Florida Vacation Blog

Archive for the ‘Epcot’ Category

It’s easy to work up an appetite while working your way around one of the expansive theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. But Epcot® makes it just as easy to fill up with its International Food & Wine Festival!

The annual Epcot event runs from Sept. 30 to Nov. 13, 2011, and offers guests a very special passport to a world of taste tempting morsels. 

Enjoy delicious tapas and refreshing beverages. Catch a special celebrity chef demonstration. Sit back and experience a live rock concert. And don’t forget to enjoy all the regular Epcot rides and attractions as your work your way through the theme park.

It all begins at Epcot’s Festival Welcome Center where you can pick up a Marketplace Discovery Passport that highlights the day’s activities and country themed menus. Then start off on your own culinary tour of the world. You can dine on specialty items from around the globe, attend a cooking demonstration, taste extraordinary wines or enjoy an outdoor concert featuring a popular musical artist.

Special culinary events at the Festival include Party of the Senses, 3D Disney’s Dessert Discovery, Culinary demonstrations, Mixology seminars and wine & beverage seminars.

The International Food & Wine Festival is included with regular Epcot theme park admission; however, some events require additional fees. Food, wine and merchandise can be purchased quickly and easily with the use of a special mini Disney Gift Card.

For additional information and discount theme park tickets as well as details on discount Orlando resort accommodations, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Orlando’s theme parks will be filled with music again this weekend.

The music kicks off tonight at Disney’s Epcot where the annual Sounds Like Summer concert series features Stayin’ Alive, a Tribute to the Bee Gees. It continues on Saturday with another set of shows featuring Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute. Concerts sets are scheduled for 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. both evenings.

At Universal Studios, the Summer Concert Series returns to the Universal Music Stage on Saturday night with a live performance featuring Third Eye Blind beginning at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, at SeaWorld Orlando, guests can stay late as the park’s Summer  Nights at SeaWorld keeps the park open til 10 pm from now through August 14. The Summer Nights fun includes the popular shows Shamu Rocks, Sea Lions Tonite and Reflections, a fireworks and fountains grand finale. There’s also the new Summer Nights Central, a family gathering and party area that stretches along the pathway to Bayside Stadium at opens at 6 pm nightly.

Events at all three theme parks are included with regular park admissions.

The music starts a day earlier next weekend with the Thursday, June 30 appearance of Psychedelic Furs at Velvet Sessions, the monthly rock and roll party at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. Go to www.velvetsessions.com for event, ticket and price information.

Go to www.westgatereservations.com to find discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages.

Orlando’s theme parks are full of fun and live concerts this weekend. 

At SeaWorld Orlando, Saturday kicks off the start of “Summer Nights at SeaWorld.” Events include the return of the popular killer whale show, Shamu Rocks as well as Reflections, a nightly grand finale fireworks and water fountain show. A new adventure for summer at SeaWorld is a family friendly party zone - Summer Nights Central - that stretches along the path to Bayside Stadium. The area will also feature live music on weekends from now thru August 14.

SeaWorld Orlando also offers extended hours for the summer with the park open until 10 pm.

At Universal Studios, the weekend means another round of the park’s Summer Concert Series. This week’s special musical guest, Nelly, hits the Universal stage at 9 pm on Saturday.

Keeping in step with the other parks, Disney World Resort offers up the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series featuring tribute bands at Epcot. This weekend’s shows on Friday and Saturday feature Hotel California - A Tribute to the Eagles. Beginning Sunday, June 19 and lasting all week, musical performances will feature Stayin’ Alive - A Tribute to the Bee Gees.

Epcot’s Sounds Like Summer concerts are held at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Concerts at all three theme parks are included with regular admission.

Taylor Dayne, best known for her breakthrough album, “Tell It To My Heart, is the musical guest as the popular Velvet Sessions monthly concert series returns to Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday, March 31.

