Epcot News & Rumors

EYE-FILLING VIEWS 

Snug in their X-2 space trainer, Walt Disney World guests on the new Mission: SPACE attraction rocket off to Mars in a one-of-a-kind experience. For each Epcot voyager, the wonders of space pour through their viewports. From pulse-racing liftoff (pictured), Florida falls away from view as the blackness of space envelops the crew. After dodging a meteor shower and other in-flight surprises, astronauts push deeper to their first jaw-dropping views of Mars. A landing attempt on the forbidding Martian landscape awaits. To add to the realism of the experience, Walt Disney Imagineers used computer-generated photo-realistic imagery straight from NASA spacecraft.


Baka Beyond
(July 29-August 10)
This band enchants audiences with its beautiful harmonies and melodic rhythms.


Bering Strait
(June 13-29)
Born the children of scientists and engineers from a Soviet city, they have performed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry, released their first CD and have been the subject of a full-length film documentary called The Ballad of Bering Strait.


Brother
(July 15-27)
This Australian band recently opened for the hit rock group Pearl Jam. They'll get Epcot guests into a groovy mood with various guitar riffs and out-there indigenous instrumentation.


Mestre Ambrosio
(August 12-24)
These Brazilian musicians delight audiences with a mix of Latin rhythms and energetic dance steps.


Richard Wood
(July 1-13)
From Prince Edward Island, Canada, Wood is a young fiddling dynamo who combines fiddling virtuosity with outstanding showmanship.

Epcot's World Music Concert Series

Bering Strait, the Grammy-nominated Russian group that recently made a big splash in country and bluegrass music, kicked off the lineup of global performers for the Epcot World Music Concert Series June 13 through September 1.

The series will be a feast for the senses featuring musical acts with influences from all parts of the globe. Epcot guests will enjoy musicians from Russia, Africa, Europe, Canada, Brazil and Australia.

"This exciting and unique musical series is a blending of the cultures through the fusion of music," said Angie Howard, show producer for the concert series. "We believe Epcot guests will enjoy performances from each of these groups. They intertwine cultures by fusing traditional grooves with modern vibes."

Popular international touring groups will perform each Tuesday through Sunday, with a resident Epcot World Showcase performing group taking the stage each Monday during the event. Performances will take place each day at 5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 p.m. on the America Gardens Theater stage.

 

Mission: SPACE--By the Numbers

Mission: SPACE, presented by HP, will send Epcot guests on an out-of-this-world adventure. This awesome attraction features ride technology never used before in a theme park, and gives guests the incredible sensation of lifting off and traveling through outer space.

Work Load: It took more than 650 Walt Disney Imagineers more than 350,000 hours over five years to work on developing Mission: SPACE.

Moon Missions: The 29 missions that the US and the Soviet Union sent to the moon between 1959 and 1976 are all noted on the moon sphere in the Planetary Plaza.

The Right Red: Nearly 100 shades of red were mocked up before Imagineers decided on the color of the red planet that dominates the dramatic facade.

How Big Is It? Jupiter is the biggest celestial body in the Planetary Plaza at 16 feet in diameter. Earth is 10 feet in diameter and the moon is 12 feet in diameter.

How Sweet It Is: It would take 13,136,640 jellybeans to fill the Earth sphere in Planetary Plaza, 22,702,080 to fill the moon sphere and 53,809,920 to fill Jupiter.

Loading Up: There are four ride systems in this attraction. There are ten capsules in each ride system. Four people can ride in each capsule. If all capsules in each of the ride systems are at capacity, 160 guests can take this awesome adventure at the same time.

Tech Overload: Two primary computers on the ride system control the entire ride and show functions. In addition, there are 30 motion-controlled computers on board. They control altitude during flight. Finally, there is a show-control computer that operates the interactive functions within each capsule.

Looking Ahead: Guests will travel in the X-2 rocket on their mission to Mars. The design of the rocket is based on advanced propulsion technology, which could conceivably take astronauts into deep space in the future.
 

8th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Presents Creative Fare Oct. 18-Nov. 16

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney guests will sample wines from renowned vintners and boutique wineries, taste creative cuisine of many regions and soak up non-stop entertainment during the eighth annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Oct. 18-Nov. 16 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

One of the world’s largest food and wine experiences with more than 100 wineries represented, the festival expands each year with new offerings and events. The park’s 11 World Showcase countries and special festival marketplaces will serve up food and wine samplings from exotic regions around the globe, with appetizer-sized tastings ranging from $1-$4.50.

Guests also can enjoy scheduled culinary demonstrations, complimentary wine seminars, a nightly outdoor concert series with name entertainment and multi-cultural performances. For beer aficionados, there are the "History of Beer in America" tastings and seminars by the Boston Beer Company, makers of Samuel Adams beer.

The Party for the Senses food-and-wine-tasting event, Food and Wine Pairings, prestigious Bordeaux Wine School program and nightly Eat to the Beat! concert series will return by popular demand.

Dozens of performers ranging from acrobats to musicians add street-festival energy to this seasonal culinary celebration. Walt Disney World guests can toast the festival with champagne and get information at the park’s Festival Welcome Center across from Future World Fountain and Innoventions Plaza.

Scheduled events in addition to daily experiences include:

å Eat to the Beat! concert series with evening performances by popular entertainers on the America Gardens stage.

å Party for the Senses, a hip, hot celebration of the senses featuring more than 30 wines with flavorful foods every Saturday in World Showplace.

å Bordeaux Wine School, a wine education program with lunch and wine school certificates presented upon completion, at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion.

å Food and Wine Pairings, featuring wine experts pairing great food and wines, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Coral Reef Restaurant in The Living Seas pavilion.

å 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,
at the Wonders of Life pavilion VIP Dining Room.

Additional events in celebration of the festival are:

å Signature Dinner Series, with five courses and wine pairings from up to three selected wineries, to be held at a different Disney signature resort restaurant each Sunday.

å Vertical Tastings, a rare opportunity for wine lovers to sample 10 vintages from stellar producers and hear VIP wine speakers, Saturdays.

Talented chefs will explore culinary customs and food trends during complimentary demonstrations at The Terrace, an alfresco 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, is offered at The Land pavilion.

Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, including wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations, is free with regular Epcot admission.

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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