My favorite festival of the year, Epcot Flower & Garden Festival returns for the 26th year in a row!  The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival begins March 6 and goes through June 3, 2019, that’s 90 full days of flower fun! Read on to find out what you can’t miss!

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

• Epcot Festival of the Arts
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
• Epcot Festival of the Holidays

When Does the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Happen?

• Daily from March 6 – June 3, 2019
• Epcot’s is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily.  Some exceptions apply including Extra Magic Hours.  Check here for daily park hours.

How to Best Enjoy the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 

1. Have a plan of which of the outdoor kitchens and foods you don’t want to miss.
2. Don’t miss the Garden Rocks Concert series which happens three times nightly at the American Garden Theater.
3. Make Garden Rocks Concert dining reservations if you want a reserved seat at the show.  Reservations can be made beginning January 2019.
4. 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 the family playground.
5. Use the touring plan below to plan your day.

Tours & Events

There is so much to see and do at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival!  You won’t be able to do it all in one day!   If you have an extra day or have been to the festival before consider adding in one of these tours to your day!

• Gardens of the World Tour
• Royal Tea Garden Tour
• English Tea Garden – Free
• Behind the Seeds – offered year-round at Epcot.

How to Reserve A Tour

Call 407-WDW-TOURS

Topiaries

Topiary locations will be updated for 2019 as soon as the information is available.  Most of the topiaries in the World Showcase will remain in the same place.

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!)

If you want to know more about how these topiaries are made and maintained and then placed at Epcot for the festival each year make sure you sign up for the Gardens of the World Tours.

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 China
• Lady and the Tramp in Italy
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Germany
• Simba and Friends in the Outpost

New Topiaries for 2019

• Bo Peep & Her Sheep

Future World East

Welcome to the Festival – Entrance to Epcot

2018 Entrance

Donald Duck with Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Stitch – near Mission Space

Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Little Bo Peep and her sheep- Future World East

Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater – Future World East near Innoventions

Cruz Ramirez Festival 2018, not shown at the 2019 festival

Goofy and Pluto- entrance to World Showcase

2018 Figment location

Future World West

Butterfly Haven

Showcase Plaza

Donald with Huey, Dewey and Louie

Chip and Dale

World Showcase

The Three Caballeros – Mexico

Anna and Elsa return this year in their same spot in Norway.

Troll – Norway

Pandas – China

Bromeliad Dragon – China

Simba and Friends – Outpost

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Germany

Lady and the Tramp – Italy

2018 Festival location

Mickey and Minnie – The American Showcase

Beauty and the Beast – France

Also in France

Mrs. Piggy and Kermit the Frog

Peter Pan and Captain Hook – United Kingdom

Winnie the Pooh and Friends – United Kingdom

Garden Destinations

Garden Destinations for 2019 will be updated as soon as the information is available.  Please enjoy the 2018 Festival Gardens for an idea of what’s to come!

Future World East

Water Wise

Purple Martis

Future World West

Festival Blooms & Floating Gardens

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House

How-to Garden

World Showcase

Hot Pepper Garden – Mexico

Tropical Rainforest Garden – Mexico

Bamboo Garden – China

Alpine Containers – Germany

Garden Italiano – Italy

Bonsai Collection – Japan

Urban Spice Garden – Morroco

Florida Fresh Garden – Between Morroco and France

English Tea Garden – United Kingdom

Shakespeare Garden – United Kingdom

Play Gardens

New – Play Full Garden

Imagination Play Garden

Outdoor Kitchens

You won’t want to miss so many of these great festival offerings!  Some of my favorites happen each year the Flower & Garden Festival!

My Festival Food Favorites

• Bellini – Italy
• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy – Florida Fresh
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette – France
• Freshly Baked Lemon Scone – United Kingdom
• Beef Tenderloin Tips – Canada

New Outdoor Kitchens for 2019

Arbor at The Garden Terrace at the Oddessey Center

• • Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade, and Smoked Paprika Oil
• • Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar, and Focaccia Crostino
• • Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake with Apple Cider Sorbet (GF, V)

• BeveragesOriginal Sin Brewery Black Widow Hard Cider, New York, NY
• • Florida Beer Company Caribé Strawberry Rose Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
• • 3 Daughters Brewing Key Lime Apple Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
• • Karbach Brewing Lemon and Ginger Radler Houston, TX
• • Seadog Brewing Company Sunfish Ale, Clearwater, FL
• • Shipyard Brewing Company Grind the Rind Watermelon IPA, Portland, ME
• • Cider Flight
• • Beer Flight

Flavor Full Kitchen

Near the Honey Bee-stro

• Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, and Citrus Greens (GF)
• From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese, and Micro Herbs with Lemon-Oil Dressing (GF, V)
• Mickey Tart Peanut Butter Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Boba Pearls (V)

Beverages:

• Blood Orange Aqua Fresca (non-alcoholic)
• Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt (non-alcoholic)

Citrus Blossom

Near Refreshment Port

• Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF)
• Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado, and Pappadam Crisp
• Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF)
• Citrus Shortcake: Orange Chiffon Cake, Lemon Curd, Mandarins, Whipped Cream, and Citrus Crumble (V)

Beverages:

• Orange Cream Slushy in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper (sipper only available while supplies last) (non-alcoholic)
• Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
• First Magnitude Brewing Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, FL
• Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MD
• Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
• Beer Flight

Trowel & Trellis

Near Mexico

• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread (GF, V)
• Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Dressing (V)
• Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate, and Baby Herbs (GF, V)

Beverages:

• suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice: Noon Greens (non-alcoholic)
• suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice: Vibrant Probiotic (non-alcoholic)
• Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London (non-alcoholic)
• Playalinda Brewing Company Tropical Wonderland Wheat Ale, Titusville, FL
• Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London with Vodka served in a Mason Jar

Future World East

Taste Track

Near Test Track

• Violet Blueberry Vanilla Croissant Doughnut
• Berry Tea Mint Julep (non-alcoholic)
• Berry Tea Mint Julep with Bourbon

Showcase Plaza

Pineapple Promenade

Showcase Plaza near Port of Entry

Refreshment Port

Near Canada

• Coffee-rubbed Pork Poutine with Barbecue Demi-Glace, Fire-roasted Corn Relish, and Cheese Curds
• Stow Away Mary: Classic Bloody Mary with Vodka garnished with Pimento-stuffed Olives, Cherry Tomato, Celery, Jumbo Shrimp, and Smokehouse Jerky

La Isla Fresca

The Honey Bee-stro

• Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle, and Coriander Flowers (GF, V)
• Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, Charred Vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream, and Micro Citrus Greens
• Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and Petite Lavender Shoots (V)

Beverages:

• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (non-alcoholic)
• Goodwood Brewing Company Brandy Barrel Honey Ale, Louisville, KY
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka

World Showcase

Northern Bloom

Canada

Fleur de Lys

France

• Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Vichyssoise Soup (GF, V)
• Tarte au Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a Flaky Pastry Crust (V)
• Canard Confit à la Provençal: Braised Duck Confit with Tomatoes and Olives on Polenta
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop (GF)

Beverages:

• La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush: Vodka, Orange Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, and White and Red Cranberry Juice
• Kir Framboise: Sparkling Wine and Monin Raspberry Syrup
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Maison de France
• Kronenbourg Blanc 1664

Florida Fresh

Between France and Morrocco

• Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream
• Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish
• Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue

Beverages:

• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy (non-alcoholic)
• Tampa Bay Brewing Company Twisted Strawberry Fest Fruit Ale, Tampa, FL
• Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL
• First Magnitude Brewing Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Key Lime Wine, St Petersburg, FL
• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Gin
• Beer Flight

Taste of Marrakesh

Morocco

• Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad
• Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley, and Chili-Ranch Sauce
• Walnut Honey Baklava

Beverages:

• Casa Beer
• Larroque Chardonnay, Meknes
• White Sangria
• Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur

Hanami

 Japan

• Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry, and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut, Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side (V)
• Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing
• Chicken Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and Vinegar-based Dressing

Beverages:

• Kirin Draft Beer
• Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake
• “Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée, and Lemonade

The Smokehouse: Barbecue & Brews

The American Adventure

• Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
• Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle
• Shredded Beef Brisket with Smoked Potato, Chorizo Fondue, and Green Tomato Relish
• Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)

Beverages:

• Frozen Simply Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
• Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
• 3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
• Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
• Boneshaker Zinfandel, Lodi, CA
• Frozen Simply Lemonade with Blackberry Moonshine
• Beer Flight

Fife & Drum Tavern 

The American Adventure

• Short’s Brewing Company Soft Parade Shandy, Bellaire, MI

Block and Hans

The American Adventure

Funnel Cake

The American Adventure

• Key Lime Funnel Cake topped with Crumbled Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream

Beverages:

• Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
• Short’s Brewing Company Local’s Light Lager, Bellaire, MI
• Dogfish Head Brewery American Beauty Pale Ale, Milton, DE
• Brooklyn Brewery Defender IPA, Brooklyn, NY
• Golden Road Brewing Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
• 3 Daughters Brewing Hard Rosé Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
• Beer Flight

Primavera Kitchen

Italy

• Pizza Toscana: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan Cheeses
• Pomodori Verdi e Mozzarella: Fried Green Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, and Balsamic Reduction
• Tri-colored Cheese Tortellini, Sage Butter, and Chicken Veloute
• Zeppole: Ricotta Cheese Fritters, Powdered Sugar, Raspberry Sauce, and Chocolate-Hazelnut Drizzle

Beverages:

• Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
• Placido Pinot Grigio
• Placido Chianti
• Villa Sandi Prosecco
• Montegrande Corbinello
• Fior d’Arancio Montegrande Moscato
• Bellini: Sparkling Wine and Peach Purée
• Frozen Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila

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:

• Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria
• Paulaner Original Munich Lager, Munich, Germany
• Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager, Bad Köstritz, Germany
• Hugo Cocktail with Sparkling Wine, Elderflower, and Mint
• Beer Flight

Refreshment Outpost 

Outpost

Lotus House

China

• Szechuan Spicy Red-braised Beef Shank over Rice
• House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons
• Vegetable Spring Rolls (V)

Beverages:

• “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic)
• Jasmine Draft Beer
• Pirates of the China Sea: Dark Rum, Peach Syrup and Piña Colada Mix
• Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice
• Plum Wine Cooler

Jardin de Fiestas

Mexico

Showcase Plaza near Disney Traders

Epcot Festival of the Arts Food Extras

Sunshine Seasons

The Land Pavillion

• Earl Grey Tea Cake with Orange-Honey Filling topped with Honeybell Tangelo Buttercream, Honeycomb, and Bee Pollen

Joffery’s Coffee & Tea Company

• Future World East – Pedal to the Meadow: Frozen Cappuccino topped with Vodka and Kahlúa Liqueur
• Near Canada – Cold Clover: Cold Brew Coffee with Irish Cream Syrup and topped with Irish Cream Liqueur
• Near Disney Traders – Goose on the Loose: Frozen Passion Fruit and Vodka topped with Iced Tea
• The American Adventure – Bee’s Buzz: Frozen Lemon and Coconut Syrup topped with Pineapple Rum

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

Disney does a fantastic job of providing foods are allergy friendly and GOOD! Unfortunately, the festival kiosks don’t have too many choices.  You’ll need to plan ahead knowing that not all locations offer gluten-free options.

• Roasted Cauliflower – The Honey Bee-stro
• Pineapple Soft Serve Ice Cream aka Dole Whip without a cone – Pineapple Promenade
• Frittata de Asparagi – Primavera Kitchen
• Teriyaki Salmon – Hanami
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette – Fleur de Lys
• Freshly Baked Lemon Scone – Cider House
• Seared Scallops – Northern Bloom

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Entertainment

Garden Rocks Concert Series

Show Times: 5:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 8:15 pm each evening

Location: American Garden Theater, World Showcase

Schedule of Concerts

• March 6-8: Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI (NEW) “Don’t Stop Believin’ ”
• March 9-10: Glass Tiger (New to Garden Rocks) “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”
• March 11-12: Jon Anderson of YES (NEW) “Owner of A Lonely Heart”
• March 13-14: Tony Orlando “Knock Three Times”
• March 17-20: Simple Plan “Perfect”
• March 21-22: Ambrosia (NEW) “Biggest Part of Me”
• March 23-24: Magic Giant (NEW) “Set on Fire”
• March 25-27: Air Supply (New to Garden Rocks) “All Out of Love”
• March 28-29: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn “Take My Breath Away.”
• March 30-31: The Smithereens (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Top of the Pops”
• April 1-2: Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl”
• April 3-4: Christopher Cross (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Sailing”
• April 5-7: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”
• April 8-9: Dennis DeYoung, an original member of the group STYX “Come Sail Away.”
• April 10-11: John Michael Montgomery (NEW) “I Love the Way You Love Me”
• April 12-13: Sister Sledge (NEW to Garden Rocks) “We Are Family”
• April 14-16: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
• April 17-19: Sister Hazel (NEW to Garden Rocks) “All For You”
• April 20-21: Steven Curtis Chapman (NEW) “Cinderella”
• April 22-23: TobyMac (NEW) “The Elements”
• April 24-26: Lonestar “Amazed”
• April 27-30: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman.”
• May 1-4: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII I Am.”
• May 5-7: Don Felder, Formerly of the Eagles “Hotel California”
• May 8-9: A Flock of Seagulls (NEW) “I Ran (So Far Away)”
• May 10-11: Marshall Tucker Band (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Heard It in a Love Song”
• May 14-15: Richard Marx (New to Garden Rocks) “Right Here Waiting”
• May 16- 19: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City.”
• May 20-21: Colin Hay of Men at Work (NEW) “Who Can It Be Now?”
• May 22-23: War (NEW) “Why Can’t We Be Friends”
• May 24-27: The Guess Who “American Woman”
• May 28-29: Jon Secada “Just Another Day”
• May 30- June 1: Blood, Sweat and Tears “Spinning Wheel”

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

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 show time 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:

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
• Biergarten Restaurant
• Chefs de France
• Coral Reef Restaurant
• The Garden Grill Restaurant
• La Hacienda de San Angel
• Nine Dragons Restaurant
• Restaurant Marrakesh
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
• San Angel Inn Restaurante
• Spice Road Table
• Teppan Edo
• Tokyo Dining
• Tutto Italia Ristorante
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Merchandise

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

• Festival Marketplaces throughout the park – mini pop up shops with varying festival merchandise
• Mouse Gear – One of my favorite Disney stores in all of Disney World!  You can find EVERYTHING here!

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Event Collections 2018

• • Minnie’s Farmhouse Flower Shop

• • Mickey’s Grove

 

• Figment Discovers
• Fresh Epcot

Pop Up Shops

These two shops are my favorite each year!

Noah’s Art Topiaries

You can ACTUALLY take a topiary HOME with you! OMG, it’s the greatest!

Just Plumerias

I LOVE these!  The first year we moved here I bought three hybrid cuttings and followed Just Plumerias detailed instructions on how to plant them.  Of the three we purchased two are still growing, and one of them is nearly 8 feet tall at only three years old!  They have the most beautiful flowers each year!

Kid-Sized Festival Fun

Kidcot Fun Stops

Kids can stop in each country to pick up their Ziploc brand suitcase and touring cards.  (Not specific to the festival)

Eggstravangaza – April 5 -21, 2019 

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!

(map here)

The cost of the map with stickers is $6.99 and can be picked up at Oddesy Festival Marketplace, Pin Central, 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 2019 Map Here

2019 Festival Map will be added when it becomes available.

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.

2019 Passport will be added when it becomes available.

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.

Outdoor Kitchens are open from 11 am to 8 pm each day.

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.  The wait times can be long if you don’t’ have a FastPass.  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.

Note about FastPass+ at Epcot:

Epcot operates on a tiered FastPass system meaning the most popular attractions Soarin, Test Track and Frozen Ever After are in Tier One and all of the other Fast Pass attractions are in Tier Two. You can read more about the tiered FastPass system and how it works here.

In this touring plan, I have chosen Frozen Ever After as the tier one FastPass selection simply for ease of moving through the park without much backtracking and additional walking.

• If you have an Epcot Festival of the Arts concert dining package reservation insert it into the touring plan as needed.

At park opening head directly to:

*All FastPass attractions and anything time sensitive is noted in bold.

I prefer to enter the World Showcase and head right towards Canada.  I find going towards Mexico is more crowded

• Test Track
• Soarin
• FastPass for Mission to Space 10 am to 11 am
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends (if time)
• FastPass for SpaceShip Earth 11 am to 12 pm
• Pick up a map for Figments Brush with the Masters at Pin Central before entering World Showcase.
• Disney on Broadway Performing Arts – aim for the 6:45 pm show and depending on the crowd level be in line 30-45 mins before the show starts.  For the most popular artists, you may need to be in the line up to 1 1/2 hours before showtime.
• FastPass for Frozen Ever After 8 pm to 9 pm
• IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth 9 or 9:30

*Check times guide for daily schedule or look at the entertainment guide online to ensure you don’t miss it.  You will want to find a spot 30-45 mins before show time to get a place up front. There isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Past Topiaries and Gardens

Each year some of the topiaries and gardens are either moved to a new location or not displayed at all.  Some of them are worth continuing to share, and therefore I do so here!  Enjoy these blasts through the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival past as Epcot continues to evolve into its new self!

Flower and Garden Festival Entrance 2018

2020 Festival of the Arts

Dates have been announced and Epcot’s Festival of the Arts will return January 17 – February 24, 2020!

• My most favorite is the Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring! –  2020 dates will be posted when they’re announced!
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
• Epcot Festival of the Holidays

Epcot Festival of the Arts celebrates the arts in all forms!  Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Culinary Delights!

How to Best Enjoy the Epcot Festival of the Arts

1. Have a plan of which of the 17 Festival Kiosk destinations and foods you can’t miss.
2. Don’t miss the Broadway Concert series which happens 3 times nightly at the American Garden Theater.
3. Make Broadway Concert dining reservations if you want a reserved seat at the show.
4. Make a plan for entertaining the kids. There are so many opportunities for them at the Festival of the Arts that will keep them wanting to explore the World Showcase.
5. Use the touring plan below to plan your day.

Oddesy Festival Showplace- location will change for 2020! Updates coming soon!

Included with park admission you can participate in the following:

Seminars

Animation Academy

Art that has Influenced Disney History

Workshops

Artful Exclusives

These are some of my most favorite interactive parts of the Epcot Festival of the Arts!

Expression Session

Call me silly but I love this “Paint by Numbers” guest completed mural!   A mural is competed every few days and then displayed in Future World for all to see.

When you check in at the Expression Session (located in the World Showcase between the entrance from Future World and before getting to Canada, a Cast Member will either assign you a color or let you choose depending on what is left of the mural to be completed.  Then they’ll tell you how many squares to paint to help complete this piece of art.  Guest of all ages are welcome to participate!

Artful Photo Ops

These awesome backdrops are located throughout Epcot with a Photopass Photographer in place to take your entire families picture.  Keep in mind that they are also happy to take your picture with your own camera or phone!  I love this about Disney!

Once in place, the backdrop will have suggested poses for you to look like you’re a part of the original piece of art.  The more you get into the pose the better your pictures will be!

And you know what I love about this the most?  Our kids(adults too!) are being exposed to famous paintings and artists in a fun and impactful way!  They may not remember a piece of art or artist in a museum or book but when they actually get to be a part of the art maybe it will stand out in their memories!  I heart the arts !!!

Art Defying Gravity

Performed daily on the fountain stage during the Epcot Festival of the Arts you’ll experience live performance with stunts that will seem to defy gravity!

Chalk Art

Another part of the arts I LOVE!  The sidewalk chalk art at the Epcot Festival of the Arts is amazing!  You’ll be able to see completed pieces that literally jump of the sidewalk at you and also be able to watch artist set up and complete the art.  I love to see their process and how the “build” these amazing pieces of work.  My one question is… how do they feel when all of their hard work washes away in the rain?  And on that note, why do they choose sidewalks for art rather than a canvas that can be preserved for life?  Does anyone know?

Food Studios – Artful food!

When food is pretty does it actually taste better?  I kinda think so!  Her’es to fancy food and the chefs who create it for the Epcot Festival of the Arts!

For the 2019 Festival of the Arts, there are 14 Culinary Art Food Studios for you to try out.  Plan ahead you can’t possibly eat it all!

Future World East

Taste Track

Near Test Track

• Lobster Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
• Paintbrush Churros – these are so cute!
• Milkshakes
• Sparkling Red Wine

The Painters Palate

Oddessy Festival Showplace located between Test Track and World Showcase

Showcase Plaza

Decadent Delights

Showcase Plaza near Port of Entry

Refreshment Port

Near Canada

• Lobster Chips

World Showcase

The Masterpiece Kitchen

Canada

L’rt de la Cuisine Francaise – The Art of French Cooking

France

Moasic Canteen

Morocco

Takumi Table 

 Japan

The Artist Table

The American Adventure

Fife & Drum Tavern 

The American Adventure

• Musical Float

Block and Hans

The American Adventure

Funnel Cake

The American Adventure

L’Arte Di Mangiare

Italy

Cuisine Classique 

Germany

Refreshment Outpost 

Outpost

• Chilled Shrimp with Quina and Layer Vegetables

The Painted Panda

China

El Artista Hambriento – The Hungry ARtist

Mexico

Pop Easts

Showcase Plaza near Disney Traders

Epcot Festival of the Arts Food Extras

Joffery’s Coffee & Tea Company

• Showcase Plaza Kiosk; near Disney Traders – Surreal Cinnamon Latte
• Canada Kiosk – Starry night Latte
• The American Adventure- Burbon Brushstroke Latte
• Future World East: Espresso-nist Latte

Epcot Festival of the Arts Gluten Free options by Food Studio

Disney does an amazing job of providing options that are food allergy friendly and GOOD! Unfortunately, the festival kiosks don’t have too many choices.  You’ll need to plan ahead knowing that not all locations offer gluten-free options.

• Cuisine Classique – Seared Corvina with braised Ratatouille and Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc (GF)
• The Artists Table – Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp (GF)
• The Painters Palate – Mickey and Pluto White Chocolate Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V)
• The Painters Palate – Festival of the Arts White Chocolate Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V)
• Pop Eats -Sous Vide Poulet Rouge Chicken Roulade with Apples and Sage served with Warm Brie Fondue, Blueberry and Beet Gel and garnished with Apple and Beet Chips (GF)
• Pop Eats – Shrimp Ceviche with Lime-Mint Foam (GF)

Festival of the Arts Entertainment

Disney on Broadway Concert Series

See some of your favorite Disney songs being performed by Broadway’s greatest stars on the American Garden Theater stage.  This is one of my favorite concert series of the year!  Pick your favorite Disney movie and head on over to see your favorite music performed lived!  Their voices are amazing!

Show Times: 5:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 8:15 pm each evening

Location: American Garden Theater, World Showcase

Broadway Concert Series Performers

• Heidi Blickenstaff – Ursula in the Little Mermaid, Disney Channels Freaky Friday
• Kerry Butler – Belle in Beauty and the Beast
• Kevin Massey – Tarzan in Tarzan
• Meredith Inglesby – Babette in Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid Cast
• Steve Blanchard – Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Newsies
• Arielle Jacobs – Jasmin in Jasmine, High School Musical
• Adam Jacobs – Aladdin in Aladin, Simba in The Lion King
• Gavin Lee – Oliver in Mary Poppins
• Ashely Brown – Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Belle in Beauty and the Beast
• Josh Strickland – Tarzan in Tarzan
• Kissy Simmons – Nala in The Lion King
• Alton Fitzgerald White – King Mufasa in The Lion King

Schedule of Artists

• January 18 to January 19, 2019 – Kerry Butler & Kevin Massey
• January 20 to January 21, 2019 – Meredith Inglesby & Steve Blanchard
• January 22 to January 23, 2019 – Kerry Butler & Kevin Massey
• January 24 to January 25, 2019 – Meredith Inglesby & Steve Blanchard
• January 26, 2019 – Kerry Butler & Kevin Massey
• January 27, 2019 – Meredith Inglesby & Steve Blanchard
• January 28 to January 29, 2019 – Arielle Jacobs & Adam Jacobs
• January 30 to January 31, 2019 – Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee
• February 1 to February 2, 2019 – Arielle Jacobs & Adam Jacobs
• February 3 to February 4, 2019 – Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee
• February 5 to February 6, 2019 – Arielle Jacobs & Adam Jacobs
• February 7 to February 8, 2019 – Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee
• February 9, 2019 – Arielle Jacobs & Adam Jacobs
• February 10, 2019 – Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee
• February 11 to February 12, 2019 – Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland
• February 13 to February 14, 2019 – Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White
• February 15 to February 16, 2019 – Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland
• February 17 to February 18, 2019 – Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White
• February 19 to February 20, 2019 – Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland
• February 21 to February 22, 2019 – Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White
• February 23, 2019 – Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland
• February 24, 2019 – Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White
• February 25, 2019 – Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, Kissy Simmons, Alton Fitzgerald White

