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/.

Fall has arrived in Orlando. The scorching summer heat is gone, but things are definitely heating up at Epcot where the 15^th Annual International Food & Wine Festival is now underway!This special event runs now through Nov. 14, 2010 as the festival turns Epcot theme park into a food and wine lover’s paradise with specialty food items, culinary events, sophisticated parties and live musical entertainment.

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!

You’ll also find plenty of great music with the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. 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 http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ or go to http://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 annual Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner and festival goers can choose from an exciting schedule of seminars and demonstrations as well as great food and wine.The 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival offers up a delicious spread of fresh ingredients, hot tips and secret techniques of culinary masters and a whole lot of fun as guests enjoy great food and tasty beverages.

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.

Enjoy a 30-minute Authentic Taste Seminar where you’ll celebrate the origins, properties and history of some of the world’s most popular ingredients. This lively and informative presentation by subject authorities is included with regular Epcot admission.

Another festival series, Authors without Borders, features renowned authors from the food and wine industries who will speak about popular topics. These enlightening 30-minutes conversations are included with Epcot admission.

Seasons of the Vine is a seven-minute journey offering a “behind-the-scenes introduction” to wine growing. The short film will run continuously throughout the day and is included with Epcot admission. Other cost free events include a variety of daily culinary demonstrations. These 45-minute sessions include a featured chef and wine presenter who will 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 http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

 It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. And one special event at Epcot is already beginning to take shape.Epcot’s annual Candlelight Processional is scheduled to take place nightly from Nov. 26 thru Dec. 30, 2010. This special holiday music presentation includes a mass choir, a live orchestra and celebrity narrators who will read the Christmas Story.

Celebrities tentatively scheduled to narrate include Isabella Rossellini, Frank Langella, Jodi Benson, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Curtis Chapman, Thomas Gibsoj, Trace Adkins, Brad Garrett and Marlee Matlin with interpreter Jack Jason.

For more on Disney events and Orlando discount vacation packages and tickets, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Another Disney favorite is returning.

Disney’s Summer Nightastic! celebration included the return of Disney’s popular Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom. Now get ready for another blast from the past at Epcot.

On July 2, Disney re-opens the musical 3-D sci-fi movie, Captain EO, starring the late Michael Jackson.

The 17-minute film which originally ran at Epcot from 1986 to 1994, will take over the Imagination Pavilion’s 570-seat theatre that had housed, “Honey I Shrunk the Audience.”

The 3-D movie was among the first films to incorporate 4-D effects like wind, water and lighting. In its return, the movie will have only minor tweaks from its original version. Even the show’s original marquee sign is being utilized. 

Epcot will open its gates early at 8:30 am on July 2 for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Captain EO co-stars Anjelica Huston and features two Jackson songs and plenty of high energy dancing. For more information regarding Epcot and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

This is it… your last chance. This weekend marks the end of the 2010 version of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.

It’s your last opportunity to see the dramatic topiaries such as the American Gothic Mickey and Minnie near the entrance to World Showcase. It’s your last chance to see the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden and Butterfly House with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. And it’s your final chance to see the green wall, a large wall featuring a fountain and a variety of greenery.

The weekend festivities also conclude this year’s Flower Power Concert Series. The final musical guest artist is Chubby Checker who performs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm in the American Gardens outdoor theatre.

For more highlights of Epcot and Walt Disney World Resort, please visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/. Or go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for details on discount Orlando vacation packages and resort lodging at Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa.

There are always plenty of monkeys to be seen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but one former Monkee will be on hand at Disney’s Epcot this weekend.Davy Jones, former teen heartthrob and lead singer of the Monkees, is this weekend’s musical guest for the Flower Power concert series at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Show times are 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm.

The concert is just part of the fun at the Flower & Garden Festival which also features a colorful array of flowers, gardens, topiaries and educational events.

Enjoy millions of blooming flowers and a vibrant collection of Disney-themed topiaries, and get up close with hundreds of colorful butterflies inside Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden.

During the weekends throughout the festival, guests can also meet with top horticulturists, learn helpful gardening tips and attend public demonstrations of advanced gardening techniques from around the world.

Davy Jones will perform each evening this weekend at the America Gardens Theatre next to the American Adventure Pavilion. The concert and festival is included with regular Epcot admission.

 Disney’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series remains a popular annual event at Disney’s Epcot theme park throughout June and July. It’s a unique opportunity to enjoy all the fun of Epcot and hear some of your all-time favorite hits from a talented collection of tribute bands. The bands recreate the chart-topping hits of a variety of musical icons.

This summer’s concert events feature tribute bands for U2, the Rolling Stones, Bon Jobi, the Eagles, Chicago and the Bee Gees. These Epcot concerts will take place next to the lagoon at the America Gardens Theatre, an open air theatre adjacent to the American Adventure Pavilion.

Each tribute band performs three times per night, at 5:45 pm, 7 pm and 8:25 pm. For the latest information and updated show times, check the theme park’s Entertainment Guide, available at the Epcot gates.

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

2010 Performers

June 12 - June 19:    Stayin’ Alive - A Tribute to The Bee Gees

June 20 - June 26:    Hotel California - A Salute to the Eagles

June 27 - July 3:      TBD

July 4 - July 10:       Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones Tribute Band

July 11 - July 17:      Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

July 18 - July 24:      2U - A Tribute to U2

July 25 - July 31:      Beginnings - CHICAGO Tribute Band

For more information on events at Walt Disney World Resort and discount Orlando vacation packages, visit http://www.disney.go.com/.

Ricky Nelson Remembered.

It’s been 25 years since the passing of singer-songwriter Ricky Nelson, one of teh nation’s original teen idols. Today, Nelson’s identical twin sons, Matthew and Gunnar, help honor his memory with a concert featuring their father’s greatest hits.

The duo hits the stage for the eighth consecutive year at Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival this weekend, performing as part of the Flower Power Concert series.  The show features Rick Nelson favorites such as ”Travelin Man,” “Hello Mary Lou” and “Garden Party.”

The brothers also had their own hit called “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” under the band name of Nelson.  They will perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Epcot.

Walt Disney World in Orlando is one of the most visited destinations in the country. It has a lot of fun activities for the entire family. Disney World in Orlando offers a variety of theme park options, including Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Each of these theme parks offer a different experience and each is big enough that you can spend a full day or more to cover it completely. So, it makes sense to buy your Disney vacation packages which covers multiple park options. You can get packages online to save a lot time that you would otherwise spend waiting in the long lines at the ticket counter.