EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, Sept. 25 - Nov 16 2015

[Chumpieboy]

Ack this thread got huge since I last read it! So much great info - but scanning it I didn't come across what I'm looking for - can someone please point me in the direction of a post on how to get the passport & stamps, and where to redeem for the AP wine glass? Thanks!

You can get he passport at the kiosks and probably at the stores. You get stamps at each booth as you visit/purchase. I don't think you need to purchase anything to get a stamp.

Unless you were talking about the AP stamp thingy? The AP stamp page is towards the back of the passport book (i.e. there isn't a separate AP passport). You must go to Innoventions to get the AP stamps. There is a separate line at Innoventions for redemption/pickup of the wine glasses.

 

[Tess]

Quick question, can you take drinks into the Eat to the Beat concerts?

Of course. . .It's EPCOT!

 

[GWhitten98]

We are back from our Trip of "firsts" as we are calling it. Overall could not have had a better trip with the expectation of DH messing up his knee on day two( he was a trooper and sti. We stayed at Beach Club(this was a first) and it could not have been a more perfect location in regards to spending the majority of out time at Epcot. We were Epcot for at least some portion of 4 out of our 5 days(skipped Sat), tried at least one food or drink from every booth, did the sampler package, a cooking demo and took in concerts from two different performers....

Overall I think the crowds were very manageable. We were in WS Wednesday for about an hour around 6, Thursday from 12-8(included a demo and 2 concerts), Friday from 5-close, Sunday from 11-2 and then back from 6 to 8. The evenings were defiantly more crowded than the mid days/early afternoons, but with very few exceptions we never stood in a line for than about 10 min. The crowds for the most part were very polite and social; we met a lot of really nice people waiting in lines or sharing seating areas.

Our top ten list of food included:

1. All three food offerings from Chew lab plus the smoking hibiscus drink
2. Pork Slider from Hawaii
3. Seared Sea Scallop from Scotland
4. Lamp Chop from Australia
5. BBQ Short Ribs from South Korea
6. Pork Belly from Brazil
7. Cedar Cheese Soup from Canada
8. pimento cheese dip from craft beer(this was an excellent version of if and I a good size portion)
9. Frozen Szarlatka(Apple pie with a kick...AMAZING!!)
10. La Passion Martini Slush from Canada

Misses for us included:

• All three items from the sustainable Chew
• Venison Loin from New Zealand(mostly b/c of the mushrooms)
• Duck from China
• All items from Italy
• Both Rolls from Japan(ours were super dried out)

As you can see our dislike list was far shorter than what we loved and there was a hole lot of items sampled that were good, but didn't make the top 10 list...We are already making plans to return next year!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thank you for the reply. Very interesting. Can you use the wrist band for either concert time?

When I was there, you had to get a wristband for one time. When I was there, it was just 12:00, and they only had seats available for 6:45 and 8:00. At that time, I thought it odd that the first show was sold out so early, but now it seems that those are the only 2 times. When I got my wristband, the time it was for was printed on it. Good seats, and over cover.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We are 4 days in to our trip and thought I'd add my thoughts on what we've tried so far. Obviously the taste is a personal thing but here they are for what it's worth:

Crispy pork belly - favorite of mine and my daughter. Black beans and salsa/cilantro really complement a well-prepared piece of pork.

Lobster roll - wife's favorite. I'm not a huge fan of cold lobster but there's a lot of lobster in this and the wife really likes.

Pork slider - very good and should be well received by most.

Green lip mussels - sort of tasteless and overpowered by the bread crumbs. Wouldn't recommend.

Bratwurst and pretzel roll - not bad but nothing out of the ordinary. I prefer the brat and sauerkraut from Sommerfest.

Scallops and greens - pretty good but the greens were a bit cold.

Potato cake with smoked salmon - three of us tried and nobody liked, but that was down to the taste/texture. The preparation seemed fine.

Shrimp tacos - pretty good. Recommended.

Corn chip thingy at Mexico - very good. Favorite along with the pork belly.

 

[Tozzie]

When I was there, you had to get a wristband for one time. When I was there, it was just 12:00, and they only had seats available for 6:45 and 8:00. At that time, I thought it odd that the first show was sold out so early, but now it seems that those are the only 2 times. When I got my wristband, the time it was for was printed on it. Good seats, and over cover.

I got the Chase wristband for a day last week and I got the 5 PM show and they had bands for both of the other shows. Maybe it is a day by day thing

 

[KiniShakenBake]

Today's takeaway is: Check your meats before you accept them at kiosks.

I LOVED the venison loin the first time. It was moist, delectable, melted in my mouth awesome. I ordered one for part of my dinner today. It arrived tough as a boot, and so did the next two that were allegedly "made fresh." This was the same problem we had with our steaks at Canada. There seems to be some inconsistency in preparation when minutes matter in quality.

 

[brewhome]

Of course. . .It's EPCOT!

Thanks, I assumed so but just wanted to make sure!

 

[catcollector33]

Has anyone who has purchased the premium package been told the seminars are full and oh well! It seems that there should be compensation for something that is not included that was supposed to be included. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Tozzie]

In regards to purchasing wine and Disney Markup, unfortunately I found way too many wine's that I really liked and found the markup not to be too bad. I bought 2 bottles of a wine and it was $36.95 per bottle and just went searching for it on line as I like it that much and it is $33-35 a bottle on line so hardly a markup at all.

 

[Tozzie]

Has anyone who has purchased the premium package been told the seminars are full and oh well! It seems that there should be compensation for something that is not included that was supposed to be included. Any suggestions?
Thanks

When did you purchase the package and did you know before you bought it that the seminars were completely booked?


If you did not know know before you booked I would speak to a supervisor and keep escalating it. If they told you before you booked and you booked it anyway well that is on you.

 

[rsimon]

In regards to purchasing wine and Disney Markup, unfortunately I found way too many wine's that I really liked and found the markup not to be too bad. I bought 2 bottles of a wine and it was $36.95 per bottle and just went searching for it on line as I like it that much and it is $33-35 a bottle on line so hardly a markup at all.

We found the same thing. Many times their wines were either at par with online or retail (Total Wine or similar) and a few wines we found were actually cheaper at Disney. There are no case discounts like you get other places, but with those prices, it is definitely a fair deal.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Can anyone comment on the availability of wines and merchandise as the festival is getting closer to ending? We scheduled later this year than usual so my DD could participate the F&W 1/2 marathon. I envision getting there on Saturday to a significantly diminished selection or F&W merchandise (and wine selections ). Is the event merchandise available on the Shop Disney Parks app? I have searched new merchandise but have never seen any F&W items. Thanks!

Edited to add I did find some things on the app, but none of the items I was interested in were available.

 

[tschaan]

Has anyone done Sampler Package? Can we use the tabs for any items? Or are there restrictions? TIA!!

 

[Tozzie]

Has anyone done Sampler Package? Can we use the tabs for any items? Or are there restrictions? TIA!!

There are some restrictions, no champagne, beer larger than 6 oz or flights. and you can only use them on the F&W Kiosks but I did read that people used them at Joffey's Coffee Kiosks. I used mine for the $8-10 drinks and I think the filet in Canada once. I did get more than my back I figured out I got over $70 in eats and drinks.

 

[catcollector33]

When did you purchase the package and did you know before you bought it that the seminars were completely booked?


If you did not know know before you booked I would speak to a supervisor and keep escalating it. If they told you before you booked and you booked it anyway well that is on you.

We booked the package sometime ago and received an email to book our seminars. Then we were told that every seminar for the four days we are there is full and that they do not accept cancellations so there would not be any openings. The CM also told me that it says based on availability which is fine but why sell something that you can't give and how do they take my money and say sorry we can't give you what you paid for but we are still keeping your money? Don't get me wrong we love Disney and based on last year, love the premium package. But this just doesn't seem right. And it seems that last year the package was a much better value.
I will take your advise and ask to speak to a supervisor. Thanks, leaving monday to eat our way into oblivion!

 

[KiniShakenBake]

We booked the package sometime ago and received an email to book our seminars. Then we were told that every seminar for the four days we are there is full and that they do not accept cancellations so there would not be any openings. The CM also told me that it says based on availability which is fine but why sell something that you can't give and how do they take my money and say sorry we can't give you what you paid for but we are still keeping your money? Don't get me wrong we love Disney and based on last year, love the premium package. But this just doesn't seem right. And it seems that last year the package was a much better value.
I will take your advise and ask to speak to a supervisor. Thanks, leaving monday to eat our way into oblivion!

