Eat to the Beat Concert Series at Epcot was amazing. I've gone to Epcot a lot of times, but during…read moremy visit for a conference in October, I had a chance to attend Eat to the Beat Concert series twice! The Eat to the Beat Concert Series is a lively music concert held during the park's annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. It's in the outdoor amphitheater at the America Gardens Theater, located near the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase. Each evening during the festival, the stage has three shows. The three shows are usually at the following times - 5:30 P.M, 6:45 P.M, and 8:00 P.M. The concert series features a wide range of musical arts. This is free too! It's automatically included with your park admission. There are dining packages available though if you'd like a guaranteed seat for one of the performances. You can book at a participating restaurant for a meal and receive a badge that grants access to a reserved section of the theater for the night's show. I ended up seeing two different performances. The first evening I attended, I saw Hanson. They were incredible, and they played many of their biggest hits. I ended up standing in the stand by line about 20 minutes prior to the show. The location I got to sit at was in the middle of the theater area. It was a great spot. The second one I saw the M-80's. The M-80's recreate the songs of original artists using instruments, costumes, and creative arrangements. I never heard of them before until the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, but their live performance was incredible. My favorite song that they performed was Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses. I'm not sure if they tour around the US, but if you get a chance to hear the the band, I'd highly recommend it. It was so much fun! Depending on the concert, I'd recommend arriving early. Seats can fill up fast! If you're interested in seeing the year's full lineup, you can check out Disney World's website Eat to the Beat concert series schedule!

Eat to the Beat is one of the best concert series Disney puts on. It takes places during the Food…read moreand Wine Festival each year at EPCOT. It is located in American Gardens theatre in the America pavilion. This event brings music talent to the stage to perform their greatest hits. A lot of the singers are older and more popular years ago, but they still put on a great show. We absolutely love this show. We come every year, usually to see Billy Ocean. He is such a class from my childhood and my husbands. "When the going gets tough..." Such a classic! He kills it every year and really puts on a great show. The actual show is about 25-30 minutes, and they do 3 shows per night. We like the later shows, since the sun has set and the lights are just more illuminated on stage, it makes for a better experience, in our book. Disney will usually post way ahead of time the acts coming, this allows you to plan. More popular acts are going to be tougher to get into see. There are two options to view this show. You can stand in the regular line and hope that there are enough seats when they open the ropes. Again, more popular acts such as Boys 2 Men and Joey Fatone and friends are going to be busier, so you will need to get in line early and stay in line. You might not get into the show but if so, stay in line, since you hopefully can get into the next one. However, you can also do the dining package. This is what we always do especially when it is someone we really want to see. This allows you to pay for dinner at one of the EPCOT restaurants and then receive a guaranteed seat for the show. You line up on the opposite side, and they allow you to enter first. This allows us to usually get a front row for our favorite acts. This has to be booked in the "My Disney Experience" and not all restaurants are available. They also only offer a select number at east location. You will want to act fast, again especially for those bigger acts. The price is a little bit more that paying for item ala cart however, if you choose wisely, you can maximize your price and only end up paying a few dollars more for the seats. Your meal includes an entree, a dessert and a drink (including alcohol). The prices for these vary from $60 to over $100 per person. The more expensive locations will charge a higher price. Overall, this is a great experience. You are enjoying the food and wine festival and then you also get to experience a concert! All included in your ticket! We love it every year and always make a point to go at least once. It has become our tradition. It is about to end but I would highly recommend checking it out next year and adding it to your list of Disney must do's!

The International Festival of the arts is a definite favorite of mine. Well there are plenty of…read morefestivals that happen throughout the year at Epcot, this one is one I hate missing and always try to make it a point to go to at least once during the season. I love how they celebrate all of the different countries holiday traditions. This includes of course the different food and drink kiosks. But it also includes entertainers from each of the different countries that highlight the different traditions they hold. Some of my personal favorites are meeting with Father Christmas in the UK pavilion, and the Japan pavilion showcasing their traditional dolls and how they bring in the new year. Overall: A++ I've got has plenty of festivals throughout the year, but this is one you should definitely make sure to go to and experience all the different countries holiday traditions!

A great place for a sweet treat to escape the Florida heat. The cookies this year are amazing and…read moretheir Hot Cocoa by Joffreys with the Whipped Cream Vodka is FIRE! Super strong so make sure to share (not kid friendly).

