The 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival comes to Walt Disney World Resort from September 30 to November 13. This event is so popular that when reservations open on August 16 at 7:00 am for the special programs being held during the festival, foodies will be flooding the reservation center to make sure they have coveted tickets to the popular programs. The good news is that the smart folks at Disney have scheduled several dates for some of the most popular events, which include:

• "3D" Disney's Dessert Discovery

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Construction of Disney World’s new and improved Fantasyland is full steam ahead, but another revamp and reconstruction of a Disney World property has stalled. Disney’s Hyperion Wharf area is being built in the area which once housed Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was an adult-centric venue with nightclubs, restaurants, bars, etc. Most of the nightclubs and other adult venues were shuttered in 2008, and plans for Hyperion Wharf were announced at the end of 2010.

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The Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is an onsite hotel at Walt Disney World with an equestrian theme. The hotel is in the deluxe category of Disney World lodging, meaning that it has all the bells and whistles you could dream of where Disney hotels are concerned.

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First there was Pirates of the Caribbean. Then the Haunted Mansion. Now, rumor has it that yet another Disney attraction will be the subject of a feature-length film. Based on the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disney, the movie is tentatively titled “The Hill.” The film is being touted as an adventure movie about a group of people who climb to the top of the Matterhorn. As is the case with the ride, as they journey down the mountain, they come up against an abominable-snowman type monster that lives in the mountain, the Yeti.

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Not surprisingly, the Fourth of July is a very popular time to visit Disney World. Yes, it will be hot. And yes, there will be crowds. But as a reward for putting up with the heat and long lines, there are some special events for Independence Day holiday visitors. Here’s a rundown of planned special events:

At the Magic Kingdom, the fireworks extravaganza “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will color the skies with red, white, and blue at 9:00 pm on July 3 and July 4. The show is accompanied by patriotic music.

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Disney’s California adventure in California already has it, and now the Magic Kingdom at Disney World Resort in Florida is getting it too. We’re talking about the Under the Sea—Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction currently under construction at Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland—also under construction due to the major expansion the area is currently undergoing.

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In order to make room for the Fantasyland upgrade and expansion at Magic Kingdom theme park at Disney World, Mickey’s Toontown had to be removed. Sad news for some, but the Fantasyland expansion does include plans for a similar spot. An area called Storybook Circus is part of the new Fantasyland. The area is based on the Disney animated film “Dumbo,” the story of the elephant with the huge ears who has been a Disney favorite over several generations. The circus train Casey Jr.

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A couple months back we told you about the redesign of over 500 rooms at the Port Orleans Riverside hotel at Disney World. While this resort is in the moderate category of Disney World rooms, these are truly rooms fit for royalty—especially Disney princess royalty. And now these rooms are available for booking, with occupancy scheduled for January. “The Princess and the Frog” star Princess Tiana sort of calls Port Orleans “home,” because she’s from New Orleans.

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Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, continues to grow even after all these years, with a current onsite Disney hotel under construction—the Art of Animation Resort. This resort will fall into the budget-friendly value resort level, meaning it’s grouped with the cheapest onsite hotels at Disney World. Just because the price is right, however, doesn’t mean Disney has scrimped on offering hotel guest the whole Disney experience. This resort celebrates the bread and butter of Disney—animation!

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The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Disney Hollywood Studios combines classic drive-in movies and table service—you can even sit in a car while you eat and watch clips from classic sci-fi B-movies such as “Attack of the 50 ft. Woman,” the wonderfully campy “Plan 9 from Outer Space,” and more. The car booths at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater are modeled after the classic cars of the 50s and 60s. They are also wildly popular with guests of all ages and you need to request a car booth when you check in.

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