5 Reasons why you Can’t Miss Epcot’s 🌼Flower & Garden Festival

💖Hello Foodie Friends! If you’re anything like me, you bee-line straight to Epcot for any of their delicious and incredible Festivals. Tasting and drinking around the World Showcase is always on my to-do list when I’m at Walt Disney World, regardless of what time of year I visit.

Now, if I happen to be visiting during a Festival (and it’s hard not to these days, lucky us), then I’m in culinary heaven. But, the Flower and Garden Festival is easily my favorite. So, I’ve come up with my 5 reasons why you’ll love this festival, too. Heck, it’s pretty easy to fall in love with all the delicious food, amazing drinks, stunning topiaries and more!

The Taste of Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival is like having a picnic in the most enchanting garden you’ve ever seen. This festival is not only a delight for your taste buds but a treat for all your senses. I was lucky enough to visit during early March when it officially kicked off. Let me tell you, it was magical. Pixie Pro Tip: Pick up your FREE Flower & Garden Festival Passport when you enter the park. It’s a huge help in navigating the park! Whether it’s to find all the topiaries or have a look at the menus at each outdoor kitchen, you’ll love this handy little guide! 🌐

1. The Outdoor Kitchens

Now, on to the first topic, the BEST part…the FOOD, the DRINKS! I’m a pretty adventurous eater but more importantly, I love food. Like I said, it’s an adventure for ALL your senses. So for me, these festivals let me be an amateur taster! It’s fun finding the most photo-worthy, best tasting, kid-friendly, so pretty I shouldn’t eat it, etc. eats & drinks. I enjoy judging, rating and reviewing all the foods! Then, sharing and comparing my notes, results and opinions with friends & family. So for you, I’m highlighting some of my family’s favorites from this year’s Festival Booths. 🍽

Here’s all 23 Food Booths from 2021’s Flower & Garden Festival

✨Favorite Booth 💖Delicious 🎈Kid-Approved 🍹Drink Choice 📸 Insta-Worthy

• Flavor Full Kitchen near Imagination
• EPCOT Sunshine Griddle near Test Track
• The Honey Bee-stro near Traveler’s Café
• The Citrus Blossom near Port of Entry
• Pineapple Promenade near Port of Entry
• Refreshment Port near Canada
• Trowel & Trellis near Disney Traders
• Jardin de Fiestas- near Mexico ✨
• Lotus House- near China ✨
• Refreshment Outpost
• Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market- near Germany ✨
• Primavera Kitchen- near Italy
• Funnel Cake-near American Adventure
• Magnolia Terrace
• Hanami- near Japan ✨
• Taste of Marrakesh-near Morocco
• La Isla Fresca- in between Morocco & France
• Fleur de Lys- near France ✨
• Festival Favorites- World Showplace
• Cider House- World Showplace
• EPCOT Farmers Feast- World Showplace
• Northern Bloom-near Canada ✨
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company locations.

2. The Topiaries

Next up, let’s chat about the many gorgeous topiaries at this year’s Festival. My personal favorite is always Beauty and the Beast in France! This year, hitting my top topiaries list included Pooh & Friends in United Kingdom, Remy in France and Tinkerbell in United Kingdom. I could spend half the day meandering around Epcot just taking it all in. With an explosion of color and wonder, the beauty astounds. Don’t forget about all the cool selfies you can take. Just take out your handy passport, and check off each one. It’s a free scavenger hunt…see if you can FIND all 23 topiaries. While you’re looking for Topiaries, Epcot’s construction walls are perfect for really cool photos! 📸

3. The Exclusive Merchandise

Who doesn’t love shopping at Disney? Well, it’s clearly not me. I LOVE shopping especially at Epcot. Festivals are a fantastic way to snag exclusive merchandise. The Flower & Garden Festival is all about flowers, sunshine, color and the beauty of nature. So, of course much of the merchandise is in a rainbow of colors. Bright, lively orange and yellow shirts, cups, ears and more! Plus, be on the lookout for fan favorite, Orange Bird! Hello Sunshine! Floral Minnie merchandise has lots of soft, pastel colors with the emphasis on flowers and gardening, of course. How cute is that watering can? Figment, everyone’s beloved dragon, is easily found on a ton of products throughout this festival. Lastly, my personal favorite, Spike the Bee is buzzing his way on to all sorts of fun stuff like plates, hats, tumblers and more. Definitely grab yourself a souvenir! 🐲

4. The Fun Extras

How can there possibly be more? Well, there is! A lot more! My favorite must-do for all ages is Spike’s Pollination Exploration aka Scavenger Hunt. Purchase a map for $7.99 and off you go to play, seek & find all over Epcot! Again, the passport is perfect for finding clues on where to spot Spike the Bee. Finish your map and earn a FUN PRIZE! A set of 2 adorable plates featuring Minnie, Figment, Orange Bird or Spike the Bee! Or for vegans and plant-based foodies, try the Garden Graze (cost of the food items). Try 5 specific food items and receive a special yummy treat & prize when you’re done! How does an Exclusive Dole Whip in a cool souvenir cup sound to you!? My family absolutely loved doing the Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt. It’s a great way for the whole family to enjoy Epcot. Not gonna lie here, our hunt got really competitive. 🐝

5. More Gardens and Entertainment

Last but not least, as you’re walking around be sure to engage your other sense, and LISTEN to some of the bands, musicians and singers! Enjoy the sounds around you! 🎶

• Bands at America Garden Theatre at America Gardens Theatre
• Mariachi Cobre at America Gardens Theatre
• Voices of Liberty at America Gardens Theatre
• Epcot Pianist at World Showplace
• Jammin Gardeners at Canada Mill Stage

Make sure to stroll and GAZE upon the countless Gardens all over Epcot and observe beautiful butterflies up close at the Butterfly House. 🦋

My personal Favorite Gardens: 🌻🌼🌷

• Honey Bee-stro Garden
• Tropical Rainforest Garden
• Chinese Zodiac Topiary Garden
• Bonsai Garden
• Shakespeare Garden

If you’ll be visiting Epcot this spring or summer, do make it a point to experience this year’s Flower and Garden Festival. You will LOVE it. I sure did. This year’s festival is running through July 5, 2021. Words just can’t do it justice. It is a sight to behold.

Enchantingly Yours, AB 💖