March 2 to July 4, 2022 💜🌱🌷
I visited this year’s festival the first week of May and had a wonderful experience. It was a lovely time to visit, not too busy at all. The weather was high 80s/low 90s, and the humidity was moderate. 2 pieces of advice: Pop into the World Showcase shops for the a/c and stay hydrated.
If you go to any festival, make it this one! It is without a doubt, my favorite (all the cheers 🥂) EPCOT Festival. It’s beyond beautiful, with gorgeous Disney Character Topiaries and colorful flowers everywhere! You’ll discover imaginative spring gardens, interactive experiences and exclusive merchandise- Hello, Spike the Bee & Orange Bird! You’ll delight in the sounds of the Garden Rock Concert Series. Plus, go on a couple scavenger hunts!
PRO TIP: Prior to my trip, I made a point to jot down some of the Food Booths and menu items I wanted to try. I picked up my handy dandy Flower & Garden Festival Passport on my first day so I could come up with a tasting strategy and take notes. I also purchased a re-loadable wristlet gift card, it worked perfectly for keeping me on budget and plus, it’s just too cute.
Here’s a LIST of 2022’s Outdoor Kitchens
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Flavor Full Kitchen
- Honey Bee-stro (sadly, 2 of the worst food items I had were here)
- Pineapple Promenade
- Refreshment Port
- Northern Bloom
- The Citrus Blossom
- Fleur de Lys
- Cider House
- La Isla Fresca
- Tangierine Cafe: Flavor of the Medina
- Hanami
- Funnel Cake
- Magnolia Terrace
- Primavera Kitchen
- Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market
- Lotus House
- Refreshment Outpost
- Jardin de Fiestas
- Trowel & Trellis
- EPCOT Sunshine Griddle
- EPCOT Farmers Feast
Now on with my RECOMMENDATIONS & REVIEWS:
United Kingdom
Topiaries: Peter Pan, Captain Hook & Tick Tock Croc, Winnie the Pooh & Friends, Tinker Bell.
Cider House: I ran out of time and didn’t get to try the dark chocolate raspberry tart...but OMG…how sinful.
Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt: Camellia.
Gardens: English Tea and Shakespeare
Canada
Northern Bloom: I skipped it this visit. In previous years, I’ve enjoyed the Maple Popcorn Shake and Beef Tenderloin Tips…YUM.
France
Topiaries: Remy, Beauty & the Beast, and Lumiere & Cogsworth
Garden: France Bouquet Garden
Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt: Rose
Fleur de Lys:
- La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: Vodka, Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka, St. Germain Liqueur, White & Red Cranberry Juice 💗💗💗 One of my faves in France, and it’s so pretty. Combo: sweet, tart and floral.
- Croissant au Fromage de Chevre, Herbes et ail Rotie: Croissant with Goat Cheese, Herbs & Roasted Garlic 💗💗💗 Good, like the combo of tangy goat cheese with mellow roasted garlic
Germany
Topiaries: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs and Kermit the Frog & Miss Piggy
Bauernmarkt.
- Toasted Pretzel Bread: with Black Forest Ham & Melted Gruyere Cheese. So good. Just get it! I’ve also had the Apfelschaumwein, also very good. 💗💗💗💗
Garden: Alpine Miniature Garden
Mexico
Jardin de Fiestas
- Enchilada de Mole Negro: Chipotle Chicken in a Corn Tortilla with Mole Negro, Avocado Mousse, Crema Mexicana, & Queso Fresco- 💗💗💗💗Delicious. I devoured this. If you know me, I’m a big fan of Mexican food and margaritas.
- Poppy Flower Margarita: Curamia Tequila Blanco, Hibiscus Flower Tea, Cucumber Juice, Apertivo and Lejay Blackcurrant Liquer with Chile Salt Rim- This was just okay. Just too much going on for me. I wasn’t a fan. 💗💗
Topiaries: Three Caballeros
Garden: Extraordinary Orchids & Tropical Rainforest Garden
Morrocco
Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina! Amazing! This is always one of my MUST eats on of the fest. I love the spice and all the explosion of flavors.
- Pomegranate Mimosa 💗💗💗 💗 Ah, sweet and lovely.
Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt: Pepper
Garden: Spice Garden
La Isla Fresca, aka Encanto booth, Arepas were popular here, but I didn’t try them. I’ve heard extremely mixed reviews, so just skipped it. Cute topiaries!
Japan
Hanami. The Frushi is back! It’s always a festival favorite. 💗💗💗
Topiaries: Dragon
Garden: Bonsai Garden & Kokedema Garden
Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt: Iris
Italy
Primavera Kitchen:
- Bomboloni: Cream-filled Italian Doughnut with Raspberry Sauce and Powdered Sugar 💗💗💗 💗 I always enjoy these little doughnuts.
- Italian Margarita with Tequila and Limoncello 💗💗💗💗💗 One of my favorite drinks at EPCOT. It’s a perfect drink on a hot day.
Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt: Tomato
American Adventure
Magnolia Terrace: No, I didn’t stop here but then again, nothing appealed to me personally. But, I adore Chip & Dale and Pluto so I stopped for a pic! Finding Spike the Bee is so much fun!
Topiaries: Chip & Dale and Pluto
Spike the Bee Scavenger Hunt: Magnolia
China
Topiaries: Pandas
Garden: Bamboo Garden & China Zodiac Garden
Lotus House.
- House-made Cheesy Crab Wontons 💗💗💗💗 Deep friend wontons with crab & cheese. I love crab rangoon, or that’s what I call these. Everyone in your group will enjoy this snack.
- Mala Chicken Skewer 💗💗💗 Pleasantly surprised, super moist and grilled to perfection. The flavor was sweet and spicy. It’s still kid-friendly (maybe minus the green onions). Alas, I wish Disney would stop “cheaping” out and use chicken breast meat not thigh meat.
- Jasmine Draft Beer, 💗💗 nice cold beer on super-hot day.
Additional Booths to consider:
Farmer’s Feast (changing menu items) Early Bloom menu, Springtime menu & Summer Solstice menu
Funnel Cake, ooh la la, this year’s funnel cake was Strawberry Cheesecake: topped with strawberry ice cream, cheesecake crumbles, strawberry drizzle, & whipped cream. You drooling yet?
Trowel & Trellis (hosted by Impossible) plant-based eats, get the Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib. Super flavorful, it’s the star here.
Refreshment Outpost, Pineapple Skewer with tajin is a fan favorite.
Flavor Full Kitchen, I love the Seared Verlasso Salmon with farro risotto & micro herbs, it’s a returning menu item. Corn on the cob with savory garlic spread is also yummo.
Refreshment Port, 1 word: POUTINE. Delish.
Honey Bee-stro
(The worst 2 things I’ve ever ate, yuck yuck!)🤢
- Lavender Honey Mustard- marinated Chicken Flatbread with whipped honey-ricotta cheese, marinated veggies & goat cheese: Just wayyy too much going on here and it did not work at all. I am not a big fan of thigh chicken meat and the meat tasted off/old/gross. And the flavor combos were horrible and overwhelming.
- Honey-Peach Freeze with Blueberry Vodka: Disgustingly sweet. I seriously gagged it was so bad. And adding the blueberry vodka was even worse. Curdling in the heat and by far the worst drink I’ve ever had at Disney.
UGH, both of these left a horrible taste in my mouth. Not a good way to start your afternoon. I only ate one small piece of the flatbread and barely stomached a few sips of that drink. It all went in the trash along with the $18 that I paid for it.
Spotting Spike the Bee as I left the area was the only win. His hidey spot: Canna.
Sunshine Griddle
(Winner of this year’s Festival, in my opinion) 🎉💖 DELICIOUS!!
Now, since I just talked about the worst experience ever…here is my absolute BEST!! Find this booth near Test Track!
- Corned Beef Brisket Hash: with house-made potato barrels, onions, peppers, cheese curds, and soft poached egg with Tabasco hollandaise. Savory and mmmm-worthy! The flavors were happiness in my mouth. I would eat this every day! I think my egg could have cooked a tad longer, but it was still awesome. 💖💗💗💗💗
- Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites: with cream cheese frosting & candied bacon. Need I say more. So naughty, so damn good. 💖💗💗💗
- Froot Loops Shake: like a cereal shake. Super addictive. I loved it! 💖💗💗💗
PS. The Avocado Toast is also very good, and the Shrimp & Grits are to die for, if that is your jam. I also love the grown-up Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail: milk, Kahlua, and vanilla vodka.
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. locations also featured Refreshers!
A couple extra booths I took pics of: Citrus Blossom, where you could get the cute Orange Bird Sipper. 🧡🍊🐥 Pineapple Promenade, because DOLE WHIP! 🍦🍍
Now about this Scavenger Hunt! Find Spike the Bee hidden amongst the gardens throughout the park. He’s one busy little bee. I’ve given you some of his locations & corresponding flowers in this post…but not all, so happy hunting!
🐝Spike’s Pollination Exploration Scavenger Hunt
How could I possibly resist Spike the Bee in all his cuteness?! Map with stickers was $9.99. The prize was a choice of fun little containers: Spike the Bee, Gardener Mickey, Orange Bird or Gardener Figment!! Who would you pick?
FYI: You can also participate in the Garden Graze. Foodie scavenger hunt! Purchase any 5 menu items from the Garden Graze locations, collect your stamps, and then head to Pineapple Promenade for your prize & treat! It’s a Souvenir Cup with Pineapple Lime Dole Whip & 50th white chocolate decoration on top.
Looking for some entertainment? The Garden Rocks Concert Series is back! Nightly at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 pm. Find this year’s lineup here. Still to come…🎉🎶
Plain White T’s*
June 17 to 20
Element
June 21 to 23
War*
June 24 & 25
Daughtry* – NEW!
June 26 & 27
Epic
June 28 to 30
M-80’s
July 1 to 4
*Dining Packages are available Fridays through Monday.
You will also find interactive experiences! 🦋New this year and one I just had so much fun doing, Blossoms of Fragrance by Scentsy! Be sure to stop by Bambi’s Butterfly House (you’ll often find Pooh Bear outside catching butterflies). The little ones will enjoy the Health Full Trail and Green Landing Play Zone.
Last, but not least…exclusive merchandise! This year’s themes included Mickey Mouse Home Garden, Figment’s Garden, Orange Bird, Mickey & Minnie Mouse and Spike the Bee! Who’s your favorite? Find some online at ShopDisney!
Well, that’s a Wrap! There’s just about 2 weeks left and then this festival is done until 2023! No better time like NOW to book your trip for next year’s Flower & Garden Festival. Email me 📧angiebaycura@d2travel.com, I’d love to help you plan a bee-utiful & bloom-tastic Disney getaway!
Enchantingly Yours🥀,
Angie Baycura
Enchanted Nook 