LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Top musical acts ranging from the Go-Go’s and Hanson to The Manhattan Transfer and Boyz II Men will rock audiences with their greatest hits during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Six new Eat to the Beat acts – the Go-Go’s, Edwin McCain, The Manhattan Transfer, Wilson Phillips, Spin Doctors and Christopher Cross — and 13 returning bands take their turn on the America Gardens Theatre stage during concerts at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily.  The lineup (subject to change and included in Epcot admission) includes:

Sept. 27-29          STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”

Sept. 30-Oct. 1     NEW!  Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat”

Oct. 2-4                Air Supply “All Out of Love”

Oct. 5-6                Sister Hazel “All for You”

Oct. 7-9                Sugar Ray “Fly”

Oct. 10-11            NEW!  Edwin McCain “I’ll Be”

Oct. 12-13            NEW!  The Manhattan Transfer “Boy from New York City”

Oct. 14-15            NEW!  Wilson Phillips “Hold On”

Oct. 16-17            The Pointer Sisters “I’m So Excited”

Oct. 18-20            Night Ranger “Sister Christian”

Oct. 21-23            Boyz II Men “End of the Road”

Oct. 24-25            Survivor “Eye of the Tiger”

Oct. 26-27            38 Special “Caught Up in You”

Oct. 28-30            Smash Mouth “Walkin’ On the Sun”

Oct. 31-Nov. 1     NEW!  Spin Doctors “Two Princes”

Nov. 2-3               NEW!  Christopher Cross “Sailing”

Nov. 4-5               Hanson “Give a Little”

Nov. 6-8               Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX “Come Sail Away”

Nov. 9-11             Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O”

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

Guests also can sip and nosh their way around the World Showcase to see performers from many countries weave music, dance, acrobatics, comedy and other acts into the festivities.  A sampling of World Showcase entertainment includes:

High-energy Celtic music of Off Kilter (Canada)

The Arabic rhythms of Mo’Rockin (Morocco)

Perfect harmony of Voices of Liberty (American Adventure rotunda)

Infectious beat of internationally acclaimed Mariachi Cobre (Mexico)

Retro British hits by British Revolution (United Kingdom)

Jaw-dropping stunts by The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats (China)

Hilarious antics of World Showcase Players (United Kingdom)

“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” lights up the World Showcase with lasers, music and fireworks to provide a “wow” ending to each festival evening.  Visit EpcotFoodfestival.com and watch for festival updates.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney guests can sip and savor fresh flavors from six continents during the 18^th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney chefs will debut the authentic tastes of Scotland at the celebrated 46-day festival known for innovative food, wine, beer, cocktails, music and entertainment.  The sizzling aromas of more than 25 ethnic and specialized marketplaces including Africa, Brazil and Florida Local will tempt guests strolling the World Showcase Promenade.  Celebrity chefs like Warren Brown and Jamie Deen will bring culinary cachet to special festival events and demonstrations.

Festival planners will present a delectable menu of premium programming, plus daily wine tastings and mixology seminars.  Nightly Eat to the Beat concerts will keep the party rockin’, and five bands will make their festival debut this year.  In Future World, the iconic Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog will return for a third year to introduce families to the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.

Fresh for 2013:

New marketplace debuts; favorites return -Traditional flavors with a twist will pair with beers, meads and Scotch at the new Scotland Marketplace designed by Walt Disney Imagineering.  Scottish officials were so impressed with the hit Disney film, “Brave,” that they contacted festival planners about participating in this year’s festival.  The Brazil Marketplace returns by popular demand with an exciting new menu following a one-year hiatus.  Hawai’i is back with its flavorful Kalua Pork Slider, and Terra, which debuted last year, returns with vegan favorite Trick’n Chicken Curry.

