Festival of the Arts: Is It Worth a Trip?

Hey there, Disney Fans!

     Hope everyone had an awesome Turkey Day and is already neck-deep in holiday cheer and excitement! I know we are in MY house. Our Disney themed Christmas tree is up and we've started one of the most beautiful times of the year. I was lucky enough to visit the 2017 Epcot International Festival of the Arts when it kicked off this past January and that was pretty gorgeous too!

     This popular festival will be returning to Epcot from January 12th - February 19th 2018 and Disney fans are already abuzz about all of the cool offerings and events the second year will bring. A couple of posts back, I talked about the food booths, shared their menus and showed some pictures from 2017 (If you didn't get to check out that post, you can find it HERE.) But you may be wondering, aside from the delectable food, what else is there for me to do? Should I bother attending? Well, I'm happy to share that the festival includes so much more than just food booths! Read on to see what else you have to look forward to!

----------

Visual Arts

     This festival is chock full of delights for the eyes! There are topiaries, art displays, galleries, art merchandise booths and more! All around Epcot you will find gorgeous splashes of color and cool things to look at. One Guest favorite this past year was the murals that were set up around the park, where you can put yourself into famous works of art like the Mona Lisa or Washington Crossing the Delaware. There were PhotoPass photographers on hand to capture your artistic fun, too! There are also fun photo ops with the "living statues" in Future World, and you and your family can help create a giant mosaic mural by painting some squares! 

There is art to enjoy and/or purchase all around the park.

Really put yourself into the art!

See how a little bit of work, by a lot of people, makes something beautiful!

Guests used to be able to enjoy the living statues in Italy and France
pavilions and now they are back for the festival!

See the works of well known Disney artists!

And watch local artists at work!

     There were even local artists set up all over World Showcase, creating chalk, paint, and pencil masterpieces right before Guests' eyes! This festival will have you strolling around and finding new beauty all around Epcot!

Performing Arts

     Aside from the regular incredible acts that perform all around Epcot, including the JAMMitors, Voices of Liberty and TheBritish Revolution, the Festival of the Arts welcomes amazing Broadway performers to the American Gardens Theater, where they do three nightly shows of some of the biggest and best Broadway hits. The 2018 lineup is yet to be announced, but this past year's event included Ashley Brown, the original title character in "Mary Poppins" on Broadway, and Kissy Simmons from Broadway's "The Lion King". This year is bound to have some fabulous acts as well, and I can't wait to hear who will be coming!

     Just like with the Candlelight Processional and with Eat to the Beat, Guests can book dinner packages that include pre-reserved seating for the shows. Contact an agent at Kingdom Konsultant Travel for information on pricing and menus.


Culinary Arts

     As I mentioned to you at the beginning of this post, there are also food booths all around World Showcase (a la Food and Wine Festival) that show off the culinary arts. Each food item is carefully plated and created with a rainbow palate in mind. They are just as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the belly! Be sure and use the link at the top of this post to check out this year's menus!

Interactive Experiences and Demonstrations

     One of my kiddos' favorite parts of the festival was finding Figment in Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt! You can purchase a map for one of several merchandise locations, and in each country, locate the world of art that Figment is hiding. Lucky little artists who find all of them get a special prize!

     Seminars and demonstrations more your thing? Well, there are plenty to choose from! In fact, there's a full calendar of event and classes to choose from! Some are complimentary and others have fees. here's the full run down of what's available:

Friday  January 12th, 2018

• Sculpting a Mixed Media Action Figure: 11 am, $39 per person
• TBA: 1:30 pm, Free
• Artful Uses For Your Park Map: 4:30 pm, Free

Saturday  January 13th, 2018

• Floral Arranging: 11 am, $39 per person
• The Art of Woodcarving: 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Sunday  January 14th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• From Animated Films to Theme Parks: 1:30 pm, Free
• Principals of Background Art and Matte Paintings in Animated Films: 4:30 pm, Free

Monday  January 15th, 2018

• Animation 101: 11 am, $39 per person
• What Does It Take To Get the Right Shot? (Photography): 1:30 pm, Free
• Making the New Look Old (Aging Wood): 4:30 pm, Free

Tuesday  January 16th, 2018

• Cartoon Portraits: 11 am, $39 per person
• Food as Art (How Food Enhances the Park Experience): 1:30 pm, Free
• The Art of Happiness (Will Gay, Disney Designer): 4:30 pm, Free

Wednesday  January 17th, 2018

• Handcrafted Calligraphy: 11 am, $39 per person
• Magic in the Milk (Latte Art): 1:30 pm, Free
• Ancient Process of Casting Bronze: 4:30 pm, Free

Thursday  January 18th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• Photography 101 (Take Better Pictures With Your Cell Phone): 1:30 pm, Free
• Creating a Stained Glass Hanging: 4:30 pm, Free

Friday  January 19th, 2018

• Premium Workshop: Painting With a Disney Artist: 8 am, $259 per person
• Once Upon a Doll (Create Your Own Precious Moments Doll): 11 am, $39 per person
• Presenting an Art Exhibition in One of the Top 10 Museum in the World: 1:30 pm, Free
• Hip-Hop: The Evolution of the Flow: 4:30 pm, Free

Saturday  January 20th, 2018

• Once Upon a Doll (Create Your Own Precious Moments Doll): 11 am, $39 per person
• The Art of Disney Topiary: 1:30 pm, Free
• From Concept to Creation (Theatrical Costuming and Painting): 4:30 pm, Free

Sunday  January 21st, 2018

• Print Making From a Clay Base: 11 am, $39 per person
• Home Brewing: 1:30 pm, Free
• Making Every Moment Precious (History of Precious Moments Dolls): 4:30 pm, Free

Monday  January 22nd, 2018

• Abstract Painting: A Journey In Bringing Your Art To Life: 11 am, $39 per person
• Store Design: Where Furniture, Interior and Themed Design Meet: 1:30 pm, Free
• Photography 101: Shooting Spectacular Fireworks: 4:30 pm, Free

Tuesday  January 23rd, 2018

• Floral Arranging: 11 am, $39 per person
• State of Excellence (Private Art in Florida): 1:30 pm, Free
• Creating Bead Woven Jewelry: 4:30 pm, Free

Wednesday  January 24th, 2018

• Gesture Drawing Class: 11 am, $39 per person
• From Animated Films to Theme Parks: 1:30 pm, Free
• The Story of Storytellers (Teen Documentary Photography): 4:30 pm, Free

Thursday  January 25th, 2018

• Still Life Watercolor Sketching: 11 am, $39 per person
• What Does It Take To Get the Right Shot? (Photography): 1:30 pm, Free
• It's All in the Details: The Art of the Prop and Its Role In the Story: 4:30 pm, Free

Friday  January 26th, 2018

• Premium Workshop: Painting With a Disney Artist: 8 am, $259 per person
• Magical Mixed Media Art (Boiled Books): 11 am, $39 per person
• Behind the Lines of Viz Art Ink: 1:30 pm, Free
• Sketchbook Savvy (Traditional and Digital Sketchbooks): 4:30 pm, Free

Saturday January 27th, 2018

• Doodling With Viz (Doodle With Hidden Pictures and Words): 11 am, $39 per person
• Food Styling 101 (Making Food Photo Ready): 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Sunday  January 28th, 2018

• Ink and Paint Animation: 11 am, $39 per person
• Photography 101: Lighting and Perspective: 1:30 pm, Free
• Violin: What It Is and How It Works: 4:30 pm, Free

Monday  January 29th, 2018

• P.S. Flavor!: Artisanal Spice Artistry (Spice Blending and Sand Art): 11 am, $39 per person
• Painting Shanghai Disneyland: 1:30 pm, Free
• It's All in the Details: The Art of the Prop and Its Role In the Story: 4:30 pm, Free

Tuesday  January 30th, 2018

• Watercolor Love: 11 am, $39 per person
  
• Watermelon Carving: 1:30 pm, Free
• Photography 101: A Look At Landscapes: 4:30 pm, Free

Wednesday  January 31st, 2018

• Floral Arranging: 11 am, $39 per person
• What Does It Take To Get The Right Shot (Photography): 1:30 pm, Free
• Acrylic in Action: 4:30 pm, Free

Thursday  February 1st, 2018

• Whimsical Tea  Pots of Clay: 11 am, $39 per person
• A History of American Mavericks: Composers Outside of the Box: 1:30 pm, Free
• One Little Spark: Finding the Figment Inside of You (Learn About Inspiration From a Disney Artist): 4:30 pm, Free

Friday  February 2nd, 2018

• Premium Workshop: Painting With a Disney Artist: 8 am, $259 per person
• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• The Art of Face Painting: 1:30 pm, Free
• The Music of John Williams: 4:30 pm, Free
  

Saturday  February 3rd, 2018

• Burlap Wreath Making: 11 am, $39 per person
• TBA: 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Sunday  February 4th, 2018

• Organic Dried Food Mosaics: 11 am, $39 per person
• TBA: 1:30 pm, Free
• Watercolor Travel Sketching, Urban Sketching and Painting En Plein Air : 4:30 pm, Free

Monday  February 5th, 2018

• The World of Paper Crafting: 11 am, $39 per person
• Pancake Art: 1:30 pm, Free
• Photography 101: Ready, Set, Action! : 4:30 pm, Free

Tuesday  February 6th, 2018

• Animation 101: 11 am, $39 per person
• Pancake Art: 1:30 pm, Free
• Creating a Magical Fairy House: 4:30 pm, Free

Wednesday  February 7th, 2018

• Paper Quilling: 11 am, $39 per person
• Photography 101: Photo Editing: 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Thursday  February 8th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• A Brief History of Jazz: 1:30 pm, Free
• Upcycling for the Theater: Faux Art Techniques: 4:30 pm, Free

Friday  February 9th, 2018

• Premium Workshop: Painting With a Disney Artist: 8 am, $259 per person
• Sculpting a Mixed Media Action Figure: 11 am, $39 per person
• Presenting an Art Exhibition in One of the Top 10 Museum in the World: 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Saturday  February 10th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• Stories From a National Parks Painter: 1:30 pm, Free
• Watermelon Carving: 4:30 pm, Free

Sunday  February 11th, 2018

• Ink and Paint Animation: 11 am, $39 per person
• TBA: 1:30 pm, Free
• Ceramics and Civilization: 4:30 pm, Free

Monday  February 12th, 2018

• Gesture Drawing Class: 11 am, $39 per person
• Art in the Community (Using Art to Build a Community): 1:30 pm, Free
• Violin: What It Is and How It Works: 4:30 pm, Free

Tuesday  February 13th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• Photography 101: Magic With Water (Taking Photos in and Around Water): 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Wednesday  February 14th, 2018

• String Art: 11 am, $39 per person
• Upcycling For Floral Arrangements (Using Alternate Materials w Flowers): 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Thursday  February 15th, 2018

• 3D Paper Crafting: 11 am, $39 per person
• TBA: 1:30 pm, Free
• Impressionism With an Edge (Floral Paintings With a Palate Knife): 4:30 pm, Free

Friday  February 16th, 2018

• Premium Workshop: Painting With a Disney Artist: 8 am, $259 per person
• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• What Does It Take To Get The Right Shot? (Photography): 1:30 pm, Free
• One Little Spark: Finding the Figment Inside of You (Learn About Inspiration from a Disney Artist): 4:30 pm, Free

Saturday  February 17th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• Magic in the Milk (Latte Art): 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Sunday  February 18th, 2018

• Our World in Abstract (Using Oil Pastels): 11 am, $39 per person
• TBA: 1:30 pm, Free
• TBA: 4:30 pm, Free

Monday  February 19th, 2018

• TBA: 11 am, $39 per person
• Photography 101: Closer, Sweeter, Better (The Art of the Close Up): 1:30 pm, Free
• Living Women Composers: 4:30 pm, Free

     Woah! That's a LOT of classes that you can enjoy! So, are you convinced that you NEED to be here for the 2018 Festival of the Arts??? Well, go ahead.... contact the agents here at Kingdom Konsultants Travel and they will get a nice long weekend booked for you, or maybe even a whole week, if you can swing it! 

     Until next time, Disney Friends, have a magical week!!!