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

[chpmnkfan]

They did have a ham and cheese toasted thing - not covered with batter but cheese which was pretty good. They had a tomato cheese tart that was good and the almond pastry was excellent. They had croissants and chocolate croissants, a pretty strawberry pastry that was good, assorted meats and cheese and fruit. Baguettes with butter and jamand of course free flowing mimosas, coffee and hot chocolate

Thanks! Everything sounds good. I appreciate you letting me know.

 

[Stefien Quix]

We're back! Had a blast at our first F&W event. I have to say, having done it I'm AMAZED at some of you guys. In awe. Like, I had what I thought was a reasonable list. There were 18 items on it that we planned to share between myself, my wife, and my daughter. We got about halfway through before crying uncle. We were all STUFFED. Now, bear in mind, it was easily the hottest day we were there, so our appetites were definitely affected.

But some of the lists being posted. Super jealous! I wish we could have tried more!

Favorites were:
Korma Chicken
Chimichurri Skirt Steak
Croissant aux Escargots
Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon
Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
Frozen Mojito

Disappointments:
Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup
St-Germain Sparkling Kir
Mimosa Royale

 

[paopiru]

We're back! Had a blast at our first F&W event. I have to say, having done it I'm AMAZED at some of you guys. In awe. Like, I had what I thought was a reasonable list. There were 18 items on it that we planned to share between myself, my wife, and my daughter. We got about halfway through before crying uncle. We were all STUFFED. Now, bear in mind, it was easily the hottest day we were there, so our appetites were definitely affected.

But some of the lists being posted. Super jealous! I wish we could have tried more!

Favorites were:
Korma Chicken
Chimichurri Skirt Steak
Croissant aux Escargots
Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon
Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
Frozen Mojito

Disappointments:
Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup
St-Germain Sparkling Kir
Mimosa Royale

The soup was the one from Canada? What was wrong with it? It's in my list...

 

[Stefien Quix]

The soup was the one from Canada? What was wrong with it? It's in my list...

Mostly it just tasted of salt than anything else. And the pretzel bread just tasted like cold bread.

 

[elgerber]

The soup was the one from Canada? What was wrong with it? It's in my list...

We get it every year, including this year, and we have always enjoyed it.

 

[Stefien Quix]

We get it every year, including this year, and we have always enjoyed it.

Of course, my experience and my taste buds are just mine. It's food, so in a lot of ways, YMMV

 

[gillep]

Of course, my experience and my taste buds are just mine. It's food, so in a lot of ways, YMMV

FWIW I agree with you. I know that people really like this soup, but to me the only flavor it has ever had is salt, and the pretzel bread is fine, but certainly not one of the better pretzel breads/rolls that I have ever had, the whole experience is meh to me. Others however love it and get multiples year after year, different tastes!

 

[lilfaeriebrat]

FWIW I agree with you. I know that people really like this soup, but to me the only flavor it has ever had is salt, and the pretzel bread is fine, but certainly not one of the better pretzel breads/rolls that I have ever had, the whole experience is meh to me. Others however love it and get multiples year after year, different tastes!

You are not alone. I am not that fond of this soup either and the pretzel roll to me tastes just like bread. I'll head to Germany for a pretzel.

 

[Erik the Red]

Hey guys !!

Huge football fan here and am lucky enough to be at Epcot during the Food and Wine Tailgate Tasting . I need to pick up a wrist band at the Festival center.

Is that the building on the left side of the park from the main entrance?

And should i go there immediately at rope drop? Or can I wait until after I've ridden Frozen and met Elsa?

Thanks!

 

[jenjersnap]

We just returned from our trip.

We actually didn’t end up eating much from the booths (drinking is another story, drank lots of beer - Belgium was our favorite - and that Guinness Bailey’s Shake was fantastic). It was just too hot to enjoy the food, so we just kept bagging on our plans and eating at nice air conditioned restaurants instead.

Attended Parisian Breakfast. Exactly the same food and experience as always, without the little Bonne Maman goodie bag. Loved the soft cranberry baguette and the almond pastry best.

