WDW Daily News

Today we’re excited to share that 2017 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages at Epcot® are now on sale! As a part of  Holidays Around the World at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Newcomers to the celebrity narrator spotlight this year include Daytime Television Legend Pat Sajak and TV star CCH Pounder, who was recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park for the Grand Opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Returning favorites include television, film and stage superstar Neil Patrick Harris, country megastar Trace Adkins and Contemporary Christian music artist Jaci Velasquez.

Here are the narrators confirmed so far:*

• Nov. 24- Dec. 3 – To Be Announced
• Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak
• Dec. 6-14 – To Be Announced
• Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
• Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
• Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder
• Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
• Dec. 28-30 – To Be Announced

The processional is performed three times per night (5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

As with last year, in addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite restaurants in and near Epcot again this year like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Holidays Around the World is an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase, and live performances enliven the park throughout the day.

For more information or to book Candlelight Processional dining packages please call 407-WDW-DINE.

Holidays Around the World, including the Candlelight Processional, runs Nov. 24-Dec.30, 2017 at Epcot.

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Epcot admission is required and not included in the dining package price.

A record 32 musical acts will rev up the Eat to the Beat concert series during the 22^nd Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival Aug. 31-Nov. 13, 2017 at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Eleven new-to-the-festival bands, including Kenny G., Squeeze and 10,000 Maniacs, join 21 fan-favorite musical acts for a diverse lineup of pop hit makers to rock America Gardens Theatre stage throughout the festival’s 75-day run.

Other new acts to appear are: The Hooters, Baha Men, Lauren Alaina, Mark Wills, American Authors, Devon Allman, Postmodern Jukebox and Blue October.

Guests also can tune into their favorite returning bands that will include festival opening act Delta Rae.  Concerts take place at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily.  The lineup (subject to change and included in Epcot admission) includes:

• Aug. 31-Sept. 1         Delta Rae “Bottom of the River”
• Sept. 2-3                  The Hooters NEW! “And We Danced”
• Sept. 4-5                  Baha Men NEW! “Who Let the Dogs Out”
• Sept. 6-7                  Fuel “Shimmer”
• Sept. 8-10                STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
• Sept. 11-12              Lauren Alaina NEW! “Road Less Traveled”
• Sept. 13-15              Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah”
• Sept. 16-17              Sister Hazel “All For You”
• Sept. 18-20              Air Supply “All Out of Love”
• Sept. 21-22              David Cook “Light On”
• Sept. 23-24              Everclear “Santa Monica”
• Sept. 25-27              Sugar Ray “Every Morning”
• Sept. 28-29              38 Special “Hold On Loosely”
• Sept. 30-Oct. 1         Mark Wills NEW! “19 Somethin’”
• Oct. 2-3                   American Authors NEW! “Best Day of My Life”
• Oct. 4-5                   Christopher Cross “Sailing”
• Oct. 6-8                   Devon Allman NEW! “Ragged and Dirty”
• Oct. 9-11                 Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX “Come Sail Away”
• Oct. 12-13               Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart”
• Oct. 14-15               Jeffrey Osborne “On the Wings of Love”
• Oct. 16-17               Postmodern Jukebox NEW! Various Hits
• Oct. 18-20               10,000 Maniacs NEW! “Because the Night”
• Oct. 21-22               Toad The Wet Sprocket “Walk on the Ocean”
• Oct. 23-24               Kenny G NEW! “Songbird”
• Oct. 25-26               Billy Ocean “Get Outta My Dreams”
• Oct. 27-29               Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now”
• Oct. 30-Nov. 1         Hanson “MMMBop”
• Nov. 2-3                  Blue October NEW! “Into the Ocean”
• Nov. 4-5                  Living Colour “Cult of Personality”
• Nov. 6-8                  Boyz II Men “End of the Road”
• Nov. 9-11                Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O”
• Nov. 12-13              Squeeze NEW! “Black Coffee in Bed”

(Songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list.)

Festival-goers can also enjoy Eat to the Beat Dining Packages at 15 popular Epcot restaurants, guaranteeing a breakfast, lunch or dinner reservation and confirmed seating at a same-day Eat to the Beat concert. You can book reservations at epcotfoodfestival.com beginning in July 2017.

Starting July 17, 2017 there will be a delicious new way to experience “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot®. Reservations open today for the brand-new Frozen Ever After Dessert Party, the coolest dessert party with reserved seating to an amazing fireworks spectacular, delicious desserts and a special opportunity to enjoy the Frozen Ever After attraction!

Take a look at Topiaries at Epcot of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy for the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2017.

A Walt Disney World permit for canal modifications at Epcot has some wondering if the theme park plans to replace an old attraction.

Full Story

Take a look at some of the topiaries around Epcot featuring Winnie the Pooh, Rabbit, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore.

 

A record number of global food and wine marketplaces – 35 in all –will sizzle with new edible delights to celebrate 35 years of Epcot during the 22^nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Aug. 31-Nov. 13, 2017. The annual Disney culinary tour of flavors will expand in 2017 for a longer-than-ever 75-day run.

Growing in scope as one of America’s top food festivals each year since 1996, the Epcot event will run for 13 additional days of inspired sips and bites throughout the park’s World Showcase and Future World. Guests will have a chance to mix and mingle with celebrity chefs, experience hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations at the Festival Center, and get their gourmet groove on at nightly Eat to the Beat concerts.

Here’s the latest festival buzz:

• New marketplaces will be announced this summer. In addition, India (2009) and Spain (2010) marketplaces will return for an encore. For a third year, global marketplaces will extend into Future World to offer brand-new taste sensations. Disney chefs are in the kitchen whipping up delicious new bites like the Madras Red Curry vegetarian dish and Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake to be on the menu at the India marketplace. At the Spain marketplace, delectable Charcuterie in a cone promises to be a guest favorite.
• Three times nightly Eat to the Beat concerts – 225 concerts in all on the America Gardens Theatre stage — will rev up the World Showcase vibe with new musical acts and returning festival favorites spanning a broad range of eras and genres such as rock, pop and rhythm and blues.
• “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops, which debuted in 2016 at the Festival Center, return with fresh opportunities for guests to interact with visiting chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros. Event hosts and topics will be announced this summer.
• Popular TV chefs and other culinary icons will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at Festival Center demonstrations. Those same stars of the kitchen also will create new dishes for premium events such as Party for the Senses grand tastings with new concepts and themes.
• Festival focus on family will spotlight inspired dishes geared toward children’s palates and culinary demos designed to inspire family fun.

Throughout the festival’s 75-day run, park guests can pair wines, beers and ciders with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade using their complimentary festival passports as a guide.

As guests explore, they’ll find something for everyone in the family:

• A Ratatouille-inspired adventure will return as Chef Remy gives families a chance to play together during this culinary scavenger hunt.

• The complimentary Back to Basics Festival Center weekend series will share epicurean tips and tricks from the pros. Book and bottle signings by some of the world’s top vintners will be scheduled, and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli, will offer guest samples.

• Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars will offer daily learning and tasting opportunities at the Festival Center. On select Saturdays, Cheese Seminars will be a fromage aficionado’s delight.

Bookings for premium festival events will open this summer.

• Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.
• Resort premium events will include a Grand Floridian Brunch with a Twist and Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef.
• Specialty Dining and Pairing events will be on tap at a number of World Showcase participating restaurants.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. When a reservation booking date is announced this summer, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at epcotfoodfestival.com.

Check out some photos of the Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Pluto Topiaries at Epcot Entrance.

Check out some Photos of the Butterfly Haven Topiaries & Flowers at Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival.

Take a look at some photos of  Annual Passholder Merchandise for Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival.