2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Courtney Kiefer, Photographer

The 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival brings bright blossoms, seasonally inspired flavors, and lively entertainment for the entire family to Walt Disney World daily from March 1 through July 5, 2023.

The event is one of the longest flower and garden festivals in the United States. The seasonal plantings change throughout the Festival, offering evolving displays of vibrant hues, textures, shapes, and scents. 

With so much to experience during the event throughout the park, here are some of my favorite highlights!

2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Topiaries

Nearly 100 individual and iconic EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival topiaries crafted by Disney’s amazing horticulture team can be found throughout the park.

While guests to the event will be able to find favorites like Lumiere and Cogsworth topiaries in the France pavilion; Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Tick Tock Croc in the United Kingdom Pavilion, and of course, Pumbaa and Timon from The Lion King. Several new additions are making their Festival debut.

Near the EPCOT main entrance, topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa from Disney’s “Encanto” will make a grand appearance to welcome park guests.

In The American Adventure pavilion, Dreams really do come true as a new Princess Tiana topiary joins the pavilion’s lively decor.

And finally, new topiaries of the Seven Dwarfs will accompany Snow White near the Germany pavilion in World Showcase. 

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Courtney Kiefer, Photographer
Interactive Outdoor Spaces for the Entire Family

Fun for the entire family spills out into every nook and cranny of the park during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, with interactive outdoor spaces around every corner.

Get your nose ready to experience one of my favorite recent additions, Blossoms of Fragrance, Presented by Scentsy, where guests are encouraged to slow down and enjoy the sights and scents of spring. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, “guests can follow their noses to six scent stations – floral, fruity, citrus, spice, woods, and fresh – to form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas.”

Little Botanists can also enjoy an assortment of playscapes and trails lined with activities spotlighting eco-friendly fun under the sun.

The perennial favorite Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration is returning once again! This affordable scavenger hunt for kids of all ages takes explorers throughout the park looking for their favorite bee, Spike, for a special prize. Purchase a map and stickers at select merchandise locations while supplies last!

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Courtney Kiefer, Photographer
Outdoor Kitchens

During the Festival, tasty sips and bites inspired by spring’s bounty are showcased at over 15 Outdoor Kitchens.

Make sure to pick up an Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Passport at either park entrance to find out more about the flavors you can savor and how to participate in the Garden Graze, a food stroll featuring delicious dishes from various Outdoor Kitchens that, once completed, result in a festival-exclusive treat.

I also am excited because the Citrus Blossom, one of my favorite kitchens, has a new location in the Odyssey!  

When planning your culinary adventure, please remember that the Festival Outdoor Kitchens are open daily from 11:00 am to park close unless otherwise noted.

Garden Rocks Concert Series Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2020
Groovy Garden Rocks Concerts

Every night live musical performances rock the America Gardens Theatre.

Included with your theme park admission, these concerts feature internationally and locally recognized artists.

Want to take your concert experience to eleven? The Garden Rocks Dining Package, available for Friday through Monday concerts, includes a leisurely meal at select EPCOT restaurants and guaranteed seating at one of the performances later that same day. 

To see pricing, the full lineup of artists, performance dates, and to make a dining package reservation, visit FreshEPCOT.com.

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Courtney Kiefer, Photographer
Festival Souvenirs

If you want to commemorate your visit to the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, a variety of event merchandise can be found at retail locations across EPCOT, and select items will also be available on shopDisney.com.

Like the lifecycle of a butterfly, merchandise offerings will change during the event, with new additional pieces debuting throughout the Festival.

Fan favorites are sure to include ‘70’s inspired Orange Bird merchandise, apparel, headwear, drinkware, and much more.

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Courtney Kiefer, Photographer

To experience the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, guests need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. 

For more details on this year’s Festival, guests can visit FreshEPCOT.com.

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Seven Seas Food Festival Returns to SeaWorld

SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival 2017 Logo

The Seven Seas Food Festival is returning to SeaWorld Orlando with ALL-NEW flavors and fun for theme park foodies from February 3 to May 7.

Orlando’s largest theme park food festival will tempt guests with tasty bites from around the world while strolling between award-winning attractions and incredible animal presentations.

