Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Epcot

Food, wine, beer and cocktail tastings, seminars, grand dining events, Eat to the Beat concerts and more; late September through mid-November.
  • Main Details

  • Venue Epcot
  • Ticketed Event
  • Park Ticket Required
  • Event Dates July 27 to November 18 2023
  • Annual Event
  • Premium Packages

  • Available
  • Advance Purchase
  • Important Dates

  • Opening October 1995
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The International Food and Wine Festival is an annual event taking place in fall at Epcot. The festival showcases food and drink from around the world, and gives guests the opportunity to taste the special dishes on offer.

2023 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival 

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE will begin at Walt Disney World Resort starting July 27 and continuing through November 18, 2023.

2023 Food and Wine Festival Updates

 

2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 

The 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will take place from August 31 to November 13 2017.

View the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Marketplace kiosk menus.

2017 Food and Wine Festival Updates

2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 

The 2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will take place from September 14 to November 14 2016.

2016 Food and Wine Festival Updates

 

2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The 2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will take place from September 25 to November 16 2015.

2015 Food and Wine Festival Marketplace Kiosks

View the 2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Marketplace kiosk menus.

2015 Food and Wine Festival Updates

2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The 2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will run from September 19 to November 10 2014.

2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2014 Guide Map - Week 1

New this year on the World Showcase promenade will be Patagonia Marketplace, which combines the flavors of Argentina and Chile featuring a salmon dish with a kick. Florida Local Marketplace will be replaced with the new Farm Fresh Marketplace, featuring a new “Bacon and Eggs” dish with applewood-smoked, pepper-coated bacon, sweet corn, potatoes, Hollandaise and pickled jalapeños. Finally, the Brazil Marketplace will feature Mocequa de Pescado, a fresh tilapia dish featuring coconut lime sauce and steamed rice.

Along with the new marketplaces, expect to see your favorites return when the festival begins on September 19 2014. This year's event is the longest in its 19 year history, running a total of 53 days, through to November 10 2014.

Also new this year will be Back to Basics series at the Festival Welcome Center. The complimentary weekend series will feature guest presenters with epicurean tips and tricks from the pros. Culinary demonstrations and mixology and wine seminars will continue to offer new tastes and sips for a nominal fee.

Food and Wine Festival Marketplace Kiosks

Food and Wine Festival Premium Packages

Food and Wine Festival Premium Events

2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Sep 19-21 – Jo Dee Messina
Sep 22-23 – The Pointer Sisters
Sep 24-25 – Rick Springfield
Sept. 26-27 – Christopher Cross
Sep 28-29 – Hanson
Sep 30 - Oct 2 – Air Supply
Oct 3-5 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
Oct 6-8 – Sugar Ray
Oct 9-10 – Fuel
Oct 11-12 – Sister Hazel
Oct 13-14 – Richard Marx
Oct 15-16 – Billy Ocean
Oct 17-19 – Night Ranger
Oct 20-22 – Smash Mouth
Oct 23-24 – Jim Brickman
Oct 25-26 – Los Lonely Boys
Oct 27-28 – Wilson Phillips
Oct 29-31 – Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX
Nov 1-2 – 38 Special
Nov 3-5 – Boyz II Men
Nov 6-7 – David Cook
Nov 8-10 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

2013 International Food and Wine Festival

The 2013 Festival will run from September 27 to November 11 2013.

2013 World Showcase Promenade Marketplace Kiosk menus

2013 Food and Wine Festival Guide Map

2013 Event Details

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney guests can sip and savor fresh flavors from six continents during the 18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney chefs will debut the authentic tastes of Scotland at the celebrated 46-day festival known for innovative food, wine, beer, cocktails, music and entertainment. The sizzling aromas of more than 25 ethnic and specialized marketplaces including Africa, Brazil and Florida Local will tempt guests strolling the World Showcase Promenade. Celebrity chefs like Warren Brown and Jamie Deen will bring culinary cachet to special festival events and demonstrations.

Festival planners will present a delectable menu of premium programming, plus daily wine tastings and mixology seminars. Nightly Eat to the Beat concerts will keep the party rockin’, and six bands will make their festival debut this year. In Future World, the iconic Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog will return for a third year to introduce families to the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.

