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A Complete Guide to Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

by Jamie Rumph

For the 28th year in a row my favorite festival, Epcot Flower & Garden Festival returns as the longest one EVER!

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival begins March 3rd and runs through July 5th, 2021. Here’s what you need to know before your next visit!

For more on Epcot’s different festivals throughout the year click below:

When Does the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Happen?

Table of Contents

monorail at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

  • Daily from March 3 to July 5 2021
  • Epcot’s is open most days from 11 am to 7 pm daily (subject to change).  Some exceptions apply including Extra Magic Hours.  Check here for daily park hours.  Festival hours are from 11 am to close each day.

How to Best Enjoy the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 

  1. Plan of what food and drinks you don’t want to miss!
  2. Don’t miss the live entertainment at the American Garden Theater. Selections and times change throughout the festival.
  3. Make a plan for entertaining the kids. There are so many opportunities for them at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival that will keep them wanting to explore more. Including Spikes Pollen Nation Scavenger hunt and finding their favorite character topiary!
  4. Use the touring plan below to plan your day.

Topiaries

These are the bread and butter of the festival in my opinion.  The gardens are gorgeous but the larger than life character topiaries will leave you in awe!

The topiaries at the Flower and Garden Festival are my MOST favorite part!  I remember Disney’s iconic topiaries from my first visit to Disney World as a high schooler!  I desperately wanted one at my own house and still, regularly ask my husband to build me one.  (insert him laughing at me here!)

It’s crazy just how much work goes into these beautiful pieces of art and how much each of them weighs!

My Favorite Topiaries

  • The Bromeliad dragon in Japan
  • Lady and the Tramp in Italy
  • Snow White and Dopey in Germany
  • Simba and Friends in Future World West

Future World

Just inside the gates of Epcot, you’ll be greeted by sorcerer Mickey and his Fantasia friends!  With all of the construction happening at Epcot currently, I was excited to see Disney still greets us at the gate with an iconic festival topiary.

Future World East

Bambi and Friends Wildlife Habitat near the temporary location of Mouse Gears.

Buzz Lightyear near Mission Space

Future World West

Figment near Imagination!

The Lion King near Imagination! is redesigned this year. Mufasa and Sarabi have joined Simba and Rafiki in this stunning display!

Topiary Butterflies – scattered throughout Future World West and near the entrance to the new Butterfly House location in between Imagination and The Land Pavillion

Woody, Bo Peep and her Sheep have a new home by The Land this year!

Showcase Plaza

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy

Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale

Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie

World Showcase

The Three Caballeros – Mexico

Anna and Elsa – Norway and you can also see the actual characters just behind their topiaries (times not published)

Elsa dj Anna topiaries in Norway at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Elsa topiary in Norway at Epcot Flower and Garden FestivalAnna topiary in Epcot at the flower and garden festival

Troll – Norway

Upclose of the troll topiary at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Pandas – China

 

Snow White and Dopey – Germany

Lady and the Tramp – Italy

Lady and the Tramp topiary at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Tramp looking at Lady in the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival topiary

Dragon – Japan

Remy – France right in front of his new ride entrance that will open on October 1, 2021!

Beauty and the Beast – France

Beauty and the Beast topiary in France Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Up close look at the Belle topiary in France at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Peter Pan and Captain Hook – United Kingdom

Peter Pan topiary at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Tinker Bell and Fairy Houses – United Kingdom – in the back near the concert gazebo

Winnie the Pooh and Friends – United Kingdom

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – United Kingdom

Tours & Events – These are unfortunately unavailable this year but we look forward to their return next year!

  • Epcot -Gardens of the World Tour – 3 hours, $85 per person
    • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thrusdays & Fridays 9 am to noon
  • Royal Tea Garden Tour – 45 minutes, $20 per person
  • English Tea Garden – Complimentary, same-day sign up at The Tea Caddy
  • Self Guided Tea Tour – pick up a brochure at The Tea Caddy
  • Behind the Seeds – offered year-round at Epcot – 1 hour, $25 per adult, $20 per child age 3-9
    • Daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

How to Reserve A Tour

All tours can be reserved by calling 407-WDW-TOURS

Garden Destinations

Outdoor Escapes

Bo Peep’s Playtime Training Grounds playground – near Test Track – Currently Unabailable

Future World West

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House – now located near The Land Pavillion

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Bold Bromeliads – near The Land Pavillion