Today was the 1st Annual Homespun Chic Marketplace. This is a great event that bring independent…read moreartisans and designers from around Central Florida offering handcrafted wares. Fueled by the "Buy Handmade" movement, the marketplace is at the backbone of a growing craft culture, seeking to prove to Americans that high quality, everyday items are easily available at places other than the mall. This marketplace also offers shoppers an easy way to give back to the community. A portion of this year's event sales are being donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida. Bees Knees Sweet Treats, The Daily City and Yelp were all tables upon the entrance of the event. The weather was not the best but everyone stuck it out because there was a great amount of people that came out and most of the event was inside anyway. It was awesome to see this beautiful array of homemade goods from jewelry, all natural cleaning products and hand bags to wall murals. There were 20 Vendors and included the following: http://www.appleandivy.com/ over 25 different silk designs that are featured on 24 different products including neckties, bow ties, cuff links, bow headbands, flower headwraps, flower headbands, flower hair clips, bow hair clips, square pendant necklace, circle pendant necklaces, bracelets, ponytail holders, hair pins and earrings. http://www.bluewhaleboutique.com/ http://www.tracybdesigns.com/ http://www.snugglebugcollection.com/ http://www.etsy.com/shop/twofloridagirls http://www.aflavoredlife.com/ Aprons http://www.tdsfp.com/ Photographer http://www.etsy.com/shop/indobaytextiles http://www.etsy.com/shop/babysisterdesign http://www.etsy.com/shop/mccaligiuri Personalized Correspondence Stationery, Note Pads, Tags and More! http://www.etsy.com/shop/mrsjonessoapbox Providing simple, healthy solutions for one of life's less glamorous jobs. http://www.etsy.com/shop/kbainsley Really awesome event with a great turnout, can't wait to see it next year.

What a lovely time! The Red Chair Affair kicks off the cultural season in Orlando and various…read moreartistic groups perform short sets, around ten minutes long each. It's a great way to find out about various musical, theatrical, and dance groups. As someone who recently moved here from NYC, I was impressed with most of the performances. It made me want to get out and attend more of these types of events in Orlando. For future reference, it fills up quickly so get their early for a good seat. Most of the people were dressed in cocktail or "nice night on the town" attire and a lot of the women were wearing red dresses. There were a number of middle school or high school age kids in attendance, which I think is great.

Fun event! So great to see a sampling of all the talent and arts available in the Orlando area.read more

I made my way over to the Disney & Pixar Short Films at Epcot during my last visit to Epcot for the…read moreRunDisney Springtime Surprise, 2026. This was one of the best breaks we had for most of our trip. The attraction is very straightforward. Once inside the film theater, all you do is pickup your 3D glasses and watch a series of Disney/Pixar short films. Since there isn't simply one film presented. which is what I personally preferred, but rather a series of several shorts shown together, each with their own individual feel, they offer a good variety! The most impressive thing I found with these films was how well they tell a story. It's truly amazing how you can create a memory and enjoy something so much in less than five minutes! The 3D visuals added another layer of enjoyment which made it even easier to become immersed in the film rather than just simply watching on your TV! Another reason why I enjoyed seeing these films is we were able to take a nice break! Sitting in front of an air conditioned movie screen allowed us to take a break from being outside in the heat. Waiting wasn't long for each film, nor did we have to commit a lot of our day to see these shorts! If you've seen some of the other Pixar Shorts, then you may have limited options with this one. However, If you have never seen them or want something mellow, then it is a great choice! I enjoy all of the Pixar shorts and try to watch this each time I visit Epcot!

HEART WARMING FILMS THAT THE ENTIRE FAMILY WILL ENJOY…read more We visited the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival attraction at EPCOT (World Celebration near Figment Journey into Imagination). We really enjoyed the three 3D animated features. The total time for the three films is around 20 minutes. The first BW and color Mickey Mouse film, Get a Horse, is one of the better 3D movies at Disney World with its high def super sharp images. The 4D effects were few including a bumpy seat. The other two animated movies, Feast and Piper, are heart-warming movies that earned applause from our audience that day. I later learned that each film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. The films are shown in a large theatre - the attraction was a walk on (Spring Break weekend - late morning).