What is the Epcot Festival of the Arts “Concert Series Dining Package”?

When you make a reservation with an Epcot Festival of the Arts Concert Series Dining Package each person in the dining party will be allowed a guaranteed spot at one of the nightly shows. The reserved show time is based on the dining time selected.

If you don’t have a dining package you’ll look for these standby entrance signs to line up for your showtime of choice.  You will need to get in line 30-45 minutes prior to showtime to be admitted to the show.  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 $330 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:

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: Norway
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Biergarten Restaurant: Germany
  • Lunch and dinner
• Coral Reef Restaurant: The Seas
  • Lunch and dinner
• The Garden Grill Restaurant: The Land
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room: United Kingdom
  • Lunch and dinner

Epcot Festival of the Arts Merchandise

Epcot Festival of the Arts Marketplaces are located throughout the World Showcase to help commemorate your experience or take home a piece of your favorite art!

• Festival Marketplaces throughout the park – mini pop up shops with varying festival merchandise
• Art of Disney – Future World East – exquisite art from festival artists
• Mouse Gear – One of my favorite Disney stores in all of Disney World!  You can find EVERYTHING here!
• House of Blues – near Germany

Kid-Sized Festival Fun

Kidcot Fun Stops

Kids can stop in each country to pick up their Ziploc brand suitcase and touring cards in each country.  (Not specific to the festival)

Figments Brush with the Masters

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 Oddesy Festival Marketplace, Pin Central, Disney Traders or World Traveler.

Get the Epcot Festival of the Arts 2019 Map Here

Epcot Festival of the Arts Passport

Enjoy checking off your list in your Epcot Festival of the Arts 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 food studios.

Touring Plan for the Epcot Festival of the Arts

Start your day at Epcot by arriving 30 minutes prior to the park opening.  Daily park hours can be found here.

The World Showcase opens daily at 11 am.

Food Studios are open from 12 pm to 8 pm each day.

You can enter the World Showcase prior to 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 prior to 11 am would be to ride Frozen Ever After in Norway.  The wait times can be long if you don’t’ have a FastPass.  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.

Note about FastPass+ at Epcot:

Epcot operates on a tiered FastPass system meaning the most popular attractions Soarin, Test Track and Frozen Ever After are in Tier One and all of the other Fast Pass attractions are in Tier Two. You can read more about the tiered FastPass system and how it works here.

In this touring plan, I have chosen Frozen Ever After as the tier one FastPass selection simply for ease of moving through the park without much backtracking and additional walking.

• If you have an Epcot Festival of the Arts concert dining package reservation insert it into the touring plan as needed.

At park opening head directly to:

*All FastPass attractions and anything time sensitive will be noted in bold.

I prefer to enter the World Showcase and head right towards Canada.  I find going towards Mexico is more crowded

• Test Track
• Soarin
• FastPass for Mission to Space 10 am to 11 am
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends (if time)
• FastPass for SpaceShip Earth 11 am to 12 pm
• Pick up a map for Figments Brush with the Masters at Pin Central prior to entering World Showcase.
• Disney on Broadway Performing Arts – aim for the 6:45 pm show and depending on the crowd level be in line 30-45 mins prior to the show starting.  For the most popular artist, you may need to be in line up to 1 1/2 hours prior to showtime.
• FastPass for Frozen Ever After 8 pm to 9 pm
• IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth 9 or 9:30

*Check times guide for daily schedule or look at the entertainment guide online to ensure you don’t miss it.  You will want to find a spot 30-45 mins prior to show time to get a spot up front.  Because the viewing area is so large it’s not hard to get a good viewing location.