It’s an annual event and it returns in 2019 for a few months of wonder and flower and food!  The International Flower & Garden Festival happens annually at  Epcot, this year March 6 to June 3, 2019.

As a reminder, I’m happy to help send you there – to Walt Disney World and especially to Epcot!

As someone who has done it, it’s awesome to take an afternoon and walk World Showcase, try food at the kitchens, if you are into beer or wine or drinks, enjoy some drinkage, see the topiaries, get some Figment ears, take a tour, see the exhibits, let the kids play on the playgrounds, and then rock out in the evening to whatever awesome band is playing!

Here is a full guide to The Flower & Garden Festival…
TOPIARIES
  • Disney Cast Members work on topiaries all year, and they all look amazing. Here’s where to find them:
  • Anna & Elsa – Norway Pavilion
  • Bambi & Friends – Between Canada & United Kingdom
  • Beauty & the Beast – France
  • Bo Peep & Sheep with Buzz Lightyear – Future World East
  • Bromeliad Dragon – China Pavilion
  • Captain Hook & Peter Pan – United Kingdom
  • Chip n Dale, Donald, Huey, Dewey & Louie – Showcase Plaza Towers
  • Daisy Duck – near Spaceship Earth
  • Figment – Imagination Pavilion
  • Lady & the Tramp – Italy
  • Lightning McQueen & Mater – Near Test Track
  • Mickey & Minnie Picnic – Showcase Plaza and American Pavilion
  • Miss Piggy & Kermit the Frog – France
  • Pandas – China
  • Pluto & Goofy – between Future World and World Showcase
  • Simba & Friends – The Outpost Shop (World Showcase)
  • Snow White and Dopey – Germany
  • Stitch – Mission: SPACE
  • Three Caballeros – Mexico Pavilion
  • Topiary Flowers – near MouseGear and American Garden Theater
  • Troll – Norway
  • Welcome Topiary – near Main Entrance
  • Winnie the Pooh & Friends – United Kingdom
EXHIBITS
There are several flower beds, plant life areas and wildlife habitats that should not be missed!  Including:
  • China – Bamboo Garden… Zodiac Sculptures
  • Future World – Festival Blooms… Goodness Garden Butterfly House… Plant-a-Garden exhibit… Penguin Sculptures (made from repurposed trash)
  • Germany – Alpine Contain Garden
  • Imagination! Pavilion – Honey Bee-Stro (a bee garden with kitchen)…
  • Italy – Garden Italiana (kitchen garden)
  • Japan – Bonsai Collection… Kokedama Garden
  • Mexico – Bold Bromeliads… Tropical Rainforest Garden
  • Morocco – Urban Spice display
  • United Kingdom – Tea Gardens… Shakespeare Garden
  • Water Areas – Mini-Gardens floating
FOR THE KIDS
There will also be at least two great areas for the kids and families to play, including Bo Peep’s Playtime Training Ground, a Toy Story 4 themed play area near Test Track, and Play Full Garden along an Imagination Walkway.

Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration is a scavenger hunt starring Spike the Honey Bee.  Purchase a map for $6.99 and look for Spike throughout World Showcase —  then return the completed map to Port of Entry for a special treat!

From April 5 to April 21, the whole family can enjoy Egg-stravaganza, a scavenger hunt for Disney themed eggs throughout World Showcase. Keep track with a purchased map ($6.99) from Disney Traders, Pin Central, and World Traveler.

Over in Mexico, the whole family can enjoy Mariachi Cobre Presents: The Story of Coco, with folklorico dancers and musicians telling you the story of Miguel and his incredible journey.

 

EVENTS AND TOURS

The Gardens of the World Tour with feature a Disney Horticulturist in a walking tour throughout the World Showcase Pavilion. You’ll go behind-the-scenes on creations of the topiaries and gardens, examine the landscaping of WDW, how to apply these techniques at home, and more.  3 hour tour, $85 plus tax per person, available to guests 12 years and up (under 18 must be accompanied with adult).

In the Royal Tea Garden Tour, you’ll be led through a tea garden in United Kingdom Pavilion, exploring and learning the artistry and history in growing and blending tea. You’ll finish at the Tea Caddy, where you’ll be served scones and tea.  45 minute tour, $20 plus tax per person.

Related, the English Tea Garden Tour, where you’ll learn about growing and blending of herbs, and have awesome photo opportunities. 20 minute tour.

