Raymond:
Like you, my husband and I had been to Disney numerous times before our first trip to the
Food & Wine Festival last fall, and I felt we should have done our homework a little better. Your description of the samples is spot on: tapas-sized portions.
We enjoyed making a meal out of buying and sampling from all of the kiosks in the World Showcase--the lamb chops from Australia melted in our mouths! But don't be surprised if you spend just as much on 4 to 5 tastings as you would a table-service meal. To make the most of your time, I'd recommend getting the Festival Guide and Map at the link above or as you enter the park and taking a moment to look through the sample offerings for sale throughout the park. AND don't forget to look and see if there are FREE samplings, like the beer-tasting Samuel Adams offered last year in the American Pavilion. Although the booklet won't list prices, it will give you a birds-eye view of nearly 30 kiosks--plenty from which to create a lunch AND dinner experience.
I don't think reservations at a World Showcase restaurant are absolutely necessary. If, however, you are not an adventurous eater or don't enjoy grazing, my suggestion is to make a dinner reservation just in case your pocketbook doesn't hold up to your stomachs! You'll be able to tell by lunch if you'll need to use it. If price is not a concern, you may want to go for the gusto and make a reservation for Party with a Senses or one of the other culinary adventures in the guide.
My mouth is watering as I type!
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney