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**Mousecat** · 09-22-2009, 03:25 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Just did the math. The Senses event typically costs $135. They have introduced a reserve seating program this year for a $75 upcharge. I would guess that would be the space they are using. The reserved seat for the concert is also part of the regular Senses package so that is not unusual. Toss in the book event (which would be free but you would have to stand in a long line) or the wine tasting (they are charging $8 this year), the (probably) super special spot to watch Illuminations, and the patented special little something D23 gives away at these events and the additional charge is only $30 more than what the average person would pay just for the Party and reserved seating.

**Werner Weiss** · 09-24-2009, 05:58 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Did anyone sign up for D23's Sip and Stroll at Epcot?

This is another case of D23 waiting too long to announce an event. We'll actually be at Epcot. But we already have a nonrefundable F&W Festival dining event and a couple of nonrefundable culinary demos booked that day.

Also, I wonder what the "private Party for the Senses" for D23 will be. The usual Party for the Senses events are on Saturdays. They involve dozens of food and wine stations and many, many hundreds of guests. I'm not sure how D23 can have an event of that scale when it's announced at such short notice and is limited only to D23 members.

When I first saw that D23 would offer an event at Epcot during the F&W Festival, I was pleased. But now that the details are out, I'm very disappointed.

It would have been great if D23 had offered a few D23 receptions for free (or at least at a reasonable price) during the F&W Festival. Perhaps a local Imagineer at WDW could have given a presentation.

Instead, we have a very expensive ($240 per person) event, announced long after other F&W Festival events.

**goofystitch** · 09-24-2009, 09:12 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

My boyfriend and I just signed up. This worked out perfectly for us because I was planning to be in Orlando visiting him that weekend anyway. We were on the fence about attending because of our current financial situation, but we justified this by going to the event instead of exchanging Christmas gifts this year. It sounds like a wonderful event and I'm so excited for it!

**DOOM BGI** · 09-24-2009, 09:17 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

I'm in Orlando that week, but only until 10/16.

**goofystitch** · 09-24-2009, 11:29 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Originally posted by Werner Weiss View Post

Did anyone sign up for D23's Sip and Stroll at Epcot?

This is another case of D23 waiting too long to announce an event. We'll actually be at Epcot. But we already have a nonrefundable F&W Festival dining event and a couple of nonrefundable culinary demos booked that day.

This event was announced on September 8th and registration for Epcot Food & Wine experiences began on August 11th, so I understand your frustration with having already made non-refundable plans for the same day. However, a Food & Wine Festival event was heavily speculated due to the fact that D23 had a very popular event for the Flower & Garden Festival. That is the reason that I avoided locking myself into other plans during the weekend I would be there, just in case. I got lucky with being there at the same time as this event.

When I first saw that D23 would offer an event at Epcot during the F&W Festival, I was pleased. But now that the details are out, I'm very disappointed.

It would have been great if D23 had offered a few D23 receptions for free (or at least at a reasonable price) during the F&W Festival. Perhaps a local Imagineer at WDW could have given a presentation.

Instead, we have a very expensive ($240 per person) event, announced long after other F&W Festival events.

I'm not sure what you expected from D23, but this is actually more than I expected them to do, so I am very pleased. The price is high, but as Mousecat pointed out, you are getting a lot more than what is usually given to attendees of Party for the Senses. Also, Party for the Senses is $135 + tax, so the increase per person is less than $100 and it stretches what would have been an evening event into a whole day of activities.

I'm also not sure how an Imagineering seminar would relate to the Food & Wine Festival, unless it was about the creation of a Disney restaurant, which is still slightly off the topic of food and wine. And every event that D23 does in a Disney park has to be approved by the park, so I'm guessing that WDW wouldn't want to tell guests who came that day for Food & Wine Festival that the seminar they wanted to attend is actually only for members of D23. It would also have negative affects for D23 as an entity, because it would cause animosity from Food & Wine fans who aren't necessarily big Disney fans.

**SummerInFL** · 09-24-2009, 12:08 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

That price is a little too rich for my blood, we will probably just Sip and Nibble our way around.

**princecharming** · 09-25-2009, 10:08 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

will be in orlando during that time period but I don't think it's worth almost 500.00 for a member and a guest. I am glad D23 is doing events in florida, but I think they need to think about the cost.

**FantasticDuck** · 09-25-2009, 10:57 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Aw! Wish I could go. My 30th birthday is the 19th and that would have been a great way to celebrate!

At least they are having D23 events in Florida though. Yeay!!!

**goofystitch** · 09-30-2009, 04:49 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

I just got an email about some revisions made to the Sip & Stroll event. It now comes with 2 one-day one-park tickets per person so that you can not only get into Epcot for free for the event, but you can also go to another Disney park the next day. It also comes with a $50 Disney gift card to use during lunch as you stroll the Food & Wine Festival. A presentation with Epcot vice president Dan Cockrell and president of the Food & Wine Festival Marianne Hunnel has been added, exclusive to this event. Each dish at the Festival for the Senses will be accompanied by your choice of a glass of wine or beer pairing (Only for guests 21 and up). And there will be a specialty desert served during Illuminations. And since a lot of people wanted to go with more than one guest, you can now bring up to 3 guests.

That is all in addition to everything that was previously announced. I was already excited for all that was included, but now I'm ecstatic. D23 really knows how to add value to these events!

**Dustysage** · 09-30-2009, 05:16 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

EVENT UPDATED: They have indeed enhanced the Sip and Stroll event. It is actually quite enticing. From what I understand, some of this was already in the works but was not confirmed enough to post when the event launched. But whatever the back story, the event is both less expensive for D23 members than a similar event open to regular guests and enhanced with enough perks that it seems as though D23 is practically paying YOU to attend. AWESOME job by D23 on pepping this one up!!!

Park admission is now included. Each guest will receive TWO one-day, one-park tickets, so they may then return and enjoy another day at Walt Disney World. (Tickets are good through December 30, 2009.) If you already have park admission, just give the tickets away to a friend - they'll love you forever!
You can buy tickets for up to 3 guests instead of just one.
Epcot Vice President Dan Cockrell and Marianne Hunnel (the woman who leads the team behind the Festival) have been added to the list of presenters.
A specialty dessert will be served during the VIP viewing of IllumiNations.
Additional unannounced surprises

So you'll get Gift card: $50
Two one-day/one-park tickets: $158
That's over $200 in swag plus additional unannounced surprises that I hear are planned for the event.

Here's the link everyone: D23 | The Official Community for Disney Fans

**DOOM BGI** · 09-30-2009, 06:35 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Wow, that really is a good deal. I wish I was staying the weekend now!

**lurkyloo** · 10-01-2009, 02:10 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

So they suddenly have room for members to bring up to 3 guests. Slow sales perhaps? It will be interesting to see how many people actually attend this....

**Dustysage** · 10-01-2009, 03:24 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Obviously, it isn't sold out if they bothered to change the limitation from 1 guest to 3. However, I believe that the reason they changed the limitation is due to comments they read online from folks who wished they could bring more guests.

Given the enhancements to this event and the allotment of up to 3 additional tickets, I would hope that this is a very successful event for D23. It is exactly the sort of event that I'd be interested in and would love to see again in the future.

I for one am thrilled to see D23 continue to react in a positive way to the comments of their members. Most big companies like Disney are completely unaware of what their customers want and even less likely to make quick changes even if they do keep track. D23 on the other hand has been VERY quick to make changes and enhancements on the fly. it is a VERY positive thing - IMHO.

-Dusty

**goofystitch** · 10-02-2009, 11:44 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Originally posted by Dustysage View Post

Obviously, it isn't sold out if they bothered to change the limitation from 1 guest to 3. However, I believe that the reason they changed the limitation is due to comments they read online from folks who wished they could bring more guests.

Given the enhancements to this event and the allotment of up to 3 additional tickets, I would hope that this is a very successful event for D23. It is exactly the sort of event that I'd be interested in and would love to see again in the future.

I for one am thrilled to see D23 continue to react in a positive way to the comments of their members. Most big companies like Disney are completely unaware of what their customers want and even less likely to make quick changes even if they do keep track. D23 on the other hand has been VERY quick to make changes and enhancements on the fly. it is a VERY positive thing - IMHO.

-Dusty

I agree. D23 never ceases to impress me with their commitment to what their members want. And this event sounds fantastic. I can't wait! I really hope this sells out so that they are encouraged to make it an annual event.

**Mousecat** · 10-03-2009, 03:49 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

I agree with Werner that a D23 area set aside during the regular festival would have been really nice and would have benefited the most members but the enhancements to this event make it a much better value. Hey, I would have happily pay $5 for a little lounge with a couple of tastes of wine set in such a way as a people watching spot. But I guess that isn't quite flashy enough.

**Dustysage** · 10-08-2009, 09:13 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Sip and Stroll just got an additional benefit and the menu has also been announced:

NEW: Two tickets per guest to Disney Quest in Downtown Disney (Orlando)

"Party for the Senses" menu:

First Course
Artisan Cheese selection served with Complimenting Accompaniments
Second Course
European Greens tossed with Aged Sherry Vinaigrette served with Warm Goat Cheese Polenta Cake and Heirloom Tomatoes
Third Course
Pan Seared Scallop over Lobster Risotto with Piquillo Peppers and Asparagus
Perigourdine Braised Beef Shortrib with Parsnip Mash, Crisp Leeks and Petit Brioche
Pan Seared Poulet Rouge with Wild Mushrooms, Shallots and Fig Reduction
Dessert

**goofystitch** · 10-10-2009, 10:58 AM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

YAY! I haven't been to Disney Quest since 2007. I'm so glad I bought tickets to this!

**goofystitch** · 10-14-2009, 07:49 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

D23's Sip & Stroll is only 4 days away and I'm SUPER excited! I leave for Florida tomorrow after class. I was wondering how many other Mice Chatters are attending this event?

**goofystitch** · 10-18-2009, 06:55 PM

Re: Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

D23's Sip & Stroll was amazing! Some of the highlights included getting to meet Jon Secada after the show, surprise Fast Passes to pretty much every attraction, listening to Fred MacMurry's daughter talk about meeting Walt Disney and being at the grand opening of Epcot, the commemorative Sip & Stroll champagne flutes, and watching Illuminations through special glasses that made Mickey heads appear for every firework. Obviously, there was much much more and I would write a detailed trip report, but I'm really tired. Maybe I'll do one when I have time, but I must say that I hope they do Sip & Stroll again in the future. It was definitely worth the money and we had an amazing time.

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Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

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Sip and Stroll at Epcot - Sunday, October 18, 2009

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