My favorite Epcot festival is currently running, and I thought I would take you along for a taste! The Festival of the Arts celebrates creativity of all kinds: visual, performing, and you can’t forget culinary arts! Like the other Epcot fests, the Festival of the Arts features a collection of specially-curated outdoor kitchens, offering limited-time food and drink offerings throughout the park.
I’ve spent a lot of time at the beautiful (and heavily under construction) theme park to enjoy the festival this year. Here are my top 5 must-taste dishes from Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts! Grab your paintbrush— I mean, fork… and let’s dig in!
The festival wraps up on February 24th this year, so there’s just a little bit of time left to visit.
1. Sous-Vide Chicken Roulade from POP Eats!
POP Eats! is located in the Showcase Plaza, near Disney Traders. They are cooking up works of art in this kitchen! The chicken is juicy, tender and flavorful, and the presentation really is impeccable. Once the sauces were mixed, it heightened the complexity of the different flavor profiles and leaves the plate looking like an oil painting.
2. Sushi Donut from Goshiki (Japan)
Sushi lovers, you can’t go wrong at the Japan Pavilion. This take on a rainbow roll dressed as a “donut” is fresh, tasty and filling! The super-green wasabi aioli is my favorite provided sauce.
3. Taiyaki from Goshiki (Japan)
Also found at the Japan pavilion is this red bean fishie treat! Taiyaki has consistently returned with each Festival of the Arts – and I’m so glad it has!
Taiyaki is traditionally filled with a sweet red bean paste, and the Festival of the Art’s version does not disappoint! This treat is perfectly crisp, warm and lightly sweet… SO. GOOD. I wish this was a year-round offering at the Japan pavilion! If this was available year-round, they could experiment with different fillings and flavor combos… Who knows, maybe that’s something we could see in the near future (I’m keeping my fingers crossed!).
4. Smoked Verlasso Salmon & Cream Gateau from The Masterpiece Kitchen (Canada)
Who knew a salmon layer cake existed?! At first glance, it looks like a mille-feuille cake with its many layers. But on closer inspection, you’ll see that instead of buttery pastry, the cake is made with slices of salmon! This one is light yet deliciously rich – appropriately coined as a gateau. A little slice of brunch, if you will. Definitely worth a try!
5. Mini Peanut Butter Cake from Sunshine Seasons
Believe it or not, one of my favorite festival offerings is known as the “Seasonal Cupcake” at Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion. It’s somewhat of a secret dish, as it cannot be found within the passport menu! The lead chefs at the festival’s media event weren’t even sure if this was returning… But here it is, in all of its rainbow-tie-dye-glitter-paint-spattered peanut butter glory! It’s a rainbow-colored vanilla cupcake topped with a super peanut-buttery frosting.
WDW Passholder Bonus!
Another festival, another AP magnet! Pick up your stylized Mickey magnet at MouseGear for free by presenting your AP card or MagicBand, along with photo ID.
Though there are construction walls everywhere you turn in Future World, the park still feels invigorated, especially with all of the splashes of color and interactivity this festival brings. And in the event that the Festival of the Arts isn’t your thing, there’s always another festival to look forward to… Flower & Garden starts in just a few months!
This list was only a small sampling of the dishes available at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. But keep in mind, this is the shortest festival that Epcot hosts, running for a little over a month. This year’s Festival of the Arts runs through February 24th, so be sure to try some of these dishes before they’re gone!
2020 Spring Ticket Savings
Our partners at Get Away Today help you save money on Disney theme park tickets and travel packages. For Discounted theme park tickets, hotel, airfare, and travel packages to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal, Knott’s Berry Farm and other family vacation destinations, always start HERE: Get Away Today
(When calling, mention MiceChat so you get your special rates and deals!).
Let’s Hear From You
Have you attended Epcot’s Festival of the Arts? Do you like what you see oh my list? What was your favorite dish or drink this year? Let us know in the comments… And don’t forget your free AP magnet!