Disney on Broadway and EPCOT Celebrate Storytelling Connections Beyond the Stage

Long before sitting beneath the glow of stage footlights, Disney films, with their soaring scores and unforgettable characters, captured imaginations through music and storytelling. From vibrant underwater worlds to sweeping savannahs, these tales transcended folklore to become emotional touchstones. When those same stories step onto the stage, the magic deepens. During EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts, Disney on Broadway extends that legacy, inspiring audiences through powerful musical performances that bridge generations.

Though the Festival of the Arts is EPCOT’s youngest annual event, it has quickly become one of its most emotionally resonant. Beyond attractions and meet-and-greets, the festival highlights culinary creativity, visual artistry, and live performance, offering guests the opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the imaginative spirit that defines Disney.

A cornerstone of the event is the nightly Disney on Broadway Concert Series, which brings acclaimed Broadway performers to the American Gardens Theatre. These artists, many of whom have flown with Aladdin, explored Ariel’s world, or celebrated Simba’s journey, condense decades of Disney storytelling into 35-minute performances filled with energy, nostalgia, and emotional resonance.

Ahead of this year’s festival, performers Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Isabelle McCalla (Aladdin), Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid), and Jelani Remy (The Lion King) gathered to reflect on their Disney memories, their Broadway experiences, and their deep connection to Disney Parks.

Each recalled formative childhood moments at Walt Disney World, whether it was Boggess marveling at underwater attractions or McCalla solving mysteries during EPCOT adventures. Those early experiences helped shape their creative paths and inspired them to eventually bring Disney characters to life on stage.

While Broadway represents a professional milestone, performing within Disney Parks carries its own meaning. Returning to places tied to childhood wonder offers a sense of continuity—especially as several performers now create new Disney memories with their own families.

What resonated most was the performers’ shared belief in Disney’s enduring storytelling power. These narratives are not just familiar tales; they are emotional heirlooms, passed from generation to generation. Through music and performance, they become shared experiences that transcend language, age, and culture.

Each Disney on Broadway concert exists as a singular moment, unrepeatable and communal. Just as in a theater, the performance is shaped by the audience’s energy. That exchange transforms each show into something living and personal, creating memories that linger long after the final note.

Nuanced performances keep the experience fresh, whether it’s McCalla reimagining characters from The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Jacobs revealing new layers of Aladdin’s determination. These interpretations remind audiences why Disney stories endure: they balance familiarity with emotional depth and reinvention.

As Festival of the Arts offerings from popcorn buckets to sidewalk art and fireworks fill EPCOT with color and spectacle, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series stands out as the heart of the celebration. Far from the lights of the Great White Way, these performances shine just as brightly, reaffirming Disney’s timeless ability to connect, inspire, and unite.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs now through February 23, 2026. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series is included with valid theme park admission.