One of Disney’s fastest and most popular marquee attractions will soon be re-imagined to ensure its long-term presence at Epcot.

Disney and General Motors recently renewed their longstanding sponsorship agreement for Test Track, a ride that debuted in 1999 and highlights the design, manufacturing and testing of GM vehicles.

As a result, the ride is slated to close in April 2012 when it will be re-imagined and reopen with a new focus on the GM Chevrolet brand. In addition to the redesigned ride, the theme park will add a “Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot” where guests will have an opportunity to custom design their own concept vehicle.

Test Track, a high-speed vehicle-simulation ride, is one of Disney’s longest and fastest rides, reaching speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. Guests strap in and experience the world of automotive testing and each 6-seat vehicle completes the safety and quality tests that GM performs on every prototype it manufactures.

The five-minute, one-mile journey includes a steep ascent followed by a quick downhill ride before the vehicle blasts across a bumpy road and roars through 50-degree banked curves and hair-pin turns that test suspension and brakes. Guests and vehicles also experience the environmental chamber featuring heat and cold tests at temperatures varying by more than 100 degrees, before finally facing the challenge of avoiding a crash barrier.

The attraction’s pre-ride queue area is also filled with auto test lab simulations, crash test dummies as well as real vehicles in various states of production.

 For discount Disney theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com today.

Any visit to a Disney theme park can work up a healthy appetite. But Epcot® has just the answer with its International Food & Wine Festival!

The annual event which runs from Sept. 30 to Nov. 13, 2011, is your very own passport to a world of delicious taste treats.

From tasty tapas and refreshing beverages to celebrity chef demonstrations and live musical performances, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s favorite tastes and interests.

Stop at Epcot’s Festival Welcome Center to pick up a Marketplace Discovery Passport highlighting the day’s activities and various menus. Then start your own world tour. You can dine on specialty items from around the globe, attend a cooking demonstration, taste extraordinary wines or kick back and enjoy an outdoor concert.

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 http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Arrive early and come hungry! The 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival truly offers a feast of international flavors. The popular event kicks off on September 30 and runs through November 13, 2011.

This year’s theme is “Passport to a World of Flavors” and the event is slated to offer up more than two dozen international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions of regional foods paired up with beer, wine and cocktails.

While many of the standard favorites return for this year’s festival, Epcot is also welcoming a variety of new treats, including new marketplaces for Hawaii, Portugal and the Caribbean islands.

Guests can explore all Epcot has to offer while also enjoying special programs and demonstrations from renowned chefs and winemakers. You can sample food specialties from around the globe. And you can enjoy the Eat to the Beat Concert Series featuring an exceptional lineup of musical guests. It’s all included with regular Epcot admission.

You can visit www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.com for complete Festival details. Or go to www.Westgatereservations.com for the latest on discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages.

2011 Marketplaces and Menus

AUSTRALIA
Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze
Grilled Lamb Chop with Potato-Goat Cheese Salad and Shiraz Reduction
Lamington (Chocolate and Coconut covered Yellow Cake)
Penfolds “Koonunga Hill” Chardonnay
Greg Norman Estates Shiraz, Limestone coast
Lindeman’s “Bin 90″ Moscato
Penfolds “Thomas Hyland” Cabernet Sauvignon

BRAZIL
Brazil’s National Dish - Feijoada (a Black Bean and Pork Stew)
Seared Mahi Mahi with steamed Rice, Hearts of Palm and Coconut-Lime Sauce
LeBlon Frozen Cocktail
Frozen Caipirinha

ARGENTINA
Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée
Beef Empanada
Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay
Terrazas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Terrazas Reserva Torrontes
Terrazas Reserva Malbec

CARIBBEAN  NEW!
Ropa Vieja (slowly braised beef) with White Rice
Jerk Spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Salsa
Frozen Rock Coconut Mojito
Frozen Dragon Berry Colada 

MEXICO
Rib Eye Tacos
Shrimp Tacos
Flan
Dos Equis Beer
Lime Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks
L.A. Cetto Chardonnay
L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah

SCANDINAVIA
Taste of Scandinavia - Shrimp Salad, Cured Salmon and Herring; Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberries
Rice Pudding with Driscoll’s® Only The Finest Berries^TM
Xante
Xante Sunshine

CHINA
Black Pepper Shrimp (4) with Sichuan Noodles
Pork Pot Stickers
Xinjiang Barbecue Chicken Stick (1)
Caramel-Ginger Ice Cream
Tsing Tao Beer
Dragon’s Hollow Chardonnay
Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler
Happy Lychee 

SOUTH KOREA
Lettuce Wraps with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw
Boolgogi BBQ Beef with steamed Rice and Kimchi
Myung Jak Bokbunjajoo (New Raspberry Wine)
Charm Soon Soju (New)
BEK SE JU (Herbal Rice Wine)

SOUTH AFRICA
Seared Filet of Beef with smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce
Bunny Chow (Vegetable Curry served in a Bread Loaf)
La Capra Chardonnay
La Capra Sauvignon Blanc
La Capra Pinotage
La Capra Shiraz

CHEESE
Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread
Artisan Cheese Selection with Sweet Gras Dairy Thomasville Tomé, Delice de Bourgogne, PC Wyngaard Chevre Affineurs Goat Gouda

BREWER’S COLLECTION
Radeberger pilsner (German pilsner)
Altenmünster Oktoberfest
Altenmünster Dunkel
Hovel’s
Schöfferhofer Weizen
BraufactuM Indra
Rauchweizen Roog Smoked Wheat Bier
Sion Kölsch 

GERMANY
Goulash Suppe
Nuernberger Sausage in a Pretzel Roll
Apple Strudel Featuring Werther’s Original Karamel Sauce and Vanilla Sauce
Selbach-Oster Estate Spatlese
Selbach JH Riesling Kabinett
Selbach JH Riesling QBA
Selbach JH Riesling Classic
Radeberger pilsner (German pilsner)
Altenmünster Dunkel

POLAND
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
Golabki (Pork Stuffed Cabbage)
Belvedere Strawberry Chiller 

ITALY
Ravioli Di Formaggio all’Emiliana(Baked Cheese Ravioli with Creamy Beef Bolognese Sauce, Parmesan Cheese, and Melted Mozzarella
Cappellini con Gamberi Piccanti (Cappellini Pasta with Spicy Shrimp)
Cannoli al Cioccolato(Chocolate Covered Cannoli Shell Filled with Sweet Ricotta Cheese, Chocolate, and Candied Fruit)
Primavera Smoothie
Fantinel Prosecco
Placido Chianti
Placido Pinot Grigio
Moretti

FIFE & DRUM
Featuring Frozen Red Stag Lemonade by Jim Beam®

HOPS AND BARLEY
Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddler® with drawn Butter
Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll®
Pumpkin Mousse with Ocean Spray Craisins and Orange Sauce
Samuel Adams Boston Lager®
Samuel Adams® Octoberfest
Samuel Adams cherry Wheat®
16th Anniversary Festival Beer - Boston Ale
Samuel Adams Light®
Samuel Adams® Cream Stout
Latitude 48 IPA
Samuel Adams® Blackberry Witbier

SINGAPORE
Shrimp Cake on a Sugarcane Skewer with Singapore Noodles
Beef Rendang (a coconut braised beef) with Jasmine Rice
Singapore Sling
Tiger Beer

JAPAN
Spicy Tuna Roll
California Sushi Roll
Tuna and Salmon Sensation
Pork Kakuni
Kirin Draft Beer
Sake: Itami Onigoroshi
Sake: Junmai Ginjo Masumi
Tokyo Sunset

NEW ZEALAND
Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara-Red Curry Puree and Apple Radish Salad
Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney
Mohua Sauvignon Blanc
Mohua Central Otago Riesling
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc
Whitehaven Pinot Noir

