Tag Archives: Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

Mar 6 2019

2019 Garden Rocks Concert Series Bands Announced

If you plan to visit Walt Disney World this spring during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, here is some exciting news! Disney has recently released the information about which bands will be appearing in the Garden Rocks Concert Series that runs during the festival. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

Garden Rocks Concert Series is back – every single day of the 26th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival!

For the first time since the popular spring extravaganza expanded to 90 days, Garden Rocks concerts will play seven days a week, three times daily, for a total of 270 concerts spanning multiple genres across four decades of chart-topping hits.

Twelve brand-new Garden Rocks acts include: A Flock of Seagulls, Ambrosia, Peabo Bryson, War, Eddie Palmieri, Colin Hay of Men at Work, TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Michael Montgomery, Magic Giant, Jon Anderson of YES and Journey former lead vocalist Steve Auger. Other new-to-this-festival acts that have performed at other Walt Disney World events include Glass Tiger, Wang Chung, Air Supply and more.

Guests can dance in their seats each evening to classic tunes at the park’s outdoor America Gardens Theatre overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon.  An eclectic mix of Flower & Garden Festival fan favorites includes 1960s icons Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, ’70s-’80s chart-toppers Rick Springfield, Dennis Deyoung and Don Felder, and ’90s hit-makers Sister Hazel.

Performance times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8pm and are included with Epcot admission. Guests can enjoy guaranteed concert seating by reserving a Garden Rocks Dining Package and enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

  • March 6-8: Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI (NEW) “Don’t Stop Believin’”
  • March 9-10: Glass Tiger (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”
  • March 11-12: Jon Anderson of YES (NEW) “Owner of A Lonely Heart”
  • March 13-14: Tony Orlando “Knock Three Times”
  • March 15-16: Wang Chung (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”
  • March 17-20: Simple Plan “Perfect”
  • March 21-22: Ambrosia (NEW) “Biggest Part of Me”
  • March 23-24: Magic Giant (NEW) “Set on Fire”
  • March 25-27: Air Supply (NEW to Garden Rocks) “All Out of Love”
  • March 28-29: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn “Take My Breath Away”
  • March 30-31: The Smithereens (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Top of the Pops”
  • April 1-2: Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl”
  • April 3-4: Christopher Cross (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Sailing”
  • April 5-7: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”
  • April 8-9: Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX “Come Sail Away”
  • April 10-11: John Michael Montgomery (NEW) “I Love the Way You Love Me”
  • April 12-13: Sister Sledge (NEW to Garden Rocks) “We Are Family”
  • April 14-16: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
  • April 17-19: Sister Hazel (NEW to Garden Rocks) “All For You”
  • April 20-21: Steven Curtis Chapman (NEW) “Cinderella”
  • April 22-23: TobyMac (NEW) “The Elements”
  • April 24-26: Lonestar “Amazed”
  • April 27-30: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
  • May 1-4: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII I Am”
  • May 5-7: Don Felder, Formerly of the Eagles “Hotel California”
  • May 8-9: A Flock of Seagulls (NEW) “I Ran (So Far Away)”
  • May 10-11: Marshall Tucker Band (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Heard It in a Love Song”
  • May 12-13: Peabo Bryson (NEW) “If You’re Ever In My Arms Again”
  • May 14-15: Richard Marx (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Right Here Waiting”
  • May 16-19: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
  • May 20-21: Colin Hay of Men at Work (NEW) “Who Can It Be Now?”
  • May 22-23: War (NEW) “Why Can’t We Be Friends”
  • May 24-27: The Guess Who “American Woman”
  • May 28-29: Jon Secada “Just Another Day”
  • May 30-June 1: Blood, Sweat and Tears “Spinning Wheel”
  • June 2-3: Eddie Palmieri (NEW) “Vamonos Pa’l Monte”

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Which concert are you most excited to attend?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Feb 6 2019

First Details Of The 2019 Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

With snow piling up here in Colorado, it is hard to believe that in just a few weeks spring will be here and along with it the 2019 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Recently Disney gave us a sneak peek into what we can expect this time around. Here’s everything we know so far:

Epcot International Flower And Garden FestivalNew sights, sounds and flavors of spring will envelop Walt Disney World Resort guests beginning March 6 when the 26th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival bursts into bloom.

This year’s festival will be chock-full of lush new topiary whimsy, edible delights, gardens to play in and an expanded lineup for the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

The 90-day event continues through June 3, featuring dozens of Disney-crafted topiaries and beds of multi-colored blooms that will transform the Epcot landscape into a floral extravaganza. As just one example of this metamorphosis, nearly 70,000 festival blooms will surround the lakes in Future World, while on the water, hundreds of colorful mini-gardens will be set afloat.

Here is a look at some of the discoveries guests will make this year:

  • The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will expand to every day of the festival, featuring chart-topping artists performing three shows daily on the America Gardens Theatre stage. That’s 270 concerts – more than ever before – featuring new and returning fan favorites spanning multiple genres. Returning favorites like The Spinners and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will be joined by artists new to the festival like TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman and Colin Hay of Men at Work.
  • Creative new culinary dishes and several new outdoor kitchens will debut this year. AdventHealth will host a kitchen along with a nearby playground where the whole family can learn fun and interactive ways to stay healthy.
  • Woody and Buzz Lightyear will welcome Bo Peep and her sheep to their Toy Story topiary near the Family Play Zone in Future World East.
  • Disney Easter Egg HuntSpike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration family scavenger hunt will be more fun than ever this year with new locations to discover along the garden pollination trail. Guests can also commemorate their scavenger hunt experience with select merchandise offerings featuring everyone’s favorite bee, Spike. Another guest favorite returning to the festival April 5 – 21 (while supplies last) is the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt, where guests can search for Disney character-themed eggs around World Showcase.
  • In celebration of Disneynature’s “Penguins,” opening April 17, a 9-foot-tall art sculpture made from recycled marine debris will be on display in Future World featuring an adult and baby Adélie penguin. Created by the non-profit organization WashedAshore.org, this work of art is designed to inspire Guests to keep our oceans and waterways clear of plastic pollution.

Epcot International Flower And Garden FestivalAmong the returning gardens and exhibits, guests will once again enjoy the Goodness Garden Butterfly House presented by GoGo squeeZ where nearly 1,000 native butterflies will fly among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants. Additionally, several World Showcase pavilions will include gardens with floral life representative of plants in those countries, such as the Kokodema Garden and Bonsai Collection in Japan, the Urban Spice Garden in Morocco and the Alpine Container Garden in Germany.

As festival-goers take in all these floral wonders, they will find fine tastes to savor along their journey. In addition to the Outdoor Kitchens, raised-bed or in-ground gardens of herbs and produce will offer the perfect inspiration for learning to grow healthy ingredients. Several Epcot food-and-beverage locations – including Taste Track and Refreshment Port– will offer festival-themed eats and libations. Additionally, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at 15 popular Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating for a nightly concert with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. 

Guided tours are also available for guests interested in learning more about nature’s magic. In Behind the Seeds – The Land, guests can explore the fish farm and four greenhouses that make up The Land at Epcot. Additionally, two guided experiences exclusive to the festival include:

  • The Royal Tea Garden Tour, presented by Twinings, which takes place each festival morning at the United Kingdom. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days.
  • During the Gardens of the World tour, guests will join a Disney horticulturist for a three-hour walking tour to explore the award-winning topiaries and gardens that make the festival so special. Guests will learn about the unique role landscaping plays at Walt Disney World and discover new plant materials and gardening techniques to use for home gardens.

Guided tours are offered select days throughout the festival for an additional fee. Epcot admission is required. Reservations for tours are open now. For more information or to make a reservation, call 407-WDW-TOUR.

Guests can also commemorate their visit to the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with official event merchandise. They can dig up a charming array of whimsical apparel and headwear designed to capture the splendor of spring, garden tools and accessories, and magical Disney keepsakes to adorn their homes and gardens.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World this Spring?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be attending the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival?
What are you most excited about? Please leave a comment!