Velvet Sessions offers an up close atmosphere as performers hit the stage in the lobby of the Hard Rock. Admission to Velvet Sessions is $29 when purchased online and in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $35 and a special VIP ticket is available for $50. In addition to the concert, admission includes select specialty drinks which vary each month, plus finger foods and parking.

For details on the entire Velvet Sessions 2011 concert series, visit www.velvetsessions.com.

Velvet Sessions is the kickoff to another weekend of concerts throughout Orlando’s theme parks.

On Friday-Saturday-Sunday, guests at Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival can celebrate the music of Starship featuring Mickey Thomas in the Flower Power Concert Series.

Also on Friday night, visitors to Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida can see Sean Kingston live in concert following the traditional Mardi Gras parade. Universal also celebrates Mardi Gras again on Saturday night, with a concert featuring Ne-Yo.

Meanwhile, at SeaWorld Orlando, the annual Viva La Musica celebration of Latin culture ends its 2011 run with a Saturday afternoon concert starring Ednita Nazario. Music begins at 3 pm.

For additional information on Orlando theme park concerts and events, go to www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com. Or you can visit www.westgatereservations.com for up-to-date savings and discounts on Orlando family vacation packages and resort accommodations.

Fall has arrived in Orlando. And while the central Florida summer heat is gone, things are definitely heating up at Epcot where the 15^th Annual International Food & Wine Festival is officially underway at Walt Disney World Resort!

This special event runs now through Nov. 14, 2010 as the festival turns Epcot theme park into a food and wine lover’s paradise. You’ll find a wealth of specialty food items, unique culinary events, sophisticated parties and live music.

Enjoy delicious regional foods or sample wines and beers from around the world. Get tips from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations. There is plenty to do at Epcot in addition to the usual array of rides and attractions!

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series also offers up plenty of great music. Check the dates below for a varied lineup of musical entertainers. It’s all waiting for you at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

For more information on Epcot or any of the other Disney World theme parks and attractions, visit www.Orlandothemeparkvacations.com or go to www.WestgateReservations.com.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series:

Concerts are included with regular Epcot admission and will be held at the American Gardens Theater stage nightly at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:45 pm.

10/4-10/5 - Kool & The Gang

10/6-10/8 - Sugar Ray

10/9-10/10 - Taylor Hicks

10/11-10/12 - Air Supply

10/13-10/15 - Sister Hazel

10/16-10/17 - Howard Jones

10/18-10/19 - Exposé

10/20-10/21 - 38 Special

10/22-10/24 - Night Ranger

10/25-10/27 - Billy Ocean

10/28-10/31 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas

11/1 - 11/3 - Boyz II Men

11/4-11/5 - Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp)

11/6-11/7 - Jon Secada

11/8-11/9 - Hanson

11/10-11/11 - Rick Springfield

11/12-11/14 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Epcot’s delicious annual Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner and from Oct. 1 through Nov. 14, festival goers can choose from an exciting schedule of seminars and demonstrations as well as great food and wine.

The 2010 festival offers up a magnificent spread of fresh ingredients, helpful tips and even some secret techniques of culinary masters. There will also be plenty to great food, tasty drinks and a whole lot of fun. It’s all part of the excitement at Epcot where all the regular rides and attractions will also be open for your enjoyment.

You’ll find everything from wine tasting to demonstrations packed with cooking tips, plus opportunities to sample regional beers and cheeses. It’s all part of a yummy journey around Epcot.

The “Authentic Taste Seminar” is a unique 30-minute opportunity to celebrate the origins, properties and history of some of the world’s favorite ingredients. This lively and intriguing presentation by subject authorities is included with regular Epcot admission.

“Authors without Borders” features a series of renowned authors from the food and wine industries who will speak on popular food topics. These enlightening 30-minutes conversations are included with Epcot admission.

The movie, “Seasons of the Vine” is a seven-minute journey offering a “behind-the-scenes introduction” to wine growing. The short film runs continuously throughout the day. Other no cost events include a variety of daily 45-minute culinary demonstrations with a featured chef and wine presenter who provide cooking tips as you taste the demonstrated dish.