MOROCCO
Kefta Pocket (Ground Seasoned Beef in a Pita Pocket)
Harissa Chicken Roll
Baklava
Casa Beer
Ksar White
Sangria
Royale Mimosa

PORTUGAL  (NEW)
Calamari Salad with Fennel, smoked Paprika and Olive Oil
Linguica Sausage with Onions, Peppers and Olives
Pastel de Nata
Confraria Leve Moscatel Portugal
Bridao classico Tinto
Caves Vale do Rodo
Douro
Xairel cartaxo Tinto
Caves Bonifacio Red 

PORTUGAL WINE BAR  (NEW)
Confraria Leve Moscatel Portugal
Caves Vale do Rodo Douro
Caves Bonifacio Red Wine
Plexus Frisante Branco
Bridao Classico Tinto
Xairel Cartaxo Tinto
Porto Reccua 10 year

BELGIUM
Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream and a Baguette
Belgium Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles
Stella
Hoegaarten
Leffe
Godiva Chocolate Iced coffee

FRANCE
Escargots Persillade en Brioche (Garlic and Parsley Snails in Brioche)
“Coq au Vin sur gratin de macaroni” Red Wine braised Chicken, Mushrooms, Pearl Onions and Macaroni Gratin
Crème Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait (Chocolate Milk Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar)
Bouchard Aîné & Fils Chardonnay
Chateau de Beauregard-Ducourt Merlot
Bordeaux Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
Parisian Cosmo Slush (ciroc Vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice)

IRELAND
Lobster & Scallop Fisherman’s Pie
Kerrygold® Cheese Selection: (Aged-Irish Cheddar, Dubliner and Ivernia Cheese) with Apple Chutney and Brown Bread
Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Ganache
Guinness Draught
Bunratty Meade

CANADA
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Maple and Moosehead Beer Glazed Salmon with Barley Salad
Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta
Moosehead Beer
Neige Sparkling
Neige - FB

GREECE
Greek Salad with Pita Bread
Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Dannon Greek Yogurt Parfait with Strawberries
Skouras St George
Boutari Greek (White) ”Moschofilero”
Boutari Kretikos White

DESSERT AND CHAMPAGNE
Lemon Chiffon
White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse with Dark Chocolate Pearls
Tres Leches Verrine
Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial
Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial
Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial
Moet & Chandon 
Imperial

HAWAI’I  (NEW)
Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple 
Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chips
Seven Tiki Mai Tai
Kona Longboard
Kona Pipeline

CRAFT BEER COLLECTION (NEW)
Full Sail IPA
Sierra Nevada
Abita - Purple Haze
Red Hook Pilsner
Blue Moon
Leinenkugal
Key West Sunset Ale
Widmer Hefeweizen

The annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Disney World comes to an end this weekend with Saturday’s open air concert at America Gardens Theatre in Epcot’s World Showcase.

The concert features 2U a rock band that offers “A Tribute to U2.”

You can dance to the classic hits from U2 under the Orlando skies or kick back and sing to the songs you know and love.

Showtimes are scheduled for 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. and the concerts are included with regular Epcot admission.

The Independence Day weekend has arrived and Walt Disney World Resort is ready to light up the sky with fireworks to celebrate.

At Magic Kingdom, guests can get ready for a double dose of patriotic fun with a special nightly celebration on both July 3 and July 4. The fireworks extravaganza, “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will be presented at 9 p.m. both nights.

The show will be just as spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 4 with the park’s “Rockin 4^th of July Celebration” beginning at 9:45 pm. The presentation includes fireworks, special effects and music. The park will also offer two productions of the popular special effects show, Fantasmic, at 9 and 10:30 pm.

Over at Epcot, Disney will present the Voices of Liberty in concert at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 pm on July 4 as well as a special holiday version of IllumiNations, the park’s fireworks, laser and water show at 10 pm. Epcot guests will also enjoy meet and greet sessions with Disney Characters in colonial clothing and other Independence Day heroes like Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross.

