2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 30 to November 12, 2018

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I just made a Via Napoli reservation for Eat to the Beat. Does anyone know where the seating is, and if we still have to wait in a long line to get our seats?

Also, is there a special menu we pick from?

Thanks!
In the past couple years, husband and I have purchased ETTB lunch dining at both Chefs de France and Spice Road Table. Neither had a special menu. We ordered off the regular menu: appetizer, entree, dessert, soft drink. Spice Road Table was the best monetary value for our tastes and we have booked again this year for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in November because they draw a huge crowd.

The reserved seating is the first two rows in the 2nd section,behind the wheelchair seating, and uncovered. We did not experience a long wait in line. There was a cast member stationed at the venue who escorted us to the reserved section when we walked up and showed our credentials.
 
Let me also add that every ETTB dining package we’ve ever done was for a 5:30pm concert show. Our no-wait seating was influenced by them not having to clear out guests from a prior performance.

When we saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in 2016, we also obtained Chase reserved seating for the 8:00pm show (no longer offered) and did have to wait for previous show guests to be cleared before we were seated.
 
Did did anyone go to the Italian regional lunch last year? I have the French meal traditions and Parisian breakfast booked. I’m thinking of adding the Italian lunch as well. Anyone have thoughts about the food, wine, or overall value? Everything looks so good...
We went last year. I didn't even know I liked beets until then.. I also loved the Parisian brunch.
Here's my post from last year.
My favorite event at the Food and Wine Festival was the Italian Lunch.
img_2955-jpg.277242

We started with an amazing Beet salad.
img_2970-jpg.277245

This pumpkin risotto was perfect.
img_2969-jpg.277244

There was a pork dish. I don't eat pork, so they served me chicken marsala.
img_2957-jpg.277243

The dessert was perfect!
 
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Oh man i don't do beets. I never ate them young so decided to try as adult and still no. I almost projectile spit them out all over my boss one day when they incorrectly told me I was eating squash medley. :rotfl2:I don't do beets. LOL
 


I just made a Via Napoli reservation for Eat to the Beat. Does anyone know where the seating is, and if we still have to wait in a long line to get our seats?

Also, is there a special menu we pick from?

Thanks!
The seating is at the amphitheater in front of the American Adventure Pavilion. The line for individuals with reservations usually starts to the left of the theater if you're facing it (towards Japan & Morocco). I've never had a dining reservation for a eat to the beat concert so I'm not sure how far in advance people start to line up for seats.

It's my understanding that you can order anything from the menu: an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink for each member of your party.
 
Depends on the event. At the French Family Meals, you typically get refills. At the Italian Beer VS Wine, you don't. You also don't get refills at the Mexican Tequila Lunch.
Dis, at beer vs wine you do get refills, sometimes you have to get the server's attention but we have done this event every year and have had pretty much every glass refilled (maybe because I have a big mouth). The refill rate is definitely beerter than the Italy wine lunch.

For people who want to book a lunch based upon refill factor go with the Frunch or Beer vs Wine. You will get plenty!
 


This year I’m going during the F&W festival. I’m not sure if I want to spend a lot of time there. Is it possible to only spend a few hours? Not sure what to expect. I’m not a foodie(give me a good burger any day). Thank you
 
Dis, at beer vs wine you do get refills, sometimes you have to get the server's attention but we have done this event every year and have had pretty much every glass refilled (maybe because I have a big mouth). The refill rate is definitely beerter than the Italy wine lunch.

For people who want to book a lunch based upon refill factor go with the Frunch or Beer vs Wine. You will get plenty!
Good to know! The first year they were bad about it and we didn’t get any refills
 
Can I be the only naysayer here on the French Family Traditions lunch?

The setting was beautiful; it's been many years since I've been to Chef Pauls (before it was Chef Pauls).

My recollection is from 2 years ago so bear with me, maybe something changed but we were served dishes that were available either in Chefs deFrance or the French food booth.

The cheese course was delicious. The entree, I believe beef bourguignon, was...meh. Similar to what is served downstairs. The escargot was the.exact.same.dish.served.at.the.food.booth. Very disappointing.

The desert was some sort of pastry that was tasty but seemed hard and stale.

I was a solo diner and was seated with a couple and their teenage daughter, lovely people. But none of them drank. And it was very awkward for me to have more than a few sips of my wine as I felt...judged.

So, let me finish by saying, I thought the food was underwhelming and my wine experience was hampered by my not wanting to offend my dining companions, with their teenage daughter, by having an indulgent wine luncheon.

I'm set for the Parisian breakfast and may try something else (based on availability) but I won't be doing the French Family Luncheon again based on the lackluster food.


Oh one more thing...the bread served was FABULOUS. There were different breads for the various courses.
 
This year I’m going during the F&W festival. I’m not sure if I want to spend a lot of time there. Is it possible to only spend a few hours? Not sure what to expect. I’m not a foodie(give me a good burger any day). Thank you
Yes, you can just spend a few hours. The main component of the festival are the global marketplace kiosks. You can nibble your way around world showcase tasting the foods/wines from the various kiosks.
 
Can I be the only naysayer here on the French Family Traditions lunch?

The setting was beautiful; it's been many years since I've been to Chef Pauls (before it was Chef Pauls).

My recollection is from 2 years ago so bear with me, maybe something changed but we were served dishes that were available either in Chefs deFrance or the French food booth.

The cheese course was delicious. The entree, I believe beef bourguignon, was...meh. Similar to what is served downstairs. The escargot was the.exact.same.dish.served.at.the.food.booth. Very disappointing.

The desert was some sort of pastry that was tasty but seemed hard and stale.

I was a solo diner and was seated with a couple and their teenage daughter, lovely people. But none of them drank. And it was very awkward for me to have more than a few sips of my wine as I felt...judged.

So, let me finish by saying, I thought the food was underwhelming and my wine experience was hampered by my not wanting to offend my dining companions, with their teenage daughter, by having an indulgent wine luncheon.

I'm set for the Parisian breakfast and may try something else (based on availability) but I won't be doing the French Family Luncheon again based on the lackluster food.


Oh one more thing...the bread served was FABULOUS. There were different breads for the various courses.
Oh man, I would have felt the EXACT same way- that's seriously bad luck! I think varying opinions on food offerings are always valid personally so thanks for sharing.
 
This year I’m going during the F&W festival. I’m not sure if I want to spend a lot of time there. Is it possible to only spend a few hours? Not sure what to expect. I’m not a foodie(give me a good burger any day). Thank you
Review the booth menus when they come out to see if anything is interesting to you. If you see things of interest you'll know what booths to hit and if nothing is interesting just enjoy a normal day at Epcot but with a more crowded walk around world showcase :)
 
This year I’m going during the F&W festival. I’m not sure if I want to spend a lot of time there. Is it possible to only spend a few hours? Not sure what to expect. I’m not a foodie(give me a good burger any day). Thank you

In short, yes, it’s possible! As others have said, one of the things I like most about the festival is the ability to design your own experience. There are ~30 (exact #TBD) food booths around the World Showcase lagoon for which menus will be available and at which you can order items (charges or snack credits apply; these aren’t “samples”). You should be able to look up prior year offerings to get an idea of the fare- there’s plenty of comfort food... it’s not all “fancy food.” In the Festival Center there will be some free things to do as well as some “low cost” (~$20) deminars you could register for. If you wanted more, there are pricier signature experiences available on select dates like tequila lunch, Italian food & wine pairing etc.

If you’re a first timer to the F&W festival, the general advice is to try to avoid the weekend (including Fri night) as the crowds are more intense with influx of locals. Also be aware during F&W that Illuminations is at 10pm on Fri and Sat nights. If looking to spend a few hours, I’d try to hit at 11am when World Showcase opens, during the week. I hope you have fun!!!
 
In short, yes, it’s possible! As others have said, one of the things I like most about the festival is the ability to design your own experience. There are ~30 (exact #TBD) food booths around the World Showcase lagoon for which menus will be available and at which you can order items (charges or snack credits apply; these aren’t “samples”). You should be able to look up prior year offerings to get an idea of the fare- there’s plenty of comfort food... it’s not all “fancy food.” In the Festival Center there will be some free things to do as well as some “low cost” (~$20) deminars you could register for. If you wanted more, there are pricier signature experiences available on select dates like tequila lunch, Italian food & wine pairing etc.

If you’re a first timer to the F&W festival, the general advice is to try to avoid the weekend (including Fri night) as the crowds are more intense with influx of locals. Also be aware during F&W that Illuminations is at 10pm on Fri and Sat nights. If looking to spend a few hours, I’d try to hit at 11am when World Showcase opens, during the week. I hope you have fun!!!

Thank you. I was going on a Thursday
 
Let me also add that every ETTB dining package we’ve ever done was for a 5:30pm concert show. Our no-wait seating was influenced by them not having to clear out guests from a prior performance.

When we saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in 2016, we also obtained Chase reserved seating for the 8:00pm show (no longer offered) and did have to wait for previous show guests to be cleared before we were seated.
There used to be a Chase reserved seating area? Is it not available anymore? We just got our first Chase cards.
 
There used to be a Chase reserved seating area? Is it not available anymore? We just got our first Chase cards.
Unfortunately, no. Chase dropped their sponsorship at the end of the 2016 festival so there are no more reserved seating areas or preferred seating for the Eat to the Beat Concerts for Chase card members.
 
There used to be a Chase reserved seating area? Is it not available anymore? We just got our first Chase cards.
Chase was a big sponsor of the Festival for several years however they no longer are so any of the F & W Perks they offered are gone. So there is no Chase reserved seating anymore.
 
Unfortunately, no. Chase dropped their sponsorship at the end of the 2016 festival so there are no more reserved seating areas or preferred seating for the Eat to the Beat Concerts for Chase card members.
Chase was a big sponsor of the Festival for several years however they no longer are so any of the F & W Perks they offered are gone. So there is no Chase reserved seating anymore.
Darn that stinks! Just my luck lol
 
The link doesn’t work (at least for me), but a link has appeared on tasteepcot.com for the signature experiences — under specialty dining and pairings.
 
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