Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Food & Wine Festival, Tampa’s premier spring festival returns on Friday, March 11, with more than 20 NEW delicious dishes to pair with curated beverages and a diverse concert lineup.
The Food & Wine Festival runs Fridays through Sundays from March 11 to May 22 and is included with admission to the park.
Delicious Bites and Sips
New this year, guests can indulge in savory bites like Hawaiian BBQ pork with coconut jasmine rice and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos elote street corn.
Complete with signature cocktails like the Iron Gwazi Fizz or frozen watermelon margaritas, a selection of more than 40 wines and beers, this year’s menu offers an endless variety of flavors to sip and savor.
The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival includes non-alcoholic beverages such as the new Gwazi snow cones with unique flavors like black raspberry and cotton candy.
Discover boundless combinations of food and drink selections with a Food & Wine Festival sampler.
Guests can embark on their culinary journey with a 10-sample lanyard starting at only $65 or take it up a notch and with the fan-favorite 15-sample lanyard for the best savings.
Busch Gardens Pass Members get the VIP treatment and can purchase an exclusive Pass Member lanyard including 18 samples for the price of the 15-sample lanyard.
Music Lineup for Every Taste
The can’t miss Food & Wine Festival lineup features chart-topping musicians with genres of all tastes – from nostalgic bands to national headliners.
Concert acts include Sean Paul, 3 Doors Down, Kansas, Air Supply, Gente De Zona, plus many more!
Concerts are included in park admission. For the best seats in the house, reserved seating is strongly recommended and can be purchased online.
Best Way to Play
Annual Pass Members enjoy 12 months of visits with special benefits including exclusive access to Iron Gwazi now, plus free parking, free guest tickets, access to special VIP events, savings on merchandise, and more!
Annual Passes start as low as $13/month with no down payment. Restrictions apply.
Plus, guests can pay for a day and play all year with a Busch Gardens Fun Card. For a limited time, a Busch Gardens Fun Card includes Adventure Island FREE.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival has taken over EPCOT with flavors in full bloom and dishes waiting to be cultivated through July 4.
In addition to the topiaries featuring some of Disney and Pixar characters, the Garden Rocks Concert Series, and exclusive merchandise, this year’s festival features almost 20 Outdoor Kitchens!
Guests of the festival can enjoy new delights like the BLT Scone atCider House as well as the return of fan-favorites like the Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board.
Don’t forget to pick up a Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Passport at an entrance to participate in Garden Graze, a food stroll featuring five delicious dishes from various Outdoor Kitchens. Get a stamp in your passport after you’ve purchased the items and once you’ve compiled all five, simply make your way to Pineapple Promenade to receive your Festival-exclusive treat.
2022 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: Foodie Guide
Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth (Between Imagination! and Refreshment Port)
Food Items:
Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
Seared Salmon with farro risotto and micro herbs
Strawberry Mousse with chocolate-crisp pearls
Beverages:
Blood Orange Agua Fresca (non-alcoholic)
Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt (non-alcoholic)
EPCOT Sunshine Griddle (Near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)
Food Items:
Avocado Toast with marinated toybox tomatoes on toasted ciabatta (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
Shrimp and Grits: Blackened shrimp and cheddar cheese grits with brown gravy and sweet corn salsa
Corned Beef Brisket Hash with house-made potato barrels, onions, peppers, cheese curds, and a soft-poached egg with Tabasco hollandaise (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon
Beverages:
Froot Loops Shake (non-alcoholic)
Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail with milk, rum and coffee liqueur, and vanilla vodka
The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board
Food Items:
Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread with jalapeños, bacon, and house-made whipped honey butter (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Lavender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread with whipped honey-ricotta cheese, marinated vegetables, and goat cheese
Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with orange blossom honey whipped cream, whipped honey, crystalized honey, honeycomb, dehydrated honey, and fennel pollen meringue kisses
Beverages:
Honey-Peach Freeze in a Souvenir Spike the Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic) (Limit 2 per guest)
Lemonade Mead
Orange Blossom Honey Wine
Honey-Peach Freeze with Blueberry Vodka
The Citrus Blossom (Near Port of Entry)
Food Items:
Crispy Mojo Marinated Pork Belly, with avocado cream, corn salsa, salsa verde, and plantain chips (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (New)
Tuna Tataki Bowl with spicy yuzu glaze, mango, avocado, and pappadam crisp
