Looking Forward to the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The summer is flying by and I, along with many of our readers, are looking forward to the fantastic Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! This year is shaping up to be an exciting event with dates ranging from September 28-November 12, 2012. Growing in popularity every year this special event is a must do for anyone who lives to eat. Spectacular arrays of flavors from around the world are showcased in kiosks located around the 1.2 mile World Showcase promenade. Eating, Drinking, Shopping and Disney; it may just be the happiest time of the year!

Food and Wine Festival is a Fall Favorite
Two new Marketplace Booths are debuting at the 2012 festival that I'm excited about. The TERRA Vegan Marketplace will feature dishes completely free of animal based products such as the Trik'n Chick'n Curry. The second is a local Florida Marketplace featuring fresh Florida grown and produced food with a twist such as the Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables and Crispy Plantains. Both of these new stops around World Showcase swill be fantastic additions and show off how fresh, local and vegan foods can enhance your diet.

Trick'n Chick'n at the TERRA Booth
The Eat to the Beat Concert Series is back, rocking out the American Gardens Theater all festival long with three shows a night. Old favorites will return as well as some new headliners this year Blues Traveler and Javier Colon, winner of "The Voice". This concert series is included in the price of your Epcot admission.

Morocco Booth
We've heard that VIP Chef led tours of the Marketplace will be available on Wednesdays. The very popular Party for the Senses will be returning, as well as the "3D' Disney Dessert Discovery! These are just two of the special events that are planned to treat guests as they explore the world of food. You'll be able to make your reservations for these special ticketed experiences starting August 14, 2012 by calling 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Once you're on site the Festival Center is Food and Wine Festival's hub of information! Stop by to find out what special events may be available to add to your touring schedule.

Stop by the Festival Center
Let's not forget the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is going on at the end of the Festival this year rather than opening weekend. The date for this fun weekend of runDisney racing is Saturday, November 10, 2012 with the spectacular finish line party after hours at Epcot! You can sip and taste your way to the wee hours of the morning.

American Goodness at the Hops & Barley Booth
For all of the up to the minute Food and Wine Festival coverage you can stand, be sure to visit our friends at the Disney Food Blog, where food is a Theme Park! And don't forget to listen in with DFB's AJ Wolfe and our very own Brad Johnson on the Disney Food Blog Podcast!

Are you heading to the Food and Wine Festival this year? Is it your favorite time of year? What are you looking forward to most? Leave a comment and let us know!