2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 31, 2017 - November 13, 2017

[BFD]

I agree. I have to forget about it. Of course both last year and this year we are staying at the Poly so last year I made sure I wasn't there when the event was going on.

We'll be at the Poly too! But we already had plans to be at MK all day that day, so it should be fine. We'll go to Sam's that evening.

 

[Inkmahm]

Not me! I did ultimately get what I wanted but...

I got through there right at 9am, call picked up at 9:13, got a CM who did not really know what he was doing and put me on hold once without telling me why -- was about to do it again when I stopped him. Turned out he was checking whether I was eligible for discounts that I KNOW I am not -- he could have asked me! Then he was SO SLOW. All booked by about 9:35.

Just shows how it always pays off to know your stuff before calling. I have VERY FREQUENTLY known more than the CM I spoke with on these things.

Yikes! I usually am the same way, I know MUCH more about what I'm calling for than the CM I end up talking to. But this morning it seemed those calling DVC got through and got their reservations where those calling the regular DINE number were getting the runaround about events being not available. Sorry you got one of the bag DVC people!

 

[DVC4US]

40 minutes on hold (answered at 9:44 am). I was able to reserve 10/21 PftS.

Looks like there will be a good group of us there on the 21st!

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

Took about an hour and a half but finally got our Parisian breakfast for Nov 4th!!! I wanted to book more special events, but this is our first time at F&W so I want to make sure I leave enough time to graze the booths. Hopefully the breakfast is good!

 

[gracielou]

Husband is on hold with DVC while I try to work with the dining dept. All the CM did was transfer me to a person in the "escalation" department. She says it shows as unavailable. I've asked her to check to make sure it was actually available at some point to book today, that they didn't forget to open it up. Now I'm on hold again. Still looking for anyone who was able to book Robert Irvine for Oct 22nd???

Yes, I was able to book Robert Irvine on the 22nd and Cat Cora on the 29th through DINE with a fantastic CM.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

when did you call? I have been on hold for nearly two hours now.

I'd call again You may be in the DVC phone black hole. Been there! You may never get found

Yikes! I usually am the same way, I know MUCH more about what I'm calling for than the CM I end up talking to. But this morning it seemed those calling DVC got through and got their reservations where those calling the regular DINE number were getting the runaround about events being not available. Sorry you got one of the bag DVC people!

My DINE CM was excellent

 

[Disney & ME]

Took about an hour and a half but finally got our Parisian breakfast for Nov 4th!!! I wanted to book more special events, but this is our first time at F&W so I want to make sure I leave enough time to graze the booths. Hopefully the breakfast is good!

I did the breakfast two years ago and loved it. Had a few too many mimosas though so was a bit tipsy. Luckily the croissants helped!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Just sitting here on hold and wondering if online booking on the 20th opens up at 7am or midnight? Not looking forward to having to get up at 4 am

High there fellow PSTer! I don't have a choice, want some events only bookable by phone- but I hope for your sake the website opens earlier!

 

[YodasMom]

I reserved:
Italian Food & Wine Pairing Luncheon - Oct 18
French Breakfast - Oct 21
Signature Dinner at Tiffins - Oct 20 (and since I did that, I won't do PFTS $$$)

I called both Member Services and the FEST number right at 8:59 AM. Got through on the FEST number right away and was on hold for 20 minutes. The DVC number just rang forever and I called back an hour later about another one.. Both CMs at both numbers were helpful and capable. I was lucky this time!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

For those of you who have been to the What's Cooking With events before, can I ask what was on the plated breakfast? I haven't been to one of the special events in the last 2 years. Before that there was a sweet Sunday where you got a breakfast buffet and then dessert samples from the chef. Now it sounds like there is a standard breakfast instead?

Fresh Variety of Douce France Breakfast Breads & Pastries

Seasonal Fresh Fruit & Berries in Martini Chiller

Turns out being late was also fine as there was pretty much nothing going on on stage after Pam Smith's initial welcome until 10:45AM. We were served our food and multiple glasses of Prosecco as they had poured way more glasses than there were people.

Artisan Cheese & Duck Egg Tarin w/ Roasted Onion Jam & Balsamic Reduction w/ Bourbon Maple Glazed Pork Belly w/ Wilted Greens, Roasted Marble Potatoes w/ Baby Fennel

 

[Flossbolna]

Next call. Waiting 16 minutes so far. It said expected wait time 25 minutes. Hope I still have a chance to get what I want... thanks for the encouragement to leave the DVC black hole!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

One thing I've found that has helped CMs find it in the past is to know the following:

Exact Title of Event
Venue of Event
Time
Date

 

[Gryhndmom]

After going over the list of seminars, dinners etc. we decided nothing that interested us for the week of Oct 8th so I got to miss all the fun of being on hold forever and ever! As others have said can't disney upgrade the phone system or the ability to book online for these events ? I think it would be relatively easy to reserve online and have people enter their dvc member number or AP number to verify early booking eligibility. The shop parks app has my dvc number to get discounts so I know this can be done....

 

[Flossbolna]

Next call. Waiting 16 minutes so far. It said expected wait time 25 minutes. Hope I still have a chance to get what I want... thanks for the encouragement to leave the DVC black hole!

Done! Got what we wanted with 30 minutes wait.

 

[csmommy]

I just heard about the Member Tasting... how do you book those?

Where can I find info on this? Thanks!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Where can I find info on this? Thanks!

I found info on DVC member site under Member Benefits.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Those of you wanting to book online, you do realize you were talking about Disney right? Pretty much the worst information-technology shop in the hospitality industry. don't get your hopes up they get it right

 

[Mika02]

Omg finally got on the phone after call for an hour with a busy signal now its a 30 min wait hopefully nothing that I want is sold out. I wish they would have let you do it online but nothing is there but EAT The Beat.

So after getting a busy signal for an hour. Being on hold for 30 mins realizing I had a staff meeting at 10:30a putting the phone down hoping that the staff meeting wouldn't be long and I could hop back on the phone going to said staff meeting which was short but not short enough since I came back and had been disconnected from the Dine line calling back and getting a short wait time of less then 15 mins I was able to get everything I wanted except Trader Sams and the Frozen Dessert Party (which doesn't seem to be up yet) I subbed Trader Sams with the Tequila Lunch instead. So Not bad all in all but I was on the phone for a long time once connected because no one could find my pass number anywhere on my account.

So I'm excited I'm extending my trip by one day and coming in on the 19th instead of the 20th of September. And I got Party for the Senses for My mom's birthday celebration. My first Solo Trip every I'm going to come back fat and happy hopefully

 

[marsh0013]

Anybody have a review of the Italian food wine Vs beer? I found a review of when they did it with just beer, and my brother did the one with just beer a few years ago and really loved it. But I'm wondering if they changed it when they added wine.

I do not like beer, but my husband is a beer drinker. He doesn't drink wine. I'm also not a wine fan but I'll drink it. He'd probably drink all the beer and I'd probably drink all the wine. But maybe we'd each take a sip of the other to test the pairing. Add to that I don't eat red meat, bacon, duck, so I'm not sure. I know I could tell them what I don't eat and they could give me a substitute.

We're already booked for a tequila lunch (we've done twice before and loved) and what's cooking with Robert Irvine (which we did 2 years ago with him, my husband is a huge fan). But we're there for 2 weeks so this definitely wouldn't be too many things.

I'd just really love to read a review or get someone's perspective on this event.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Those of you wanting to book online, you do realize you were talking about Disney right? Pretty much the worst information-technology shop in the hospitality industry. don't get your hopes up they get it right

I know this is the popular old line and have used it plenty myself. However...

• I think they've gotten a lot better on this front overall.
• Booking every other restaurant on property online 180 days out works beautifully 99.9% of the time.
• And guaranteed that you won't be waylaid by CM human error like many of us were today.
• Last year when they opened online booking for culinary demos etc it worked PERFECTLY for me.

Not saying there isn't still work to be done, but THESE DAYS (not 5+ years ago) I'd rather roll the dice online than deal with this LUDICROUS calling situation. I mean... some people getting a busy signal for AN HOUR?!?!? Come on now. Enough of living in the 80's, Disney.