Springtime Menu (available April 10 through May 21)
Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta with marinated peppers, zucchini, squash, artichokes, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze on grilled ciabatta (New)
Herb-crusted Spring Lamb with marble potatoes, spring vegetables, and red wine butter sauce
Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-down Cake with crème fraîche whipped cream
Summer Solstice Menu (available May 22 through July 4)
Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella with burrata cheese and fresh basil
Barbecue Seared Pork Tenderloin with summer succotash, herb butter, and grapefruit vinaigrette (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
A Whole Lotta Melon: Feta cheesecake with watermelon curd, pickled watermelon rind, watermelon caramel, and compressed watermelon (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Beverages (available throughout the Festival):
Raspberry Lemon Verbena Whole-Leaf-Steeped Sparkling Hard Tea
Hibiscus Lemonade Cocktail featuring hibiscus gin
Cider House (United Kingdom)
Food Items:
BLT Scone with Nueske’s applewood-smoked bacon, sundried tomato, and basil (New)
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with whipped cream
Beverages:
Pink Lemonade Hard Cider
Watermelon Hard Cider
Triple Jam Hard Cider
Pure Brewed Organic Lager
Snakebite: Triple jam hard cider and pure brewed organic lager
Cider Flight
Northern Bloom (Canada)
Food Items:
Seared Scallops with French green beans, butter potatoes, brown butter vinaigrette, and applewood-smoked bacon (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, and Whipped Potatoes with garden vegetables
Griddled Maple Pound Cake with warm peach compote and sweet corn gelato
Beverages:
Maple Popcorn Shake (non-alcoholic)
Blonde Ale
Blueberry Fruit Beer
Apricot with Maple Syrup Blonde Ale
Maple Popcorn Shake with maple rye whisky
Beer Flight
Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)
Food Items:
Enchilada de Mole Negro: Chipotle chicken in a corn tortilla with mole negro, avocado mousse, crema Mexicana, and queso fresco (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Taco Vampiro: Barbacoa beef in a corn tortilla with crispy grilled Monterey jack cheese, salsa ranchera, and esquites (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Tostada de Chorizo: Plant-based Chorizo and black beans on a crispy corn tortilla with avocado mousse and queso fresco (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Beverages:
Poppy Flower Margarita: Tequila blanco, hibiscus flower tea, cucumber juice, aperitivo, and blackcurrant liqueur with a chile salt rim
Hypnotic Margarita: Tequila blanco, mezcal, rosemary syrup, cognac, and lemon juice
Craft Mexican Lager
Lotus House (China)
Food Items:
Spicy Mala Chicken Skewer (New)
House-made Cheesy Crab Wontons
Beverages:
Rose Bubble Milk Tea (non-alcoholic) (New)
Jasmine Draft Beer
Marco Boba: Amaretto, iced coffee, milk, and boba
Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, triple sec, mango, orange juice, and soda water
Tang Dynasty: Tequila gold, light rum, strawberry, piña colada mix, white boba pearls, and soda water
Primavera Kitchen (Italy)
Food Items:
Arancini: Fried Risotto Balls stuffed with braised beef served with grape tomato salad and balsamic emulsion
Ravioli alla Boscaiola: Sweet sausage ravioli with sweet corn, spring vegetables, and cream sauce
Bomboloni: Cream-filled Italian doughnut with raspberry sauce and powdered sugar
Beverages:
Pilsner
Pinot Grigio
Chianti
Prosecco
Rosa Regale
Moscato
Italian White Sangria with prosecco
Italian Red Sangria with cabernet sauvignon
Italian Margarita with limoncello and tequila
Hanami (Japan)
Food Items:
Frushi: Strawberry, pineapple, and cantaloupe wrapped in sweet rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, berry sauce, and toasted coconut
Chicken Yakitori: Grilled chicken with scallions, red pepper-shoyu emulsion, and pickled onions
Beef Tataki: Seared sirloin with red shiso sauce, watermelon radish, and sprouts
Beverages:
Yuzu Tilted Tonic Hard Seltzer
Ozeki Pineapple Nigori Sake
Cucumber Cooler: Sake, vodka, and cucumber garnished with a cucumber slice
Fleur de Lys (France)
Food Items:
Croissant au Fromage de Chèvre, Herbes et Ail Rôtie: Croissant with goat cheese, herbs, and roasted garlic (New)
Pan Bagnat Classique: The Niçoise Sandwich with house-made bread, albacore tuna mayonnaise, tomato, black olives, lettuce, and celery (New)
Salade de Lentilles à la Lyonnaise: French Green Lentil Salad with bacon and garlic sausage (New)
Beignet Caramélisé, Fourré Crème Vanille, Glacé au Caramel Fleur de Sel: Caramelized Beignet filled with vanilla cream and glazed with caramel fleur de sel
Beverages:
French Wheat Draft Beer
VeRy Raspberry: Rosé wine with natural raspberry flavor
Grand Mimosa Cocktail with orange liqueur, Champagne, and orange juice
La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush: Vodka, orange vodka, and liqueur with white and red cranberry juice
Funnel Cake
Food Item:
Strawberry Cheesecake Funnel Cake topped with strawberry ice cream, cheesecake crumbles, strawberry drizzle, and whipped cream (New)
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE) – Minty Melon Refresher: A lightly caffeinated blend of watermelon-cucumber-mint juice with strawberries and blueberries (Spirited option available featuring Watermelon-Basil Vodka)(New)
Near Canada: Strawberry Fields Refresher – A lightly caffeinated blend of strawberry açaí juice with strawberries and blueberries (Spirited option available featuring strawberry-lemongrass vodka)(New)
World Showcase (Near Disney Traders) – Pink Paradise Refresher: A lightly caffeinated blend of refreshing dragon fruit-lychee juice with strawberries and blueberries (Spirited option available featuring watermelon-basil vodka)(New)
The American Adventure – Wildberry Wonder Refresher: A lightly caffeinated blend of wildberry-hibiscus juice with strawberries and blueberries (New) (Spirited option available featuring tropical rum)
I don’t know about you, but I’m really hungry and ready to try out most of these Epcot Flower & Garden Festival flavors!!!
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival springs to life at Disney World with more than just beautiful blooms as five new merchandise lines are debuting during the celebration.
The different lines feature beloved characters including the Orange Bird, Spike the Bee, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Figment with colorful garden tools, cheerful drinkware, stylish accessories and more.
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Merchandise
Orange Bird Collection
Orange you glad these Orange Bird items are coming to EPCOT? An iconic symbol of the sunshine state, Orange Bird inspires an eye-catching collection of wearable fashions, accessories and other adorable keepsakes, including a new Corkcicle design or the Orange-Lemon Smoothie in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup.
Mickey Mouse Home Garden Collection
Garden in style with this vibrant assortment of apparel, drinkware, yard tools and other coordinating accessories. Mickey Mouse takes center stage in the collection’s playful design, which features springtime blue hues and dainty floral prints.
Spike the Bee Collection
Memorable for his appearances in early Mickey Mouse cartoons, Spike the Bee evokes nostalgia for longtime Disney fans. The collection includes a variety of sweet new pieces, including collectible novelties, apparel and accessories.
Figment’s Garden Collection
Figment shares his love of all things purple – including beets! – with an imaginative new line of wares that celebrate the springtime harvest. These creative purple pieces will launch later on during the festival.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Collection
Decked out in dapper ensembles, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are ready for a stroll in the garden! Find an array of new items featuring whimsical artwork inspired by the festival.
Ready to get out your credit card?
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival merchandise can be found at festival retail locations throughout EPCOT, with additional pieces debuting throughout the festival, and select items available on shopDisney.com.
The 2022 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festivalis blooming with fresh cuisine, beautiful gardens, whimsical topiaries of familiar characters, and flourishing entertainment from March 2 through July 4, 2022.
Topiaries
The obvious highlight of the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is the Disney and Pixar character topiaries.
These iconic and towering topiaries can be found throughout the park and are sure to brighten up the rainiest Spring Day!
As a salute to the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, the Epcot entry plaza is home to a Goofy Topiary and Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration Cake.
Gardens
Take a walk off the beaten path to find flowerbeds, exotic gardens, sustainable foods, and imaginative ways to live in harmony with the natural world.
New to the festival this year is the Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy which fills the World Showcase Bridge with unforgettable fragrances
World Showcase at EPCOT plays host to over twenty Festival-exclusive Outdoor Kitchens and dining locations during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
At each Outdoor Kitchen, festival-goers will find specialty menus featuring creative, fresh, and tasty bites paired with libations.
Guests of the festival can enjoy new delights like the BLT Scone atCider House as well as the return of fan-favorites like theLocal Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by the National Honey Board.
Make sure to pick up an Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Passport at either park entrance to participate in Garden Graze, a food stroll featuring five delicious dishes from various Outdoor Kitchens that once completed result in a festival-exclusive treat.
Outdoor Kitchens are open daily from 11:00 am to park close, unless otherwise noted.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Need a way to work off those extra calories during the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival?
Head to the Garden Rocks Concert Series that takes place on select nights at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion.
New and returning favorite rockers include Rick Springfield, Kool & The Gang, Blue October, STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, TobyMac, The Commodores, Little River Band, Simple Plan, and many more.
Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package
The lines for the festival concerts can get quite long, and to make the most of their time in the park guests can book a Garden Rocks Dining Package that includes a leisurely meal at an EPCOT restaurant earlier in the evening and guaranteed seats at one of the Garden Rocks performances that day.
Dining packages are available at four EPCOT eateries at lunch and dinner.
Each package includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert or one full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage and one guaranteed seat per person to one Garden Rocks concert performance on the same day.
📷 Walt Disney World Resort- Harrison Cooney
Family Fun
While the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is friendly for even the youngest horticultural enthusiast, there are several ways to add even more fun to a family’s day!
The Health Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth is a whimsical area made to inspire youthful energy and creativity! The whole family can learn ways to stay healthy at this Outdoor Kitchen and garden along the Imagination Walkway.
Embark on a springtime scavenger hunt for gardeners of all ages with Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration.
Follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail, where he will “bee” busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT. To get started, purchase your map and stickers at select merchandise locations (available while supplies last).
Once completed, return your scavenger hunt map to Disney Traders or World Traveler for a special surprise.
Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration is a great and affordable way to spend time at the festival with a price tag of only $9.99 + tax.
Take home magical mementos from the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival with a variety of themed merchandise collections.
Mickey Mouse Home Garden
Celebrate this year’s festival with home garden-inspired merchandise from this collection featuring vibrant apparel, drinkware, garden tools and so much more.
Orange Bird
Find adorable Orange Bird keepsakes within this vibrant collection that includes apparel, accessories, and other novelties.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
Browse a collection that celebrates Mickey and Minnie Mouse—featuring apparel, drinkware, trading pins, and a MagicBand.
Figment’s Garden
Grow your imagination with Figment-themed apparel, drinkware, and more as you dream green this festival season.
Spike the Bee
Find sweet reminders of Spike the Bee on apparel, accessories, drinkware, a garden stake, and other collectible novelties.
As a reminder, to enjoy the 2022 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival parkgoers must have both valid theme park admission and a park pass reservation.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
MAGARI (Magari is Italian for wish) Aviation Gin, limoncello, Limone Di Genoa Cider, fresh basil
Splendido Bar & Grill
MOJITO LAMPONE (Lampone is Italian for raspberry) Aviation Gin, limoncello, Limone Di Genoa Cider, fresh basil
Hard Rock Hotel
Velvet Bar
ABITA AMBER ALE SHRIMP Gulf shrimp lightly sautéed in creole garlic butter and Abita Amber Ale, served with sliced French bread
The Kitchen
N’AWLINS PO’ BOY A classic, piled high with crispy fried shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes, pickle, and creole mayo, served on New Orleans very own Leidenheimer bread
Beach Club
MUFFULETTA SLIDERS Central Grocery’s spicy olive salad topped with mortadella, ham, salami and provolone cheese, all on classic Sicilian sesame slider rolls
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Islands Dining Room
KING CAKE PANCAKES Lemon and powdered sugar glaze, spiced walnuts
Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar
ORCHID Roku Gin, sweet potato shochu, mint, cucumber, absinthe
Tuk Tuk Market
CHOCOLATE BOMB choose from: chocolate and caramel with spiced pecan with Mardi Gras purple, green and gold decor, s’mores or cookies & cream
SHRIMP PO’ BOY with queso fresco empanada, Cajun aioli
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER HURRICANE “Let The Good Times Roll” – Bacardi Light Rum, Cruzan 12 Year Single Barrel Rum, passionfruit purée, orange juice and grenadine served in a 32-ounce souvenir Galaxy Bowl cup
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Bar 17 Bistro
CHICKEN, ANDOUILLE & SHRIMP JAMBALAYA
MINI KING CAKE
HURRICANE Bacardi Superior Rum, Myers’s Original Dark Rum, passionfruit, tropical juices
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
Beach Break Cafe
NEW ORLEANS BBQ SHRIMP & DIRTY RICE
DOCKSIDE BEIGNETS Sweet fried pastry with a bourbon caramel sauce and topped with powdered sugar
The Oasis Beach Bar & The Sunset Lounge
THE ENDLESS CARNIVAL Castillo Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, a pinch of dried blackberries, pineapple wedge and a green sugar rim
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
Dockside Pier 8 Market
NEW ORLEANS BBQ SHRIMP & DIRTY RICE
DOCKSIDE BEIGNETS Sweet fried pastry with a bourbon caramel sauce and topped with powdered sugar
The Oasis Beach Bar & The Sunset Lounge
THE ENDLESS CARNIVAL Castillo Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, a pinch of dried blackberries, pineapple wedge and a green sugar rim
I have a feeling I am going to be visiting a lot of the Universal Orlando Resorts for these Mardi Gras Treats!!!
If you are going to be doing the same, please keep in mind:
Advance reservations are suggested
Guests must be 21+ with valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages
There is an additional fee to park at the Universal Orlando hotels
Looking for more than a visit for dinner to celebrate Mardi Gras?
U.S. and Canada residents who purchase a 3-Day ticket to visit either Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure get an additional TWO DAYS FREE – giving them five (5) days to enjoy epic theme park thrills and the non-stop fun of Universal’s Mardi Gras.
Vacation packages including this epic ticket offer are also available starting as low as $89 per person, per night. This offer is available for purchase through May 5 and is valid for use until December 15 with no blockout dates.
For more information and to take advantage of this incredible offer, click here.
Camping World Stadium is excited to announce its first Orlando Tacos and Margaritas Festival where it will shell out tons of tantalizing tacos and myriad flavors of margaritas to festival-goers on Saturday, April 16. Tickets are on sale now.
In addition to indulging in chef-crafted signature tacos and margarita pairings, festival-goers will also enjoy live professional wrestling, live DJs and musical performances by Hayden Coffman, country music’s next big artist, featuring his signature down-home country-pop and catchy lyrics, and 30 local artists will showcase their arts and crafts along the stadium concourse. Kids’ activities, including face painting, will also be available on site.
A trio of ticket options are available through Ticketmaster.com. Day-of-event general admission tickets are $20. Ultimate and VIP admission purchases are available in advance only. Children under 12 are free.
Ultimate VIP Admission // $99 + applicable fees
o Includes admission, (3) margaritas, taco bar, a festival t-shirt – gates open at 11 a.m.
VIP Admission // $59 + applicable fees
o Includes admission, (2) margaritas, a festival t-shirt – gates open at 11 a.m.
General Admission // $12 + applicable fees //
o Includes admission – gates open at 12 p.m.
Don’t Forget the Orlando Tacos and Margaritas Festival fine print…
All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges.
For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit CampingWorldStadium.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office).
The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond the Orlando Tacos and Margaritas Festival by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Gaylord Palms Resort guests will see lots of larger-than-life, colorful Easter eggs all around the 4.5-acre garden atrium during the annual “Once Upon A Spring” special event.
The Gaylord Palms resort just celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the resort continues the festivities with the Once Upon a Spring event.
From March 4 to May 8, the Gaylord Palms Resort will be hopping with colorful springtime flowers, larger-than-life Easter eggs, an artful pop-up bar, sweet treats to eat (and decorate!), a themed escape room, sing-along fairy tales with Mother Goose, and more.
Once Upon a Spring Spotlight
Springtime Stories
Famous children’s tales take center stage when Mother Goose leads a musical storytelling experience in Paint Me A Fairytale, an interactive stage show in the hotel’s garden atrium. With the help of her storybook friends, Mother Goose brings classic tales like Little Red Riding Hood, the Princess and the Pea, and Jack & the Beanstalk to life through story and song.
Celebrating its Florida history, Gaylord Palms mixologists have created an orange creamsicle cocktail for the resort’s 20th anniversary. Featuring orange-flavored vermouth and vanilla vodka, the birthday beverage is topped with an anniversary garnish made with cocktail rice paper.
Colorful Cocktails & Multicolored Mocktails
Resplendent artist palettes and pastel paintings serve as inspirations behind The Art Bar, a colorful pop-up bar that features a host of new cocktails and mocktails. Nestled in the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, the bar is the Gaylord Palms mixologists’ toast to the annual springtime celebration. The newly created menu features a wide range of libations made with colorful botanical and fruity ingredients with something to please every palate.
Make a Date to Decorate
Guests are encouraged to play with their food in Springtime Sweets Cookie Decorating, where they can decorate delicious cookies and take them home. This interactive, hands-on activity features a visit from the lovable Easter Bunny, who takes a break from delivering eggs to make a special appearance.
A Fanciful Escape Room
Amidst the bright hues of a dreamlike garden setting, guests work together in the all-new and original Journey Into Spring escape room experience to decipher riddles, find hidden keys and unlock mysteries and secrets of the season.
Eggspress Yourself
Larger-than-life Easter eggs and bouquets of blossoms highlight the Eggspression Garden, a themed walk-through experience. A giant Easter egg archway greets guests on the self-guided trail as they discover plenty of springtime photo spots for that perfect picture to share with friends and family.
