EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 

Spring has almost sprung, and that means only one thing at Walt Disney World—time for Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival!  Epcot is a beautiful park year round, but during the annual Flower and Garden Festival there is an explosion of color and whimsical topiaries all around. 

That’s right, there are over 100 topiaries placed around both the World Showcase and Future World.  More than 75 of those feature beloved Disney characters (Can you say photo opt?!)  A tapestry of flowers blooms, seemingly overnight, on the banks for Future World East and West Lakes.  You can stroll through an English Tea Garden, view the always intriguing Bonsai collection, or check out a variety of other unique gardens.  On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays you can even sign up for Epcot Gardens of the World, a 3-hour guided tour available for guests ages 16 or older (cost is $59.  Reservations should be made in advance).

Kids will have plenty to during this special showcase as well.  Everyone in your family will love Bambi’s Butterfly House (go in the morning as it tends to get crowded later in the day).  Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden is also making an appearance this year.  There are small play structures in various gardens, but the Backyard Play Garden is sure to be a hit with your Mouseketeers.

Epcot sets up a special Festival Center for the Flower and Garden Festival.  It is located between Ellen’s Universe of Energy and Mission: Space.  Open from 10am-5pm, this is where you will find the majority of educational/informative sessions.  Personalities from HGTV and DIY will have special presentations.  Gardening experts will be on hand to share their tips and tricks.  You can also ask the on-hand expert gardening questions or get planting pointers.  (Pick up a Festival Guide upon arrival the specific times of these presentations)  If you find yourself getting a bit hungry while learning you will find cold sandwiches, salads, snacks, tea, and wine at a Café set up especially for the Festival Center.

Probably one of the most well-known aspects of the Flower and Garden Festival are the Flower Power Concert Series, showcasing music legends from the 1960s and 1970s.  There is a varied lineup throughout the festival including Jose Feliciano, The Guess Who, Chubby Checker and the Wildcats, and more.  Concerts take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the America Gardens Theatre at 5:15pm, 6:30pm, and 7:45pm. 

The Flower and Garden Festival is one of the many things Walt Disney World does to make vacations just a little more special.  There is something for everyone!