Jan 23 2019

Four Signature Epcot Festivals Return To Walt Disney World In 2019

Visiting Walt Disney World in 2019? You’ll be excited to know that all four signature Epcot festivals return to Walt Disney World Resort this year. 2019 kicks off with the Epcot International Festival of the Arts currently underway, followed by the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival during the spring, fan favorite Epcot International Food and Wine festival during the fall, and the year wraps up with the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Stay tuned for more details as I visit each of the festivals this year. In the meantime, here is a first look at each event courtesy of Disney!

Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the arts, flowers, food, music, holidays and non-stop family fun throughout the year during four signature theme-park festivals.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts: Now – February 25, 2019

This annual celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts presents 39 fun-packed days showcasing art in many forms for everyone in the family. Food and drinks are created with artistic flair at more than 15 park destinations. The festival’s creative menus feature everything from red wine-braised short ribs with parsnip puree at Cuisine Classique to vanilla, rose water and pistachio panna cotta at Masterpiece Kitchen. Kids of all ages will want to try the Pop’t Art modern-design sugar cookie and other delectable treats.

In 2019, the festival’s popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series will offer performances every day of the festival. The series presents musical performances from Disney on Broadway shows like “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and special dining packages guarantee concert seats.

Interactive fun is around every corner. Guests can help paint a mural, pose for a memorable photo in the frame of an iconic piece of art, participate in a workshop, or take a break to watch performance artists in action.

Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalEpcot International Flower & Garden Festival: March 6 – June 3, 2019

Millions of spring blossoms will transform Epcot into a wonderful world of brilliant color during this 90-day celebration of flowers, topiaries, themed food, libations and music. Now in its 26th year, the festival continues to offer fresh experiences. A new Bo Peep and her Sheep topiary from Disney•Pixar’s upcoming “Toy Story 4” will greet guests at the festival’s new Family Play Zone. Featured gardens will focus on butterflies, bamboo and Shakespeare’s metaphoric plants, while more than 70 Disney-themed topiaries – from Snow White to Daisy Duck – dot the landscape.

New Outdoor Kitchens with their own herb and veggie gardens will debut this year with creative bites and beverages. The Garden Rocks Concert Series expands this year to every day of the festival, offering new and returning acts spanning multiple genres. With three performances daily, that’s 270 concerts over the course of the festival – more than ever before! Returning favorites like The Spinners and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will be joined by artists new to the festival like TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman and Colin Hay of Men at Work.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©DisneyEpcot International Food & Wine Festival: Late August – November 2019

Disney guests can get their gourmet groove on during this iconic culinary dine-around that will run late summer to November in 2019. More than 30 Festival Marketplaces will offer tempting tastes and sips throughout Epcot. During the festival, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presents a diverse collection of hit makers from pop to country to R&B and more. Concert seating is guaranteed for guests who book Eat to the Beat Dining Packages. Guests can also discover new savory and sweet treats by making reservations for the festival’s beverage seminars and specialty dining and pairing events.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays: November – December 2019

The annual yuletide extravaganza at Epcot celebrates holiday traditions of World Showcase cultures with live musical productions, spirited storytellers, seasonal lights and décor, delicious holiday treats and more. The beloved, long-running Candlelight Processional invites guests to experience the story of Christmas narrated by a celebrity host to the cherished Christmas music performed by a professional orchestra and full choir. Dining packages offer guaranteed Candlelight seating.

Disney chefs create treasured seasonal dishes to keep palates merry at Holiday Kitchen kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Lagoon. From savories to sweets, from children’s drinks to adult libations, there’s something on the holiday menu for everyone.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Which Epcot Festival is your favorite?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Jul 25 2017

Enchanting Extras At Walt Disney World

As a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, I often get the “you’re going there AGAIN?!” question accompanied with the perplexed eye roll and head shake. If you are a Disney fan like me, you already get it, you know why we go back time and again, but if you’re new to Disney, here’s one of the multitude of reasons so many of us “Disney Freaks” (as we are sometimes affectionately referred to) continue to return again and again…there is always something new and exciting to experience. Better than any other theme park destination, the Disney company knows how to create entertaining guest experiences to draw us in and keep us coming back for more. Here’s everything you need to know about a few of these “Enchanting Extras” courtesy of Disney:

Cinderella CastleWhether it’s celebrating a special occasion, trying a new exhilarating activity, or treating the family to a well-deserved splurge, the Enchanting Extras Collection lets Walt Disney World Resort guests discover even more magic to add to their vacation.