Rabbits and Riddles
With a book of clues in hand, guests solve puzzles and riddles in the Blossomin’ Bunnies Scavenger Hunt. Successful springtime sleuths who find all of the hidden hares throughout the hotel atrium receive a special prize.
Springtime Nights, Springtime Lights
When night falls, a salute to springtime takes place in the skies above the atrium on the resort’s newly upgraded, animated light curtains. Blooming flowers, pastel Easter eggs, and bouncing bunnies come to life in a bright and colorful display that repeats throughout the evening.
Educating & Entertaining Animal Adventures
There’s plenty of springtime fun for the kids with adventures designed to entertain, enlighten and educate. Adventure Kid Sophie, Ava the Alligator, and Seth the Sea Turtle invite young explorers to join the Adventure Kids Club and learn about nature. At the same time, Wild Florida makes weekly visits to the resort and lets guests get up close with the Sunshine State’s indigenous wildlife. During Once Upon A Spring, Wild Florida will showcase animals like alligators and snakes and share how these unique species help the ecosystem throughout the season. Gaylord Palms has spots all around the resort with virtual animal encounters for guests who don’t want to come face-to-face with a real reptile. Using a mobile device and a special augmented reality application, guests can track down endangered species worldwide and then take a virtual photo with them.
Hoppy Easter!
On Easter Sunday, Villa de Flora will serve a plentiful Easter Buffet for guests to enjoy. In another highlight of the day, guests can visit the Easter Bunny on April 17 in meet-and-greet sessions from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fresh from delivering eggs, treats, and sweets to children worldwide, the Easter Bunny will pose for photos in the resort atrium.
Year-Round Family Fun
During a season known for warmer temperatures and sunshine, Gaylord Palms guests can highlight their springtime sojourn with family fun at Cypress Springs Water Park. The water park features waterslides for adults and children, a dedicated kids’ water-themed playground, two pools, and Crystal River Rapids – a new action river attraction inspired by Florida’s spring-fed rivers that takes guests through twists and turns at more than three feet per second. Cypress Springs Water Park is an exclusive amenity for overnight guests at Gaylord Palms Resort. Open year-round.
If there are spring showers, guests can find all sorts of fun activities throughout the indoor garden atrium. In addition to the special events, activities, and décor for Once Upon A Spring, guests can take a relaxing stroll through more than four acres of plants, flowers, waterfalls, streams, Florida fish, alligators, and other wildlife.
Inside the atrium, a delicious selection of restaurants and dining options awaits, including gourmet steaks and an award-winning wine list at Old Hickory Steakhouse, fresh, sustainable, and local seafood at MOOR, and a wide selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Villa de Flora.
Commitment to Clean
As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, Once Upon A Spring activities have been created according to Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and enhanced protocols. The event will operate according to the latest local, state and federal legislation.
Packages and Tickets
In addition to the 20th-anniversary suite special, the Gaylord Palms offers Once Upon A Spring packages that include guest rooms, event tickets, and resort credit at discounted prices. To purchase tickets for Once Upon A Spring events – as well as find booking information for Valentine’s Day spa specials and the Easter Sunday Buffet – guests may visit GaylordPalms.com.
SeaWorld Orlando is kicking off 2022 with the Seven Seas Food Festival that’s packed with more flavor than ever before every Thursday through Sunday, February 4 through May 8.
Global Cuisine Tastings
This year at Orlando’s largest theme park food festival, foodies and families alike can enjoy over 200 chef-and mixologist-curated tastes inspired by cultures from across the Seven Seas.
Guests can embark on an international flavor journey with all-new markets inspired by the tastes and smells of Ireland and Sicily, joining the ever-popular Caribbean, Italy, Brazil, Asia, and beyond.
With more than 50 fresh global cuisine tastings from around the globe, there is something to tempt every guest. In addition to the amazing food, this year’s festival includes SeaWorld’s expansive beverage menu ever with more than 75 specially curated cocktails and wines and more than 75 craft beers from Florida and beyond.
Discover the flavors of the globe at over 24 festival marketplaces including a variety of new dishes including:
All New! Enjoy a Taste of the Irish in the All-New Irish Market: Ruben Egg Roll, New Classic Mini Shepard’s Pie, Braised Lamb Pie, and New Glazed Corn Beef (gluten free)
All New! Taste the Good Life at the Flavor of Sicily: Featuring select wines and specialty cocktails like the New Amaro, Limoncello and Gra’it Verra Grappa Italiana.
Savor the flavor at the Gulf Coast Market: New Gulf Gumbo, a New Orleans classic featuring shrimp, sausage and a Cajun broth.
