We are now entering the third festival held at EPCOT since the July 2020 reopening. The EPCOT Festival of the Arts is one of the most hands-on and interactive festivals at EPCOT. With that, many Disney fans are wondering how the Festival of the Arts will operate with COVID-19 Precautions in place. Let’s take a look at how the paint by numbers mural and chart art photo opportunities are operating with COVID-19 precautions.
Chalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 PrecautionsChalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 Precautions
The artists are given an assigned time to create their works of art, that way there are not too many artists at once. There are stanchions to create a border around each piece of chalk art.
For the works of art that create a 3-D illusion there are directions on how to set up the photo for best results. There are social distancing markers as you wait your turn.
Chalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 Precautions DisneyChalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 Precautions DisneyChalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 PrecautionsChalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 PrecautionsChalk Art at Festival of the Arts – COVID-19 PrecautionsChalk Art at Festival of the Arts
The Paint by Numbers Mural also has social distancing markers as you wait your turn to pick up a small cup of paint and an assigned number for which part of the mural your paint color corresponds. There are also numbers spots for which to stand in order to ensure physical distancing.
Paint by Numbers Mural Fesitval of the Arts 2021Paint by Numbers Mural Festival of the Arts 2021
Looks like many of the fun things we love about Festival of the Arts are still offered this year, with just a few tweaks for safety’s sake.
Have you been to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts before? What’s your favorite part?
Filed Under: Epcot, Festival of the Arts, Festivals, Trip Planning, disney covid, disney reopening, epcot art festival 2021, Epcot Festival of the Arts
Rumors have been on and off all about the state of construction in Magic Kingdom on the TRON coaster. Will it open this year? Is it sidelined until next year? Is construction continuing? Has it stopped?
While we don’t have all the answers, we did spot active construction work this week at Magic Kingdom, with cranes in motion, the sounds of construction, and workers up on the track.
When do you predict that this coaster will open for the public? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
What a day to be at Walt Disney World. With it being the day before Festival of the Arts starts, EPCOT had the slowest day of the past month. But it was not alone. Magic Kingdom’s average wait times today rank at number 28 of the past 30 days, and Animal Kingdom ranks at 23 of the past 30 days. Let’s take a look at the numbers!
EPCOT Wait Times
Let’s start with EPCOT where things are so quiet it’s reminiscent of July 2020. Surprisingly, Test Track had the highest average wait times. Usually that trophy belongs to Frozen Ever After.
EPCOT Wait Times – January 07, 2021
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #92 for the past year.
Journey Into Imagination With Figment had an average wait time today of 5 minutes. Its 7-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #30 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #244 for the past year.
Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 5 minutes. Its 7-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #243 for the past year.
Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #173 for the past year.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 52 minutes. Its 7-day average is 77 minutes, so today ranks #7 for this week. Its 30-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #30 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #108 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #138 for the past year.
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #225 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 38% of the posted wait time.
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
It’s a rare day that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train does not have the highest average wait times for the day. Today it was Space Mountain who took the top spot. Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 73 minutes. Its 7-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #57 for the past year.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #61 for the past year. We received 12 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #126 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 59% of the posted wait time.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 7 minutes. Its 7-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #199 for the past year.
Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #143 for the past year.
Mad Tea Party had an average wait time today of 8 minutes. Its 7-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #30 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #224 for the past year.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #135 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 70% of the posted wait time.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #156 for the past year.
Tomorrowland Speedway had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #30 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #200 for the past year.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 70 minutes. Its 7-day average is 84 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 80 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 73 minutes, so today ranks #106 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #178 for the past year.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
Another rare day with Na’vi River Journey taking the top spot. Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 62 minutes. Its 7-day average is 77 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #84 for the past year.
Kali River Rapids’ refurbishment started a few days ago so Animal Kingdom is down one attraction for the moment.
Animal Kingdom Wait Times – January 07. 2021
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #68 for the past year.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 19 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #195 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 48% of the posted wait time.
Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #88 for the past year.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug! had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #91 for the past year.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 79 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 76 minutes, so today ranks #147 for the past year.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster returned yesterday after being closed for a few days unexpectedly. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 56 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #78 for the past year. We received 12 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
Hollywood Studios Wait Times – January 07, 2021
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 38 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #31 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 75 minutes. Its 7-day average is 75 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #50 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 131% of the posted wait time.
Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 65 minutes. Its 7-day average is 72 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 68 minutes, so today ranks #139 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.
Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #81 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 25% of the posted wait time.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #102 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 61 minutes. Its 7-day average is 77 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 69 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #118 for the past year.