My family and I visited Disney World over the Holidays in December. We ended up booking a dining…read morepackage at the Garden Grill for the Candlelight Processional showing around 6:45 P.M in Epcot. The Candlelight Processional is hosted in the American Gardens Theater in the World Showcase at Epcot. Since we had a dining package reservation, when we showed up for the processional around 6:30, there was seating reserved in the middle area! We had a amazing view even though it was a little further back! This year, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays was presented by AdventHealth. Gloria Estefan was our speaker and she was phenomenal! She was singing along with the choir too and dancing! It was such an awesome experience! The time went by so fast! The Candlelight processional was a retelling of the Christmas story, with a 50-Piece orchestra and a choir! This was one of the best experiences I've had at Disney World and I am so glad my family had booked the dining package for the Candlelight Processional. There was a standby line for the Candlelight Processional, but it was long! There are three shows each evening though when the Candlelight Processional is showing over the holidays. You'll want to check online to see who the speaker is for each evening! There are so many different celebrities that come and narrator the Candlelight Processional! This is a must go see if you're visiting Epcot over the Holidays.

Beautiful. Stunning. An absolutely "must-do" if you're at Disney during the holidays…read more I'm a local and annual passholder. Hubby and I see this every year. We've been married 20 years. This should definitely sell you on seeing it: I am a pagan and look forward to it every year. Granted, I see it as fiction, but the choir - Oh my! The choir will send shivers up your spine! So, if you are like me and do not have a Christian bone in your body, I'm telling you, this is still totally worth your time (just try not to giggle at the narration). Ahhhh... almost forgot. Speaking of the narration, we have seen some of the most amazing narrators over the years. So many famous people! Neil Patrick Harris is always my favourite! Tip: Check the schedule each year for a list of narrators and the specific dates.

The dining room at Beauty and the Beast is stunning. The chandeliers, ceiling art, and overall…read morearchitecture are exactly what you expect from a Disney themed experience. It delivers spectacle and nostalgia at first glance and it sets the tone well. Visually it is impressive enough that you will take a moment just to look around before you think about the food. The food was better than expected. The blue cheese and walnut salad was fresh and well balanced with the right level of acidity. The entree portions were generous. The steak was cooked properly and came with a sauce that had depth. The chicken dish was flavorful and plated cleanly with roasted vegetables that had real color and brightness. Even the fries were elevated. The rose dessert is visually beautiful and clearly designed for photos. It tasted pleasant and light. Service was excellent. Our waitress was on point from the moment we sat down. Our glasses were never empty. She checked in often, smiled, and made the dinner feel warm and welcoming. We were lucky with our seating. When Beast came out for his performance, we were front and center which elevated the entire experience. I never did anything like this as a child, so experiencing it now as an adult with my boyfriend felt personal and special. It was money well spent to step into a childhood dream and enjoy it with someone I love. This is a fantastic experience that Disney offers to bring fantasy alive for children, and for adults who never had the chance to see it that way. I could not have been more pleased. In terms of value, the price matched the experience. It is not a restaurant I would visit solely for food, but that is not the point. The food supports the fantasy. The fantasy carries the experience. If you want immersion, nostalgia, beauty, and a well executed performance layered into dinner, then Beauty and the Beast delivers.

I'm surprised how great the state show was. I really got into it. Once again, it's a classic Disney…read moreshow coming back from the MGM days. Whenever I have family in town, we always make sure to stop in and watch this show. No matter your age, you will get into it.

You can't come to Disney and not see this. Magical, breathtaking, never gets old. Crowded- as…read moreexpected- get your snacks and spot early. You'll be singing along in amazement while watching the projections on Cinderella's castle and the fireworks shooting off into the sky right above it in this spectacular 19 min show! I tear up everytime.. even knowing I'll be back every few months !

Get ready to cry all the tears, because this show always gets me in my feels…read more My one MAJOR complaint is that the cast members tasked with crowd control aren't willing to be confrontational with guests when it counts. We had secured seats well over an hour before the show was starting and then 10-15 minutes into the show people came and stood in the walkway in front of us. I just wish Disney closed the walkways to outside traffic or something once the show has already started, as it negatively impacts the guest viewing experience. The quality of the show itself is top tier, as the combination of projection, audio, and fireworks is truly unmatched. I was very pleased that the focus of the show was on the old, nostalgic Disney movies (think Toy Story, Hercules, Mulan, and Frozen) rather than some of their newer or live action projects. Trust me, it is worth missing out on that one last ride to get good seats for this show!