Spice it up with flavors of the Caribbean: New Montego Bay Spicy Shrimp and New Caribbean Spicy Rum Cake featuring Dark Meyers Rum, brown sugar and a rum glaze.
Unwind in the Beer Garden with all-new brews: High Stepper from Crooked Can, Jai Alai from Cigar City, Free Dive from Coppertail, I-4, from Orlando Brewing, Big Nose from Swamp Head and Hop Gun from Funky Buddha.
A complete menu of the Seven Seas Food Festival dishes and drinks can be found online.
26 Live Performances
SeaWorld Orlando
Along with the delicious eats, Seven Seas will once again feature an amazing line-up of top concerts so guests can enjoy a taste of rock, country, Latin or 90s throwback sounds—all included with theme park admission.
Concerts begin at 7:00 PM unless noted. Some of our headliners include:
Justin Moore
Flo Rida
Steve Augeri of Journey
Molly Hatchet
LOCASH
Vanilla Ice
ASIA featuring John Payne
Everclear
Concerts are included in admission. For the best seats in the house, Reserved Seating can be purchased online.
Best Way to Savor and Sip
Discover boundless combinations of food and drink selections with a Seven Seas Food Festival Tasting Lanyard. Guests can embark on their culinary journey with a 10-sample lanyard starting at only $65 or take it up a notch and with the fan-favorite 15-sample lanyard for the best savings.
SeaWorld Orlando Pass Members also get the VIP treatment and can purchase 18 samples for the price of 15!
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks at the Seven Seas Food Festival and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Get ready to let the good times roll again as Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras returns February 5 – April 24, 2022.
This year’s celebration will fill Universal Studios Florida with a spectacular Mardi Gras parade, celebratory cuisine featuring diverse flavors from around the world, the much-awaited return of star-studded live concerts, and so much more.
Mardi Gras happens on select nights and is included in the price of admission to Universal Studios Florida!
Laissez le bon temps rouler!
2022 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras
“Planet Mardi Gras” Parade
Every year the Universal Orlando Resort knocks it out of the park with their Mardi Gras parade, and this year’s original parade theme is “Planet Mardi Gras.”
To go along with the theme, six all-new and incredibly-detailed floats featuring cosmic-inspired elements will join Universal’s traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats, including my favorite Jester and the nearly 50-foot long King Gator.
The “Planet Mardi Gras” parade will wind through the streets of Universal Studios Florida on select dates, accompanied by high-energy music and dozens of performers donning illuminating costumes that bring the party to “light” in a whole new way.
Flavors from Around the World
Universal’s award-winning chefs have cooked up an array of delicious culinary delicacies inspired by various locations around the globe to spice up this year’s Mardi Gras festivities.
This international culinary journey includes dishes like the tasty Crawfish Boil and melt-in-your-mouth Beignets from New Orleans, Coconut Curry Shrimp Laksa (a sweet and spicy noodle soup) from Southeast Asia, Vegan Samosas with spicy green chutney from India, and Salchipapas (a popular street food made with sausage and potatoes) from Central America.
Want to save some money while experiencing these fantastic flavors? Pick Up a “Mardi Gras Food and Beverage” card, available for purchase throughout the park during the event.
Live Music at Mardi Gras
On select nights during Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration, celebration goers can enjoy free concerts from music legend Diana Ross, global superstar Khalid, Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Marshmello, and 12 other top artists.
This year’s Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2022 Concert Lineup includes:
February 5: Sugar Ray
February 12: Diana Ross
February 19: Barenaked Ladies
February 20: Styx
February 26: Jon Pardi
March 5: LL COOL J feat. DJ Z-Trip
March 6: Marshmello
March 12: Lee Brice
March 13: Becky G
March 18: Khalid
March 19: Seal
March 20: Gavin DeGraw
March 25: The Revivalists
March 26: Jimmie Allen
March 27: Jason Derulo
These amazing concerts will take place on the Music Plaza Stage, an outdoor, standing-room-only venue inspired by the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
Are you looking for more of an authentic Mardi Gras beat? Brass bands will perform daily throughout the park, bringing the soulful sounds of New Orleans to the heart of Universal Studios.
2020 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Tribute Store
“Float Factory Warehouse” Tribute Store
The Mardi Gras Tribute Store is also returning with an all-new theme, Float Factory Warehouse.
Upon entering the incredibly themed retail space, guests will venture through four highly themed rooms designed to visually depict the creative process of bringing a parade float to life.
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras fans will want to take extra time to see everything from pencil sketches and scale models to parade décor to an actual, full-size Mardi Gras float.
