Epcot is offering a fun and artistic new festival. We’ll take you to the park where every parent comes out tired and show you the creative new offering which has roots in the Food and Wine Festival, Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts!

Festival of the Arts

This coming Friday thru Monday, Epcot International Festival of the Arts will host a special musical showcase at the America Gardens theater. This special program will celebrate favorite Disney music sung by Broadway stars. This weekend will feature Josh Strickland and Ashley Brown. They will perform songs from Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Tarzan.  Performances are scheduled for 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm Friday thru Monday at the America Gardens theater.

This year’s International Festival of the Arts also features special kiosks similar to the Food and Wine Festival. These kiosks are located around World Showcase and feature special food and drink options!

Below is a snippet from Disney Worlds official events page.

Experience the ultimate cultural celebration as food, art and entertainment perfectly merge into this all-new event!

Kick off your year with 6 superb weekends featuring world-class cuisine, visual art and live Broadway entertainment!

Spring has sprung early at Walt Disney World Resort! From January 13 through February 20, Epcot is hosting the most colorful, delicious, musical celebration for the arts ever—it’s everything you love about the park, rolled into one spectacular salute.

Introduce your inner connoisseur to the first annual Festival of the Arts, an exciting extravaganza replete with extraordinary artists, gourmet fare, stage productions and other amazing acts. Different events are scheduled each week, so pack your palate—and your palette—because magic truly is in the eyes of the beholder!

More Info can be Here

Now on to the photos!

Welcome to Epcot!
Welcome to Epcot!
There's exclusive pass holder entry here now too.
There’s exclusive pass holder entry here now too.
Festival of the Arts just started this weekend!
Festival of the Arts just started this weekend!

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Guys there's a Figment topiary!
There’s a Figment topiary!
Pretty awesome.
Pretty awesome.

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Lots of art on sale throughout the park.
Lots of art on sale throughout the park.
Also, Figment related event merchandise.
Also, Figment related event merchandise.

Mary Blair & Herbert Ryman Exhibits:

One great addition is you get to see original artwork from two well-known artist, Mary Blair and Herbert Ryman get their own exhibits during this festival.

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Inside the Odyssey building, there is a gallery of Mary Blair pastel art.
Inside the Odyssey building, there is a gallery of Mary Blair pastel art.

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Very cool.
Very cool.
There is also a walk through class in the center of the building.
There is also a walk through class in the center of the building.
The other side of the building features Herb Ryman EPCOT Center art.
The other side of the building features Herb Ryman EPCOT Center art.

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Horizons.
Horizons.

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Amazing to see such great art on display in the park.
Amazing to see such great art on display in the park.

Food, Wine and more:

No festival is complete without food and wine, this event is no different and you will see the same pop-up kiosks that have been used in the past. Of course those who want to partake will need to pay the premium price.

There are also Food and Wine style booths through World Showcase.
There are also Food and Wine style booths throughout World Showcase.

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They have a Figment themed scavenger hunt.
They have a Figment themed scavenger hunt.

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Pretty cool looking dishes.
Pretty cool looking dishes. Look at that cake!

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That looks like the Le Cellier risotto, if anyone is interested.

Artwork and More:

With “Art” in the title this report wouldn’t be complete without photos of the various artwork you can purchase. There is also a “Expression Station” which lets you paint a square which at the end of the day will create a mural for all to enjoy.

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At the Expression Station, guests can individually paint a tiny square, and by the end of the day, create a mural.
At the Expression Station, guests can individually paint a tiny square, and by the end of the day, create a mural.

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Some Star Wars art for sale.
Some Star Wars art for sale.

 

Epcot Refurbishments:

Like clockwork Disney starts refurbishments throughout Walt Disney World at the first of the year. Most of the work is cosmetic and the attractions remain open. Scrims are up in Canada and there appears to be some work being performed for the Flower and Garden Festival in various locations.

Tarps up in Canada.
Tarps up in Canada.
On the path from World Showcase to Future World, big green tarps are up. My only guess would be Flower and Garden preparation.
On the path from World Showcase to Future World, big green tarps are up. My only guess would be Flower and Garden preparation.
Artists painting in the park throughout the day.
Artists painting in the park throughout the day.

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One more Figment shot.
One more Figment shot.
Overall, this festival has a very EPCOT Center-like feel to it. Lots of neat learning opportunities, and the vast majority of it is included in park admission. Very cool!
Overall, this festival has a very EPCOT Center-like feel to it. Lots of neat learning opportunities, and the vast majority of it is included in park admission. Very cool!

 

Current WDW News:

  • People around the world use service animals to help them in the everyday activities of life, most are dogs and some cats. On the rare occasion there have been even been pigs or goats, and one woman has a monkey! It’s true, it happened on Sunday. Disney’s official policy does not include Service Monkey’s but Disney will accommodate. Official Documentation can be located here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/service-animals
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently introduced a new  Star Wars Guided Tour.  This 7 hour tour will include an opportunity to participate in “Jedi Training: Trails of the Temple”, a special viewing area for “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away”, a journey on “ Star Tours- The Adventure Continue”, a chance to explore “Star Wars Launch Bay” and both dinner at a quick service restaurant and a dessert party as you experience “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show. Tours are currently scheduled to be offered on Monday and Saturday. Cost is $129 per a person. How does that sound?

 

Time to head out!
Time to head out!

 

That does it for this week’s article. Do you like what you see? Will you be attempting to head out to enjoy the festival? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.