A new year means 365 new days that meeting, convention and special-event attendees can enjoy all that Disney Parks & Resorts have to offer! Whether your group is headed east to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida , or west to Disneyland Resort in California, the Disney Parks on both U.S. coasts offer many opportunities for attendees to enjoy themselves in their free time.
Starting in January 2017, Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort kicks off the first-ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts, while Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort celebrates the Year of the Rooster with the return of the Happy Lunar New Year Celebration.
Let’s take a closer look at both events:
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
The first-ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts debuts January 13 and runs through February 20, 2017 at Walt Disney World Resort. This trifecta of global masterpieces combines visual, culinary and performing arts for six colorful weekends, Fridays through Mondays, and unveils brand-new art each week.
From the art of Disney historical artist Mary Blair and Herb Ryman, to current Disney artists Joe Kaminski and Costa Alavezos, attendees will not only be surrounded by incredible visions, they’ll have the opportunity to watch the creative process take place live and in person.
In the inaugural year of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, a collaboration with Disney Theatrical will bring an exciting new showcase of favorite music and Broadway talent to the America Gardens Theatre stage. Over the six weekends of the festival, attendees will enjoy different pairings of phenomenal Broadway talent in concert, performing songs from some of Disney on Broadway’s award-winning shows, including The Lion King, Newsies, and Aladdin, to name a few.
Guests will also feast on creations that look almost too good to eat. Food Studios located throughout the park (similar to the marketplace offerings available at other well-known Epcot festivals) will tempt attendees’ eyes and tastebuds. Just take a look at these all-new artistic culinary delights!
Happy Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney’s California Adventure
In 2017, the Year of the Rooster, brings the return of the Happy Lunar New Year Celebration at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure Park. This year’s celebration will run a record-long 17 days, from January 20 through February 5, 2017, and will celebrate time-honored traditions of the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures while inviting guests of all backgrounds to enjoy the festivities.
Attendees can check out new and enhanced entertainment, from celebratory parades to a new nighttime spectacular show to authentic food offerings such as soft, pillowy steamed bao filled with pork, served with a sweet chili sauce. Or, if they are looking for something sweet, attendees can try ginger milk tea with almond cookies. Special merchandise will also be available, while colorful live performers, musicians and local artisans enrich the celebration for all to enjoy.
Tell us - Which aspects of these festivals would your attendees be most excited to experience in their free time? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter!
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