Comments

1. Rachel says

   August 5, 2015 at 8:59 am

   I’m so glad I read all these comments. It’s sad to have all the issues but I was finally able to book it. Last week I called on the 30th and they could give me all the details but it wasn’t an option to book yet. I kept forgetting to call back. This morning I was told the one that overlaps the beginning and the one that overlaps the end of my stay were both sold out. After reading these comments (especially the one about how many they might have per week), I decided to call back and just not mention my reservation. Sure enough, it was available. I know it’s silly but I’m excited for the wine bottle and the magicband 🙂

2. Ross says

   August 5, 2015 at 11:13 am

   Hey all… Quick question – those who have had success in booking the Premium Package, what is the info you’ve been given RE the dessert party? The IPO says it isn’t a separate booking needed and they simply use the day your Premium Package is booked as the day you are entitled to entry in to the party. Has anyone with the Premium Package actually got a separate reservation for the dessert party showing in MDE?

3. Steve says

   August 5, 2015 at 5:58 pm

   Hi Ross, no, the dessert party is not a separate reservation from the PP. MDE shows:

   Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package
   Confirmation Number: ##
   Call (407) 939-3463 to cancel. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.
   Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2015
   Time: 8:30 PM
   Guests: 1 Adult Update Guests Opens a page to modify guests for Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package
   Location: The Festival Center – Future World – Epcot®

4. Lili says

   August 5, 2015 at 6:09 pm

   WOW!!!
   I feel in HEAVEN…. After a week trying to change the date of the Illumination Dessert Party and getting a run around by Cast Members, today ONE finally fix it and I was able to change the dates from Monday to Wednesday… YAY!!!

   Got the same answer regarding the Culinary demonstration… they are going to contact us. So the wait for that continues…. I wanted to see if they have any Culinary Demonstrations available for booking on its own… and he said they are SOLD OUT… he said only the Beverage Demonstrations have some availability… with the experience we all had with the Premium Package I will try again. Who knows maybe I will get lucky and find some open 🙂

   PS: I never got any response from Disney… but since I was able to fix it, I won’t be sweating that one.

5. Steve says

   August 10, 2015 at 12:57 pm

   Quick update: Called again today re: Premium Package and seminars and was told they are still not able to attach the two. I asked what would happen if they’re NEVER able to and he said he wasn’t sure why it was so complicated but that they are expecting to be able to attach them. He said if perchance not, they’ve been told that Disney would reach out to us to offer some “alternate” experience. No, I have no idea what that means.

6. Ross says

   August 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm

   Not sure what the issue is in relation to booking the seminar as part of the package. On the day of release of the PP the Itinerary Planning Office were able to book the free seminar for me and it’s showing up in MyDisneyExperience. So it’s definitely possible to book them!

7. Kris says

   August 10, 2015 at 2:37 pm

   I booked for November. She read all the of the info about the packages to me and said there were four options available. We had to book the culinary demo first before she could book the premium package. Then she read info out about a Late Night Live party for that Thursday which was last year’s party. She didn’t know for sure. It does have my reservation for the premium package booked for Wednesday at 8:30 and I had no choice about that even though we arrive Monday. It is the same day as the beverage seminar I booked. I’m assuming that is actually the Illuminations Dessert Party and they just didn’t replace the wording from last year for Late Night Live.

8. SynA says

   August 10, 2015 at 6:28 pm

   i called the FEST line again to resolve my PP problem & went thru CM Amy then her supervisor Bruno. They both tried to convince me there would be an Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party on Monday Sept 28 even though nothing on the WDW website or here on the food blog that said there would be one. I asked to have it moved to Sept 29th just for my peace of mind & he was able to do that. WHEW! i’m less stressed now & won’t have to give up my Beaches & Cream ADR for Monday.
   He tried to sign up our seminar/deminar during my PP use week, but was told by his supervisor that it wasn’t able to be connected yet. unfortunately i’m not staying CL so i don’t have an IPO. he just suggested calling back or waiting until Disney contacted me. shrug. i’ll keep trying!

9. Lili says

   August 11, 2015 at 3:28 pm

   Hello friends!

   Starting TODAY 8/11/2015 we can book our culinary or beverage demonstrations (based on availability) for the Premium Package! I just booked mine at the day and time I wanted. I had a previous reservation for the same demonstration, and they are in the process of cancelling that one without penalty (because they can see I am booking the same for the PP).
   Good luck and hurry up to get the seminar you want

   Lili

10. Audrey says

    August 12, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    Thanks Lili! I was able to call and add my beverage seminar and was on the phone for less than 7 minutes total!

11. Jeremy says

    August 12, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    I booked our PP yesterday (8/11) after being transferred twice to different CMs in dining. It seems several dining CMs still don’t know the details of the package or how to book it (one of them told me the entitlements were table services…I WISH). The 3rd one I got was finally able to book the PP and reserve a culinary seminar on the day I wanted, and both are showing up on My Disney Experience. Of note, the culinary seminar has a time of 5:00pm attached to it, and the PP itself has a time of 8:30pm attached. I’m assuming the 8:30pm is the Illuminations party.

    Also, I’m a little disappointed the gift bag needs to be picked up (along with our magic bands) at the Festival Center, instead of delivered to the room like past years. Its like as soon as you get to the park and check-in they’re expecting you to lug around a bottle of wine and glasses..and hope you don’t break them. I asked all 3 CMs and none of them could confirm whether or not the Festival Center would be able to hold the bag there after check-in.

12. Lili says

    August 12, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    Jeremy,

    Don’t stress about the bag of goodies… more than likely if you are staying on Property they will be able to deliver them to your hotel (maybe not waiting for you at your hotel when you arrive, but sent to your hotel after you pick up your credentials).

    In any case they have always deliver whatever we purchase to our Disney Hotel (even when we stayed at the Swan or Dolphin). It is called a Complementary Delivery to your Hotel Gift Shop (sadly not to your room). But it is much better than lugging everything around all day long. That is one of the Benefits you get if you are staying in one of Disney Hotels.

    Lili

13. LJ says

    August 12, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Anybody else have any luck attaching the demo? I had given up until I checked back in here today. Unfortunately, my wonderful CM luck ran out, and I got someone who had never heard of the PP. Not really a big deal, since that’s been par for the course on all of my previous calls, but this CM didn’t really take control of the situation or the call. They asked me to explain again what I wanted, so I did. No problem. Then, I was asked if I had a confirmation number, so I gave it to them. Then, after roughly 3 minutes of complete silence and maybe one check in to apologize for the wait, they asked if I was calling to attach the demo to the PP. That’s when I knew I wasn’t getting it attached, but I said yes in hopes I was wrong. After another minute or two of complete silence and no check ins, they said they weren’t seeing my dinner package. I said it’s not a dinner package, and asked if they were able to pull up the confirmation number I gave them. They talked over me (could have been inadvertent), and they just said let me ask my supervisor. I had a long day and didn’t want to get short, so I said if it’s to much trouble, I’ll just call back again later (the fear of losing that precious reservation was real lol). They were shocked and said are you sure, I’m writing to my supervisor now (really…? isn’t that what you were just doing the whole 3-4 min. of silence…?). I said yes, I’m sure because it’s getting late, and this has already taken quite longer than I expected.

    Again, it’s not the end of the world, but I was hoping to get this sealed before my fastpasses opened up. UGH! This has NOT been the Disney experience I expect.

14. LJ says

    August 13, 2015 at 7:11 am

    This is just getting old now. I got my swag back with two wonderful CM’s this morning, but still no dice and no ETA on when this will happen. First call, the CM knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do and confirmed she could do it, BUT their entire system was down. She told me to try back in 30 min – 1 hr. The second also knew exactly what I wanted to do, but she said she was just told they are still trying to figure out why they can’t attach the demo.

    I’m trying ONE more time and asking for a supervisor.

15. Michael says

    August 13, 2015 at 8:55 am

    You can now book the Culinary or Beverage ADRs through the F&W CM when calling DD. The CM said they would also contact purchasers to help them make their ADR. CM also stated you can pick up the amenity bag any time on any day of your package.

