A feast for the eyes, ears and palate: EPCOT's International Flower & Garden Festival
It's not like there isn't always a festival vibe at EPCOT, because the place is practically pulsating with it at celebrations year-round.
But there's something extra-special about the advent of spring, and the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which this year runs through May 27.
From posing by intricate topiaries of beloved characters to touring the English Tea Garden, from watching the butterflies flutter by to savoring Florida Fresh strawberry shortcake, it's a memory in the making at every turn.
A feast of colorful blooms, bites, sights and sounds, these are a few of our favorite things at this year's festival.
Butterfly Landing
If you can't resist butterflies (and if you can, how?), wing your way to Butterfly Landing, sponsored by AdventHealth.
Catch glimpses of monarchs, malachites, the common buckeye and zebra longwings, hovering in, on, over and around wallflower, firebush and more. If you stand very still, they've been known to light on their admirers.
Along the way, signage will clue you in on these beauties' lifecycles, everything from the fact that a monarch caterpillar is an "eating machine" that can scarf a whole milkweed leaf in under five minutes to the meaning of a butterfly colors. Did you know that blue wings attract butterfly mates?
P.S. This is a great place to cool off, relax and relish nature, whether you're on your way in or out of the park. Keep in mind: The Landing closes at dusk.
Towering topiaries, flower power
The Disney Horticulture team worked old and new favorites into this year's green and gorgeous lineup, with more than 70 topiaries.
Right up front, at the park's entrance: Asha, Valentino and the Wishing Star from "Wish" will welcome you.
Donald Duck, toting garden tools and sporting a snazzy red bow tie, tends to a community garden near Connections Café in World Celebration.
Fan fave Figment stands tall at the World Celebration Gardens, along with topiary flowers.
Near The Land, check out Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa, and Sarabi; and the wisecracking Pumbaa and Timon. Between The Land and Imagination!, look for Buzz Lightyear and Huey, Dewey and Louie, along with Woody and Bo Peep and her sheep. Goofy holds court on the walkway between Imagination! and World Showcase Lagoon.
A new and fun face is getting big attention this year: Groot, of "Guardians of the Galaxy" fam, who's taken root near the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride. You can't miss him, holding a cassette tape titled "Green-Houes Mix: Vol. 1." This guardian of the garden stands around 5 feet tall, with the flora colossus topiary itself, over 13 feet.
Marvel ride review: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride blasts off at EPCOT
Don't miss the small, exquisite details on other topiaries, like the butterfly on Mirabel Madrigal's hand — she, along with other "Encanto" characters Antonio, Isabela and Luisa, are located in World Showcase between Disney Traders and Port of Entry. A real standout: Miguel and Dante from "Coco" charm at the Mexico Pavilion.
Vibrant garden destinations are many and varied, too, from the much-loved floating gardens to Morocco's spice garden, a new gnome garden in Germany and a new PB&J (yup! A salute to peanut butter and jelly!) garden on the Bridge to World Showcase. Also on the Bridge: Blossoms of Fragrance, a smell-icious stop with botanically-themed scent stations.
For Disneygoer Janet Stine, the opportunity to be surrounded by blooming things and to find food to their liking is appealing.
'My husband and I are plant-based eaters and we’re looking forward to the Garden Graze, which features all plant-based foods," Stine said.
"Flower and Garden is our favorite festival for that reason. Also love all the beautiful flowers and topiaries. Looking in particular to see the new ones, Groot, Asha, and the Gnomes."
Fabulous food
If you come hungry, you likely won't leave that way.
This year's festival boasts about 20 outdoor kitchens, and more than 60 new food and drink choices. And they cover a diverse range of tastes, including plant-based choices.
For a fun culinary whirl, try the "Garden Graze," detailed in the Festival Passport you can pick up throughout the park. You'll choose five dishes from the listed menu items, and get a stamp in the passport for each food item purchased. Then take the passport to the Pineapple Promenade (Dole Whip alert!), where you'll get a special treat. Guests don't have to fill out the passport in one festival visit, so if you're planning more than one day at the park, feel free to pace yourself.
Note: There are allergy-free choices, too.
A few tasty treats across the food landscape:
The Refreshment Port, near Canada: Plant-based Buffalo chicken poutine on crispy potato barrels, with plant-based blue cheese crumbles.
At BRUNCHCOT, near Test Track: Avacado toast. And try the Froot Loops shake, a yummy non-alcoholic drink.
In Germany: Toasted pretzel bread, with Black Forest Ham and melted cheese.
At Farmer's Feast: The grilled street corn. Plant-based cheese available.
And at Pineapple Promenade, the spicy hot dog, served with pineapple chutney and plantain chips.
This and that
Some EPCOT locations just lend themselves to special touches during this festival.
As you travel through the Living With the Land in The Land, don't miss the scenes reminiscent of much loved tales, including "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Little Mermaid." Sharp eyes will catch a copy of "Winnie the Pooh" and a "hunny pot" in one picnic scene, and, in a salute to Alice, in the edible flower garden, look for giant playing cards and a tiny tea party.
And as long as you're at the park, don't miss a chance to drop by the lush and lovely Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, celebrating the wonders of water. It opened in October 2023 and, especially on a hot day, is a must-stop.
Guests wind their way through trails replete with trees. Educational signage. Chances to make water leap, dance and "sing" as visitors make their way toward a stunning, greenery-bedecked, 16-foot-tall statute of Te Fiti, the goddess of creation and major character in "Moana."
There's merch galore throughout: Think Orange Bird, Coco and the Butterfly Collection.
Finally, the Garden Rocks Concert Series, in the American Gardens Theatre, runs through the end of the festival. Show times are 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Both local and national musical acts are on tap, including The Commodores (March 17 and 18), The Pointer Sisters (March 31), A Flock of Seagulls (April 14 and 15) and Sister Hazel (May 19 and 20).
Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly
Plan a daze of a day
What: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
When: Through May 27
Where: EPOCT theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista
Admission: Single-day park tickets start at $109; some festival experiences may require an additional fee.
Info: disneyworld.disney.go.com
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Treat your eyes, ears and palate at EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival
