Opinions on Epcot Arts Festival?

[freewill]

Hi, for folks who have been to Epcot over recent weekends, what do you think of the Arts Festival? How much does it enhance or affect your day, if at all? I'd be grateful to hear opinions on how much people love it or think it's a meh in current form--and why?

 

[CouchTater]

We went for the first time Friday and really wasn't impressed. It's nice enough for it's first year but none of the food selections sounded that appetizing for the price. For the first time ever we left the park without spending a penny. The art booths are nice but rather repetitive. We left before the concert so can't comment on that. A pleasant enough diversion but certainly nothing to plan a trip around. I expect it will probably improve in the future however.

 

[FindingKelly]

I have been twice, overall I think it is a nice enhancement to the World Showcase but not a must-do. The booths aren't everywhere like for F&G and F&W so you could easily skip it if it doesn't interest you but they do make the WS more interactive and fun than non-festival times in my opinion. There are some fun photo opportunities and the food offerings are unique and look beautiful, but it is by no means a destination food event like F&W. The Broadway singers show at the American Pavilion is nice, but unless you are a big Broadway fan you likely won't know the performers-- still a talent-filled and entertaining show though!

 

[FastPasser]

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[Gina Starr]

I enjoyed it! I was there opening weekend and did the animation academy, the huge paint by numbers, bought a few small items from the art stands, enjoyed the broadway concert, and ate the huge chocolate chip cookie painters pallette. I have never been to any other Epcot festivals so can't compare

 

[HopperFan]

I think for it's first year it was good. Since there is still a smaller offering of things in a very large park ... they are spread out and it was work to check it all out.

- The food items were beautiful visually, I think a fair portion considering F&W but pricey.
- Any interactive like paint mural, scavenger hunt, etc were nice.
- LOVED the paintings you could get in and take your picture.
- Music a very nice option, not for all but then none of their concerts are for all.
- Shopping .... slow start there, they need to up the interest game there.
- Would love more interaction/connection to each country .. art crosses all lines, should have been more.
- Loved being able to watch actual artists paint right next to their finished pieces.
- Improved on the festival merchandise but huge miss to make the Mona Figment shirt women's only. Big miss.
- Passports a great idea to guide you around to everything .. needed since much did not visually stand out.

I think if they stick to it, develop it more ... make it a bigger experience so it stands out, great. They sure had the crowds there to explore, just saw no lines anywhere and that isn't good for $$.

 

[elaine amj]

One day I would love to go to this. We love Broadway-style music and I was super excited. We have never been interested enough to make it to any of the F&G and F&W concerts (but then we've only done each festival for short trips once.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

My sister & I went yesterday.

It was nice enough, I enjoyed the beautiful plating of the food items from the booths.

I really enjoyed meeting the artists and watching them paint.

We reserved spots for the Broadway singing, which in hind sight we would probably skip if we go again. They sang a few songs, about 25 minutes, then it was over. I was disappointed with it.

I wish the countries had their own artworks on display, they could have done a lot to get the countries involved with the art besides the food.

I would not plan a trip around it.

 

[HopperFan]

I wish the countries had their own artworks on display, they could have done a lot to get the countries involved with the art besides the food.

My post as well. I think given the incredible art from some of these countries this was a huge miss. Now they "tried" with the paintings you could stand in but ......... mostly a lost opportunity. My thought process was this wasn't organized until last couple months (maybe when income reports came in) and no one really sat down and looked at the bigger picture.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

My post as well. I think given the incredible art from some of these countries this was a huge miss. Now they "tried" with the paintings you could stand in but ......... mostly a lost opportunity. My thought process was this wasn't now organized until last couple months (maybe when income reports came in) and no one really sat down and looked at the bigger picture.

I couldn't agree more. I thought it could have been a lot larger in the scale of the artwork they could display in the countries. I think by the time next year rolls around, they will add more displays for the festival if they decide to continue it.

 

[bigmac5]

I really wasn't impressed. We were at Epcot 2 days Jan 16 and 23. Disappointed that both those days had the same Broadway...didn't see it because of the times(would have been nice if there was a noon show) and we didn't have dining/show passes so didn't want to wait around for a seat we might not get. The food/prices didn't appeal so didn't buy any food. I found the tents for the art we small so got crowded quiet easily. Only saw 1 sidewalk chalk painting and it wasn't impressive. I did like the living statues and felt sorry for them because it was hot when we were there. I would not go out of my way to see it again

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I saw it as sort of a "starter" festival. I think there were a lot of missed opportunities (like incorporating the art of the countries as others have mentioned), but there were a lot of parts we enjoyed. The Mary Blair and Herb Ryman exhibits were really lovely. To see the original concept art for EP was really amazing. I just wish they had put an exhibit book together for purchase and hopefully, next year, the exhibits will be bigger. We also enjoyed participating in the mural and the Broadway performers (Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland) were unbelievably talented. What I didn't really need were all the food booths. I think the food booth thing is heading toward overkill at this point. Do we really need food booths at EVERY festival? Would we make a special trip to do this again? I guess it depends on how they expand on this year's offerings. But this certainly wasn't a F&W or a F&G (our favorite).

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I've enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to when it was first announced.

I've seen both sets of concert performers so far - I'm a Broadway fan so I'm glad there's finally people I've heard of performing at an Epcot festival - and intend to see the final set if I can carve time out of my upcoming 65-hour work weeks. They've been really great and by far my favorite part of the whole thing.

Most of the food I've tried was pretty good. The selection is a little heavy on desserts, which is fine, but hard to make a meal of unless you want a massive sugar overdose. I'm not a drinking person but

The chalk artists are neat to watch, and the photo opportunities "inside" the paintings are a fun addition. I also really enjoyed the Figment scavenger hunt once I figured out what I was looking for. I haven't had time to do any of the seminars because I always work weekends, but some of them do sound very interesting. I wish I had time for them.

I would definitely like to see an exhibit in each country focused on the art style of that particular country. Some of the artist booths seem very randomly placed, like the Star Wars art over by Morocco. I like Star Wars but that's an odd place for it.

 

[freewill]

Many thanks for everyone's opinions on this. Overall, it sounds like this festival could have a bright future if Disney commits to it with improvements going forward. Hope to find out for ourselves on the last day of this year's festival!

 

[marciemi]

I've gone probably 5 times since it started, bringing different folks visiting. I agree it's a nice addition but nothing "wow". Just a little extra fun in your day if you're planning to be there then and one more thing to consider in your planning (if you have an interest in the booths/shows then you need to be there Fri-Mon; otherwise, I'd avoid at least the weekend days for the WS crowds - Saturday wasn't nearly as much fun walking around as when I went on a Monday). I have seen both the sets of Broadway performers so far (the first pair on 2 separate weekends) and really think that's the highlight of the festival (and I'm not a Broadway fan - just a Disney one!).

 

[Amw1064]

I enjoyed it! I was there opening weekend and did the animation academy, the huge paint by numbers, bought a few small items from the art stands, enjoyed the broadway concert, and ate the huge chocolate chip cookie painters pallette. I have never been to any other Epcot festivals so can't compare

That is exactly what we did. Loved the broadway show. It was excellent!

 

[Dashcomplete]

The Broadway singers show at the American Pavilion is nice, but unless you are a big Broadway fan you likely won't know the performers-- still a talent-filled and entertaining show though!

enjoyed the broadway concert

We reserved spots for the Broadway singing, which in hind sight we would probably skip if we go again. They sang a few songs, about 25 minutes, then it was over. I was disappointed with it.

I've seen both sets of concert performers so far - I'm a Broadway fan so I'm glad there's finally people I've heard of performing at an Epcot festival - and intend to see the final set if I can carve time out of my upcoming 65-hour work weeks. They've been really great and by far my favorite part of the whole thing.

I have seen both the sets of Broadway performers so far (the first pair on 2 separate weekends) and really think that's the highlight of the festival (and I'm not a Broadway fan - just a Disney one!).

Loved the broadway show

Hi All,
We are planning on going to the 5:30 concert this upcoming Saturday. Do you recommend lining up for it? If so, how early in advance should we get in line. We don't really care that much about the seats... we just want to get 2 together.
Thanks!

 

[kimj88]

Was in Epcot during it 3 times during our visit. Nothing to write home about, certainly nothing to schedule a trip around. I had the artist cookie, it was meh at best. Also had the triple chocolate mousse, it tasted like Jello pudding.

 

[marciemi]

Hi All,
We are planning on going to the 5:30 concert this upcoming Saturday. Do you recommend lining up for it? If so, how early in advance should we get in line. We don't really care that much about the seats... we just want to get 2 together.
Thanks!

Yes, especially on a Saturday. We got in line for the 5:30 about 4 last Saturday, which was too early but we ended up in the front (covered) section with a great view. If you get there by about 4:45 it will be mostly full, because they hold like half the seats for the reserved AP seats and other "ticketed" reserved seats (not sure what they were but they had a separate entrance). We went the first time (but it was a Monday) around 5 and ended up standing and waiting in a corner where they held us until they finally released those seats (honestly at like 5:27). The second time we got there around 4:45 and were held in the line outside for a bit (this was a Friday) but eventually ended up with decent seats. I would shoot to get there by 4:30 if you're willing to sit and wait (you can always have one member of your party leave for drinks, restrooms, etc.). If it's not that important, I would probably show up around 5:15 and just assume you'll get a seat somewhere once they fill in all the reserved sections.

 

[marciemi]

Was in Epcot during it 3 times during our visit. Nothing to write home about, certainly nothing to schedule a trip around. I had the artist cookie, it was meh at best. Also had the triple chocolate mousse, it tasted like Jello pudding.

We also spent the $9+ on that mousse and were quite disappointed for the price. The risotto is a much better option at that booth!