Tour the World Through Food at Epcot Center

The Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort will begin its annual International Food and Wine Festival on September 25. The festival runs until November 8.

During this event, visitors can sample food from a variety of regions, enjoy concerts, and experience the thrilling rides and entertaining shows that Epcot offers year-round. There will be over 25 different food marketplaces set up throughout the park. These marketplaces have a regional theme and serve appetizer-sized portions of native dishes paired with suggested wine or beer pairings. Different regions include Paris; New Orleans; Santiago, Chile; Rio de Janerio, Brazil; Montreal; Athens; Bangkok, Thailand; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Cork, Ireland. Whatever kind of food you prefer, you will be sure to find a delicious dish or two, and you may even find some new favorites!

The Food and Wine Festival also features live concerts. The concert series features performers from a variety of genres. Scheduled performers include Kool and the Gang, Sister Sledge, Vanessa Carlton, Boyz II Men, and Taylor Hicks. Concerts will take place daily at the Epcot Americas Garden Theater.

Another feature of this event is seminars and demonstrations that will take place. Seminar and demonstration topics range from discussions about the history of beer to lectures on special regional ingredients. Some seminars are included in Epcot admission, but some require an additional fee. The Food and Wine Festival will also be hosting a number of special meals and events, including a dessert brunch with pastry chefs and a cheese tasting. These events all require advance reservations.

We offer Magic Your Way tickets available in one to ten day increments. The Magic Your Way ticket will give you access to Epcot Theme Park as well as all of the other theme parks of Disney (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney-Hollywood Studios), and many other Disney attractions, including DisneyQuest and Wide World of Sports.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Offers Gentle Frights to Excite the Entire Family

While Disney World offers a fantastical, immersive setting throughout the year for adults and children alike travelers will find an extra sense of wonder in each of the four parks on select dates from September 4 through November 1 as Disney World presents Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween. This family-friendly Halloween celebration will bring a variety of limited-time attractions to the four parks including Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade featuring characters from the Haunted Mansion as well as other Disney characters; Happy HalloWishes, a fireworks display showcasing some of the more famous villains from Disney; and all of the standard friends found throughout the four parks dressed in special costumes! The exact dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween are tentatively as follows:

• September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
• October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
• November 1

Those interested in attending Disney World during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween can learn more about the celebration and find lodging near the Disney theme parks online.

As for Disney World itself, the mammoth theme park setting features four complete theme parks and two water parks, offering more than enough to make even an extended vacation a busy affair. Whether looking for a one-day admission into Magic Kingdom or looking for an entire vacation experience with a 5-day park hopper pass that will grant admission to all of the parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney – Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom), there’s an experience perfect for you and your family waiting at Disney World.

Learn more about the various options for attending Disney World and book tickets online.

Lodging Options for Your Orlando, FL Summer Vacation

With Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, terrific shopping experiences, and an abundance of fun outdoor activities, any time is a good time to visit Orlando, FL. But with the weather continuing to heat up, nothing would complete your vacation like a day on the water. Listed below are just a few of the Orlando, FL lakefront hotels, giving you options for fun water activities without placing you too far away from some of the area’s biggest attractions.

For a mixture of fun beach activities, such as sand volleyball and watercraft rentals, it’s hard to do better than Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Complete with a sandy beach, on-site dining options, and tennis courts, this resort has something for everyone, even kids, who will enjoy the local playground. Rent a watercraft and enjoy fun water activities at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Located along the white sandy shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, a lake in front of the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa provides outstanding amenities and proximity to Walt Disney World. The hotel also features two beautiful pools and a spa to go along with its lavish, family-friendly accommodations. Take a trip along Seven Seas Lagoon, enjoy fabulous dining, or simply sit back with your family and witness the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks display light up the Orlando night. The options are overabundant at this architectural phenomenon.

For a more luxurious stay in Orlando, check out the Summer Bay Resort Orlando. Featuring everything from standard rooms to fully-equipped vacation houses, this deluxe resort has everything you need to help your dream vacation become a reality. Located on a private lake away from the hassles of everyday life, the resort also offers the peace you need to unwind on your trip. Whether you would prefer to relax along the wide-spread lakes or drive a mere six miles to Walt Disney World, the location and recreational opportunities to keep you reminiscing forever.

An Outdoor Christmas in Orlando, FL

If you plan on visiting the Ocala area, there are plenty of holiday activities like the Annual Festival of Lights at Silver Springs to enjoy with the family. This festival takes place from November 28-29 and provides guests with a variety of holiday activities like parades, live performances, shopping specials, and much more! Santa will even make an appearance for the youngsters. Another visitor favorite during the festival is the Lighted Boat Parade down the park’s waterways. Carolers are present to provide the festive atmosphere while you shop and sightsee your way through Silver Springs. Experience the Annual Festival of Lights at Silver Springs to make your vacation in Florida one that’s full of cheer.

With Silver Springs: Nature’s Theme Park admission, you can enjoy the different rides and shows of the park as well as the holiday attractions with the Annual Festival of Lights. This theme park provides an educational look at the natural world with glass-bottom boat rides, animal exhibits, and free shows. Children will enjoy different themed shows like the World of Bears, Panther Prowl, Dolittle’s Petting Zoo, and much more! With the Festival of Lights, you can also enjoy discounts on the different merchandise and specialty shops in the area. During the day, enjoy the rides and attractions before settling down in the evening to enjoy the parade of lights.

If you want more outdoor fun, a trip to Gatorland provides families with an up close and personal look at Florida’s alligators. Stop by Alligator Island where you’ll see some of the park’s largest alligators that range up to 15 feet! If these creatures prove to be too scary for the little ones, take a trip to Flamingo Lagoon, Lilly’s Pad play area, the Very Merry Aviary, Allie’s Barnyard and more for some fun with cuddlier creatures. Complete your outdoor excursion to Orlando with admission to Gatorland for the whole family!