Six Reasons To Attend the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016

The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival has been held every year during springtime since 1993, displaying the wonders of florals and gardening through displays and exhibitions. It still goes on at Walt Disney World to this day and it has become more extravagant and better every year. It is always such a treat for a day trip and if you have not experienced it yet, here is what you’re missing!

1 – The Topiaries

Every year for the Festival, EPCOT puts Disney Character themed topiaries throughout the park to brighten it up! This year’s newest topiaries included Donald Duck’s nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie alongside him and Daisy Duck. The display will be inspired by the 1943 Donald Duck comic book, “The Victory Garden.” These topiaries will greet guests when they enter EPCOT.

Ranger Mickey Mouse will be a new addition, a representation of the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service.

Not new topiaries but the Frozen sisters, Anna and Elsa , will be moved to a new location in Norway Pavilion in World Showcase.

Here are some of the topiaries from the 2015 Flower and Garden Festival taken by myself during a visit.

The topiaries are amazing works of art.
The topiaries are amazing works of art.

2 – Musical Acts

Included with the festival is of course music! This is one of the big highlights for festivals hosted at EPCOT and its reputation proceeds itself.

Here are this year’s Performing acts:

  • March 4-6 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
  • March 11-13 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
  • March 18-20 – Little River Band “Reminiscing”
  • March 25-27 – Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
  • April 1-3 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
  • April 8-10 – The Guess Who “American Woman”
  • April 15-17NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
  • April 22-24NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough”
  • April 29-May 1NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
  • May 6-8 – Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
  • May 13-15NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
  • May 20-22 – Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
  • May 27-30 (Monday) – The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

Show times are at 5:30, 6:45 and 8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the show to get good seats since they fill up fairly quickly.

3 – Merchandise

When you come to Disney World, it’s a given that you will come home with souvenirs. You will definitely want to add this year’s merch to your collection. The Disney Parks Blog recently unveiled some of the merchandise they will be selling at the festival this year.

The Festival offers great merchandise to help you remember your trip.
The Festival offers great merchandise to help you remember your trip.

Fans of Figment from the classic EPCOT attraction “Journey to Imagination” will be excited to see that he is a part of the festival’s logo.

He will also be included on a special decorative flower pot and a Limited Edition MagicBand which there is a limit of 2500.

There is a new Men’s and Women’s apparel collection.

The womens’ collection , the Topiary collection, will include shirts, pins and a tervis tumbler.

New clothing options for ladies this year.
New clothing options for ladies.
Clothes for gents.
Clothes for gents.
Star Wars!
Star Wars!
Attention ladies: handbags!
Attention ladies: handbags!

4 – Food

EPCOT always has delectable food options and there are many delicious options at the festivals. This year they will have brand new menu options and outdoor kitchens to try out as well as returning favorites to its 11 festival food booths. The Latest additions are La Isla Fresca, which will serve up Jamaican delicacies and Cider House, which will serve up fruits and veggies straight from the Land pavilion.

5 – Gardens and Childrens’ Play areas

There are new gardens and play areas for kids to explore. There will be a Floral Sun garden behind Spaceship Earth representing the sun and its bright and beautiful sunshine. There will be a new mini garden near Morocco Pavilion and in addition it will be an edible garden, joining 11 others around World Showcase. There will be a Fab Five play garden for children featuring Topiaries of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald with interactive musical instruments. They will be built into childrens’ climbing systems.

6 – Extended Time

Normally there are only 75 days to enjoy the festival. This year, Disney has extended it to 90 days! Meaning more time to immerse yourself in the wonderful experiences that the festival has to offer!

The Flower and Garden Festival Begins March 2 up to May 30th this year.

Are you visiting the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year?