Hate to be picky but there are 2 appaling problems here. First hate the one food vendor idea. The food is yucky and old! They could have had different vendors with variety and captured more of the local flavor. With all the vineyards and good food to be had in KY why eat this crap? Also the lack of benches ANYWHERE in the whole park is ridiculous . The mIn eating area had woefully inadequate seating. A lady almost got into a fist fight on Sat over a place to sit!!! No trash cans except for 2 or 3! People were stacking crap on the ground!!! Looked awful in this beautiful park but had no choice! Few in stadiums too!!! Crazy. The large food area is like a bad cafeteria. Meant for quick service herd mentality. Get em in and out asap in leg volume. Did the not realize this is a very expensive vacation? People need to sit, rest and visit with their friends. Rain today so people were sitting all over the carpeting in the food tent. When I suggested some tables they thought I was crazy! Oh no one could get in! Huh? They’re on your floor staking out real estate get some damn tables! In Europe the festival atmosphere pervades the outdoor areas with covered seating and pubs NOT part of hospitality. Vendors sell beer, there are evening concerts etc. All aimed at getting you to linger and spend $$$$. They would not let us back in main stadium to use potties despite the fact there was no other entrance to them. So vendors couldn’t sell food there and you still had no place to sit! On the positive side the staff and volunteers are wonderful and friendly beyond belief. The beauty if the park rivals any in Europe. But please let us sit down! N
My first complaint…
$3 for an 8oz cup of horrible coffee? 
I knew food would be expensive, but more than $3 for a 20oz bottle of soda? THREE DOLLARS for a SMALL coffee?
We are STUCK there for the duration every day since we have a horse to feed and care for. Not ‘allowed’ to bring food in, but can’t afford food there…
I did find plenty of benches etc., but over on the Equine Village side, perhaps not so much today, was fine on Sat’dy. I’m with a disabled person who has to sit a LOT, and we found places to park her. 
If you are there with a vendor or exhibitor (i.e. you have credentials) you should be able to bring in food. I have every day so far with no problems. Mind you, not a cooler full of stuff, but a sandwich, apple, chips and a couple of drinks, no problem. Spectators? Sorry - you are out of luck… I agree, woefully inadequate food and seating.
PP, I read on one of the threads that somebody successfully smuggled granola bars in her bra. Maybe time to go up a “size” or so? :lol:
I’m still diligently perfecting my plans to do this upcoming 11-day vacation without eating. 
Oh…I didn’t know food and drinks weren’t allowed…I had a sandwich, a bar of chocolate and a bottle of water tucked discreetly in the bottom of my little backpack and no one noticed…
I had Hot Cocoa on Sunday, and my parents decaf Coffee and it was delicious.
Prices weren’t bad at all compared to large sporting events. Comparing to Rolex, the prices are better here than there.
My pulled pork sandwich was delicious and huge for $7 it was a good deal. My neighbor at reining also got one and she also loved it.
Sorry you aren’t happy. I for one like how the tent is set up & organized. Everyone that I have spoken to like the food too.
Just Curious…
but why is there a single vendor being the only food source? Is it so the vendor has an exclusive contract and no competition or put people in the position of purchasing a ticket for the Hospitality Tents. Which probably explains why XC day is sold our for $175 a pop. Having been to Rolex numerous times with multiple food vendors you still had to deal with long lines but for goodness sakes at least you had choices. I knew there was food restrictions but at least I thought there would be choices!! Man I better load up on my free breakfast at the Marriot before I get to KHP…it’s gonna be a loooooong day.
Are there some bar concessions at least where I can get a beer or whisky sour…maybe some pretzels and peanuts too ; )
I certainly intend to try to bring a sandwich in. We’ll see. I’m doing this trip on a thin and frayed shoestring. :winkgrin: Every buck saved would help.
I do remember that at Atlanta Olympics, the security people were obviously looking for guns, knives, explosives, etc. Some of the security folk clearly let small “infractions” like a sandwich slide. Some did not. Worth playing the security lottery and trying it.
[QUOTE=Regal Grace;5124180]
but why is there a single vendor being the only food source? Is it so the vendor has an exclusive contract and no competition or put people in the position of purchasing a ticket for the Hospitality Tents. Which probably explains why XC day is sold our for $175 a pop. Having been to Rolex numerous times with multiple food vendors you still had to deal with long lines but for goodness sakes at least you had choices. I knew there was food restrictions but at least I thought there would be choices!! Man I better load up on my free breakfast at the Marriot before I get to KHP…it’s gonna be a loooooong day.
Are there some bar concessions at least where I can get a beer or whisky sour…maybe some pretzels and peanuts too ; )[/QUOTE]
Oh yes they have bars :yes: I plan on visiting those one of these days :yes: I saw Vodka Lemonade carts all over, Kentucky Ale beers are all over, plus other bars 
Oh Happy Day!
