Spring at Epcot is something special and Flower and Garden Festival is my favorite of the year.
Every Spring, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival transforms the park into a living garden. Every turn feels like a photo moment and every booth invites you to slow down and savor it. This is, without question, my favorite festival of the year.
There’s just something about that early spring sunshine, the fresh blooms and the way the entire park feels lighter, brighter and beautifully in season. It’s the perfect mix of stunning visuals and some of the freshest, most creative food and drinks you’ll find all year at Disney. Come take a walk around the world with me…
What Makes Flower & Garden So Special
Topiary Magic
The topiaries are truly the stars of the show. Disney horticulturists bring beloved characters to life in the most incredible way. From classic favorites to newer additions, they are detailed, creative, and absolutely worth slowing down to enjoy. The park entrance alone sets the tone, and it only gets better as you explore.
Gardens & Displays
Throughout the park, you’ll find themed gardens, seasonal displays and tucked away spots that make you want to linger just a little longer. It’s one of the most visually beautiful times to visit Epcot.
Outdoor Kitchens & Festival Favorites
The Outdoor Kitchens are where Flower & Garden really shines. Menus lean fresh, bright and seasonal. Think citrus, herbs, honey and lighter flavors that feel perfect for spring. Here are favorites from this year’s stroll.
Nectar
Tuna Poke Bowl with edamame, avocado, mango, pickled red onions, seaweed salad, furikake, and umami sauce on a bed of sticky rice
Swirled Showcase
Liquid Nitrogen Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with fresh honey, granulated honey, and honey mead-blueberry compote
Lemon-Elderflower Float: Lemon sorbet with Central 28 Beer Company Elderflower Pale Ale
The Honey Bee-stro
Honeycomb Bowl with herb quinoa, honey-whipped goat cheese, poached apples, and hot honey cauliflower topped with a honey tuile (this one was OK)
Hanami – Japan
Ramen Cup: Cold ramen noodle salad with fresh vegetables and grilled chicken, served with yuzu-soy vinaigrette and chili oil (this one was OK)
Primavera Kitchen – Italy
Elderflower Sparkling Cocktail with mint-infused elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and blood orange soda
Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market – Germany
Potato Pancakes with house-made applesauce (plant-based)
Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with black forest ham and melted Gruyère cheese
Stiegl Brewery Raspberry Radler
Apfelschaumwein: Sparkling wine with apple liqueur
Lan Yuan – China
Pan-fried Vegetable Dumplings filled with bok choy, carrot, shiitake mushroom, ginger, garlic, and sesame
Jardin de Fiestas – Mexico
Flower Power Margarita with Dulce Vida Blanco Tequila, orange-pineapple juice, blackcurrant-lavender liqueur, and Empress 1908 Gin with a rose petal salt rim
This is one of the best festivals for eating around the world without feeling too heavy by the end.
Garden Graze & Festival Activities
One of my favorite interactive pieces of the festival is the Garden Graze. Pick up a festival passport, order designated menu items, collect stamps and earn a sweet treat at the end. It’s a fun way to guide your tasting and try things you might not normally order.
Fun for Kids (and the Kids at Heart)
This festival is incredibly family-friendly, with so many ways to keep little ones engaged:
- Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration
A scavenger hunt around the park following Spike the Bee. Complete your map and receive a surprise at the end. - Butterfly Landing
Walk through a beautiful butterfly garden and see these incredible creatures up close. - Play Gardens & Interactive Spaces
Perfect spots for kids to move, explore, and burn off energy while you enjoy the surroundings. - Egg-Stravaganza (seasonal)
A limited-time Easter egg hunt experience that adds an extra layer of fun in early spring.
Why I Always Recommend This Festival
If you’re looking for:
- Gorgeous weather
- Lower crowd pockets compared to peak seasons
- Fresh, lighter festival food
- A park that feels truly transformed
Flower & Garden is one of those experiences that doesn’t need to be rushed. Slow down. Wander. Try something new. Sit in the sunshine a little longer than you planned. It’s simple, beautiful and exactly the kind of day that turns into a core memory.
Let’s Travel & My Services
As a Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, I am recognized for providing the highest level of customer service, experience, and knowledge in the industry. I use my personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke vacations for the most discerning clients. On top of that, travel is expensive and I know how to get the best value for your time and money. Most aspects of planning a family vacation look different and now, more than ever, it is crucial to have the most current, up to date information based on personal experience to plan your vacation!
I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Disneyland Paris, Adventures by Disney®, Aulani, National Geographic Expeditions, Universal Orlando, Royal Caribbean and other delightful destinations around the globe! Let’s go there!
