Now in it’s 21st year, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is bigger then ever! This year showcasing 99 topiaries with the newest ones being Kermit and Miss Piggy in a touch of Disney Synergy with Muppets Most Wanted being released right around the corner and what seems to be the most talked about being the new Snow White topiary.
While Topiaries and Flower blankets are often the most photographed things at the Flower & Garden Festival, there are many other things to see, do, hear, and taste! Each year the folks at Disney Horticulture always seem to find new ways to make simple flowers look amazing and this year they “pull back the curtain” as they say and share some secrets in the Gardner’s Palette presented by Transitions Adaptive Lenses.
Other new areas include the Backyard Habitat which showcases how we can make our outdoor living spaces a bit more beautiful and the Hummingbirds at Home area presented by the National Audubon Society. Not to mention the Disney*Pixar Monstrous Playground area great for kids to blow off some steam while parents have time to relax and…well smell the roses.
Some of the other activities to take part in include a Tea Walk in the U.K. Pavilion and many different chances to learn about home horticulture in the Festival Center. The HGTV stage in the Festival Center will play host to many different stars throughout out the 75 colorful days of the event.
One of the highlights of every F&G is the Flower Power concert series that runs every weekend during the Festival.
Last but certainly not least is the addition that just started last year, the Outdoor Kitchens. These 11 food booths located all around the World Showcase feature sweet and savory food and beverage options. One of the more unique options has to be the “Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes” I had the chance to taste one of these treats and the best description I can give to a Disney fan is it tastes like the way the burning of Rome smells in Spaceship Earth. It is something everyone should try, but I did find that it is best if split between two!
The Flower & Garden Festival has really moved from being second fiddle to the Food & Wine to almost being on the same level. The Festival runs now through May 18th in Epcot, any other questions please visit www.epcotinspring.com
