While it’s not the most popular of EPCOT’s yearly festival offerings, it would be a terrible mistake to miss out on the fantastic EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. There are so many things that make it a truly great experience – breathtaking displays of flowers and plants from around the world, a head-banging concert series, hands-on gardening experiences, and delicious specialty food items. (And everyone knows EPCOT has the most amazing food!)

With all of this on offer, why wouldn’t you want to check it out? You might just find this festival to be your new annual favorite.

So, here’s everything you need to about this year’s upcoming Flower and Garden Festival!

What is the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival?

The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is a yearly event held at EPCOT that officially ushers in the season of spring to Walt Disney World. The festival focuses on beautiful flowers, sustainable and unique gardens, and delightful cuisine.

Kicking off in 1994, this festival is one of the longest-running events at EPCOT, predating even the ever-popular Food & Wine Festival by a year! While the festival has grown over the years (appropriate, considering it’s plant-based!), it continues to carry out the original mission of helping guests enjoy nature’s beauty and appreciate its importance.

When Is the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival?

This spring-themed festival is typically held from early March until the end of May. However, it can extend as far as June or even July. And, this year is one of those special years where the festival is running long! (Yay!)

For 2023, Disney has announced that EPCOT will be in full bloom from March 1st to July 5th! The Flower and Garden Festival takes place daily and runs during park hours.

What is the Cost of Admission?

Festival admission is included in your regular park ticket, so all you need is a valid Disney Park ticket for the day. If you plan to spend your day across multiple parks, you need to have the Park Hopper pass to do so. There are often additional events at the Park during the Festival that you will need to purchase separate admission for, such as private garden tours. These are all completely optional events designed to enhance your experience.

There are other experiences you may want to budget for as well, including some of the scavenger hunts (though you are paying for the souvenir as much as the experience for these) and any specialty food items you may want to try from the Outdoor Kitchens.

What to Do at the Festival?

Compared to other EPCOT festivals, Flower and Garden is a much more laidback affair. It’s definitely a great vibe if you’re looking for a slightly more restful Disney vacation! Expect leisurely strolls through the displays and a chance to visit your favorite attractions. This Festival is well-loved for its rejuvenating atmosphere, but don’t let the relaxed pace fool you – there are still plenty of activities to fill your day at the park!

Snack!

One of the biggest draws for all of the EPCOT festivals is the food! For the Flower and Garden Festival, you can enjoy delicious snacks – both savory and sweet – at any of the Outdoor Kitchens located around the World Showcase. There are over 20 places to grab a unique snack, each one showcasing dishes from around the world. (The Honey Bee-stro sounds especially exciting for a sweet tooth like me!) Be sure you snack to your heart’s content because these fun, seasonal dishes won’t be available in Disney World after the festival!

The Garden Graze

If you’re pumped about the culinary side of the festival, you may want to check out the Garden Graze! If you visit the seven Garden Graze locations (specific Outdoor Kitchens at the festival) and purchase the specially notated menu items (there are ten this year!), you’ll get stamps in your Festival Passport. Once you’ve collected at least five stamps, you’ll receive a complimentary (and tasty) bonus at the Pineapple Promenade!

Note: all of this year’s Garden Graze foods sound absolutely amazing. Coconut tres leches? I’d try that even without extra incentive!

Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration

While the festival does not have an official mascot, you may spot Spike, an adorable bee, buzzing around the park in some of the garden displays. He is part of the Pollen-Nation Exploration scavenger hunt! For an extra fee ($9.99 this year), you and your family will receive a special map and stickers so you can follow Spike’s pollination trail. Turn in your completed map at the end of the hunt in exchange for an exclusive prize!

Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt

Another exciting scavenger hunt, The Egg-Stravaganza takes place in the weeks surrounding Easter, starting on March 13th this year, and shares the goal of completing a map for a prize. Instead of hunting for Spike, you’ll be hunting for adorable Disney-themed eggs bearing! Find them all to complete your map for an egg-clusive prize! (This hunt also has an additional fee of $9.99 for participation.)

Event Shopping

You’ll always find exclusive Disney merchandise inside the parks that you can’t get anywhere else. During festivals and special events, there are even more exciting items to take home with you that are limited to the festival you attended! For EPCOT, this means highly coveted Orange Bird merch. (Squee!) You’ll also find unique vendors selling gardening gear and even live plants for you to take home throughout the World Showcase! Hm, I’d better ride Living With The Land Again so maybe I’ll finally learn how to keep a plant alive…

Interactive Play Areas

If you have little ones on your trip, they’ll love the garden-themed play areas located through the park. These interactive areas give your kiddos the chance to run around and expend any excess energy while you take a break (and perhaps treat yourself to a delicious beverage).

What to See at the Festival?

What else would you enjoy at a Flower and Garden festival but the beautiful plant life? Everywhere you look, you’ll find beautiful blooms and specialty gardens from around the world.  

The Topiaries

Throughout Future World and the World Showcase, carefully crafted topiaries dot the landscape, each lovingly created by Disney horticulturists. One hundred topiaries can be found across the park, with seventy of them shaped like beloved Disney characters. From Elsa and Anna from Frozen to the Mickey Mouse himself, you’re sure to spot your favorite character! Each year brings new designs, and 2023 introduces us to the cast of Encanto, with Mirabel taking center stage, as well as the beautiful Princess Tiana.¹

The Global Gardens

From the beautiful Bonzai Collection in the Japan Pavilion to the Shakespeare Garden at the United Kingdom Pavilion, you’ll find dozens of delightful, whimsical, and occasionally educational mini-gardens housing a variety of common and exotic plants. You’ll learn about the cultural traditions around horticulture as well as the importance of sustainable gardens!

The Butterfly House

Get up close and personal with the daintiest of the insect world. The yearly Butterfly House is a living butterfly exhibit that lets you observe these beautiful creatures in their home environment. The exhibit also gives you tips on how to lure butterflies into your backyard, as well as information about their life cycle.  

Garden Rocks Concert Series

Of course, the flowers aren’t the only stars of the festival. Each year, EPCOT Flower and Garden hosts a live concert series throughout the span of the spring celebration. These are free with the price of park admission and feature several well-known musical acts.

The concert series is back again this year with a great sounding line-up including Smash Mouth, Don Felder (of Eagles fame), Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, Plain White T’s, and so many more! (You can check out the full line up, and who’s playing on what day, on Disney’s website.)

And yes, I am going to have “All Star” stuck in my head all day.

Tips and Tricks for Your EPCOT Visit

• Pick Up a Festival Passport! This is your guide to the festival, and you’ll find event schedules, information about exhibits, and menus for the Outdoor Kitchens within it.
• Visit on a weekday if you can. Weekends bring out big crowds from Florida locals, so you may have better luck with wait times if you go during the week.
• If you have an avid interest in gardening, take a private tour. There are several options for guided tours through the exhibits with Disney horticulturists. These do require an additional fee, but they are wonderful for nature lovers.
• Snap a selfie with your favorite topiaries! Since the topiary characters are temporary exhibits only available for the festival, take advantage of them for great photos. #Instagram worthy
• Check out the gardening demonstrations! During Flower and Garden, 50+ hands-on gardening demos are happening all through the park. Check the schedules to see which ones you may want to attend! Who knows? You may find a new favorite hobby!

Before You Go!

We love each of EPCOT’s seasonal festivals. However, The International Flower and Garden Festival strikes the perfect blend of yesteryear Disney nostalgia and ever-increasing EPCOT innovations. This long-running festival offers lifelong fans a chance to enjoy the classic topiaries (one of the festival’s major draws) and visit the Outdoor Kitchens for savory snacks while also bringing in new guests to experience the best of what the Disney Parks have to offer – a completely unique experience perfect for all ages!

So, come explore this bountiful bouquet of blossoms, discover your new favorite festival treat, and satisfy your inner horticulturist at the Flower and Garden Festival. We hope to see you there! 

Cover photo: Unsplash

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