[QUOTE=SmplySweet1021;5124196]
Oh yes they have bars :yes: I plan on visiting those one of these days :yes: I saw Vodka Lemonade carts all over, Kentucky Ale beers are all over, plus other bars Oh Happy Day![/QUOTE]
Just a warning, in the main stadium concessions (which I’m assuming is every vendor as well) Vodka-Lemonade is $9. Ouch. I guess its worth it sometimes though!
I was willing to pay $9 for a drink when I lived in Paris, doubt I will for WEG…
I’m not at the WEG - just out of my budget to be able to go - but I remember a few years ago at Rolex when there was a similar situation with the food service. Even though there were different booths with different types of food, they were all provided by the same company. The food was just kind of “blah” and typical (overpriced) festival food.
Fortunately, they went back to having a variety of outside vendors come in.:yes:
I’m surprised to hear that they aren’t offering a similar set up for the WEG.
I’m still diligently perfecting my plans to do this upcoming 11-day vacation without eating. undefined
:lol: I will admit–I’m so limited INSIDE that I am thoroughly enjoying outside.
SimplySweet, I do wish it wasn’t an issue for some of us, but I’ve already gone through a lot more of my allotment for 17 days, in five. I’m so glad prices aren’t an issue for you. You seem to have to come on every thread and say we’re just whining. This is the first thing I’ve whined about. I am INCREDIBLY excited and blessed to be here. The rain was exceptionally wet and cold yesterday, and worth every second of it!
It’s just a shame that we are so priced out of the whole damn thing. I guess the unwashed masses shouldn’t be there…
Kinsella, good to know! I plan to tuck some stuff into the backpack today. I do have the exhibitor credentials… so we’ll see.
As far as the bag searches–I saw lots of food dumped, but I could’ve easily walked in with a bomb or a gun both days my bag was checked. I was a little appalled at that! :eek: :lol:
No I just offered my experienced with the food vendors on Sunday. I had a good experience and you a bad. Same thing happens at restaurants or what not. I’m not sure where I said “we’re just whining” Please don’t put words in my mouth. But since it seems my thoughts/opinions aren’t wanted, I’ll stop posting. Bummer I am excited about WEG too and tried to give my thoughts, experiences, etc, turns out they aren’t wanted.
Interesting
My student and her husband are going down Thursday and camping 40 miles away from the park. only place they could get. I was sort of jealous that she was going until she told me the prices and restrictions about the event.
She paid like 500 dollars for 3 events for her and her husband. I had thought it was one ticket and you could go all over like at Rolex. How do they keep just anyone off the cross country course. It’s not like you can wall off the course.
I have heard from countless people that it is all waaaay over priced.
Seems like They really took advantage. I am not sorry I did not go. There is no way I could afford it. :no:
Sannois – I’m planning on buying a few DVDs and sitting down with some good food with some friends while I watch them! take a look at www.thesporthorse,com
I am driving down just for a day to keep my costs in line, horses are expense enough. I picked the marathon day and with all that walking there had better be some place to sit down to rest! I’ll be stoking up on some protein and carbs on my morning drive and have dinner packed waiting in the car! Maybe we should all head straight for a medical tent and proclaim exhaustion and faintness!!
Pintopiaffe, as an exhibiter you can bring in food. What barn are you at in EV?
[QUOTE=SmplySweet1021;5124346]
No I just offered my experienced with the food vendors on Sunday. I had a good experience and you a bad. Same thing happens at restaurants or what not. I’m not sure where I said “we’re just whining” Please don’t put words in my mouth. But since it seems my thoughts/opinions aren’t wanted, I’ll stop posting. Bummer I am excited about WEG too and tried to give my thoughts, experiences, etc, turns out they aren’t wanted.[/QUOTE]
Thanks SmplySweet:) Some people will never be happy. I do think the prices are stupid and we will never get WEG again but I was out there and not everything is going to be perfect…As facilities go there is nothing in Europe that comes close to KHP.
I haven’t had a big problem with the prices. The tickets were a little overpriced, but c’mon, you can’t get a Bears-Packers ticket under $300. So compared to other HUGE sporting events, this is a steal!! And I also planned this two years ago. Booked my hotel, bought my tickets, and planned travel just so I wouldn’t be paying out the nose like a lot of people are.
And I totally plan to smuggle food in. Once again I thank God for a small top shelf; a couple sandwiches will fill me out to a solid B!
Since it hasn’t been mentioned, I just wanted to let everyone know that there IS more food in the regular Park area (where the Equine Village is). There’s a full restaurant and many smaller snack vendors. I doubt the prices are any better, but it’s good to know there are options.
I had lunch with one of the volunteers who is in the International Museum of the Horse. She was quite upset that the Park has suddenly decided to charge people an extra $10 for admission into the museum, even though it’s usually included in the regular Park admission fee. She said they haven’t had many customers. That’s a shame, because the Gift of the Desert exhibit is impressive.
All annoyances aside, this event has been tons of fun and much better organized than I’d expected/feared it would be.