Also attended PFTS with reserved seating. Had our own two top as did most people around us in orange section. I was expecting to share so that was a lovely surprise. No complaints about the food. We liked the lobster potstickers and the halibut best, I think. I had Tiffin’s duck ramen on Friday and preferred it to Morimoto’s version at the party. There seemed to be fewer desserts and liquor/liqueur drinks than the other party we attended in 2016. I was fine with fewer desserts since that isn’t why I am there, but I wished there had been more variety with drinks since I am not a huge wine drinker. The Maria and Enzo table did have a delicious variation on the Aperol Spritz so that made me happy and there was also delicious sake nearby but they ran out very early on. My DH stuck to cider and wine. I was worried after the poor reviews from last year but we enjoyed it very much. I thought it was well-organized, seemed like the changes were all positive.

 

[VAtink]

Got back for an awesome Food and Wine trip on Sunday and wanted to post a quick review of PFTS and the WVL!

This was our second year doing it, and it was much improved over last year! Being able to check in starting at 11:00AM on the day of the party was great, we got to pick up our lanyards right at 11:00 before hitting up some more food booths for lunch and then getting out of the park before it got too crowded.

The best thing this year about the party this year for those in the WVL was the complimentary Minnie Van service from the hotel to the event. We scheduled the pickup for 5:50 since we were staying at the BC and it was a short drive over. The driver arrived at 5:40 and called to let us know she was there but not to worry about rushing since she wanted to get there early just in case!

When you take the Minnie Van service from the hotel, they take you in backstage where they have security set up right after you enter the backstage area so you don’t need to deal with the normal park security. This was a HUGE plus for us since last year it took well over 30 minutes just to get through security and into the park, not to mention trying to push through the massive crowds on a Saturday night!

When we entered the backstage area, the car pulled over so we could get screened, then we hopped back in and were driven around the backside of world showcase to the event. Once we arrived at World Showplace, there were multiple CMs there waiting to bring us up to the red carpet where we checked in again, then were escorted inside to wait in the AC! (Another big plus over last year waiting outside in the heat and drizzle!)

When we had picked up the lanyard, the CM told us the goal was to get all the WVL guests in by 6:15, so to arrive early. She was absolutely correct because they let us in just before 6:15! This year they had plenty of CMs to show us to our seats which was missing last year, so again, Disney seemed to have listened! Seriously, everything I wrote them about last year about this event they fixed for this year, so I was really impressed!

This year the WVL area was one big area rather than the two smaller areas with the dance floor in the middle, which I preferred. They also had the cheese table out in a permanent location rather than being rolled around like last year. In addition they had two wine bars in the WVL area that weren’t hidden backstage, so no missing those this year!

When we arrived, our table was set with a deconstructed salmon roll and a blue cotton candy drink. I did prefer the champagne from last year over the blue drink, but it wasn’t a deal breaker!

While only the WVL guests were in the room, they brought all the chefs up on stage to introduce them, which was a nice touch. However, my mom and I were focused on the food so pretty much ignored that and were out at the various food stands picking up goodies!

They didn’t let in the remaining guests until a bit after 6:45, so the WVL guests had over 30 minutes in the room with super low crowds to check out all the food. It was really nice!

The food was really good, they had a fantastic variety, and had some really awesome drink selections too this year! Also loved being able to interact with the chefs at their stands, so cool!

The band was really good. When I heard who it was I watched some videos online of them to get an idea of who they were, and my only thought on seeing them was “are they really Disney appropriate? My mom will hate them!” Well, I’m happy to say I was very very wrong. They were AMAZING!!!! My only complaint is they only played 2-3 songs per set, so it seemed the DJ was out on stage more than them!

At the end of the night we got the standard gift bag with chocolates, this time from the Ganachery, as well as a really cute Food and Wine trivet (which I have since somehow dyed blue…). Plus we got the wine glass to keep!

