2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: What To Expect

 

Credit: Today’s Orlando

 

While it may still be winter in most parts of the country (like mine), it is officially springtime in Walt Disney World! The 2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival begins next Wednesday, February 28. Four months of beautiful floral arrangements all around Future World and World Showcase, stunning topiaries, and of course – festival music, food and drinks! Here’s what to expect:

 

 

2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival:

 

Credit: Easy WDW

The Gardens:

Hands-down, the most incredible part of the Flower & Garden festival  is, of course, the FLOWERS! Horticulturalists and Disney Imagineers create enchanting floral landscapes that sweep across Epcot and make for some breathtaking photo opps. You’ll find garden spaces and even wildlife habitats, such as the butterfly sanctuary. It is truly spectacular.

If you have a green thumb yourself, the festival offers exhibits, educational programs, and behind-the-“seeds” tours for your own gardening inspiration (or dreams if you’re like me and are more of an admirer than a gardener.)

 

Credit: Disney Parks

The Topiaries:

Try to find them all! Dozens of Disney character-themed topiaries are peppered across the park. They get better and better every year! Each character topiary is located in their home country pavilion, such as Beauty and the Beast in France, and Anna and Elsa, above, in Norway.

 

Credit: WDW for Grownups

The Concert Series:

What’s a festival without music!? The Garden Rocks Concert Series features rock bands and artists from the days of yore (formally known as the Flower Power Concert Series) at the America Gardens Theater. Check out the lineup below:

Night Ranger: 3/2-3/5
STARSHIP Starring Mickey Thomas 3/9-3/12
Simple Plan 3/16-3/19
Little River Band 3/23-3/26
The Orchestra, starring former members of ELO 3/30-4/2
Foghat 4/6-4/7
Survivor 4/8-4/9
Smash Mouth 4/13-4/14
Rick Springfield 4/15-4/16
Jo Dee Messina 4/20-4/21
Lonestar 4/22-4/23
Blood, Sweat and Tears, featuring Bo Bice 4/27-4/30
Herman’s Hermits, starring Peter Noone 5/4-5/7
Village People featuring Victor Willis 5/11-5/12
Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles 5/13-5/14
The Guess Who 5/18-5/21
The Spinners 5/25-5/28

There’s something for everyone! For more information about the Garden Rocks Concert Series, including showtimes and dinner packages, check out the Walt Disney World website here.

 

Credit: Disney

The Festival Fare:

My favorite part of any Epcot festival is the food (and drinks)! As with all the festivals in Epcot, expect some marketplaces on the outskirts of Future World, and the majority of stations in World Showcase. This year, there will be 16 booths, including “Pineapple Promenade“in Showcase Plaza, “Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market” in Germany, “The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews” in the American Adventure, “Florida Fresh” between France and Morocco,  “The Honey Bee-stro” in Showcase Plaza, “Cider House” in United Kingdom, “La Isla Fresca” in Showcase Plaza, “The Berry Basket” in Showcase Plaza, “Northern Bloom” in Canada, “Fleur De Lys” in France, “Jardin de Fiestas” in Mexico, “Lotus House” in China, “Primavera Kitchen” in Italy, “Taste of Marrakesh” in Morocco, “Hanami” in Japan, and last but not least, Joffrey’s.

For full menus, check out the Walt Disney World website here.

 

 

The “Merch”:

I’m anxiously awaiting the first glimpses of this year’s Flower & Garden Festival merchandise. Usually there’s a theme and a hosting character featured on each of the items, like Figment above. We’ll have to wait and see!

Edited as of 2/26: check out the merchandise, announced by Disney Parks Blog here.

 

As you can see, there is much to explore, and rarely ever enough time to do it! Happy Spring and I hope you enjoy the Festival. Have a frozen lavender lemonade for me while you’re there! 🙂

-Gina /Will Run for Disney

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