Figment has come to life in EPCOT ahead of this year’s EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. This year, Figment can be found in a prominent place in the newly opened World Celebration Gardens. He is one of more than 70 topiaries that can be found throughout the park during the 90 day festival. The festival runs from February 28 through May 27 and is a beautiful and colorful celebration!
New this year is a Groot topiary from Guardians of the Galaxy and along with topiaries of Asha, Valentino and Star from Disney’s Wish. A Princess Tiana topiary will also be found at the America Pavilion. There will also be a topiary version of Mirabel from Disney’s Encanto greetings guests as well. To see more topiaries, visit MouseSteps and see their comprehensive look at these beautiful creations. This includes a great video of the topiaries currently in EPCOT for the festival as well!
Throughout EPCOT, there will be more than 25 garden destinations for guests to enjoy. They will invite guests to not just enjoy their beauty, but also learn more about the plant world. There will also be the return of the beautiful Floating Gardens in World Nature. These feature over 170 petite plots that are drifting in the beautiful area surrounding the bridge to World Showcase. Festival Blooms also create a panorama of vibrant color in World Celebration as well.
Over at World Discovery, Songbird Meadow presented by Wild Birds Unlimited attracts featured friends with attractive flora and also teaches guests how to create their own bird sanctuary. In World Showcase, guests can again enjoy the English Tea Garden presented by Twinings. There will also be tours that showcase the plants used in Twinings’ finest teas.
Beyond enjoying the flora throughout EPCOT, there will also be some delicious dishes and beverages to enjoy. This year, Disney. is touting the new Cubanito with mojo-marinated pork belly, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and stone ground mustard sauce at Florida Fresh as something to try. The Key Lime Wine Slush at The Citrus Blossom is a favorite that is returning this year at 18 festival-exclusive Outdoor Kitchens throughout EPCOT. Other familiar flavors will include Chicken & Waffles at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by the National Honey Board. There will also be the Muffuletta Panini at Magnolia Terrace and the Chocolate Whisky Cake at Northern Bloom.
Garden Graze will also be available to allow guests to enjoy a fun and fresh food stroll. It highlights the sweet and savory flavors found throughout the festival. Guests may participate by selecting five dishes from specific menu items that are listed in the Festival Passport. Guests receive a stamp in their passport with each purchase. Once five stamps have been collected, guests can bring their passport back to Pineapple Promenade for a special treat. This can be done at guests’ leisure over multiple visits if they choose and the completed passport can be redeemed at any time during the festival.
There are also interactive activities to enjoy during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. This includes the Spike’s Pollination Exploration scavenger hunt and for a limited time the Egg-stravaganza Hunt. For butterfly fans, don’t miss Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth. This gives guests the chance to get up close and personal with plenty of beautiful butterflies. This walkthrough butterfly house highlights the life cycle of butterflies. It also contains beautifully colored pollinator gardens to enjoy and inspire future gardens.
Blossoms of Fragrance, presented by Scentsy, allows guests to follow their noses to create lasting memories with the help of unforgettable fragrances. Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Garden Presented by OFF! give families the chance to explore a camp-themed garden that allows kids to jump, play, climb and explore and area created with them in mind.
Music will also be offered through the popular Garden Rocks concert series at the American Gardens Theatre stage. These concerts will be offered daily throughout the festival with both local and globally recognized acts performing. New groups joining the lineup this year include Modern English, Crowder, Fonseca, Lit, and Monsieur Periné. Raul Acosta & Oro Solio will be sharing the stage with Luisito and then return the next day with Magic Juan for a festival first. To guarantee seeing at one of these concerts, book a dining package at one of the following EPCOT restaurants:
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- Biergarten Restaurant
- Coral Reef Restaurant
- Garden Grill Restaurant
- Rose & Crown Dining Room
- Le Cellier Steakhouse
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Brews & Barbecue (same-day, in-person walk-up packages only, subject to availability)
For more information, including the full band lineup as well as dining package pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com.
As is always the case, there will also be festival merchandise found at Festival Markets and Creations Shop. The merchandise will be available for as long as supplies last.
What do you think of what you are seeing of this year’s EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival? Will you be experiencing it? What are you most looking forward to experiencing? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
