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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A hip new food-and-wine-tasting party, an elegant Signature Dinner series, weekly Vertical Tastings and the prestigious Bordeaux Wine School program join the popular lineup of events Oct. 19-Nov. 17 at the seventh annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Returning by popular demand around the park’s World Showcase are The Robert Mondavi Family of Wines guided tour, “From Vine to Wine,” Lifestyle Culinary Demonstrations at The Terrace and “History of Beer in America” by the Boston Beer Company, makers of Samuel Adams beer.

Dozens of performers ranging from acrobats to musicians add street-festival energy to the daily fun of this seasonal culinary celebration. Walt Disney World Resort guests can toast the festival with champagne and gather information at the new Festival Welcome Center across from the Future World Fountain and Innoventions Plaza. An exciting new “Discover Andalucia, Spain!” cultural experience celebrates the region’s olives and olive oils, famous tapas, fine sherries, skilled craftsmen and dazzling Flamenco dancers.

The food and wine festival around the World Showcase Lagoon is one of the world’s largest and expands with new offerings each year. More than 100 wineries offer tastings, and cuisine is featured from more than 20 countries and regions of the world at international marketplaces. In addition to the 11 World Showcase countries, festival marketplaces will serve up samplings from South Africa, Scandinavia and other regions, with appetizer-sized tastings from $1-$4.50.

Scheduled events in addition to daily experiences include:

Bordeaux Wine School, a one-day wine education program with lunch and wine school certificate presented upon completion, Nov. 7-10, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for $100 at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion.

Party for the Senses, a hip, hot celebration of the senses featuring more than 30 wines with flavorful foods every Saturday, 6-9 p.m., for $79 in World Showplace.

Food & Wine Pairings, featuring wine principals pairing great food and wines, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 4-5:30 p.m., for $30 at the Coral Reef Restaurant in The Living Seas pavilion.

Reserve Dinners, for an elite dining experience that marries great wines and food and includes VIP viewing of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” Thursdays and Fridays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., for $150 at the Wonders of Life pavilion VIP Dining Room.

Additional events in celebration of the festival are:

Signature Dinner Series, with five courses and wine pairings from up to three selected wineries, Sundays, 6-9 p.m., starting at $100 to be held at a different venue each week including California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Bistro de Paris at the Epcot France pavilion.

Vertical Tastings, a rare opportunity for wine lovers to sample 10 vintages from stellar producers and hear VIP wine speakers, Saturdays, 2-3:30 p.m., starting at $75 at Ariel’s at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

This year, dozens of wineries will conduct free seminars in tents alongside World Showcase, and talented chefs will explore culinary customs and food trends at the complimentary Lifestyle Culinary Demonstrations at The Terrace, an alfresco-like setting between the Morocco and France pavilions. Also at The Terrace, guests can explore the Festival Wine Shop and see Artisans Among the Arbors -- an eclectic array of artists.

A special program for children ages 4-10, “Making Nestle Toll House Cookies,” bakes up a storm each day from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at The Land pavilion. The Land’s “Pumpkins & Gourds Galore!” is a fall harvest celebration with kids’ activities surrounding pumpkin patches, exotic gourds and melons.

Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, including The Robert Mondavi Family of Wines tour, wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations, is free with regular Epcot admission of $48 ages 10 and up, $38 ages 3-9.

The festival takes place during 100 Years of Magic, Disney’s yearlong celebration honoring founder Walt Disney on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Guests are treated to new parades, live shows and attractions in a four-park celebration.

Guests can call 407/WDW-DINE for information or reservations for special events and programs during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, or visit the web site: www.disneyworld.com and link to Epcot for festival details.

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As part of the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT this year, Disney is starting a new tradition, a Food and Wine Festival Concert Series.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Food, wine and music fans can “Eat to the Beat” of a new concert series and enjoy an entertainment bonanza by performers of many cultures at the seventh annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Oct. 19-Nov. 17 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Name entertainers booked for the “Eat to the Beat!” concert series will perform three half-hour concerts daily on the America Gardens stage:

Oct. 19-23 - Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards
Oct. 24-28 - Mary Wilson of the Supremes
Oct. 29-Nov. 2 - Sister Sledge
Nov. 3-7 - Little Anthony and the Imperials
Nov. 8-12 - The Fifth Dimension
Nov. 13-17 - Chubby Checker

Throughout World Showcase, food and wine marketplaces will serve up appetizer-sized portions and wine samplings from $1-$4.50 while performers from many countries weave music, dance, acrobatics and other acts into the festivities. Entertainment slated for the event include:

The 1960s British rock 'n' roll revival sound of The British Invasion (United Kingdom)
The gravity-defying Dragon Legend Acrobats (China)
OrisiRisi interactive drum circle and African folklore (Outpost)
Magnificently costumed Character Masquerade (Italy)
The enigmatic Imaginum statue act (France)
High-energy Celtic music of Off Kilter (Canada)
The Arabic rhythms of Mo’Rockin (Morocco)
Matsuriza traditional Taiko drummers (Japan)
American Vybe, with swing, jazz and gospel sounds (American Adventure)
Rhythms and harmonies of internationally acclaimed Mariachi Cobre (Mexico)
Norwegian folk music of Spelmanns Gledje (Norway)
Oktoberfest Musikanten dinner show (Germany)
In Epcot Future World, the popular JAMMitors will perform their own comedic brand of “clean-up” percussive artistry. Twice-nightly performances of the “Tapestry of Dreams” parade are slated in World Showcase, and the evening music, light and fireworks finale, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” will cap each festival evening.