The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is an annual spring event at Walt Disney World, transforming EPCOT into a vibrant floral wonderland. Since 1994, it has featured stunning topiaries, dazzling garden displays, and family-friendly activities. Spanning early March to early July, it offers ample time for visitors to explore.
A valid EPCOT admission ticket is required. Visiting on weekdays or during early mornings and late afternoons is advisable for a less crowded experience. Be sure to pick up a Festival Passport to guide you through must-see displays and activities.
The festival highlights intricate topiary displays of Disney characters and themed gardens. The Garden Rocks Concert Series provides live music from top bands. Interactive scavenger hunts offer a fun way to explore the park.
Culinary experiences include outdoor kitchens with seasonally-inspired dishes and exclusive festival treats. Dining packages offer reserved concert seating and special menu options for a luxurious experience.
Family activities feature interactive play gardens and engaging exhibits. Character encounters in themed settings provide perfect photo opportunities.
Exclusive festival merchandise, from apparel to garden accessories, is available throughout the park. These items celebrate the festival’s themes, allowing visitors to take home a piece of the magic.
Educational offerings include horticultural exhibits and workshops led by gardening experts, providing valuable insights and hands-on learning.
Guest services, including information booths and festival guides, enhance the experience. The festival is accessible to all guests, with mobility services and accessible routes.
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival promises a memorable adventure, filled with beauty, entertainment, and educational experiences. This guide helps you explore, savor, and celebrate every magical moment.
Overview of EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a vibrant annual event at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, known for its lush gardens, unique topiaries, and a celebration of spring.
History and Significance
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival commenced in 1994, enhancing the park’s natural beauty with floral displays and horticultural exhibits. This festival symbolizes the awakening of spring, marrying the joy of nature with the magic of Disney. It has grown to include educational presentations, themed merchandise, and garden-themed food offerings.
Dates and Duration
For the years 2023 and 2024, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival spans a period starting in early March and concluding in early July. The exact dates for 2023 are March 1 through July 5, and for 2024, the festival is scheduled from March 6 to July 3. This timeframe gives you ample opportunity to visit and experience the transformation of EPCOT into a floral and garden paradise.
Planning Your Visit
Crafting the perfect itinerary for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival begins with understanding the essentials for admission, pinpointing the ideal visiting times, and navigating the park effectively.
Admission Requirements
Secure your entry to EPCOT for the Flower and Garden Festival with valid admission. If you wish to use Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane selections, purchase these services upon your theme park ticket acquisition.
Best Times to Visit
The festival blooms from early March through early July. For lower crowd levels, plan your visit on weekdays, especially from March to May. Stay apprised of special events in May which might affect crowd sizes.
Park Navigation & Festival Passport
Grab the Festival Passport upon entering EPCOT to map out your experience. Utilize this guide to explore the various gardens, exhibits, and seasonal treats. The passport is an invaluable tool to locate favorite topiaries and plan your meals around the outdoor kitchens.
Festival Highlights
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival showcases a vibrant collection of Disney-themed topiaries and gardens, offers live music at the Garden Rocks Concert Series, and engages visitors with fun scavenger hunts.
Topiary Displays & Gardens
Discover an array of breathtaking Disney character topiaries throughout the festival. These topiaries are meticulously crafted to resemble beloved Disney characters. Stroll through themed gardens that enhance the experience, such as the Butterfly Landing, a habitat teeming with colorful butterflies.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Enjoy live entertainment at the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This series features a lineup of popular bands and artists performing hits that resonate across the beautiful outdoor venue. The concerts are scheduled on select nights during the festival, offering a dynamic audiovisual spectacle.
Scavenger Hunts
Participate in the festival’s interactive scavenger hunts, which are a hit with families and individuals alike. The hunts provide a playful way to explore the park, with prizes available upon completion. They offer a unique way to engage with the festival’s various attractions and topiaries.
Culinary Experiences
As you explore EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival, your taste buds embark on a journey through a wide array of unique and delightful flavors presented at the festival’s various culinary offerings.
Outdoor Kitchens
The Outdoor Kitchens serve as the heart of the Festival’s culinary experiences. These kiosks scatter across EPCOT, each offering specialty food items that reflect their theme. The Pineapple Promenade and La Isla Fresca are among the fan favorites. Here, you’ll taste fresh, garden-inspired dishes that embody the spirit of spring. At these kitchens, not only do you savor delightful dishes, but you also enjoy the sight and smells of the festival’s beautiful floral arrangements.
Specialty Food Items
A diverse selection of Specialty Food Items awaits you. The Honey Bee-stro introduces you to sweet treats infused with honey, while Hanami offers Japanese fare with a focus on fresh flavors. For those seeking hearty options, Bauernmarkt delivers with rustic German dishes. Plant-based offerings can be found at Flavor Full Kitchen, with creations designed to please the palate with healthful ingredients. These specialty items are taste-tested favorites at the festival and are not to be missed.
Dining Packages
Dining Packages elevate your culinary experience at the festival. These packages often include an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage, or one full buffet, depending on the restaurant. Occasional offerings like the EPCOT Farmers Feast and Brunchcot combine delectable food with entertainment or special seating for festival events. Be sure to book these well in advance, as they offer an exclusive and in-depth taste of what EPCOT’s festival chefs have to offer.
Interactive Fun
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival features engaging activities designed to entertain visitors of all ages, with special opportunities to interact with Disney characters and take part in unique family experiences.
Family Activities
You’ll find family-friendly activities that seamlessly blend education with fun—like Spike the Bee’s Pollen-Nation Exploration. Children of all ages can embark on this scavenger hunt across the park, seeking out the busy bee on his pollination trail. Here’s how you can participate:
- Purchase a map at select merchandise locations.
- Search for Spike the Bee on special signage at each garden.
- Match the correct plant sticker to your map.
- Return your completed map for a surprise.
Additional experience includes interactive play gardens where kids can burn off energy and learn about the natural world.
Character Encounters
Character encounters at the festival bring you face-to-face with beloved Disney friends. In EPCOT’s Sunshine Griddle, you might come across Joyful characters, while in the Mexico pavilion, Miguel from “Coco” will serenade you. The appearances of characters like Dante or Groot give a memorable twist to your visit. Here’s what you should remember:
- Find the latest character greeting times in the park’s guide or app.
- Meet characters like Miguel or Disney princesses in themed gardens.
- Capture moments with your favorite characters in iconic EPCOT locations.
Characters are subject to change, so be sure to check the day’s schedule.
Festival Merchandise
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival features exclusive merchandise ranging from apparel to collectible items, showcasing the work of talented artists.
Exclusive Products
Exclusive Products are a hallmark of the festival, with offerings that include limited-edition apparel, garden decorations, and accessories. You can find special items designed by artists that reflect the floral theme of the festival. For example, you can purchase unique T-shirts that are only available during the event, or special pins that commemorate your visit.
Merchandise Locations
To purchase these exclusive items, Merchandise Locations are situated throughout EPCOT. Specific shops like Mouse Gear and Port of Entry feature a wide selection of festival merchandise. Look for outdoor carts and kiosks for additional products, especially around the World Showcase. These locations are strategically placed so you can easily browse and buy items as you enjoy the festival displays and topiaries.
Educational Offerings
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival not only dazzles with its floral displays and gardens but also educates through horticultural exhibits and a variety of workshops and presentations.
Horticultural Exhibits
Horticulture is the art and science of growing plants. At the festival, you can experience an array of Horticultural Exhibits showcasing the latest gardening techniques and plant species. You will find the National Honey Board here, highlighting the vital role of bees in horticulture through interactive exhibits.
- Explore the themed gardens, each designed to demonstrate unique landscaping.
- Discover floral displays featuring vibrant colors and intricate designs.
Workshops and Presentations
Gain knowledge from experts during Workshops and Presentations designed to enhance your gardening skills.
- Join workshops on sustainability and plant care led by horticulturalists.
- Attend presentations that explain the delicate relationship between flowers and pollinators, with a focus on the contributions of the National Honey Board.
Workshops often feature hands-on activities, such as planting your own garden starter kit. Presentations might include cooking demonstrations using honey and flowers from the gardens.
Festival Services
To enhance your visit to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, a variety of services are available to ensure a comfortable and accessible experience for all guests. From guest amenities to support for those with mobility needs, these services are strategically placed throughout the World Showcase and Future World.
Guest Services
Locate Guest Services promptly upon arrival, typically found at the main entrance. Here, you can obtain park maps, schedules for the festival, and assistance with any inquiries. Should you need help with Lightning Lane reservations, the cast members at Guest Services are ready to assist.
- Consult Guest Services for lost and found inquiries.
- Inquire about park-wide events and any alterations to standard operations during the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, ensuring your plan is up-to-date.
Mobility and Accessibility
EPCOT is committed to providing a comfortably accessible experience for all guests. Within both Future World and the World Showcase, services tailored for those requiring mobility assistance are readily available.
- Rent a wheelchair or ECV (Electric Conveyance Vehicle) as you enter the park.
- Find Companion Restrooms signposted on the festival maps, corresponding with easy-access routes throughout EPCOT.
Remember, you can use these services to optimize your time and enjoyment at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
