With great fanfare, Epcot celebrated its 35th Anniversary on October 1, 2017. The commemorative ceremony featured an incredible Epcot Musical Tribute by the legendary Voices of Liberty, singing classics like Making Memories, Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit, One Little Spark, and Horizons. Fans were treated to special D23 presentations and a unique Epcot 35 Tribute following IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth that evening—renamed IllumiNations 35 for the occasion.
But the celebration didn’t stop there! If you’re an Epcot fan, you know that every fall brings the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, a highlight of which is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. This nightly concert series features popular bands from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s and is included with Epcot admission. During the 35th-anniversary celebration, the series welcomed its first-ever country performer—Mark Wills!
Mark Wills: Country Music Meets Disney Fandom
It turns out Mark Wills is more than just a talented country artist—he’s also a huge Disney fan. In fact, Mark proudly calls himself the “Disney Fanatic of Country Music.” During the festival, Mark performed three sets per night at the America Gardens Theatre, delighting the crowd with his hit songs and infectious enthusiasm for Disney.
In this special episode of Sam’s Disney Diary, you’ll find highlights from three different YouTube videos featuring Mark Wills at Epcot 35:
- Media Interview: Mark shares his Disney fandom and what it means to perform at Epcot during its milestone celebration.
- Eat to the Beat Performance – Set 1: Watch Mark in full concert mode, engaging the crowd with his signature blend of country hits and personal Disney stories.
- Eat to the Beat Performance – Set 2: Mark delivers an energetic second set, capturing the magic of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
Mark even wore an Epcot 35 “I Was There” T-shirt during his performance—a testament to his genuine love for Disney and the Epcot experience.
Watch the Full Performances
Check out the full interview and concert footage in Sam’s Disney Diary episodes on YouTube. Whether you’re a fan of Mark Wills, Disney, or country music, these videos are sure to bring a smile to your face.
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