Just five days after the start of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, one of the festival’s massive displays has disappeared. Walt Disney World Resort quietly removed pieces of theme park concept art by Walt Disney Imagineering that were originally displayed in the World Celebration neighborhood.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs from January 16 to February 23, 2026. The event includes artists selling merchandise around the park, limited-time food and beverage offerings, and live performances, including the Disney on Broadway concert series.
Guests can immerse themselves in the magic with experiences like the Animation Academy, the Once Upon a Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway display, Disney Lorcana stations, chalk art, and the Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural. Like with other EPCOT festivals, a Figment scavenger hunt is available for purchase, with prizes for those who find the purple dragon hidden around the World Showcase.
Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art Removed
On Wednesday, WDWNT reported that a display of theme park concept art created by Walt Disney Imagineering had already disappeared from EPCOT, despite being installed for the International Festival of the Arts. The “Drawing on Inspiration” display was located in the breezeway between Club Cool and Creations Shop in the World Celebration neighborhood.
The display featured floor-to-ceiling decals of concept art created by Walt Disney Imagineers for various theme park projects, including The Beak & Barrel, Indiana Jones Adventure, Avatar Flight of Passage, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Tree of Life, the Norway World Showcase Pavilion, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Each was pictured next to the name of the Disney artist who sketched it.
The introduction to the “Drawing on Inspiration” display read:
“Once Upon a Sketch
When Walt Disney Imagineers begin dreaming up a new attraction, land, or experience, they often start with a sketch-a quick, simple drawing that captures the heart of what they hope to create.
Over time, these sketches will evolve into detailed concept art, intricate character studies, and fine-tuned architectural blueprints. But the sketch is the first point of origin-the one little spark, that starts the creative process.
This exhibit showcases sketches by current Imagineers who were inspired by the many wonders found throughout Disney Parks. May these little flights of fancy fan the flames of your own imagination-and help you notice how tiny details can come together to make something magical.”
According to several Disney Park guests, the display was peeling and showing signs of damage just days into the month-long festival. It was installed on January 13, three days before the event kicked off. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DisneyStarr8 wrote:
Yesterdau the banners were peeling off. 🤦♀️😬
Yesterdau the banners were peeling off. 🤦♀️😬
— Disney Starr Manning❤️🏰🎆🐭🧚💫 (@DisneyStarr8) January 21, 2026
It’s unclear whether Walt Disney World Resort plans to reinstall the “Drawing on Inspiration” display before the festival ends on February 23, 2026.
Did you get a chance to see the Walt Disney Imagineering display at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts before it disappeared? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
