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

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Just saw this from DFB on FB:

"Schedules for the 2017 Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hand On Workshops will be released next week.Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog and the DFB Newsletter! We’ll share the info as soon as we have it!

But here’s the big news. While the general public can book events for the Food and Wine Festival starting on July 20th at 7AM ET, Annual Passholders, Golden Oak Residents, Tables in Wonderland Members, and DVC members will be able to book ALL events starting on July 18th at 9AM ET.

Yep. Early Booking on the 18th includes ALL EVENTS.
This is in contrast to only being able to book low-cost events and Party for the Senses in previous years. Also, it’s now confirmed that$2 discounts will be offered for seminars and demonstrations only, Monday through Thursday only, for Annual Passholders, Tables in Wonderland members, Golden Oak Residents, and DVC members."

 

[tink1957]

It quite possibly would have been more of a pain than a help, when we saw the line-up for that lounge a couple years ago my friend and I both decided "forget it!". People were lined up and waiting out in the sun in order to get in to the free drinks and AC which defeated the purpose imho. I was not standing out in the sun for half an hour for a free coke.

We mainly used the lounge to charge our phones...gonna miss the early booking though...there goes Trader Sam's

 

[RachelTori]

Same here! Mainly the idea of a lounge with free drinks, really, but still. We've got family on the one day, including my 77 year old grandfather, so I thought it would be handy.

Go to the a Festival Center (former Wonders of Life Pavilion) for a break from the heat. There is seating there (plus Intermission Cafe where you can buy snacks and beverages)! It opens at 9am!

 

[Gryhndmom]

Lots of seafood offerings which for those of us who are allergic should save lots of money. Then again....mac and cheese is back...will surely be packing stretchy elastic waist shorts !

 

[crazy4wdw]

Wow, No Chase sponsorship! That sucks. This was going to be our first F&W with a Chase Disney Visa and we were looking forward to the perks. Shoot.

Same here, the only way I qualify for the early booking is Disney Visa. Now I'll be on the phone with thousands of others trying to reserve events. Glad I already told my boss I may need to take a few hours of vacation time Thursday morning.

This also means there will not be any reserved seating at the Eat to the Beat concerts for Disney Visa cardholders. Boo! Hiss!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Just saw this from DFB on FB:

"Schedules for the 2017 Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hand On Workshops will be released next week.Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog and the DFB Newsletter! We’ll share the info as soon as we have it!

But here’s the big news. While the general public can book events for the Food and Wine Festival starting on July 20th at 7AM ET, Annual Passholders, Golden Oak Residents, Tables in Wonderland Members, and DVC members will be able to book ALL events starting on July 18th at 9AM ET.

Yep. Early Booking on the 18th includes ALL EVENTS.
This is in contrast to only being able to book low-cost events and Party for the Senses in previous years. Also, it’s now confirmed that$2 discounts will be offered for seminars and demonstrations only, Monday through Thursday only, for Annual Passholders, Tables in Wonderland members, Golden Oak Residents, and DVC members."

Remember that the number of reservations for early bookings will be limited, as least they were in the past.

 

[crazy4wdw]

For the things that are bookable online does it show up to book at the same time the phones open or would it be better to plan to call in?

Last year, some of the events were available for booking before 7:00 am EST. I noticed today that they already have the times loaded in for the culinary demos and beverage seminars - but we still have no details!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone heard anything about an Annual Passholder F&W gift this year?

I was kind of wondering about that too. Last year was the first year we got the glasses, but just out of curiosity how many years have they been doing it? Also, we had to keep track of our entrances. No one told us when we qualified, so it was up to us to count.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Remember that the number of reservations for early bookings will be limited, as least they were in the past.

Yes, of course. Still happy to hear that all events can be booked if available when we call, instead of a limited number of events.

Then there were the times when some people got magically booked by a CM for something that was NOT supposed to be bookable... this is much cleaner.

 

[soniam]

Sorry, but I am confused. Can AP holders do the early booking online or phone only? I don't care about the discount. First year, so I am trying to figure out all of the ends and outs. Thanks

 

[Kteacher]

Just trying to wrap my head around this- so DVC members can call beginning at 9:00 am on 7/18 for all events? What's the phone # to call? I remember last year that there was one line that was easier to get through on.

 

[elgerber]

I was kind of wondering about that too. Last year was the first year we got the glasses, but just out of curiosity how many years have they been doing it? Also, we had to keep track of our entrances. No one told us when we qualified, so it was up to us to count.

I think last year was only the second year. I have yet to be able to get one so I hope they do it again this year, as I should be able to get one this time.

 

[randumb0]

So I've never done PFTS because it was never available when I was there. DFB is stating that the one in September and one other one are basically special because they have Disney chefs. Does this just mean different food from the other parties or it will have more food because it'll have the chefs plus the normal fare? I'm trying to decide if I want to push to do one of the "special" ones or just go with the one that fits our schedule best. Any ideas?

Last year I attended the PFTS that had Disney chefs. A lot of the dishes were unique, but I do remember the Tiffins chef having the octopus dish that's listed as an appetizer on the Tiffins menu. They were not just WDW chefs. There was a chef from Tokyo, Paris and a few from DL. What's cool is they're often times the ones that are handing you your dish

 

[randumb0]

Looks like we can definitely say have moved away from liquor

 

[crazy4wdw]

Some Dishes to Look Forward to at the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...7-epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Great preview -- as always -- from DFB... LOVE THEM!! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2017/...w-food-photos-merch-booking-details-and-more/

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

BTW... I love how details on the lower-cost seminars are expected "next week" and booking is next Tue & Thu... ... Doesn't make it easy for groups to coordinate, but perhaps somewhat favors "uber planners" who will make sure to be ready by then.

Every year part of me marvels at how messed up the booking process has been in one way or another, but then again, they don't NEED to do this better, do they?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Sorry, but I am confused. Can AP holders do the early booking online or phone only? I don't care about the discount. First year, so I am trying to figure out all of the ends and outs. Thanks

Good question. And the answer has been different in recent years, I believe.

I looked up each event on Disney's website that I'm interested in during our trip and copied and pasted the language about booking. In some cases, it says calling, in others it says online or call. But that is all for regular booking on Jul 20... and based on past experience, not even sure we can consider that accurate.

I know I'll be checking online even before 7am on Jul 18, and worst case, calling the 407-WDW-FEST number first and then DVC Member Services beginning 9am. I'll personally do it in that order because I haven't had great luck in getting DVC CMs who are well-versed in booking these things.

 

[randumb0]

Last year it wasn't until after booking began did they begin to release the remaining details of the seminars

 

[Auntie_Maim]

I hope the merchandise includes a nice coffee mug. When it comes to souvenirs, coffee mugs are my weakness. I really want a F&W one.