Okay, so who had “freezing temperatures at a Florida theme park” on their January bingo card? Because that’s EXACTLY what we’re getting this Friday when EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts kicks off. And not just regular Florida “cold” where it’s like 65 degrees and everyone acts like it’s the Arctic. We’re talking ACTUAL freezing temperatures. Like, below 32 degrees. In FLORIDA. What is happening?!
Here’s the situation: The forecast for Friday, January 16 (opening day of Festival of the Arts) is calling for a low of 35 degrees and a high of only 56 degrees. But wait, it gets worse! The “feels-like” temperature is going to drop into the 20s overnight and will still be in the high 30s to low 40s when EPCOT opens at 9am. If this forecast holds, it’ll be the coldest opening day in the festival’s entire history since it started back in 2017!
And you know what makes this even more frustrating? Disney just closed Typhoon Lagoon from January 12-14 because of this same cold snap. So we’ve already lost water park days, and now the Festival of the Arts opening is going to be absolutely FRIGID. Thanks, Mother Nature. Really appreciate the timing here!
The Food Situation Is… Not Great
So here’s the thing about Festival of the Arts: the menu is designed to be artsy and creative, NOT to keep you warm during a polar vortex. We went through all the food studio menus, and guess what? There’s basically NO soup. Like, barely any warm comfort food at all. It’s all about artistic presentation and fancy plating, which is cool when it’s 70 degrees outside, but when you’re freezing? Not so much.
The ONE exception that’s going to be absolutely MOBBED on Friday is the grilled cheese with tomato soup at Pop Eats Food Studio. This is normally just a cute nostalgic menu item, but on opening day? It’s going to be ESSENTIAL survival food. We’re talking lines around the corner, people. If you want this, get there early or prepare to wait FOREVER.
And let’s talk about the drink situation. You know those wine flights and beer flights that you’re supposed to leisurely sip while strolling around World Showcase? Yeah, that’s not going to be fun when your hands are numb from the cold. Hot beverages are going to be your best friend, but unfortunately, the festival isn’t exactly heavy on those either.
This is basically the opposite of summer festivals where you’re desperately seeking shade and cold drinks. Now we’re all going to be huddled around anything warm we can find! 😂
Entertainment Might Get Cancelled
While Disney hasn’t officially announced any cancellations yet (they probably won’t until the last minute because, you know, Disney), there’s a very real possibility that some of the outdoor entertainment could get axed because of the cold. And honestly? Festival of the Arts doesn’t have a TON of entertainment to begin with, so losing any of it would be a bummer.
Here’s why cold weather is a problem for performances:
- Musical instruments go completely haywire in the cold (strings go out of tune, wind instruments get condensation)
- Performers can’t stay outside for long periods without health risks
- Technical equipment can malfunction when it’s this cold
So if you’re planning to see specific shows or performances on Friday, maybe don’t get your hopes TOO high. Disney will prioritize performer safety over keeping the schedule, which is the right call, but it still sucks for guests who wanted the full festival experience.
AND DISNEY RAISED PRICES BECAUSE OF COURSE THEY DID
As if dealing with freezing temperatures wasn’t enough, Disney decided this was the PERFECT time to significantly raise prices on a bunch of festival items. We’re not talking about a few cents here and there. We’re talking about some SERIOUS increases, especially on beverage flights!
Let’s break down the damage:
Figment’s Inspiration Station:
- Hard Cider Flight: Was $10.25 in 2025, now $12.75 in 2026 (22% increase!)
- Beer Flight: Was $10.25 in 2025, now $12.75 in 2026 (also 22%!)
Opening Bites:
- Beer Flight: Jumped from $10.25 to $12.75 (another 22% increase)
Goshiki:
- Sake Flight: Went from $16.75 to $19.75 (16% increase)
Pastoral Palate:
- Play on Rosé Flight: Up from $11.50 to $13.50 (16% increase)
So basically, if you were planning to “drink around the world” during Festival of the Arts like you did last year, you’re going to be spending A LOT more money this year. Those 22% increases on the flights at multiple booths? That’s ROUGH. Especially when you’re already paying premium prices just to attend the festival in the first place!
Disney, we love you, but SERIOUSLY? You’re raising prices by up to 22% on some items? In THIS economy? While we’re all freezing our butts off at your festival? The audacity! 💸
How to Survive Opening Day (If You’re Brave Enough)
LAYER EVERYTHING: Start with thermal underwear or a warm base layer. Add a sweater or fleece. Top it with a windproof jacket. Don’t forget scarves, gloves, and a hat for the morning! You can always take stuff off as it warms up (and shove it all in a bag), but you can’t magically create warm clothes if you didn’t bring them.
Plan Indoor Breaks: EPCOT has tons of indoor pavilions, shops, and attractions where you can warm up. Don’t try to be a hero and spend three straight hours outside. Pop into the pavilions in World Showcase, hit up some Future World attractions, duck into shops. Your body will thank you!
Hit Pop Eats Early: Seriously, if you want that grilled cheese and tomato soup, GET THERE EARLY. Everyone and their mother is going to be craving warm food, and that’s basically the only obviously warm comfort food on the menu.
Check the Forecast Again: Weather predictions can change! Maybe it’ll warm up a bit, or maybe it’ll get even COLDER (please no). Keep checking as Friday gets closer so you know what you’re really dealing with.
Consider Postponing: Real talk? Festival of the Arts runs through February 23. If you’re not committed to opening day specifically, maybe wait a week or two when temperatures are back to normal Florida levels. The festival will still be there, the food will still be delicious, and you won’t risk frostbite in the process!
Look, we LOVE Festival of the Arts. The food is amazing, the art is beautiful, and the whole vibe is just fantastic. But opening day this year is going to be ROUGH. If you absolutely must go Friday, prepare accordingly. If you can wait? Honestly, we’d recommend it. There’s nothing worse than spending a fortune on festival food and drinks that you’re too cold to enjoy!
Are you planning to brave the cold and hit up Festival of the Arts opening day? Or are you smart enough to wait for warmer weather? Drop a comment and let us know! And if you’ve got tips for surviving Disney in freezing temps, PLEASE share them because we’re all going to need the help!
