The Ultimate Guide to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

One of the highlights of the start of the year in Orlando is the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Each year, EPCOT hosts hundreds of artists from around the world who showcase stunning visual, performance, and culinary art. This festival is an amazing opportunity to see (and taste) new art for a limited time. The event runs from January 12 to February 19, so you’ll be able to return more than once if you can’t fit everything this world showcase has to offer in a single day. If you’re hoping to experience this colorful festival, you’re probably wondering where you can stay near Walt Disney World. Fortunately, we have you covered! Here’s everything you need to know about the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, from what to do to and where you can stay.

Live Performances at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Some of the most popular art isn’t seen, it’s heard, and at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, you’ll have a lot to listen to! This world showcase is packed with live musical events that celebrate just how varied the performing arts can be. Stop by the America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45, or 8 pm to watch the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. You’ll enjoy sensational musical performances by the stars of several Disney musicals like The Lion King, Mary Poppins, the Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and more! Additionally, EPCOT is offering visitors special dining packages that let you savor a meal at one of eight unique eateries alongside guaranteed seats at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series.

The Disney on Broadway Concert isn’t the only celebration of the performing arts at EPCOT. You’ll be able to hear live musical performances daily in the World Showcase Plaza. The World Showcase Plaza is also home to art defying gravity. You’ll marvel at impressive displays of strength and agility from acrobatic performers.

Visual Art at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Of course, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts wouldn’t be complete without lots of stunning visual art. You’ll find festival kiosks throughout the world showcase plazas with art depicting beloved Disney characters and scenes. At some of these kiosks, you’ll have the chance to watch as artists bring your favorite Disney characters to life in real-time. You and your family will also have plenty of opportunities for a hands-on art experience. At the America Gardens Theatre, you can learn how to draw a Disney character with the Animation Academy event, featuring actual animators. You can also leave your mark on the paint-by-numbers mural or leave chalk art on the designated path near the chalk art galleries, which have been put together by professional chalk artists.

Culinary Arts at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

No EPCOT event would be complete without delicious food, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is no exception! This festival is packed with plenty of colorful cuisine from food studios all over the park. If you’re not sure exactly what to eat, try the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. At various food studios, you’ll find specially notated menu items. Order each of these items, and you’ll be able to collect stamps for your festival passport. Once you’ve collected at least five of the seven stamps, you can receive a complimentary artist palette cookie from the Deco Delights food studio. Want to know more about the rest of the culinary arts on offer at these food studios? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s the rundown of the gourmet landscapes you can explore with EPCOT’s colorful cuisine.

Food Studios at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

There are a whopping 16 food studios at EPCOT’s International Festival. These studios all give visitors the chance to enjoy decorative cuisine inspired by countries around the world. Some of the highlights include the American Adventure Pavilion, home to the Artist’s Table, which serves comfort food like smoked duck and dumplings. The Deconstructed Dish is sure to be another favorite with deconstructed classics like a BLT and key lime pie. The Italy Pavilion shows off Baroque cuisine like baked stuffed conchiglie pasta. Pastoral Palate at the Germany Pavilion offers hearty, rustic dishes, while the Japan Pavilion showcases some stellar Japanese culinary arts. If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, then Figment’s Inspiration Station and L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise are sure to be your best friends. Between these two spots, you’ll enjoy creamy brie, chocolate cake, and a decadent blueberry-filled pastry tart.

Where to Stay Near the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Want to experience this exciting EPCOT Festival? If so, you’re probably wondering where you can stay. After all, no one wants to spend too long getting to the excitement of Disney World. With so many amazing resorts nearby, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of options you have. No worries, we’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of some of the best places to stay near the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

At the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, you’ll see Disney fine art from around the world. Why not stay somewhere with more of that international flare? Disney’s Riviera Resort brings European charm to sunny Central Florida. From the stunning pool area inspired by the Mediterranean to the exquisite rooftop restaurant inspired by the French Riviera, this Disney Vacation Club resort truly captures the spirit of Europe. The activity lawn is a great space for family fun, with a life-sized chess board, bocce ball court, and fire pit to gather around. Taking a beautiful stroll along the waterfront to get some outdoor exercise makes for a perfect, blood-pumping activity. Joggers can also run this path or head to the Athletique Fitness Center. As an added bonus, you can easily reach EPCOT thanks to the Riviera’s access to Skyliners that will take you right to the park.

Accommodations at Disney’s Riviera Resort

The Tower Studios sleep two guests with a queen-size pulldown bed and a private balcony adds to the charm of Tower Studios. Next, the 300-unit property also features Deluxe Studios to sleep up to five guests. For larger parties looking to find a home away from home, one and two-bedroom Villas, as well as Grand Villas, have fully functional kitchens with dining space and an open living area. Bring the recipe book for home-cooked meals and board games for even more bonding time away from the parks. En-suite bathrooms have a freestanding tub and walk-in shower. In addition, the villas at Riviera Resort have a private porch and laundry area with a washer and dryer.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Beach Club Resort has the unique benefit of being near many of the best spots in Disney. You’ll be close to EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts, of course, but you’ll also be near Disney’s beautiful Boardwalk and the biggest pool area at any of DVC’s resorts: Stormalong Bay. This pool area has three acres of space, making it triple the size of a football field! It’s safe to say that you and your family will have a lot of room to roam around the Bay. Other amenities include the Fairways mini golf course and motorized boat rentals. You can also enjoy plenty of on-site dining with the Ale and Compass Restaurant, which serves classic comfort food or Cape May Cafe, which boasts a breakfast buffet and seafood for dinner. Don’t forget to stop by Beaches and Cream Soda Shop for dessert!

Accommodations at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Accommodations at the Beach Club include one and two-bedroom suites. The one-bedroom suites come with either a king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds, along with a daybed. These suites can accommodate up to four guests. Meanwhile, the two-bedroom suites boast two king-sized beds and a queen-sized sleeper sofa to house six guests. The one-bedroom suites offer guests a view of either the garden or Stormalong Bay, while two-bedroom suites can also offer a view of the Bay alongside a view of the lake.

Learn more: Best Pools at Disney World: Dive Into Fun and Luxury!

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas

Aside from being only a short walk away from the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas is near one of the most fun attractions in Disney World. From these villas, you will be just steps away from the Boardwalk the resort is named after. This early 1900s-styled boardwalk has some of the best dining of any DVC resort, with seafood, burgers, pizza, funnel cake, and much, much more! Disney’s Boardwalk also has a thriving nightlife with colorful clubs and bars to enjoy after a day at the Festival of the Arts. At the resort itself, you can race down a 200-foot-long waterslide at the Luna Park Pool, or cool down at the two other leisure pools. There’s also a lounge and bar nearby that serves drinks and snacks.

Accommodations at Disney’s Boardwalk Villas

When you’re ready to call it a night, you can unwind in a studio or one-bedroom villa. The studio comes with a queen bed, a sleeper sofa, and a pull-down bed to accommodate up to five guests. Many of these studios also give guests a view of either the garden or pool from their balcony. Meanwhile, the one-bedroom villa features a king-sized bed and queen sleeper sofa to house up to four guests. These villas also boast a full kitchen, living and dining areas, and a washer and dryer to make laundry a breeze. Much like the studios, the villas also come with a balcony. In fact, certain villas even give you an incredible view of the boardwalk.

Why You Should Buy a Timeshare Near the EPCOT Festival of the Arts

If you want to be able to experience the fun of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, the best way to do it is with a DVC timeshare. A timeshare will let you return to this fantastic festival each year, allowing you to make a brand-new travel tradition around the event. No more having to worry about constantly booking a hotel room. You can rest assured knowing you’ll have a place to stay each year when the event rolls around. Plus, as you can see, these timeshare resorts boast plenty of fantastic amenities like on-site dining and massive pools to make your stay much more enjoyable. Not to mention, the accommodations are often triple the size of a typical hotel room. How’s that for value?

Learn more: DVC Cost Per Point and the Long Term Value of Disney Vacation Club Ownership!

Buy a DVC Timeshare With Fidelity Real Estate

If you’re interested in owning a timeshare, then check out our marketplace! We have listings not only for the best Disney Vacation Club resorts, but also properties from other top brands like Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Marriott, Westgate, and more. Plus, when you buy a timeshare on the resale market, you’ll often be able to purchase it for a lower price than buying directly, while still enjoying the same great amenities. As a result, buying resale is a great way to dip your toes into the market if you’re new to timeshares, and gives more experienced owners a way to add to their ownership for less money. As a result, Fidelity has a lot to offer for both newcomers and seasoned owners alike. What’s not to love? Buy a Disney Vacation Club timeshare today!

Sell Your DVC Timeshare With Fidelity Real Estate

While there’s a lot to love about vacation ownership, we understand that not all good things last forever. Whether it’s due to a change in lifestyle or a desire to try a new vacation club, there’s nothing wrong with deciding you no longer want your timeshare. That’s where we come in! Fidelity Real Estate has been helping timeshare owners sell their timeshare for over 25 years, and we can help you, too. We’re a proud member of ARDA, which means we follow a strict set of ethics that helps to keep everyone in the industry safe.

This means that when you work with our licensed agents, you’ll be working with responsible and highly experienced experts in the field. If you’re ready to say goodbye to your timeshare, fill out the form below. Still have questions? We’re happy to help! Please give us a call at 1-800-410-8326 or email us at [email protected].