The Complete Guide to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is becoming one of the more popular events at the Walt Disney World Resort and is typically held every year during the months of January and February. As with all the Epcot festivals, this event is completely free with your theme park admission or annual pass.
The festival includes an amazing array of art exhibits & experiences, there are a number of great food and beverage offerings as well as special weekend entertainment. And as always, all of the park’s rides and attractions are available including the fairly new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
While the Epcot International Festival of the Arts focuses on adult guests, it is still considered to be very family-friendly and is completely age appropriate for younger children. Parents will find that there are plenty of things for kids to see and do throughout the festival.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
The 2024 version of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will begin on January 12, 2024 and extend until February 19, 2024. Throughout the entire park guests will be able to view dozens of displays and art exhibits many of which have been inspired by the Disney parks and the Disney characters.
In addition to the art displays & exhibits, there are a number of “Food Studios” as well as a variety of different entertainment offerings including “Disney on Broadway” concerts that feature real Broadway stars.
Food and Beverage Offerings
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will feature specialty cuisine and drinks via individual “Food Studios” that are located throughout the the park. These studios are typically available from late morning to park closing.
The 2024 Food Studios are as follows:
- Cuisine Classique (New for 2024)
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Swirled Showcase
- Pop Eats!
- The Deconstructed Dish
- Deco Delights
- Refreshment Port
- Gourmet Landscapes
- L’Art de la Cusine Francaise
- Vibrante & Vivido: Encanto Cocina
- Tangerine Cafe: Flavors of the Media
- Goshiki
- The Artist’s Table
- Funnel Cake
- L’Arte Di Mangiare
- Pastoral Palate
- The Painted Panda
- Refreshment Outpost
- El Artista Hambriento
- The Craftsman’s Courtyard
- Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey
- Moderne
Entertainment
The 2024 Epcot International Festival of the Arts includes a number of entertainment offerings.
Art Defying Gravity
Located in the World Showcase Plaza, festival guests will watch as performers showcase incredible acts of strength.
Art in Performance
Festival guests can get a a close up look at a visiting visual artist who will quickly paint a beloved Disney character. This exhibit is located at the World Showcase Plaza.
Musicians
Located in the World Showcase Plaza, guests will enjoy a variety of different musicians which rotate throughout the festival.
Disney on Broadway
On select nights guests will enjoy the Disney on Broadway concert services where live concert performances take place with Broadway stars.
As with prior years, the shows will take place on the American Gardens Theatre stage by the America Pavilion in the World Showcase with showtimes starting at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM.
- January 12th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd: Cassie Levy and Patti Murin from “Frozen”
- January 13th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 24th and 25th: Gavin Lee from “Beauty & the Beast” and Heidi Blickenstaff from “The Little Mermaid”
- January 26th, 28th and 29th: Ashley Brown from “Mary Poppins” and L. Steven Taylor from “The Lion King”
- January 27th, 30th and 31st: Kissy Simmons from “The Lion King” and Josh Strickland from “Tarzan”
Disney on Broadway Dining Package
The Disney on Broadway Dining Package is being offered for 2024 and will include dinner at a select EPCOT restaurant along with guaranteed seating at that evenings concert. The dining package include an appetizer, entrée and dessert (or buffet if applicable) with a non-alcoholic beverage along with a guaranteed seat for the concert on the same day.
Select restaurants for 2024 include:
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway Pavilion): $78.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $50.00 per child (ages 3 to 9); breakfast is offered for $66.00 per adult and $42 per child.
- Biergarten Restaurant (Germany Pavilion): $60.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $34.00 per child (ages 3 to 9)
- Coral Reef Restaurant (The Living Seas): $73.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $29.00 per child (ages 3 to 9)
- Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land Pavilion): $73.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $47.00 per child (ages 3 to 9); breakfast is offered for $58.00 per adult and $37 per child.
- Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada Pavilion): $99.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $39.00 per child (ages 3 to 9)
- Rose & Crown Dining Room (United Kingdom Pavilion): $61.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $26.00 per child (ages 3 to 9)
- Spice Road Table (Morocco Pavilion): $50.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $21.00 per child (ages 3 to 9)
The Regal Eagle Smokehouse is offering same-day dining packages only and menu items differ than the other restaurants.
Other Things to Do at the Festival of the Arts
Expression Section: A Paint-By-Number Mural
Located near the bridge to the World Showcase, guests will get to paint a few squares that, when complete, will be a huge festival mural. The Expression Section: A Paint-By-Number Mural is open from 11:00 Am to 5:00 PM.
Animation Academy
Visitors will learn how to draw a Disney character by a professional animation artist. Animation Academy is located at the American Gardens Theatre and there are two different start times (12:30 PM and 1:30 PM).
Additional experiences include:
- Kids Chalk Art
- Chalk Art Galleries
- Figment’s Brush with the Masters
- Chalk Full of Characters
Best hotels to stay when visiting the Epcot International Festival of the Arts?
Local area hotels book up quickly so it is our recommendation that you get your reservations as early as possible. Crowd levels are typically higher than usual due not only to this special event, but for summer vacations and fall holidays. Typically in the fall, there are always large conventions coming to Orlando where many hotels block off rooms for the convention attendees.
If you are planning on consuming a number of adult beverages at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, we would highly recommend you stay a hotel within walking distance or with a transportation service.
The Walt Disney World Boardwalk Resort Hotels
The Walt Disney World Boardwalk Resorts comprise the following resort hotels and vacation club properties:
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas (vacation club)
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas (vacation club)
All three are within walking distance to Epcot’s International Gateway (the entrance in the World Showcase area of the park) and there is also a water taxi service that runs all day long.
These resort hotel are very popular and rates are typically not cheap. Prices range from less than $500 per night to more than $1,000 per night depending on the room type and the date of the stay.
The Walt Disney World Dolphin
The Walt Disney World Dolphin is one of our favorite hotels in Orlando and it is our “go to” when we are planning on visiting Epcot. The Dolphin is immediately adjacent to the Walt Disney World Boardwalk and within easy walking distance of both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Water taxi transportation is also available.
The Dolphin is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program so guests can earn or use points for their stay at one of the 1,514 rooms or suites. There are extensive amenities and dining options at this massive resort.
Hotel rates range around $300.00 per night to more than $750.00 per night depending on the time a year and room type.
