5 Minute Tourist

Spring has sprung, and what better way to celebrate than by spending a day at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival at Disney World? This festival begins just after the Art Festival (another of our favorites) ends around the beginning of March and runs through late May or early June. I would highly recommend going in late April or May to avoid the Spring Break crowds.

Everywhere you look there are bursts of color and greenery galore. Disney characters, reimagined as topiaries, pepper the landscape, making for some Instagram worthy moments. You will be amazed by the living sculptures around the park. From classic characters like Mickey and Minnie to newer favorites, these masterpieces are sure to impress.

Want to get your hands dirty? You can join the garden tours or workshops led by experts learning inside tips on everything from plant care to sustainable gardening practices. Plus, you get to explore behind the scenes and see how Disney works its horticulture magic. I know Disney tickets are expensive so if you don’t want to do an add-on to add these experiences I would recommend going on “Living with The Land” which gives you a taste of the unique ways Disney has become more sustainable.

I can’t talk about Epcot without talking about food! For each festival Epcot creates special menus that don’t disappoint! I highly recommend the Disney Food Blog and the app “WDW Food&Wine”. This app will allow you to select the festival and see all of the specialty options at each location. As other Epcot guests try the items they add photos and ratings. You can also add items to your favorites and mark them off when you try them. I study this before I go and it’s how I make sure I don’t miss any of the things I wanted to try.

Since we are local we typically don’t stay for the shows but they do have many big names that grace the Garden Rocks Stage. Make sure to check in advance to see who will be there when you go. If you are not purchasing the dinning package and a popular band is playing you will want to get in the standby line very early. There is a very good band called Command Performance (AKA The Hooligans) who are excellent. If you hear music coming from behind the tea shop in England, go check them out!

Pro Tips:

1. Plan wisely- check out the festival schedule and food options ahead of time and make a game plan for what you want to see and do.

2. Beat the crowds- Disney doesn’t really have any “slow” times anymore but if you can avoid Spring Break and weekends it should be less crowded.

3. Unless you only have a day, don’t try to do rope drop to fireworks without taking a break. It’s a very long day!

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is a must-do for anyone who loves flower, food, and fun! Whether you’re a gardening guru, a Disney fanatic, or a foodie, this festival has something for everyone. So grab your Mickey ears and get ready to bloom!