I could do memorial day weekend if we commit soon. I am planning a pseudo-MR for that weekend and would like to buy tickets soon.

I suspect that crowds will be heavy over memorial day weekend, but I don't really care as long as there is good conversation while waiting in line.

there's no waiting. Book the hotwire rate and get to the Front of The Line. I plan on sharing a room since Loew's isn't a hotel chain I frequent. Also remember if you stay offsite you would probably need a car so staying on property is the way to go.

called and got the Entertainment Book rates and the Portofino Bay is $155 and the Hard Rock is $125 with the Entertainment Book. Royal Pacific is not available on E-Book. These are great rates that are cancellable/refundable. The reservationist did say there was limited availability. If anyone doesn't have an Entertainment Book Card I have 3 (Mine, Sister's, and Mom's)

[This message has been edited by prncess674 (edited 04-08-2003).]

Memorial Day weekend might work, but a September Disney thing looks more likely. No points at any of the Universal hotels right?

Loews has a frequent stay program. IIRC it's one of those lifetime things so you don't need to qualify yearly.

OK, I'm in.

R, I don't have an e-book, can I get sweet-talk my way into one of your family's? Email me when you get a chance. Do I need a code to book at the e-book rate?

Just call and make a reservation. You just need to show the Entertainment Book card at checkin.

Also, for others interested in buying an entertainment book you can buy one at www.entertainment.com. They really do come in quite handy. I keep one in my car. There are lots of local buy one get one free dinners, etc in the book.


[This message has been edited by prncess674 (edited 04-09-2003).]

This may be an ideal time to go to Disney

8th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Presents Creative Fare Oct. 18-Nov. 16

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Disney guests will sample wines from renowned vintners and boutique wineries, taste creative cuisine of many regions and soak up non-stop entertainment during the eighth annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Oct. 18-Nov. 16 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

One of the world�s largest food and wine experiences with more than 100 wineries represented, the festival expands each year with new offerings and events. The park�s 11 World Showcase countries and special festival marketplaces will serve up food and wine samplings from exotic regions around the globe, with appetizer-sized tastings ranging from $1-$4.50.

Guests also can enjoy scheduled culinary demonstrations, complimentary wine seminars, a nightly outdoor concert series with name entertainment and multi-cultural performances. For beer aficionados, there are the �History of Beer in America� tastings and seminars by the Boston Beer Company, makers of Samuel Adams beer.

The Party for the Senses food-and-wine-tasting event, Food and Wine Pairings, prestigious Bordeaux Wine School program and nightly Eat to the Beat! concert series will return by popular demand.

Dozens of performers ranging from acrobats to musicians add street-festival energy to this seasonal culinary celebration. Walt Disney World guests can toast the festival with champagne and get information at the park�s Festival Welcome Center across from Future World Fountain and Innoventions Plaza.

Scheduled events in addition to daily experiences include:

Eat to the Beat! concert series with evening performances by popular entertainers on the America Gardens stage.

Party for the Senses, a hip, hot celebration of the senses featuring more than 30 wines with flavorful foods every Saturday in World Showplace.

Bordeaux Wine School, a wine education program with lunch and wine school certificates presented upon completion, at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion.

Food and Wine Pairings, featuring wine experts pairing great food and wines, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Coral Reef Restaurant in The Living Seas pavilion.

Reserve Dinners, for an elite dining experience that marries great wines and food and includes VIP viewing of �IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,� Thursdays and Fridays, at the Wonders of Life pavilion VIP Dining Room.

Additional events in celebration of the festival are:

Signature Dinner Series, with five courses and wine pairings from up to three selected wineries, to be held at a different Disney signature resort restaurant each Sunday.

Vertical Tastings, a rare opportunity for wine lovers to sample 10 vintages from stellar producers and hear VIP wine speakers, Saturdays.

Talented chefs will explore culinary customs and food trends during complimentary demonstrations at The Terrace, an alfresco setting between the Morocco and France pavilions. Also at The Terrace, guests can explore the Festival Wine Shop and see Artisans Among the Arbors -- an eclectic array of artists.

A special program for children ages 4-10, Making Nestle Toll House Cookies, is offered at The Land pavilion.

Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, including wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations, is free with regular Epcot admission.

Guests can call 407/WDW-DINE for information or reservations for special events and programs during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, or visit the Web site: www.disneyworld.com and link to Epcot for festival details.

Also for those interested in Universal Studios/ Islands of Adventure see this thread

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/003235.html

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival - now THAT sounds fun!

I have been wanting to get back down to Disney for years. The last time I was there, they were still BUILDING Epcot!

It has admittedly been low on my priority list but perhaps with a good excuse to go....

They don't have the dates for this year's event on their website yet, but Universal has the Orlando Beer Festival during the same time Disney runs the Food & Wine thing (this is the website for the Orlando Beer Festival).

I've been to the Orlando Beer Festival before and it's pretty cool ... all the beer you can drink once you pay your admission fee, plus you can take breaks in the parks since they're right there.

I've been at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival every year since they've had it. Lotsa really great special dinner events and such with guest chefs and winemakers from around the world. This would be a great time to go.

The Food & Wine Festival generlly starts the weekend after Columbus Day and ends a month later.

The booths that are set up around World Showcase have some intesting nibbles. The food offered is more like hor douvre size portions. Great to get a lot of samples of different kinds of food.

I've never attended the dinners - every time I've tried they've been sold out. We don't make plans far enough in advance to get the ressies.

It sounds like a great idea! Keep in mind that PIP II is scheduled around that time.

Mary

The last place I would want to go to and spend my free time is at any Disney property but if good wine and good food are part of the plan I would seriously consider it.

Chances of making the Universal thing in May are looking pretty slim, but if there were some definitive dates for Disney in October as has been suggested, I'd look seriously into going - especially around Columbus Day (aka Canadian Thanksgiving). The Food & Wine sounds good, but will this be an adults-only "do"? It'll be hard to explain going to DW without yyz jr.

You'll miss the food & wine fesitval if you go around Columbus Day. Because of the holiday, the parks are already pretty crowded, so there's no need for a festival.

The fesival generally fills the very slow period until Thanksgiving.

Mary