There’s nothing like ending your day at EPCOT with a concert that, BTW, is included with your theme park admission featuring internationally recognized artists performing Friday-Monday and showcasing local Orlando talent on Tuesday-Thursday at the America Gardens Theater!
The Garden Rocks Concert Series lineup is filled with talent from returning favorites like The Pointer Sisters, Simple Plan, and the Plain White T’s, along with fresh talent like legacy guitarist AJ Croce and GRAMMY award-winning Switchfoot.
2023 Garden Rocks Concert Series Lineup
March 3-4 – Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI
March 5-6 – Daughtry
March 10-11 – Tommy DeCarlo
March 12-13 – Smash Mouth
March 17-18 – Mike DelGuidice
March 19-20 – Blue Oyster Cult – NEW
March 24-25 – Berlin
March 26-27 – The Pointer Sisters
March 31 – Luis Figueroa – NEW
April 1-2 – Piso 21 – NEW
April 3 – TBD
April 7-8 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 9-10 – Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
April 16-17 – Switchfoot – NEW
April 21-22 – A Flock of Seagulls
April 23-24 – Jo Dee Messina
April 28-29 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, The Voice Of Player
April 30, May 1 – Kool and the Gang
May 5-8 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 12-15 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
May 19-20 – A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce – NEW
May 21-22 – Casting Crowns – NEW
May 26-27 – Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago – NEW
May 28-29 – Rick Springfield
June 2-5 – Plain White T’s
June 9-10 – The Spinners
June 11-12 – The Commodores
June 16-17 – Vertical Horizon
June 18-19 – Tony Orlando
June 23-26 – Simple Plan
June 30, July 1 – Living Colour
July 2-3 – Wang Chung
Beginning February 9, guests can secure their spot for these rockin’ performances with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. Check out FreshEPCOT.com.
Just a reminder, to experience EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.
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.
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!
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.
EPCOT has become the place to go to experience theme park festivals, and until July 5, 2021, the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is filling the Walt Disney World theme park with farm-fresh flavors, fan-favorite entertainment, beautiful flowers, and my favorite…topiaries with character!
If you are heading to the Flower and Garden Festival, let’s look at where you can find each of these topiaries!
2021 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Topiary Locations
Sorcerer Mickey Mouse, Broom, Ostriches, Hippo and Mushroom – Main Entrance
Woody, Bo Peep and her sheep – Future World West
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy – Between Future World & World Showcase
Pluto and Chip ‘n Dale – Between Future World and World Showcase
Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey and Louie – Showcase Plaza
Buzz Lightyear – Future World East near Mission: SPACE®
Figment – Future World West near Imagination!
Topiary Butterflies – Future World West
The Three Caballeros (Jose, Donald and Panchito) – Mexico Pavilion
Anna and Elsa – Norway Pavilion
Troll – Norway Pavilion
Dragon Topiary – Japan Pavilion near Torii Gate
Pandas – China Pavilion
China Zodiac Topiary Garden – China Pavilion in front of Nine Dragons
Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi) – Future World West
Snow White and Dopey – Germany Pavilion
Lady and the Tramp – Italy Pavilion
Beauty and the Beast – France Pavilion
Remy – France Pavilion
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
Peter Pan and Captain Hook – United Kingdom Pavilion
Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger) – United Kingdom Pavilion
Tinker Bell and Fairy Houses – United Kingdom Pavilion
Bambi and Friends – Future World East near Mouse Gear
It was a gloomy day when I ventured out, but my walk around EPCOT to take a closer look at the character topiaries brought a smile to my face!
Make sure you tune into Orlando’s Evening News with Tony Marino on WDBO tonight at 6:38pm ET to hear about these and other fun things going on around Central Florida!
If you are On the Go in the Parks this weekend you are going to have beautiful weather to enjoy and fantastic events to choose from!
EPCOT will full bloom as the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival fills the park with farm-fresh flavors from around the world until July 5th!
This annual celebration will be slightly different, but beautiful flowers, topiaries with character, fan-favorite entertainment, and family fun can be found around every corner.
Experience an international food fest with cuisine and entertainment inspired by international Carnaval celebrations. Sample the flavors of Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Spain, and other regions including, of course, New Orleans.
Plus enjoy spectacular floats on display, street entertainment, music, beads, and more throughout the theme park.
And now you can let the good times roll even longer as they have extended the celebration through April 11th!!!
Don’t forget that right now the Universal Orlando Resort has AMAZING Florida Resident deals on Annual Passes (3 months free on any two park pass), tickets (Buy a Day, Get 3 free), and resort stays!!!!
The Seven Seas Food Festival continues at SeaWorld Orlando, and if you are a foodie this is a can’t miss event for you!!!
Bayside Stadium will once again be rocking this weekend with performances from Jerry Rivera on Saturday, March 13th, and Scotty McCreery on Sunday, March 14th.
This spring, flavors are in bloom at Busch Gardens Tampa with the return of the park’s fan-favorite Food & Wine Festival that invites guests to sample more than 110 tasty treats, including 22 NEW dishes.
Serving guests every weekend until April 25th with limited capacity, this year’s menu features festival favorites and fresh twists on classic cuisines from around the country that pair perfectly with more than 80 wines, brews, and cocktails.
This Saturday evening you can also see Dylan Scott in concert on the park’s Festival Field.
The Universal Orlando Resort is welcoming 2021 with SEVERAL special offers that invite guests to plan an epic trip to the award-winning theme park destination this year.
The current special offers include:
Get 3 Months Free on any 2-Park Annual or Seasonal Pass
Florida residents can also take advantage of an exclusive Universal Orlando ticket offer to purchase a 1-Day, 2-Park ticket (as low as $181 per adult, plus tax) and receive three extra days free to experience both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Florida residents can take advantage of nightly rates as low as $79 plus tax at the all-new Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, while non-Florida residents can book a stay at Dockside Inn and Suites for as low as $88 per night, plus tax based on a four-night stay.
Guests who purchase a 4-Day, 2-Park or 3-Park ticket (starting at $224.99 per adult, plus tax) can save up to $50 per ticket – that’s a combined savings of up to $200 for a family of four.
Guests can also take advantage of this offer as part of a vacation package to Universal Orlando, and receive a total savings of up to $800 on a package that includes five-night accommodations at one of Universal’s beautifully-themed hotels and 4-day theme park tickets for a family of four.
Don’t forget you can keep up with our adventures as we are On the Go in the Parks and theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
The 27th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will bloom at the Walt Disney World Resort filling the park with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Spring daily from March 4 until June 1, 2020.
Lush Gardens
Imagination blooms around every corner during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival as breathtaking flower beds, plots of plant life, and wildlife habitats can be found in every area of the park.
Bamboo Garden – As a member of the grass family, bamboo can be found at the China Pavilion in many colors, patterns and sizes.
Bold Bromeliads – Located at the Mexico Pavilion
Bonsai Collection – Take a trip to the Japan Pavilion and discover the ancient art of bonsai with some of the finest living sculptures created by bonsai masters, who carefully shape and tend these miniature works of art—creating peace and balance with the earth.
Chinese Zodiac Natural Sculptures – Located at the China Pavilion
English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London – Discover the history and art of tea blending at this elegant English Tea Garden at the United Kingdom Pavilion, featuring plants important to some of Twinings finest tea blends.
Festival Blooms – Located at Future World, this display boasts thousands of flowers form colorful, living panoramas overlooking Future World’s East and West lakes.
Floating Mini-Gardens – Peer upon more than 100 petite plots drifting on the ponds that border the walkway between Future World and the World Showcase.
Garden Italiano – From fresh spaghetti sauce to your favorite pizza topping, this Tuscan kitchen garden at the Italy Pavilion features all the produce and herbs needed to create a classic Italian feast.
Health Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth – Delight in a whimsical area along Imagination Walkway for kids, made to inspire youthful energy and creativity. Your whole family can learn fun and interactive ways to stay healthy at a brand-new playground and outdoor kitchen.
The Honey Bee-Stro – Learn about the importance of honeybees in this immersive garden. You can also enjoy some food options, made possible by their hard work, from the adjoining outdoor kitchen. Find it near Imagination! Pavilion.
Kokedama Garden – Admire fresh expressions of an ancient Japanese art. The Kokedama Garden features skilled bonsai creations.
Growing the Future Presented by Murata – Explore how cutting-edge technology paired with agricultural science can transform the way we feed the world. Discover the possibilities with our friends at Science from Scientists and engage in fun, fascinating, hands-on experiments—opening April 7, 2020.
Shakespeare Garden – Thou shalt adore matching up famous quotes to flowers found within this vibrant garden at the United Kingdom Pavilion. William Shakespeare often used flowers and exotic gardens to help set the scenes for his plays and employed them as symbols and metaphors.
The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ – Visit this foliage-filled exhibit at Future World West to view a kaleidoscope of butterflies and observe several species up close, learning about their life cycles and maybe even witnessing them emerging from chrysalises.
Plant a Garden Perfect for Pollinators – Stop by this display near the Butterfly House and take garden-ready ideas home with you, along with garden crafts and sustainable best practices.
Tropical Rainforest Garden – Visit the Mexico Pavilion and learn how Mexico rainforests are rich with plants and animals that have adapted to a wide variety of light levels and water conditions.
Urban Spice – At the Morocco Pavilion, learn how in many eastern cultures, ancient spices were considered more valuable than gold. Even today, many cultures are defined by their signature spices and herb blends, created from plant leaves, stems, roots, seeds and flowers.
Topiaries with character
The topiaries are the highlight of every Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, and this year 70 hand-crafted topiaries have been created by Disney’s talented team horticulturists.
While there are many returning favorites, there are a few new additions you won’t want to miss!
Here is where you will find the topiaries during the Festival:
Anna and Elsa from Frozen – Located at the Norway Pavilion
Bambi & Friends(Featuring Flower, Bambi and Thumper) – Located in Future World East just outside of the new Mousegear
Beauty and the Beast Located at the France Pavilion
Bo Peep and Her Sheep with Woody – Located at Future World East
Bold Bromeliads – Located near The Land at Future World East
Bromeliad Dragon – Located at the Japan Pavilion
Buzz Lightyear – Located near Mission: SPACE at Future World East
Captain Hook and Peter Pan – Located at the United Kingdom Pavilion
Construction Mickey and Minnie with Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale – Located between Future World and World Showcase
Donald and Daisy with Huey, Dewey and Louie – Located near Showcase Plaza
Fantasia – Sorcerer Mickey, Brooms, Ostriches and Hippo – Located near Imagination at Future World West
Lady and the Tramp – Located at the Italy Pavilion (their new location on the water is my favorite)
Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog – Located between the United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions at the France Pavilions
Pandas – Located at the China Pavilion
Pluto and Goofy – Located between Future World and World Showcase
Remy (NEW!) – Located at the France Pavilion
Simba and Friends(Featuring Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi) – Located between The Outpost Shop and the Germany Pavilion
Snow White and Dopey – Located at the Germany Pavilion
Tinker Bell and Fairy Houses – Located at the United Kingdom Pavilion
The Three Caballeros(Featuring Jose, Donald and Panchito) – Located at the Mexico Pavilion
Topiary Butterflies – Located at Future World West
Topiary Flowers – Located near the Main Entrance
Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends – Located at the United Kingdom Pavilion
Interactive Play Scapes
Families can take a step off the Festival path to experience two play gardens filled with hands-on activities and interactive playscapes.
At Bo Peep’s Playtime Training Grounds, located near Test Track, little ones of all ages can enjoy a playful playground and garden inspired by Bo Peep and the rest of your Toy Story pals.
The Play Full Garden, located on the Imagination Walkway, will inspire the entire family to gather for interactive activities that focus on nutrition and wellness.
Family Scavenger Hunts
Gardeners of all ages are invited to participate in Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration, a springtime scavenger hunt starring Spike the bzzzz-iest honey bee at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Once you have your Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration map, available for purchase at the Port of Entry for $6.99 plus tax, search for Spike’s best blooms across Epcot’s World Showcase, and once you’ve completed the hunt return the completed map to the Port of Entry store for a special surprise.
Also for a limited time, March 27 to April 12 or while supplies last, Epcot becomes the ‘Hop-piest Place on Earth’ with an Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt around World Showcase in search of Disney character-themed eggs.
Annual Passholders can receive a discount on the purchase of both Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration and the Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunts! Just make sure to show your Annual Pass with ID.
Outdoor Kitchens
As festival-goers take in all the floral wonders of the Festival, they can also find culinary delights at over a dozen Outdoor Kitchens around Epcot’s World Showcase.
The Outdoor Kitchens open at 11am, and just outside of each location a garden offers inspiration for learning to grow healthy ingredients.
A complete list of Outdoor Kitchens and menus can be found here.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will rock every evening of the Festival with three performances by chart-topping artists on the America Gardens Theatre stage.
It is such a great way to kick off your evening in the park or wrap up a fantastic day!
Additionally, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at 15 popular Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for a nightly concert with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. Dining packages can be booked by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
You can find the entire Garden Rocks Concert Series and more information on the dining packages here.
Festival Exclusive Guided Tours
Guided tours are available for gardeners of all skill levels who are interested in learning more about nature’s magic exclusively during the Festival.
The Royal Tea Garden Tour, presented by Twinings, takes place each festival morning at the United Kingdom Pavilion and guides guests through the tranquil tea garden to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea.
The Gardens of the World tour, offered on select days, lets guests join a Disney horticulturist for a three-hour walking tour to explore the festival gardens and topiaries discovering new plant materials and gardening techniques to use in their home gardens.
Epcot admission and a fee are required to join these tours. To make a reservation, call (407) WDW-TOUR.
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, including all gardens and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.
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Spring is in the air. Hopefully the pollen and my allergies will clear up soon and it is heating up and starting to feel like summer here in Florida. I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some of the things I’m most looking forward to over the next couple of months instead of doing that spring cleaning that I probably should be doing. Now that I’ve found out my schedule for the rest of the spring and beginning of summer, I thought I’d start planning some weekend adventures. The parks across the area have some fantastic special events this time of year, and before the kids are out of school it is a great time to get away while the crowds are lower.
At Epcot we are already more than halfway through the International Flower & Garden Festival. I love this event each year and have been attending since 1998! I dearly miss Davy Jones of the Monkees, as his was always my go to concert for the Flower Power Concert Series. The thing I think I am most excited about (aside from the newly added food and beverage kiosks) is that my favorite HGTV celebrity, David Bromstad, is going to be hosting presentations May 17 – 19 and I’m now off that weekend!
Another of my favorite things that I will get to do for the third year in a row is Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This fabulous event has quickly become a must do for me! I still have so many things I haven’t done yet that are on my to do list. I need to get up early enough and get to the park to see the Stormtroopers on top of the entrance to the park above the turnstiles. Also, I really want to get my picture taken with as many of the characters as possible and go to some of the presentations and shows. And then, of course, there is Hyperspace Hoopla, my favorite of all! My apologies to anyone who now has that song stuck in their head (Hoooooooopla, Hyperspace Hoopla…).
Busch Gardens and Sea World are playing host to an awesome special event that I got to experience last year for the first time: Viva la Mύsica! This great offering is one that features Latin American food, merchandise, cuture, and of course, music. I got to go just for an hour or so to Busch Gardens after work last year and got to try to some amazing food, but was too late for the concert. This year I was hoping to catch at least one weekend at Busch Gardens and Sea World each. I was so excited when I found out that my favorite salsa band, El Gran Combo, was going to be playing at both parks. I know where I’ll be that weekend!
One of the greatest things about these three events is that they are all included in park admission. Food and beverages of course are extra, but the entertainment and most of the presentations are free of charge with your ticket. These add tremendous value to your vacation or even just a day in the park for us locals.
Water parks are definitely on my list for the next few months. I’ve lived in Florida for almost 20 years and I’ve only been to Typhoon Lagoon for a couple hours and did the lazy river and snorkled with the sharks before the park closed due to weather. This needs to be rectified. I’ve visited Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach for functions, but haven’t done a single water slide. This is a travesty! I also would love to check out some of the other area water parks like Sea World’s Aquatica and Adventure Island in Tampa.
Now we all know that sometimes with the spring come those showers that we need for those pretty flowers. What to do when it isn’t exactly park weather? Why not catch a film? Two movies I am ridiculously excited to see this spring are Marvel’s Iron Man 3 and Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University (visit this site if you haven’t already – it is hilarious!). I am a huge Avengers fan and loved the first Iron Man movie, enjoyed the second one, and adored the Avengers, so I cannot wait to see what they have in store for Tony Stark in this next installment. Monsters Inc was a great, feel good family flick and I think that this will be very entertaining to see some of Mike and Sulley’s adventures before they were best buds.
