Must Dos at the 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

If you haven’t yet made it to the Flower and Garden Festival, you have until May 17th to catch this popular, beautiful event at Epcot.

With the addition of a trip to Walt Disney World this year (thanks to the amazing Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!), my family will once again find ourselves at what may very well be our favorite park, during one of our favorite times. The following are some things we are going to try to squeeze in… and recommendations if you’re headed to Florida in the next month!

1. Topiaries! Over 100 topiaries will be scattered throughout Epcot, including a brand new one featuring Elsa and Anna greeting you in World Showcase Plaza. Back by popular demand, lighted topiaries will return, creating an extra layer of magic when the sun goes down.

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2. The Shakespeare, Dinosaur-plant, and pepper gardens. Fun and unique gardens are scattered throughout the park during the event. Each of ten new, themed additions tell a story. We can’t wait to check them out!

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3. Walking around World Showcase, dancing along to whomever is playing at Garden Rocks on a given day. Check out who will be performing at this blast-from-the-past concert series (formerly the Flower Power series) when you’re there. Remaining acts include the Village People, Jon Secada, The Guess Who, Taylor Dayne, Little River Band, and Herman’s Hermits. We typically don’t stop for these concerts, but please note they a) are included in admission and b) can usually be heard throughout many of the World Showcase pavilions while you dine, shop, and explore.

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4. The outdoor kitchens. Dubbed by some as a “mini food and wine festival”, foodies (and the rest of us) will find some really great offerings throughout the World Showcase promenade during the festival. I’m looking forward to trying the Ghost Pepper Dusted Tilapia (Urban Farm Eats), Harissa Chicken Kebab (Taste of Marrakesh), Pulled Pig Slider (The Smokehouse), and the Cheese Manicotti (Primavera Kitchen).

5. Festival-exclusive playgrounds. It’s no secret we love the Disney playgrounds around here (it’s one of our most popular posts, too!)… and quite honestly, none of them beat the cool playgrounds they bring in each year for the Flower and Garden Festival. They usually showcase some of the newest technology and design in playgrounds, and are always a blast!

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6. Garden Passports. Similar to the Food and Wine Festival offered in the fall, the Flower and Garden Festival has a fun activity for kids – and adults alike! 🙂 – that allows them to collect stamps as they visit each attraction, pavilion, etc. It also serves as a pocket guide to the event with schedules, menus, and more.

C. DisneyFoodBlog.com

7. Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House and Hummingbirds at Home. These walk-through exhibits are always a hit with our kids!

C. CapturingMagicalMemories.com

You may also like….

• Cooking demonstrations. From DiningatDisney.com:

Debuting this year are FREE cooking demos! These 15 minute demonstrations will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. Guests can watch some of their festival favorites being made by the Disney Chefs at the Port of Entry, located as you enter into the World Showcase. Some of the demos will be for recipes from the Taste of Epcot cookbook, so you’ll be able to make them at home.

• Gardening seminars from leading experts and Disney horticulturists
• Exclusive merchandise at the Festival Center

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Festival-Specific Tours such as the Gardens of the World and an English Tea Party

C. Jack Spence, allears.net

Check out this video from last year to see what Spring fun lies in store if you visit! 🙂

Theme park admission is required, but once inside Epcot most of the experiences are included. Extra charges may apply for seminars, food and beverages, tours, etc.

What are you looking forward to most, or what would be on your must-do list? Comment below or join the conversation on Facebook.