Welcome spring’s arrival at Walt Disney World at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival with stunning topiaries, concerts, and beautiful gardens full of inspiration.
Visiting Walt Disney World during a festival or special event is like getting a Disney bonus since most of the activities are included in the price of admission. Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World is one of my favorite times to visit. This year the festival runs from March 6-June 3, 2019. During the festival, Epcot comes to life with beautiful topiaries, stunning gardens, outdoor kitchens (food kiosks), interactive play areas for kids, evening concerts, and inspirational garden exhibits.
Each year the team at Walt Disney World updates, adds, and/or changes things at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Below is a list of what will be new at this year’s (2019) festival. You may also be interested in this post that includes tips for visiting the festival.
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Outdoor Kitchens (food kiosks – $$)
Located around the World Showcase Lagoon and on the Promenade are 17 Outdoor Kitchens (the most ever) that feature garden-grown foods and food inspired by spring. I am a big fan of Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, so I love that Disney added food kiosks a couple years ago to the Flower and Garden Festival. It is 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.
Garden Rocks Concert
The Garden Rocks Concert series has expanded to 7 days a week – with an amazing 270 concerts this year! Nightly at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:00 pm, the theater in the American Adventure Pavilion rocks to life. Some of the artists performing this year are Sister Hazel, The Guess Who, Air Supply, Lonestar, TobyMac, and much more. Since the theater is outside, even if it is full, you can still enjoy the music in the area around the theater.
Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Package
Now available is the Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Package which includes breakfast, lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating at one of the three concert performances later that day. This is a great way to get guaranteed seating for the concert without having to stand in a long line.
Kids Activities
The festival is not just for adults, there are plenty of activities for children too! This year the festival includes a new Toy Story 4 themed play area, Bo Peep’s Playtime Training Grounds, located by the walkway to Test Track. In addition, the area along Imagination Walkway will inspire youthful energy and creativity at a brand-new playground and outdoor kitchen.
This year Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration is a springtime scavenger hunt starring Spike, a honey bee. Start by purchasing a map at Port of Entry and as you explore World Showcase search for flowers featuring Spike. Then return your completed map to Port of Entry for a special surprise.
From April 5 through April 21, participate in the Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt around World Showcase in search of Disney character-themed eggs. Start by purchasing a map at Disney Traders, Pin Central or World Traveler and then hunt high and low for the hidden eggs. Once your map is complete return it to Disney Traders for a surprise.
As always the Butterfly House will be open for nature lovers to learn about these creatures from egg to full-grown.
Guided Tours
During the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, several guided tours are offered including Gardens of the World, English Tea Garden, Royal Tea Garden, and Behind the Seeds.
Penguin Sculpture
This year Disneynature presents a new penguin sculpture that is created from repurposed trash pulled from the oceans. You can find this sculpture in Future World West.
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 you enjoy this years’ Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.
Looking for more posts about Disney World? Try these What You Have to Experience at Pandora, Must Do in Toy Story Land, Best Rides for Preschoolers, 10 Ways to Photograph Cinderella’s Castle, Tips on How to Afford a Trip to Disney World, 5 Tips for Taking Young Children to Disney World and more.
*Photos were taken Spring 2015 and Spring 2012