It was such a great event this year. I would 100% recommend it, especially the WVL seating.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[jenjersnap]

@VAtink, sounds like WVL is the way to go! Though we had no complaints in the peasant’s area (lol). I forgot to mention how much I appreciated being able to check in early. We did so at the Festival Center around 11 am as well. It made for a very low stress arrival experience. I thought the band was awesome too, very enjoyable.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thanks for the reviews on PFTS I have friends who want to go but the Lounge is sold out for their weekend. It’s what they did last year and are a little hesitant not to have that extra service

 

[jenjersnap]

Thanks for the reviews on PFTS I have friends who want to go but the Lounge is sold out for their weekend. It’s what they did last year and are a little hesitant not to have that extra service

We were approached by a CM who asked if we wanted to upgrade to WVL. It was already 6:30 though so I didn’t see the value in it. Perhaps your friends can show up earlier and see if that is an option? But, service was excellent in the reserve section, truly. Removing the “running of the bulls” general seating was the best thing they could have done.

 

[paopiru]

Mostly it just tasted of salt than anything else. And the pretzel bread just tasted like cold bread.

Thank you all for your comments on the soup. I don't like salty so maybe I will just skip it and make room.for something else.

 

[randumb0]

There seemed to be fewer desserts and liquor/liqueur drinks than the other party we attended in 2016.

I don't remember there being liquor at the last two parties that I attended. Was there liquor at your most recent event?

 

[jenjersnap]

I don't remember there being liquor at the last two parties that I attended. Was there liquor at your most recent event?

There were two separate whiskey stations and a Pinnacle vodka station at our 2016 party just off the top of my head. There was also a mixed drink station that had some kind of sweet fruity mai tai type of drink.

As I mentioned in my original post, I didn’t see much at the party on 9/22. Just the Aperol Spritz, but I can confirm once I find the menu which is still buried in my luggage.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

We were approached by a CM who asked if we wanted to upgrade to WVL. It was already 6:30 though so I didn’t see the value in it. Perhaps your friends can show up earlier and see if that is an option? But, service was excellent in the reserve section, truly. Removing the “running of the bulls” general seating was the best thing they could have done.

I’ve suggested they call periodically. I know Disney says “no cancellations” but I also know things happen. Disney was nice enough to cancel my Wine View Lounge a few years ago when my mother had to have surgery the week of my reservation

UPDATE: So they booked reserved seating and plan to call Disney periodically to see if they can upgrade. If not, I am sure they will live.

Of course I just realized that I have Parisian Breakfast booked for the wrong day! I had to change my stay and forgot I had booked it. I am going to call later and see if they will let me move the reservation, but it's probably sold out for the weekend I am going. May have lost that money, I don't have a good reason for a refund so....

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Having not yet been to F&W whilst on DDP - how does it work? Can you exchange any of your CS/TS credits for snack credits that become valid for F&W? Or are most things on offer deemed CS rather than snacks? Or is DDP not used at all for festival stands? Sorry for the rookie questions...

 

[siren0119]

We just got back from F&W and OHMYFOODING it was so amazing. We went as a group of 4 adults, and just took our time hitting all the booths, getting a taste and a beverage.

LOVED:
Beer flights - the pour sizes were great and we got to try some amazing brews
Korma Chicken and the Mango Lassi with Creme Liqueur from India
Bougatsa from Greece (yummy phyllo dough/vanilla custard dessert)
Maple Bacon Funnel Cake from the America Pavilion
Maple Bourbon Cheesecake from the Cheese Studio
Berbere Style Beef from Africa
Irish Cheddar Cheese Stout Dip and the Guinness Baileys Shake from Ireland
Spicy Curry Beef from Thailand
Fire & Ice drink from Joffreys at the America Pavilion (Frozen lemonade and Fireball - get the double shot, trust me!)

Biggest disappointment:
The wine flights. Wasn't hugely impressed with the pours (I swear, the wine flights were 1 oz each of 3 wines. Beer flights were 3 3oz pours) and other than one riesling that was pretty tasty nothing blew me away.

10/10 will save my pennies so I can do it again next year!