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Food and wine lovers can rejoice with the vast array of satisfying treats awaiting them at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival being held September 30 to November 13, 2011. With seminars, special events, cooking demonstrations and dining events taking place during this festival, there is something for everyone to enjoy – especially if you like food and wine!

The Festival Welcome Center will provide you with your Marketplace Discovery Passport that will get stamped each time you dine in the International Marketplace where a world of flavors awaits you from foods to luscious wines. With your Passport you can plan your day filled with international cuisine and culinary demonstrations. Admission to Epcot Theme Park is required.

The International Marketplace features over twenty-five international kiosks where you can sample foods from six continents with regional specialties along with recommended wine and beer pairings. Countries represented include Australia, Brazil, Scandinavia, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa and many others. There is a Brewer’s Collection along with Hops & Barley for beer lovers and a Cheese kiosk along with Desserts & Champagne.

Eat to the Beat! Concert Series – While at the festival you can enjoy a variety of music from soul, rock, R&B, and jazz with artists like Taylor Dayne, Jon Secada, .38 Special or Billy Ocean to name a few. Premium events include opportunities to meet chefs, celebrity speakers or winemakers that require an additional charge but they can be booked online:

“3D” Disney’s Dessert Discoveries – Hosted by DeKuyper Cordials & Liqueurs, if you have a sweet tooth you can enjoy delectable desserts while sipping cordials and a VIP viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

Party for the Senses – You can enjoy dining while listening to popular artists and performances by Cirque du Soleil acts. This is presented by Vanity Fair, maker of premium napkins and plates.

Culinary Demonstrations – You can learn how to make your own delightful dishes when you watch a 45 minute demonstration by celebrated chefs and beverage professionals.

Mixology Seminars – You can learn how to make your own trendy cocktails at this Happy Hour where a mixologist will demonstrate and serve cocktails.

Beverage Seminars – A beverage expert or a winery representative will provide you with helpful tips while you sip wines or other beverages.

Mexican Pavilion Lunch or Tequila Tasting – You can sample tequila while dining on regional cuisine or you can have snacks while you taste your tequila.

Italian Pavilion Events – You will be able to try four different events at the Italian Pavilion from pizza and Italian beer pairings or desserts and Italian wine pairings. Others include a five course white truffle lunch with Italian wine pairings or a food and wine pairing with four courses.

French Pavilion Events – The French offer three different choices: lunch paired with wines from various regions, dinner by Chef Paul Bocuse, a 3 star Michelin chef and wines from the Rhone Valley or a tasting event of Grand Marnier.

At the Festival Welcome Center you will also find book signings by famous chefs and other food and wine experts along with celebrity cooking demonstrations. Plus you will find lots of shops that can explored throughout the International Food & Wine Festival.

For those planning a trip to Disney World between September 13 and November 1, 2011, you could take advantage of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party that is scheduled on special dates at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. This event provides you with the opportunity to enjoy Halloween in a completely different way that the whole family will enjoy.

Because the theme of the event is titled Not-So-Scary, it means that the event will be appropriate for children of all ages so that the emphasis is on fun – not scary. There will be special music and lighting in specific areas of the Magic Kingdom along with Halloween themes to transform them into happy little haunted places for the family to enjoy.

As always at Disney World you can expect to be entertained in interesting and fun ways. Here are some of the reasons why you should take advantage of this special event to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:

Halloween Costumes – Everyone in the family can dress up in their best Halloween costume because guests of all ages are encouraged to attend – from the little ones to adults – all will enjoy getting a chance to show off their favorite character with a costume that puts them in the mood for a party.

Trick-or-Treat – Everyone can collect candy the same as you would do at home – only you get to do it at the Magic Kingdom making it even more enticing.

Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade – Stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction and other Disney Characters will be part of the parade led by the Headless Horseman. Many will be in Halloween costumes including some well- known Disney Villains that you can “BOO” as they pass by.

Fireworks – A special Happy HalloWishes fireworks show will showcase the Disney Villains again – only this time they will go trick-or-treating in the sky.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is not scheduled every day during this period but only on specific dates. In September it is only scheduled two days per week – Tuesdays and Fridays - starting September 13. In October it continues its two day schedule but on different days each week with the schedule escalating towards the end of October with a final party on Tuesday November 1, 2011. Check the website for exact dates.

Attendance at Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party will require the purchase of a special event admission ticket. Why not make this year’s Halloween extra special by spending it at your favorite theme park - Disney World?