Fan favorites rock the house at Eat to the Beat! Concerts – “We Got the Beat” with the Go-Go’s (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) and four other musical acts are set to make first appearances at Eat to the Beat nightly concerts.  Also new to the festival stage: Edwin McCain (Oct. 10-11), The Manhattan Transfer (Oct. 12-13), Spin Doctors (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), and Christopher Cross (Nov. 2-3) Nineteen bands are slated, with STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas kicking off the concert series Sept. 27-29.  Returning fan favorites include The Pointer Sisters, Smash Mouth, Boyz II Men, Sister Hazel, Air Supply, Hanson and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Celebrity chefs cook and dish - Renowned chefs like Warren Brown, Paula DaSilva, Gale Gand, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Dean Max, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Art Smith, Buddy Valastro, Allen Susser, “Cake Boy” Eric Lanlard, Duskie Estes and John Stewart, Donald Link, Bryan Voltaggio and Emily Ellyn share their talents during culinary demos and premium events.

Festival Welcome Center buzzes with activities – Guests can make the most of complimentary Authentic Taste seminars.  Culinary demonstrations and wine seminars feature new tastes and sips for a nominal fee.

Reserved culinary events draw foodies — Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers like Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson as they participate in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Other festival highlights include:

• More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country
• A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
• Party for the Senses grand tasting events Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2 featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
• Premium events including “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery on select Fridays, Cheese Seminars on Saturdays and Sweet Sundays on Sundays.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, special book signings, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery 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 and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.  Guests will be able to call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations after an August date is announced.  Information and reservations for select events and programs will be at www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

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The iconic Epcot attraction, a new collaboration between Chevrolet Design and the creative team of Walt Disney Imagineering, celebrates how meticulous design not only shapes the look of Chevrolet cars, trucks and crossovers, but drives their performance on the open road.

For inspiration for the project, Walt Disney Imagineers made numerous visits to Detroit, collaborating with Chevrolet designers and touring the inner sanctums of Chevrolet’s design studios.

“As storytellers, to be able to tell Chevrolet’s design story was fun for our Imagineers,” said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of WDI. “Chevrolet designers come from the same creative roots as Imagineers. Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will become, for Epcot guests, an exciting part of their visit to Walt Disney World Resort.”

Amid upbeat music, eye-popping lighting effects and a collection of Chevrolet concept and new vehicles, guests themselves become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.

“Through an enduring partnership, Chevrolet and Disney continue to inspire generations to imagine the impossible and innovate,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Global Marketing. “The re-imagined Test Track reflects the personality and values of Chevrolet design and offers guests a behind-the-scenes look at a discipline that drives our business. This first-of-its-kind automotive design attraction represents the best of Chevrolet design and Disney innovation.”

Test Track guests enter an all-new, interactive pre-show area with a future-focused design theme – from the fully realized Chevrolet Miray roadster concept car and the Chevrolet EN-V to dynamic media displays including models and sketches of vehicle design possibilities. The sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center” invites guests to create their own virtual custom-concept vehicle.

Car designer wannabes get to shape their own virtual car, truck or crossover and learn how their choices perform against four important performance attributes that guide Chevrolet designers:

• Capability – design your car to handle the roughest roads or most extreme weather conditions
• Efficiency – create a car that saves on fuel, reduces your environmental footprint, cuts down on emissions or even uses recycled parts
• Responsiveness – choose elements that will give you easy maneuverability through the tightest of turns
• Power – choose the gear you need to make your car a racer or a hauler

At design kiosks, rows of touch screens become canvasses for guests to try their hand at automotive design. They can design alone or collaborate on their design with family and friends. Even choose from six different languages.

Here, they can virtual-draw – stretch and shape their vehicle design by length, width, height and engine size — and decide which performance attribute is most important to them. Once they create – from infinite possibilities — the design of their dreams, guests complete their creation with even more choices. They can make a design statement with an expressive front grill, tailored wheels of various sizes and styles, and custom paint with graphics and other vehicle accessories. And the crowning touch of every design – Chevrolet’s world-famous bowtie logo.

Even FASTPASS and single rider guests can choose the performance attribute most important to them and select their virtual car’s profile from a selection of pre-designed vehicles.

Their virtual custom-concept Chevrolet vehicle complete, the adventure then shifts into high gear as guests – armed with a card encoded with their personal specs that allows their design to ride with them and see how it performs – board their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle. Ahead: a thrilling journey into a dazzling multi-sensory, optically charged experience as guests put their personal design through a series of performance tests – the exhilarating heart of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet.