The Tribute Store is open daily for guests to take home a piece of Florida’s Biggest Party, snap some fun pictures, and even enjoy an event-exclusive treat.
Indulge Beyond the Park
Party beyond the park with Mardi Gras-inspired cuisine at select Universal CityWalk venues and Universal Orlando hotels.
At CityWalk, specialty food can be found at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen, Pat O’Brien’s, and Voodoo Doughnut.
You will want to resort hop to every Universal Orlando hotel to enjoy their unique specialty menu of items.
Special Mardi Gras Offers for Florida Residents
All the excitement of Universal’s Mardi Gras is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida, and Florida Residents have two great ways to save.
Florida Residents who purchase a 2-Park, 2-Day ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure will receive an additional two days free.
Want to kick that special offer up another level? Florida Residents can also add a 1-Day ticket to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park for only $29 more.
This amazing offer is available for purchase through March 31, is valid for use until June 30 without blockout dates, can be used on non-consecutive days, and requires proof for Florida residency.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Let your imagination run wild with the possibilities of the future in our latest exhibition, Science Fiction, Science Future, presented by The Macauley and Helen Dow Whiting Foundation, coming to the Orlando Science Center from January 29 to May 9, 2022.
The exhibit will also be a key feature of this year’s Otronicon Science Festival and Tech Expo, when it returns as a fully in-person onsite event during Presidents Day Weekend, February 18-21.
Created by the renowned Scitech in Perth, Australia, and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Science Fiction, Science Future will allow you to move objects with your mind, disappear right before your eyes, interact with a robot that copies your movements and experience augmented reality in action.
When you look back at iconic works of science fiction, they often predict the innovations of the future. Tablet computers, GPS, automatic doors, and even biometric health data tracking were all just figments of the imagination when they first appeared on Star Trek in the 1960s. Now, these are everyday technologies.
Science Fiction, Science Future gives you the chance to explore the technology that classic science fiction predicted for our future while you imagine what comes next. How long do you think it will take for robots to walk the streets with us? They already built our cars and explore space. You could predict the next great invention!
Inside the exhibit, you will also be able to draw and describe what you think houses, transportation, and our planet will look like in the world of tomorrow.
Will we live on Mars, get around using jet-pack rockets, or have a robot cook our meals? It’s up to you to decide.
We live in an exciting time in a world that is constantly changing due to technological advances. For example, it used to be fantasy to have robots works for us but now they vacuum our homes, act as personal butlers, and even do complex tasks like performing surgeries!
Find out more about the science fiction predictions that could become realities in this thought-provoking exhibition. Make sure to check out Science Fiction, Science Future while it’s at the Orlando Science Center.
The future is here, and it’s in your hands! For more info, timed-entry tickets, and health and safety guidelines, please visit www.osc.org.
I am really excited to share that the popular Garden Rocks Concert Series is returning to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival this March!
New this year, internationally recognized artists will bring the groove to the America Gardens Theater stage Friday-Monday, while local Orlando bands step into the spotlight Tuesday-Thursday.
The series features something for everyone – from returning favorites like The Guess Who, Rick Springfield and Simple Plan to Latin hitmakers Melina León and Claudia Leitte, Christian music superstar TobyMac and groovin’ legends Kool & The Gang.
2022 Garden Rocks Concert Series Line-Up
March 4-5 – The Guess Who
March 6-7 – Rick Springfield
March 11-12 – Melina Leon – NEW to Garden Rocks
March 18-19 – Mike DelGuidice, currently on tour with Billy Joel – NEW
March 20-21 – Kool & The Gang – NEW to Garden Rocks
March 25-28 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
April 1-2 – The Spinners
April 3-4 – The Pointer Sisters
April 8-9 – Blue October – NEW to Garden Rocks
April 15-16 – Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston – NEW
April 17-18 – Don Felder, Formerly of The Eagles
April 22-23 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 24-25 – Claudia Leitte – NEW
April 29-30 – Berlin
May 1-2 – TobyMac
May 6-7 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
May 8-9 – The Commodores – NEW to Garden Rocks
May 13-14 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett – NEW
May 20-21 – A Flock Of Seagulls
May 22-23 – Collin Raye – NEW
May 27-28 – Thelma Houston – NEW
May 29-30 – Little River Band
June 3-6 – Simple Plan
June 10-13 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
June 17-20 – Plain White T’s
Beginning January 19th, guests can secure their spot at the show by booking a Garden Rocks Dining Package available Friday-Monday. Find out more by visiting FreshEPCOT.com
Please remember that in order to experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.