Wow. That's odd. We had no trouble booking any of the elements of our package, and in fact cancelled and rebooked it three times trying to get our dessert party right, because we booked before they knew or could book any of the PP elements that weren't the actual credential. I'd definitely call and escalate as needed to ensure that you get a partial refund for that portion of the package. That said, if they offer you the 2pm beverage instead, they may consider that "making good" on their offer. You should also be able to convince them to book you into a different deminar if possible, if the 5pm is booked solid all week. Good luck!!!\

My biggest beef was with the wine they gave you in the goodie bag and their inability to ship wine home from the Festival. They did not give us even the complimentary corkscrew with our wine, so I'm assuming they expected us to take it home. We just arrived home sans both bottles of wine because we flew to Orlando - and do not check luggage. I am the only wine drinker in our house, and there was no way I was going to be able to go through two whole bottles of wine in five days on my own during times we were in our room. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, told me that we cannot ship wine home from Florida.

One helpful clerk at the Screen Door, when I asked about shipping wine home, unhelpfully informed me on Day 5 of 6 of our stay that he could happily package our wine for shipping back home, and it would cost $9.99 to get there. Fine! Great!!! I showed up to do that and the clerk looked at me and said "Um. We can't ship wine home. Nobody can here. Can't be done per Florida law." Gah. Nobody on Disney property can do it. To take those bottles of wine home would have meant checking a bag and hoping for the best, and paying an additional $50 to get two bottles of wine (that I wasn't super-invested in personally, but would have made delightful gifts to friends) home.

 

[ChrisNY2]

My biggest beef was with the wine they gave you in the goodie bag and their inability to ship wine home from the Festival. They did not give us even the complimentary corkscrew with our wine, so I'm assuming they expected us to take it home. We just arrived home sans both bottles of wine because we flew to Orlando - and do not check luggage. I am the only wine drinker in our house, and there was no way I was going to be able to go through two whole bottles of wine in five days on my own during times we were in our room. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, told me that we cannot ship wine home from Florida.

One helpful clerk at the Screen Door, when I asked about shipping wine home, unhelpfully informed me on Day 5 of 6 of our stay that he could happily package our wine for shipping back home, and it would cost $9.99 to get there. Fine! Great!!! I showed up to do that and the clerk looked at me and said "Um. We can't ship wine home. Nobody can here. Can't be done per Florida law." Gah. Nobody on Disney property can do it. To take those bottles of wine home would have meant checking a bag and hoping for the best, and paying an additional $50 to get two bottles of wine (that I wasn't super-invested in personally, but would have made delightful gifts to friends) home.

It really is a matter of legal complications. Alcohol shipping laws are extremely complicated and to many states, it's completely banned. The USPS is prohibited by law from shipping alcohol beverages and UPS and FedEx just generally don't find it worth the hassle to deal with individual shippers of alcohol beverages. (They'll ship for commercial accounts like wineries and some franchised shops like The UPS Store will package up wine for a cost.) Not sure where you were staying, but I've never been refused to borrow a corkscrew when I asked to borrow one from the front desk or housekeeping.

With regard to the sold out deminars, I'd be shocked if the previous poster doesn't get a refund for that part of the cost or a booking to a session that's not sold out upon escalation to the proper Guest Relations rep. Last year, when many of the Late Night Live events were cancelled, it could be replaced with a variety of options or, what I ended up doing, could be refunded for that portion of the cost (something like $70.)

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Can anyone comment on the availability of wines and merchandise as the festival is getting closer to ending? We scheduled later this year than usual so my DD could participate the F&W 1/2 marathon. I envision getting there on Saturday to a significantly diminished selection or F&W merchandise (and wine selections ). Is the event merchandise available on the Shop Disney Parks app? I have searched new merchandise but have never seen any F&W items. Thanks!

Edited to add I did find some things on the app, but none of the items I was interested in were available.

What I can tell you is that I've looked everywhere for the only thing I want-the salt and pepper shakers-and they are nowhere to be found. What are you looking for?

 

[Alice Sr.]

What I can tell you is that I've looked everywhere for the only thing I want-the salt and pepper shakers-and they are nowhere to be found. What are you looking for?

Yep, wanted the shakers, will want to get the appetizer plate (can't order online but I wouldn't anyway) the cookbook, wine goblet (purple thermal), Chef Stitch pin and recipe card and other pins (none are available online). I didn't see a hoodie but think there has to be one. Thanks!