Originally Posted By TDLFAN Maybe I missed it but I have not seen anyone post anything on this year's Food and Wine Fest at EPCOT Center? So I checked it out this evening.. Some thoughts... Nothing special here, same old from one year to the next and probably to infinity and beyond.. New stands for this year.. Portugal, Caribbean, and Hawaii (??).. placed shamelessly next to an Aulani Resort DVC kiosk. Add some recycled topiaries from the Flower fest and a new painted flat scene at the front of the park in the mausoleum area.. And presto!! Not all is lost. At least they have a Duffy plush dressed in an exclusive Food fest chef outfit, probably the best outfit they have created for the doomed bear since they stole it from Tokyo. And TDLFAN recommends.. -The Ropa Vieja and coconut frozen mojito in the Caribbean stand. -The Gyoza in the China stand. -The steamed rice with korean BBQ beef and kimchi sauce in the South Korea stand. ..but beware. portions are small and prices are high. After all.. the event continues WDW's newest tradition.. to get your money at all cost. Go check it out.
Originally Posted By TP2000 I've never done the Food & Wine thing. It just seems like it would be so... corporate. I enjoy doing "Taste/Bite Of..." events in various cities. Portland has a fantastic annual Bite event downtown as a famous foodie city, off the top of my head. But this concept inside a theme park just seems... stale and corporate. And the DCA version seemed mainly like a wine and beer crawl, and showcase for the latest celebrity TV chef with a core group of screaming/panting housewives in the audience making it look and sound more like The Beatles appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show than some guy coming out to show you how to do an easy fish dish. No thanks. What am I missing exactly by skipping Food & Wine at Epcot Center?
Originally Posted By -em I went on Tues- I loved the Pork Slider from Hawaii and the Spicy Tuna Roll were my 2 recommends- Very disappointed in Greece and underwhelmed by South Africa -em
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin My husband and I really enjoyed it last year. Instead of eating any "normal park food" we ate little bits of food from different countries. There were things that we were not familiar with and it was fun to try while walking around World Showcase.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I'll be there on Tuesday. This will be our first time, and I have to say that we've been studying the map and pretty much know our plan of attack. Snack credits on our dining plan are good for the tastes, so we plan on using them to the best of their value.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Going tomorrow always enjoy this time of yr & trying something new... Don't really see a hugh decrease in servings after all the emphasis has always been 'a taste' not 'a meal'...but have certainly seen quite an increase in price! Thx for the review TD and it's good to see you posting again...not sure how long you've been back as I'v not been on much this yr! It's good seeing some of the 'old' group resurfacing!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Ev'rybody knows, by now, this is just Dizzy Whirl's management tryin' ta steal more money from folks. The dang portions ain't worth nothin'! 'Sides that, why would I pay all that money fer a frog leg when I can ketch a bull frog fer free off the banks a Tom Sawdust Island??? Ya gotta use yer brain--some time!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Did you just call me "old"? LOL.. Well..to those of you going, don't expect much. They did not deviate from the formula of previous years.. and I have to say they did not seen to put much emphasis on decor for the event as they have done in the past. But one of you pretty much described what the Food/Wine Festival is all about... >>> It just seems like it would be so... corporate.<<< And... >>>seemed mainly like a wine and beer crawl, and showcase for the latest celebrity TV chef with a core group of screaming/panting housewives in the audience making it look and sound more like The Beatles appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show than some guy coming out to show you how to do an easy fish dish.<<< ^^^That pretty much describes the whole affair. And you asked.. >>>What am I missing exactly by skipping Food & Wine at Epcot Center? <<< Nothing, but at least they have a nice Chef Duffy plush. And I would not be TDLFAN if I did not add this comment: TDR wounld *never* put up flat painted cardboards as decor at the main entrance the way they did at Epcot.. especially when part of the deal is charging people money for those Photopass pics. In TDR, it would be 3D figures, props and signs. WDW always goes the cheap way.. sad.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "Hawaii (??).. placed shamelessly next to an Aulani Resort DVC kiosk" got to make up for that 33% error in annual dues somehow ! but seriously- that is Disney's Hawaii venture- why would this be shameless ? Promoting your product next to a food stand for foods from there ? I don't get the issue with this. Is there any business model for ANY company where this would not be viewed as the right thing to do ?
Originally Posted By jkayjs My bad...what I clearly meant to say was...mature, experienced, knowledgable, charter members!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Snack credits on our dining plan are good for the tastes, so we plan on using them to the best of their value.<<< That is fantastic, I wasn't aware that was the case.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed on a few points: 1. Glad to see TDLFAN back around, I have missed you my friend 2. Thinks putting Hawaiian food and the DVC stand close together makes sense. 3. Food and Wine festival is one of the events that has appealed to me (you have seen how big i am right ;-)
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I tried the F&W but could not stand long lines, slow service, small portions and heat. Also seems like the entertainment was not very interesting for me this year. I agree with TDL about same old thing again because I feel this way about their Halloween and Christmas events. The decorations look a little old and dusty for the amount of money they charge!
Originally Posted By hopemax Last year, DH and I went for Food & Wine. We had pre-designated all the Chase Disney Dream Dollars we earned for purchases for things for our new house (appliances, furniture, so it added up quick) as F&W blow money. When we went, we had about $200. We had a blast trying whatever, and since it was Dream Dollars we didn't feel like we were wasting real money. We both agreed though, it would be hard to spend the same amount if it came from a savings account. I asked my parents if they had gone yet, and they hadn't. But I did see recommendation for the Hawaiian pork slider on another board.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I love Food & Wine! Too bad the secret is out and now everyone else in the world knows about it too! I'm usually too busy drinking to eat much. Seriously, it is difficult passing up the pastries in the France Pavallion.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Drinking - Check!! French pastries - Check!! Pork Sliders - Check!! Duffy in a F&W costume - not so much.
Originally Posted By danyoung I was at the Fest this past Friday. Lines weren't too long (yet!), and the food and drink were excellent, as always. It's really nice to enjoy a meal a few bites at a time while cruising around the World Showcase. What others have said about price may be true, as I didn't look at any prices. All I know is I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at the Fest. But by Saturday afternoon the lines really were HUGE, which is understandable for the first weekend of a popular event. I'd say there were from 25 to 50 people in every line. And in the afternoon heat, I can see that that wouldn't be much fun. In the past I've done the odd evening somewhere in the middle of the Fest., when the big opening weekend crowds have died down. And as far as whether there's enough "new" stuff this year, I just don't care. It's an event I really enjoy, and this year was no exception!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom 999 you want to start drinking in Mexico.... get the blue marguaritis..... that lasts till you reach France and then get either the Frozen Gran Marnier slushies or Grey Goose lemon slushies ( at the cart in France near World Showcase lagoon). Absolutely go for the pastries in the French or Norway Pavallions. In the past I always enjoyed the lamb sliders from New Zealand. Every year there is always the "in" food. I have no idea what it is this year. A couple years back is was the lamb sliders. The rice dish with kimshi that TDLFan was talking about sounds appealing.... I love wasabi.... and enjoy kimchi....
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom You may also want to check out the Food & Wine HQ which is always at the former Wonders of Life Pavallion ( inbetween the Universe of Energy and Mission Space). Lots of great wines.... I met Fess Parker there one year. and some great shopping. There are always kewl tee shirts being sold during the Food & Wine festival as well. All in all it is a lot of fun and great carnival atmosphere ( as in Mardi Gras Rio De Janeiro style).
