It does not get all the same benefits. It gets some, such as early entry. I'm not sure about the fast pass situation - I haven't looked. Plus, the system is so new, it's constantly changing.
The food an wine festival isn't all that you think it is. Picture a whole lot of booths around world showcase in Epcot. Add to it lots of drunk people and crowds. Plus the cost of these small bites of food can add up really fast, and it's not all that great an experience. They do have special dinners you can reserve at an additional cost. I've never done one of those.
Have you read any threads on
www.disboards.com? It's sorta the FT of Disney. BUT - keep in mind that they it's operated by a travel agency, and some things are not exactly un-biased. There are some vendors who cannot be named without getting ***** in place of the name
As well, with children that young, you might want to be in a hotel that is closer to the Magic Kingdom. The Swan is walking distance to Epcot and a boat ride to Hollywood Studios. In Oct it's not a big deal to travel, but in March it may be.
I'll also look for you.
Here's a link to the FAQ thread on disboards. You can also check
www.allears.net for more information - and it may be easier to find
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3264274