It’s that time of year again! That’s right, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. It’s in its 17^th year! Celebrity chefs, culinary demos and wine seminars, Eat to the Beat concert series, HGTV seminars and special culinary programs. Plus more than 270 chefs will be there. Disney Parks Blog announced some new information so let’s get to it. New Experiences Included with Admission for 2012 Chocolate Experience: From the Bean to the Bar Hosted by Ghirardelli® Chocolate Company – NEW: Immerse yourself in the seductive sights, scents and flavors of chocolate at this new experience! Marvel at sweet sculptures created by Disney pastry chefs and learn about the food’s fascinating origins. Sample a few sweet treats and shop for gourmet chocolate gifts. Be sure to try Drinking Chocolate (it’s like a liquid candy bar!) or a glass of wine. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. through park close. The Watermelon Patch Hosted by The National Watermelon Promotion Board – NEW: Visit a real watermelon patch! See watermelons growing and discover fun facts and tips from Mr. Food. Sampling at the Festival Center Wine Shop – NEW: Visit the Festival Center Wine Shop for daily wine samples provided by our participating beverages companies. Open daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Authentic Taste Seminars Hosted by Driscoll’s® Only The Finest Berries™: Learn about the origins, properties and history of pure ingredients in lively, 30-minute presentations by subject experts. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. “Discover the Cranberry” Hosted by Ocean Spray® Craisins® Brand Dried Cranberries: Before entering World Showcase, visit the Cranberry Bog Display. Learn about the history, harvesting process and health benefits as you sample this unique fruit.   You will be able to book ticketed events starting at 7am on August 14^th.  New to this year’s events is the Marketplace VIP Access Chef Tour which starts at 10:30am every Wednesday during the festival. You will explore selected marketplaces around the World Showcase Lagoon and get behind-the-scenes stories from the chefs. You will get five (pre-selected) dishes and five beverages (wine, beer and cocktails) on the two hour tour. The cost is $90 plus tax and does not include park admission. The Italy Pavilion added the Italian Regional Food and Wine Luncheon inside the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. This lunch included authentic dishes with wine pairings and runs from noon-2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The cost is $75 plus tax, gratuity included and does not include park admission. Italy will continue their Festival events at Via Napoli and the White Truffle Lunch on November 4 at Tutto Italia Ristorante.

  My favorite Party for the Senses is back again this year. We love this party and try to attend annually. The food, wine and entertainment are like none other. There is a new tier of pricing this year. General Admission $145 plus tax (gratuity included, park admission required. Reserved Table on main floor $170 plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required. Reserved Table Wine View Lounge is $270 plus tax gratuity included, park admission required. Both of the reserved seating options also include a specialty cocktail and early admission at 7:15 p.m. This year’s Party for the Senses dates are October 6, 13, 20, and 27, and November 3.  

Two new festival marketplaces for this year is TERRA Marketplace which offers vegan menus items such as Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese.

The FLORIDA Marketplace is offering fresh twist on their regional flavors.

  There are more than 25 marketplaces in all and will feature more kid friendly plates. One of the new dishes is beef empanadas and cheese fondue.

  Eat to the Beat returns 9/28-9/30 Night Ranger “Sister Christian” 10/1-10/3 Sugar Ray “Fly” 10/4- 10/7 STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City” 10/8-10/10 Boyz II Men “End of the Road” 10/11-10/12 NEW! Smash Mouth “Walking On the Sun” 10/13-10/14 NEW! JAVIER COLON, winner of The Voice “A Drop In The Ocean” 10/15-10/17 Air Supply “Lost in Love” 10/18-10/19 Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy” 10/20-10/21 Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 10/22-10/23 Hanson “Give a Little” 10/24-10/25 The Pointer Sisters “He’s So Shy” 10/26-10/28 Sister Hazel “All for You” 10/29-10/31 Billy Ocean “Caribbean Queen” 11/1-11/2 38 Special “Hold on Loosely” 11/3-11/4 Howard Jones LIVE “No One Is to Blame” 11/5-11/6 NEW! Blues Traveler “Run-Around” 11/7-11/8 NEW! Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX “Come Sail Away” 11/9-11/12 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O” As well as HGTV Designers

 

• September 28-30 – Danielle Colding (“HGTV Design Star” Winner, Season 7, “Shop This Room”) – Entertainment Passport: Your Ticket to Creating a Travel-inspired Dining Experience
• October 5-7 – Casey Noble (“Design on a Dime”) – Gifts That Keep Giving: Holiday Favors That Double as Décor
• October 12-14 – Alison Victoria (DIY Network’s “Kitchen Crashers”) – Crash Course for Holiday Décor
• October 19-21 – Brian Patrick Flynn (HGTV.com, “Design Happens”) – Express Lane Elegance: Stylish Table Settings from Supermarket Finds
• October 26-28 – Meg Caswell (“Meg’s Great Rooms”) – Entertaining in Style: Make It and Make It Fun
• November 2-4 – Marianne Canada (HGTV.com Special Projects Editor) – Handmade Goodies They Won’t Regift
• November 9-12 – Emily Henderson (“Secrets from a Stylist”) – Create Holiday Memories: Style, Share and Preserve Those Family Photos & Cards