Growing the Future – Begins in April

Showcase Plaza

Festival Blooms & Floating Gardens

Festival Blooms Garden at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Garden Destinations

Outdoor Escapes – Future World East

Prehistoric Plants – NEW! – Future World East

Bold Bromeliads – Future World West

Health Full Trail – Future World West

Festival Blooms – Showcase Plaza

Floating Gardens – Showcase Plaza

The Honey Bee-stro Garden – Showcase Plaza

Tropical Rainforest – Mexico

Bamboo Garden – China

Chinese Zodiac Topiary Garden – China

Miniature Gardens – Germany

Garden Italiano – Italy

Kokedama Garden – Japan

Bonsai Collection – Japan

Urban Spice Garden – Morocco

Urban Spice garden in Morocco at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

 

 

English Tea Garden – United Kingdom

English Tea Garden in the United Kingdom Epcot Flower and Garden FestivalEnglish Tea Garden at the Epcot Flower and Garden FestivalShakespeare Garden – United Kingdom

Interactive Gardens

Bo Peep’s Playtime Training Grounds – Currently Unavailable

Imagination Play Garden

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House

  • Observe several species of butterflies up close!

Health Full Trail

  • Outdoor Kitchen
  • Garden

My Festival Food Favorites

  • Italian Margarita- Italy
  • Watermelon Cucumber Slushy – Festival Favorites booth
  • Beef Tenderloin Tips – Canada

 

Future World East

EPCOT Sunshine Griddle

Near Test Track

Food

  • Avacado Toast
  • Shrimp and Grits
  • Corned Beef Brisket Hash
  • Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites

Beverage

  • Froot Loops Shake
  • Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail

Cool Wash

Near Test Track

  • Assorted Coco-Cola Slushies

Showcase Plaza

The Honey Bee-stro

Near Traveler’s Cafe

  • Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread
  • Lvender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread
  • Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake

Beverages:

  • Honey-Peach Freeze (non-alcoholic)
  • Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
  • First Magnitude Brewing Co. Honey Bee Citrus Blonde, Gainesville, FL
  • Honey-Peach Freeze with Blueberry Vodka

Citrus Blossom

Showcase Plaza, Near Port of Entry

Food

  • Meyer Lemon-poached Lobster Salad
  • Citrus-braised Crispy Pork Belly
  • Citrus Shortcake

Beverages

  • Orange-Lemon Smoothie (non-alcoholic)
  • Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
  • First Magnitude Brewing Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, FL
  • Playalinda Brewing Company Hibiscus Lime Ale
  • Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
  • Beer Flight

Pineapple Promenade

Showcase Plaza near Port of Entry

  • Spicy Hot Dog
  • Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake
  • DOLE Whip

Beverage

  • Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade
  • DOLE Whip with Fanta (non-alcoholic)
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Tropical Hefe Wheat Ale
  • Wicked Weed Brewing Fresh Pressed Wheat Ale with Mango
  • Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company Alo’hop IPA
  • Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale
  • Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine
  • DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

Refreshment Port

Showcase Plaza, Near Canada

Food

  • House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers Poutine
  • Popsicle Trio

Beverage

  • Starcut Ciders Cidre Colada Hard Cider
  • Cutwater Bloody Mary
  • Cutwater Whiskey Mule

Flavor Full Kitchen

Future World West, between Refreshment Port and Imagination!

Food

  • Grilled Baby Vegetables
  • Seared Salmon
  • Strawberry Mousse

Beverage

  • Blood Orange Agua Fresca
  • Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt

Trowel & Trellis

Showcase Plaza, Near Disney Traders

Food

  • Grilled Street Corn on the Cob
  • Impossible Sausage and Kale Soup
  • Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib
  • Lavender Pot de Creme

Beverage

  • Twinings of London Energize Match Cranberry & Lime Green Tea
  • Parish Brewing Co. Bloom Hazy IPA
  • Twinings of London Energize Matcha Cranberry & Lime Green Tea with Hanger 1 Makrut Lime Vodka

Jardin de Fiestas

Mexico

Food

  • Tostada de Cochinita
  • Taco Vampiro
  • SOpe de Chorizo

Beverage

  • Passion Fruit Margarita
  • The Garden Margarita
  • Tulum Mexican Craft Beer with Floater

Lotus House

China

  • Papa Cakes
  • Bon Bon Chicken Skewer
  • House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons

Beverages

  • “Panda” Bubble Tea
  • Jasmine Draft Beer
  • Marco Boba
  • Kung Fu Punch
  • Tang Dynasty

Refreshment Outpost 

Outpost

Food

  • Pineapple Skewer with Tajin Seasoning

Beverage

  • Islamorada Beer Company Key Lime Hibiscus Ale

Bauernmarkt: Farmers Market 

Germany

  • Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V)
  • Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream
  • Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese
  • Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries

Beverages:

  • M.I.A. Beer Company Hugo
  • Bitburger Premium Pils
  • Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria
  • Apfelschaumwein
  • Beer Flight

Primavera Kitchen

Italy

L'Arte di Marquise Italy at Epcot Festival of the Arts

Food

  • Margherita Flatbread
  • Arancini
  • Traditional Sicilian Cannoli

Beverages

  • Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Chianti
  • Prosecco
  • Rosa Regale
  • Moscato
  • Italian White Sangria
  • Italian Red Sangria
  • Italian Margarita

Funnel Cake

The American Adventure

Food

  • Mini Funnel Cake topped with Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream, Blueberries, and Powdered Sugar

Magnolia Terrace

The American Adventure

  • Crawfish Etouffee
  • Cajun-style Roasted Oysters
  • House-made Boudin Two Ways with Spicy Mustard
  • Pecan Cake with Maple Whipped Cream
  • Pecan Praline

Beverage

  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Orange Coriander Wheat Ale
  • WIcked Weed Brewing Day Light American Light Ale
  • Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA
  • Bayou Cocktail
  • Beer Flight

Hanami

 JapanTakumi Table in Japan at Epcot World Showcase

  • Frushi
  • Shrimp and Crab
  • Soy-glazed Pork Shank

Beverage

  • Sakura Zen Ale
  • Pineapple Sake
  • Blood Orange Sour with Fresh Mint

Taste of Marrakesh

Morocco

Mosaic Canteen in Morocco at Epcot Festival of the Arts

Food

  • MOroccan Seafood Couscous
  • Shakshuka
  • Lemon Magdalena Cake

Beverage

  • CM.I.A. Beer Company Pink Hibiscus Orange Wheat Beer
  • Maeloc Pineapple and Pear Hard Cider
  • Sangria

La Isla Fresca

Food

  • Lamb Curry
  • Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer
  • Tropical Mousse Cup

Beverage

    • Tropical Freeze
    • Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co Hibiscus Guavacation Sour Beer
    • Tropical Freeze with Parrot Bay Mango Rum

Fleur de Lys

France

  • Tarte aux Oignons Caramelises et Chevre
  • Canard Confit à la Orange
  • Macaron au Chocolate en Sucette
  • Beignet Caramelise, Fourre Creme Vanille, Glace au Caramel Fleur de Sel

Beverages

  • Charonnay
  • VeRy Raspberry: Rose Wine with Natural Raspberry Flavor
  • Kronenbourg Blanc 1664
  • Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec Blend
  • La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy

Northern Bloom

CanadaNorthern Bloom outdoor kitchen at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Food

  • Seared Scallops
  • Beef Tenderloin Tips Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce
  • Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato

Beverage

  • Maple Popcorn Shake
  • 81Bay Brewing Apricot with Maple Syrup
  • Collective Arts Brewing Blackberry Fruit Beer
  • Goose Island Beer Company Lost Palate Mango Hazy IPA with Mango and Cinnamon
  • Maple Popcorn Shake with Tap 357 Maple Rye Whisky

Festival Favorites

Food

  • Watermelon Salad
  • Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Key Lime Tart

Beverage

  • Frozen Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Maple Bacon Stout
  • Frozen LEmonade with Firefly Blackberry Moonshine

Cider House

Food

  • House-made Potato and Cheddar Biscuit with Salmon Tartare

Beverage

  • 3 Daughters Brewing Pink Lemonade Hard Cider
  • Bold Rock Watermelon Hard Cider
  • Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Triple Jam Hard Cider
  • Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pure Brewed Organic Lager
  • Snakebite

EPCOT Farmers Feast – New!

World Showplace

  • Sample the finest local ingredients from a rotating menu featuring the season’s freshest offerings.

Joffery’s Coffee & Tea Company

  • Near Mouse Gear – Bloomin’ Berry
  • Near Canada – Spring Flurry
  • Near Disney Traders – Citrus Sunrise
  • The American Adventure – Bubbly Brew

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Gluten Free options at each Outdoor Kitchen

Disney does a fantastic job of providing foods that are allergy-friendly and GOOD. This year they’ve added nearly double the amount of gluten free options across all locations!

  • Grilled Baby Vegetables – Full Flavor Kitchen
  • Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread – The Honey Bee-stro
  • Meyer Lemon-poached Lobster Salad – The Citrus Bloom
  • Popsicle Trio – Refreshment Port
  • Grilled Sweet Corn on the Cob – Trowel & Trellis
  • Tostada de Cochinita – Jardin de Fiestas
  • Taco Vampiro – Jardin de Fiestas
  • Sope de Chorizo – Jardin de Fiestas
  • Pineapple Skewer – Outpost
  • Potato Pancakes – Bauernmarkt
  • Shakshuka – Taste of Marrakesh
  • Lamb Curry – La Isla Fresca
  • Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer – La Isla Fresca
  • Seared Scallops – Northern Bloom

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Entertainment

Garden Rocks Concert Series will not be appearing this year but there are still great live music artist performing!

Location: American Garden Theater, World Showcase

  • Bands at America Gardens Theatre – New! – Watch bands from Orlando perform songs of yesterday and today. Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday Only
  • Mariachi Cobre
  • Voices of Liberty

What is the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival “Concert Series Dining Package”? – Currently Unavailable

When you make a reservation with an Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Dining Package each person in the dining party will be allowed a guaranteed spot at one of the nightly shows. Your reserved showtime is dependent on your dining reservation time.

If you don’t have a dining package, you’ll look for these standby entrance signs to line up for your showtime of choice.  To make sure you have a spot at the show, you will need to get in line 30-45 minutes before the show starts. For the most popular artists plan to be there an hour to an hour and a half in advance.

What you need to know about the Concert Series Dining Package:

  • Dining plans are accepted and are 2 table credits per person.
  • Out of pocket expense varies by restaurant.  Price starts at $33 for breakfast, $21 for lunch and $21 for dinner.
  • Reservations should be made on your My Disney Experience account or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
  • Make sure to choose the  Concert Series Dining Package at your desired restaurant NOT a regular dining reservation.
  • Breakfast: Buffet or family-style meal
  • Lunch/Dinner: Appetizer, entrees, and dessert or buffet/family-style in some restaurants.

Participating Restaurants:

  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • The Garden Grill Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Merchandise

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Marketplaces are located throughout the World Showcase to help commemorate your experience!

  • Minnie In Full Bloom
  • Figment’s Home Grown Happiness
  • Sweet as Honey
  • Orange Bird

 

Kid-Sized Festival Fun

Eggstravangaza – Beginning March 19

For a limited time and only while supplies last, join in the fun and hunt colorful Disney inspired Easter Eggs!  Once you’ve discovered them all, you can return to Disney Traders for a special surprise!  We do this each year and love it!  It’s one of the ways we keep the kids engaged and having fun while wandering the World Showcase!

Spikes Pollen-Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt

The festival scavenger hunts are a favorite in our house! It’s a great way to keep the kids interested and moving around the World Showcase!

The cost of the map with stickers is $6.99 and can be picked up at Disney Traders or World Traveler.  Wander the World Showcase and discover all of the places Spike has pollinated the Epcot Gardens.  Return to one of the above stores to pick up your prize when you’ve completed the scavenger hunt.

*NOTE: You don’t have to finish to get your reward.  A Cast Member will mark your map as “completed” and give you the prize.  You can continue to find Spike on future visits.

Get the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Map Here

 

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Passport

Enjoy checking off your list in your Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Passport as you make your way around Epcot and the World Showcase.  You can pick up a passport and map as you enter Epcot or all-around Epcot at the festival merchandise locations or outdoor kitchens.

 

Touring Plan for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Start your day at Epcot by arriving 30 minutes before the park opens.  Find daily park hours here.

The World Showcase opens daily at 11 am.

You can enter the World Showcase before 11 am and go as far as Norway on the left side or France on the right side.

The only reason I suggest entering World Showcase before 11 am would be to ride Frozen Ever After in Norway.  You could skip all of Future World upon entry to Epcot and go straight to Norway to ride Frozen Ever After but keep in mind this will result in a lot of extra walking and backtracking to cover all of Epcot.

In this park touring plan we’re focusing on covering the Epcot Festival of the Arts and only riding the main attractions at Epcot.  If you’re more focused on the Epcot attractions, this is not the touring plan for your day.

See all Epcot touring plans here.

 

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