2008 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Reviews

[Sandy321]

We enjoyed eating around the world as well - and I also thought the Presseco at Mousecatch for $3.25 was a great deal - I also add that the Plum Wine in Tokyo $3.00 was another "bargain" esp if you like Ice Wine - and the 2 times I asked for the Plum Wine, I got a full pour of their lasses (usually for wines it would be an inch below the top of the glass!)

Whereas Ice Wine is more of a subtle taste, Plum Wine does have a hint of plum to it, but it was not overpowering, not in Plumness nor in sweetness!!

 

[OhMari]

I arrive late Sat. Nov. 8th. and the last day of the food and wine festival is Sun. Nov.9th (I think). We were going to probably miss out on it but I noticed somewhere that they had Tues. Nov. 11th as the last day, does anyone know if that is true?

Was the date of the DIS calendar or the official WDW calendar. I yelled a couple of times about the DIS calendar. They had WISHES still on their calendar when their was a Christmas Party. Sadly, Disney cancelled Wishes when there is a party.

 

[Figaro]

My spouse and I were at the PFTS on October 18th and participated in the running of the tables. Well, in my case it would be more the rolling of the tables, since I am in a wheelchair. The only issue we had was that I knew that I would be joined by at least two other people who are also wheelchair users, and so needed a low six top table (for them and their spouses) but most definitely we did not need three of the chairs at the table, since we come "pre-chaired" so to speak. After explaining this to several CM's, they finally did remove the unnecessary chairs so that other people could use them, but I don't think they ever really quite understood why we didn't need them.

I doubt if I would do PFTS again, as being in a wheelchair made it difficult for me to experience the interaction with the chefs and to go through the lines to choose my own food. I did try, but found that the invisibility shield that seems to come as a special "extra" with a wheelchair made it impossible for many people to see that yes, I was waiting in line too.

That just wasn't any fun, so I ended up staying at the table while my spouse ran around to the booths to collect food and wine for the two of us. I did enjoy the food, but think that it will just work better for us if we spend the money on Victoria and Albert's instead.

 

[conandrob240]

Figaro, sorry that people can be such jerks and made your experience less than wonderful. I am going to skip PFTS next year because of the other guests and the way they behaved. Such a shame that that is the reason. Disney should correct the situation with thr tables & chairs and entry stampede so that it is fair & enjoyable for everyone.

 

[Figaro]

It just isn't the kind of event that worked well for us with me in a wheelchair. People don't mean to be rude, they just really don't "see" the wheelchair and don't know that I am in line too. And since I can't really maneuver myself all that quickly in the limited space available, it was just more of a hassle than it was worth for me to try and wait in line. Add in that wheeling myself with my food in my lap isn't the most fun thing to do in a crowded environment and I think I would prefer to spend the money at Victoria and Albert's instead.

 

[Inkmahm]

Figaro, sorry that people can be such jerks and made your experience less than wonderful. I am going to skip PFTS next year because of the other guests and the way they behaved. Such a shame that that is the reason. Disney should correct the situation with thr tables & chairs and entry stampede so that it is fair & enjoyable for everyone.

By all means, if Disney doesn't conform to your view of what their event should be, then definitely you shouldn't feel the need to attend next year. I'm guessing there are plenty of people who enjoyed PFTS exactly as it is so there won't be any real need for Disney to modify it in the future.

 

[TDC Nala]

There are plenty of problems with the Party for the Senses and loads of things good about it, also. This is a review thread, please don't disparage others for their opinions. We all have the option of deciding for ourselves whether or not the bad stuff outweighs the good stuff and if we want to attend another party.

Those with issues concerning the use of tables and chairs at the PFTS should express their opinions to Disney itself if they'd be interested in seeing a change. Ever since PFTS became a huge event, these issues have been out there. Maybe if Disney got enough complaints they'd change it, if they can see a way to change it. One thing they probably wouldn't do is have a strategy that encourages confrontation between CMs and guests - it's not likely they'd have CMs walking around telling people they can't save chairs. Disney doesn't like confrontation.

I've noted if you're not camping at a table and you need to sit for a bit- if you walk outside the hall to the indoor waiting area (where the "bullpen" forms prior to their opening the curtain), there's often seating for use there, nobody's out there so it's quiet, and you can stay as long as you want. When you're done sitting, just walk back into the exhibition hall.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

By all means, if Disney doesn't conform to your view of what their event should be, then definitely you shouldn't feel the need to attend next year. I'm guessing there are plenty of people who enjoyed PFTS exactly as it is so there won't be any real need for Disney to modify it in the future.

Well Said!

I've said many times throughout this thread that the best approach to ANY event, especially PFTS is "to each his own"!

Everyone is going to have their own experience. If a guest is rude to you in the parks does that mean you will never go to that park again? If a guest is rude about parade seating will you never see that parade again? Like everything in life, each person is individual and as long as they aren't doing anything *harmful* to others, then the way they choose to experience any given event is just that, THEIR CHOICE.

Personally I had a wonderful time at PFTS. Were there some rude guests? Of course. Did I let them affect my experience? No way! I went in knowing that it would be crowded, there would be limited seating, a running of the bulls and many intoxicated people, but I still had a blast! I focused on the good of the evening and will most definitely return in the future

 

[Tamar]

We're leaving for Disney tomorrow and will be at PFTS next Saturday. It'll be our 4th, and first where we are bringing guests. See you there (but hopefully not too many of you!). We'll be the ones at the stand-up table....

 

[conandrob240]

There's a difference between rude people and a Disney sponsered event that is poorly organized + rude people. We had a very nice time but the event is poorly organized and controlled by Disney IMO. They let the crowd run like a stampede when they open the curtains and they allow people to hog the tables. They also did not have enough waitstaff to clear the tables and, this year, the entertainment was "cheap". If they don't want it to be a wandering around party like I think the intent is, then, gosh-darn it, have enough seating for everyone!!! If Disney ran its parks the way it runs an expensive event like PTFS, I might think twice about returning to the parks so often, too. And I have already written a letter detailing the issues I have with the way the event is organized just to make my voice heard. The best approach in some cases is NOT "to each his own". if every event were to each his own, we'd have stampedes at sporting events, concerts, etc. There are some common rules to any event that should be followed and enforced by the party hosts.

 

[oenophile]

This year was my first PFTS, and it will likely be my last. While the food was good, the whole "running of the bulls" and lack of tables is an issue that would make me not return. Having a table is crucial to enjoying the event. To expect people to carry around food and wine all night is simply not feasible. There are possibly a few people that enjoy doing this, but its clear that the vast majority want at least a home base to use to be able to enjoy their food and drink.

This was one of the most disorganized Disney events I've ever been to. It is not the Disney experience. There was plenty of room for additional tables, and yet we still had to fight for table space. There must be a better way.

And just to be clear, the issue isn't the rudeness of other people. People will exhibit rude behavior when they are rewarded for exhibiting this behavior. The PFTS setup encourages this rude behavior. Disney needs to organize this in a way that discourages rudeness, that is fair, and that provides the necessary table space for everyone. That may mean limiting the number of attendees, but so be it.

Overall, the food was good, the wine was good, and the overall experience was okay. I won't be doing it again unless Disney changes it significantly.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

There's a difference between rude people and a Disney sponsered event that is poorly organized + rude people. We had a very nice time but the event is poorly organized and controlled by Disney IMO. They let the crowd run like a stampede when they open the curtains and they allow people to hog the tables. They also did not have enough waitstaff to clear the tables and, this year, the entertainment was "cheap". If they don't want it to be a wandering around party like I think the intent is, then, gosh-darn it, have enough seating for everyone!!! If Disney ran its parks the way it runs an expensive event like PTFS, I might think twice about returning to the parks so often, too. And I have already written a letter detailing the issues I have with the way the event is organized just to make my voice heard. The best approach in some cases is NOT "to each his own". if every event were to each his own, we'd have stampedes at sporting events, concerts, etc. There are some common rules to any event that should be followed and enforced by the party hosts.

So you're saying that PFTS should be run as YOU see it? If Disney was inundated with complaints about the event they would have changed it by now, if it frustrated enough people for attendance to drop they would have changed it by now. Considering attendance soars even with the price raising each each (yes except this year) they have no reason to change it because a small percentage is frustrated.

We found that wait staff was abundant! We barely finished our plates and they were cleared, we were constantly offered water, soda, coffee, tea, utensils, we even have several conversations with the wait staff in our area...there were about 10 rotating around the BLUE section which only had about 30 tables at most.

"Hogging" tables is your opinion. There is no rule that a party cant stay at a table all night. If there was then disney would enforce it. Everyone paid the exact same amount to get through the door, if i choose to stay at the same table all night that is my prerogative. I'm not breaking dress code, which is the only stipulation listed at time of purchase, I'm not doing anything against Disney policy because they dont have a table policy.

As far as "to each his own" not being the best in all situations, i believe if you look i said its best when not causing *HARM* to anyone. Last time I checked, i have been stuck in numerous "stampedes" and hoards of tightly packed people when exiting both sporting events & concerts.

