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Happening: January 17 – February 24
What is EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts?
Disney’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is a beautiful celebration of all things artistic and creative through the lens of entertainment, food, and the history of art itself. If you’re looking for a place where you can be immersed in a world of color from “coast-to-coast” this festival entrenches you from across the globe and in own backyard here in the United States.
This year you can see artistry in action with Disney on Broadway musicals, the Animation Academy, walking through an exhibition that celebrates those Broadway musicals over at Communicore Hall, watch live musical performances, and watch artists create chalk paintings along the bridge to the World Showcase Plaza.
If that’s not enough, head over to the Paint by Numbers Mural (which, if I have any say is a lot of fun even if it’s just a few squares!), go on a Scavenger Hunt with Figment, and take some photo ops with the step-in frames all around World Showcase.
This is a beautiful festival if you’re a lover of art, food, and sunshine.
Towards the end of the festival, it slowly transitions to the Flower & Garden Festival with topiary displays, so be on the watch out for that if you’re around.
Note: My sincerest apologies for this being published later than it should’ve. This year, I unfortunately will not be doing a food review for the festival as I’m not feeling well. I apologize, but hope to see you around for the festival in 2026. 🙂
The Complete List of Theme Park Festivals: A Journey Across the USA
Things to Do Around the Festival
If this is your first time at the festival (or any Disney festival), I hope you enjoy yourself! First thing you oughta do is grab a booklet. This is pretty much your lifeline to ensure you’ve got all the information you need to figure out where everything is located, what food you’d like to eat, and it’ll keep you off your phone to enjoy your time with your family and friends.
The downside to the booklet? No prices, but that’s what the booths are for (and this site of course). 😉
If you happen to lose your booklet, you can grab one from any of the food booths. However, if you are doing the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine in the back you do not want to lose this book or you won’t be able to gain access to that sweet free festival treat (and it’s absolutely worth it!).
Alright, now that we’ve got the booklet (and it’s importance) out of the way, let me just say that this year I’d like to say that Disney really seems to have ramped it up this year. I’m noticing three new offerings that I didn’t notice before, so, stale? I don’t think so!
Paint-by-Numbers Mural (11 AM – 5 PM / 11:00 – 17:00)
Between the walkway of World Showcase and the Imagination! Pavilion, this mural is a fun stop in the middle of your day. There’s a very large mural that you can contribute 3 painted squares to (each person) bring the mural to life. If I remember correctly, there are three different
Figment’s Brush Scavenger Hunt
Figment is eager to learn about art and he needs your help! Grab a palette (for $9.99 plus tax) at the Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler. You’ll find Figment hiding inside of works of art throughout World Showcase. Once you find him, place the corresponding sticker down until you’re done.
Redeem your keepsake by the end of the Festival (or until supplies last).
Chalk Full of Character
It’s baaaaaack! The free version of Figment’s Brush, but without the physical “palette,” this is a fun way to discover popular characters all over the park. The characters are subject to change, however, some characters to be found are:
- Dante from Coco
- Mushu and Cri-Kee from Mulan
- Amelia and Abigail Gabble alongside Uncle Waldo from The Aristocats, and
- Luca, Alberto & Machiavelli from Luca
How many can you find? (Hint: there’s 17)
Kids Chalk Art (11 AM – 5 PM / 11:00 – 17:00)
Need the kids to let out a bit of energy? Around the corner from the playground on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza, there’s some chalk art that they get their hands on. Let their imagination go wild.
Entertainment (Live and Static)
Looking for a bit of entertainment, but unsure of what to do? Well, if you’re into painting, check out the Visual Art in Performance that occurs between Thursdays and Sundays over at the CommuniCore Plaza.
But if you’re looking for something that you can take your time mulling over in your own time, walk over the bridge to World Showcase Plaza and appreciate the Chalk Art Galleries – you may even get to see an artist in the middle of their work.
And if you love artwork and purchasing them, you can check out the artists and the displays scattered around the park. You can view a schedule of the artists across the weeks to keep abreast of what you’ll see when you’re there.
Or maybe you just want to listen to music instead, then you can do that, too over at CommuniCore Plaza. Check the MyDisney Experience App for showtimes.
Disney on Broadway Musical Series / Once Upon A Stage Exhibition
With showtimes at 5:30 PM / 17:30, 6:45 PM / 18:45, and 8:00 PM / 20:00, listen to stars perform iconic songs from popular Disney Broadway musicals like Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, and Newsies over at the America Gardens Theatre.
In the same vein, there is an exhibition over at CommuniCore Hall where you can discover the props, costumes, and history of the 30 year history of those same Broadway musicals being reimagined from their animated versions to being put onto stage.
Animation Academy (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM / 12:30 – 13:30)
If you’d like to learn how to draw your favorite Disney character, head over to the America Gardens Theatre to the Animation Academy. Some animators include Alex Maher, Will Gay, Lon Smart, and Sarah Schmidt.
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Exploring the Food Studios at the Festival of the Arts
With new and old food studios at this years Festival of the Arts, there’s something for everyone this year. While I won’t be able to indulge in this years festivities, I know that a lot of you will find something delicious in the menu that they presented.
Unfortunately, they typically change the menus throughout the festival at times to accommodate for changing ingredients, and I won’t be able to update past what is posted, however, I do hope that this helps immensely.
The nice thing is that if there are any popular festival offerings you want year round you can now find them at CommuniCore Plaza’s Festival Favorites food spot.
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Last year there were four drinks to try across the four stalls; this year, it seems to only be one. You can find this drink at all of the locations.
Locations: Near Guardians of the Galaxy, Disney Traders, The American Adventure, Canada
Food Item:
- Color Craze Latte + Donut* ▸ $10.99
Espresso, Swiss chocolate syrup, dark chocolate sauce, and milk complemented with a frosted donut and whipped cream and topped with M&M’S Milk Chocolate Minis (Non-alcoholic beverage) – New!
*Spirited Version available with Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur ▸ $17.99
World Celebration
Opening Bites – (New!)
CommuniCore Plaza
Food Items:
- Soft Shell Crab Slider ▸ $7.50
Green papaya slaw and mango ketchup on toasted brioche – New! - Cheddar and Chive Scone with Smoked Salmon Salad ▸ $7.50
topped with crème fraîche and caviar – New! - 🎨 Enchanted Rose ▸ $6.50
Milk chocolate rose with raspberry and rose center – New!
Beverages:
- Parish Brewing Co. SIPS Candy Paint Berliner Weisse – New! ▸ $5.75
- von Trapp Brewing Bohemian Pilsner – New! ▸ $5.75
- Crooked Can Brewing Company Fantasia Fusion IPA – New! ▸ $5.75
- Beer Flight ▸ $10.25
- Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne ▸ $12.00
- Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage Champagne ▸ $12.00
- Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon ▸ $15.00
- Martin Ray Chardonnay ▸ $7.00
World Discovery
Connections Eatery
Food Item:
- Figment’s Liege Waffle ▸ $5.79
with ube filling – New!
Beverage:
- Imagination Lemonade* ▸ $5.79
Minute Maid Premium Lemonade topped with butterfly pea tea and lavender (Non-alcoholic beverage)
*Spirited version available with vodka ▸ $15.50
Fictional Victuals – (New!)
Near Refreshment Station
Food Items:
- Squid Ink Pasta ▸ $7.75
with lump crab, truffle cream, and shaved truffle – New! - Charred Octopus ▸ $7.75
with crushed fingerling potatoes, kalamata olives, capers, and romesco sauce – New! - Black Cocoa Brownie ▸ $6.50
with ube ice cream, coral tuile, and sponge cake – New!
Beverages:
- Butterscotch Milk Shake ▸ $5.00
with Chocolate Garnish – New! - 3 Daughters Brewing Barrel Aged Cognac Porter – New! ▸ $5.75
- Boyd & Blair Outis Fathom ▸ $12.00
Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Juniper, and Boyd & Blair Vodka – New!
