For the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, CommuniCore Hall has transformed into a Disney on Broadway exhibit.
Disney on Broadway Exhibit at CommuniCore Hall
CommuniCore Hall opened in 2024, so this marks its first Festival of the Arts. During its development, it was marketed in part as a “festival center” that would change to reflect each of the four EPCOT festivals. It’s faced criticism from us and other guests for failing to deliver much beyond some extra seating. But the 2025 Festival of the Arts marks a change with the new exhibit.
As the name suggests, Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway celebrates the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Broadway shows. CommuniCore Hall is full of displays dedicated to some of those shows, particularly “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.”
Guests visiting CommuniCore Hall will see a collection of costumes, props, and photo ops. The exhibit is surrounded by blue curtains, with atmospheric lighting and glowing neon signs.
A collection of costumes is on a raised platform in the center of the exhibit. The costumes include Genie’s from “Aladdin,” Aladdin himself, Ariel’s mermaid look from “The Little Mermaid,” Mufasa from “The Lion King,” Anna’s “For the First Time in Forever” costume from “Frozen,” Elsa’s ice queen dress, an Olaf puppet, Mary Poppins’ ensemble complete with umbrella, and Hercules’ armor. The “Hercules” musical is coming to the West End this year.
One wall is dedicated to “The Lion King” Masks and Puppet Workshop. Real masks from the famous Broadway show are in display cases, alongside signs detailing their creation. The first lion mask prototype by “The Lion King” director Julie Taymor is among the items.
A life-size giraffe puppet is behind stanchions, in front of a “Lion King”-inspired backdrop. There is a zebra puppet and costume.
The baby Simba, young Simba, and young Nala puppets are prominently displayed.
There’s a Pride Rock photo op inspired by the Broadway set piece.
Another section is the “Aladdin” Costume Studio. Jasmine’s main outfit is prominently displayed in this area. There is information about the show’s costume designers, tailors, and other crew members.
There’s a Magic Lamp photo op, where guests can rub the lamp and try to release the Genie.
The iconic Enchanted Rose from “Beauty and the Beast” is on a podium. A book from the Beast’s library is in a nearby case.
There are set models for “Newsies,” “Frozen,” and “Mary Poppins.”
Plus a few extra items from “Newsies” and “Frozen.”
Festival merchandise is available for purchase in CommuniCore Hall.
To match the Disney on Broadway exhibit, a Figment figure atop a merch display is wearing an outfit similar to his Performing Arts look from the original Journey Into Imagination. On his nearby vanity are playbills for Disney on Broadway productions.
Disney on Broadway performances are held nightly during the Festival of the Arts. See this year’s full lineup.
The 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs from January 17 – February 24.
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