ICYMI: The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is Back
For those following along with us yesterday, it was the official start to the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World. This festival will run through July 4, 2022 and will be cultivating fresh and exciting experiences for the entire family.
Over the next 125 days, the festival encompasses more than 300 acres with seasonal topiaries and gardens that present an ever evolving display of vibran hues, textures shapes and scents.
Here’s a quick rundown of the not-to-be-missed elements of this year’s fest!
Eye-Catching Topiaries, Brilliant Blossoms, Playful Fun
This year there are over 100 individual topiaries, breathtaking garden spaces and exhibits including:
Disney Character Topiaries
Only at EPCOT will you see beautiful topiaries inspired by your favorite Disney characters! These serve as the perfect backdrop to your springtime photos.
A new arrival for 2022 is this main entrance display featuring Goofy holding up a birthday cake in celebration of Walt Disney World resorts 50th Anniversary.
Heigh-ho! Also making its debut are the new topiaries of the Seven Dwarfs! They no accompany Snow White near the Germany Pavilion and are positively adorable.
:
Be our Guest over at the France Pavilion where you can see Lumiere and Cogsworth topiaries!
Be on the lookout for some swashbuckling fun with Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc between the United Kingdom and Canada pavilions.
Another of my favorites from this year is Pumbaa and Timon. You’ll find their topiaries near the Imagination! Pavilion.
Also be on the lookout for Chef Remy in the newly expanded France Pavilion!
As you roam the World Showcase, also by on the lookout for a new bouquet garden where you can admire beautiful blooms of flower types that typically make perfect cut flowers.
This year, Scentsy is sponsoring the Blossoms of Fragrance. Located on the bridge to the World Showcase this area features beautiful butterfly topiaries as well as six scent stations, floral, fruity, citrus, spice, woods and fresh!
Families can head to the Health Full Trail for a designated area to play and learn how to stay healthy!
OFF! Repellants is sponsoring an outdoor lounge area called Outdoor Escapes where guests can enjoy a moment of relaxation!
The Honey Bee-stro hosted by the National Honey Board is also a great place to learn about the importance honey bees play in the environment!
A festival favorite, Bambi’s Butterfly House lets guests view a kaleidoscope of butterflies up close!
The Return of Garden Rocks Concert Series
We are delighted that live musical performances are returning to the America Gardens Theatre in 2022. Throughout the festival internationally recognized artists will take to the American Gardens Theatre stage Friday through Monday. Tuesday through Thursday will also feature local bands.
This year’s line-up includes:
- CeCe Winans
- Kool & The Gang
- Rick Springfield
- The Pointer Sisters
- Don McLean
- MercyMe
- Collin Raye
- Blue October
- Little River Band
- Thelma Houston
- STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
- Latin hitmakers Melina León and Claudia Leitte
- And many others!
If you plan on attending a Garden Rocks performance, consider combining it with the Garden Rocks Dining Package (Friday through Monday performances only.) Under this package, guests can enjoy a relaxing meal at some of EPCOT’s most popular eateries along with guaranteed seating at one of the performances later that day.
To see what restaurants are included or to find out more about making reservations visit: FreshEPCOT.com
Fresh Flavors at Outdoor Kitchens
At this year’s Flower & Garden Festival you’ll find over 20 outdoor kitchens offering a variety of incredible eats and treats. This includes the following brand new offerings:
EPCOT Farmers Feast presents an abundance of flavor with a rotating seasonal menu that will change three times throughout the festival. Some highlights include:
- March 2 to April 9: “Early Bloom” Menu offers Chilled Potato and Leek Soup “Vichyssoise” with chive oil and crispy leeks; and Goat Cheese Creamsicle Pop – goat cheese crémeux, orange cream, olive oil cake, cranberry sauce, and praline
- April 10 to May 21: “Springtime” Menu will feature Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta with marinated peppers, zucchini, squash, artichokes, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze on grilled ciabatta
- May 22 to July 4: “Summer Solstice” Menu will feature A Whole Lotta Melon – feta cheesecake with watermelon curd, pickled watermelon rind, watermelon caramel, and compressed watermelon
The Citrus Blossom – Enjoy dishes brimming with intriguing citrusy flavors such as Crispy Mojo Marinated Pork Belly with avocado cream, corn salsa, salsa verde and plantain chips. There’s also the Grapefruit Tart (pictured above) with lychee jam, ginger mousse and yuzu cream.
La Isla Fresca- Enjoy the flavors of the Caribbean at La Isla Fresca which showcases the Coconut Tres Leches made of vanilla cake soaked in oat milk, almond milk and coconut milk with toasted coconut.
Tangierine Cafe- The Tangierine Cafe is the place to go for herbal-inspired treats icnluding the Mediterranean Flatbread with Za’atar, featuring artichokes, olives, mozzarella, and feta cheese.
Incredible Festival Merch
This year, you’ll find five new Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise Collections:
Orange Bird Collection – Be on the lookout for eye-catching fashions (like the Spirit Jersey above) along with accessories and adorable keepsakes!
Mickey Mouse Home Garden Collection – Celebrate your green thumb with this assortment of apparel, drinkware, yard tools and more!
Spike the Bee Collection – Here’s one for all you longtime Disney fans. This nostalgic collection features a variety of collectable novelties, apparel and accessories!
Figment’s Garden Collection – Fans of Figment are sure to be smitten with this collection paying tribute to his love of all things purple – including beets.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse Collection – This whimsical line features an array of items depicting those true originals with dapper items perfect for a stroll in the garden.
Food Stroll and Scavenger Hunt
Families can really get out there and explore through these interactive experiences (separate purchases required)
Garden Graze – This fun food stroll highlights five delicious treats at the outdoor kitchens. Purchase each of them by collecting stamps and then receive a special prize.
Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration – This fun scavenger hunt is perfect for kids of all ages. You purchase a map and sticker set for $9.99 and then search for Spike around the World Showcase. Find all the plants he’s pollinating and receive a special prize!
Special 50th Anniversary Offerings
Let’s not forget that this year’s Flower & Garden Festival takes place during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” bringing with it some exciting new experiences:
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – This is the first time this new ride in the France Pavilion has been open during Flower & Garden and it is not to be missed. Join Chef Remy on an epic culinary journey as you zip, dash, and scurry through Gusteau’s busy Parisian kitchen.
Harmonious – This new EPCOT nighttime show is a delight for the senses and has the distinction of being one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park.
So what are you waiting for? There’s still time to plan your incredible Flower & Garden Festival getaway. Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog where we’ll be coming to you LIVE! throughout the fest!
Didn’t make it to Disney in 2021!? Well we’ve got some fantastic news- Disney Packages are currently available to book through the end of 2022! That gives you plenty of time to plan that magical getaway and I’m here to help.
With new policies and procedures in place during the year ahead, 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! I’ll be on hand to assist with everything from finding that perfect package and getting the best deals to organizing park passes, Disney Genie+ and dining reservations. Best of all- my services are ABSOLUTELY FREE!
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