Festival of the Arts at EPCOT: The Best Food and Activities for Kids
Which is the best festival at EPCOT? Some would argue that the Art Festival at EPCOT is truly a masterpiece. Even though it is one of the shortest (January 12 – February 19, 2024), it is packed with the most unique food, drinks, entertainment, and activities.
The International Festival of the Arts is also more kid-friendly than the uber-popular Food and Wine Festival. So, get ready to visit the Art Festival at EPCOT, and get to know the best foods and activities for kids.
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Top Food Picks for Kids at EPCOT’s Festival Of The Arts
The food of the art festival at EPCOT is the most creative of all the festivals. Even after scouring the menu for the most kid-friendly foods, the items are much different than standard simple kid focused food. But, this is a great opportunity to help your kids expand their horizons, without spending too much.
And, worst-case scenario, you’ll have plenty of food to enjoy yourself. These kid-friendly foods are listed starting near the Canada Pavilion and working your way around to the Mexico Pavilion.
- Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese – Pop Eats (Near Port of Entry)
- Char Siu Pork Bun – The Painted Panda (China Pavilion)
- Crazy Chocolate Funnel Cake Sandwich: Mini Funnel Cake Sandwich with Vanilla Ice Cream, Rainbow Whipped Cream, Strawberry Sauce, and Sprinkles (The American Adventure)
- Wagyu Bun: Steamed Bun filled with American Wagyu Beef served with Green Shiso Sauce (Japan Pavilion)
- Ichigo Mochi – Daifuku: Daifuku Mochi filled with Fresh Strawberry, Sweet Azuki Bean Paste, and White Chocolate served with Strawberry Cream (Japan Pavilion)
- Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm creamy brie in a house-made bread bowl (France Pavilion)
- Carne Asada: Seared beef tenderloin, grilled queso fresco, refried beans, scallion, and ranchera salsa – El Artista Hambriento (Mexico Pavilion)
Helpful tip: Have you ever been stuck trying to carry multiple plates and drinks over to your hungry family? Bring along a large plastic plate or tray to help with carrying the food and drinks.
I often bring along a plate or tray and sometimes get weird looks, but the minute people see what I use it for they realize this small stroke of genius.
Fun idea: You can participate in an art festival food crawl at Epcot, called the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. Just pick up a Festival Passport and look for the food items that are part of the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine.
It’s a fun way to teach kids how colorful food can be. Each item represents a color of the rainbow. After you collect all five stamps, you can pick up your prize — an Artist Palette Cookie, available at World Showcase Plaza.
Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine food items:
- Deconstructed Key Lime Pie – The Deconstructed Dish (Near Test Track)
- Tomato Soup – Pop Eats! (Near Port Of Entry)
- Neapolitan Dessert Trio – Deco Delights (Near Port Of Entry)
- Verjus-roasted Beets – Gourmet Landscapes (Canada)
- Chorizo And Potato Empanada – Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina (Between France And Morocco)
- Blueberry-filled Pastry Tart With Purple Icing – Figment’s Inspiration Station (At The Odyssey)
Kid-Friendly Drinks at Epcot’s Art Festival
If the creative food of the art festival at Epcot doesn’t go over well with your young ones, or you just want to sip some yummy kid-friendly drinks at Epcot, you’ve some good choices.
- Deconstructed Strawberry Mint Julep (non-alcoholic) – The Deconstructed Dish (Near Port of Entry)
- Murasaki Blueberry Drink: Sweet Blueberry and Cream (non-alcoholic) (Goshiki Japan)
- Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie (non-alcoholic) – Encanto Cocina Booth (near Morocco Pavilion)
Activities for Kids at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts
Each festival at Epcot has fun activities for kids. However, the Art Festival at Epcot has the most hands-on activities that are great for kids.
- Paint by Numbers Disney Mural – as you enter the park, make your way to World Nature (near The Land and Imagination pavilions) and get your brush and small supply of paint to add to the paint by numbers Disney mural.
- Animation Academy at American Gardens Theater – learn to draw a Disney character and take a nice break together. Usually at 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily.
- Live Art Demonstrations at Showcase Plaza – throughout the day you can watch live art demonstrations at the very heart of Epcot. Along the lagoon in the main plaza, you can watch artists paint masterpieces, live. There is also performance art that is sure to capture your family’s attention.
- Artistic Photo Opportunities: There are multiple frames you can step into to make for great family photos. My two favorite are along the main walkway leading from Future World to World Showcase, near the chalk art displays.
- Chalk Art along walkway from World Celebration to Showcase Plaza – Don’t forget to take a few moments to appreciate the incredible chalk art. Most of the chalk art features Disney characters and scenes and make for great photo opportunities.
Important note: The chalk art is crafted by different chalk artists throughout the festival so what you see on your visit will vary from someone else who visits a few days later.
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
Every Epcot festival has a scavenger hunt around World Showcase. You can purchase a Figment scavenger hunt map at World Traders (at Showcase Plaza).
At each World Showcase pavilion look for a work of art representing that country. Once you find it, place the sticker on the corresponding pavilion on the map. Turn in your map for a prize!
Important tip: You do not need to complete the hunt to earn your prize. You can redeem it any time during the festival and while supplies last.
In fact, when you purchase your map, you can ask for the figure right then and there if that’s what you prefer.
Disney Art and Artist Tents
Throughout World Showcase there are multiple tents set up. Each tent has a different art collection. It is delightful to view all the different artistic ways that Disney characters and attractions are represented.
Your kid(s) will love to find their favorite characters, and maybe you’ll find a new special piece for your home.
There are Disney artists making appearances throughout the festival. If you see one take a moment to meet them and introduce yourself and your family. Ask them to tell you how they got into art. You and your kids are sure to be inspired.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
Here you can witness singers straight from Broadway sing powerful versions of Disney hits. Disney fans, including kids, are going to love this DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series. Even if you’re not familiar with Disney’s shows on Boardway, you’ll sure to hear a few Disney hits that your family loves.
There is a dining package available in which you purchase a meal at a participating Epcot restaurant and then enjoy reserved seating for the performance. To me, this package is not worth it, considering the show does not have many visual elements and doesn’t tend to fill up. Just make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before showtime to find a seat.
Know Before You Go…
- Arrive 15 minutes early for any entertainment and activities
- Weekends are much busier than weekdays
- Make a getaway of it and stay at a family-friendly hotel near the parks
- Read up on important information about the newest rides: Guardians of the Galaxy and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure