Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival 2017 | A Complete Guide
Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival is an annual celebration of Spring at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. It starts every year from March 1 to May 29th with fun-filled events and thousands of blooming flowers and 100+ topiaries to mesmerize any soul.
I visited Epcot this weekend and had an amazing experience! Here are some highlights of things to do at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival 2017.
1) Take a picture of 100 plus Topiaries throughout the park
This was one of my favorite parts of visiting Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. You’ll see over 100 plus awe dropping topiaries of Disney Characters throughout the entire park and couldn’t stop yourself clicking their pictures.
My favorite topiaries were of Princesses Elsa, Anna at Norway Pavilion festival landscape and Snow White at Germany. Aren’t they cute?
2) Explore the magic of various gardens throughout the park
Flower and Garden Festival is the best time to see the Epcot’s glory in its full swing. You’ll see beautiful gardens throughout the park with blooming colorful flowers welcoming the Spring. Around 70,000 bedding plants surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens are set to afloat. Also, don’t forget to stop at Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House which is located in Future World!
3) Get yourself clicked with Disney’s photographers at iconic points
No trip to Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival would be complete without getting yourself clicked by Disney’s photographers at various iconic points in the park. You can even click pictures by yourselves at those places but if you want magical Disney’s shot of ‘Tinker Bell‘ sitting on your finger, then you should get yourselves clicked by photographers!
4) Attend Garden Rocks Concert
There are series of concerts lined up every weekend throughout the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. Concerts take place at the American Gardens Theater. I attended Jon Secada’s concert and enjoyed it!
The lineup for 2017 is:
- March 3-4: Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
- March 5-6: Dennis DeYoung – The Music of STYX (“Grand Illusion”)
- March 10-13: The Pointer Sisters (“I’m So Excited”)
- March 17-18: Simple Plan (“Welcome to My Life”)
- March 19-20: Plain White T’s (“Hey There Delilah”)
- March 24-27: Night Ranger (“Sister Christian“)
- March 31-April 3: Little River Band (“Reminiscing”)
- April 7-10: Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice (“Spinning Wheel”)
- April 14-17: Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”)
- April 21-24: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (“Evil Woman”)
- April 28-29: Exposé (“Point of No Return”)
- April 30-May 1: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn (“Take My Breath Away”)
- May 5-8: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
- May 12-15: The Guess Who (“American Woman”)
- May 19-22: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (“I’m Henry VIII, I Am”)
- May 26-29: The Spinners (“Working My Way Back To You”)
5) Delight your taste buds with a wide variety of dishes, drinks, and desserts at Outdoor Kitchen
Disney started Outdoor Kitchen due to the popularity of the Food and Wine Festival. You can experience various delicacies from food and beverage options to mouth-watering desserts throughout the World Showcase at Epcot’s Garden and Flower Festival.
My favorite dessert was Strawberry Macaron ice cream in France!
6) Take tours if you’re fond of gardening
There’re two kinds of tours that are available only during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival as follows:
i) Epcot Gardens of the World Tour
A 3-hour tour led by a Disney horticulturist. These are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 9:00 AM to noon and cost $85.00, plus tax. You have to be 16-years-old or older to attend. You can book it by calling (407) WDW-TOUR.
ii) English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London Tea
This a free tour that lasts 20 minutes and takes place in the United Kingdom pavilion. Guests should register by signing up in The Tea Caddy in the UK pavilion.
Tips for visiting Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival 2017
- Arrive 30 minutes before the opening of the park to beat the crowd.
- The admission to the International Garden and Flower Festival is the same if you’ve got a ticket for the park entrance. If you choose for Epcot Gardens of the World Tour, then you’ve to pay an extra $85 plus tax.
- Take a rides Fast pass of Soarin, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track.
- If you don’t get the fast pass of the above rides, try to finish these rides as soon as you enter the park because these rides always have a waiting time of more than 60 minutes usually. Even you should go for a singer rider for Test Track if you don’t get its fast pass to save time.
- Don’t forget to get yourself clicked at various iconic spots by Disney photographers.
- The most important is to have fun! Please understand that Disney’s parks are always crowded. You’ve to wait for rides, dining restaurants, or meeting with characters. Don’t get irritated or frustrated but try to enjoy every moment because you’re at the Walt Disney World!
Blair Villanueva
March 16, 2017Hello Ana! You are blooming!
View CommentThis is place is already magical with all the florals. Its dreamy!
Jeff & Crystal
March 15, 2017It looks like you had a blast. the topiaries are absolutely amazing, and the macaroon looked delicious. Thanks for sharing.
View CommentIndrani
March 15, 2017Impressive topiaries. I wish I could pose with them. Such funfilled exhibition. Reminds me of the Lal Bagh ones. 🙂
View CommentSoumya Nambiar
March 14, 2017I couldn’t go to Epcot last time I was in town. But all those topiaries look super cool and it must have taken them ages to sculpt them. I would love to try out the afternoon tea as well
View CommentJoanna
March 14, 2017It’s amazing what Disney gardeners have created at Epcots International Flower show. I can’t decide which Topiary I like best, they are all so gorgeous. I guess I will go with the Beauty and the Beast, as the new movie has just come out. The Outdoor Kitchen sounds like such a great concept to a food festival! I’d love to visit.
View CommentParnashree Devi
March 14, 2017I love visiting these colorful and creative flower gardens. It looks like a painting. It must have been a great experience for you to attend Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. I would love to attend the concerts as well.
View CommentAllGudThings
March 14, 2017This is so beautiful. Flowers, their colors and fragrances uplifts the mood. I love how creatively they have made Disney topiaries. my favorite is that of Princess. I simply loved everything in this post. Thanks for sharing.
View Commenttravellingslacker
March 14, 2017Have heard a lot of things about EPCOT although first time seeing the interiors of it. Love the disney characters made out of garden plants. The line for teh rock concert looks cool too.
View CommentDane
March 14, 2017When I first read the title and saw the photos I actually couldn’t figure out what was going on. I can’t even believe they can make those kinds of things out of flowers. Those disney characters are mind blowing! It all looks really beautiful.
View CommentWanderlust Vegans
March 14, 2017I remember going to Epcot when I was a kid and enjoying it. It didn’t look as neat as there was no flower and garden festival on. I think Epcot is part of what made me want to travel and see different places.
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