Food, drink, shows. Disney does these the best on a day to day basis. But when it comes to 2020 Disney World Special Events, Disney outdoes themselves. This is the first of a three part series. Additional posts are:
- 2020 Disney World Special Event schedule: July – December
- 2020 Run Disney Events
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
January 17 – February 24, 2020
We were there when the Epcot International Festival of the Arts (guide here) debuted in 2017. This was our very first festival and it was a blast. We ate tastes around the World Showcase Lagoon, visited galleries and enjoyed the performances. We did not quite get the picture frames but our son, Stu did and figured out how to insert himself into famous paintings. Hint; google the picture before stepping into the frame so you can see how to get the best picture.
During the festival Disney runs the Broadway Showcase. This event takes place at the American Gardens Theatre Stage. Each performance features a pair of Disney Broadway performers singing some of the best songs from Disney’s Broadway shows. There are three performances daily at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.pm. A full schedule of performers can be found here.
Additional activities include workshops, scavenger hunts, exhibits and human statues. Best of all it’s free.
Disney After Hours
January 2020 until May 2020 (Select Nights)
The park is closed but you are invited to stay late, ride rides and eat snacks. Disney After Hours is a special, hard-ticketed event that takes place for three hours on select nights in December, January, February, March and April in the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The event allows Guests to enjoy exclusive time in the park with quicker than typical access to most popular attractions, as well as character greetings. Click here for the schedule.
We are big fans of these after hours events. There is a cost $125, plus tax for advance purchase and $129, plus tax for day-of purchases. You’ll see our son and Bob there late January.
Disney Villains After Hours
Feb. 7, 2020 until July 10, 2020 (Select Nights)
New in 2019, the Disney Villains after hours event proved so popular it was brought back this year. Disney Villains is a wonderfully wicked version of the regular after hours event with special experiences and dining. You can see a stage show with Hades, Meg, Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent or run into the Villains’ Cursed Caravan with Maleficent the Dragon, Gaston, Oogie Boogie, Cruella DeVil, and Captain Hook. Throughout the park there will be special villain inspired treats for purchase. The cost for this event is 145 plus tax in advance, $155 plus tax on the event night.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
March 4 – June 1, 2020
As native New Englanders we have loved going south to Orlando to enjoy the lush landscapes. We can recall trips to the airport when our son recited “Good bye brown trees, good bye gray snow…” If you’ve ever felt that way, The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is the place to be.
This Disney World Special Event brings additional topiaries, floating gardens, towers of flowers and blooming plants to bathe Epcot in a riot of color and design. Anna and Elsa, Snow White, Buzz Lightyear, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, Tinker Bell, Bambi and Remy are reimagined in topiary. Kids and adults can enjoy hundreds of butterflies in the Goodness Garden Butterfly House.
And don’t forget the food! Seventeen outdoor kitchens will be there to provide a wide variety of snacks, meals and desserts. Eat and walk, eat and walk! It’s a tough job but someone must do it.
When you want to sit down and relax there’s the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This series will take place in the America Gardens Theatre. Current acts to big names from the past will perform. Imagine watching Don McLean while eating American Pie from an outdoor kitchen or discovering topiary to the tunes of Exposé! The only problem is which nights to go? A partial schedule can be found here.
Which of these 2020 Disney World Special Events sound the most exciting to you? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter!
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