Fresh for 2013:

New marketplace debuts; favorites return -Traditional flavors with a twist will pair with beers and Scotch at the new Scotland Marketplace designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Scottish officials were so impressed with the hit Disney film, “Brave,” that they contacted festival planners about participating in this year’s festival. The Brazil Marketplace returns by popular demand with an exciting new menu following a one-year hiatus. Hawai’i is back with its flavorful Kalua Pork Slider, and Terra, which debuted last year, returns with vegan favorite Trick’n Chicken Curry.

Fan favorites rock the house at Eat to the Beat! Concerts – “We Got the Beat” with The Go-Go’s (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) and five other musical acts are set to make first appearances at Eat to the Beat nightly concerts. Also new to the festival stage: Edwin McCain (Oct. 10-11), The Manhattan Transfer (Oct. 12-13), Wilson Phillips (Oct. 14-15), Spin Doctors (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), and Christopher Cross (Nov. 2-3) Nineteen bands are slated, with STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas kicking off the concert series Sept. 27-29. Returning fan favorites include The Pointer Sisters, Smash Mouth, Boyz II Men, Sister Hazel, Air Supply, Hanson and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Celebrity chefs cook and dish - Renowned chefs like Cat Cora, Warren Brown, Paula DaSilva, Gale Gand, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Dean Max, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Art Smith, Buddy Valastro, Allen Susser, Andrew Zimmern, Erika Davis, Ben Sargent, Carla Hall, ”Cake Boy” Eric Lanlard, Duskie Estes and John Stewart, Bryan Voltaggio and Emily Ellyn share their talents during culinary demos and premium events.

Festival Welcome Center buzzes with activities – Guests can make the most of complimentary Authentic Taste seminars. Culinary demonstrations and wine seminars feature new tastes and sips for a nominal fee.

Reserved culinary events draw foodies — Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers like Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson as they participate in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Other festival highlights include:

  • More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country
  • A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
  • Party for the Senses grand tasting events Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2 featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
  • Premium events including “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery on select Fridays, Cheese Seminars on Saturdays and Sweet Sundays on Sundays.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, special book signings, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests will be able to call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations after an August date is announced. Information and reservations for select events and programs will be at www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

2013 Eat to the beat Concert Series

Sep 27-29 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Sep 30-Oct. 1 – Go-Go’s
Oct 2-4 – Air Supply
Oct 5-6 – Sister Hazel
Oct 7-9 – Sugar Ray
Oct 10-11 – Edwin McCain
Oct 12-13 – Manhattan Transfer
Oct 14-15 – Wilson Phillips
Oct 16-17 – The Pointer Sisters
Oct 18-20 – Night Ranger
Oct 21-23 – Boyz II Men
Oct 24-25 – Survivor
Oct 26-27 – 38 Special
Oct 28-30 – Smash Mouth
Oct 31-Nov. 1 – Spin Doctors
Nov 2-3 – Christopher Cross
Nov 4-5 – Hanson
Nov 6-8 – Dennis DeYoung
Nov. 9-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

2012 International Food and Wine Festival

The 2012 Festival will run from September 28 2012 to November 12 2012.

World Showcase Promenade Kiosk menus

2012 Food and Wine Festival kiosk photos, menus and pricing

2012 Event Details

HGTV Design Celebrities Conjure Home-Entertaining Magic on Weekends

HGTV Design Celebrities Conjure Home-Entertaining Magic on Weekends LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - For a record 46 days beginning Sept. 28, Disney guests can taste their way around the world during the 17th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase at Walt Disney World Resort. The culinary event, named one of the Best Food and Wine Festivals by the Travel Channel, runs through Nov. 12 and includes daily Eat to the Beat pop concerts plus one extra day of festival fun. This year’s foodie celebration introduces a new chocolate tasting experience, fresh Florida Local flavors and the first marketplace with vegan cuisine, TERRA. The festival also introduces its first Watermelon Patch and brings back for a second year the popular “Discover the Cranberry” Bog experience and weekend HGTV celebrity home-design seminars.
Festival chefs are firing on all burners with menus designed for every palate and a new Marketplace VIP Access Chef Tour geared toward the foodie who wants the inside culinary scoop.

Fresh from festival planners:

New festival marketplaces debut - TERRA Marketplace will offer vegan cuisine including Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese; Florida Local marketplace will introduce fresh twists on regional flavor samplings, including a zesty Shrimp Ceviche. More than 25 ethnic and regional marketplaces with tantalizing new aromas and flavors will tempt guests in the World Showcase.