Along their route, riders experience changing terrain and extreme conditions as their designs are scored at checkpoints for Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Power. How does their design stand up to the challenging hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit? How well does it navigate through bumpy roads, icy conditions, turn-on-a-dime curves and other surprises? Their design skills are put to the test – at speeds of up to 65 mph.

The fun and excitement extends to the post-show area, which continues the story of Chevrolet design:

• Scoring their design. Guests get to compare their virtual car’s performance results to that of a baseline “SimCar” – and see how they performed against their fellow “designers” and recent top scorers.
• Guests as freshly-minted car designers can even create their own TV commercial – starring their virtual custom vehicle and adding location, narration and music – and email it to friends and family.
• At a digital driving table laying out a road course, guests have an opportunity to race their virtual custom-concept vehicles against other guests’ designs, over changing terrains and encountering extreme conditions.
• In another experience, guests get to pose for photos with actual Chevrolet vehicles.  Also, through green screen technology — with a few taps on their touch screen — guests suddenly find themselves posing with their virtual concept Chevrolet on the lunar surface, a polar landscape, arcing across the galaxies or other thrilling scenes. The images become easily sharable on social media, sending virtual postcard greetings to family, friends or co-workers back home.
• New and concept Chevrolet vehicles are laid out showroom-style. Guests can get behind the wheel of Chevrolet’s latest production models. Chevrolet product specialists are on hand to answer any questions.

Test Track Presented by Chevrolet continues a 30-year relationship between General Motors and Disney at Epcot dating to the opening of the park Oct. 1, 1982 with World of Motion. Test Track Presented by Chevrolet is included in Epcot admission. For more: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/test-track/

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous, nearly 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom); two water adventure parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon); 35 resort hotels (25 owned and operated by Walt Disney World, includes seven Disney Vacation Club resort properties); 81 holes of golf on five courses; two full-service spas; Disney’s Wedding Pavilion; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; and Downtown Disney, an entertainment-shopping-dining complex.  Walt Disney World Resort is also included in vacation packages of Disney Cruise Line. Located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971. Open daily, year-round.

