|  Extraordinary Delights: Walt Disney World Resort Unwraps Plans for 2009 Holiday Season
Tilt/Shift Video of the Disney Christmas Parade 14th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: During six entertainment-packed weeks Sept. 25-Nov. 8, Epcot guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from the top “foodie” cities of the world. Care for a taste ofCamarões com Palmito (shrimp with palms) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? Or how about a sip of the trendiest wine from Buenos Aires, Argentina? They are examples of the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces from six continents that dot the World Showcase promenade during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2 to $7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. 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. Scheduled to appear for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Richard Marx, Better than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite, Taylor Hicks and Billy Ocean. Returning acts are Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Starship, En Vogue, Sister Hazel, Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, Jon Secada, Sister Sledge, Taylor Dayne, Boyz II Men and Los Lobos.
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.
  Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - Select Nights The ghosts and goblins are friendly on 24 hauntingly happy Magic Kingdom evenings between Sept. 4 and Nov. 1. Disney characters are decked out in their Halloween finest, and guests are invited to do the same at this popular after-hours event (7 p.m.-midnight). There’s Trick-or-treating galore A chance to experience many popular attractions with little wait time Plus two scheduled entertainment extravaganzas guests can see at no other time: Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade The bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular.
Parties are slated for: Sept. 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29 Oct. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
To purchase advance tickets, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit www.disneyworld.com/halloween now. For most party dates, if tickets are purchased prior to event day, guests save $7 per ticket. Disney has launched a new website for the halloween season full of cool activities, games and videos. There are many characters present, but it's nice too see that again they are bringing out the Muppets (finally) for some of their promotional media. Check it out.
 
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event held each winter on select nights at Magic Kingdom theme park that requires a separate ticket to attend. The event is filled with a jolly holiday parade, fireworks and live entertainment. The event will be held from 7pm - 12am on the following dates in 2009: November 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29 December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
See Magic Kingdom theme park all decked out for Christmas as you celebrate the yuletide magic with the ones you love, and join in a festive special event that is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party features:
Order tickets online or by calling (407) WDISNEY or (407) 934-7639. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Tickets may be purchased in advance and the event can sell out. Standard Magic Kingdom theme park admission tickets will not allow Guests to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Holiday Lights at Epcot. (Not showing in 2009)
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