Spring is in the air, and at EPCOT, that means another festival is starting soon!
The 2023 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival starts on March 1 and runs through July 5, 2023. With so much to see and do, you don’t want to miss it! We have put together a little list of reasons you can NOT skip this festival!
Check them out here:
Outdoor Kitchens
The outdoor kitchens at this festival offer a variety of tasty bites, sure to please anyone’s palate. The menus provide a wide range of choices for those looking to eat healthily or if you have dietary restrictions, including gluten-free foods. There are exotic flavors influenced from all over the world. You can try something sweet or something savory. Or, like me, you can try them all!
The kitchens are found throughout the park, and we put together a full list of the menus and locations here. Then, grab your festival passport as you enter the park to enjoy the Garden Graze. Once you collect all five stamps for select food items throughout the festival you can head to Pineapple Promenade to collect your Festival-exclusive treat.
While there is a ton to do at EPCOT for adults, like yummy boozy beverages, these small bites offer the perfect snack or meal for little ones as well!
Garden Rocks
Photo Courtesy Disney
With the return of the Flower and Garden Festival comes the Garden Rocks concert series. These concerts take place on select nights at the American Gardens Theater and feature internationally-recognized artists.\
2023 Show Schedule
- Journey Former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri
March 3 & 4 - Daughtry
March 5 & 6 - Tommy DeCarlo
March 10 & 11 - Smash Mouth
March 12 & 13 - Mike DelGuidice
March 17 & 18 - Blue Oyster Cult (NEW)
March 19 & 20 - Berlin
March 24 & 25 - The Pointer Sisters
March 26 & 27 - Luis Figueroa (NEW)
March 31 - Piso 21 (NEW)
April 1 & 2 - Melina León
April 3 - STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 7 & 8 - Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
April 9 & 10 - Blue October
April 14 & 15 - Switchfoot (NEW)
April 16 & 17 - A Flock of Seagulls
April 21 & 22 - Jo Dee Messina
April 23 & 24 - Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, The Voice Of Player
April 28 & 29 - Kool & The Gang
April 30 & May 1 - Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 5 to 8 - The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
May 12 to 15 - A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce (NEW)
May 19 & 20 - Casting Crowns (NEW)
May 21 & 22 - Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago (NEW)
May 26 & 27 - Rick Springfield
May 28 & 29 - Plain White T’s
June 2 to 5 - The Spinners
June 9 & 10 - The Commodores
June 11 & 12 - Vertical Horizon
June 16 & 17 - Tony Orlando
June 18 & 19 - Simple Plan
June 23 to 26 - Living Colour
June 30 & July 1 - Wang Chung
July 2 & 3
In addition, the Garden Rocks dining package is available for these concerts. Enjoy a meal at one of four restaurants at EPCOT and then head to a concert the same day with a guaranteed seat for each guest. These must be booked at 60 days through the Disney website, your travel advisor, or the My Disney Experience app.
Topiaries and Gardens
During the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, EPCOT is transformed and springtime fills the air! Disney does an incredible job brining to life so many beautiful topiaries throughout the park. There are also incredible gardens with different themes and flowers throughout the World Showcase.
For the first time, topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from Disney’s “Encanto” will make a grand appearance at the festival. Located near the EPCOT main entrance, these new topiaries are sure to be a must-do photo moment to mark your visit. And that’s not all. A new Princess Tiana topiary will grace The American Adventure. Plus, returning favorites such as Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs; Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc; Figment; Anna and Elsa; and more.
One of the best parts of the festival is walking around and finding all of these incredible floral works of art!
Fun for the Whole Family
Along with all of the kid-friendly attractions and activities found throughout EPCOT, kids will love exploring everything that the Flower and Garden Festival has to offer.
As mentioned above, the Garden Graze is a great way to taste a variety of food items and then enjoy a special treat! The kids will love getting each stamp in their special festival passports to get their prize!
Then, go on an adventure with Spike the Bee as you follow the pollination trail. Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration will have people abuzz again. This springtime scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. Follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail, where he will “bee” busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT. Once you find him in each garden on your map, add the corresponding sticker of the plant he is visiting.
Merchandise Collections
The festival-exclusive merchandise is always a highlight and this year, there are five different collections to look forward to! The options include:
- Mickey Mouse Home Garden
- Orange Bird
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
- Figment’s Garden
- Spike the Bee
These collections are sure to be adorable and are subject to availability! Bringing one of these items home is the best way to remember your trip and your time at the festival! You’re going to want to bring an extra suitcase to bring home all your souvenirs.
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