If you’re looking for a winter getaway to the most magical place on Earth, read up on our Disney’s Festival of the Arts Planning Tips. From activities to costs to menus and photo ops, we’ve rounded up everything to know before you go to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts this year.
Disney Festival of the Arts Details
Believe it or not, at the top of our Festival of the Arts Tips is to go without a planning schedule! While there is a ton to do at the Festival of Arts, planning is essential, most of the time. For this EPCOT winter festival, it’s not about checking your favorite foods or performances off a list. This festival works best when you’re taking it slow. Culinary masterpieces take longer to make. Discussions with artists have no timeline. And you’ll want to stop and watch that impromptu performance. Things like dining reservations, and Lightning Lane passes could get in the way of a full day just appreciating art. And if you’re aiming to park hop somewhere else mid-day, forget about getting it all done. Our Best Advice? Decide ahead of time what you’re super excited to do and plan on that. But let everything else happen without keeping track of time.
What are the Disney Festival of the Arts Dates ?
The Walt Disney World Festival of the Arts at EPCOT happens between mid-January to late February every year. This year the Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epcot runs January 17- February 24, 2025.
What are the Best Days to Visit Disney Festival of the Arts?
The Festival of the Arts at EPCOT is busiest the first week. So while opening weekend may be busy, the best time to visit the festival is between Monday- Thursday. And if you’re looking to get even more specific we HIGHLY RECOMMEND visiting any festival at EPCOT from rope drop until about 4 pm on weekdays. Anytime after 4 pm gets pretty crowded with locals, and vacationers looking to maximize their day, or have evening drinks. Check out our Best Time to Visit Disney World Crowd Calendars for a week by week look.
Disney Festival of the Arts Cost
The most important part of Festival of the Arts Planning is how you’re going to pay for everything! While there are so many options, if you’re looking to try foods, buy art, or sample all the Joffrey’s Coffee’s there are here are a couple of things to know to help keep you on your Disney Budget!
Do EPCOT Festival of the Arts Tickets Cost Extra?
No. All Epcot festivals are included in the price of your Disney Park Ticket for Epcot. As such, there is no separate ticket. As long as you have valid park admission to EPCOT Park, you are good to go!
What’s the Best Way to Budget Food at the Festival of the Arts?
As with all festivals at Epcot, you can grab a Disney gift card with a certain amount of money to keep your food purchases in check. Or purchase an entitlement card or attach your credit card to your MagicBand. We like the gift card option best and find it easiest to not go crazy with our spending.
How Much Does Food at EPCOT Festivals Cost?
Foods at each booth typically cost between $5-$8 dollars each. These are single-serve dishes, just enough for one person. But you can definitely share these ( we do!). Check out the Festival of the Arts Menus for everything to choose from this year!
Disney Festival of the Arts Activities
The Festival of the Arts Activities are separated into 3 different types of art; Performance, Fine Art, and Culinary Art. We’ve pulled together a Disney Festival of the Arts Beginners Guide to help you figure out the things you’re most excited about! Here is a quick list of the things you can look forward to at the Festival of the Arts!
Performances
When pulling together your Festival of the Art Planning, you will want to be sure to build in time for the performances. Both the headliner; the Broadway Concert Series, and the pop performances throughout the festival are in the My Disney Experience App with showtimes to consider.
- The Broadway Concert Series: Shows at 5:30, 6:45, and 8pm
- Acrobatic and Physical Art Performances: at the main stage on the Midway all day.
Fine Art
- Artists and Galleries: throughout World Showcase
- The Figment Brush with the Master’s Scavenger Hunt Game
- Unique Photo Ops: throughout the World Showcase, always open. Photo Pass begins at 11 am
- Hidden Art Work: with one character painted on a building in each country
- Animation Drawing Classes at the American Garden Theater
Culinary Art
- Outdoor Food Studios: Open 11am- 9pm
- Complimentary Seminars & Workshops: in the Festival Center
Disney Festival of the Arts Food
Disney’s Festival of the Arts Planning wouldn’t be complete without figuring out and budgeting for the food. Here are a few things to help you with that ahead of time.
Can I use the Disney Snack Credits at the Festival of the Arts?
Yes. Absolutely! Just check for the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) logo on the signs at each outdoor kitchen to see which dishes are available as a snack. And be sure to check out the Disney Dining Plan Budget post for estimates on food costs. While we always advocate for using festival dishes to replace meals, figuring out your food plans ahead of time will make this easier.
Are the Epcot Festival of the Arts Menus available ahead of time?
Yep, you bet! You can check out the Festival of the Arts Menus which are updated every year by Walt Disney World. So you can make a list of your must-try foods.
Disney Festival of the Arts Resorts
One of our biggest Festival of the Arts Top 10 Tips is to STAY at a Resort on the Disney Boardwalk. Since January and February are some of the cheapest times to visit Walt Disney World we highly recommend making it easy on yourself so you can be close to the action at EPCOT. Since the Boardwalk is close to the World Showcase you can come and go as you please without worrying about Disney transportation. Staying at the Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club, Beach Club or the Swan & Dolphin Hotels gets you in walking distance of the festival action. Meaning you can spend more time at the festival at less time getting there. Check out the Disney Boardwalk Resorts to choose from!
Disney Festival of the Arts Tips
If you’re visiting Florida in the winter it pays to know how to pack for winter at Disney. While Florida is known to be pretty warm, in January and February it can get downright breezy! Check the weather ahead of time and pack layers. You may not see rain, but evenings can get chilly. And you don’t want to spend your Disney Budget on sweatshirts for the family just because you only packed shorts. So be sure to plan for the weather.
Got a question? Let us know. Festival of the Arts is one of our favorite festivals at Walt Disney World and a great reason to head south for the winter!!! Need more ideas? Check out our Disney’s Festival of the Arts posts on the blog.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