Like nearly all businesses Disney panders to the lowest common denominator, if 99% even 95% of the people are happy they have NO reason to change it. I'm all for the VOICING of opinions, but you are saying that PFTS is ABSOLUTELY a cocktail party & should be approached as such. That is not the case, its your opinion that it is a cocktail party. The problem with that logic is that its a PARTY....not defined as sit down or cocktail, but approached in a variety of different ways, a variety that seems to be pleasing the majority of people.

 

[ElizabethB]

We were at the South African wine school yesterday. It was very well done. Impressive, in fact. I still miss the all day schools with a fabulous lunch midway through, but DH liked the shorter afternoon version better.

We followed that with a bit of sampling around World Showcase (love the lamb chops at Australia!). Then we had a superb late dinner at Jiko. We even drank one of the best (and most expensive) reserve bottles on their list. It was still cheaper for us that PFTS would have been!

As for PFTS, we Just Say No.

 

[Inkmahm]

So you're saying that PFTS should be run as YOU see it? If Disney was inundated with complaints about the event they would have changed it by now, if it frustrated enough people for attendance to drop they would have changed it by now. Considering attendance soars even with the price raising each each (yes except this year) they have no reason to change it because a small percentage is frustrated.

We found that wait staff was abundant! We barely finished our plates and they were cleared, we were constantly offered water, soda, coffee, tea, utensils, we even have several conversations with the wait staff in our area...there were about 10 rotating around the BLUE section which only had about 30 tables at most.

"Hogging" tables is your opinion. There is no rule that a party cant stay at a table all night. If there was then disney would enforce it. Everyone paid the exact same amount to get through the door, if i choose to stay at the same table all night that is my prerogative. I'm not breaking dress code, which is the only stipulation listed at time of purchase, I'm not doing anything against Disney policy because they dont have a table policy.

As far as "to each his own" not being the best in all situations, i believe if you look i said its best when not causing *HARM* to anyone. Last time I checked, i have been stuck in numerous "stampedes" and hoards of tightly packed people when exiting both sporting events & concerts.

Like nearly all businesses Disney panders to the lowest common denominator, if 99% even 95% of the people are happy they have NO reason to change it. I'm all for the VOICING of opinions, but you are saying that PFTS is ABSOLUTELY a cocktail party & should be approached as such. That is not the case, its your opinion that it is a cocktail party. The problem with that logic is that its a PARTY....not defined as sit down or cocktail, but approached in a variety of different ways, a variety that seems to be pleasing the majority of people.

Exactly. I believe Disney has tried to accomodate both approaches by having tables for those of us who prefer to sit and eat as well as plates where you can hang your wine glass so that you can stand and eat for those who want to wander and treat it as a cocktail party. I don't see them changing that approach but anyone who wants to can contact Disney in an attempt to persuade Disney to make the party be what they want it to be.

As for sporting events and concerts, normally there are assigned seats. There's no reason to rush to get in as your seat is waiting for you. Such is not the case at PFTS.

The best tip I got was on this board telling us that if we want a table, be near the front of the crowd. We got there early and got a table. That was OUR choice. No shoving or pushing, just walking fast to the back of the room.

We also had no problem with waitstaff not clearing dirty plates. I think Disney did a great job.

 

[dis2cruise]

kielbasa and pierogies recipe anyone know how to make this?? We had it last week at the f & W and they were sooo good.

 

[conandrob240]

Oh, Tinkerbelle, calm down! Do you get a kick back from people who have only positive things to say about PFTS?

I would like it to be organized like an elegant cocktail party with people dressed nicely and no table squatting but I clearly said in my post that they can go the other way , too. I don't care- let it be a sit down event if that's what most people want. But if that's what they want, then give people enough tables and chairs for the # of people at the party!

 

[conandrob240]

test

 

[disneynutz]

test

Looks good from here!

 

[vicki_c]

Can anyone give me the link to the previous F&W sticky? Looks like it's been replaced with a "review" sticky, but I haven't gone yet and I'm looking for the scorecards that were in the old sticky.

Thanks!

 

[vicki_c]

Can anyone give me the link to the previous F&W sticky? Looks like it's been replaced with a "review" sticky, but I haven't gone yet and I'm looking for the scorecards that were in the old sticky.

Thanks!

I'm confused - by moving my post into this thread, is someone trying to tell that this is what I'm looking for? It's not! I'm looking for the bazillion page thread where everyone had been posting the maps for the F&W booths, the scorecards with the items at each booth, etc. Can anyone help?