When we head into Disney World, we go in thinking that the longest line we’ll wait in that day is probably for one of the park’s most popular rides. That’s especially true in EPCOT, because multiple rides in the park can get some LONG lines.

Rope Drop Crowds

However, yesterday was opening day for one of EPCOT’s most POPULAR festivals, Festival of the Arts, and while we were expecting things to be crowded, we didn’t think they’d be THIS intense. If you’re heading to the festival opening weekend (especially since Monday is a holiday), you’ve gotta pack your patience when it comes to waiting in line for your food.

Throughout our day at the festival, especially as it got further into the afternoon and it wasn’t as chilly, we noticed that crowds ramped up exponentially, especially around festival booths. Things started out bit by bit — we noticed that at The Craftsman’s Courtyard, it took us five minutes to get to the booth to order, then another eight minutes to get our food.

The Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio

Over at Gourmet Landscapes in Canada, things took a bit longer — it took us 18 minutes to order, then 25 minutes to get our food!

Gourmet Landscapes

Then, over at The Artist’s Table in The American Adventure pavilion, there was only one cashier to take orders, as all other Cast Members were working hard to get the food out, which was taking up the most time. It took us 33 MINUTES to get to the cashier to order!

WOW

At the exact same time in the park, there were numerous experiences that would have taken less time, including Soarin’ (a 25-minute wait), Meeting Mickey and Friends at CommuniCore Hall (a 25-minute wait), Mission: SPACE (a 25-minute wait), and even meeting Anna and Elsa (a 35-minute wait)!

Full Spread at The Artist’s Table

This goes to show that, with lines like these, it’s very important to know what you REALLY would like to try at the festival, so you don’t wait in line for something you end up knowing you’ll dislike. We’ve got reviews now of EVERY booth here on our blog that you can look through to make an informed decision, and we highly recommend reading through them before you make your buy list!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO EAT AND DRINK AT THE 2026 EPCOT FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR FESTIVAL DAYS

This is the “skip the meh, eat the best stuff” plan for EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts. Get full-photo booth menus, DFB’s Best of the Fest, and a clear game plan for your time, budget, and stomach space.

• 🍭 Booth & food photos, maps, and crawls with DFB’s exclusive picks
• 🖌 The complete schedule of events (no hunting for dates)
• 🎨 Artist meet-and-greets, special events, exclusive merch, and more

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

100% money-back guarantee. If you don’t love the guide for any reason, just email us within 30 days and we’ll send you a full refund — no questions asked.

What are you planning on grabbing at the Festival of the Arts? Tell us in the comments!