And finally, the Behind the Seeds tour allows you to visit 4 greenhouses and a fish farm to see how the fish are kept, how the plants are grown, learn about hydroponics, and more!  60 minute tour, $25 plus tax for adults, $20 plus tax for kids.

For all details, including arrival details, further pricing and more, plus visit Walt Disney World’s touring page.

 

THE OUTDOOR KITCHENS

If there is one thing Epcot festivals are known for, it’s THE FOOD!  With over a dozen kitchens on display, each has a menu of savory and specialty cuisines and drinks. Look for items marked (GF) Gluten/wheat friendly, (V) vegetarian and (KA) Kid-Approved.
Some of the kitchens include:
  • Arbor at the Gardeners Terrace
  • Flavor Full Kitchen – Healthy cuisine
  • Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market – bavarian bites in Germany
  • The Citrus Blossom – lemon, orange and lime dishes
  • Fleur de Lys – Parisian delectables in France
  • Florida Fresh – sweet n tangy treats from the Sunshine State
  • Hanami – Japanese innovative plates with a little Zen
  • Jardin de Fiestas – a food tour of Mexico
  • La Isla Fresca – Caribbean style flair
  • Lotus House – authentic Chinese eats
  • Northern Bloom – Canadian cuisine
  • Pineapple Promenade – tropical fruit fix from tart to tangy to sweet
  • Primavera Kitchen – healthy helpings of Old Country
  • Taste of Marrakesh – Exotic flavors of North Africa in Morocco
  • The SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews – Slow cooked and poured in America
  • Honey Bee-Stro – A flavorful menu of all-natural food and drink
  • Trowel & Trellis – Fave food created with innovative recipes
  • Specialty Coffee Carts from Joffrey’s Coffee
Many of these items will be available as snacks and counter service options on the Disney Dining Plan. Check for details at each Outdoor Kitchen!
MERCHANDISE
There is a whole line of new merch, from shirts to bags to pins and more, scattered throughout the entire park, spotlighting Mickey, Minnie, Figment, Donald and Spike the Bee and much more.
THE GARDEN ROCKS CONCERT SERIES

You can rock out at Epcot as the Flower and Garden Festival presents a line up of award winning and chart topping (well, back then anyway) musical artists, playing every night throughout the festival.  Concerts take place at the American Garden Theatre in American Pavilion.  Shows are each night at 5:30p, 645p, and 8p.

The Line up:

  • March 6 to 8: Steve Augeri, former lead vocalist of Journey
  • March 9 to 10 – Glass Tiger (Don’t Forget me When I’m Gone)
  • March 11 to 12 – Jon Anderson of Yes
  • March 13 to 14 – Tony Orlando
  • March 15 to 16 – Wang Chung
  • March 17 to 20 – Simple Plan
  • March 21 to 22 – Ambrosia
  • March 23 to 24 – Magic Giant
  • March 25 to 27 – Air Supply
  • March 28 to 29 – Berlin
  • March 30 to 31 – The Smithereens
  • April 1 to 2 – Rick Springfield
  • April 3 to 4 – Christopher Cross
  • April 5 to 7 – The Spinners
  • April 8 to 9 – Dennis DeYoung from STYX (or STYK)
  • April 10 to 11 – John Michael Montgomery
  • April 12 to 13 – Sister Sledge
  • April 14 to 16 – Night Ranger
  • April 17 to 19 – Sister Hazel
  • April 20 to 21 – Steven Curtis Chapman
  • April 22 to 23 – TobyMac
  • April 24 to 26 – Lonestar
  • April 27 to 30 – The Orchestra, with former ELO members
  • May 1 to 4 – Herman’s Hermits ft Peter Noone
  • May 5 to 7 – Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
  • May 8 to 9 – A Flock of Seagulls
  • May 10 to 11 – The Marshall Tucker Band
  • May 12 to 13 – Peabo Bryson
  • May 14 to 15 – Richard Marx
  • May 16 to 19 – Starship ft Mickey Thomas
  • May 20 to 21 – Colin Hay of Men at Work
  • May 22 to 23 – War
  • May 24 to 27 – The Guess Who
  • May 28 to 29 – Jon Secada
  • May 30 to June 1 – Blood, Sweat and Tears
  • June 2 to June 3 – Eddie Palmieri

Get special seating to these concerts, many of which will be standing room only, or full to capacity, with Garden Rocks Dinner Packages, available with dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown, San Angel Inn, Spice Road Table, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia Ristorante, Via Napoli.  (locations subject to change)