What are you looking forward to this spring? Did I miss any of your favorite spring special events? Have you been to any of these before? What are some of your favorite things to do in spring when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Hit us up and let us know.Follow us for more updates:
This year’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is full of some great new additions, as well as some of my old favorites. I thought I would take you along as I look at what makes a perfect day at the 2013 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.
httpv://youtu.be/nLssHT6H_fQ
When you walk in the main entrance to Epcot, it’s hard to miss the new Fab 5 Topiary ‘Party with Mickey & Friends’ as they celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Also as you walk around Spaceship Earth towards Future World, make sure you check out the Phineas & Ferb Topiary.
I am a big fan of the new ‘Radiator Springs’ interactive play area! Make sure you take a few extra minutes to become a Private Detective with Tow Mater. This area is sure to make the Cars fans in your family happy!
After taking a stroll through Radiator Springs, it’s a great time to head to the Festival Center. Here you can find all of the great Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival merchandise, see a presentation in the HGTV Theater with some of your favorite DIY gurus, take a class, or even ask an expert a question about your garden at home.
httpv://youtu.be/XyaZ0FTiSz8
Another area that I could spend all day in is Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House. This year Tinker Bell and her friends play host to a wonderful world of butterflies, and if you look closely you might even find some of their Fairy Houses! For a special treat, make sure you stop by around 11:00 am to watch the butterflies emerge from their cocoons.
You can visit the Land of Oz in the new children’s play area presented by the new Disney film ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’. In this area you can play midway games for prizes, take a break and play for a bit on unique play structures, and relax under a hot air balloon.
While you’re in this area, a fun activity for the little ones is to decorate a flower pot for their seeds from The Land of Oz at the Water Wise Herbs & Vegetable exhibit.
Luckily the Pineapple Promenade is right next to The Land of Oz Play area, so it was time to grab a Dole Whip (I opted to get one without spiced rum) and a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. What a great treat!
This year there are 12 food booths around the World Showcase Lagoon offering a Taste of Spring. While these booths look similar to those used for the International Food & Wine Festival in the Fall, that is where the similarities end. For the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, each booth features fresh foods prepared in the booth with plantings around each one of ingredients used in the foods. The Cottage in the United Kingdom Pavilion was my favorite, but the candied strawberries of Lotus House are unique and worth a try!
Also, you will definitely want to pick up one of the Disney Gift Cards on a wristlet to make buying items at the booths super easy! It can be loaded with as little as $5, and is accepted as payment for nearly anything! Plus this year, they are themed to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival! Super Cute! You can get them throughout Epcot at ticket booths, Guest Relations, the Festival Center, and almost anywhere they sell Disney Gift Cards!
And it wouldn’t be Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival without topiaries, and both World Showcase & Future World are full of some great ones! I definitely wouldn’t miss…
The new Disney-Pixar ‘Monsters University’
The Moose in the Victoria Gardens of the Canada Pavilion
Hook, Tic Toc Croc, and Peter Pan in the United Kingdom Pavilion
Beauty and the Beast in the France Pavilion
Woody & Lotso in the American Adventure Pavilion
Buzz in front of Mission Space
The Troll in the Norway Pavilion
The Backyard Play Garden is full of whimsical touches that you can add to your garden at home (with instructions), as well as a really nice play area for the kiddos. This is a great place to take a break since the kids have a place that is covered to play on with restrooms close by.
Two of my perennial favorites are the bonsai on display in the Japan Pavilion and the large terra cotta pots of Italy that are overflowing with beautiful flowers.
Now would be about the time to start queuing up for the Flower Power Concert Series performed at the American Gardens Theater near the American Adventure Pavilion. STOP TO AT LEAST HEAR ONE CONCERT! I know that these are older performers, but once they start going you will be surprised to see how many songs you know. We saw Micky Dolenz, of The Monkees, and he was amazing. I am personally stoked for The Village People to perform later in the festival.
httpv://youtu.be/pejIzkCvWLg
Make sure you take a moment to take in the Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard & Shirley Kinsey inside of the American Adventure Pavilion. This new exhibit allows you to see authentic documents, books, artifacts, and are art including landscapes and flora in one of the largest collections of African American Art. I had the amazing chance to speak with the Kinseys, and their passion for this collection is breathtaking. We are truly lucky to have such an exhibit visiting Epcot!
After you watch Illuminations, a mandatory watching is included in a perfect day at Epcot, make sure you check out the topiaries as they are illuminated and pixie dust powered at night.
And that would be my perfect day at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival. It’s a great time of year to visit, and I can’t wait to hear what your perfect day at the Festival would be like!Follow us for more updates: