2017 Disney Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Guide

You know spring is in the air when Epcot at Disney has their 24th annual International Flower & Garden Festival. While the grounds at Epcot are always flawless and at full bloom, the Flower and Garden Festival takes them to the next level.

Make sure to come hungry! Set up around the world showcase they have kiosks set up, which is a lot like the Marketplace Booths at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival if you have ever been, which features small yummy plates and national delicacies that allow you to taste fresh flavors from the garden. With the small plates and drinks it gives the guest the chance to try specialty treats from international destinations. So here is the run down so you can go and get your food on!

How much does it cost?

There’s no special ticket required to attend the Flower and Garden Festival. Your park ticket to get into Epcot will allow you to enjoy all of the Flower and Garden Festival events.

When is it?

The Flower and Garden Festival typically takes place from the first part of March through the middle or end of May. In 2017, the dates are March 1-May 29.

What exactly takes place during the festival?

There are several different things that take place at Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival.

Here are the main highlights:

Topiaries

One of my favorite parts is that the whole park has lots of topiaries. Might I add they have well over 100 that have been created in the shapes of Disney characters.

Gardening seminars and workshops

In the Festival Center (located between Mission: Space and Ellen’s Energy Adventure), experts appear to answer questions about gardening on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Garden Rocks Concerts

Concerts are held during the weekends of Flower and Garden Festival and feature groups who were popular about twenty years ago but still are always amazing to see live. Concerts take place at the American Gardens Theater on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The lineup for 2017 is:

• March 3-4: Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
• March 5-6: Dennis DeYoung – The Music of STYX (“Grand Illusion”)
• March 10-13: The Pointer Sisters  (“I’m So Excited”)
• March 17-18: Simple Plan (“Welcome to My Life”)
• March 19-20: Plain White T’s  (“Hey There Delilah”)
• March 24-27: Night Ranger  (“Sister Christian“)
• March 31-April 3: Little River Band  (“Reminiscing”)
• April 7-10:  Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice  (“Spinning Wheel”)
• April 14-17: Gin Blossoms  (“Hey Jealousy”)
• April 21-24: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO  (“Evil Woman”)
• April 28-29: Exposé  (“Point of No Return”)
• April 30-May 1: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn  (“Take My Breath Away”)
• May 5-8: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas  (“We Built This City”)
• May 12-15: The Guess Who (“American Woman”)
• May 19-22: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (“I’m Henry VIII, I Am”)
• May 26-29: The Spinners  (“Working My Way Back To You”)

Is Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival worth it?

I think the Flower and Garden Festival is most likely worth it for all people who enjoy the beauty of nature, fresh food and live music.

Foods we had:

La Isla Fresca:

Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro – $6.00 (our favorite)

Bauernmarkt Farmers Market:

Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V) – $3.75
Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions and Herb Sour Cream

The smokehouse: barbecue and brews

Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw and Crispy Onions – $6.00

Hamami:

Beef Teriyaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger – $6.20

Fleur de lys:

Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne: Alsatian Onion Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Puff Pastry Crust (V) – $4.75
La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush: Grey Goose Vodka Orange, St. Germain Liquor, White and Red Cranberry Juice – $9.95

Taste of Marrakesh:

Merguez “Hot Dog” Sausage: Spicy Beef and Lamb with Sauteed Onions and Green Peppers – $6.00 (Our least favorite)

Florida Fresh:

Carne Asada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream – $6.50

* This post is sponsored by Disney