Top Chefs Will Open 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Fest

The top “foodie” cities of the world will be highlighted at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and the top chefs will be starting Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival with an international cuisine competition that is making its debut at the Disney theme park in September.

Some of the world’s best chefs will be cooking against each other in the Bocuse d’Or USA, a prestigious cooking competition during the opening weekend of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival on Sept. 26 and 27. The culinary stars that are participating include the likes of Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Jerome Bocuse, the man in charge at the Chefs de France restaurant located in Epcot’s France Pavilion.

Each chef will have one assistant, and is tasked with preparing sophisticated fish and meat dishes that will be judged by a panel of their peers. Each platter will be evaluated based upon the following specific criteria: creativity, presentation, taste and technical precision. This elaborate cooking contest will take place before a live audience of Epcot guests, and attendance is included with a Disney ticket. The winning chef moves on to compete in the international Bocuse d’Or cuisine contest in Lyon, France in January.

A few other highlights of the 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival are:

The Festival Welcome Center, which is the hub of all the Epcot Food & Wine Fest action. Here you will find a Champagne and Wine Bar along with a host of free wine seminars, book signings with your favorite chefs and festival merchandise like pins and the official cookbook.

Celebrity chefs and Disney chefs will be on hand for cooking demonstrations, hosting tasty tasting events and much more. So far, this year’s celeb chef list is shaping up nicely with the following already scheduled to appear:

• Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace
• Rock Harper of Hell’s Kitchen
• Tre Wilcox from Top Chef Season 3
• Cat Cora
• Jamie Deen
• Allen Suuer
• Jeff Henderson
• Gale Grand
• Robert Irvine
• Todd English
• Warren Brown

And of course there is the ever-popular Eat to the Beat! concert series, with live music to enhance the delicious treats that await Epcot guests throughout the Food & Wine Festival. All you need to treat your taste buds is a Disney ticket, so get yours today!

Disney News and Updates – September 2008

There is always tons of stuff going on at the Walt Disney World Resort, and the month of September is just the beginning of the busiest time of year at Walt Disney World. As summer ends, all of the best Disney special events start up, and we will be here to keep you up-to-date about what’s open, what’s closed and everything in between.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the best kid-friendly Halloween party in Orlando, and it’s a great way to add a little Halloween fun to your Disney vacation. For 2008, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place on select nights from Sept. 5 through Oct. 31.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate Disney ticket event, and it is not included with your regular Disney ticket. Ticket prices are $42.95 for kids 3-9 and $48.95 for anyone over 10. Costumes are welcome!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Night of Joy
Disney’s annual Christian music event has moved from Disney’s Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year, and it features some of Christian music’s top artists. The dates for Night of Joy are Sept. 5 and 6.

Night of Joy is also a separate ticket event that is not included with regular Disney tickets. Night of Joy tickets are $44.95 for one night and $75.95 for two nights. (Day of tickets are $49.95.)

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
The 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins on Sept. 26, and it will be satisfying guests with tasty treats right up through Nov. 9. Most of the events of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival are included with your Disney ticket, even the spectacular Eat to the Beat concert series! Keep checking in for the latest on what’s coming up at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival each week.

Walt Disney World – Openings and Closings for September

• Disney’s Magic Kingdom:
  Country Bear Jamboree closed Sept. 28-30
  Liberty Square Riverboat closed Sept. 6-12
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
  Primeval Whirl closed Sept. 2-30
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
  Lights, Motor Action! Stunt Show closed Sept. 11-24
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach is closed for refurbishment Sept. 28-30.

Dogs to Cause a Splash at Cypress Gardens

As you know, the summer months in Orlando can get quite hot. While us humans can just cool off with a nice dip in the pool or grab some ice cream to bring down our body temperature, the dogs are usually left inside to sit in the AC. Well, all of that is about to change! Give your dog a refreshing new break from the heat by heading over to Cypress Gardens on October 4th from 11 am to 3 pm for “Rusty’s Pool Party.” Cypress Gardens will be going to the dogs for one day only! Held at Cypress Garden’s Splash Island Waterpark, dogs will be allowed to be let off the leash and take a dip in the pool themselves! Reward your dog for a long summer spent in the AC with this invigorating change of pace!

Dogs can slip and slide throughout the water park and cool off from the summer heat at this ultimate canine pool party! Let your dog take a swim in the wave pool or climb up the Polynesian Adventure Water Fortress! And, treat your dog to a chicken-flavored snow-cone to cool off that panting tongue! There are plenty of activities for owners and guests, as well. There will be lots of fun games and even a canine bathing suit contest.

Cypress Gardens has paired up with the Polk County Humane Society for this unique event. For only $10 a dog and their owner can enter the pool party. Additional members to the party can enter the park for only $5 each. Children 9 and under are allowed in for FREE! All of the proceeds go towards the Polk County Humane Society. Spaces are limited, so we highly recommend that you participate in advanced registration! The application for your dog to participate can be found on the Polk County Humane Society website. Register today and spoil your four-legged friend at this special event!

Only one dog per human owner is allowed and dogs must have proof of current vaccinations. No child under the age of 16 will be allowed into the park without adult supervision.

A Fall Chill Is Moving In On Your Orlando Vacation

Nothing can cool off an Orlando vacation like a little bit of ice, and this fall, ICEBAR Orlando is plunging into Orlando’s hip entertainment scene with 50 tons of the stuff. ICEBAR Orlando is the first ever permanent all-ice exhibit to hit the Orlando vacation circuit, and it is sure to become an Orlando hotspot in no time.

ICEBAR Orlando is made entirely of ice – 50 tons of ice. The walls, tables, chairs, bars and sculptures are solid ice. And it’s cold. ICEBAR Orlando will maintain a temperature of below-freezing 27 degrees Fahrenheit. What could be more refreshing during your hot Orlando vacation?

At 1000 square feet, ICEBAR Orlando is the largest permanent ice bar in the whole country. It is the first of its kind anywhere in the southeast, and it should be a must see on all Orlando vacation lists.

Here’s how the ICEBAR Orlando experience works:

First, make a reservation for your 45-minute ICEBAR Orlando expedition. Arrive early so you can hang out in the super hip Chill Lounge, a brand new 4000 square foot Nordic style bar that serves as the fabulously unique entrance to ICEBAR Orlando.

When your ICEBAR Orlando reservation time rolls around, you will be provided with a designer cape, thermal for the utmost warmth, and gloves to keep you cozy during your 45-minute frozen treat. If you’re over 21 years old, a delicious premium vodka cocktail comes with admission, and it is delightfully served in an glass made of – you guessed it, ice. (Under agers get an icy drink too, just without the vodka.)

Once your drink is frozen in hand, you are free to explore this icy wonderland. Sit on an ice-chair, chill at an ice table and admire some spectacular ice sculptures. Your timed ICEBAR Orlando expedition will be the adventure of a lifetime, and when your time is up, you can enjoy a few more drinks and live entertainment at the Chill Lounge.

ICEBAR Orlando is located on International Drive. Formerly known as the Glo Lounge, the totally chill and completely renovated ICEBAR Orlando officially opens on October 1. Admission to ICEBAR Orlando starts at $35 per person, and don’t forget that includes a premium vodka drink for anyone over 21. Reservations are required. There is no admission charge or reservation required for the Chill Lounge.

Disney Vacation News – August and September, 2008

The Inside Disney Ticket on What’s Going Down at Disney World this Fall

Any time of year is a great time for a Disney vacation. Even though the summer season is quickly coming to a close, there is still tons of Disney fun coming up in the next few months. In fact, the last half of the year is one of the most event-packed times at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Here’s a list to give you the inside Disney ticket on the Disney vacation happenings this fall down at Disney:

Disney Vacation News – 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Epcot’s most popular annual event starts in less than a month and you need a Disney ticket to get in. This year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins on Friday, Sept. 26 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 9. The theme for the 13th annual Epcot Food & Wine Fest is “Great Foodie Cities of the World.” Disney tickets required for admission.

Disney Vacation News – Night of Joy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This popular Christian music event has been a part of Disney vacations since 1983. The dates for 2008 are Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6. This year’s lineup features 16 of your favorite Christian artists, including tobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, MercyMe, Rebecca St. James and more.

Night of Joy is switching venues this year, and the Christian music gala will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the first time ever. Night of Joy 2008 promises to be an exciting and inspirational weekend, and it is a separate ticket event that is not included with your regular Disney tickets.

Disney Vacation News – Disney Step Classic
This inaugural event, where high school and college step teams will compete, takes place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on the weekend of Aug. 29 and 30. This is the first time the step competition will be held at Walt Disney World, and it is open to the public. Tickets are available for purchase, and the Disney Step Classic is not included with a regular Disney ticket.

Disney Vacation News – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
A little further off is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, scheduled for select dates throughout September and October. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate ticket event held at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park, and admission is not included with a regular Disney ticket.