last year they had none so this was an improvement.

I would like to see a less expensive wrist band option for those that don't drink alcohol.

Agreed!
I think the event was great! We also braved the monsoon. I probably got my money's worth just from the wine I tasted after most of the food booths either moved or closed, but dbf does not drink and I felt bad for him.

 

[anonymousegirl]

With my tiny tummy, the wristband was out of the question, so I bought the ticket booklet for $50. I was one of the first in line for the Shula NY strip and mine wasn't grisly or tough. Very favorful with a tasty creamed spinach side. The lobster rolls were excellent as was the Shrimp bongs.
When I paid for my wine with tickets the pourer ALWAYS filled it to the brim. I think the short pours for the wristbands was just a way to mitigate over-indulgence, i.e., you would have to get off your bottom and walk over to the booth again!
Wonderful night, rain notwithstanding. Good food, good alcohol and Fabulous friends!

 

[OKW Lover]

Interesting about the full pours for people paying cash. I kind of understand that. I only say kind of because I felt the short pours that the rest of us got often shortchanged the wine.

While its nice to have a sip or two of wine to see if you like it, its just not satisfying when you have to continually go back for more wine to wash down whatever you are currently sampling. Or to just sit back and chat with the others while you rest your feet/stomach.

 

[skunkvette]

I can see some merit in controlling pour sizes for preventing over indulgence, but I also thought the wristband pours were very small, smaller that even a normal wine "flight" size.

If one wanted to go overboard, you could just stop at every booth for a sample. With booths just feet apart, it would not take long, if that was your goal.

But I wanted to sit with my wine as I ate, especially since there were no other beverages available without a separate purchase.

Being our first Classic, we thought the small pour was a standard.

Next year I will not hestiate to ask for the occasional full pour and see what reaction I receive.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm not a wine connoisseur or even a regular wine drinker....so I might be talking out my butt.

I was in the mood for a glass of wine that evening and as I walked about, I asked for very small amounts (just a sip) until I found one that I liked.

Once I had settled on a white wine from the Vento region of Italy (which John described as being sugar and water), I asked for and received a full glass of wine.

I even went back and got a second glass and the young lady remembered me. She again poured a full serving.

Most of the wine booths had spit buckets, as I think this was considered a wine tasting as opposed to a wine buffet.

I'm sure that had you asked for a larger serving, you would have received a larger serving.

As for soft drinks and water....this year was an improvement. Last year only water was available.

If you wanted a soft drink you had to go inside one of the hotels and find a soda machine.