EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

September 28th thru November 12th 2012

 

Here’s the latest information about one of our favorite Disney events.

A food and wine lover’s paradise awaits you at Epcot Theme Park with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, held September 28, 2012 to November 12, 2012!

There’s something to satisfy most every taste and interest. In addition to the attractions Guests already enjoy at Epcot theme park, this annual autumn event features a delectable array of offerings, including:

 

• International kiosks featuring tasty tapas and refreshing beverages
• Cooking demonstrations and dining events—including experiences with celebrity chefs!
• Mixology classes and wine tastings
• Live musical performances by popular hit-makers

 

Enjoy all this—and more—when this annual event returns to Epcot theme park in fall 2012. Dine your way around the world. Cultivate your cooking skills. Savor a rare vintage. Enjoy an exhilarating outdoor concert. Make magical memories to last a lifetime at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Please note: Epcot theme park admission is required and some events require additional fees.

 

Returning for its 17th year, with beer and cocktails joining wine at the center of the festivities, along with more than 25 Marketplaces with eclectic small tastes.

 

Among dozens of new dishes this year is shrimp ceviche at the new Florida Local Marketplace, and a buttery filet mignon with wild mushrooms at the Canada Marketplace. For vegans, a new marketplace, Terra, features Colorado chili that even carnivores might enjoy.  At the Dessert & Champagne Marketplace, bubbly gets paired with the new dessert trio. There are more than 70 tastes, ranging from $3 to $8 each.

 

Beyond food and drink, the popular Ocean Spray “Discover the Cranberry Bog” returns, a brilliant red centerpiece that shows how cranberries grow (with farmers to explain).

 

New and also fun for kids is the Watermelon Patch, hosted by the National Watermelon Board, with watermelons growing and fun facts and tips from Mr. Food.

 

Eat to the Beat! is back with live entertainment every night at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. during the festival at American Gardens Theatre – new this year are Smash Mouth (Oct. 11-12), Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice” (Oct. 13-14), Blues Traveler (Nov. 5-6) and Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX (Nov. 7-8).

 

Every day there are cooking demos and beverage classes in the festival center, with celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians such as Jeff Henderson, Gale Gand, Jennifer Booker, Ron Duprat, Jamie Deen, Warren Brown, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.

 

For details on all special events, including the popular Party for the Senses and signature dining experiences, go to www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

 

 

Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with culinary fun during the nightly Eat to the Beat concert series. Enjoy a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, pop and swing hit-makers during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, September 28 through November 12, 2012.

Location: America Gardens Theatre at World Showcase

Show Times: Daily at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Please note that Epcot Theme Park admission is required. Entertainment is subject to change without notice. All songs listed below are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the playlist.

  

Night Ranger

Dates: September 28 – 30, 2012

"Sister Christian"

An American rock band, Night Ranger rose to popularity during the 1980s with hard rock hits like the power ballad "Sister Christian," which reached #5 on the Billboard Top 10 list in 1984.

  

Sugar Ray

Dates: October 1 – 3, 2012

"Fly"

After rising to fame in 1997 with the release of "Fly," Sugar Ray gave rock music a pop twist. Fronted by singer Mark McGrath, the band's sunnier sounds marked a shift from the grunge music trend of the 1990s.

   

STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas

Dates: October 4 – 7, 2012

"We Built This City"

Starship topped the charts in the 1980s with hits like "We Built This City." Today, the band is revamped—led by 30-year Starship veteran Mickey Thomas—and performs the multiplatinum hits of its predecessors.

 

Boyz II Men

Dates: October 8 – 10, 2012

"End of the Road"

Most popular in the 1990s for their ballads and a capella harmonies—like "End of the Road"—Boyz II Men is considered the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.

   

Smash Mouth – NEW!

Dates: October 11 & 12, 2012

"Walking on the Sun"

Smash Mouth topped the music charts with hits like "Walkin' on the Sun" and "All Star." Their 1960s surf and garage influences combine with modern pop sounds—for a sound that's often described as a "non-stop party."

 

Javier Colon, winner of The Voice – NEW!

Dates: October 13 & 14, 2012

"A Drop in the Ocean"

With his spellbinding voice and acoustic-soul style, Javier Colon shot to stardom after winning the first season of the hit NBC show The Voice. His captivating stage presence has won him millions of fans worldwide.

 

Air Supply

Dates: October 15 – 17, 2012

"Lost in Love"

For more than 30 years, Air Supply has entertained with soft rock hits, like "Lost in Love." This Australian duo went on to even greater worldwide success—and had 8 Top Ten hits in the U.S. in the 1980s!

  

Gin Blossoms

Dates: October 18 & 19, 2012

"Hey Jealousy"

A popular pop rock band of the 1990s and today, the Gin Blossoms have produced several hits, including "Hey Jealousy".

 

Survivor

Dates: October 20 & 21, 2012

"Eye of the Tiger"

For more than 30 years, Survivor has entertained audiences with a string of rock and classic rock hits, including "Eye of the Tiger," the popular song from the Rocky III soundtrack.

 

Hanson

Dates: October 22 & 23, 2012

"Give a Little"

A trio of brothers, Hanson first gained popularity with their pop hits in the late 1990s, including "I Will Come to You." Since then, their style has evolved—evident in their 2011 rock single "Give a Little."

 

The Pointer Sisters

Dates: October 24 & 25, 2012

"He's So Shy"

This R&B recording act achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. For more than 3 decades, these sisters have entertained with soulful hits such as "Slow Hand."

 

Sister Hazel

Dates: October 26 – 28, 2012

"All For You"

This alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida gained popularity with such hits as "All For You." Their music blends elements of pop, Southern rock and a capella—for a sound that offers multi-generational appeal.

  

Billy Ocean

Dates: October 29 – 31, 2012

"Caribbean Queen"

The most popular British-based R&B singer of the early 1980s, Billy Ocean is known for such hits as "Caribbean Queen." His tunes topped charts in Britain, the U.S. and beyond.

  

.38 Special

Dates: November 1 & 2, 2012

"Hold On Loosely"

For more than 30 years, this Southern rock band has entertained with such hits as "Hold On Loosely." Their unique brand of music blends 'muscle and melody' into classic rock entertainment.

 

Howard Jones LIVE

Dates: November 3 & 4, 2012

"No One Is To Blame"

This Welsh musician regularly topped the charts in the mid-1980s with such hits as "No One Is To Blame." His synthpop style merged the technology-heavy sounds of new wave with the cheery pop sounds of the late 1960s.

 

Blues Traveler – NEW!

Dates: November 5 & 6, 2012

"Run-Around"

After more than 20 years, this blues-rock band is still drawing crowds with high-energy, spontaneous live shows. Their best-known single, "Run-Around," was the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history.

 

Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX – NEW!

Dates: November 7 & 8, 2012

"Come Sail Away"

Dennis DeYoung is a founding member of the rock group Styx, with hits such as "Mr. Roboto" and "Babe." As a top-selling solo artist, he's recorded 7 albums, and written and performed many songs for TV, film and Broadway.

 

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Dates: November 9 – 12, 2012

"Go Daddy-O"

A contemporary swing revival band from southern California, this band gained popularity in the late 1990s for such hits as "Go Daddy-O"—and even performed at the Super Bowl half-time show in 1999!