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

[PNO4TE]

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.

Originally Posted by webray

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).

I will be curious to see if they go back to serving beer at the Festival Welcome Center. My DH is not a wine drinker and was sorely disappointed when they stopped serving it there!

[BriarRosie]

Originally Posted by 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!

I haven't gotten one, either. I usually print out the list of kiosks from AllEarsNet, and this year, since we have to pre-pay the culinary and wine demos, I had to plan online to do that anyway.

I usually pick up the Festival Guide when I hit Epcot.

[oybolshoi]

Originally Posted by webray

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).

I don't know much about Universal's beer festival but I do tend to agree with webray on this one ... I like the idea that there are a lot more alcoholic options to choose from this year.

[ElizabethB]

I, too, think it's nice they've added a bit more variety with the spirits and mixed drinks.

However, having been to the Festival on a Saturday night when there are roving packs of 20-something guys staggering and weaving with huge steins, beer's the thing for young locals -- and I believe Disney is trying to recover some of that business from Universal!

Most of what Disney does these days is what an elephant (Disney) does when he's trying to smash an annoying fly (Universal). Disney doesn't do Magical Express because they love operating a bus service. They do it so guests don't have cars to use for Universal and Seaworld. Disney pushes the DDP continuously, so guests must stay on Disney property to eat! They offer stay 4 get 3 free so people don't split their trip between Disney and Universal.

Just my take on it.

This much I can say: we never go to Epcot anymore on a Saturday night during the Festival. 20-something drunks is not our scene. We're too old and college was tooooo many years ago.

[Dizzyworld]

Originally Posted by ElizabethB

However, having been to the Festival on a Saturday night when there are roving packs of 20-something guys staggering and weaving with huge steins, beer's the thing for young locals -- and I believe Disney is trying to recover some of that business from Universal!

Most of what Disney does these days is what an elephant (Disney) does when he's trying to smash an annoying fly (Universal). Disney doesn't do Magical Express because they love operating a bus service. They do it so guests don't have cars to use for Universal and Seaworld. Disney pushes the DDP continuously, so guests must stay on Disney property to eat! They offer stay 4 get 3 free so people don't split their trip between Disney and Universal.

Just my take on it.

I agree with you. I give Disney credit for coming up with these ideas to keep the money in their own backyard.

[onelilspark]

Originally Posted by RachelTori

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

Thanks! That's what I hoped

[chip&dale&fun]

Originally Posted by PNO4TE

I will be curious to see if they go back to serving beer at the Festival Welcome Center. My DH is not a wine drinker and was sorely disappointed when they stopped serving it there!

Hum, I do not recall when they served beer at the Festival Welcome Center. For the past years, it has been wines and champagne?????

[PNO4TE]

Originally Posted by chip&dale&fun

Hum, I do not recall when they served beer at the Festival Welcome Center. For the past years, it has been wines and champagne?????

DH and I talked about it... they had beer (I remember Landshark ) in 2006. We think that it was a huge surprise to us in 2007 when there was no more beer. I am perfectly happy with their wines, champagnes and pro secco. But DH is a beer lover. So I am hoping that maybe it will be back this year.

[Shenanigoat]

Landshark is a great name for a beer.

[PNO4TE]

Originally Posted by Shenanigoat

Landshark is a great name for a beer.

It is a lager brewed in Jacksonville, FL. Not too terribly bad!

[PSU]

The thread has gotten long...for special experiences it'd be great to find out who's going when----Any ideas on how to do this easy on the site? My DH and I would love to meet up with other DIS foodie fans at events we're planning to attend.......(I'm an old dog when it comes to online life.....so suggestion are needed....) Could be cool
Just a thought....

[PatriciaH]

Originally Posted by PSU

The thread has gotten long...for special experiences it'd be great to find out who's going when----Any ideas on how to do this easy on the site? My DH and I would love to meet up with other DIS foodie fans at events we're planning to attend.......(I'm an old dog when it comes to online life.....so suggestion are needed....) Could be cool
Just a thought....

We are doing:

9.26 @ 2pm- Caymus Demo
10.1 @ 6:30pm- Jiko Signature Dinner
10.17 @ 6:30pm- Party For The Senses/Traditional
10.24 @ 4:30pm- French Laundry Demo
10.25 @ 1pm- Robert Irvine Demo
10.31 @ 1pm- Andrew Zimmern Demo

So far...

[SamSam]

Here are our major events, we also have a few demos booked:

09/27 Mexico Tequila Tasting
09/28 Tokyo Food and Wine Pairing
10/01 Jiko Signature Dinner
10/03 Tutto Italia Wine Pairing
10/04 French Regional Lunch
10/08 Flying Fish Signature Dinner
10/11 French Regional Lunch
10/13 Raglan Road Signature Dinner
10/15 Flying Fish Signature Dinner

[TheMaxRebo]

Originally Posted by PatriciaH

We are doing:

9.26 @ 2pm- Caymus Demo
10.1 @ 6:30pm- Jiko Signature Dinner
10.17 @ 6:30pm- Party For The Senses/Traditional
10.24 @ 4:30pm- French Laundry Demo
10.25 @ 1pm- Robert Irvine Demo
10.31 @ 1pm- Andrew Zimmern Demo

So far...

We have decides to skip the super-duper special events (will have a little one with us and just seemed to work out the best).

But we are signed up for:
10.25 @ 1pm- Robert Irvine Demo
10.30 @ 2:45pm- Andrew Zimmern Demo (though my DW says she won't be taking any samples from this session )

[TDC Nala]

Originally Posted by PSU

The thread has gotten long...for special experiences it'd be great to find out who's going when----Any ideas on how to do this easy on the site? My DH and I would love to meet up with other DIS foodie fans at events we're planning to attend.......(I'm an old dog when it comes to online life.....so suggestion are needed....) Could be cool
Just a thought....

This is an information and discussion thread. Meets and potential meets are off topic for this thread. If you'd like to discuss times and meets, please feel free to start a new thread on the main board if all you want to see are people's event lists (I would do it myself but I'm due at Animal Kingdom), or if you want to try setting up meets, start a thread on the Meets board. Threads about meets posted in Restaurants are likely to be moved to the Meets board.