Each year, the festival features marketplaces with ethnic cuisine samplings from the top "foodie" cities of the world. More than 25 international marketplaces will be represented with tastes from cities on six continents including: Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States, New Orleans.
The festival also features wine and beer tasting seminars, a lineup of winemakers from around the globe and an impressive list of guest chefs, elegant dinners, grand tastings and pairings.
Highlights include:
- The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Sparkling Wine Bar, commemorative posters and other festival keepsakes, including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.
- Some 250 Disney chefs and guest chefs conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events.
- New culinary programs featuring Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining and Celebrating family and Friends in the Kitchen.
- Popular returning events include French Regional Lucnhes at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion, Epcot Wine Schools, Food and Wine Parings and Sweet Sundays.
- The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting with tempting bites from eminent chefs and more than 50 wines and beers. The event also features live entertainment.
World Showcase will be the backdrop for performers from many countries as they sing, dance, perform arobatics and comedy for the festivities. A sampling of the entertainment includes:
- Canada Pavilion - high energy Celtic music of Off Kilter
- Morocco Pavilion - the Arabic rhythms of Mo'Rockin
- American Adventure Rotunda - perfect hormony of Voices of Liberty
- Mexico Pavilion - infectious beat of internationally acclaimed Mariachi Cobre
- United Kingdom Pavilion - retro British hits by The British Invasion
- China Pavilion - jaw-dropping stunts by Dragon Legend Acrobats
- Italy and United Kingdom Pavilions - hilarious antics of World Showcase Players
Several Grammy-winning acts join other hit-makers to bring a rocking mix — from jazz and funk to pop — of classic tunes to the Eat to the Beat! concerts. The lineup includes six performers playing the festival for the first time, including "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks. The 2009 lineup (subject to change) includes:
- September 25-27 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
- September 28-29 - Richard Marx
- September 30 to October 3 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas
- October 4-6 - En Vogue
- October 7-6 - Better Than Ezra
- October 9-11 - Sister Hazel
- October 12-13 - Kool & The Gang
- October 14-16 - Spyro Gyra
- October 17-18 - Jon Secada
- October 19-20 - Sister Sledge
- October 21-22 - Vanessa Carlton
- October 23-25 - Taylor Dayne
- October 26-28 - Boyz II Men
- October 29-31 - John Waite
- November 1-2 - Taylor Hicks
- November 3-5 - Billy Ocean
- November 6-8 - Los Lobos
Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, plus select wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, culinary exhibits and all attractions are included with regular Epcot admission.
The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays and other specialty events require reservations and separate event admission.
Information
Additional festival details are available at www.DisneyWorld.com/Food. Guests can call 407-WDW-FEST (407-939-3378) for information or make reservations for special events and programs. Guests planning to attend the concerts should keep in mind that while there is no additional charge for the concerts beyond Epcot admission, seating at the theater is limited.
