Walt Disney World guests can sip new wines, beers and cocktails, savor delicious new marketplace tastes and enjoy live entertainment all day long at the 17th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival from Sept. 28-Nov. 12, 2012.

The 46-day festival at Disney’s Epcot theme park serves up authentic cuisine from six continents; wine, beer and inventive new cocktails; nightly Eat to the Beat! concerts with entertainment ranging from rock and soul to funk and blues; cultural exhibits of more than 25 international regions; and regularly scheduled performances by acrobats, musicians, dancers and comedy troupes. Exotic marketplaces from Hawaii to Belgium offer exciting taste treats. The festival is believed to be the largest food and wine event of its kind in the world, beginning at the Festival Welcome Center in Future World and fanning around the promenade encircling World Showcase Lagoon.

Here are some facts about the 17th annual event:

  • More than 300 national and international wines

  • A record 46 days long

  • More than 76 kinds of international foods, each appetizer-sized portion priced $3-$8

  • 160 of America’s most celebrated chefs and Walt Disney World chefs

  • More than 300 wine and beer seminars

  • More than 1,200 fireworks exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” grand finale to the festival

  • 138 Eat to the Beat! concerts performed

  • 33,000 bottles of wine and champagne

  • 1.5 million sumptuous samplings throughout the festival; 600 items tasted during VIP Chef Tours

  • 300,000 wine servings

  • 360,000 servings of beer

  • 100,000 desserts including Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranate; Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote; and Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel (Desserts & Champagne marketplace). More than 500 pounds of watermelon to be tasted at the 3D Disney’s Dessert Discovery parties.

  • More than 5,000 pounds of lobster for Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Rolls and Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddlers at the Hops & Barley marketplace plus Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie at the Ireland marketplace.