Epcot Inaugural International Festival of the Arts
This past weekend marked the opening of Epcot’s Inaugural International Festival of the Arts. What exactly is that, you ask? Well, do you love Epcot? Do you love food and drinks (mostly of the adult variety)? Do you love art in the forms of singing, prints, and statues? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then read on, because this festival is for you!
Our first stop once we entered was to head over to the Odyssey Festival Showplace in between Future World East and the World Showcase. We got in line and purchased the 3 Daughter’s Queen Court Strawberry Blond Nitro beer, one of 5 drink choices, and a Margharita Flatbread with Basil Pesto, one of 5 food choices. Since this is an art festival the dessert choices included Pop’t Art, an abstract designed sugar cookie with chocolate-hazelnut filling, and a white chocolate art painting with chocolate easel. They were almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.
Also in the Odyssey Festival Showplace are 3 art galleries. You can check out the art of Mary Blair, Herb Ryman, and the Disney Original Art Gallery. Beautiful art with stories behind the artist as well as some great merchandise for sale can be found in these areas.
The big draw for me was the new Disney on Broadway series. I was so excited when I received my email several days before to pre-register for Annual Passholder seating in the America Gardens Theatre. The pre-registration is included in your Annual Pass and can be reserved one time during the festival.
We chose Sunday, January 15th. We took our printed registration email up to the special entrance on the side of the theatre and found some great seats. This was, of course, after I made my regular stop at the Joffrey’s coffee cart and got a seasonal Latte.
Each weekend features 2 amazingly talented real Broadway stars. We were lucky enough to see Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland, who performed songs from Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Frozen, and The Little Mermaid. They were truly wonderful, and I teared up a bit during Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid with that being a favorite of mine since it came out when I was younger.
Around the World Showcase are different areas set up with delicious themed food and drink choices that we all expect to be at Epcot’s many wonderful festivals. With so many delicious and beautiful offerings nobody will leave hungry or thirsty!
Tents with gorgeous original Disney art as well as prints for sale fill in the rest of the spaces around the park. If you are lucky you might wander into the tent of one of the artists where you can purchase the canvas or print and have it signed by the artist and maybe get a photo with them as well! But remember that all magic comes at a price, dearie, and the artwork is worth every penny.
Epcot is running this festival Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays now through February 20, 2017.
For information on this festival or any other questions you may have about your next Magical vacation please contact me or your personal Magic Vacations Planner (MVP).
Jaime Noble
www.facebook.com/magicvacationstravel
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