Skip to main content

Celebrate Spring at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

If you're like me, you spend your days dreaming of the wonderful days when the snow will melt away and warmth will once again return. A certain pesky groundhog tells us that we can still expect more cold and snow- but there's a wonderful land of magic and sunshine where preparations are already underway to help you enjoy that lovely time we call "spring". 

The annual Epcot Flower and Garden festival is a wonderful celebration of all things spring. Epcot is already a gorgeous and well landscaped park, and the perfect canvas to showcase the talents of Disney horticulturists. Beautiful flower displays are found throughout the entire park, including several garden exhibits and intricately formed topiaries of famous Disney characters (over 100 in all!).

2015 festival dates are March 4th to May 17th.

FESTIVAL CENTER


The festival center can be found near the Universe of Energy attraction, and is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the festival. Here, you'll find garden experts offering tips and demonstrations.

From 10 to 4 each day, Disney Gardening Experts are on hand to talk about how that gardens are maintained throughout Walt Disney World. From 10 to 5, you can chat with "Master Gardeners" from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Science at the University of Florida.
Each weekend features a different

FUN FOR KIDS


For kids, you'll find activity and play areas for different age groups. These are so fun and well themed, I admit that I wish I could have played on them! 2014 play areas included Mater's Parts, Plants and Play Garden is located near Test Track, while Mike and Sulley's Monstrous Garden can be found on the Imagination walkway.  The Backyard Play Garden, located between Morocco and France, features more play equipment and activities to help encourage healthy habits in children. Tinkerbell's butterfly friends are fluttering throughout Tinkerbell's Butterfly House in Future World. Kids (and adults) can also enjoy picking up a free Garden Passport and having it stamped as they make their way through the World Showcase.


OUTDOOR KITCHENS


A newer addition in recent years are the Outdoor Kitchens. Similar to the kiosks at the Food and Wine Festival in the fall, you'll find a variety of food and drinks from around the world to try. These are smaller portions, so you'll be able to enjoy multiple flavors from around the world!
Some of my favorites: the Eggplant Scallop at the Urban Farm Eats Kitchen, Frushi (pictured) in Japan- fresh fruit rolled with coconut rice, and Pineapple Dole Whip with rum at the Pineapple Promenade near Canada.  Be sure to pick up a Garden Passport and have it stamped at each Outdoor Kitchen to track your progress around the World Showcase!

2015 Outdoor Kitchens:

  • Botanas Botànico 
  • Fleur de Lys
  • Florida Fresh
  • Hanami
  • Intermissions Cafe
  • Jardin de Fiestas
  • Lotus House
  • Pineapple Promenade
  • Primavera Kitchen
  • Taste of Marrakesh
  • THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews
  • Urban Farm Eats

GARDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL


On the weekends, you can also experience great entertainment at the Garden Rocks Festival Series in the American Gardens Theater. These concerts take place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 pm.

2015 line up:


3/06 - 3/08: Gin Blossoms
3/13 - 3/15: Pablo Cruise
3/20 - 3/22: En Vogue
3/27 - 3/29: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
4/3 - 4/5: The Orchestra
4/10 - 4/12: The Village People
4/17 - 4/22: John Seceda
4/24 - 4/26: The Guess Who
5/01 - 5/03: Taylor Dane
5/08 - 5/10: Little River Band
5/16 - 5/18: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone 





Carissa
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Ways To Get Psyched For Your Disney Trip!

Hey-Howdy-Hey, Disney Guys and Gals!      Is anyone familiar with Barney Stinson's "Get Psyched" Mix? Anyone? How I Met your Mother Fans? Ok, great! So you totally get where I'm going with this! If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can watch a clip  HERE!  Basically, the theory is that no matter what's going on in your life, you can get yourself psyched up and ready for something awesome to happen, all by listening to the right piece of music. Playing off of that theory, I feel that one of the very best things about a Disney trip is actually  preparing  for it, or getting psyched! You can have a whole bunch of crappy stuff happening in your life at the time, but if you have a Disney trip on the horizon... even if it's 564 days away, you have something to look forward to and enjoy preparing yourself for. In fact, many Disney fans, (myself included), pretty much get from one day to the next by preparing for upcoming trips. You may even book a ne
Post a Comment
Read more

Mythos Restaurant at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Located on The Lost Continent of Universal's Islands of Adventure, Mythos is an award-winning, full-service restaurant that offers an otherworldly experience. If you've ever been to Universal's Islands of Adventure, you've undoubtedly walked by this restaurant with its towering rock formations, waterfalls and ancient figures carved into the side of the building. The restaurant has been calling to me for years and I was finally able to give it a try. When you enter the restaurant, it feels like you've entered a cavernous grotto from another world. There are oceanic and mythical touches throughout the indoor dining room and there's also outdoor seating with great views of the park. View from our table The menu features a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and American cuisine including Spanakopita Dip, Pad Thai and a Bacon Cheeseburger. There's also a kids menu for little ones and a dessert menu featuring Chocolate Banana Gooey Cake.  On our first visit to Mythos, we
Post a Comment
Read more

Bigfire Restaurant Review

Bigfire is, in my opinion, a great addition to Universal CityWalk at the Universal Orlando Resort. Having been a huge fan of Emeril's which was previously in this location, I was skeptic, but quickly put at ease once we were inside and met our server and have been back several times since. After a full day in the parks, we had a pretty late dinner on the agenda so we started in the lounge attached to the restaurant.  The cocktail selection is quite extensive, with bourbon drinks being the star here. My Manhattan was delicious and set the tone for a great meal ahead! The bar is also a great stop if you don't have a reservation, I found the bartenders friendly, attentive, and making great drinks! The open kitchen is a great feature as you enter the dining room.  The décor is modern yet cozy with touches of plaid throughout.  The highlight is of course the "big fire", where they wood smoke a variety of meats for the entrees. We started the meal with some wine a
Post a Comment
Read more