What's so great about Food & Wine Festival?

[ali in wonderland]

My husband has suggested attending Food & Wine Festival this year for a trip without our kids. We take our kids to WDW every year, but have never gone on a solo trip. I know very little about F&W festival. What makes it fun? Does it really make Disney a fun adult trip? I LOVE Disney, but I'm not sure if it's really the way I want to spend my alone time with my husband. Help convince me that Disney is fun without the kids.

 

[gzmtlock]

If you are a food lover, there is a wide selection of options at F&W. Plus the chance to try cuisine and adult beverages that you may not have tried before.

We enjoy the chance to slow down, to eat nicer meals in general (signature restaurants are more affordable when there are two of us instead of four or five), and to simply have a "not frenetic" pace to the visit. Pool time with adult beverages is the best!

DH and I have done two "just us" trips in 10 years and are considering another for next year. We wouldn't want to go every year or two, but once every 3-5 years is perfect for us.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

Disney is definitely fun without kids...I don't have any, so it has to be! I mostly enjoy seeing the concerts (Hanson!) at the Food and Wine festival. I actually haven't tried any of the wine yet, but the food is cool. I think you'll have fun with your husband and if not, tell him that you get to pick where you two go on vacation next time!

 

[samsteele]

I visit specifically for F&W. Like others, I don't have children and find F&W brings a bit more of an adult vibe to my trip. I most enjoy having the chance to sample (appie-sized) unique food that I wouldn't necessarily purchase as an entree. In past years, this has included everything from shrimp tacos, to barramundi, kimchi dog, escargot, griddled Greek cheese and green lip mussels. If you have always been interested in trying "X", this is a great way to sample and cross it off your bucket list. The offerings are certainly not cheap, but still viable for me when I just want a taste. Like the PP, I focus mostly on the food and less on the wine. I usually do at least one culinary seminar (lower cost at approx $15) and have yet to be disappointed. Perhaps look online for youtube videos to get a sense of what the Epcot World Showcase looks like at F&W when the booths are set up.

 

[bryanb]

When I was in Orlando on business, I decided to visit EPCOT and accidentally stumbled upon the F&W Festival. What a great time that was! During the three days I was on site, I was planning to eat dinner in the other parks but somehow ended up back at EPCOT each night because I wanted to try more of the food. And it actually made me go back specifically for this event the following year.

You can see all of the offerings on the Disney website right now. It was so much fun being adventurous and trying new things. I especially liked the Singapore Beef Rendang and Canadian Beer Cheese soup. While I'm not a big wine drinker, each booth also offers an international beer selection to pair with the dish (either a full serving or smaller taste) which was a refreshing way to walk around World Showcase. I agree that it's not cheap. You'll probably want to sample enough food and drink to be the equivalent of a nice sit-down meal. To top it off, it was kind of cool to see Sugar Ray in concert and to end the evening with Illuminations.

F&W is actually a great adult experience. Many of the foods might not be appreciated by kids at all, in fact.

 

[com_op_2000]

F&W is great for an adults taking the time to enjoy the movies (Canada, China, and France), the museums (China, Mexico, and Japan), and not just rushing through to the next ride/show.

 

[craigkerstiens]

In short if you like food or drinking then yes. We personally love going and taking our time around the countries trying a variety of foods. Soon after it starts you'll be able to find some reports of favorite dishes this year. Last year I'd say the lamb chop, carrot cake, Kālua pork slider, lamb meatball were just a few of our personal favorites.

You can find the menu's at http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-booths-menus-and-food-photos/

We just did a write-up recently of the wines as well - http://thedisneywineblog.com/2015/07/21/disney-food-and-wine-festival-wine-rundown/

Though some I'd say prefer the flower and garden, as in some sense it's like a mini F&W. It doesn't have quite as many booths, but has the added scenery.

 

[btk2333]

What makes it fun?

The Food and Wine.

 

[Princess Steph]

I think you are so lucky! We go every year with the kids and I am beginning to think they are bored with Disney on some level (although they would never say it!) This will be my second trip with just my best friend, no kids. We go to the food and wine festival. Last trip we ran the 5K race, had a food and beer tasting event at Narcoosee's (I would never take the kids there, too expensive), food and wine pairing at France and other signature dinners. This trip we are doing a mixology class, culinary class, eat to the beat dinner and concert and the Visa exclusive breakfast. No kids trip allows us to sit, enjoy a beverage and just take a break. I always say that I want to go with just my husband (we did our honeymoon at WDW 18 years ago!) When I go without the kids, its just easier. We don't have to cater to the kids with bathroom breaks, snack breaks, rushing to the next ride. We get to see shows and do shopping, things my kids can't be bothered with. I've been to WDW 14 times and have never seen One Man's Dream. It's on my list for this trip.

 

[4everGoofy]

This is our 5th year going to the F&W without kids. We go for a long weekend (which gets longer each year!). We never thought we would want to go without our kids, but it has been awesome! We love walking around World Showcase sampling different foods and drinks. We usually pick several nice romantic dinners that we wouldn't normally do with the kids. We have other friends and relatives that have gone with us too! If you love Disney, Food, and Wine, I say go for it!

 

[Jenna319]

The Food and Wine.

I was going to say, isn't the answer obvious??

 

[CJ Gren]

Have you been during F&G? The outdoor kitchens are much like what you'll find at the F&W booths, only at F&W there are many more! Heh. This is going to be my 3rd trip to F&W in 4 years (I am still devastated I missed it by a day last year! D: ) One of the things I love about the festival is trying foods in small portions from countries I've never been to and may never get the chance to go to. My BF is joining me for the first time this year and is absolutely thrilled by all the different food options - especially after he got his feet wet during F&G earlier this year. If you're not a foodie or not interested in the drinking aspect, I can see where you wouldn't see the appeal. But I loved it and can't wait to be back!