Our team of chefs and beverage experts are cranking up fast for the 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, with food, wine, beers and cocktails taking center stage around the World Showcase Promenade and all across Walt Disney World Resort.

Look for classic Scottish dishes that are still in the development phase, but the cocktail of choice will be a Rusty Nail, a popular Scotch whisky martini that is simply Scotch and Drambuie. Scotland is just one of more than 25 ethnic and specialized marketplaces – and we’re happy that Brazil returns this year, a crowd favorite that was missing in 2012.

Hawaii is back with the fab pork slider, as well as the vegan Terra Marketplace that debuted last year.

Favorite celeb chefs are back. Look for Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Gale Gand, Art Smith, Buddy Valastro, Bryan Voltaggio, Warren Brown and others to make appearances at special events and on stage in the Festival Center. Wine tastings, mixology seminars, cheese seminars, live entertainment and the engaging Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog give guests of all ages plenty to see and do. More than 270 chefs and culinary stars from the U.S. will be there.

The 46-day festival runs September 27-November 11. You can start making reservations in August at 407-WDW-FEST (date to be announced soon)! Keep an eye on www.epcotfoodfestival.com for updates.

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, International Food and Wine Festival, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Summer will be here before you know it. So what will you do on your vacation? Well, if the Walt Disney World Resort is on your list for June, then here are a few merchandise special events you don’t want to miss.

June 3-6: Greg McCullough will be on hand for a special artist showcase at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2–6 p.m., each day. Learn more here.

June 7: Disney Design Group Artist Natalie Kennedy will be appearing at Disney’s Pin Traders in Downtown Disney Marketplace from 5-7 p.m. to sign the latest pin and Vinylmation release in the 2013 series. Learn more here.

June 13-16: Be sure to stop in and say hello to Larry Dotson, who will be showcasing some of the newest releases in his collection at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Not able to make it? That’s okay! Larry will also be appearing at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park, June 27–30. Learn more here.

June 14: It’s a “monstrous” job but someone’s got to do it. Meet Disney Design Group artist Ron Cohee, who will be on hand for a special appearance and signing of the new Monsters University Series 1 Vinylmation. Ron will appear at D Street in Downtown Disney West Side from 5–7 p.m. Learn more here.

June 15–16: Rev up those engines and make plans now to drive down to Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney West Side at the Walt Disney World Resort. Fellow author Steven Miller will have all the details on what you can expect to see, including details on a special signing with none other than Chip Foose, owner of Foose Design and star of TV’s “Overhaulin’.” Learn more here.

June 21: This one is a personal favorite, since I’m a huge fan of “Beauty and the Beast.” Make your way over to D Street in Downtown Disney West Side and pick up the new Vinylmation releases from the “Beauty and the Beast” series designed by Maria Clapsis and Caley Hicks. Join us for a special signing on the day of release from 5-7 p.m. Learn more here.

June 22: If you are a fan of the limited edition Ink & Paint cels, then be sure to check this piece out. Hollywood & Dine is set to release on June 22 at Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and features Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they enjoy a star-filled evening at Hollywood Brown Derby, accompanied by an exquisitely hand-painted Goofy, who is sure to serve up only the best. Hollywood & Dine will be available in a variety of formats. If you are unable to attend, don’t worry, Disney Events is taking pre-orders now through June 21. Call 407-827-7600. For those of you in the area, several of the Ink & Paint artists associated with this piece will be on hand for a special appearance and signing June 22 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–5 p.m. at Animation Gallery in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Learn more here.

June 27–July 3: Art of Disney in the Downtown Disney Marketplace is pleased to welcome David Doss, who will be on hand to showcase some of his most recent releases. Learn more here.

June 28–July 7: Precious Moments doll maker Linda Rick will be on hand for special appearances at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park as we celebrate the release of her new collection. Learn more here.

Have you already attended Star Wars Weekends at Disney Hollywood Studios? Or have you signed up for the 13 Reflections of Evil Trading Event? If not, there’s still time. Don’t miss out! Look for details on all of these events and more on www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.

Tagged: Vinylmation, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

This week, we shared more details on what you can expect during the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter on May 24, including an early look at the great food and merchandise available at the parks.

During the 24 hours of fun, many of your usual favorite shows will be happening throughout the day, but we also have some extra things planned just for this event. Shawn has a wonderful rundown of what’s happening at the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter.

Also this weekend, Star Wars Weekends launched its galactic celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Gary shared a few new things to look for during the event in his original story.

Take a look at the list of scheduled celebrities for next weekend:

Weekend II (May 24-26)
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Jim Cummings (voice of Hondo Ohnaka – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Rubber Duck Race Benefits Charity at the Disneyland Resort – Hundreds of rubber ducks raced for charity this week at the fifth annual “it’s a small world” duck race at Disneyland park.

A Floridian’s Top 10 for a Disney Summer: Discover Some Walt Disney World Resort Summer Favorites – Take a look at the top ten events and activities happening this summer at Walt Disney World Resort.

The New Adventurers Outpost Opens Today at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Check out the Adventurers Outpost, the new exploration headquarters for Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Good Afternoon from Disneyland Park – Erin shows us a great shady spot to enjoy the sights and sounds at Disneyland Resort, and asks what your favorite spot is to relax and cool off at the Disneyland Resort.

runDisney Fuels Your Healthy, Active Lifestyle – Tara Gidus, the official nutritionist for runDisney, shares recipes and nutrition tips for a healthy lifestyle.

Caption This: Arriving in Style at Magic Kingdom Park – Jenn asks you to “Caption This” photo of Donald and Goofy showing off their water skiing skills in front of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Parks After Dark: A Windy Night at Disney California Adventure Park – Take a look at some of the beautiful photos taken on a windy night at Disney California Adventure park as part of the “Disney Parks After Dark” photo series.

Tagged: DLR, Star Wars, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort