January often can feel like the longest month of the year in New Jersey. This year, we’ve been graced with two weekends full of snowstorms. Many families are already dreaming of their next set of vacation plans fresh off the Christmas holiday break. Now could be an opportune time to plan a winter break trip explore one of the most popular family-friendly destinations in the country that you might not think to visit in the winter.
The International Festival of the Arts happens every year in mid-January through February at Florida’s Walt Disney World’s EPCOT theme park. It’s not too hot and it’s not too crowded. Plus, there are two federal holidays to take advantage of those school days off.
Walk through each country to explore independent artists’ Disney-themed work, immerse yourself with painting community murals, and taste each region’s culinary creativity with a picture-perfect presentation. If you’re a fan of big, splashy Broadway musicals – especially Disney — this event is for you!
This year, there’s a brand new theatrical exhibit at CommuniCore Hall showcasing the secrets behind the magic of Disney on Broadway.
Outside is a massive 1,2000-pound and 14-foot-tall genie lamp that once stood on top of the New Amsterdam Theatre’s marquee on 42nd Street, where Aladdin is currently playing. It was made in honor of its 10th anniversary but had to be taken down when scaffolding was put up for construction outside the building. The lamp is a replica of the small prop that’s used on stage all the way down to the intricate carvings.
Look at this stuff! Isn’t it neat? When you step inside the exhibit, be amazed at the behind the curtain look at some of the most iconic Disney costumes in Broadway history.
The first Disney show to play Broadway was Beauty and the Beast at the Palace Theatre in 1994. There are several of Belle’s famous yellow ballgowns – that vary in design based on the countries where the musical has performed in the decades that followed. There’s also a miniature set model outlining one of the scenes, a set piece of the magic rose encased in glass and Beast facial prosthetics. The coolest part? You feel like you’re backstage of its 35th anniversary tour (now performing across North America) seeing the crew call the show as you watch what’s happening on stage from the wings.
“You hear, ‘Light 42!’ and you see the light change. It’s so spectacular. I hope audiences and fans will really feel like they’re backstage,” actress Isabelle McCalla, who played Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway and Meg in Hercules at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn described her experience visiting the exhibit. “I thought it was incredible—really well done and very realistic. It felt like being backstage at the New Amsterdam Theater, where I worked for many years,” said Adam Jacobs, the original Aladdin.” The experience made me feel at home, especially seeing things like the sign-in sheet and dressing rooms, just as if I were preparing for a show.”
Jacobs and McCalla are two of several stars performing on stage at EPCOT during the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure. South Orange’s Mandy Gonzalez is part of the lineup this year and will be performing alongside Kissy Simmons on January 31. The 30-minute concerts take place several times daily (showtimes: 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 8 pm) and often, the actors even step out into the audience and interact with the fans.
Cedar Grove native Jelani Remy, who played Simba in The Lion King on Broadway is performing again at EPCOT this year. ”I came from a small town in New Jersey, and I got to see The Lion King [when I was a kid.] It was kind of the first time I got to see a lot of people of color on stage,” he said of new audiences, perhaps some who might not have been to a Broadway show, getting to watch him sing their favorite songs live. “I got to really get inspired and really start thinking, ‘hey, maybe I can do that.’ I hope that that radiates, because representation does matter.”
Remy was in awe revisiting The Lion King costumes from the mask headpieces, gazelle wheel, wildebeests to the giraffe puppets that parade down the aisles. There was also a miniature set model of the famous stampede scene.
Broadway’s original Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Sierra Boggess, felt like she went back in time as she stared right at her costume. “It’s been 18 years and I haven’t seen my tail! I just remember how many pieces go into putting that tail on. I remember my dresser putting on all these snaps and things in the tail. I want everyone to look at the details,” she said. There’s also costumes from Mary Poppins, Frozen, Aladdin, Hercules and Newsies.
This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs through February 23.
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