The new Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World is all about immersion.
It combines visual arts, culinary arts and performing arts through a variety of experiences offered at the festival.
- JUMP TO: Food Studios
- JUMP TO: Disney on Broadway Concert Series
- JUMP TO: Art Exhibits
- JUMP TO: Complimentary Seminars, Interactive Workshops
The arts festival will have work on display from both classic and current Disney artists as well as live art demonstrations. You will be able to see the work of Mary Blair, Herb Ryman, Joe Kaminski and Costa Alavezos. New art will be unveiled each weekend.
You can find your inner artist with several interactive workshops and seminars that teach everything from animation and cake decorating to calligraphy and origami.
And just like other festivals at Epcot, food will play a big role.
“Food studios” are placed around the World Showcase and each feature artistic culinary creations. The food will be similar in size and price to what’s offered during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. However, there will be some higher-quality, higher-priced items like smoked salmon tartare with caviar and Applewood smoked duck breast at The Masterpiece Kitchen food studio.
A new showcase of music comes to the America Gardens Theatre stage. Different Broadway talent will perform songs from a few Disney On Broadway shows, including “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Lion King.”
Other things to explore at the festival include a Figment scavenger hunt, Kidcot fun stops and a World Showcase tour. In five hours, you can learn about the architecture, culture, food and history of the 11 countries represented at the World Showcase. For more information about the tour, click here.
Here are the top things to look for and experience at the festival.
Food Studios
Seven brand new food studios make their debut during the festival. Each features a variety of culinary options.
The food studios include (starting clockwise around the World Showcase):
- E = AT^2 (near the entrance of World Showcase)
- Cuisine Classique (near Germany)
- The Artist’s Table (at the America pavilion)
- The Masterpiece Kitchen (near Canada)
- Decadent Delights (near Canada)
- Pop Eats! (entrance of the World Showcase)
- The Painter’s Palate (located inside the Odyssey building)
For the full menus and prices of each food studio, click here.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
Broadway actors make up the performing arts portion. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series features performances from Ashley Brown, Mary Poppins on stage; Josh Strickland, Disney’s production of “Tarzan” on Broadway; Kerry Butler, “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway and more.
Performances are at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the America Gardens Theatre.
Jan. 13-16 and Jan. 20-23: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland will perform songs from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “Tarzan,” “Mary Poppins” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Jan. 27-30 and Feb. 3-6: Kerry Butler and Kevin Massey will perform songs from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “Tarzan,” “Newsies,” and “Aladdin.”
Feb. 10-13 and Feb. 17-20: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White will perform songs from Disney’s “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Art Exhibits
Work from Disney artists Mary Blair, Herb Ryan and more will be on display at the Odyssey Festival Showplace. Various galleries can also be viewed and purchased at the different pavilions around the World Showcase.
American Heritage Gallery – American Adventure
Journey through 400 years of African-American achievement
Art of Disney – Future World West
Purchase work by popular Disney artists as well as Festival merchandise
Bijutsu-kan Gallery – Japan
Delve into the origin and evolution of “kawaii,” Japan’s cute culture
Gallery of Arts and History – Morocco
Check out the unique designs of time-honored crafts
House of the Whispering Willows – China
Discover the wonders of the new Shanghai Disney Resort
Mexico Folk Art Gallery – Mexico
Learn about traditional wood carvings and life in the Oaxacan culture
Stave Church Gallery – Norway
Observe art representational of the culture that influenced Disney’s Frozen
Walking Chalk Gallery – World Showcase
Watch imaginative chalk artists recreate works by famous masters
Complimentary Seminars, Interactive Workshops
Several complimentary seminars are available during the festival. Each one takes place at the Odyssey Festival Showplace unless otherwise noted.
Friday, Jan. 13
Ink & Paint
Lynn Rippberger, Disney Animation Ink and Paint Artist
Seminar starts at 1:30 p.m.
Learn the history of 2-D cel animation and how cels are meticulously created.
From Animated Films to Theme Parks
Lon Smart, Creative Concept Artist, Disney Entertainment
Seminar starts at 4:30 p.m.
Discover how creative concepts translate from film to theme park magic.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Artisan Spice Blends Seminar & Tasting
Pam Smith & Nicole Ramsland, P.S. Flavor
Seminar starts at 1:30 p.m.
Taste your way through vibrant flavors while learning how artisan spices are created, promote health and enhance flavor.
Watermelon Carving
Gina Carrilho, Chef Assistant, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort Catering
Seminar starts at 4:30 p.m.
Take away carving tips and tricks for your next party!
Origami Class
Garden Deck at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor session starts at 1:30 p.m.
Disney Cast Members teach origami and explain Japan’s cultural arts.
Anime Drawing Class
Garden Deck at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor session starts at 2:30 p.m.
Disney Cast Members teach anime-style drawing and explain Japan’s cultural arts.
Kagami Biraki
Courtyard at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor sessions start at 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Enjoy Iwaizake (celebratory sake) and learn about “breaking the barrel.”
Calligraphy
Courtyard at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor sessions start at 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Disney Cast Members teach Japanese calligraphy.
Sunday, Jan. 15
Tea Discovery
Karon Cannon, Tea Craze
Seminar starts at 1:30 p.m.
Taste 3 types of tea while learning about its history, health benefits and more!
Photography 101: Magic with Water
Tom Smutny, Disney Photo Imaging
Seminar starts at 4:30 p.m.
Learn about camera settings, lenses and location scouting for the best results when photographing water.
Origami Class
Garden Deck at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor session starts at 1:30 p.m.
Disney Cast Members teach origami and explain Japan’s cultural arts.
Anime Drawing Class
Garden Deck at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor session starts at 2:30 p.m.
Disney Cast Members teach anime-style drawing and explain Japan’s cultural arts.
Kagami Biraki
Courtyard at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor sessions start at 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Enjoy Iwaizake (celebratory sake) and learn about “breaking the barrel.”
Calligraphy
Courtyard at the Japan Pavilion, World Showcase
Outdoor sessions start at 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Disney Cast Members teach Japanese calligraphy.
Monday, Jan. 16
Napkin Folding
Nicole Sowers, Catering Manager, Disney Event Operations
Seminar starts at 1:30 p.m.
Enhance your tablescapes with creative napkin folding!
Photography 101: Lighting and Perspective
Tom Smutny, Disney Photo Imaging
Seminar starts at 4:30 p.m.
Explore photographic lighting, perspective, pre-visualization and plussing.
For a complete list of available seminars and workshops, click here.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts runs for six weekends (Friday-Monday) through Feb. 20.