The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns from January 16 through February 23, blending visual, performing, and culinary creativity across the park.
Disney just dropped the full festival menu, and that’s when the real planning begins. With so many options across EPCOT, we can’t wait to get started. Rather than walking booth by booth with a checklist, these are our go-to food items for the Festival of the Arts 2026. These are the items we’re talking about, debating, and planning to try first.
First Stop: Figment’s Inspiration Station at Imagination!
Our first stop this year is Figment’s Inspiration Station, and that feels exactly right for Festival of the Arts.
This location leans fully into playful presentation and bold combinations, and the 2026 lineup might be one of its strongest yet.
The headliner is the Popcorn, Popcorn Chicken and Waffles. Rainbow popcorn mixed with popcorn chicken, mini mozzarella, and maple syrup sounds chaotic on paper, but that’s part of the appeal. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and savory all collide here, and it feels like a dish designed to spark conversation as much as flavor.
The Figment Fantasy Cake brings things back to classic festival dessert territory. It’s a sponge cake filled with strawberry whipped cream, topped with white chocolate ganache, orange icing, and signature white chocolate Figment wings. This one feels like a safe bet for Figment fans who want something whimsical without going too far off the rails.
Then there’s the Color Scheme Cake, a fruit-flavored rainbow-hued cake topped with SKITTLES POP’d Sour and Original freeze-dried candy. Visually, it may be one of the most on-theme desserts of the entire festival. Flavor-wise, this is the wildcard, and that alone puts it on our must-try list.
Did someone Say Popcorn Bucket?
Add in the Figment Artist Bucket with rainbow popcorn, and it’s easy to see why this booth is our opening move. Imagae below is the 2023 Figment Popcorn Bucket, no word just yeat on the 2026 version.
One important strategy note: the Figment Artist Bucket is available via mobile order, so you can place it before you even enter the park. If you care about getting this year’s Figment bucket, this is the move. Mobile ordering early helps lock it in before supplies start disappearing later in the day.
Next Question: Is the Nashville Hot Chicken Really Nashville Hot?
The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich instantly jumps out, but the big question is obvious. Is it truly Nashville hot, or just Disney spicy?
It’s described as spicy, hand-breaded chicken with roasted garlic aïoli and southern slaw on brioche. That sounds promising. We’ll be judging heat, balance, and whether it brings real kick or plays it safe for theme park crowds.
Simple Can Still Be Perfect: The Artist Palette Cookie
The Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie remains a festival staple for a reason.
It’s simple. It’s classic. And somehow it always hits. When a festival packed with wild flavors still circles back to a perfect chocolate chip cookie, that tells you everything you need to know.
A Funnel Cake That Might Change Our Route
The Wild Berry Funnel Cake near The American Adventure may officially put that pavilion back on our food map.
A funnel cake sandwich with vanilla ice cream, wild berry compote, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce sounds like a strong reason to detour. This one feels like a sleeper hit that could quietly become a favorite.
A Standout Dessert Worth Crossing the Park For
The Passion Fruit-filled Mango Cheesecake at Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina looks stunning on paper.
With coconut-pineapple cake, dragon fruit gelée, and dragon fruit-strawberry sauce, this feels like one of the most visually artistic desserts of the festival. It also sounds refreshing, which matters during long EPCOT days.
Joffrey’s Goes Full Pop Art This Year
Joffrey’s appears to be leaning all the way into the festival theme in 2026.
The Pop Art Latte combines espresso, vanilla syrup, lavender whipped cream, and freeze-dried SKITTLES POP’d candy on top. Yes, that’s a lot. And yes, we’re curious.
There’s also a spirited version with Baileys for those who want their coffee with a little extra creativity.
Our Festival Strategy
Festival of the Arts always rewards curiosity. This year feels especially playful, leaning into bold visuals, unexpected combinations, and Figment-level imagination.
These aren’t the only great options at the festival, but they’re the ones that stood out immediately. They’re the dishes we’ll be lining up for first and debating the hardest.
As always, pacing matters. Share when you can. Hydrate often. And leave room for dessert.
We’ll be back with hands-on reactions once we start tasting.