16. LJ says

    August 13, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    Well, that took 3 more calls. Only because the first two began with announcements that their system was undergoing “enhancements,” and no reservations could be made at the time.

    Got a really, really, patient and driven CM on the 3rd call this afternoon. She gladly confirmed we could now attach the demo/seminar, but she still couldn’t find the option in the system, much to her surprise. She got her supervisor right away, and left me waiting for quite a bit. She came back and said she found the option, so I told her the demo I wanted, but that demo would not come up in the system either. We were in the midst of finding another demo/seminar that would fit my schedule and was available in the system, and I just heard “OH, IT JUST CAME UP IN THE SYSTEM – that’s so weird!” So I actually landed up booking the original demo I wanted from the beginning. She said she kept refreshing, and only on the third refresh did that particular demo come up. Boy, am I glad I found her! Gave her an excellent rating on the survey. If only their system were that good…

    FINALLY!

17. Denise says

    August 13, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    I finally got my demo booked for the day I wanted. CM first said we are not doing that yet. I said I seen other people on the web have booked she kept saying sorry cant help. I asked to speak to the supervisor he said he would try please hold. He then came back after 20 minutes on hold said the system has shut down. Asked for my phone number he would call back. He called me back after 30 minutes and said he booked it for me and gave me all my info. He did a great job. I know the CM can only do what the computers let them so its not their fault.
    I just hope this is a very enjoyable time after all this. Had a great time last year. Hope everyone else gets the things they want.

18. SynA says

    August 14, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    I was all prepared to book my culinary demo for my PP when SURPRISE! Disney changed the schedule of what’s being offered for the 5pm culinary demos for my PP week. ARGH! i’m only able to go to a demo on Mon or Tues due to other prior reservations and those are two the changed! Tues Sept 29 now says “TBD” & when i called to get more info from the FEST line, no clue what’s being offered that day (actually she had the old schedule & i had to ask her to get a supervisor for the new schedule). so either i book it blind & hope it’s not something we don’t eat OR keep waiting while the Mon demo fills up. GRRRRRR….. again another NON-premium moment for this PP.

19. JulieVS says

    August 17, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    You can now book culinary/ beverage demos. When I first called the CM went to book my ADR and told me the day I wanted was not available. When she tried to book for the next day she actually found instructions on how to book for the premium package and so she rechecked my first choice using the new instructions and it was available. So it does appear that they have set some seats aside. She had to book it a completely diffent way… the seats won’t show up if they book it through the normal process.

20. Steve says

    August 19, 2015 at 11:47 am

    I, too, finally got back to attaching the demo and had no problems. I was afraid I’d waiting so long to do it that there wouldn’t be space left, but there was. It does seem like they are holding spots, so that’s awesome. No issues on the call. The CM seemed keenly aware of the general difficulties associated with this, and seemed to know how to do it.

    Next stop: Food & Wine!! So excited!

21. CD says

    September 9, 2015 at 7:54 am

    If I am a season pass holder, does that give me basic admission to the festival?
    What is extra?

22. Brooke says

    September 9, 2015 at 9:32 am

    CD — Your seasonal pass will get you into Epcot and will give you access to free Festival Events (see more detail on our Low Cost/Free Events Page), but does not include any of the food or the special events happening during the Festival. The Premium package includes all of the following: access to 11 premium package areas throughout Epcot, offering concierge service from 12:00 noon-8:00PM; an Amenity Bag (to be picked up at the Festival Center) including a bottle of 20th Anniversary Celebratory Wine, a wine glass, and one Festival-themed MagicBand; 4 Entitlement Tags good for 4 booth menu items (Usually the free options don’t include super expensive stuff like Dom Perignon.); a ticket to your choice of either a Culinary Demonstration (during the 5 PM slot) OR a Beverage Seminar (during the 2 PM slot) during the week of participation; and entry to the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party. Hope this helps!

23. Emily says

    September 28, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    AJ, will you be reviewing the package this year?
    I’m curious to know if you think it’s worth the price