***2009*** Epcot Food & Wine Festival ENDED NOV. 8

[TheDISneyFamily]

Originally Posted by PSU

Love the city set- sorry if a stupid question but can you but them now or are they only available at the parks?

I think if you have the SKU number and call WDW merchandise (sorry, don't have the number handy) you can buy them... but, since the set you want is limited to 500, I'm not sure you would be able to grab one from home by calling on the day of release. It's worth a try, I guess.

[Andrew Bichard]

Originally Posted by PSU

are they only available at the parks?

I would hope so.

Otherwise that's one less reason for going to Disney or for attending Food & Wine!!

Andrew

[TeresaWen]

Thanks for posting the pictures of the F&W pins. Beautiful. I am now on my 30 day countdown. All that is left to do is wait and that is the hardest part!!!

[BriarRosie]

Originally Posted by PSU

Love the city set- sorry if a stupid question but can you but them now or are they only available at the parks?

I know that Pin Central in Epcot sells the pins, AP holder and DVC member included. But I don't know if the other pin locations sell them. I do believe the festival merchandise other than pins can only be found at Epcot.

[chip&dale&fun]

Originally Posted by TheDISneyFamily

Name:
"Epcot® International Food and Wine Festival 2009 - Disney Vacation Club - Chip and Dale"
Release Date:
09/21/09
Location:
Walt Disney World® Resort
SKU:
10971585
Retail:
$9.95
Edition Size:
1000

Guess which pin I want????????

[georgemoe]

Originally Posted by PSU

Love the city set- sorry if a stupid question but can you but them now or are they only available at the parks?

All but the SE/apple pin list no mailorder at disneypins. I'm taking that to mean only in the parks/Epcot. I'm guessing some will show up on eBay though.

[DebºoºS]

Originally Posted by nonnasally

Since this will be our first F&W I am totally overwhelmed since I printed out the schedule. This is DH's 60th birthday surprise trip. He is an avid cook. I can not afford to buy tickets to all the events and some of the people I have never heard of --- Help!
I am thinking just a gift card for him to use to eat his way around the world and maybe catch some free demos. Can the Dining Plan card be used at any of the kiosks? Any suggestions from veteran F&W DISers would be appreciated.

Too funny,we'll be at the F&W fest for my DHs 60th birthday as well. Yes, you can use snack credits at some kiosks from the dining plan and of course TS and CS meals around the WS. I'm going to get a F&W gift card in addition so that we don't have to keep pulling out cash or cc.

[chip&dale&fun]

Some other hints for firstimers - start small. Our first trip was also a surprise for DH and I did not have the Dis to help There is so much to do, you will not have time to do it all and you will not miss the events you do not know about - they will be things to look forward to the next time.

Strolling around the world eating a bit here and there is so much fun. Be prepared for crowds if you are there on the weekends. Skip a booth and come back in less popular times (ie not at lunch or dinner).

Visit the Festival Center - they have wine samples as well as merchandise - you do not need to buy, you can look at the cookbooks and cool off in the air-conditioning. If you recogniize a chef, standing in line to have the book authographed if you are lucky to have the author present, is a nice present and souvenier, and useful. Look at the wines. There have been mixed reviews of the prices and mark-ups, but it is still fun to see and try to find your favourite at home.

Keep a journal of the nibbles you have eaten. Rate your favourite and remember to take pictures so that you can post on the web.

Plan a party when you return - even if it is only for the 2 of you - the Food and Wine Cookbook can make a nice present as well.

We share our nibbles so that we can eat more variety.

Also at the Festival Center - check out the Seminars - were you able to book any for the pre-offering rates? If not, and without lurking, stroll by the venues so that you can get an idea of the events for next year.

Try the wine passports - Australia is a fun place just to stop and speak to the "kids" that are at the food booths - they are always willing to talk to you about their county.

And the free demonstrations where you do not get to sample the food, usually in Epcot, are still interesting - they are sponsored by the County tourist boards and worth stopping by to see.

Hum, what else can we tell a first timer? Oh yes, DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Not sure when you are going but Florida is still hot. And it is very important to stay hydrated when sipping all that wine.

If your goal is Food and Wine, and you are not at WDW for an extended period, you will need to decide if you want to see all the parks, or stroll around Food and Wine. Trust me, you cannot do it all.

Hope this 2, 5, 10 or 25 cents worth of past trips helps.

Most importantly ENJOY - and hope it rains. The crowds are sometimes less. (Take or buy a pancho).

[PNO4TE]

Originally Posted by chip&dale&fun

Some other hints for firstimers

Hope this 2, 5, 10 or 25 cents worth of past trips helps.

What a great list for first-timers! Well done!!

[wezee]

I did look thru the 2009 F&WF guide book and did not see the Aussie Wine Walkabout. I just love my Australian wine. This was always one of our favorite stops....anyone know if it will be back this year?????

[onelilspark]

Question: on the walk abouts (I think I saw a beer one this year...) if we buy one passport, does that mean that only one person can walk into the section? I don't drink beer, but my boyfriend does. So can I walk around with him while he tries them or is that a no-no?

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by onelilspark

Question: on the walk abouts (I think I saw a beer one this year...) if we buy one passport, does that mean that only one person can walk into the section? I don't drink beer, but my boyfriend does. So can I walk around with him while he tries them or is that a no-no?

That won't be a problem. If you don't produce the "passport", they don't give you any beer (or wine)!

[ElizabethB]

Looks like there is no Aussie wine walk-about this year. There is a beer one instead. Disney seems to be emphasizing beer more this year -- perhaps to compete with Universal's beer festival.

[webray]

Originally Posted by ElizabethB

Looks like there is no Aussie wine walk-about this year. There is a beer one instead. Disney seems to be emphasizing beer more this year -- perhaps to compete with Universal's beer festival.

I don't think they want to compete with Universal's beer festival..that is a much different creature.

I think Disney is trying to get into the swing of things and please their guests by updating their offerings all the way around including many more spirits (rum/tequila, etc).

[cdepauli]

How do I get a festival brochure? I'm an AP holder and have TIW, but haven't received one. I did get one 2 years ago when I had the AP/DDE. I hate looking at it online and like to make marks on it for planning.

Thanks!