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A big part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, which brings in relatively well-known bands to play on average three sets a day, for two or three days.
It’s a big hit with the crowds, as it’s included in park admission as well as being located in The American Adventure pavilion theater. The theater is outdoors, right on the World Showcase Lagoon and can seat around 1,000 people.
As someone who has been to many concerts there, I offer a few tips for those who are traveling for the first time and plan on seeing a show.
Tip #1: Depending on the band, you should get there early!
Different bands have different fanbases. For example, The Commodores (September 24-25) are going to have a different fanbase than Hanson (September 28-29). Last year, the line for the Hanson sets (they had three different shows a day) started hours before the show. The line wrapped from the theater around towards the Italy pavilion.
Tip #2: If You Don’t Get in the First Show, Try Again!
A common misconception from last year was since the shows are usually consecutive with a small break in-between, once the line was let in those people could stay in there for all three sets. False. If you line up for the first show, you will be let in, watch the show and then asked to leave the theater area. If you were in the first show and would like to watch the second, you’d have to get back in line. Therefore, if the line is large for the first show, you can try and line up for the second or third set and still have a good chance to have a good view inside the theater.
Tip #3: If you can’t get in the theater, don’t worry. You can still view it from outside!
If the lines are too long for you, or if you’re too late to get into the theater area, don’t worry! While cast members have to make sure there’s a clear path for guest traffic, a lot of guests last year were able to sit around The American Adventure and still view the show. There’s plenty of benches in the area or outside seating right across from the theater. Since the theater is completely outdoors, it’s easy to hear with the loud sound systems.
Remember to have fun! The concerts are a lot of fun and the bands usually change their set list every show, so you have an opportunity to hear some new songs every show! The Concert Series starts on September 19 and lasts until November 10.
Here’s a list of this year’s bands:
• Jo Dee Messina – Sept. 19-21
• The Pointer Sisters – Sept. 22-23
• The Commodores – Sept. 24-25
• Christopher Cross – Sept. 26-27
• Hanson – Sept. 28-29
• Air Supply – Sept. 30 – Oct. 2
• STARSHIP Starring Mickey Thomas – Oct. 3-5
• Sugar Ray – Oct. 6-8
• Fuel – Oct. 9-10
• Sister Hazel – Oct. 11-12
• Richard Marx – Oct. 13-14
• Billy Ocean – Oct. 15-16
• Night Ranger – Oct. 17-19
• Smash Mouth – Oct. 20-22
• Jim Brickman – Oct. 23-24
• Los Lonely Boys – Oct. 25-26
• Wilson Phillips – Oct. 27-28
• Dennis DeYoung (Original Member of STYX) – Oct. 29-31
• 38 Special – Nov. 1-2
• Boys II Men – Nov. 3-5
• David Cook – Nov. 6-7
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Nov. 8-10
