Last year, Epcot added another special event to list of special events (included in ticket price) to its roster. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida took place during weekends only from January 13 through February 20, 2017. It was a festival showcasing visual, culinary, and performing arts. I’m excited that they brought the annual festival back this year because unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to any of the dates last year. This year, I’m an Annual Passholder, so I’m happy to bring you all the news and updates coming from Walt Disney World as they happen.
2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts
Unlike last year, Epcot has decided to have the festival run daily from now until February 19th! A majority of the activities are included with park admission, but there are activities that will cost extra to participate in.
Before you start your journey through Epcot be sure to grab a Festival Passport. Entertainment may change depending on the day plus this passport will help you get the most out of your trip.
Just like the ever popular Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts brings out several different outdoor markets around World Showcase Lagoon. This is an art festival and the culinary arts gets a spotlight too. You’ll see food bursting with flavor, color, and presentation. The food plating is so pretty; you won’t even want to take a bite.
You can find more than 15 markets on your walk. Save room because these markets have exclusive eats just for the Festival of the Arts event. Some of your favorite stops like the funnel cake shop in The American Adventure may even have a special treat.
Get in on the fun and literally in some of the most admired artwork from around the world. These fun Artful Photo Op stops literally put you inside the art. I found four paintings to stop at, but there may be more so keep your eyes peeled.
Stop in Future World West to make your own t-shirt. Enemy Ink is here with their screenprinting machines showing their process and helping you to create the perfect memory to take home with you.
Over at the America Gardens Theatre, you’ll find Disney on Broadway Concert Series featuring Broadway stars singing favorite songs from award-winning shows. The performances take place at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm on Friday through Monday evenings throughout the festival. You can find the full lineup of artists and represented Disney musicals here. It’s a great way to have some fun with the whole family while singing along to all the songs you know and love. I hope they continue to bring it back annually. I think it goes without saying but just in case there is any confusion, these shows are not the full shows you’d experience at a Broadway show.
Art in Performance is showcased all over the park! There’s a chalk gallery – where artists will create gorgeous art pieces in chalk, guest performance artists create live art with the wave of a paintbrush in front of your eyes on stage, and see live statues come to life right before your eyes. They are as still as can be until you try to take a photo with them. You may just see a silly pose later when you look at your picture.
There’s so much to see, even after two trips I didn’t catch it all. Like the Art Defying Gravity Troupe, an abundance of exclusive art seminars and workshops led by published authors and artists, and the complimentary seminars and extra-ticketed Interactive and Premium Workshops.
One thing I was sure to do was Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt. Grab a map for $8.99 at Pin Central, Disney Traders, or World Traveler then search for Figment by following clues provided through famous works of art strategically located around World Showcase. Upon completing the scavenger hunt (or not. You are not required to), guests can head back to Disney Traders with their completed map and receive one of 4 limited edition trading pins! If you’d like all 4 pins, you will need to buy four maps.
Ready to get hands on? Watch artists use a method called Water Marbling to create scarves and bandanas. You can purchase a pre-made one or create your own! Choose up to 5 colors and then the artist will instruct you from start to finish. You’ll walk away with a souvenir before you leave the park. The shop does demos throughout the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts so you can see just how it’s done beforehand.
With 5 more weeks left, you have plenty of time to come join the fun. Don’t forget to make Epcot on the top of your must-see during your trip to enjoy all that the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts has to offer.
For more on the festival visit the official Walt Disney World website as well as the hashtag #ArtfulEpcot on social media.
*This post is NOT sponsored by Walt Disney World. We are WDW Annual Passholders and enjoy bringing these fun experiences to you!