Marketplace Chef Tours give VIP access - Each Wednesday, festival chefs will host a walking-and-tasting tour around World Showcase with stops at several international marketplaces. Already sold out for the duration of this year’s festival, the new tour is a clear indicator of the high level of guest interest in the story behind new marketplace tastes. Guests still can discover plenty of chef access at available premium events like Party for the Senses or Festival Center daily Culinary Demonstrations.

Newly crafted beverages are geared toward family dining - Children of all ages can try inventive new sips like the Silk Berry Smoothie and Nesquik Chocolate or Strawberry Foam during the family’s marketplace dine-around. Child-friendly bites to pair will include beef empanadas and cheese fondue.

Fan favorites debut at Eat to the Beat Concerts – Pop acts like Smash Mouth (Oct. 11-12) and Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice” (Oct. 13-14) will sizzle during their first Epcot nightly concerts included with other festival activities in admission. Eighteen Eat to the Beat acts are slated, including other new bands Blues Traveler (Nov. 5-6) and Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX (Nov. 7-8). Night Ranger kicks off the concert series Sept. 28-30, and other returning fan favorites include Boyz II Men, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Hazel and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

HGTV sets the table – Superstar HGTV designers host home entertaining seminars every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cranberry bog returns; Watermelons sprout in Future World – Cast members talk with guests about the festive Ocean Spray cranberries floating in the midst of Future World. The National Watermelon Promotion Board presents the first Epcot Watermelon Patch filled with the giant fruits and dotted with storyboards that explain how they grow.

Gourmet chocolate by Ghirardelli debuts at Festival Center – The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar immerses guests in the sweet sights and smells of the famous flavor and reveals the journey from cocoa beans to the chocolate bar. Guests can taste samples and purchase chocolate drinks.

Celebrity chefs bring it - Renowned chefs like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Gale Gand, Dominique Macquet and Rock Harper share their talents during culinary demos.

Festival Welcome Center buzzes with extras – Guests can make the most of complimentary Authentic Taste seminars. Culinary demonstrations, mixology seminars and wine seminars feature new tastes and sips for a nominal fee.

Reserved culinary events kick tastings up a notch — Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools. Just added: a Citrico’s luncheon featuring Lasseter wines.

Other festival highlights include:

• More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.
• A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
• Party for the Senses grand tasting events Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3 featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
• “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery on select Fridays.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars, HGTV seminars, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations. Information and reservations for select events and programs are at www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

2012 Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Here is the provisional list for the 2010 Eat to the Beat Concert Series that takes place in the American Gardens Theater at the American Adventure as part of the International Food and Wine Festival.

9/28-9/30: Night Ranger
10/1-10/3: Sugar Ray
10/4- 10/7: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
10/8-10/10: Boyz II Men
10/11-10/12: Smash Mouth
10/13-10/14: Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice”
10/15-10/17: Air Supply
10/18-10/19: Gin Blossoms
10/20-10/21: Survivor
10/22-10/23: Hanson
10/24-10/25: The Pointer Sisters
10/26-10/28: Sister Hazel
10/29-10/31: Billy Ocean
11/1-11/2: 38 Special
11/3-11/4: Howard Jones LIVE
11/5-11/6: Blues Traveler
11/7-11/8: Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX
11/9-11/11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

2011 International Food and Wine Festival

The 2011 Festival will run from September 30 2011 to November 13 2011.

Kiosk Menus and Pricing

2011 Food and Wine Festival Guidemap

2011 Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Here is the provisional list for the 2010 Eat to the Beat Concert Series that takes place in the American Gardens Theater at the American Adventure as part of the International Food and Wine Festival.

Taylor Dayne: 9/30-10/2/11
38 Special: 10/3-5/11
Jon Secada: 10/6-7/11
Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp: 10/8-9/11
Billy Ocean: 10/10-12/11
Starship starring Mickey Thomas: 10/13-16/11
Sugar Ray: 10/17-19/11
The Orchestra starring former members of ELO: 10/20-21/11
Howard Jones: 10/22-23/11
Boyz II Men: 10/24-26/11
Gin Blossoms: 10/27-28/11
Sister Hazel: 10/29-30/11
Hanson: 10/31-11/1/11
The Pointer Sisters: 11/2-3/11
Night Ranger: 11/4-6/11
Air Supply: 11/7-8/11
Richard Marx: 11/9-10/11
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: 11/11-13/11

2010 International Food and Wine Festival

The 2010 Festival will run from October 1 2010 to November 14 2010.
Official site: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/
2010 International Food and Wine Festival guide book and 2010 guide map.

