Written by: Amanda Porcelli. amanda@teplanners.com.
Disney has done a good job at expanding it’s Festival dates so it feels like there’s a different Festival all year long now! All Epcot Festivals are free, so it’s a nice perk to going at certain times of the year. Lots will say the Food & Wine Festival is their favorite (and it is a very close second for me!) but my favorite is Flower & Garden. I really think Epcot shines and it is just so beautiful with all of the flowers and topiaries, not to mention the fantastic food booth options (common for all festivals, and are great uses of a snack credit!). One of the other reasons this Festival appeals to me the most is because of the weather for the early half of it. Taking place from early March until early June, it is still pretty toasty for Orlando, but if you’re going during one of those earlier dates the humidity won’t be as bad as the middle of summer. The crowds are also on the lighter side towards the end of April after Easter which is nice.
Walking around the park you will find flowers everywhere and topiaries shaped like Disney characters.
This Festival also has lots to do for kids like the walk-through Butterfly House, fun interactive play areas, and a sensory plants area where you can discover plants that you can see, hear, touch, and smell. There’s also an “Eggstravaganza” Scavenger Hunt on certain dates where you have to spot hidden Disney themed Easter Eggs around the World Showcase.
The “outdoor kitchen” food booths are a huge hit during the festivals because you can taste your way around the world! They are often snack credit eligible too which is great if you have the dining plan.
Some of my favorite finds from the Outdoor Kitchens in 2019 pictured above:
Mickey Tart with Peanut Butter Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Boba Pearls, an Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy, a Strawberry Nigori Sake from Japan, Fried Green Tomatoes with Mozzarella and Balsamic Vinegar from the Italy pavilion, and Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese from the Germany pavilion.
Disney (of course) never forgets about offering options for kids too, like a carrots, cheese, and pretzels pack or “frushi” (fresh fruit sushi) from the Japan pavilion which is a fun option.
Year round at Epcot you can also find different entertainment and things to do throughout the world showcase, like the stunt man in France, the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in the China pavilion, or get a Henna tattoo in Morocco.
On top of all these wonderful reasons to visit Epcot during this Festival, there’s also other opportunities such as special tours such as Gardens of the World, English Tea Garden, Royal Tea Garden and Behind the Seeds, as well as the “Garden Rocks” music concert series with live music 7 nights a week.
If you’re coming for Spring Break or wondering when your next Disney trip should be, seeing Epcot shine during its Flower & Garden Festival is a great choice!
To take advantage of our complimentary expert planning services contact Amanda Porcelli at amanda@teplanners.com today!
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