The Deconstructed Dish
Near Refreshment Station
Food Items:
- Deconstructed BLT ▸ $7.25
Pork belly, soft-poached egg, onion bread pudding, watercress espuma, and tomato jam - 🎨 Deconstructed Key Lime Pie ▸ $6.50
Flexible Key lime curd, “Key lime” mousse, graham cracker cake, and meringues
Beverages:
- Deconstructed Strawberry Mint Julep ▸ $4.75
Frozen mint and simple syrup blend with strawberry purée (Non-alcoholic beverage) - Wicked Weed Brewing Blank Canvas Belgian Blonde Witbier ▸ $5.75
- Deconstructed Strawberry Mint Julep ▸ $12.00
with Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Figment’s Inspiration Station
The Odyssey
Food Items:
- 🎨 Raspberry Pastry Tart ▸ $5.00
Sugar cookie with raspberry and lemon cream cheese filling – New! - Rainbow Cake ▸ $5.25
topped with SKITTLES POP’d Freeze Dried Candy
Beverages:
- Figment Imagination Lemonade ▸ $5.00
with choice of flavor (Non-alcoholic beverage) - 3 Daughters Brewing Black Cherry Hard Cider ▸ $5.75
- 3 Daughters Brewing Blood Orange Hard Cider ▸ $5.75
- 3 Daughters Brewing Pineapple Hard Cider ▸ $5.75
- Hard Cider Flight ▸ $10.25
- 81Bay Brewing Co. Green ▸ $5.75
with Envy Blonde Ale - 81Bay Brewing Co. Blue Butterfly Lager, Tampa ▸ $5.75
- 81Bay Brewing Co. Make All Things Purple Ale – New! ▸ $5.75
- Beer Flight ▸ $10.25
- Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket ▸ $28.00
with Rainbow Popcorn – New! (Available while supplies last)
The Craftsman’s Courtyard
Near Refreshment Station
Food Items:
- Beef Wellington-inspired Croissant Supreme ▸ $8.50
with creamed spinach croissant pinwheel, mushroom-gorgonzola ragout, mustard-grilled flank steak, red wine sauce, and pickled mustard seeds – New! - Cast Iron-roasted P.E.I. Mussels ▸ $8.00
with sautéed tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs - Roasted Bone Marrow ▸ $10.75
with onion marmalade, pickled mushrooms, and petite lettuce
Beverages:
- BrewDog Black Heart Nitro Oatmeal Stout ▸ $5.75
- Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail ▸ $11.50
Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew, simple syrup, orange bitters, and Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon
World Showcase
El Artista Hambriento
Mexico
Food Items:
- Carne Asada ▸ $10.75
Ancho-marinated beef sirloin with pasilla chile sauce, grilled queso fresco, nopales salad, and chicharron dust - Croqueta ▸ $8.00
Chipotle chicken and chorizo croquette in chipotle salsa with chipotle aioli, avocado mousse, and truffle oil - Natilla de Maiz ▸ $6.50
Creamy corn custard with caramelized sugar
Beverages:
- Mexican Craft Beer ▸ $6.00
- Floridita ▸ $16.50
Centinela Blanco Tequila, citrus juice, orange liqueur, and grapefruit soda with a hint of Aperol – New! - Strawberry Fields Margarita ▸ $15.50
Tromba Blanco Tequila, Dos Hombres Mezcal, strawberry purée, and blackcurrant liqueur
The Painted Panda
China
Food Items:
- General Tso’s Chicken Shumai ▸ $10.75
Dumplings filled with chicken, potato, onion, and water chestnut topped with General Tso’s sauce - Har Gow ▸ $10.75
Shrimp dumplings with pumpkin purée and drizzle of chili oil – New! - Egg Tart ▸ $5.50
Hong Kong-style egg custard tart – New!
Beverages:
- Strawberry Bubble Milk Tea (Non-alcoholic beverage) – New! ▸ $8.75
- Dragon Fruit Lager ▸ $5.75
- Silk River Hard Lemonade ▸ $14.00
with vodka, lavender-coconut syrup, and lemonade - Butterfly Blue ▸ $13.75
Butterfly pea flower-infused cocktail with vodka, light rum, lychee syrup, and magic boba pearls
Refreshment Outpost
Food Item:
- Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie ▸ $5.75
- Soft-serve in a cone ▸ $6.50
DOLE Whip flavors – Pineapple, Salted Caramel, or Swirl
Beverages:
- Parish Brewing Co. Blueberry Mochi Berliner Weisse ▸ $12.00
- Brewlando Liquid Art Pilsner – New! ▸ $12.00
- Ology Brewing Co. Rainbow Colored Glasses Rainbow Sherbet Berliner – New! ▸ $12.00
Pastoral Palate
Germany
Food Items:
- Pork and White Bean Cassoulet ▸ $7.00
with Regensburger Sausage and crispy pork rinds – New! - Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib ▸ $8.75
with parsnip purée, broccolini, baby tomatoes, and balsamic glaze - Black Forest Cake ▸ $5.00
Chocolate mousse with morello cherries and chantilly cream
Beverages:
- 3 Daughters Brewing Rosé Hard Cider ▸ $5.75
- 81Bay Brewing Co. Rosé Blonde Ale ▸ $5.75
- Frozen Rosé ▸ $7.25
- A Play on Rosé Flight ▸ $11.50
- Marietta Old Vine Rosé ▸ $6.25
L’Arte di Mangiare
Italy
Food Items:
- Tricolore ▸ $8.75
Cheese-filled ravioloni, pomodoro, cream, and pesto sauces – New! - Mozzarella Fritta ▸ $9.00
Flash-fried breaded fresh mozzarella with artist palette condiments - Hazelnut S’more Cannoli ▸ $5.50
Cannoli shell dipped in chocolate and graham cracker, chocolate-hazelnut cannoli cream, and toasted marshmallows – New!
Beverages:
- Peroni Pilsner ▸ $6.50
- Prosecco ▸ $11.75
- Moscato ▸ $12.00
- Chianti ▸ $12.00
- Italian Red Sangria ▸ $12.00
- Italian-inspired Margarita ▸ $12.00
with tequila, Triple Sec, and Fabrizia Limoncello - Mela Spritz ▸ $15.00
Apple Schnapps, prosecco, and sparkling water – New!
The Artist’s Table
The American Adventure
Food Items:
- Deviled Egg Trio ▸ $6.25
Pimento Cheese, Green Goddess, and BLT – New! - Chicken “Pot Pie” ▸ $6.75
with smoked cheddar mornay sauce, roasted vegetables, pickled mushrooms, wasabi peas, and sherry-chicken jus served open-faced on flaky pie crust – New! - Hummingbird Cake ▸ $5.00
Banana and pecan cake dipped in cream cheese icing with caramel sauce and warm pineapple compote
Beverages:
- Wicked Weed Brewing Pineapple Daydream IPA – New! ▸ $5.75
- Swamp Head Brewery Neon Palette Lager – New! ▸ $5.75
- Lost Coast Brewery Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk Stout – New! ▸ $5.75
- J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Gris – New! ▸ $6.50
- Beer Flight ▸ $10.25
Funnel Cake
Between The American Adventure and Japan
Food Item:
- Cotton Candy Funnel Cake ▸ $12.00
topped with powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, pink and purple sugar dusting, and cotton candy crunch – New!
Goshiki
Japan
Food Items:
- Taiyaki ▸ $6.75
Crisp, flaky fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean served with whipped topping and blueberry popping boba – New! - Wagyu Bun ▸ $9.75
Steamed bun filled with American wagyu beef served with Japanese karashi mustard sauce and violet shiso sauce – New! - Sushi Donut ▸ $8.75
Donut-shaped sushi featuring salmon, tuna, shrimp, cucumber, and sesame seed over a decorated plate of wasabi aïoli, sriracha aïoli, and eel sauce
Beverages:
- Okinawa Lemonade ▸ $6.75
Lemonade mix with Shikuwasa Citrus (Non-alcoholic beverage) – New! - Yuzu IPA – New! ▸ $5.75
- Masu Sake ▸ $14.00
in a traditional personalized wooden cup - Junmai Daiginjyo Sake Flight ▸ $16.75
Plum, yuzu, hyuganatsu, and sakuranbo Cherry – New!
Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina
Morocco
Food Items:
- Grilled Chermoula Chicken Kebabs ▸ $6.25
with carrot-chickpea salad and garlic aïoli - Grilled Moroccan-spiced Lamb Kebabs ▸ $6.25
with carrot-chickpea salad and garlic aïoli - Stone-baked Moroccan Bread ▸ $5.25
with assorted dips (Plant-based) - 🎨 Avocado-Coconut Custard Tart ▸ $5.25
with pomegranate cream and henna-inspired gelée Veil – New! (Plant-based)
Beverages:
- Chai Tea-Mint Fizz ▸ $4.75
Twinings Chai Tea with Sprite and Mint (Non-alcoholic beverage) - Parish Brewing Co. Mango Mochi – New! ▸ $5.75
- Rekorderlig Strawberry-Lime Hard Cider ▸ $5.75
- Keel Farms Blueberry Lavender Hard Cider, Plant City ▸ $5.75
- Chai Tea-Mint Mimosa ▸ $12.00
Twinings Chai Tea with Key Lime Sparkling Wine and mint - Flight ▸ $10.25
Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina
Between Morocco and France
Food Items:
- 🎨 Chorizo and Potato Empanada ▸ $6.75
with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli - Spicy Ajiaco Soup ▸ $6.00
with guajillo and árbol chili-spiced chicken, potato, avocado, corn, and crème fraîche - Passion Fruit-filled Mango Cheesecake ▸ $5.25
with coconut-pineapple cake, dragon fruit gelée, and dragon fruit-strawberry sauce
Beverages:
- Layered Tropical Berry Smoothie ▸ $5.00
Wild berry, piña colada, and strawberry (Non-alcoholic beverage) – New! - Collective Arts Guava Dream Blonde Ale – New! ▸ $5.75
- Layered Tropical Berry Smoothie ▸ $14.50
with Sailor Jerry Rum – New!
L’Art de la Cuisine Française
France
Food Items:
- Pithiviers de Canard et Volaille, Sauce Canard ▸ $9.95
Puff pastry with duck, chicken, onions, mushrooms, cranberries, and duck sauce – New! - Crème de Brie en Petit Pain ▸ $$9.95
Warm creamy brie in a house-made bread bowl - Escargot en Chocolat ▸ $9.25
Chocolate mousse flourless cake, citrus coulis, almond-chocolate coating, and dark chocolate decoration – New!
Beverages:
- Frozen French Martini ▸ $15.25
Grey Goose Vodka, vodka, Chambord liqueur, pineapple, orange, and grape juices with lemon-lime foam - Elderflower Liqueur Spritz ▸ $13.25
St-Germain Liqueur, sparkling wine, and mint - Charles Lafitte, Brut Rosé Prestige, Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise French Rosé Sparkling Wine ▸ $9.75
- Patient Cottat Le Grand Caillou Pinot Noir ▸ $9.75
Gourmet Landscapes
Canada
Food Items:
- 🎨 Citrus-braised Beet Tartare ▸ $5.50
with golden beet “egg yolk,” mustard vinaigrette, pickled mustard seeds, pickled mushrooms, spiced pistachios, and “feta” snow (Plant-based) – New! - Wild Mushroom Risotto ▸ $9.75
with aged parmesan, truffle shavings, and zinfandel reduction (Plant-based)
Beverages:
- Whole Hog Brewery Raspberry Chéret Double Radler ▸ $5.75
- Schlumberger Cuvée Klimt Brut ▸ $9.00
- Meeker Winemaker’s Handprint Merlot ▸ $11.00
- Frozen Scotch Cocktail ▸ $15.50
Scotch and herbal tea garnished with a chocolate nail
Refreshment Port
Near Canada
Food Items:
- Caprese Poutine ▸ $8.50
with Tuscan-spiced French fries, confit tomatoes, slivered garlic, mozzarella pearls, basil pesto, shaved pecorino, and balsamic glaze – New! - Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie ▸ $5.75
Beverages:
- 81Bay Brewing Co. Italian Pilsner – New! ▸ $12.00
- Boyd & Blair Blood Orange Cosmo ▸ $12.00
Deco Delights
Near Port of Entry
Food Item:
- 🎨 Almond Frangipane Cake ▸ $5.00
layered with raspberry jam and Belgian chocolate
Beverages:
- 3 Daughters Brewing Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Beer – New! ▸ $5.75
- Keel Farms Strawberry Shortcake Hard Cider – New! ▸ $5.75
- Left Hand Brewing Company Milk Stout ▸ $5.75
with Coconut – New! - Boyd & Blair Espresso Martini ▸ $12.00
- Beer Flight ▸ $10.25
Swirled Showcase
Near Port of Entry
Food Items:
- Bubble Gum Soft-serve in a cone – New! ▸ 6.50
- DOLE Whip in a cone ▸ 6.50
lemon, lime, or strawberry flavors - Imagination Cone ▸ $6.75
Bubble gum soft-serve in a lavender cone, “sparks” of imagination, and white chocolate wings – New! - Candy Trio Flight ▸ $8.00
DOLE Whip Strawberry with STARBURST MINIS fruit chews, DOLE Whip Lemon with SKITTLES POP’d Freeze Dried Candy, and DOLE Whip Lime with chili-lime seasoning and LIFE SAVERS gummies – New! - Liquid Nitrogen Minnie cake pop ▸ $4.75
with berry sponge cake, white chocolate ganache, and colorful chocolate splats – New!
Pop Eats!
Near Port of Entry
Food Items:
- Tomato Soup ▸ $6.00
with Grilled Cheese - Tomato Soup ▸ $6.75
with pimento cheese, bacon, and fried green tomato grilled cheese
Beverages:
- Brooklyn Brewery Pulp Art Hazy IPA ▸ $5.75
- Bleu Spectrum ▸ $10.50
Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux with boba pearls
Must-Try Dishes and Beverages
As you can imagine, there are always going to be pretty popular items during every festival and this one is of no exception. With a huge splash of new items, these are the favorites so far of old and new:
- Deviled Egg Trio (The Artist’s Table)
- Crème de Brie en Petit Pain and Frozen French Martini (L’Art de la Cuisine Française)
- Moscato (L’Arte di Mangiare)
- Carne Asada (El Artista Hambriento)
- Soft Shell Crab Slider (Opening Bites)
- Beef Wellington-inspired Croissant Supreme (The Craftsman’s Courtyard)
- Wagyu Bun (Goshiki)
- Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib and Black Forest Cake (Pastoral Palate)
Theme Park Bites’ Favorites
My favorite dish of last year was the Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib at Pastoral Palate (Germany). I stand ten toes down for that dish, it truly stands a part from everything I ate during the festival last year and it’s the one dish I would 100% recommend to anyone who isn’t a vegetarian or vegan.
Other favorites include:
- Hummingbird Cake (The Artist’s Table)
- Chorizo and Potato Empanada (Encanto Cocina)
- Rainbow Cake (Figment’s Imagination Station)
- Deconstructed Key Lime Pie and Deconstructed BLT (The Deconstructed Dish)
- Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese (Pop Eats!)
If you’d like to read up on the reviews for those dishes, you’re more than welcome to check out the 2024 Festival of the Arts Food Review in the meantime.
Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
If you’re ever uncertain of what to try, look at the back of your booklet at the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. It will give you a pretty decent overview of some dishes to try that are tame and unoffensive to most palettes. The menu above has (🎨) next to dishes on that walk. Once you fill up enough of your art palette you will receive a free festival treat.
In 2024 the festival treats were an Art Palette Cookie and a Wild Berry Smoothie in a souvenir cup.
Foodie Tips for Having the Best Time
Even though I won’t be there this year, I still have experience at the festival (finally), and my tips are no different than they were last year. As a matter of fact, I want to stress a couple:
- Arrive early to the festival. The food is at its freshest and the kitchen staff are running at their best, but even if they are not, please give them grace – those outdoor kitchens get hot, stifling, and can be overwhelming when the lines get busy. Remember that they are people just like you and are deserving of kindness the same way you would expect to be treated with kindness.
- Start eating as soon as the festival begins. If you’re a solo traveller and want to eat as many dishes as possible without feeling overwhelmed, try to eat one to two dishes an hour, hop on a ride and then repeat the process. If you’re a couple or a family, buy more than one dish at a dish and have fun tasting the food tapas-style, you’ll save money, but you’ll also have the opportunity to stretch food across the time you’re there.
- If you’re a pass holder and you see a circle on the calendar, there’s a higher likelihood that the day has lower crowds. Not always guaranteed, but usually.
- If you’re someone who needs a lot of food to feel satisfied the food at a booth will not satisfy you; these are tapas-style (small plate) meals, and you may balk at the price of them compared to what you can get at a fast food chain outside of Disney, but remember you’re inside of Disney. There’s no comparing, unfortunately.
My strategy for you is you should be OK with getting a regular meal at a restaurant around at EPCOT, or if you’re coming from another park, and having snacks around the world at the food booths in between your regular meals. - Have a budget and keep to it, it’s incredibly easy to go over it if you’re not careful.
- The lines can get long quickly mid-day, so if you see an empty booth and you’re interested in something there? Hop in line! You never know what may run out or the state of that line later in the day.
- Your boarding group got called for Guardians of the Galaxy and you just got your food? It’s OK! Remember you have options – the full hour to head over or you can stand in line with your noms and throw your trash away in the trashcans along the line. Win-win.
- The festival has a lot of alcohol (there’s roughly 70 drinks around the world), so be prepared to hydrate in between them with some good ‘ole water. YES, WATER. You know the life-sustaining force that makes up over 70% of your body? Yes, that stuff! Bring a reusable water bottle, ask for iced water, or buy water in the park – you’ve got this.
- This is your chance to try something new! Last year I tried a dish that I would never, ever, ever have again (and it’s not on the menu this year) at Gourmet Landscapes–Verjus Roasted Beets–but I had the opportunity to try it and that’s what’s opportunity. In 10 years you’ll be thinking, “Wow, I wasted that moment!” Don’t. Eat something out of your comfort zone.
- Oh, use the boat to get across the lake to start at a new point instead of at Mexico or Canada. Instead you’ll start at Morocco–Tangierine Café (which is where the boat has been docking lately) or the Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina booth.
Critique of the Festival
Seeing as I am not being a participant of the festival this year, I’m not going to be overly harsh about critiquing the festival. I’m only going to go off the menu and activities as I feel that that is only fair to Disney and to you my foodie reader.
- I like that there are more things to do for children and for the consumer this year. The Animation Academy is a great touch for little hands (and for anyone who wants to learn!) and the Broadway exhibition is something that is probably appreciated by theater kids (hi!) and the older crowd alike.
- There’s still not enough vegan options. There’s more vegan options this year than there were last year (4 vs 2). However! 😬 Statistically speaking, this is actually generous considering that vegans make up 3% of the US population. With roughly 55 food dishes on the menu they only needed 2 dishes on the menu, so 4 is above and beyond. But I’m still sticking to my guns on them needing to add maybe 2 more for the sake of some more variety for vegans at the very least. I am very happy that they did double their offerings this year though (thank you, Disney chefs, your tireless work does not go unnoticed, I promise!). 🫶🏾
Aside from that? I think Disney is doing a-okay. But that’s also because I’m not going into the park this year. I bet your bottom dollar if I was going in this critique would have been a whole lot longer, ha.
Final Thoughts
Not gonna lie, I’m a bit upset I won’t get to experience this year’s festival, but I hope that you enjoy it to the festival to its fullest! I hope that this helps you out immensely.
And if you haven’t as of yet, please follow me on my other social media channels (YouTube, Instagram & Tik Tok – @themeparkbites) for when those get movin’ and groovin’. Thank you for allowing me to be your tasty theme park companion!