2010 World Showcase Promenade kiosks and menus

View all the kiosks and menu items here

2010 Seminars and Demonstrations

View details here

2010 Event Details

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Like a fine wine that improves with age, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival celebrates 15 years Oct. 1-Nov. 14 with an unrivaled global tasting experience.

Where on the planet can foodies sample the cuisine, culture and entertainment of more than two dozen countries during a 1.3-mile stroll around a picturesque 40-acre lagoon? Only at Walt Disney World Resort, where more than 25 international marketplaces around the World Showcase promenade at Epcot invite guests to taste tapas-sized portions and sip wines, beers and spirits from six continents.

This year, Disney and celebrity chefs are teaming with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to commemorate 15 years of Delicious Discoveries. During the six-week festival, guests will discover: 
  • Two new tasting marketplaces – Belgium and South Korea –plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces including Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Poland, South Africa, Australia, U.S.A., Spain and others. 
  • Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Warren Brown, Cat Cora, Todd English, Gale Gand, Robert Irvine, Art Smith, Andrew Zimmern and more. 
  • A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir. 
  • Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center. 
  • Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre. 
  • Two Epcot restaurants grand opening just in time for the festival: Via Napoli at the Italy pavilion and La Hacienda de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Whether sampling steamed mussels with roasted garlic cream at the new Belgium marketplace or sipping the trendiest wines from South Africa and Chile, festival guests can make a day of grazing their way around the World Showcase promenade. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run
$3-to-$8 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. To make grazing simpler and more fun, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be loaded and reloaded at several park locations. The card comes attached to a band that can be worn conveniently on the wrist and used for purchases at park marketplaces, restaurants and shops.

Live regional entertainment includes music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade. Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres. Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Sugar Ray, Air Supply, Howard Jones, 38 Special, Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp,) Hanson and Rick Springfield. Kicking off the festival Oct. 1-3 is fan-favorite Taylor Dayne, and wrapping the event Nov. 12-14 is crowd-pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Each fall, the festival attracts a diverse audience of more than 1 million guests ranging from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include: 

  • The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more. 
  • Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs on tap include Debbie Gold, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Robin Miller, Jamie Deen and many other culinary stars. 
  • New events that include 3-D Disney’s Dessert Discovery and a festival preview night, First Bites Opening Reception, on Sept. 30. 
  • Popular returning events that include Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen, Epcot Wine Schools, Mexico Tequila Tastings and Food and Wine Pairings. 
  • The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event with tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.

Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions. They also can go “under the sea” at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, “up in the air” at Soarin’ in The Land pavilion or “out of this world” at Mission: SPACE. In World Showcase, new and updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

Included with Epcot Admission

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details should be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine by mid-July.

2010 Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Here is the provisional list for the 2010 Eat to the Beat Concert Series that takes place in the American Gardens Theater at the American Adventure as part of the International Food and Wine Festival. Show times are 5:15pm, 6:30pm, 7:45pm.

Oct. 1-3: Taylor Dayne - "Tell It To My Heart"
Oct. 4-5: Kool & The Gang - "Celebration"
Oct. 6-8: Sugar Ray (NEW! this year) - "Fly"
Oct. 9-10: Taylor Hicks - "Do I Make You Proud"
Oct. 11-12: Air Supply (NEW! this year) - "Lost in Love"
Oct. 13-15: Sister Hazel - "All For You"
Oct. 16-17: Howard Jones (NEW! this year) - "No One Is To Blame"
Oct. 18-19: Exposé - "Seasons Change"
Oct. 20-21: 38 Special (NEW! this year) - "Hold on Loosely"
Oct. 22-24: Night Ranger - "Sister Christian"
Oct. 25-27: Billy Ocean - "Caribbean Queen"
Oct. 28-31: Starship starring Mickey Thomas - "We Built This City"
Nov. 1-3: Boyz II Men - "End of the Road"
Nov. 4-5: Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp (NEW! this year) - "Give A Little Bit"
Nov. 6-7: Jon Secada - "Just Another Day"
Nov. 8-9: Hanson (NEW! this year) - "MMMBop"
Nov. 10-11: Rick Springfield (NEW! this year) - "Jessie's Girl"
Nov. 12-14: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - "Go Daddy-O"

2009 International Food and Wine Festival

The 2009 Festival will run from September 25 2009 to November 8 2009.

Photo tour around the 2009 International Food and Wine Festival

2009 International Food and Wine Festival menus and pricing

2009 Event Details

Epcot kitchens turn up the heat for a global tasting experience worthy of every palate Sept. 25-Nov. 8 at the 14th annual Epcot International Food &Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. During the six-week, entertainment-packed event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from the top “foodie” cities of the world.

Whether sampling bites of Camarões com Palmito (shrimp with palms) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or sipping the trendiest wine from Buenos Aires, Argentina, festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade. The festival will spotlight tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans.

Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2-to-$7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing “Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.” Live regional entertainment is scheduled throughout each day along the promenade.

Daily wine and beer tastings serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations dish up featured taste treats. A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Live music kicks the festival up several notches each evening during the Eat to the Beat! concert series featuring acts from many musical genres including classic rock, jazz, R&B, funk and soul. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. Scheduled to appear for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Richard Marx, Better than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean. Returning acts scheduled are Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Starship, En Vogue, Sister Hazel, Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, Jon Secada, Sister Sledge, Taylor Dayne, Boyz II Men, Night Ranger and Los Lobos.

Each fall, the festival attracts a diverse audience of more than one million guests ranging from wine connoisseurs and epicures to neophytes wishing to boost their wine IQs. Beer aficionados can raise their steins at several tasting locations, including Germany’s Biergarten, which specialize in brews from light to dark.

Festival highlights include:

· The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, educational wine seminars, celebrity chef book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.

· Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs who appeared last year included Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace, Rock Harper of “Hell’s Kitchen,” Robert Irvine from Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible,” plus Jeff Henderson, Todd English, Warren Brown, Mary Meyers, Jamie Deen, Iron Chef Cat Cora and many other culinary stars. This year’s lineup currently is being booked.

· New culinary programs to feature Celebration Dinners, Culinary Adventure Signature Dining and Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen. Popular returning events include French Regional Lunches at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion, Epcot Wine Schools, Food and Wine Pairings and Sweet Sundays.

· The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event with tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.

Festival guests can enjoy free admission on their birthdays as well as fresh Epcot experiences including the re-launched Spaceship Earth attraction in Future World and the high-tech, ultra-interactive Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Also in World Showcase, several new and updated restaurants welcome guests: at the Italy pavilion, Tutto Italia, with cuisine from different regions of Italy; at the Japan pavilion, Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo restaurants; and at the China showcase, the redesigned Nine Dragons with a new menu.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Samuel Adams beer seminars, Authentic Taste seminars and Authors without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural adventures, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details will be available by late July at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine, and guests can book special events and programs beginning Aug. 11.

2009 Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup

The Eat to the Beat! concert series will bring 17 acts – showcasing everything from rock to jazz, funk to pop – to the America Gardens Theatre stage during the 45-day festival. The lineup includes five performers playing the festival for the first time: Richard Marx, Better Than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean.

Concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, begin at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change) includes:

Sept. 25-27 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)”
Sept. 28-29 Richard Marx ("Hold On to the Nights")
Sept. 30-Oct. 3 Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
Oct. 4-6 En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
Oct. 7-8 Better Than Ezra ("Good")
Oct. 9-11 Sister Hazel (“All for You”)
Oct. 12-13 Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”)
Oct. 14-16 Spyro Gyra (“Morning Dance”)
Oct. 17-18 Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
Oct. 19-20 Sister Sledge ("We Are Family")
Oct. 21-22 Vanessa Carlton ("A Thousand Miles")
Oct. 23-25 Taylor Dayne ("Tell It to My Heart")
Oct. 26-28 Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”)
Oct. 29-31 John Waite ("Missing You")
Nov. 1-2 Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”)
Nov. 3-5 Billy Ocean ("Caribbean Queen")
Nov. 6-8 Los Lobos (“La Bamba”)