Rise of the Resistance has recovered from a past few rough days, and it has done so beautifully. There have not been any gaps in the operation of the attraction so far all day today. And Boarding Group distribution is slightly ahead of the past 7 days.
Art can heal. Art can inspire. Photo ops and other elements of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts arrived today, and there is one exhibit in particular that has me awestruck. The “Drawing on Inspiration” wall features artistic interpretations of classic EPCOT attractions. The art is beautiful to say the least.
At the start of the wall is the following message, which I find incredibly meaningful today.
Each and everyone of us experiences the world from our own unique perspectives, and through art we can share them. With colors and lines, texture and shape, we can bring to life the world as we see it. This gallery is a celebration of that, of individual artistic vision. Showcased here are the illustrations of two Disney Imagineers who were each asked to depict classic EPCOT attractions that ignited their creativity. May these pieces inspire you to share how you see the world in your own unique way.
Beautiful right? The attractions featured on this wall include Journey Into Imagination, The Living Seas, Universe of Energy, Horizons, Spaceship Earth, World of Motion, and The Land. If Disney does not sell prints of each of these they are leaving a truckload of money on the table.
Festival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT AttractionsFestival of the Arts – Artist Interpretation of EPCOT Attractions
Simply gorgeous. Which one of these is your favorite?
Besides the Drawing on Inspiration wall, there are many other elements of the Festival at EPCOT today. The Festival of the Arts officially starts tomorrow, but chalk artists were on hand to don the walkways of EPCOT with beautiful chalk art. More fun photo opportunities were added as well. And the beloved paint by numbers mural returns, with social distancing practices in place.
Festival of the Arts 2021 Photo OpFestival of the Arts 2021 Photo Op Butterfly WingsFestival of the Arts 2021 Photo Op Butterfly Wings – with our own FigmentPaint by Numbers Mural Festival of the Arts 2021Paint by Numbers Mural Festival of the Arts 2021
Finally, back at the front of the park, a new construction wall has shifted things around, near the glorious new fountain. There’s speculation that the EPCOT monorail could return to service this weekend – maybe? Hopefully? Please?
New EPCOT Fountain and New Construction WallNew EPCOT Fountain and New Construction WallNew EPCOT Fountain and New Construction Wall
We’re so excited for the Festival of the Arts. What’s your favorite part about this unique festival?
Filed Under: Epcot, Festival of the Arts, Festivals, Observations, Photos and Video, 2021 epcot festival of the arts, classic epcot attactions, Epcot Festival of the Arts
It’s been a while since the closure of Club Cool at EPCOT, and many of us are still mourning the loss. The good news is that some of the international Coca-Cola products, including the drink everyone loves to hate – Beverly – are still available to sample on Disney property. The bad news is you have to pay for those samples. Our team made the climb up to the rooftop bar at the Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs to give the Around the World flight a try.
The rooftop bar at the Coca-Cola Store is a special venue. The views are pretty awesome, but it is a little difficult to get there. The ramp leading to the top wraps around the entire building and you have to go three stories up. The elevator is an option, but even before social distancing procedures it took a while due to multiple stops and multiple parties.
Ramp to the Coca-Cola Store Rooftop BarSignage at Disney Springs for Coca-Cola Store Rooftop BarCoca-Cola Store at Disney Springs
Once you’ve finally made it up there, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views. There is usually a line to order from the bar so before you get captivated by the views, get in line to get your order. The menu at the Coca-Cola Store includes fountain soft drinks, floats made with standard Coca-Cola products and a few specialty flavors too, cocktails made with Coca-Cola products, mocktails, and a few snacks. You can even order a flight like we did. We went for the big Around the World flight which included 16 different products from around the world.
Around the World Coca-Cola Flight – With a ViewAround the World Coca-Cola FlightAround the World Coca-Cola FlightAround the World Coca-Cola Flight – Info Card
The flavors and colors ran the spectrum, across two trays. Selections included the infamous bitter Beverly from Italy, an apple and pear drink from Germany, Kist Strawberry from Panama, Aquarius Libre from Spain, Smart Sour Plum from China, and 11 other beverages. For $20.00 it works out to $1.25 per sample-size cup. Each pour was about 3-4 oz. but some were a little smaller. Boy do we miss the free stuff at Club Cool.
Fountain Beverages include Beverly at Coca-Cola Store
If you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to do something different, this is a fun treat. Or if you have preteens or teenagers along and you want them to have a special experience, this would be a fun choice – just be sure to bust out the phone to record their reactions to the different flavors. Overall it is not the best value, you’re paying more for the experience than for the soda, but it is something to consider if you want a fun experiment.
Have you been to the Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs? Would you try this flight?
