Everything You Need To Know About EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival
The 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is in full swing and this beloved theme park has come to life with vibrant flowers and plants awesome eats and treats, toe-tapping entertainment and some pretty awesome merch.
The festival runs through July 5th. To put you in the mood for one of our Favorite EPCOT events here’s a look at some highlights you’ll definitely want to check out during your Disney visit.
Beautiful Blooms
We can’t talk about the highlights of Flower & Garden fest without talking about the beautiful blooms. EPCOT is currently home to over 100 topiaries artfully placed throughout the park. Sorcerer Mickey can be found at the theme park entrance where he has conjured up a magical array of flowers.
As you explore this area be sure to check out the newly installed flags that flank Spaceship Earth. Each flag celebrates EPCOT’s six original icons. Also, listen carefully and you may hear the new music in the entrance plaza!
Be on the lookout around Future World for topiaries covering the “sensational six” including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Goofy. And here’s a fun fact, Goofy is an absolutely astounding 14 feet tall! Also see if you can find Figment as well as our friends from Toy Story and The Lion King.
Image Credit: Disney
The incredible topiaries and stunning gardens aren’t just limited to Future World, as you stroll around the World Showcase you’ll notice a whole array of stunning displays including Remy from Ratatouille, Kermit and Miss Piggy, Snow White and Dopey, Lady and Tramp and Tinker Bell.
Remy Topiary at Walt Disney World
Image Credit: Disney
During the Flower & Garden Festival EPCOT is home to over 130 Floating Gardens around Future World’s West Lake and Festival Blooms which is the name given to the floral design around East and West Lake which includes more than 60,000 plants. According to Disney, Horticulture Area Manager Debbi Mola said that it took four nights to plant just one side of this incredible arrangement!
“The 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs for 125 days, making it one of the longest flower and garden festivals in the country,” Mola explained. “Our team will change the flowers throughout the festival so, if you visit multiple times over the next few months, you will likely see new flowers and new colors throughout the Park!”
.For a truly magical experience head over to one of my favorite attractions each Flower & Garden fest – The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ,. You’ll find the butterflies between The Land and Journey Into the Imagination With Figment. The butterfly house offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some absolutely incredible butterflies!
Continuing along that path toward World Showcase is the Health Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth and Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board. The Health Full Trail showcases colorful vegetables and offers groups and families the opportunity to unwind and play—safely and distanced in their own, designated circles—in the grassy area. Honey Bee-stro spotlights honey bees’ critical role in nature and offers some sweet and savory treats made with honey.
If you enjoy an afternoon cup of tea, be sure to visit the United Kingdom pavilion and the English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London, which also offers a self-guided tea tour. Cheers!
Image Credit: Disney
Magical Melodies
The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival brings both new and returning favorite musical acts to EPCOT. New this year, every Friday through Monday of the festival, the America Gardens Theatre will spotlight Orlando-area music groups who perform throughout the day.
America Gardens Theatre also showcases daily performances by two EPCOT favorites—the Voices of Liberty performing a cappella numbers that celebrate the landscape and heart of America and Mariachi Cobre lighting up the stage with glorious Mexican folk music. On the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion, the Jammin’ Gardeners (a fitting rename of the Jammitors!) drum out rhythmic beats with reimagined gardening tools, and inside World Showplace, the EPCOT Pianist delights with springtime-inspired songs.
Merchandise with Character
Festival merchandise bursts with spring colors and features favorite characters.
Orange Bird celebrates sunshine with apparel, drinkware, and a headband awash with yellow and orange colors. Spike the Bee’s sweetly reminisces on the festival fun with apparel, drinkware, and a garden stake. Minnie Mouse blooms with pinks, purples, floral patterns and positive sayings on apparel, drinkware, and gardening tools, and Figment brings sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and repurposed paper to a collection of apparel, accessories, and housewares.
Delight your (Taste)buds
As we know, the highlight of every EPCOT festival is the food! This year, the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival introduces two new Outdoor Kitchens: EPCOT Sunshine Griddle and EPCOT Farmers Feast. Located near Test Track, EPCOT Sunshine Griddle features brunch favorites like Avocado Toast, Corned Beef Hash, and Fried Cinnamon Rolls. Inside World Showplace, EPCOT Farmers Feast spotlights local ingredients with a menu that will rotate throughout the festival. Right now, the Outdoor Kitchen includes Spring Onion Soup and Duck Confit, emphasizing some of the best spring produce.
Image Credit: Disney
But with so many delectable options, we had a hard time narrowing down our favorites! So, we turned to one of the experts, EPCOT Festivals Chef Kevin Downing, for his top three must-eat items at this year’s festival. Here’s what he told us:
“I love our new Outdoor Kitchens! Definitely check out the EPCOT Farmers Feast. The menu will change throughout the festival based on what’s in season, but right now my favorite offering there is the Off the ‘Beet’en Path, which are profiteroles filled with red beet mousse and complemented with golden beet pastry cream, whipped goat cheese and candied walnuts. A unique blend of sweet and savory.”
Image Credit: Disney
“At the EPCOT Sunshine Griddle, the focus is on brunch with a twist. I recommend the Avocado Toast. It’s topped with marinated tomatoes, fresh goat cheese, and edible flowers.”
“Finally, don’t miss The Citrus Blossom. Not only will you find the new Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup, but the Meyer Lemon-poached Lobster Salad is one of my favorite new dishes. It features grapefruit-rosé vinaigrette, yuzu-marinated hearts of palm, and avocado-yuzu panna cotta.”
Image Credit: Disney
As you travel “around the world” at EPCOT, you’ll find options to delight every palette! From Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib to Crawfish Étouffée with Andouille Sausage to Moroccan Shakshuka. If you prefer a sweet treat, there’s Warm Cheese Strudel, Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake and so much more!
For more information, visit the Disney Parks Blog, and get ready to put a “spring” in your step at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!
Get a Jumpstart On Your Travel Plans And Get A FREE Disney Gift Card!
Have you heard the news!? Walt Disney World vacation packages are currently available through June 2022! Book your 2022 stay with ME through May of 2021 and I’ll throw in a Disney Gift Card!* Plus 1 lucky family will be picked each month to receive a special in-room delivery from Disney Floral & Gifts! Simply fill out my form below to get your FREE, no obligation quote!
With new policies and procedures in place for next year, there’s never been a better time to work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who can help you navigate through Disney World’s new way of doing things! Just fill out my form HERE to get your FREE, no-obligation quote. Alternatively, feel free to reach out at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook
