Epcot Food and Wine Festival

[jwaco]

My family and I have a vacation booked at the end of September, checking out on 9/26. I understand that the festival begins on 9/25. Is there a chance that there may be an early, or "cold" opening, so that we may be able to experience the festival before we leave? We travelled around the same time last year and thought I remembered the festval starting a few days earlier than they stated it would. Are there any "insiders" out there who may know?

[BugeyedMuggy]

The last 2 years they have had a cold opening the day b-4 the scheduled opening. They do not advertise this as it is not guaranteed. They do this to see of any problems they can avoid (or so I was told)

[jwaco]

I appreciate the info!

[nicster]

hummmm... we arrive on the 24th of September... this may be worth checking out!:blush:

[mindyjoh]

That is the same day we arrive too....the 24th.:mickey:

[TheRustyScupper]

1) On Thursday, there is a practice day.
2) You can call it a soft opening.
3) But, with the amount of trial-and-error, a better word is practice.
4) Last year, about 2/3 of the booths were open.
5) And, of the ones open, many had a limited food offering of their menu items.

NOTE: In fact, all WDW CM's are invited on Thursday to help the F&FW folks practice. It does seem to help. The reward for doing so is that the day does not count against the CM's allotment of park entries.