Two new ways to get special treatment at the Food & Wine Festival

Just as the phone lines were opening last week for Food & Wine Festival reservations, Disney announced two new special events:

• Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Late Nights LIVE! For $79 per person, plus tax, you can join an after-hours street party that goes until 1 a.m. The price includes six food and/or beverage items.  
• Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package: For $199 per person, plus tax, you get access to premium areas where you won't have to wait in line for food, entry to one Late Nights Live event and a package of other goodies delivered to your room (including a special festival Magic Band, a bottle of wine, a Food & Wine Festival wine glass and a $50 gift card). This offer is only available to guests staying on property. And we've heard it's selling out fast, so if you're interested, call soon. 

I was on the phone the morning tickets went on sale, and it was tough getting answers -- or even finding a cast member who knew anything about these events. Judging by comments online on the Disney Parks Blog and elsewhere, lots of people had a similar experience.

Now we have some answers to some of the questions causing the most confusion:

What's open during the Late Night Live event?

Only the area between the United Kingdom Pavilion and World Showcase Plaza. The food booths in that area are United Kingdom, Canada, Greece, Hawaii, Dessert and Champagne.

Is admission required? 

Admission is not required for the Late Night Live event -- but only if you're arriving just in time for the event to start at 9:45. If you plan to be there earlier, you'll need admission. Admission is required for the Premium Package.

Is the wine basket per person or per room?

Everything is per person, contrary to some early reports. Buy two Premium Package tickets and get two bottles of wine, two wine glasses and two $50 gift cards. (It really wouldn't make sense any other way, would it?)

Do you have access to the Premium areas during the whole week of your stay, or only one day?

You have access to the 10 concierge areas from noon-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the week of your stay, so you will always be able to escape at least some of the food and beverage lines.