One of my favorite events during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series that is featured throughout the entire festival.

The America Gardens Theater (In the American Pavilion) hosts performances from major recording artists every year as part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This 2019 year, Epcot is hosting 39 musical acts, which has been their biggest and best line up ever. Bands across all genres from the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s take place on this stage in the American Pavilion. It is important to note that valid Epcot admission is required and all entertainment and artist appearances are subject to change or cancel without notice.

This Year’s General Event Details:

Where: America Gardens Theater  (American Pavilion) in World Showcase

When: Daily from August 29 through November 19, 2019

Showtimes – Sundays to Thursdays: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM

Showtimes – Fridays and Saturdays: 6:30 PM, 7:45 PM and 9:00 PM

What I love about the Eat to the Beat Concert Series is that an Eat to the Beat Dining Package is also offered for this event. This dining package entitles guests to breakfast, lunch, or dinner at 15 different Epcot restaurants, and also includes same-day reserved seating at the Eat to the Beat Concert that evening.

The same day reserved seating for the concert is in the covered section of the pavilion and is in the middle section of the theater. This has been my second year using the Eat to the Beat Dining Package, and to me, it is SO worth it. These past 2 years, I have been 3rd row for both of the 98 Degrees concerts that I attended at Epcot. I find that if there is a musical act that you really love, purchasing the Dining Package is totally worth it because you are guaranteed such great seating.

Dining reservations are at least 2.5 hours prior to the Eat to the Beat concert time. I have always done a 5:15 PM or 5:30 PM dinner time, and then caught the last show of the Eat to the Beat concert series for that night. (Since there are 3 shows each night, it works out this way so that I can see the 3rd show with reserved seating). If you can plan to visit early on in the day, I would consider eating lunch with the package, getting a reserved seat for the earliest show, and then joining the general admission line to catch the acts for the 2nd and 3rd showing if you have the time and don’t mind waiting. Living in Orlando and working full time, I picked the time that worked best for me, which is why I only saw the last show. If it were up to me, I would have been to every one of them while 98 Degrees was there! 😉

Once you have eaten your meal and paid the bill, you will be given a receipt to show the host stand before you leave. In return, they will give you a sticker that you must wear valid for 1 showtime that same day. Guests with reserved seating should arrive to the American Gardens Theater at least 15 minutes prior to the concert start time and enter through the designated reserved seating entrance. However, I arrived 45 minutes before the show time and there was already a line forming for the reserved seating. The earlier you are in line, the more chances you’ll be in the front row or towards the center of the stage.

The Eat to the Beach Dining Package varies depending on what time of day you are eating: Breakfast packages include 1 buffet or family-style dining where applicable. Lunch and dinner packages include your choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage or full buffet. These package prices exclude tax and gratuity, and you must have a valid Epcot admission ticket. If you are using the Disney Dining Plan, the Standard Disney Dining Plan and Deluxe Disney Dining Plan can be used to pay for the Dining Packages. Just know that it will use 2 table service credits per person for any mean/restaurant. Depending on the restaurant you choose to eat at, the price will vary slightly.

Both times I have purchased the Eat to the Beat Dining Package, we have eaten at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria inside the Italy pavilion, basically because it is our favorite Epcot restaurant, and rivals some of the other pizza locations that we eat at around Orlando. Via Napoli tends to also be one of the cheaper options of the Dining Package, which is a bonus as well.

Our food included:

Appetizer:

Arancini: Fried Risotto Balls, Mozzarella, Meat Ragu (Dan)

Mozzarella Caprese: Fior di Latte Mozzarella, Vine Ripened Tomato, Basil (Me)

Entrée:

Individual Pepperoni Pizza (Me)

Individual Picante (Spicy Sausage) Pizza (Dan)

Dessert:

Zeppole di Caterina: Ricotta Cheese Fritter served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (Both of us because they are SO good!!)

Overall, do I think the Eat to the Beat Dining Package is worth is? ABSOLUTELY. I have always been a 98 Degree’s fan since boy bands were my entire childhood. My 10-year-old heart was loving it and knowing I was so close that I could see their faces and the sweat and humidity on their faces made it so worth it! If there is a band or singer that you know for sure you want to see and want to make sure you get a good seat without having to stress about it, the Eat to the Beat Dining Package is for you!

Thinking of wanting to visit Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival next year? Contact me for details and let me help you plan your trip! My services are always free!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly