WDW Daily News

Chart-topping classics will fill the air at Epcot this summer when high-energy bands rock the mic during Sounds Like Summer concert series. Performing hits from U2, Journey, Boston, and more, seven acts will take the stage in June and July at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.

This year’s concert line up includes:

• June 8-14:  Hotel California ~ A Salute to the Eagles
• June 15-21: Don’t Stop Believin’ ~ Journey Tribute Band
• June 22-28: Good Vibrations ~ A Tribute to The Beach Boys
• June 29-July 5: Don’t Look Back ~ Boston Tribute Band
• July 6 to 12: Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees
• July 13 to 19: Slippery When Wet ~ The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
• July 20 to 26: 2U ~ A Tribute to U2

Show times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. – except on July 4 when show times are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.  Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission (Entertainment subject to change without notice).

Spring has sprung at Walt Disney World, and with the beautiful blooms of the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival comes a new event, “A Perfect Petals Brunch featuring the Disney Collection by Vera Bradley,” which comes to World ShowPlace on Sunday, May 4, 2014. This ticketed event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and will feature the release of a brand new color called “Mickey’s Perfect Petals,” as well as a a special appearance by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of Vera Bradley. Guests can purchase tickets at DisneyParksMerchandise.com, and the cost is $125. Admission to Epcot is also required to attend.

The magic doesn’t end once the sun sets during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. A new after-dark experience gives guests one more taste of World Showcase excitement like never before.

After a day of blooms and bulbs, the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party bursts with color in the sky, and bubbles in the glass. Guests can sample decadent desserts from around the world, paired with the perfect international sparkling wines in an intimate and exclusive environment – all while watching Epcot’s nightly fireworks spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Reservations begin March 12. The first IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party is March 15.

Here are details:
IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party

Dates: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Time: 7:45 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.

Location: Showcase Plaza

Prices (including tax and gratuity): Adults $49, Children $29

Menu (subject to change):
• Italy: Tiramisu
• France: Vanilla Pot de Crème
• United Kingdom: Shortbread Cookies
• Morocco: Traditional Baklava
• American Adventure: Sugar Dusted Cronis with Strawberry Sauce and Whipped Cream
• Disney Parks ice cream novelties
• Lemonade, coffee, teas
• Sparkling wine from Washington State and Prosecco from Italy

How to Book: Disneyworld.com/Spring or call 407-WDW-PLAY

For more information: Disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/epcot

Set among millions of blossoms, classic topiaries and live entertainment, garden-themed food and beverage offerings are returning for the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 5-May 18, 2014 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Back for a second festival year, the 11 food and beverage marketplaces have been dubbed Outdoor Kitchens, where chefs will be cooking a variety of new and popular returning menu items, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. At The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews Outdoor Kitchen, Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes and Smoked Turkey Ribs are on tap with a lineup of great brews. Last year’s top menu picks like the Watermelon Salad with local baby arugula, feta cheese, pickled red onions and balsamic reduction will return for an encore at the Florida Fresh Outdoor Kitchen.

Urban Farm Eats will be the new Outdoor Kitchen on the promenade with a sustainable garden featuring tilapia, eggplant and other farm-raised treats. Guests can try new menu items including The Land pavilion-Grown Eggplant “Scallop” with Romesco Sauce, Ghost Pepper Dusted Tilapia with Winter Melon Salad and Mango Chutney, plus red and white vegan wines and gluten-free beer.

Outdoor Kitchens, including location and food and beverage offerings are below. Menu items noted with ** are part of TRYit, Disney’s campaign that encourages children to try something new.

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Superstars of HGTV and DIY Network shows will appear at the 21^st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV between March 5 and May 18, 2014. Three HGTV stars will “crash” the festival for the first time: Matt Blashaw from “Yard Crashers,” Matt Muenster from “Bath Crashers” and Alison Victoria from “Kitchen Crashers.”

The popular HGTV celebrities will meet festival guests and showcase expert tips and clever tricks at noon and 3 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday on The Designers’ Stage presented by HGTV at the Festival Center. The Crashers and their crews are known for plucking regular folks out of home improvement stores to help them – in just three days – make over the family’s yard, bathroom or kitchen.  Also new to this year’s festival are “Renovation Raiders” star Amy Matthews and Chip Wade, who started with John Gidding on “Curb Appeal” and now has his own hit show, “Elbow Room.”

HGTV/DIY favorites returning to this year’s festival include Vern Yip, “Design Star” judge, Florida’s own David “Color Splash” Bromstad, John Gidding of “Curb Appeal” and HGTV Star Genevieve Gorder.  Here’s the lineup (subject to change):

•  March 7-9 – Vern Yip, ”Design Star”
•  March 14-16 – Chris Lambton, “Going Yard”
• March 21-23 – Matt Blashaw, “Yard Crashers”
• March 28-30 – Matt Muenster, ”Bath Crashers”
• April 4-6 – Taniya Nayak, ”House Hunters on Vacation”
• April 11-13 – Amy Matthews, “Renovation Raiders”
• April 18-20 – John Gidding, ”Curb Appeal”
• April 25-27 – David Bromstad, “Color Splash”
• May 2-4 – Chip Wade, ”Elbow Room”
• May 9-11 – Genevieve Gorder, HGTV Star
• May 16-18 – Alison Victoria, ”Kitchen Crashers”

Presentations by HGTV and DIY Network stars and all gardening programs and exhibits are included with admission to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.  For more information, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or visit www.EpcotinSpring.com.

Disney guests can enjoy an extra week of savories, sweets and paired beverages from around the world when the 19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicks off earlier than ever Sept. 19 at Walt Disney World Resort. The 2014 festival runs 53 days – up seven days from the previous 46-day event — until Nov. 10.

Celebrated for its inspired food-and-beverage marketplaces, high-energy concerts and premium dining events, the festival will sizzle with a variety of ethnic and specialized marketplaces. Guests will be able to pair wines, beers, cocktails and “mocktails” from many countries as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade and earn stamps on their complimentary festival “passport” souvenirs.

Celebrity and Disney chefs will present culinary demonstrations, and beverage experts will host daily wine tastings and mixology seminars for a nominal fee. Eat to the Beat concerts starring pop bands from several decades will rock the festival party each evening.

Foodies can make plans to book special culinary programs, dinners and tasting events that will showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers and guest chefs. These premium event dates will be announced this summer.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) or visit epcotfoodfestival.com for information and updates.