Crowd levels during F&W festival

AmandaChan · #1 03-28-2012, 03:43 PM

The next time we visit, be it next year or 2014... we're hoping to visit for the FW festival. I would like to go at a time when it is more 'dead' and DH is looking forward to going when the weather is not so humid and hot. For those that usually go during the festival, what week/time frame (beginning, middle, end??) do you recommend? I guess around that time the Halloween decorations are up as well? Thanks

SBETigg · #2 03-28-2012, 04:21 PM

Epcot is never really dead during F & W, unless you have torrential rain (as we did during our October trip last year, and on my birthday no less). But it is a lot less crowded on weekdays, midweek, during the day. The rest of the parks are not super busy, but I wouldn't call them low crowds either. It's never "dead" in October anymore.

Disney Doll · #3 03-28-2012, 05:54 PM

Food and wine also extends into Nov. I'd recommend early November over Oct if you don't care about MNSSHP. I had the good fortune to attend FWF twice last year once as a family vacation in October and again as part of a conference for work in Nov. In general I thought the parks were a bit less crowded in November, plus it's cooler.

We like to head over to the festival right as world showcase opens at 11am and make that our lunch. It's so much nicer during the day as far as crowds go.

NJGIRL · #4 03-28-2012, 08:54 PM

October is anything but dead. Read the post from this thread from yesterday.

http://intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=190111

AmandaChan · #5 03-28-2012, 09:59 PM

Stinks to hear, we have been in mid June before, I wonder if it is comparable to that time frame? It seemed busier but it was doable. I'm sure the festival is great and all, but would anyone go to WDW just for it? Is it that great?

faline · #6 03-29-2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmandaChan

I'm sure the festival is great and all, but would anyone go to WDW just for it? Is it that great?

Personally, I would not plan a trip around it. I'd be more likely to plan a trip around the Flower & Garden festival than the Food & Wine festival. In my experience, the kiosks are okay but the portions are quite small for what you pay (and what you pay can add up quickly). We found the lines to be long at the kiosks and the service slow. We went to a few kiosks and then just gave up.

I did enjoy the cooking demonstrations - do they still have free demonstrations or do they all come with a cost now?

#7 03-29-2012, 09:11 AM

Think of it this way..

Epcot park hours are 9am to 9pm.. almost every day of the year.

For food and wine last year they experimented with extending to 10pm on Fri/Sat toward the end of the festival.

This year they're going to have 10pm closing on Fri/Sat for the entire run of the festival.

The avg daily attendance in Epcot is around 27-30k guests.

An average Food and Wine Festival Saturday is 72k guests.

So.. thems the breaks.

BugeyedMuggy · #8 03-29-2012, 09:47 AM

We go every year and avoid Fri & Sat nite. If you get to WS at opening from the International gateway the crowds during the week are very low. The later in the day the more crowded it gets.

NJGIRL · #9 03-29-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faline

Personally, I would not plan a trip around it. In my experience, the kiosks are okay but the portions are quite small for what you pay (and what you pay can add up quickly). We found the lines to be long at the kiosks and the service slow. We went to a few kiosks and then just gave up.

I agree with this. Small portions for the price and very long lines.

DVC2004 · #10 03-29-2012, 11:40 AM

We were there most recently Columbus Day week and all the parks were busy. I agree with going in November if you don't care about attending MNSSHP. October is not a slow time anymore. We actually really enjoy F & W alot, so in my opinion I think you should experience it at least once.

SBETigg · #11 03-29-2012, 12:26 PM

I think it's worth visiting at least once during F & W Festival time. It's like a different World Showcase during that time, really, which is why we don't schedule every trip during F & W. I love World Showcase as it is, and find plenty to sample and enjoy on a regular basis, with fewer crowds. However, F & W brings a more fun party atmosphere and lots more to try as far as food and wine. I enjoy it, it's always cool, but I do end up missing my quieter, less crowded WS, too.

Also, if I had small children, I would probably prefer to avoid F & W Fest time, or at least limit my WS time during F & W. It's crowded, hectic, and there are people who overindulge. Not as bad during the day, but not a stroller-friendly atmosphere come evening.

epceddie · #12 04-02-2012, 12:10 AM

Thank goodness they don't serve any alcohol at the Magic Kingdom. Anyone who visits a Disney Park just to get drunk should stay home. It wouldn't bother me in the least if they stopped serving alcohol at Epcot. It would keep a lot of morons out of the park.

mdricks · #13 04-02-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmandaChan

I'm sure the festival is great and all, but would anyone go to WDW just for it? Is it that great?

Every year! For an adults only experience its perfect. I go on a guys trip. Golf, good food, lots of frosty beverages, dont have to drive home..

We used to vote, vegas, new orleans, cancun. We quit voting 4 years ago.

Dopey's Girl · #14 04-02-2012, 02:09 PM

I love when my trips happen to fall in Food and Wine, but I don't schedule them around it. I also try to avoid Epcot on the weekends then. The weekdays (Tues- Thurs) always seem less chaotic, but evenings are always busier.

Scar · #15 04-02-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmandaChan

I'm sure the festival is great and all, but would anyone go to WDW just for it? Is it that great?

Yes to both.

DVC2004 · #16 04-02-2012, 03:42 PM

I guess it gets mixed reviews. I have planned a trip around it a couple times now, and a few of my friends have as well. I've enjoyed it when we went but granted we did not attend on the weekends and also did not witness anyone who was overserved. When we were there this past October there seemed to be a lot of visitors from other countries there. I've seen people more intoxicated at my local Chuck E. Cheese. But again, all the times we have been there it has been day time and a weekday.

Alaska Disney Fan · #17 04-02-2012, 08:09 PM

The past couple visits for us have coinsided with the food and wine festival. This is what we do. Last week of September you usually get free dining. We will overlap our last week of September with the first day or 2 of the festival. The booths accept snack credits from the DDP for the appetizers. Between my DW and kids, we save up about 6 to 10 snack credits and use these to try out differnent apppetizers. You get to try a bunch of stuff without paying for the food, throw in some, beers, wine or drinks and you have a pleasant evening. Sometimes the booths are set up a day or 2 before the festival starts so you can raste test before the big crowds arrive. The weather is usually quite nice and you get to enjoy 4 or 5 days of Septembers lower crowds.