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My family never really needs a reason to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida because we love Disney so much. But I do think a good reason to visit this time of the year is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.
Like Epcot’s other festivals, the Festival of the Arts takes place all over Epcot theme park. It begins on January 12, 2024, and runs through February 19, 2024. It is actually one of Disney World’s newest festivals.
I’ve really loved going these past few years. I feel like every year it gets better and better. I’m really looking forward to leaving for Florida in a few days so I can get back to the festival. Especially because I think this year may the best festival yet.
Why do I think this? Well, keep reading to find out what Epcot has on tap for this year’s Festival of the Arts. And, because we’re Green Vacation Deals, we’ll also give you some tips at the end to help you save money on your trip.
Entertainment
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
Enjoy Disney showtunes performed by Broadway stars!
During the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, stars from Disney Broadway musicals sing fantastic songs (including Disney tunes) at the America Gardens Theatre, an open air theater that’s part of the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase.
The stars include:
- Heidi Blickenstaff (Freaky Friday, The Little Mermaid)
- Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast)
- Bradley Gibson (Hercules, The Lion King)
- Mandy Gonzalez (Aida)
- Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast)
- Caissie Levy (Frozen)
- Patti Murin (Frozen)
- Shoba Narayan (Aladdin)
- Michael James Scott (Aladdin, Tarzan)
- Kissy Simmons (The Lion King)
- Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
- L. Steven Taylor (The Lion King)
Here’s a schedule of performances:
- January 12: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 13: Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 14: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 15: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 16: Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 17: Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 18: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 19: Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 20: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 21: Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 22: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 23: Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
- January 24: Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 26: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- January 27: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- January 28: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- January 29: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- January 30: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- January 31: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- February 1: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- February 2: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- February 3: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- February 4: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- February 5: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- February 6: Ashley Brown and L. Steven Taylor
- February 7: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- February 8: Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland
- February 9: Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott
- February 10: Bradley Gibson and Shoba Narayan
- February 11: Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott
- February 12: Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott
- February 13: Bradley Gibson and Shoba Narayan
- February 14: Bradley Gibson and Shoba Narayan
- February 15: Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott
- February 16: Bradley Gibson and Shoba Narayan
- February 17: Bradley Gibson and Shoba Narayan
- February 18: Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott
- February 19: Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott
Please note that this schedule is subject to change, such as if a performer were to get sick.
Each day, there are three performances:
- 5:30 PM
- 6:45 PM
- 8:00 PM
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Package
You can’t buy separate tickets to the DISNEY ON BROADWAY performances – they’re included for free with park admission.
However, if you want to guarantee that you’ll get a seat, you should take advantage of a Disney on Broadway Dining Package.
How it works is that you’ll eat a meal at one of the participating restaurants the day of the performance. At the meal, your server will give you (and everyone at your table) concert seating badges. Before the performance, you’ll bring your badge and get in the special line for those who got the Dining Package. This line is guaranteed seats and will also get to enter the theater first.
The restaurants included are:
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- Biergarten Restaurant
- Coral Reef Restaurant
- Garden Grill Restaurant
- Le Cellier Steakhouse
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
- Rose & Crown Dining Room
- Spice Road Table
You’ll need to make reservations in advance for all except one. When you make your reservations, you’ll select the time of the performance you want. The only restaurant that does not require advanced dining reservations is Regal Eagle, as long as there is still same-day dining package availability when you get there. (So if you choose to eat at Regal Eagle, you’ll want to do so earlier rather than later.)
Additional Entertainment
Musical Performances
In addition to the DISNEY ON BROADWAY concert series, musicians will be performing in World Showcase Plaza each day.
Featured magicians include:
- Dominic Gaudious (digeridoo)
- Victor Espinola (harp)
- Nicholas Marks (guitar)
- Don Black (saxophone)
Showtimes will be available on the My Disney Experience app.
Art Defying Gravity
During these exciting performances, you’ll witness incredible acts of flexibility, strength, and agility. This also takes place in World Showcase Plaza, but only Saturday through Wednesday (so not on Thursday or Friday).
Again, the My Disney Experience app is the place to check for showtimes.
Interactive Art
Learn to Draw
Are you an artist, or would you like to be?
You can learn to draw a Disney character at the Animation Academy! This experience takes place twice daily, at 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM, in American Gardens Theatre.
You’ll get to learn from an expert animator, such as:
- Hannah Loflin
- Luke Consolo
- Will Gay
- Alex Maher
- Matthew Dewater
- Brian Blackmore
- Michael Montgomery
- Andy Quiles
- Sarah Schmidt
- David Holbrook
- Justin Dring
- Lon Smart
Wall Mural
Take part in painting a huge wall mural!
At Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural, you can get paint, a brush and a number assigned to you. Then you’ll fill in a few squares of the mural that correspond with your paint color. This experience is available between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM each day.
Chalk Art
Also from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, children can draw their own chalk art creation. This takes place on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza.
And if you’d simply like to enjoy chalk art, you’ll be happy to know that chalk drawings of Disney characters can be found throughout the World Showcase. Additionally, along the bridge to World Showcase Plaza, you might even see a chalk artist at work!