The Enchanting Extras Collection helps guests enhance their vacation experience with options that vary from relaxing spa treatments to delightful dessert parties and beyond, immersing guests in more magic and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Guests can select from more than 70 distinctly Disney experiences within these eight areas of interest:

Adventures in Dining

With a plethora of culinary adventures in store for guests, these experiences will make guests feel like a gourmet chef, or learn what it’s like to be an Imagineer at Disney, or even enjoy a private dinner–the choice is theirs! During the Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience, guests enjoy a private safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and explore the tastes of Africa with premium eats and beverages.

Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalLimited-Time Events

There are stellar seasonal events and experiences offered at Walt Disney World Resort, bringing unique fun to guests year round. Guests can choose from a host of limited-time events throughout the year, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the fall, or the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in the Spring.

Make-Believe & More

Just for kids, these enchanted experiences are fairy tales come true. From magical makeover experiences such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and The Pirates League, to Children’s Activity Centers at the resort hotels, there are plenty of ways for kids to have an extra special time.

Nature Experiences

Animal and nature lovers can choose from multiple encounters that bring them closer to exotic wildlife, including experiences such as Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In this guest adventure, expert guides lead small groups of adventurers on excursions where they can spend extended time observing and learning about the animals while on foot and while over-landing in customized safari vehicles.

Disney World Saratoga Springs GrandstandRest & Recreation

Whether guests are seeking a rejuvenating treatment at one of the Senses Spa locations at the resort hotels, or want to hit the green with a rousing round of miniature golf at one of the multiple courses at Walt Disney World, there are a myriad of ways to relax and unwind.

Wishes PartySpectacular Sweet Spots

Guests can sweeten any vacation experience with exclusive dessert party options. One party, Frozen Ever After Dessert Party, offers not only a specially created Frozen dessert menu and beverages, but fantastic views of IllumiNations at Epcot as well.

Special Occasions

There’s no better place to celebrate special milestones and make new memories than at Walt Disney World Resort, and these experiences take these moments to the next level. If guests are staying at one of the many resort hotels, Disney magic-makers can even create special surprises called ‘In-room Celebrations’ with floral arrangements, birthday, anniversary, holiday gifts, and much more.

Unique Access Tours

Guests can take a peek behind the scenes and see how Disney magic comes to life at the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts with special tours like the World Showcase DestiNations Discovered tour, providing an insider’s look at the countries that helped shape the creation of Epcot, or the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP tour, which gives guests an action-packed experience through multiple parks.

Beyond traditional theme park-going, these options are among a whole world of choices guests can choose from. Guests can book any of these experiences by clicking here or by calling 407-939-7529.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you tried an Enchanting Extra at Walt Disney World?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Mar 8 2017

Epcot 2017 International Flower & Garden Festival Themed Gift Card

flower-garden-14

Will you be visiting the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival this spring? If so, here’s a helpful tip for you; when making purchases at the Outdoor Kitchens rather than using cash, credit card, or MagicBand, why not use a Disney Gift Card? When I vacation during Flower & Garden in the spring or Food & Wine Festival in the fall, I always find it easier to load a Disney Gift Card and make my food and drink purchases with it. Not only does it help set a budget for my spending, it is also more convenient especially when using the mini gift cards that are designed with a wrist band.

For this year’s event, Disney is offering a brand new orange-scented (think Soarin’) mini gift card with an exclusive Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival design and wrist strap. You can activate this Disney Gift Card with as little as $15 and reload it as many times as you would like.

Currently the Epcot International Flower & Garden Design gift card is available at Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin as well as locations throughout Epcot while supplies last.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Do you use a gift card during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!