It’s Spike’s favorite time of the year!The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs this year from March 1 through July 5. That’s over four full months of flowers, food, and fun! This is one festival that you don’t want to miss. Here are a few of the highlights.
The Garden Rocks Concert Series is one of my favorite parts of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Internationally known artists are featured most Fridays through Mondays, and local artists rock the America Gardens Theatre the rest of the week. There are three shows each evening, weather permitting. Acts this year include Switchfoot, Kool & the Gang, and Rick Springfield. Garden Rocks concerts are included with your Epcot admission.
You won’t leave the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival hungry! There are over 15 Outdoor Kitchens this year. On their menus you’ll find savory items, sweet items, and some that are a little bit of both. There are also plenty of extra beverages for sale, with or without alcohol. Pick up a Festival Passport when you enter Epcot so that you won’t have to keep pulling out your phone when you want to see what is sold and where.
Speaking of your Festival Passport, you’ll need one to participate in Garden Graze. Purchase five Garden Graze items, have your Passport stamped, and then you’ll receive a special treat for free! Garden Graze items are plant-based, making it easy for those with allergies and dietary restrictions to take part.
There is more to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival than food and music. One of the best parts is looking for the topiaries. There are over two dozen living works of art, many from your favorite Disney movies. Have your camera ready, the details are amazing.
There are also over two dozen gardens that you’ll want to explore. These range from a Prehistoric Garden to a Tropical Rainforest Garden. The gardens are all unique and interesting, and you just might learn something.
Kids from 1 to 100 or more love Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration. Purchase a map, and then look for Spike the Bee around World Showcase. When you’ve found them all, turn your map in for a prize! One thing that’s nice about Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration is that Spike is easy to find. Some of the other scavenger hunts are a bit more difficult. You can look for Spike without buying a map, but then you won’t receive a reward.
Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth is a must-do during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. You’ll see several species of butterflies inside the butterfly house. If you can, visit often. It’s fun to see the number of butterflies grow throughout the festival.
These are just a few of the highlights of the 2023 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. I look forward to sharing information on Disney Over 50, as well as pictures and videos on both Facebook and Instagram all festival long!