2023 The Seven Seas Food Festival

Seven Seas Food Festival

Tastes from Around the World

Foodies and families alike will find more than 200 food and drink offerings inspired by cultures from around the world at international marketplaces scattered throughout the park.

These marketplaces showcase foods from Italy, Ireland, Brazil, Germany, Asia, and beyond.

Some of the ALL-NEW food items guests can taste this year include:

  • NEW Parmesan Truffle fries: Grana Padano cheese, fresh parsley, winter white truffle oil
  • NEW Pork Belly Feijoada: pork belly and black bean Brazilian stew, garnished with green onions
  • NEW Ropa Vieja: 12-hour slow-cooked shredded beef served on top of smashed plantains, garnished with micro cilantro
  • NEW Classic Reuben: thin-sliced pastrami served on marbled rye bread with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, garnished with a gherkin
  • NEW Italian Beef Arancini: arancini served on top of San Marzano tomato sauce, garnished with fresh basil
  • NEW Strawberry shortcake a la mode: vanilla ice cream served with yellow cake, topped with strawberry glaze
  • NEW Jameson Bread Pudding: Jameson-infused bread pudding topped with Jameson anglaise sauce
SeaWorld Orlando Sharks Underwater Grill

In addition to all the incredible cultural and culinary offerings stationed around the park during the Seven Seas Food Festival, there will also be NEW full-service menu items at Sharks Underwater Grill, including:

  • NEW Lobster and Shrimp Cakes: Caribbean remoulade, salsa verde, and rainbow green salad
  • NEW Chicken and Shrimp Tagine: a succulent slow-cooked light stew of chicken, shrimp, and vegetables with aromatic Mediterranean spices, jasmine rice
  • NEW Chocolate Mousse Marquise: chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis, pecans, and edible gold garnish
Seven Seas Food Festival

Food isn’t the only star at SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival. Guests can try the ALL-NEW Caribbean Moonshine Tasting booth next to Seafire Grill.

This marketplace will feature the following:

  • NEW Marmalade Mayhem: Orange 80 Proof Moonshine
  • NEW Cat 5: Coconut 80-Proof Moonshine
  • NEW Passionfruit Prohibition: Passionfruit 80 Proof Moonshine
  • NEW Banana Breeze: Banana 80 Proof Moonshine
  • NEW PB & C Cannonball: Peanut Butter and Chocolate 80 Proof Moonshine

There are also ALL-NEW refreshing cocktails guests can enjoy while savoring their way around the world at this year’s Seven Seas Food Festival, including:

  • NEW Island Rum Punch: light, dark, and coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry
  • NEW Southern Peach: Fistful bourbon, peach schnapps, peach, Sprite, simple syrup
  • NEW Frozen Polynesian Summer: pineapple rum, mango, coconut cream, pineapple juice
  • NEW Aperol Spritz: Aperol and Prosecco
  • NEW Mediterranean Sangria: red Sangria, red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime
  • NEW Tokyo Rose: Shimizu-No-Mai Pure Snow sake, Tito’s Vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry
  • NEW Irish Cold brew Latte: Jameson Cold Brew, coffee, cream, simple syrup
SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival 2021

Guests can also relax with an ice-cold beer at the Seven Seas Food Festival beer garden or at Flamecraft Bar, which will feature several local and regional brews like:

  • Tupac ShaPorter from Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
  • Strawberry Blonde Ambition from Suncreek Brewery
  • Tag & Release Amber Ale from Sailfish Brewing Company
  • Florida Sunshine from Crooked Can Brewing Company
  • Frost Proof from Cigar City Brewing
  • Florida Orange IPA from 3 Daughters Brewing
Seven Seas Food Festival

Best Way to Savor and Sip

Guests will be able to discover endless combinations of food and drink offerings with a Seven Seas Food Festival Tasting Lanyard.

Guests can embark on their culinary journey with a 10-sample lanyard at $70 or take it up a notch with the fan-favorite 15-sample lanyard for the best savings.

SeaWorld Orlando Pass Members get the VIP treatment and can purchase 18 samples for the price of 15!

SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival 2017 Bayside Stadium Concert
SeaWorld Orlando

Headline Concert Series

SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival is not just about delicious eats and refreshing sips from around the world.

The festival also features an incredible concert series guests will not want to miss.

Concerts will take place every Saturday and Sunday during the festival at Bayside Stadium.

They will feature a taste of Rock, Country, Latin, Hip Hop, R&B, and 90s throwbacks – all included with park admission. This year’s headliners include:

  • February 4: En Vogue (R&B)
  • February 5: REO Speedwagon (Rock
  • February 11: The Commodores (Funk & Soul)
  • February 18: Collective Soul (Rock)
  • February 19: Jerry Rivera (Latin)
  • February 25: Don McLean (Rock)
  • February 26: Ludacris (Hip Hop)
  • March 4: Joey Fatone & Friends (Pop)
  • March 26: Eli Young Band (Country)

… and many more performers to be announced!

For the best seats in the house, Reserved Seating can be purchased online!

SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival 2021

Best Way to Play

One of the best ways for guests to experience SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival is with a SeaWorld Orlando 2023 Fun Card, which offers park admission through December 31, 2023, for one low price of $129.99.

Guests who purchase a Fun Card can attend the Seven Seas Food Festival, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, and Cinco de Mayo.

Guests will also be admitted to SeaWorld Orlando for a full calendar year to experience thrilling rides, amazing animal encounters, and energizing entertainment while being part of all the seasonal events happening in 2023.

For even more unbeatable benefits, guests can purchase a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass for as low as $14/month + tax with no down payment.

With an Annual Pass, guests will enjoy 12 months of visits with special benefits like exclusive access to “Pipeline: The Surf Coaster” through the “Passport to Thrills” program, free parking, free guest tickets, access to special VIP events, savings on merchandise and more! Some restrictions and blockout dates apply.

Annual Passes and Fun Cards can be purchased at SeaWorldOrlando.com.

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Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2023 Announcements

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 -
Universal Orlando Resort

The countdown to Universal Orlando Mardi Gras is ON, and the resort shared some exciting announcements about the concerts, parade, eats, and special offers!

I cannot wait to go beyond the bayou and let the good times roll from February 4 through April 16, 2023, featuring a dazzling Mardi Gras parade, mouthwatering cuisine inspired by global Carnaval celebrations, and, on select nights, live concerts by top names in music – all included with regular theme park admission to Universal Studios Florida.

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2023 Announcements

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2023

STAR-STUDDED MARDI GRAS CONCERT LINEUP

This year’s concert series will feature eight live performances by popular names in music like GRAMMY-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls, GRAMMY-winning Platinum superstar Maren Morris and GRAMMY-winning artist Sean Paul at the Music Plaza stage – an outdoor concert venue set against the backdrop of the towering Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster. See below for the complete concert lineup.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S MARDI GRAS 2023 CONCERTS
DateHeadliner
February 4Patti LaBelle
February 10JVKE
February 11Goo Goo Dolls
February 18Maren Morris
February 19WILLOW
February 253 Doors Down
March 4Sean Paul
March 5Lauren Daigle
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2023


NEW “MYTHICAL REALMS OF MARDI GRAS” PARADE THEME
Guests of all ages can dance along with high-energy performers and catch beads by the handful during this year’s spectacular parade, which will showcase a new “Mythical Realms of Mardi Gras” theme inspired by fantastical creatures like dragons, phoenixes, unicorns, and more – with a Mardi Gras twist.

This year’s imaginative theme will be brought to life within six incredibly detailed and festive parade floats that will join Universal’s traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats – such as the iconic, two-story Riverboat and nearly 50-foot-long King Gator.

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2023
Indonesian Black Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango

TASTE THE INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS OF CARNAVAL
The mouthwatering flavors of global Carnaval celebrations from New Orleans to Brazil to Belgium and beyond will come to life as part of an expansive menu featuring more than 50 tasting-sized items for guests to enjoy at this year’s event.