Photo Ops
Have you ever wanted to step into a painting and become part of a work of art?
At these fun themed photo opportunities, you can step into backdrops perfect for memorable photos. There will also be Disney PhotoPass photographers at each location to take your photo.
You’ll find the photo ops at the following locations:
- The Scream – Edvard Munch (Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion)
- Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci (Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion)
- Wish Storybook (Bridge to World Showcase)
- Forest Scene from Sleeping Beauty (Bridge to World Showcase)
- An Homage to Frida Kahlo (Mexico Pavilion)
- Teatime with Penguins (Italy Pavilion Courtyard)
- Washington Crossing the Delaware – Emanuel Leutze (The American Adventure)
- Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir (International Gateway)
Scavenger Hunt
For $9.99 plus tax, you can purchase Figment’s Brush with the Masters, a child-friendly scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt package, consisting of a map and stickers, is available at World Traveler, Port of Entry, and Creations Shop.
During the hunt, you’ll look for Figment hidden inside art at each of the World Showcase pavilions. Once you spot Figment, you’ll mark this on your map with a corresponding sticker. Return your completed map to World Traveler or Disney Traders and you can get a small keepsake.
Festival Food & Drinks
You can find beautiful and delicious dishes (and drinks!) at 16 Food Studios (i.e. food booths or kiosks) throughout Epcot theme park. We discuss them in detail in our Festival of the Arts food & drinks guide.
Ten of those Food Studios are located in the World Showcase, at the following pavilions:
- American Adventure
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Between Morocco and France
You’ll find the other six at the following locations:
- World Discovery (2 kiosks)
- The Odyssey
- Near Creations Shop
- Near Port of Entry (2 kiosks)
And you can also purchase special festival offerings at nine permanent locations in the theme park:
- Connections Eatery
- Refreshment Outpost
- Refreshment Port
- Funnel Cake
- Swirled Showcase
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company in World Discovery
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company near Disney Traders
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company at the American Adventure Pavilion
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company at the Canada Pavilion
Choose from a large selection of exquisite food, from a deconstructed key lime pie to roasted bone marrow to a sushi donut to hummingbird cake to cast-iron roasted PEI mussels and so much more. And drinks include everything from cocktails to beer to wine to a grape smoothie with freeze dried Skittles and more.
Check out all the Festival of the Arts food and drink menus here.
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
If you purchase 5 out of a list of 7 select items, you’ll get a free Artist Palette Cookie!
Here are those 7 dishes:
- Figment’s Inspiration Station – Blueberry-Filled Pastry Tart with Purple Icing
- Pop Eats – Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
- Pop Eats – Tomato Soup with Pimento Cheese, Bacon and Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese
- Vibrante & Vívido – Chorizo and Potato Empanada with Turmeric Aïoli and Annatto Aïoli
- Gourmet Landscapes – Verjus-Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese, Blackberry Gastrique, Petite Lettuce, and Spiced Pecans
- The Deconstructed Dish – Deconstructed Key Lime Pie
- Deco Delights – Neapolitan Dessert Trio
Just make sure you pick up a Festival Passport, which is a small little booklet generally distributed wherever you find park maps. Each time you buy one of those special items, you’ll get a stamp added inside your Festival Passport.
Shopping
Art Pieces
Throughout the World Showcase, there are festival kiosks where you can purchase pieces of art.
Among the featured artists are:
- Yesenia Moises
- Ann Shen
- Ryan Riller
- Shane Grammer
- Daniel Killen
- John Nadeau
- Punky Aloha
- Josey Tsao
- Maria Stuckey
- Alex Maher
Festival Merchandise
One of my favorite characters, Figment, is featured on a lot of festival merch this year! This includes a Festival of the Arts spirit jersey, cute plush, and more. In fact, the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Collection also includes a limited edition Magic Band Plus, drinkware, home decor, trading pins, Pandora charm, and more.
Additional Options
The Festival of the Arts is a wonderful place to purchase beautiful crafts, artwork, photography and more.
Featured vendors include:
- Thomas Kinkade Studios
- David E. Doss
- Larry Dotson
- HAF2Paint
- Julia Gabrielov
- Crystal Dombrosky Fine Art
- Disney Fine Art by Collectors Editions
- Noah Fine Art
- Simone Amaduzzi Photography
- Paola Gracey
- ACME Archives
- Merideth Young
- Rob Kaz
- Name Works
- Promenade Fine Art
- Dave Avanzino
- McCullough Art
- William Silvers
- Pop Gallery
- Spin Art
- Sandbox Creations
- Scooter
- Jasmine Becket-Griffith
Epcot Travel Tips
Staying at one of the hotels nearest Epcot is the most convenient way to experience the Festival of the Arts. Last year, for example, we loved being able to walk back and forth between the festival and Disney’s Beach Club Resort!
The Disney Skyliner will be down for routine maintenance during part of the festival, from January 16 to January 27. But if your trip doesn’t include those dates, you might want to stay at a Disney resort with Skyliner access: Pop Century Resort, Riviera Resort, Art of Animation Resort and Caribbean Beach Resort.
And if you purchase your Disney World tickets here, you can save money on park admission!