Top Reasons to Plan Arts Education Field Trips During EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts
by The Disney Imagination Campus team
February 27, 2026
Planning an arts education field trip that blends creativity, culture, and curriculum can be a challenge - especially when you’re balancing time, budgets, and learning outcomes. That’s where Disney Imagination Campus and EPCOT International Festival of the Arts shine. This annual celebration brings together live Disney on Broadway performances, hands-on art experiences, and immersive storytelling across music, visual art, and even culinary design - making it a powerful choice for arts education field trips and student group travel to Walt Disney World.
Below are our Top 5 Reasons to bring your class or ensemble to EPCOT® during the International Festival of the Arts - along with a special interview featuring Broadway legends Susan Egan and James Monroe Iglehart. To kick off your planning, hear from them as they share what they love most about this vibrant celebration of creativity (we recommend viewing in full screen mode for the best viewing experience).
Highlights of EPCOT's International Festival of the Arts | Susan Egan & James Monroe Iglehart
1) Live Performances & Disney on Broadway: Inspiration in Real Time
Nothing fuels passion for the performing arts quite like seeing Broadway caliber talent up close. During the festival, students can experience concert-style performances from beloved Disney on Broadway productions like Newsies, Mary Poppins, Frozen, and more on the American Adventure stage. For music and theatre programs, this is a masterclass in stagecraft, vocal performance, ensemble awareness, and audience etiquette - all delivered in an exciting, real-world setting.
Why it matters for educators
- Reinforces concepts like interpretation, timing, and storytelling through song.
- Sparks reflection and critique activities back in the classroom.
- Offers aspirational pathways for students curious about careers on and behind the stage.
Note: Lineups and showtimes vary; check schedules when planning.
2) Exposure to Diverse Art Forms: Visual, Culinary, and Performance
The International Festival of the Arts is a celebration of creative disciplines. Around the park, students can learn from a live Disney artist, explore gallery style booths, and discover the artistry behind culinary presentations. It’s an ideal backdrop for crosscurricular learning -connecting visual design, media literacy, and cultural perspectives.
Classroom connections
- Discuss art elements and principles (color, line, texture, composition).
- Analyze artist statements and creative processes.
- Extend learning with sketchbook prompts, photo studies, or menu design critiques.
3) Career Exploration: Meet Working Creatives on an Arts Education Field Trip
Meeting artists and creative professionals helps students connect passion to profession. Artist booths and signing opportunities (when available) give learners a glimpse into portfolio building, networking, iterative practice, and the resilience behind every creative career.
Skills spotlight
- Creative confidence and constructive feedback
- Professional communication and presentation
4) Interactive Art Installations: Learn by Doing
From collaborative murals and chalk art to guided drawing sessions led by Disney artists, EPCOT® turns the park into an interactive studio. These experiences empower students to build confidence and explore creative risk-taking in a supportive environment.
Benefits for student groups
- Inclusive experiences for varying skill levels
- Natural opportunities for peer collaboration
- Artmaking that’s memorable, tactile, and fun
5) Learning Through Immersive Disney Stories
The festival showcases how stories come alive through music, movement, character design, staging, and visual installations. Students can examine how theme, motif, and symbolism flow across media - deepening their understanding of narrative structure and audience impact.
Suggested activities
- Storyboarding a scene based on a festival vignette
- Mapping music and mood connections during a performance
- Stepping into the frame, sharpening improv skills as they become part of the art
Disney Imagination Campus take student learning to the next level, giving groups the chance to dive into creativity through our Disney Performing Arts Youth Workshops and Youth Arts & Humanities Workshops. Visiting during EPCOT International Festival of the Arts adds even more inspiration, surrounding students with professional performances and interactive art that echo the skills explored in our programs. It’s the perfect way to elevate your itinerary and create a field trip that celebrates imagination, artistry, and hands‑on discovery.