“Wine and Beverage” seminars are also featured for a small additional cost.  These 45-minute sessions allow you to meet the featured winery representative, learn some wine tips and sample specially selected vintages or beverages.

For additional information on Epcot and other Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Orlando, FL, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com or www.WestgateReservations.com.

Save room for a special taste of Disney World fun - the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

The popular annual event at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is set to run Oct. 1 through Nov. 14, 2010. The Food and Wine Festival turns Epcot theme park into a true food and wine lover’s paradise with specialty foods, culinary events, parties and the rocking, ”Eat to the Beat Concert Series” featuring a lineup of celebrated musical guests.

What’s on the menu? You can taste delicious regional foods and sample wines and beers from around the world throughout Epcot’s World Showcase Promenade. You can get tips from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations. And you can sample the finest cuisines from around the globe at a variety of culinary events. While some events require an additional ticket fee, most activities are included in your regular Epcot Park admission.

To plan your day, be sure to visit the Festival Welcome Center when you arrive at Epcot. And for convenience, you can pick up a Food & Wine themed mini Disney Gift Card that offers a fast, easy and secure way to carry your money on your wrist.

Just load or reload the card with any amount from $5 to $1,500. Then simply swipe the card any time you want to pay for food, merchandise or other Epcot expenses. The gift cards are available throughout Epcot at ticket booths, Guest Relations, the Festival Welcome Center and other locations where food and merchandise is sold.

For more information on Epcot or any of the other Disney World theme parks and attractions, visit www.Orlandothemeparkvacations.com or go to www.WestgateReservations.com.

Turn back the clock while you groove and rock at the Flower Power Concert Series. It’s all part of the 2010 International Flower and Garden Festival at Disney’s Epcot theme park. The festival and concerts are all part of your daily Epcot admission.

Feel the vibes of some of the biggest names in music from the 60’s and 70’s under the skies of the open-air American Gardens Theatre at Epcot theme park. This weekend’s special musical guest for April 23-25, is Atlanta Rhythm Section. The group will perform Flower Power Concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 7:45 p.m.

For details, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations or http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/schedule/          

Spring is in the air as the annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival kicks off at Disney World on March 3 and runs thru May 16, 2010,

This year’s event features more than 100 colorful and fun topiaries ranging from a 14-foot tall Goofy fishing to Lion King characters and, of course, Mickey and Minnie. Enjoy millions of blooms, hundreds of butterflies in the butterfly garden, and more. There’s also experts ready to provide gardening tips and demonstrations, and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the festival, you can also enjoy the Flower Power Concert Series featuring music from the 1960s and 1970s.

For more information about Disney World, Epcot and other Orlando theme parks, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. You’ll find discount tickets, discount Orlando vacation packages and discount Orlando hotel and resort accommodations.

Each spring Florida bursts into bloom with a variety of eye-pleasing garden festivals — from butterfly celebrations to one of the nation’s most ambitious flower and garden fests.

A short drive from Orlando, you’ll find beautiful Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. The Gardens present Butterflies at Bok from March 3-31, 2010. Special areas of the gardens feature plantings specifically designed to attract the beautiful wings of a variety of butterflies.

For information, you can visit www.boktowergardens.com.

Meanwhile, Disney’s Epcot also opens its annual flower festival on March 3. The 17^th Annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival remains one of the largest such events in the world, with more than 30 million blooms spread across 300 acres of Epcot’s World Showcase.

The event runs thru May 16 and visitors will experience themed gardens, floral floating islands, gardening seminars, planting demonstrations, exhibits, hands-on activities and a wonder series of Flower Power concerts. The concerts feature music from the ‘60s and ‘70s at the American Gardens Theatre each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the Festival.

Concerts and most festival activities are included in regular park admission. Visit www.disneyworld.com/flower for additional details. For information on Orlando Disney theme park discounts or savings on Orlando vacation packages and Orlando hotels near Disney, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.