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TestTrackOpens: 4-3-13:gg

Cocktails are hot at the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. At the Hawaii marketplace, guests can pair the Seven Tiki Mai Tai with a Kalua Pork Slider and at the Scandinavia marketplace, the Xante Sunshine cocktail will refresh palates. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) The Kalua Pork Slider (not the liqueur Kahlua but the Kalua barbecue method of cooking) returns to the Hawaii tasting marketplace at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival running Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) The annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., offers guests the perfect balance of fine wines, delectable cuisine and diverse entertainment. More than 33,000 bottles of wine and champagne are uncorked during the 46-day outdoor festival. (Gene Duncan, photographer) Disney guests Angela Fry of Las Vegas (l) and Diane York of Irvine, Calif., sample the Kalua Pork Slider and beverages from the Hawaii marketplace and other international kiosks at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Brother and sister Brianna and Brandon Lachapelle from Connecticut get ready for their first taste of vegan Trick’n Chick’n curry with basmati rice and Chili Colorado with house-made chips and cashew cheese, both made with Gardein meatless products. Disney chefs listened closely to vegan guests hoping for their own marketplace during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. The Terra marketplace returns for a second season to the 18th annual festival, which runs Sept. 27 – Nov. 11, 2013. (Kent Phillips, photographer) Guests have a little fun while enjoying great food and wine at the France marketplace during Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. Featuring more than 25 international marketplaces surrounding the park’s World Showcase Lagoon, the 18th annual event takes place Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Families discover a smorgasbord of treats at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Guests attending the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort join a daily beverage seminar at the Festival Center. Seminars offer guests an opportunity to meet a featured winery principal or beverage expert, learn a handful of tips and sample select wines/beverages. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Guests attending the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort join a daily beverage seminar at the Festival Center. Seminars offer guests an opportunity to meet a featured winery principal or beverage expert, learn a handful of tips and sample select wines/beverages. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Cranberry grower Peter Beaton greets Disney guests at the Ocean Spray® Cranberry Bog Display during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Throughout the festival, families visiting the display can learn about the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Cranberry grower Peter Beaton greets Disney guests at the Ocean Spray® Cranberry Bog Display during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Throughout the festival, families visiting the display can learn about the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Guests can sample wine, cheese and ethnic tastes from regions around the world during the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Danielle Colding, HGTV Design Star winner, Season 7, on stage at the Festival Center for the HGTV Home Entertaining Seminar. HGTV stars will share ideas throughout the 46-day Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Sept. 27 through Nov. 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Kent Phillips, photographer) As executive chef at Epcot, Jens Dahlmann oversees a culinary team of 350 and also is involved in the year-round preparations for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) As Chef at Epcot, Gregg Hannon specializes in overseeing special events, quick service restaurants and outdoor food service. In addition, Gregg has been involved in research and menu development for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, including food items to be offered at the festival’s international marketplace kiosks. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann (right) and Chef de Cuisine Gregg Hannon research and develop menus for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann (left) and Chef de Cuisine Gregg Hannon work with dozens of Disney chefs to create new dishes for international marketplaces that surround the World Showcase Lagoon during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Formerly a Walt Disney World Resort chef, Marianne Hunnel oversees content development for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. HunnelÕs responsibilities include booking guest chefs, Master Sommeliers, authors, wineries, marketplace kiosk sponsors, and Disney chefs participating in the festival. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Formerly a Walt Disney World Resort chef, Marianne Hunnel oversees content development for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Hunnel’s responsibilities include booking guest chefs, Master Sommeliers, authors, wineries, marketplace kiosk sponsors, and Disney chefs participating in the festival. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Every year, celebrity chefs like Chef Cat Cora and sous chef Robby Sayles of Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn appear at Party for the Senses grand tasting event during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. Cora made an appearance in 2012.  Party for the Senses events are scheduled most Saturdays during the festival, which runs Sept. 27 through Nov. 11, 2013. (Todd Anderson, photographer) Grand tasting experiences take place most Saturdays during the 18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Sept. 27 through Nov. 11, 2013. Each event, held at the park’s World Showplace pavilion in Future World, serves up an evening of exotic taste treats by Disney and celebrity chefs; wines, beers and other beverages from around the world, plus live entertainment.  (Matt Stroshane, photographer) The grand tasting experiences take place several Saturdays during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Sept. 27 through Nov. 11, 2013. Each event, held at the park’s World Showplace pavilion in Future World, serves up an evening of exotic taste treats by Disney and celebrity chefs; wines, beers and other beverages from around the world plus live entertainment. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Bernard Kinsey

Shirley Kinsey

Khalil Kinsey

James Pickens, Jr. – Actor

Chandra Wilson – Actress

Jason Roberts – Walt Disney Imagineering

Carmen Smith – Walt Disney Imagineering Guests to the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot will journey “between the pages” of history as the American Heritage Gallery opens its doors to an art exhibit representing over 400 years of African-American achievement and contribution. “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” which opened March 8, draws from an extensive collection of rare art, documents, books and artifacts amassed by philanthropists Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, who share a passion for African-American history. Guests to the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot will journey “between the pages” of history as the American Heritage Gallery opens its doors to an art exhibit representing over 400 years of African-American achievement and contribution. “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” which opened March 8, draws from an extensive collection of rare art, documents, books and artifacts amassed by philanthropists Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, who share a passion for African-American history. “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” brings to Epcot important African heritage from the collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, featuring 40 pieces of art, documents, books and artifacts spanning more than 400 years of African-American achievement and contribution. Touchscreens and guest-activated lanterns with narration by Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer and other celebrities help bring the history to life at the exhibit, located in the American Adventure Pavilion. Entrance to the exhibit is included in Epcot admission. Epcot is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Bernard Kinsey

Shirley Kinsey

Khalil Kinsey

James Pickens, Jr. – Actor

Chandra Wilson – Actress

Jason Roberts – Walt Disney Imagineering

Carmen Smith – Walt Disney Imagineering