Welcome to day 12 of our 2022 Winter Games. But, if you're here for Olympics, you'll be disappointed. Not much going on here- Olympics wise. Instead, we headed out to Epcot for the last week of the Festival of the Arts (Well, most of us, Calib had to work)
We didn't get to an event, but we did have a Spotlight country, and an event for the boys to bet on.
Hayden is the only pay out for the bet, because Canada won the gold medal in the Speed Skating- Women's Team Pursuit. Japan took the silver, and the Netherlands took the bronze.
The Spotlight Country was Haiti. I wasn't sure what time we'd be getting back from Disney, and Haiti has a pretty easy spaghetti I figured we could pull off if we needed dinner. But, of course, we ate so much at Disney, we didn't end up eating a dinner.
But, that's ok- because I actually got Hayden AND Peyton to come to Disney with us! I lured Hayden there with art work, and Peyton with a promise of a "sushi donut". Calib said there was no way I would get them to go, but I didn't even have to convince them this morning. They were just up and ready to go!
The Festival of the Arts is probably the least known of all the Epcot festivals. But, it's one of my favorites. They have gallery pop ups, fun interactive activities, music, and even food booths! Plus, it's not as hyped as Flower and Garden or Food and Wine, so typically it is less crowded.
Next up, we stopped by the Deconstructed Dish for the deconstructed BLT: crispy pork belly, soft poached egg, brioche, watercress espuma, and tomato jam. I was a big fan of the dish, but I put everything together and Asa said I was ruining the 'deconstructed' part. Peyton only had the pork belly, but liked it. And Asa really liked it too. Although, shockingly, it wasn't his favorite thing he ate.
By now I felt like it was time for a dessert, so we popped over to Deco Delights for the Decadent Valrhona Chocolate, with dark chocolate mousse, chocolate brownie, and cassis mousse. I don't always love dark chocolate, but this yummy. And the presentation? Amazing. The dark chocolate on the plate was REALLY dark chocolate though. I steered clear, while Peyton and Asa ate it up with their forks.
As we continued along the world, we stopped along to see some of the pop up art galleries.
In the United Kingdom, we spotted the special Peter Pan art, and Alice.
Over in France, Remy and his brother Emile can be found climbing the light post.
And while not a festival option, we swung by the new crepe window to try out the Ratatouille Gallette. This one was fine. But it didn't stand out for any of us. We felt it needed a little more seasoning. But, it's a big portion for the price. I also nosed around the French wine store. I used to like going in here because they had lots of spices and such, but now it's all dedicated to Ratatouille, which is a bit of a bummer.
We continued on, and decided the Encanto Kitchen, with their Colombian food was a must stop for us.
We grabbed the house made chorizo and potato empanada, but requested the turmeric aioli and annatto aoli on the side, in case it was spicy, or in case Peyton didn't like it. Neither actually turned out to be an issue. The empanada was crisp and warm, with a great blend of flavors. It was actually Peyton and Asa's favorite thing. My favorite thing might have been the other thing from the Encanto Cocina the Passion Fruit Mousse with Dragon Fruit Jam. This one was just the right amount of tart and sweet.
Continuing on, we swung by some more gallery pop ups.
And then stopped in Japan, where I waited at Goshiki for the Sushi donut while the guys nosed around the Japan store. Although we didn't get it, they had Masu Sake that came in a traditional personalized wooden cup. It was pretty cool, and they just ladled the saki out of this big drum. If someone else had been in line with me, they might have convinced me to go for it.
Instead, I just walked away with the Sushi donut: featuring salmon, tuna, shrimp, cucumber, and sesame seed over a decorated plate of Wasabi aioli, siracha, and eel sauce. It's not actually a donut, just donut shaped, of course. But this is how I lured Peyton to Disney, and he said it did not disappoint.
Along the way there are also some photo opportunities for you to be inside some art. I easily convinced Peyton and Hayden to get in "Washington Crosses the Delaware" with me.
Over in Italy, we found the guys from Luca near the water fountain, and geppeto way up high.
There was also an opportunity to be in "The Scream" and the "Mona Lisa".
Peyton did a better Mona Lisa than me.
Since Peyton was with us, a stop in Germany was a must. It's not a festival kitchen, but he really loves the bratwurst, so him and Asa split one.
We spotted Pascal from Tangled along one of the walls in Germany, too.
And of course, we were visited by some ducks.
Continuing along the world, we made a few more gallery stops.
In Mexico, Hayden stopped by a Frida Kahlo, and totally nailed his head placement, and then we swung by to get some nachos. This was Hayden's ask, and he had saved up for it- only taking a few bites here and there of the other foods, we were all full by the time we hit Mexico, and he got most the nachos to himself.
It'd also been awhile since he and Peyton had been at Epcot, so we stopped by to see the 50th Anniversary golden statues.
On the cloudy day, I was able to get better pictures of the statues.
Then we headed over to the main drag to check out the chalk art.
They bring in all artists to draw along the fence. Most of it is Disney inspired.
But some of it isn't.
And they even have ones you can walk on and take your picture with!
After we saw all of that, Peyton took mine and Asa's picture in some Van Goghs.
There really is artwork everywhere. There's even some along the walls that are up for all the construction. (And there are still SO MANY WALLS up at Epcot!)
You can also help make some of the art along the walls though. There is a giant paint by numbers mural and you can help fill it in! They just give you a little cup of paint with a number on it, and a brush, and then they assign your party part of the mural.
Peyton wasn't interested, but Asa, Hayden and I, all colored in a few squares.
At the end, they give you a free bookmark to show you what the finished mural will look like.
On our way out, we did see Goofy and Pluto socially distanced- meeting guests. Basically you just stop in front of the bushes and call out to them, and they'll hop over to be in your picture. It literally takes less than a minute, so I almost like this better than having to wait forever for a picture.
And that's it for our trip to Epcot and the Festival of the Arts. We didn't go in anywhere (except a couple shops and a bathroom), because Hayden is still not loving being indoors in crowds. It's a good thing we went when we did though, because as of tomorrow Disney is getting rid of it's mask policy yet again (if you're vaccinated, of course, but somehow the second they say that everyone is "vaccinated"). I'll ditch my mask again probably in a couple weeks. (I feel like they always do this sort of thing just a couple weeks too early.)
So, anyway, today we're back to Olympics, and we're in the home stretch!
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