Paint With a Disney Artist, See New Broadway Stars: Week 3 of Epcot International Festival of the Arts

While we love sipping and tasting our way around World Showcase Promenade, there's so much beyond the incredible culinary treats – every weekend, Fridays through Mondays through Feb. 20, new visual and performing artists keep us coming back. Here are our picks for this week at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts:

• Don't just watch, participate! "Painting with a Disney Artist," a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a very special workshop in World Showcase, happens at 8 a.m. Friday. It doesn't matter if you've never picked up a paintbrush or happen to be a pro, a Disney artist will guide you to create your own masterpiece. The morning starts with a light Continental breakfast, and capacity is limited. $259 plus tax and Epcot admission; call 407-WDW-TOUR.
• Broadway fans, head to America Gardens Theatre to hear more Disney Theatrical stars this weekend. Kerry Butler (who played Belle in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway) and Kevin Massey ("Tarzan" on Broadway) light up the outdoor stage with songs from Disney's "Aladdin," "Beauty and the Beast," "Newsies" and "Tarzan." They'll be back next weekend too.
• The fun spills into Future World as well, and one of our favorites is the Live Performance Art on the Fountain Stage – where visiting artists create cool masterpieces within minutes, each one a show with an artful twist.
• There are fantastic gems all along the way, so keep your eyes open. One you might miss if you're not looking for it: the portrait of "Mulan" created with fire by an artist named Mushi, near the Japan Pavilion. It's just one of the little "aha" moments at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

Figment Leads Kids on Artsy Adventure Around the ‘World’ During Epcot International Festival of the Arts

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts event is a celebration of the arts for the whole family, happening each weekend now through February 20. And there's something special just for little ones during the festival: a clever scavenger hunt hosted by the lovable dragon, Figment! Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt takes place around World Showcase, exposing kids to some of the world's greatest masterpieces.

To begin the hunt, you first need to purchase a World Showcase map and stickers from a retail location at Epcot ($6.99). As you journey around each World Showcase Pavilion, you search for artwork that has Figment in the picture. He's curious about art, and as you will see, he jumps right in to take a super close look. Once you spot the purple pal, just add the corresponding Figment location sticker on the map to the right Pavilion. After you have hunted for all the hiding Figments, turn in the map to a cast member at a retail location for a special surprise!

This kid-centric hunt is sure to ignite curiosity and appreciation for some of the most iconic works of art such as Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and Monet's "Water Lilies." Come check it out when the festival returns this weekend!

Discover a Timeless Tale with a Sneak Peek from Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Starting Feb. 10 at Disney Parks

Beginning February 10, guests visiting Disney Parks will be able to preview a scene from Disney's epic new live-action adaptation "Beauty and the Beast" in sneak peeks planned for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

At Disney California Adventure park, the preview of "Beauty and the Beast" will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, while guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at a segment from the film as part of the One Man's Dream attraction. Each sneak peek location will also include a display featuring a collection of props and costume pieces actually used in the film's production.

The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney's animated classic "Beauty and the Beast," a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. "Beauty and the Beast" is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast's hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle's father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston's long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, "Beauty and the Beast" is produced by Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as several new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar® winner Tim Rice.

Here's a look at the official trailer for "Beauty and the Beast," which upon release last November broke records with 127.6 million views in its first 24 hours.

Plan to catch our 8-minute sneak peek from the film at Disney Parks starting February 10, and you can experience the full glory of "Beauty and the Beast" when it's released to U.S. theaters in 3D on March 17.