5 Must-Have Experiences at Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival – Episode 192
Celebrate spring at EPCOT with breathtaking flowers, creative topiaries, and tasty treats! Spring is in full bloom at Walt Disney World, where EPCOT is bursting with color, creativity, and fresh flavors. Throughout the year, Disney World hosts four EPCOT festivals—all worth planning a trip around.
This March, we enjoyed attending the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, known for its lifelike topiaries, gorgeous flower displays, enchanting butterfly garden, and fresh springtime flavors from the outdoor kitchens.
As EPCOT is already our favorite Disney park, attending during a festival was icing on the cake, adding an extra layer of magic to our experience!
Striking that perfect balance between nostalgia and fun new surprises, discover why the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is one of the most magical times of year to visit Walt Disney World.
Get helpful tips for making the most of the festival and hear from EPCOT Chef de Cuisine, Kevin Downing, as well as Disney Proprietors of Festivals, Rick DiCicco and Tom Kovacs.
Continue reading or listen to the podcast episode.
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This episode is made possible through a partnership with Walt Disney World. We’re incredibly grateful for the chance to share the magic, imagination, and unforgettable moments that make Disney vacations so special.
Now is the perfect time to start planning your own magical getaway. Visit disneyworld.com to get started today!
Humble Festival Beginnings
In 2025, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary.
When the first festival launched in 1994, it lasted 38 days and included topiaries, gardening education, and several special exhibitions, such as the charming train garden in the Germany Pavilion.
Today, the annual festival spans nearly three months, from March 5th to June 2nd, and features over two dozen gardens, 70-character topiaries, outdoor kitchens, musical performances, and more.
As mentioned, each EPCOT festival has its unique storyline and stars of the show.
Mother Earth is the star of the show, and this year’s festival tagline, “30 Years & Growing,” highlights how the festival continues to grow larger each year.
I’ve been with the festival team for about 15 years now.
It’s amazing to see the growth.
It was hard for me to envision 15 years ago, this is what it would be.
So, looking into the future, the sky’s the limit. – Tom Kovacs
A Festival Full of Meaning
Celebrating the beauty of nature, every aspect at Disney is intentionally designed to convey a story.
Each element is thoughtfully crafted, with creativity, innovation, and experimentation driving the process. Every arrangement has a purpose and contributes to the bigger picture, a celebration of the wonders of nature, imagination, and storytelling.
The beauty of nature is woven seamlessly into every aspect of the event, whether it’s the vibrant topiaries, the fragrant gardens, delicious food offerings, or the colorful flower displays.
Learning more about the creative process of developing this event, Disney Proprietor, Festivals, Events, Business Relations, Rick DiCicco shares:
We have a tremendous group of people we get to work with from every discipline, from graphic design to show writers and architects, and landscape and entertainment folks.
We will take a good idea from anyone.
We often say there’s never a bad time for a good idea. So, when we take those, we put them through the filter, and the team runs with it. – Rick DiCicco
Here are the can’t-miss experiences that’ll turn your EPCOT visit into an unforgettable spring celebration!
1. Take in the Stunning Visuals
Since its early days, topiaries have been a beloved part of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, bringing characters to life through greenery and blooms.
The story goes that Walt Disney, inspired by the intricate topiaries he admired during his travels through Europe, dreamed of bringing that same botanical artistry to the parks.
Today, that dream lives on each spring at EPCOT.
As you stroll through the park, you’ll be surrounded by vibrant flower beds of purple, red, orange, and shades of blue—nearly 200,000 were installed in March alone!
Bursting with color, blooms like snapdragons and violas offer that wow factor that celebrates the beauty of spring.
At Disney, horticulturists use creativity, innovation, and experimentation to tell engaging stories through plants.
From the all-new Maui and Moana topiary (Front entrance) to the Seven Dwarfs (Germany Pavilion), Simba and Friends (World Nature), and even Miss Piggy with her travel-ready suitcase, each living structure is crafted with accuracy — lifelike and instantly recognizable.
We had the chance to go behind the scenes and learn that there are four unique styles of topiaries used throughout the festival. Many return year after year, some built on stainless steel frames filled with sphagnum moss and plant material.
With a typical lifespan of two to three years, these living sculptures are a testament to the Disney horticulture team’s creativity, innovation, and dedication to detail.
Whether it’s your first time at the festival or an annual tradition, these lush garden displays transform EPCOT into a living work of art — that’s equally enchanting for kids and adults of all ages.
2. Special Garden Exhibit
Speaking of greenery, this year, you can see colorful flowers from around the world at CommuniCore Hall which offers a bee’s eye view at how Disney’s Horticulture team brings topiaries, flower towers, and more to life.
Inside, there’s comfortable seating for those looking for a peaceful place to relax.
You can also grab a bite to eat at the EPCOT Farmers Feast, explore an informative gallery to learn about the festival’s history, and see stunning flower towers and topiaries.
Tired of reading? Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.
3. See Butterflies Up Close
At the Flower and Garden Festival, Disney aims to showcase nature’s beauty and explore how cutting-edge research can positively impact the environment.
Butterflies often symbolize transformation and new beginnings.
As they emerge from their chrysalises in spring, their arrival signals the warm weather and the start of the growing season.
Like bees, butterflies are important pollinators that help spread pollen.
Monarch butterflies embark on an incredible migration from Mexico to Canada annually, with many passing through Walt Disney World.
Although monarch butterflies are among the most well-known species of butterflies, their population has decreased by 90% over the last twenty years, mainly due to the loss of habitat that provides critical resources during their annual migration.
To support monarch populations and their migration journeys, Disney’s Animals, Sciences, and Environment team is studying how these butterflies use the parks and exploring ways to create butterfly-friendly habitats that help them thrive.
During the festival, walk through Butterfly Landing, where you will see butterflies of all shapes and sizes flying overhead, caterpillars slowly making their way up branches, butterflies laying eggs, and larvae waiting for the next big moment in their life cycle.
Butterfly Landing is more than just a beautiful walk-through garden—it’s an educational experience that inspires conservation.
As you admire the butterflies up close, look for the informative signage that shares simple, actionable ways you can help create butterfly-friendly habitats at home and support these important pollinators.
4. Stop By the Playground
By now, if you are visiting Walt Disney World with a toddler, your little one may be itching to get out of their stroller.
Listen to this podcast episode for the ultimate guide to navigating Disney World with toddlers! Disney tips, hacks, and family-friendly amenities to make your trip stress-free.
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We have the perfect place for them to run, climb, jump, and meet other kids!
Between the Imagination Pavilion and the Canadian entrance in the World Showcase, this year, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival introduced the limited-time Playalong Bay Play Garden, a nautical-themed playground for young explorers.
Right next to Yacht Grub and Beach Grub, kids can play while adults relax and enjoy their food – or, let’s be honest, run after them!
The playground has no time limit, so take as much time as you need.
Colorful Adirondack chairs and picnic tables are nearby for a comfortable, casual dining experience.
5. Jam Out at Garden Rocks Concert
At nightfall, the fun doesn’t stop!
Get ready for musical performances from talented local acts to globally recognized artists at America Gardens Theatre.
With show times at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 p.m., during our Disney trip, we enjoyed catching a show-stopping performance by Evolution Motown, an Orlando-based group of musicians paying tribute to Motown, Funk, R&B, and Soul.
They played a variety of classics from back in the day to present-day Bruno Mars.
Want a good seat? Arrive early!
6. Culinary Experiences Inspired by Nature
The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is not just a feast for the eyes.
The festival’s visuals—lush gardens, vibrant topiaries, and stunning floral displays—serve as a backdrop that inspires creativity in the kitchen, too.
What started as a few outdoor kitchens in 2013 has now blossomed into over 20 outdoor kitchens with unique offerings showcasing a variety of flavors and culinary techniques.
The overarching thought process for the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is the best of the season, the best that Mother Nature can provide.
We want to keep things simple and have easily relatable dishes for our guests with families and kids, but we also want to push their palettes. – Chef Kevin Downing
Be sure to try:
- Frushi: Strawberry, pineapple, and honeydew wrapped in coconut rice and soy wrap served with coconut cream sauce and toasted coconut
- Croissant au Fromage de Chèvre, Herbes et Ail Rôtie: Croissant with goat cheese, herbs, and roasted garlic
- Primavera Cacio Pepe e Gamberi: Penne, shrimp, zucchini, peas, asparagus, and creamy cacio pepe sauce
- Taco de Camaron: Crispy tempura-battered shrimp in a flour tortilla with dried hibiscus flowers and chipotle aioli
This overarching theme guides the selection of ingredients and the design of the menu.
Inspired by the beauty of nature, every plate is not only delicious but also visually stunning, often adorned with edible flowers and herbs that mirror the festival’s floral displays.
The Farmers’ Feast is a standout offering that changes its menu mid-festival to highlight the freshest ingredients available, encouraging guests to return for new culinary experiences.
The festival also embraces local sourcing, with ingredients from the Land Pavilion’s greenhouses and local Florida farms. This commitment to freshness and sustainability enhances the dishes’ flavor and aligns with the festival’s theme of celebrating nature.
Read the full interview with EPCOT Chef de Cuisine Kevin Downing for a behind-the-scenes look at planning the Flower & Garden Festival.
Tips For Making the Most of Epcot’s Outdoor Kitchens
- Review the online festival foodie guide before you get to the park. Make a wish list with your must-try dishes & drinks.
- When you get to EPCOT, grab a free festival passport.
- Craft your game plan to see topiaries and garden displays, and hit up outdoor kitchens.
- The festival passport doubles as a take-home souvenir.
- With Skyliner access, enter the parks at the French Pavilion, which can save you a lot of time if you plan on exploring the World Showcase.
- Pace yourself: don’t try to eat everything all at once. Eat, hydrate, and know your limits.
- Share small plates so you can taste more.
- Skip reservations so you can graze more.
- Bring a pen to take notes, cross off items, and note the items you enjoyed.
- Manage your spending and skip pulling out your wallet for every transaction by purchasing a festival-themed Disney gift card with a wristlet.
- Save time walking around the 1.2-mile World Showcase loop by taking a ferry boat docked near the Canada or Morocco Pavilion.
- Boats are stroller and wheelchair accessible and run every 15 minutes.
Final Thoughts: A Joyous Celebration of Nature & Creativity
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a beautiful celebration of nature, creativity, and the joy of culinary exploration.
It reminds us that nature has the power to tell powerful stories and transport us to different places.
As you savor the sights and flavors and bring back home learnings from the festival, plan to visit your local farmer’s market, plant a butterfly habitat, or try new ingredients in your own kitchen.
What we appreciate most about the festival is that you are guaranteed to discover something unexpected — a spark of inspiration that keeps the experience exciting no matter how many times you’ve attended.
There are elements of the festival that feel timeless — the fan-favorite topiaries, beloved garden spaces, and returning dishes you look forward to every year.
These comforting touchpoints bring back memories and create a sense of tradition.
But at the same time, Disney continues to innovate and evolve, introducing new features, attractions, character topiaries, dishes, and artistic displays that surprise and delight.
That’s what makes this festival so special. It’s familiar yet always full of wonder!
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What’s your favorite thing about the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 🌸
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Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
