Follow Along With Us LIVE at the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts!
It’s the first day of the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts, so come follow along with us as we take you through the lines, the food, the art…and more!
We’ll be updating this post throughout the day so make sure you keep checking back with MickeyBlog for more details. Let’s jump in!
Festival Dates
The Festival of the Arts lasts from January 13th to February 20th, 2023, and you don’t need an extra ticket to attend. All you need is valid admission to EPCOT (like a ticket or Annual Pass) and a park reservation!
So now that we’re here, what does the first day of an EPCOT festival look like?
Arriving at 8AM
We arrived early to EPCOT to be one of the FIRST people in line! The weather may be a bit dreary and rainy today but we loved listening to Figment sing “One Little Spark” while Spaceship Earth sparkled in the distance.
✨🌐WOW🌐✨
A perk of getting here early is a nice view to look at before they let us in! It’s time for a full day of Festival of the Arts! 🤩🎨✨#FestivaloftheArts #Epcot #Waltdisneyworld pic.twitter.com/1ONX5vJC5V
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 13, 2023
Who’s excited??
@mickeyblog_ It’s opening day of Epcot’s Festival of the Arts!🥳🎨✨ We LOVE this festival for so many reasons. How do you guys feel about this festival? Let us know below!⬇️ Follow along for the ride here at MickeyBlog! ✨ #Disneyparks #waltdisneyworld #festivalofthearts #epcotfestivalofthearts #figment #figmentbucket #figmentpopcornbucket #epcotfestival ♬ Art Appreciation Style Sound of Sound – SOUND BANK
It’s time to head into the park!
Festival Passport
One of the first things we did was grab our Festival Passport! This booklet is totally free and it includes all the info you need about festival booths, entertainment, challenges, and more.
🎨It’s Festival of the Arts Day!🎨
Today is OPENING DAY of Festival of the Arts and we have a BIG team covering it all today!🥳
We have grabbed our passport and we are ready to take on the day. 🖌️🎨✨
Follow along with us here at MickeyBlog for much more to come! pic.twitter.com/u7tlQ1vC1A
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 13, 2023
You can find Festival Passports in various locations around EPCOT, including at food booths.
Now it’s time to check out some new merch!
Read more about the Festival of the Arts Festival Passport here!
Crowds
Crowds do tend to be high on the first day of an EPCOT festival, and you can follow along with us live to see what the World Showcase looked like as of this morning. Remember to follow us on Facebook for more updates and info!
Now it’s time to check out some new merch!
Click here to follow MickeyBlog on Facebook!
Merchandise
If you’re looking for Festival of the Arts merch, make sure you stop by Creations Shop! We’ve spotted a new spirit jersey…
…a Corkcicle Tumbler…
…new pins…
…and lots more! Visit our link below to see everything.
Click here for ALL the Festival of the Arts merchandise!
Artwork
The Festival of the Arts is all about art (obviously) so make sure you slow down to check out all the art! We found several pieces hung on the construction walls of EPCOT.
We are ready to see ALL the art today at Epcot’s Annual #FestivaloftheArts!
Where does this festival rank among your favorite festivals? 🤔
Let us know below! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HsLCZOq66U
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 13, 2023
This piece of art is entitled “EPCOT — The Magic of Possibility” by Jason Ratner.
Click below to see more of the artwork we’ve spotted so far!
See more of the artwork by clicking here!
And while we were able to catch some chalk art yesterday, the sad part of chalk is that it gets washed away in the rain, and the rainy weather did some damage this morning.
There will be more chalk art to see throughout the festival so make sure you check back with MickeyBlog!
Check out the chalk art we’ve seen so far!
You can help bring a mural to life over by the Paint-By-Number Expression Section, which is open daily until 5PM. Cast Members give each guest a small container of paint and a brush, and you can color a square of the mural!
It’s totally free, although you may have to wait in a short line. It’s worth it!
Read more about the Paint-By-Number Moral here!
Characters
During EPCOT festivals you can often find characters wearing special outfits, and we found Pluto wearing a rainbow collar!
We found 🐾PLUTO🐾 dressed in his artful outfit today! Isn’t he the best?!?#FestivaloftheArts #Epcot #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyParks pic.twitter.com/7BnsbmUQ77
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 13, 2023
SO CUTE.
See more photos of festive Pluto here!
Entertainment
Snoap
Our MickeyBloggers found a snoap (snow + soap) machine outside the Odyssey Pavilion!
We love some fake snow.
Jammitors
We also came across the Jammitors jamming out near Connections Cafe.
Watch their performance in our video below!
Here come the 🎶JAMMITORS!🎶
These three are JAMMING out in celebration of Festival day! 🥳🎶✨ pic.twitter.com/lCjhnZOUVT
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 13, 2023
You can also take part in two different scavenger hunts!
Figment’s Brush with the Masters
And don’t forget to participate in the scavenger hunt known as Figment’s Brush with the Masters! You can buy a map for $9.99 from select locations around EPCOT, and then you get to work finding Figment hidden in reimagined artwork around EPCOT.
You can redeem your finished map (or redeem it before you finish) for a free prize!
Read more about Figment’s Brush with the Masters here!
Chalk Full of Character
Chalk Full of Character is another scavenger hunt option, although there’s no official map or gameboard to purchase, so it’s really just for fun. With this scavenger hunt, you’re searching out images of Disney characters hidden around the World Showcase, like this hidden Bruni from Frozen 2 in the Norway Pavilion.
And over in the France Pavilion, you can spot the Aristocats!
If you want to find all the hidden characters, you might want to slow down and take a stroll around every pavilion in the World Showcase.
Disney on Broadway
Disney on Broadway is a way to catch Broadway-caliber performances in the American Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion on select dates and evening performance times.
During these showtimes, you can see Broadway performances of Disney musicals, with songs from movies and shows such as Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, The Lion King, and more.
Click below to see the calendar of Disney on Broadway!
You can read more about Disney on Broadway during the Festival of the Arts here!
We hope you’re hungry because now it’s time to FEAST!
Food & Drinks
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.
At the Joffrey’s location near Disney Traders, we tried the new Jade Frost drink, made with frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, green apple, and green apple popping boba pearls for $6.39. You can also get Grey Goose Vodka added for $13.99.
If you like sour apple flavor, you’d enjoy this — it’s VERY sour and we could barely taste any lemonade. If you’re not a fan of sour flavors, you might want to skip this one.
Read our review of the Jade Frost drink here!
We also visited the Joffrey’s location over by the American Adventure Pavilion for the Cerulean Frost, made with a blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Made Premium Lemonade, blue raspberry, and blueberry boba pearls for $6.39.
This drink was VERY sweet, so be aware of that if you’re not a fan of sweet drinks. You can get Grey Goose Vodka added for $13.99.
Click here for our review of the Cerulean Frost drink!
Over by Mission: SPACE is another Joffrey’s location where you can get the Amber Frost drink, made with a blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, blood orange, and orange popping boba pearls for $6.39, or $13.99 with Grey Goose Vodka.
The blood orange makes this drink a little tart but very tasty, and we loved the flavor and texture added by the boba pearls!
Read our review of the Amber Frost drink here!
The final drink is the Magenta Frost from Joffrey’s near the Canada Pavilion. This drink is made with frozen lemonade Ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, dragon fruit, and dragon fruit popping boba pearls. It costs $6.39 or $13.99 with Grey Goose Vodka.
A Cast Member let us know that there’s also an Annual Passholder version of this drink, with lemon boba pearls instead of dragon fruit.
Read our review of the Magenta Frost here!
Connections Cafe
Over at Connections Cafe, we ordered the Figment Liege Waffle, which is the same waffle we’ve seen in previous designs in the past, except this version comes with drizzles of orange icing along with purple and pink sprinkles and a Figment white chocolate medallion.
And as a nice surprise, we spotted the Walt Disney World Ambassadors Ali Manion and Raevon Redding working at Connections Cafe!
Take a look at the Figment Liege Waffle in action below. Grab it for $4.19.
We are starting our Festival of the Arts day with this “Figment Liege Waffle” from Connections cafe! 🧇👀 pic.twitter.com/z0xelRD7dz
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 13, 2023
And on the other side of Connections Cafe, we ordered the Dusk ‘Til Dawn drink, made with Three Olives Blueberry Vodka, lemonade, and orange juice, along with cotton candy!
The cotton candy dissolves into the drink for a really fun effect. Order it for $14.50!
Read more about the Figment Liege Waffle here!
Figment Inspiration Station
At the new Figment’s Inspiration Station, we ordered the Rainbow Cake for $4.75…
…the Fruit Pizza for $3.75…
…the Pop’t Tart for $4.50…
…and the Grape Smoothie with Freeze-Dried Skittles for $5.50.
This is also the place to pick up your own Figment Popcorn Bucket!
You can click below to read more about our review!
Read our review of Figment’s Inspiration Station here!
Refreshment Port
At Refreshment Port, we ordered the classic Jumbo Cookie (that you can paint!)…
…and the new Boulevard Brewing Co. Quirk Blueberry Lemon & Lavender Hard Seltzer.
Read our full review below!
Here’s our review of Refreshment Port!
Pop Eats
At Pop Eats, we loved the Tomato Soup with Pimento Cheese, Bacon & Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese…
…and the Almond Frangipane Cake.
Read more about our thoughts below.
Click here for our review of Pop Eats!
Gourmet Landscapes
Over at the Gourmet Landscapes booth, we ordered the Blood Orange-braised Beet Tartare, made with blood-orange braised beets topped with a mustard vinaigrette and pickled clamshell mushrooms with golden beets. It costs $5.50.
Click below for our full review!
Here’s our review of Gourmet Landscapes!
The Artist’s Table
At the Artist’s Table, we tried the Duck and Dumplings for $7.50…
…the Three-Meat Meatloaf for $6.50…
…and the Hummingbird Cake for $4.75.
Learn more about this booth by clicking below!
Read our review of The Artist’s Table here!
Goshiki
At Goshiki, we ordered the Rainbow Katsu Sando, the Ichigo Daifuku, and the Purple Yuzu Sake Lemonade.
You can read the full review below!
See our review of Goshiki here!
El Artista Hambriento
We stopped by El Artista Hambriento to try the Carne Asada…
…the Huarache de Champiñones…
…and the Flan de Coco.
Learn more about this booth by clicking below!
Here’s our review of El Artista Hambriento!
Deco Delights
Over at Deco Delights, we tried the Orange Mousse and the Espresso Martini.
Click below for our full review!
Check out our review of Deco Delights here!
Vibrante & Vivido
We ordered the Chorizo and Potato Empanada for $6.75 from Vibrante & Vivido.
Read more about this booth below.
Click here for our review of Vibrante & Vivido!
Pastoral Palate
Pastoral Palate was home to the Black Forest Cake for $4.75.
Learn more about the booth below!
Here’s our review of Pastoral Palate!
L’Art de la Cuisine Française
At L’Art de la Cuisine Française, we tried the Ciroc Sunset Citrus Vodka Spritz…
…and the plant-based Mille-Feuille de Betteraves aux Herbes et Noix de Cajoux.
We also got to try the Creme de Brie en Petit Pain for $9.75…
…the Croissant a la Truffle Noir d’Hiver for $9.50….
…and the Frozen French Martini for $15.
Find out more about this booth below!
Read our review of L’art de la Cuisine Francaise here and here!
Moderne
At Moderne, we tried a variety of dishes, including Compressed Watermelon Tataki, Angry Crab, Pan-Seared Scallops, and The Tropics, as well as the Watermelon Mary cocktail.
Learn more about Moderne below!
Click here for our review of Moderne!
The Painted Panda
In the China Pavilion, we visited the Painted Panda to try General Tso’s Chicken Shumai for $10.75, the Char Siu Pork Bun for $8.50, the “Panda” Bubble Milk Tea for $8.75, and Silk Road Hard Lemonade for $13.50.
You can read all about our thoughts about the Painted Panda below!
Read our review of the Painted Panda here!
Funnel Cake Stand
At the Funnel Cake Stand, you can get the Mocha Funnel Cake, made with cappuccino ice cream topped with chocolate whipped cream and M&M’s chocolate candies for $9.50.
Click below for more info about the Funnel Cake Stand!
Here’s our review of the Funnel Cake Stand!
L’Art di Mangiare
And finally, stop by the Italy Pavilion to try the cuisine from L’Art di Mangiare, where you can get Mozzarella Fritta for $8.25…
…Ravioli ai Funghi, Perle Tartufate for $9.25…
…and Budino al Cioccolato for $8.
So should you stop by the Italy booth? Find out in our review below!
Check out our review of L’Art di Mangiare here!
Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
And if you want two free prizes, you can complete the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine! All you have to do is order 5 out of 7 qualifying dishes.
Once you collect 5 stamps in your Festival Passport, visit the Deco Delights booth to get your free Art Palette Sugar Cookie and Berry Smoothie!
Read more about the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine prizes here!
Beacon of Magic
And once the sun goes down, make sure you head over to Spaceship Earth to see the special Beacon of Magic show!
Figment 😭 we’re not crying..
What an amazing end to the Festival of the Arts!🌈#figment #beacons #epcot pic.twitter.com/IGp7yJeStx— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) January 14, 2023
During this festival segment, you’ll see a special lighting sequence and hear “One Little Spark” from Journey Into Imagination with Figment. This segment plays every so often, so you might want to stay for at least 15 minutes so you don’t miss it!
See more photos and videos of the Festival of the Arts Beacon of Magic here!
Watch our recap of the day below!
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