While the world may be feeling gray with all that is going on, the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts will surely bring the color and spirit of Disney!
Returning for its 5th anniversary, the Festival of the Arts (running now through February 22, 2021) continues its celebration of art with some old favorites, new booths, and modified experiences.
Eat Around the World
Like many of Epcot's wonderful festivals, you can hop around World Showcase tasting an abundance of artful creations. Popular festival offerings are back like the Artist's Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie, Joffrey's art-inspired lattes, Beef Wellington, Sushi Donut and the Deconstructed BLT, along with some refreshing new editions that are not only tasty but a feast for the eyes.
New for this year was the Vibrante & Vivido Food Studio located between Morocco and France. This new booth was on our list from the very start. We were excited by the offerings but were more-so delighted by its inspiration.
As you are waiting on line to order, you are greeted with creative displays celebrating the icon that is Mary Blair. Her creative vision can be found throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, from the Contemporary's Grand Concourse to attractions like It's a Small World, and behind the scenes through concept art for films like Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland.
With a menu of savory and sweet offerings, we could not turn down the Passion Fruit Mousse with Dragon Fruit Jam and the Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie. To be honest, we had huge lunch at Via Napoli prior to this so we wanted something light and refreshing for dessert. The two items did not disappoint from their vibrant, whimsical presentations to their absolutely delicious flavors ... oh, just writing about them makes me want another! The souvenir plastic cup really hit home for this artist and the beautiful, glittering mask garnish was absolutely stunning!
My mom sure enjoyed it!
As the sun was setting, we opted for something a bit more hearty so we stopped by Pop Eats! (home to the famous Almond Frangipane Cake) near Disney Traders in the Showcase Plaza. There you will find a Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese fit for the likes of Andy Warhol. The soup sports a Pop Art style can topped with cheese. The warmth definitely hit the spot since temperatures were dropping. The Grilled Cheese was exactly that, a small griddled bite (I personally enjoyed the soup).
If you are familiar with previous festival offerings, the Wonderful Walk of Cuisine is back! On the list this year are the Mouskoutchou in Morocco, Blue Corn Pupusa at the aforementioned Vibrante & Vivido Food Studio, Remy's Ratatouille and Pistachio Cake in the World Showplace Events Pavilion, and the Vanilla, Rose Water and Pistachio Panna Cotta in Canada. Once you are done chowing down this awesome list and have received your festival passport stamps, head over to Decadent Delights in the Showcase Plaza for a Complimentary Culinary Treat.
Artful Performances
The entertainment this year definitely looks a little different. If you are looking for your favorite Disney on Broadway stars, unfortunately you will not be able to find them however, what you will find is something even more special.
New this year, the Voices of Liberty and Mariachi Cobre hit the stage at the American Gardens Theatre! Both groups perform several times throughout the day and will have you swaying and welling up in the beauty of their incredible melodies.
In between their sets, the Mariachi Cobre captivate audiences with famous traditional folk music and everyone's favorite songs from Coco.
With each of these performances, physical distancing measures are in place and face coverings are required. There are staggered markers on each bench instructing guests where seating is available in addition to having every other row closed.
Previous favorites such as Art Defying Gravity (a spectacle of thrilling strength acts), Visual Art in Performance (watching a visual artist paint a colorful Disney character in a flash), and the JAMMitors (a high-energy, rhythmic performance composed of innovative drummers) are also back continuing their festival traditions, now at the World Showplace Events Pavilion and Canada Mill Stage respectively.
Kelly, the EPCOT Pianist, also appears within the World Showplace Events Pavilion. His medleys of Disney favorites are sure to have you swaying. You can tell Kelly oozes passion for tickling those ivories.
Marvelous Artwork
As in previous years, the work of Disney Licensed Artists is featured throughout the park in various tents and marketplaces. Looking to meet your favorite artist? GREAT NEWS, you still can! Be sure to check their social media outlets for their appearance schedules and locations.
Despite physical distancing and being hidden behind face coverings, this did not feel any different than in the past. I was able to meet several of my favorite artists, such as Dave Avanzino, Ashley Taylor, and Jason Ratner, who I have looked up to and followed closely on social media for years! As we discussed processes, materials, inspirations, and more, it felt like talking with friends you have not seen in quite some time. Each artist was truly personal and very gracious in signing prints (plus they totally put up with this artist being starstruck and geeking out big time, haha).
Returning Experiences
While intimate art workshops such as plein air painting and Ink and Paint are not available this year for safety reasons, a few hands-on favorites have made their return.
The Expression Section: A Paint-by-Number Mural works very similar as it has in the past. If you are thinking this location is different, you are most definitely correct. It has now moved to Future World West near The Land and is available for you to leave you mark from park open to 5 p.m. daily.
Upon arrival, we each selected a color and were given foam brushes. From there, a cast member let us know which lane we would be painting in, thus maintaining physical distancing. Once in the assigned lane, we were instructed to paint five squares that match the number on the lid of our paint.
After painting the five squares, we moved to the end of the line where the paint container and foam brush were disposed. At the adjacent table was a long print of what the completed image would be. I personally was beyond excited to find out that we painted a fragment of a Starry Night inspired scene.
While you may remember the Animation Academy from before the days of Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios or even its new location in Animal Kingdom, you will be delighted to know that this activity is now offered for the festival. At 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., you can learn to draw a Disney Character from an animator at the American Gardens Theatre.
Upon entering the theatre, a cast member gave us a pencil, clipboard and paper. From there, we selected our seats following the physical distancing markers mentioned earlier in the article. As the Disney animator demonstrates the steps for creating the chosen character, you can follow along by watching one of three screens in the theatre.
Upon conclusion of the experience and signing our work, we headed to the exit of the theatre where a bin is utilized to collect all clipboards and pencils. These would be later sanitized before their next use.
Figment's Brush with the Masters is also back and the prize has changed too!
At select merchandise locations, you can purchase the above palette map for $7.99 and initiate a scavenger hunt to find Figment hidden in famous works of art.
We especially enjoy this offering each year for the art history references and seeing the work of former Disney animator, Todd Bright. That's right! He's the mastermind behind these imaginative creations.
I personally adore them so much that I hand-painted a shirt to commemorate the search.
After locating all of Figment's silly appearances, you can return to Disney Traders or World Traveler at the International Gateway for a surprise. There are a few different paper puzzle models to choose from. We selected this one of Figment.
The Artful Photo Ops are back as well and appear throughout the park. You can step into some of the world's most noted works or even transform yourself into Figment but make sure that you have someone in your party to snap the photo as Disney PhotoPass Photographers will not be stationed there.
Disney PhotoPass Photographers ARE stationed throughout the park for classic shots like those in France, Japan, etc. Make sure you check in with the cast member to see if they might have some magic in store for you.
Some special guests have also returned throughout World Showcase. The Chalk Full of Character festival offering allows Disney fans of all ages to track down charming chalk drawings of many Disney favorites in tucked away places. From Abu to Koda, to Pascal and Mushu, you'll be surprised where some may be hiding. In the United Kingdom pavilion, you will also find portraits of characters like Donald, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Mulan displayed in the English courtyard.
Chalk Art
The talented chalking team led by Leigh Alfredson is back creating masterful works inspired by famous artists and beloved Disney characters.
You can check out these amazing artists at work on the bridge to Showcase Plaza.
Festival Exclusive Merchandise
As with every festival, you always want to have something to commemorate your trip. While there are many booths along World Showcase that have similar merchandise, you will definitely want to hit up the World Showplace Events Pavilion. From Passholder merchandise to spirit jerseys to prints of artists' works (including the official poster by Doug Bolly), this location has the widest variety of festival merchandise in Epcot.
While this is just a TASTE of the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts, we hope that you will enjoy the wonderful world of art and always remember that with"one little spark" no matter how small or modified it may be, it is still as magical as ever!
-Marisa
Comments