If you know Disney Parks, you know that it’s hard to compare any of them to EPCOT. This unique gem is one of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks in Orlando, Florida which Walt himself originally planned to be a small city. In fact, that’s what EPCOT stands for — Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Walt Disney envisioned this space as a model community — a “living blueprint for the future” — showcasing American industry, technology, and innovation. But after Mr. Disney’s passing in 1966, the plans for this city were streamlined and eventually scrapped. In the 1970’s, imagineers reimagined Walt’s original idea into a theme park similar to the World’s Fair. EPCOT opened in 1982 as Disney World’s second theme park and featured two distinct lands — Future World and the World Showcase – which still exist to this day. It was a great new concept built upon Walt’s fantastic original vision.
Since its opening more than forty years ago, EPCOT has been a fan favorite, standing out from all of Disney’s other parks thanks to its distinctive offerings and educational themes. It has also become known for its practically-year-round festivals, which are huge events within the Disney Community. Disney lovers plan visits around these various festivals, each themed to a particular season and featuring unique food and entertainment.
While all the festivals are fabulous, Festival of the Arts is my family’s personal favorite. It’s an inspiring celebration of art in every form, including visual, musical, and culinary arts. From amazing paintings to delicious bites, here’s why we think this particular festival is so special.
Disney Art
While Festival of the Arts celebrates art in all forms, perhaps my favorite part of it is its focus on the art that started the company more than a hundred years ago. My son is only ten, but he is a born artist, and aspires to animate for Disney someday. I love how Festival of the Arts gives him a chance to explore his passion for the very art that Disney is based on.
When you visit EPCOT during this festival, you have a fantastic opportunity to browse original art pieces by Disney Fine Artists — and meet some of them at the same time. Station after station of canvases are on display showcasing incredible work by artists from Thomas Kinkade to the voice of Mickey Mouse Bret Iwan, who we had the pleasure of meeting.
Each Disney Fine Artist has his or her own style, and I love seeing all their variations of classic Disney characters. I particularly loved the pieces by Michelle St. Laurent.
And Tim Rogerson was as humble as he is talented.
In addition to the canvases throughout the park, don’t forget to check out the incredible chalk art in the paths between Future World and World Showcase. They feature something for everyone, from the Disney Junior crowd to the most ardent Avatar fans.
If you find all this artwork as inspiring as we do, you may wish you could just jump right into one of the paintings. And as Walt said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” so in a Disney Park, you can do just that! I had fun stepping inside a Renoir, while my son pretended to be one of General George’s men.
Don’t be surprised if all this art inspires you to get creative yourself. EPCOT offers guests a great way to add a bit of your own talent to the festival. Cast members provide eager guests with a small bit of paint to color in your own designated spot on a giant mural displayed between Future World and World Showcase.
Culinary Arts
One thing EPCOT festivals all have in common is their food! An abundance of themed small bites can be found at stations throughout the World Celebration and World Showcase, making for a scrumptious and satiating stroll.
In my opinion, the eats offered at Festival of the Arts are better than other EPCOT festival fare. When we attend, we don’t even make reservations for sit-down meals, since we plan on eating brunch, lunch, and dinner as we tour all the various stands.
This year, some items stood out more than others. I was a big fan of the Enchanted Rose chocolate mousse with notes of raspberry and rose.
I absolutely loved the Caprese Poutine near the Canada Pavilion, and the all-American Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup at Pop Eats could not be beat!
My son and I both agreed that the classic rainbow Skittles cake and the elevated pop-tart were basic but tasty. And their Festival chocolate chip artist’s palette cookie (complete with icing “paint” and a real paintbrush) was delicious.
In the American Pavilion, the open-face chicken pot pie that some said was great was just okay, but I really enjoyed the under-appreciated Hummingbird Cake. With so many artistic and mouthwatering food items to try, you honestly need several days to sample everything.
Music
From live shows to pop-up bands, Festival of the Arts celebrates the art of music in a big way. There are several stages showcasing vibrant music, and it’s such a happy sight to see guests young and old dancing in the streets.
There is even a Broadway concert series held regularly during the festival at the America Gardens Theatre (the large stage in the American Pavilion.) If you’re heading to the festival, be sure to check the schedule so you can see some original Broadway actors performing your favorite Disney songs.
The excitement of festivals is one of my favorite things about EPCOT, and this festival that celebrates the arts is definitely worth a visit. Of course EPCOT is a magical park in its own right, so even if you don’t get there during the festival, you’ll be inspired by everything else it has to offer. Festival or not, you’ll find so much innovation, inspiration, and beauty in every inch of this park, both day and night.
While you’re in EPCOT, be sure to stop by and see the man who dreamed up this inspiring place. In 2023, the Walt the Dreamer statue was added right behind Spaceship Earth in World Celebration Plaza.
Although Walt didn’t live to see EPCOT come to fruition, it’s pretty incredible to think that this inspiring park was built on his original idea. Festivals may not have been part of his initial plan, but it’s the progress his predecessors have continued to work toward that make Disney Parks so magical… because we’re “always in a state of becoming.”
What Lara Wrote 