While venturing throughout the parkwide celebration, guests will find kiosks featuring delectable food and beverage inspired by iconic fare from around the world – including the classic Crawfish Boil and deliciously fluffy Beignets from New Orleans, Shrimp Ceviche Tostada from Mexico, a Mofongo Flight inspired by the Carnaval Ponceño in Puerto Rico, Indonesian Black Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango and so much more.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 Beignets

Plus, for the first time ever, Universal Orlando’s other theme parks are joining the fun by featuring a limited selection of Mardi Gras items, including Gumbo, Jambalaya, King Cake, and more at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and the Muffuletta Long Board Pizza at Universal’s Volcano Bay.

For a limited time, guests can save $10 on purchasing a Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card to experience the savory flavors of Mardi Gras, which allows them to enjoy more for less by paying $65 for a $75 card.

Annual and Seasonal Passholders also receive special savings with the purchase of an exclusive $150 card for only $120. The Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card is available at Mardi Gras food & beverage locations throughout Universal Studios Florida.

Tribute Store - Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2020 - Tribute Store Map

ALL-NEW MARDI GRAS TRIBUTE STORE AND MERCHANDISE
Located within an all-new space in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida, this year’s Mardi Gras Tribute Store invites guests to an international jazz celebration that leads to the traditional alleyways of New Orleans and ultimately into a speakeasy where the Mardi Gras celebration continues.

Within the new store, guests can shop a new selection of Mardi Gras merchandise that ranges from apparel to accessories and collectibles such as keychains, pins, themed glasses, and even some personalized options – allowing them to take a piece of Florida’s Biggest Party home with them.

Guests can also devour tasty treats inspired by this year’s celebration within the new retail location.

Universal Orlando Resort Universal Studios Florida Mardi Gras 2020 Food Guide

THE PARTY CONTINUES AT UNIVERSAL CITYWALK AND UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S HOTELS
Guests can keep the party going at Universal CityWalk with special Mardi Gras festivities at select venues and food kiosks featuring delicious menu items that offer a taste of the Mediterranean, the Islands, and popular Mardi Gras fare.

Pat O’Brien’s will host a Mardi Gras After Party on select nights from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. that includes live entertainment, exclusive food and drink offerings, and a special Fat Tuesday celebration on February 21 from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. featuring a dueling piano and more.

Reservations for the festivities at Pat O’Brien’s can be made by calling 407-224-3663.

Plus, the Red Coconut Club will transform the Mardi Gras season into the Cursed Coconut Club – more details and dates of operation will be shared soon.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 Cauliflower Dirty Rice

The best way to experience Universal’s Mardi Gras is to stay at one of Universal’s eight incredible hotels. Each hotel will have exclusive Mardi Gras offerings such as Cajun Jambalaya Pasta at Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, N’awlins Po’ Boy Sliders at Velvet Bar at Hard Rock Hotel, Crawfish Etouffee at Bar 17 Bistro at Universal’s Aventura Hotel and more. Universal Orlando hotel guests can also enjoy exclusive benefits, including Early Park Admission and complimentary transportation to the theme parks.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras

INCREDIBLE OFFERS TO GET THE CELEBRATION STARTED
Access to Universal’s Mardi Gras is included with theme park admission. Starting today, Florida Residents can take advantage of a new offer to partake in the festivities that gives them two days of free admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure with the purchase of a 2-Park, 2-Day ticket (valid for use through June 29, 2023; blockout dates apply) – and for just $25 more they can add one day of admission to Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Florida residents and Universal Orlando Passholders looking to stay close to the celebration can save 35% on select rooms at all Universal Orlando hotels during select dates this Mardi Gras season.

U.S. and Canada residents wanting to join the festivities can still save 25% on a 5-Day/5-Night Vacation Package to visit Universal Orlando this spring and experience Mardi Gras (blockout dates apply).

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Celebration 2023

EXCLUSIVE PERKS FOR UNIVERSAL ORLANDO PASSHOLDERS
Universal Orlando Passholders also get access to Universal’s Mardi Gras (blockout dates apply) and receive exclusive perks, including a Mardi Gras themed magnet, the opportunity to reserve a spot to a ride a float, access to a special viewing area to enjoy the Mardi Gras parade and more. Additional details about passholder benefits for this year’s celebration will be shared soon.

For more information about Universal’s Mardi Gras and additional offerings like the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/MardiGras.

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