5 Reasons to Go to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
During the winter months you being to think the cold will never end. Your mind quickly begins to think of spring… and for Disney fans that means the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
This year the festival runs from March 2 through May 30 and is a great way to let go of winter. Here are the top 5 reasons you should think about visiting the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year.
1. the weather
One of the main reasons to go to Disney World in spring is to run away from any left over Winter weather at home. The weather during this time of year is perfect.
Not too cold and not too warm. And humidity is about non-existent.
The days don’t get to hot but you can easily wear shorts and swim in the pools. The evening get just cool enough for a light jacket. Perfect for romantic strolls through the gardens.
2. the topiaries
Many people enjoy the gardens and abundance of flowers but the topiary take the show. These locally grown topiary will have you oohing and awing your way through the park.
The topiary tend to be famous Disney characters with the stars of the show being characters from a movie or event that is current to that year. (for a more detailed look at some of the older topiary check out my post on them from a previous year)
This year the classic characters are taking center stage. Donald Duck and his nephews (Huey, Duewe and Louie) great you at the entrance in front Spaceship Earth. The rest of that gang can be found at the entrance to World Showcase. Love that is a classic year!
3. the music
The Garden Rocks Concert Series is a complimentary perk to the festival. Every weekend there is a band playing some of your favorite music in the American Gardens Theater in the American Pavilion in World Showcase.
What is beautiful about these concerts is that they are free and you can just stop by for a favorite song, dance in the walkway, or sit down and enjoy the entire set. It really is fun for the entire family.
All concerts take place at America Gardens Theater, with show times at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For 2016 here are some of my picks:
- Village People (March 25 – 27) – I am in!! Can you imagine a bunch of Disney people singing YMCA? This concert will be a blast!
- Herman’s Hermits (April 1 – 3) – I grew up to my Mom singing I’m Henry the VIII, I Am ALL (and I mean ALL) of the time. I would love to go and give it a sing.
- Georgia Satellites (April 29 – May 1) – I have a soft spot for any group that can pull off that much twang.
4. the shopping
For those that like to shop there are wonderful booths all throughout the World Showcase and at the Festival Center. You can purchase Epcot Flower and Garden Festival memorabilia, gardening tools and ornaments, small plants, gifts, and even some fine art.
This is merchandise you will only find at the festival and much of it is to cute to pass up.
HINT: The last weekend of the festival the 2016 branded merchandise is typically marked 50% off.
One must do is to stop by and meet Heather French at her booth (usually close to the Morocco pavilion).
She uses watercolors to create beautiful paintings of wine, flower, and cats (some with all three together).
For those that love their felines they may come back with a print or two. You may even find yourself with one of her originals (I have three to date).
5. the food
In 2013, year Disney added food booths to the festival. It does not compete with the Epcot Food and Wine festival but does add a wonderful element of snacking on spring-inspired tapas-sized food and beverages as you wander the garden displays.
These booths called ‘Outdoor Kitchens‘ will focus on small plates that leverage the tastes of spring. Expect to see lots of fruit and vegetables in additions to some more savory morsels.
This year there will be 13 outdoor kitchens ready to tempt your taste buds. There are three new ones ripe for the taking:
- Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market – Venture to this quaint kitchen next to the Germany Pavilion to try a succulent sampling of Bavarian bites fit for a food lover’s forktale. You’ll also uncover a bevy of ice cold brews and an “organic” champagne apértif with elderflower and mint—a refreshing pick-me-up that’s ideal for spring. Guten tag!
- La Isla Fresca – Drift over to the Showcase Plaza and dig into jammin’ Caribbean-inspired fare. Sway your hips to a reggae beat as you decide between plates of protein that have been either seasoned with jerk-spice or carefully braised. Enhance this tropical tasting with a frozen drink or dessert.
- Cider House – Behold a charming booth that’s rooted in spectacular farm-grown ingredients and fragrant herbs. Try a variety of buzz-worthy ciders and artisanal provisions that may inspire a playful picnic near the United Kingdom Pavilion.
For more details on the Outdoor Kitchen menus pick up one of the FREE Garden Passports. They can be stamped at each outdoor kitchen your vist and is a wonderful souvenir.
Will you be migrating south this spring?
Looks like some great food! YUM!
I am just AMAZED by what they can do with the flowers! That food looks scrumptious, too!
For sure if I was going to be in that area, I would go. I love beautiful flowers and the food… On my, my Hubs would go with me just for that.
Yes, those are very good reasons to go to Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. One day I’ll get there with my whole family – grandkids too! Such pretty pictures, thanks for sharing a little of spring with us.
It sounds like they have so much cool stuff there! I would love to go some day, it sounds like something the whole family can enjoy.
Those are definitely 5 great reasons to make plans to visit! Ashley and I will be down there at the end of May, again, so we’ll just miss the fun! I grew up listening to my mom’s Gary Lewis and the Playboys record – I’d love to sing along with “This Diamond Ring” (among others!) LOL
I love going to this each year, there is so much to see and I am never amazed!
Sandra
The Adored Home
I am afraid to stop by the Heather French booth! I know we will end up buying something. 🙂
great list! I barely missed this event last trip! We saw them planting and setting things up, but missed the actual event. 🙁 One day…
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I would love to visit the Flower & Garden Festival someday. I am especially interested in seeing the topiaries and trying the food!
Oh my, I don’t need any arm-twisting for this festival; your 5 points made me sure of that. Darn I’ll be missing Epcot in Spring this year!!