Visit www.westgatereservations.com for discount Disney tickets and discount Disney vacation packages.

Another weekend of fun lies ahead in Orlando.At Universal Studios, the Summer Concert Series takes center stage again on Saturday night with a live concert featuring Third Eye Blind at 9 p.m.

The music also rolls on at Disney’s Epcot where the annual Sounds Like Summer concert series features Stayin’ Alive, a Tribute to the Bee Gees tonight and Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute on Saturday. Concerts are scheduled for 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. both evenings.

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.

Those interested in next week’s music can get an early start on the 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.westgatereservations.com to find discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages.

Summer has officially started, so what better time to bring some news from Disney World regarding… CHRISTMAS!

Disney World has announced its initial list of celebrity narrators tentatively scheduled to participate in the 2011 Candelight Processional event at Epcot. The annual holiday-season tradition includes a live orchestra, mass choir and a special reading of the Christmas story.

The popular event takes place at Epcot’s America Gardens Theater three times a night during the holiday season.

Celebrity narrators include:

Mira Sorvino, Nov. 25-27

Whoopi Goldberg, Dec. 2-3

(To be announced), Dec. 4-6

Isabella Rossellini, Dec. 7-9

Neil Patrick Harris, Dec. 10-12

(To be announced), Dec. 13-14

(To be announced), Dec. 16-18

Trace Adkins, Dec. 19-21

Susan Lucci, Dec. 22-24

Blair Underwood, Dec. 25-27

Marlee Matlin, Dec. 28-30

The lineup is subject to change.

For more information on Disney World tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

It must be summer. Orlando’s theme parks are full of music and adventure!At SeaWorld Orlando, Saturday kicks off the start of “Summer Nights at SeaWorld.” Events include the return of the fun-filled killer whale show, Shamu Rocks plus the night-ending fireworks and water fountain show called Reflections. 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 brings another round of the park’s Summer Concert Series. Special guest Nelly takes the Universal stage at 9 pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, at Disney World Resort, the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series featuring tribute bands continues at Epcot. Shows on June 17 and 18 feature Hotel California - A Tribute to the Eagles. Beginning Sunday, June 19 and lasting all week, the musical performances will be dedicated to 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.

Although we’re still a few days away from the official start of Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival and the accompanying Flower Power Concert Series, there will be plenty of music at Epcot this weekend, as well.

The Festival begins March 4 and features 11 weekends of Flower Power music starting with Jose Feliciano. But music lovers can get an early start by visiting the Disney World theme park on Friday, Feb. 25.

The Orchestra, a six-piece band headlined by two alumni of the popular Electric Light Orchestra, will take that stage at Epcot’s America Gardens Theater in World Showcase. The Orchestra will perform three times, with shows at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:45 pm.

All of the upcoming Epcot concerts are included with regular Epcot admission.

For more on the International Flower and Garden Festival, Epcot and other Disney World parks and events, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/. Or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for updates and specials on the latest discount accommodations and Orlando vacation packages.

The 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing and the weather in Orlando has been every bit as delicious as the food and beverages. But there’s still plenty of time to catch some of the fun at Walt Disney World Resort.

In addition to great food, wonderful wine, thrilling rides and perfect weather, the annual Epcot celebration also features an array of exceptional music. The festival has already welcomed the likes of Taylor Dayne, Kool & The Gang, Sugar Ray, Taylor Hicks, Air Supply, Sister Hazel, and Howard Jones. Now Epcot guests can gear up for live performances from  Howard Jones (Oct. 18-19), 38 Special (Oct. 20-21), Night Ranger (Oct. 22-24), Billy Ocean (Oct. 25-27) and Starship starring Mickey Thomas (Oct. 28-31)… plus more in November.

The concerts, which are included with regular Epcot admission, are held at the America Gardens Theatre stage with performances nightly at 5:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

For more information on the festival, Epcot or any of the Orlando area theme parks, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ or go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/.