From Broadway to EPCOT: A Theatre Fan’s Guide to Festival of the Arts

I think everyone has that one childhood moment or memory that made them fall in love with Disney. Mine began with Disney on Broadway. Aladdin was one of the first shows that ignited my lifelong passion for theatre and storytelling, which led me to attend college and live in New York City, work on Broadway, and now be here as part of the Disney Parks Blog team.

Live theatre unites, inspires, and captivates us in a way that no other form of entertainment does, and Disney on Broadway productions have that extra dose of special Disney magic. You may think that experiencing this joy requires a trip to New York City or waiting for a touring production to stop in your city, but there’s another place where your favorite stories and characters come to life onstage. Each year, EPCOT International Festival of the Arts allows guests to encounter the performing, visual, and culinary arts as part of one epic event.

If you’ve ever waited hours in an early morning rush ticket line, stood at a stage door eagerly snapping photos and gathering signatures, or collected more Playbills than you could ever possibly need, Festival of the Arts is for you.

I’ve planned the perfect day for my fellow theatre fans jam-packed with immersive exhibits, tasty treats, and star-studded performances, so let’s raise the curtain and let the fun begin!

As you set off on your theatre-filled day, I suggest first making your way to CommuniCore Hall, where the museum-style exhibit Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway is currently on display.

Stepping inside this space immediately transports you into a show-stopping world of costumes, props, and set pieces from beloved Disney on Broadway productions like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Newsies, Frozen, and Hercules.

For anyone like me who sees a show and dreams of getting to analyze the little details up close, this is a unique opportunity to do just that as you ooh and aah over everything from complex miniature set models to extravagant costumes.

“If you’re a Broadway fan, if you’re a Disney fan, if you’re a Disney on Broadway fan, you must see this exhibit,” said Broadway’s original Genie James Monroe Iglehart during one of the concert series performances – and we couldn’t agree more! 

Every time I leave a Disney on Broadway show, the costumes are often what stay with me long after the curtain call, with every stitch and sequin playing a part in the story.

Whether it was watching Caissie Levy’s breathtaking dress change during “Let it Go” or the cast of The Lion King taking the stage in their remarkable ensembles during “Circle of Life,” I have many memories of Disney’s costumes leaving a lasting impression on me.

Here at EPCOT, you can see costumes worn by so many beloved Broadway performers over the years. Aladdin’s sparkling beads, Swarovski crystals, and vibrant textured fabrics are on full display, while The Lion King’s headpieces showcase the impressive craftsmanship that goes into creating these elements of a show.

A production isn’t complete without props or a set, and you can find plenty of those here as well. Some of my favorites were Genie’s lamp (this is a great photo op, too) and the Enchanted Rose from Beauty and the Beast. And new this year is a magnificent Pride Rock from The Lion King, which makes you feel like you’re prowling the Pride Lands.

And I must mention the incredible puppets like Sven and Olaf made by Michael Curry for Frozen. It was surreal getting to see the design and mechanics of these after admiring them from afar.

Speaking of Beauty and the Beast, the costumes from the current North American tour were the ones I was most excited to see at this exhibit! Belle has always been my favorite Disney character, and I’m counting the days until the production stops in Los Angeles this summer.

I loved seeing the ways Tony Award-winning costume designer Ann Hould-Ward stayed true to the animated film’s classic aesthetic, but added more contemporary touches like Belle’s rounded glasses, embroidered details on many of the pieces, and fresh silhouettes.

“Our production feels like the animated film brought to life with the sets and costumes, it’s very saturated and beautiful like you’d expect,” said Kyra Belle Johnson when asked about stepping into Belle’s reimagined shoes on the current North American tour. “But the show itself is also very streamlined, with the intent of really focusing the story especially on Belle and the Beast’s love. I don’t know what it would have felt like to do any other version of the show, but it’s fun that it continues to resonate with people in new ways.” 

The exhibit doesn’t just highlight what audiences see onstage during a show, it also captures the choreography happening backstage before, during, and after a performance. Get a peek into what’s unfolding in the wings at the hair and makeup station covered with wigs and cosmetic products, or arguably the most essential component of any production to ensure the show goes on — the stage manager’s calling desk.

You may also spot a ghost light, which is a traditional Broadway safety measure (and maybe superstition, too) tucked away, as well as many adorably themed trinkets and some hidden Mickeys to discover.

This exhibit is not only a shining summary of Disney on Broadway’s storied history, but also serves as an homage to anyone who has worked in theatre and a love letter to the fans who have been in the audience from the start.

When you’re ready to say farewell to the glittering Disney on Broadway marquee inside CommuniCore Hall, there are still plenty of ways to fill your day (and your stomach) with Festival of the Arts flair.

Snap a photo with the larger-than-life Genie lamp at the Aladdin display right outside, or maybe enjoy the chocolate Enchanted Rose dessert from the neighboring Opening Bites food studio.

Peruse the selection of artists at the festival with their picturesque pieces, add a pop of color to The Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural, join Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt, pick up some exclusive merchandise, or snack and sip on any of the Disney Eats festival offerings throughout the park. Every moment feels magical when you’re engaging with the arts in creative, hands-on, and delicious ways.

EPCOT is also home to attractions and entertainment that will feel familiar after spending time immersed in the world of Disney on Broadway. Lend your voice to the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, meet characters like Princess Jasmine, Anna and Elsa, or Belle throughout the World Showcase, or enjoy a chilly ride on Frozen Ever After.

As a returning Festival of the Arts performer, we asked Ashley Brown (the original Mary Poppins on Broadway and a former Belle in Beauty and the Beast) what her festival favorites are each year so you can make sure to add them to your list for 2027. And her must-eat item? The Sushi Doughnut found at Goshiki in the Japan pavilion! She said Teppan Edo in the Japan pavilion is another spot her family loves, and she can’t leave EPCOT without a ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (although not on days where she has to sing, I guess it’s maybe not the best vocal warm-up).  

There are endless artistic activities that you can choose to occupy the rest of your day, many with ties to theatre!

The grand finale of your day should absolutely be grabbing a seat to watch the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, taking place each evening at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure pavilion.

Here, you’ll enjoy soaring show tunes sung by some of Disney on Broadway’s biggest and brightest stars, including original Broadway cast members from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, TARZAN, Beauty and the Beast, and Mary Poppins. We’ve already revealed this year’s lineup of performers, and it is full of talent!

Having a nice pre-show dinner is always one of my favorite theatre-going traditions, and a dining package is a great way to indulge in a meal before the music. There are 14 different table-service dining experiences at a variety of EPCOT eateries that you can choose from, and all secure you guaranteed priority seating when the lights dim and the score starts to play.

I love having this as an option; it allows you to enjoy a leisurely dinner at some of EPCOT’s finest eateries before settling in for the show, and feels just like a special night out on the Great White Way!

I sat for the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series twice, and both times it was a deeply moving and memorable experience. Hearing Susan Egan (the original voice of Meg in Disney’s Hercules) sing “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” and James Monroe Iglehart perform “Friend Like Me” (after winning the Tony Award for his performance as Genie in 2014) were moments that any Disney fan dreams of.

And here the performers have a chance to sing music that’s maybe outside of the realm of their previous roles with lots of fun duets and pairings happening on this stage only, like Susan and James doing a hilarious rendition of “Mother Knows Best” from Disney’s Tangled.

But truly for me, the highlight of Festival of the Arts this year was the Beauty and the Beast Musical Celebration that happened during the final weekend of shows. Susan Egan, Ashley Brown, and Kyra Belle Johnson, three performers who have all played Belle, came together to celebrate the theatrical legacy of Beauty and the Beast, which has been seen in 39 countries by over 38 million people since it first opened on Broadway 31 years ago.

With pre-recorded messages from the rest of the current touring cast helping to set the scene, Susan, Ashley, and Kyra were joined by James Monroe Iglehart and Ainsley Melham to pay tribute to this timeless tale as the curtain closed on this year’s festival. 

The power of live theatre is unparalleled, and the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series is a remarkable reminder that you don’t have to be in the Big Apple to experience this unique magic: It can be found wherever we wish, even here at EPCOT. And for those in the audience, maybe this will be the moment that sparks a passion for the arts the way Aladdin did for me a decade ago.

For Susan Egan, her earliest introduction to the arts was at the Disneyland Resort, where she watched parades and performers and first understood that this is something you could actually do for a living. “I feel like if at Festival of the Arts, we are touching one or two future artists out there, then we’re just creating the cycle of something amazing,” she said when talking about what it means to be exposing audiences to the arts in this way. She continued, “It’s an honor to be here welcoming the next generation of Broadway star [Kyra] and celebrating this milestone birthday of Beauty and the Beast – it feels full circle.”  

Take it from someone who saw Aladdin in its first year on Broadway (and has since seen the show six times), experienced Frozen’s out of town production in Denver, and recently enjoyed Hercules on the West End in London — Festival of the Arts is the ultimate time for dedicated theatre fans (like myself) to visit Walt Disney World.

This one-of-a-kind celebration of the stage elevates your day at EPCOT into one full of artistic touches, dazzling performances, and moments of connection that make us feel like a part of the stories we know and love.

You can find more Festival of the Arts stories here on the Disney Parks Blog, and keep an eye out for news about other upcoming Festivals at EPCOT.