DL Food and Wine Festival??

[texas211]

Has anyone heard any news about the possibility of the Food and Wine Festival returning to DCA? We love the EPCOT version, and wouldn't mind going out to Cali if they had one again. However, would never go back to Cali without it.

[tinkwest]

I have not heard anything about the Food & Wine event returning to Disney California Adventure. I'm trying to remember how many years it was even there. Maybe three? It ended about seven years ago when the entire entrance of the park was under construction while retheming to Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle. I don't know what type of a draw there was when it existed. I never took part in any of the complimentary offerings but was in the park several times while it was ongoing and I remember that the set-up - staging areas, tables, chairs, etc. - took up a lot of space and caused traffic jams in areas that otherwise were free flowing. And the special events were quite pricey. On a personal note, I don't need it to return.

[BrerGnat]

Was it really around for 3 years? I only remember it being one year. I went to it and I really enjoyed the food offerings and drinks. However, it was kind of difficult to find all the food locations since they were so spread out. I prefer the set up at Epcot around the lagoon. If it ever did come back to DCA, it would be nice to have it around the bay.

I did hear that there were some issues with the liquor licensing for that event. Maybe more trouble than they wanted to deal with?

[texas211]

I agree it'd be hard to beat the Epcot setup. But wouldn't mind something like that at DCA. We enjoy DCA, but not really DL. So, it'd help in the justification in coming out there.

The Epcot FW is by far our favorite. But wouldn't mind comparing it to a west coast version. Though would have to pay for the more expensive resorts there, so we don't have to do the driving thing after drinking.

[dnickels]

With the current state of Future World Epcot really NEEDS Food & Wine Fest to keep the crowd levels up. DCA and DL are nearly always busy so I'd be really surprised if a F&W style event were brought to DCA.

[tinkwest]

Natalie, you got me curious about the actual length of time that the Festival was around. From a November 2010 article in the LA Times announcing the discontinuation of the event during construction, "The 5-year-old festival had continually grown in popularity, expanding from 30 events over four weekends in 2006 to 700 events over 46 days in 2010." I was there twice during the festival, 2007 and 2008.

[BrerGnat]

Natalie, you got me curious about the actual length of time that the Festival was around. From a November 2010 article in the LA Times announcing the discontinuation of the event during construction, "The 5-year-old festival had continually grown in popularity, expanding from 30 events over four weekends in 2006 to 700 events over 46 days in 2010." I was there twice during the festival, 2007 and 2008.

Wow. Was I under a rock or what? LOL!

[texas211]

With the current state of Future World Epcot really NEEDS Food & Wine Fest to keep the crowd levels up. DCA and DL are nearly always busy so I'd be really surprised if a F&W style event were brought to DCA.

Epcot has had it for 20 years. I don't know that it is a crutch.

I went last Spring to DL, and felt the crowds weren't bad. DL a little, but only b/c the park is so tiny and everything seemed to be broken. I think DL could definitely use it. Though I think it'd be better in the DCA area logistically.

[BrerGnat]

Epcot has had it for 20 years. I don't know that it is a crutch.

I went last Spring to DL, and felt the crowds weren't bad. DL a little, but only b/c the park is so tiny and everything seemed to be broken. I think DL could definitely use it. Though I think it'd be better in the DCA area logistically.

Disneyland doesn't serve alcohol so it could not logically go there.

To be honest, they probably had it at DCA to drum up attendance. They discontinued it due to the massive construction that went on for the refurbishment. And now, the last thing they need is MORE crowds. The recent ticket price hikes are an attempt to tamp down the crowds some.

Sadly, I don't think it will ever return to DCA unless attendance dips too low.