Munich’s Oktoberfest, the 16-day traditional German festival, officially kicks off for 2012 on September 22, but in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot, guests celebrate with a crackerjack quartet every week of the year. The Oktoberfest Musikanten (German for “Oktoberfest Musicians”) plays polkas and waltzes inside the Epcot Germany Pavilion while lunch and dinner guests at the Biergarten Restaurant enjoy bratwurst, sauerkraut, pork schnitzel and spaetzle.

Bandleader Martin Gross is from Buffalo, NY, but is of Austrian heritage and grew up hearing classic folk music around the house. Martin took what he expected would be a one year position with Oktoberfest Musikanten before Epcot even opened in 1982. He’s now been with the band for all 30 years of its existence. In this, you’ll also hear from accordion player Edi Hadner, who’s originally from Austria and joined the band (only) 20 years ago.

Read more about Epcot in the posts below:

• Skinnygirl Entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel Added to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Lineup
• Epcot Photo Flashback: From the Cranium Command Control Room
• Vintage Epcot: Introducing Dreamfinder

Tagged: Epcot, Oktoberfest, Video, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

I absolutely love to travel, but I’ve never made it Germany for Oktoberfest. Lucky for me, the Downtown Disney District will be filled with the German spirit as it hosts Oktoberfest for the first time later this month.

I’m most looking forward to seeing the bands in full costume that will be performing throughout the Downtown Disney District nightly October 23-25. If you want the full experience, don’t miss all three groups:

*Alphorngruppe, a German alphorn ensemble, performing near ESPN Zone October 23-24 between 6 and 10 p.m.

*Stu Undem Band, a five-member polka band that will be strolling throughout Downtown Disney District October 23-25 between 6 and 10 p.m.

*Doug Lacey, a polka-playing accordion musician, performing throughout Downtown Disney District October 23-25 between 6 and 10 p.m.

Need more inspiration to come down for the chicken dance? Maybe these photos will help:

The UVA Bar & Café has a special menu featuring kasknoedel, Oktoberfest sausage, backfish, wurstsalat, schweinefleisch and apfelstrudel now through October 31. Want more for less? You can catch these menu items at 50 percent off during happy hour at UVA Bar and Café between 3 and 5 p.m. October 23-24. During happy hour, you can also grab $5 Oktoberfest beers and $5 well cocktails and house wines by the glass.

What do you love most about Oktoberfest? The sausages, beer, lederhosen, Bavarian music? (Remember to keep it family-friendly).

Hope to see you there!

Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney, Oktoberfest

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, Downtown Disney District, Special Events