This week at Walt Disney World, the International Flower and Garden Festival begins. The festival runs from March 5-May 18, 2014 at Epcot. During the festival, Epcot comes to life with beautiful topiaries, stunning gardens, outdoor kitchens (food kiosks), evening concerts, special tours and presentations.
Explore and observe the approximately 100 topiaries and additional gardens throughout the park designed and assembled by Disney horticulturists. They provide a beautiful and colorful backdrop to the festival.
Taste scrumptious small plates at the Outdoor Kitchens (food kiosks) located around the World Showcase that feature garden-grown foods and food inspired by spring. This is a new (only its second year) and wonderful addition to the festival. There are many food options that will appeal to children and several non-alcoholic drinks for them to try. It is also a great time for adults and children to sample foods that are new to them or outside their comfort zone as the portion sizes are small.
Plan to attend one of the free Flower Power concerts held at the America Gardens Theaters on select nights at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm. Since the theater is outside, even if it is full, you can still enjoy the music in the area around the theater. Some of the artists performing this year are The Guess Who, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Village People, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone and much more.
Visit the Festival Center it is full of activities including Planting Pointers (daily at 1:00pm and 4:00pm), Ask an Expert (daily from 11:00am to 5:00pm) and Gardening Specialists that will help with your garden back home (daily at 11:00am and 2:00pm). The Festival Center is also the location of entertaining seminars led by nationally recognized garden VIPs on Monday-Thursdays and from Friday-Sunday, HGTV designers will help you spruce up your home and garden with DIY tips (at 12:00pm and 3:00pm). Some of the designers this year are Vern Yip, David Bromstad, Genevieve Gorder, Matt Blashaw and many more.
The festival is not just for adults, there are plenty of activities for children too. Additions to Epcot for the festival include play areas and play gardens, a butterfly house and Muppet kids’ activities.
Pick up a complimentary Garden Passport at the Festival Center, any Disney Vacation Club Information Booth at Epcot or at any Outdoor Kitchen. You can get your passport stamped at each Outdoor Kitchen and check off which items you tasted. It makes a great free souvenir from your trip!
While most of the festival events are included in your Epcot admission, there are some experiences that require separate purchase or admission fee.
I hope these tips help you and your family enjoy this years’ International Flower and Garden Festival.
For more information about Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, visit Disney World’s website here.
*Photos taken Spring 2012
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