Category Events

Jul 10 2017

Epcot 2017 Eat To The Beat Concert Series Bands Announced

Eat To The Beat Concert Series Returns To Epcot!

If you plan to visit Walt Disney World this fall for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, here is some exciting news! Disney has recently released the information about which bands will be appearing in the Epcot Eat To The Beat Concert Series that runs from August 31 – November 13, 2017. Here are all of the details courtesy of Disney:

A record 32 musical acts will rev up the Eat to the Beat concert series during the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival August 31 – November 13, 2017.

Eleven new-to-the-festival bands, including Kenny G., Squeeze and 10,000 Maniacs, join 21 fan-favorite musical acts for a diverse lineup of pop hit makers to rock America Gardens Theatre stage throughout the festival’s 75-day run.

Other new acts to appear are: The Hooters, Baha Men, Lauren Alaina, Mark Wills, American Authors, Devon Allman, Postmodern Jukebox and Blue October.

Guests also can tune into their favorite returning bands that will include festival opening act Delta Rae.  Concerts take place at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00pm daily.  The lineup (subject to change and included in Epcot admission) includes:

  • August 31 – September 1: Delta Rae “Bottom of the River”
  • September 2 – 3: The Hooters New! “And We Danced”
  • September 4 – 5 : Baha Men New! “Who Let the Dogs Out”
  • September 6 – 7: Fuel “Shimmer”
  • September 8 – 10: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
  • September 11 – 12: Lauren Alaina New! “Road Less Traveled”
  • September 13 – 15: Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah”
  • September 16 – 17: Sister Hazel “All For You”
  • September 18 – 20: Air Supply “All Out of Love”
  • September 21 – 22: David Cook “Light On”
  • September 23 – 24: Everclear “Santa Monica”
  • September 25 – 27: Sugar Ray “Every Morning”
  • September 28 – 29: 38 Special “Hold On Loosely”
  • September 30 – October 1: Mark Wills New! “19 Somethin’”
  • October 2 – 3: American Authors New! “Best Day of My Life”
  • October 4 – 5: Christopher Cross “Sailing”
  • October 6 – 8: Devon Allman New! “Ragged and Dirty”
  • October 9 – 11: Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX “Come Sail Away”
  • October 12 – 13: Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart”
  • October 14 – 15: Jeffrey Osborne “On the Wings of Love”
  • October 16 – 17: Postmodern Jukebox New! Various Hits
  • October 18 – 20: 10,000 Maniacs New! “Because the Night”
  • October 21 – 22: Toad The Wet Sprocket “Walk on the Ocean”
  • October 23 – 24: Kenny G New! “Songbird”
  • October 25 – 26: Billy Ocean “Get Outta My Dreams”
  • October 27 – 29: Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now”
  • October 30 – November 1: Hanson “MMMBop”
  • November 2 – 3: Blue October New! “Into the Ocean”
  • November 4 – 5: Living Colour “Cult of Personality”
  • November 6 – 8: Boyz II Men “End of the Road”
  • November 9 – 11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O”
  • November 12 – 13: Squeeze New! “Black Coffee in Bed”

(Songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list)

Festival-goers can book Eat to the Beat Dining Packages at 15 popular Epcot restaurants, guaranteeing a breakfast, lunch or dinner reservation and confirmed seating at a same-day Eat to the Beat concert. Reservations can be booked at EpcotFoodFestival.com beginning in July 2017.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you attended an Eat To The Beat Concert? Are you going this year?
Who are you most excited to see? Please leave a comment!

Jul 7 2017

2017 Epcot International Food And Wine Festival First Details Released

Great news fellow foodies! Recently the first details of the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival were released and it looks like it is going to be another fabulous event. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalA record number of global food and wine marketplaces – 35 in all –will sizzle with new edible delights to celebrate 35 years of Epcot during the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival August 31 – November 13, 2017. The annual Disney culinary tour of flavors will expand in 2017 for a longer-than-ever 75-day run.

Growing in scope as one of America’s top food festivals each year since 1996, the Epcot event will run for 13 additional days of inspired sips and bites throughout the park’s World Showcase and Future World. Guests will have a chance to mix and mingle with celebrity chefs, experience hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations at the Festival Center, and get their gourmet groove on at nightly Eat to the Beat concerts.

Here’s the latest festival buzz:

  • New marketplaces will be announced this summer. In addition, India (2009) and Spain (2010) marketplaces will return for an encore. For a third year, global marketplaces will extend into Future World to offer brand-new taste sensations. Disney chefs are in the kitchen whipping up delicious new bites like the Madras Red Curry vegetarian dish and Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake to be on the menu at the India marketplace. At the Spain marketplace, delectable Charcuterie in a cone promises to be a guest favorite.
  • Three times nightly Eat to the Beat concerts – 225 concerts in all on the America Gardens Theatre stage — will rev up the World Showcase vibe with new musical acts and returning festival favorites spanning a broad range of eras and genres such as rock, pop and rhythm and blues.
  • “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops, which debuted in 2016 at the Festival Center, return with fresh opportunities for guests to interact with visiting chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros. Event hosts and topics will be announced this summer.
  • Popular TV chefs and other culinary icons will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at Festival Center demonstrations. Those same stars of the kitchen also will create new dishes for premium events such as Party for the Senses grand tastings with new concepts and themes.
  • Festival focus on family will spotlight inspired dishes geared toward children’s palates and culinary demos designed to inspire family fun.

Throughout the festival’s 75-day run, park guests can pair wines, beers and ciders with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade using their complimentary festival passports as a guide.

As guests explore, they’ll find something for everyone in the family:

  • A Ratatouille-inspired adventure will return as Chef Remy gives families a chance to play together during this culinary scavenger hunt.
  • The complimentary Back to Basics Festival Center weekend series will share epicurean tips and tricks from the pros. Book and bottle signings by some of the world’s top vintners will be scheduled, and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli, will offer guest samples.
  • Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars will offer daily learning and tasting opportunities at the Festival Center. On select Saturdays, Cheese Seminars will be a fromage aficionado’s delight.

Bookings for premium festival events will open this summer:

  • Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.
  • Resort premium events will include a Grand Floridian Brunch with a Twist and Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef.
  • Specialty Dining and Pairing events will be on tap at a number of World Showcase participating restaurants.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival 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, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. When a reservation booking date is announced this summer, guests can call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at EpcotFoodFestival.com. 

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Jul 3 2017

Celebrating Independence Day 2017 In Walt Disney World

Are you one of lucky ones who will be visiting Walt Disney World for Independence Day this year? If so, you are in luck! As usual, there are lots of exciting and entertaining options available to make your holiday a magical one. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

There’s no better place to celebrate the red, white and blue this Fourth of July than Walt Disney World Resort!

Nighttime spectacles will light up each park:

Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky
 Magic Kingdom Park commemorates the Fourth with brilliant fireworks choreographed to patriotic music. The red, white and blue extravaganza will bathe the sky on both July 3 and July 4 at 9pm.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
This nightly Epcot favorite adds a patriotic twist to the show, with a special laser light finale celebrating America. Fireworks will blast off at 9pm on July 4.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
Celebrate Star Wars, a great icon of American culture, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This one-of-a-kind show takes to the sky at 9:30pm nightly.

Rivers of Light
Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s newest nighttime show celebrates a connection with nature through light, water and fire. Rivers of Light has two showings nightly, 9:15pm and 10:30pm.

Other Independence Day fun and entertainment includes:

  • Independence DayThe talented Voices of Liberty a cappella group will perform traditional Americana tunes during a 4th of July Concert on the America Gardens Theatre stage at 5:30, 6:45 and 8pm. The vibrant American Music Machine will perform pop hits, at noon, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 3:50pm.
  • Meet favorite Disney Characters — all dressed up to celebrate America’s birthday – throughout the day at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot.
  • The Muppets Present…Great Moments in History: Miss Piggy, Kermit, Fozzie Bear and friends reenact famous moments in American history in a whimsical way. The live show is performed daily in Liberty Square.
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa hosts an All-American July 4 cookout from 7-8:30pm. The star-spangled feast includes grilled steak and shrimp, hot dogs, baked beans, sides, plus specialty drinks, beer and wine. There’s a live DJ and crafts for kids. After dinner, head to the Grand Floridian Marina for sweets and a view of the Magic Kingdom Park’s July 4 fireworks. Cost is $120 plus tax, gratuity is included; $59 ages 3 to 11. For reservations, 407-WDW-DINE.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you celebrated 4th of July in Walt Disney World?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Mar 9 2017

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2017 In Walt Disney World

Raglan Road

If you will be visiting Walt Disney World around St. Patrick’s Day and are looking for a fun place to celebrate, look no further than Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs. This year’s Mighty Festival runs from Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 19.

Raglan RoadThe Raglan Road Mighty Festival is not your average celebration; this is a fun-filled bash that is sure to get you in the spirit even if you aren’t Irish! There are performances by Irish artists including Young Dubliners, The Byrne Brothers, HaHaLena Band, The Raglan Roots Coalition, Swingin’ On The Gate, Rollickin’ Rua, Jennifer Lyons, plus some of the best Irish dancers that you’ve ever seen. There is complimentary face painting for the kiddos and lots of giveaways making this an event the entire family can enjoy. And of course, what’s a party without delicious Irish food and a huge selection of craft beers and cocktails.

The Mighty Festival runs from 4pm – 1:30am on March 16 and from 12pm – 1:30am on March 17, 18 and 19. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older.

Here’s a look at the entertainment schedule:

Schedule Courtesy of RaglanRoad.com

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World for St. Patrick’s Day?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Mar 8 2017

Epcot 2017 International Flower & Garden Festival Themed Gift Card

flower-garden-14

Will you be visiting the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival this spring? If so, here’s a helpful tip for you; when making purchases at the Outdoor Kitchens rather than using cash, credit card, or MagicBand, why not use a Disney Gift Card? When I vacation during Flower & Garden in the spring or Food & Wine Festival in the fall, I always find it easier to load a Disney Gift Card and make my food and drink purchases with it. Not only does it help set a budget for my spending, it is also more convenient especially when using the mini gift cards that are designed with a wrist band.

For this year’s event, Disney is offering a brand new orange-scented (think Soarin’) mini gift card with an exclusive Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival design and wrist strap. You can activate this Disney Gift Card with as little as $15 and reload it as many times as you would like.

Currently the Epcot International Flower & Garden Design gift card is available at Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin as well as locations throughout Epcot while supplies last.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Do you use a gift card during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!