It happens to me every year. Once Valentine’s Day arrives, I get a bad case of spring fever. I’m ready for the snow to stop falling and for the flowers to begin blooming. Unfortunately, where I live in Colorado, we still have a few months of winter left no matter what the calendar says. Lucky for me, I will soon be escaping the cold and traveling to Disney World to enjoy some warm sun and gorgeous scenery at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. As I eagerly count down the days until my vacation, I’ve been enjoying all of the information and photos that Disney has been releasing about the upcoming event. In case you missed it, here’s everything that we know so far (photos courtesy of Disney):
The Basics
The 2015 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be held for 75 days from March 4 through May 17. This year’s theme is “Fresh Epcot” and once again this springtime event will feature beautiful blooms, exciting entertainment, and loads of delicious drinks and dishes. A few of the highlights are:
- Disney themed topiaries
- Magical gardens and exhibits
- Garden Rocks Concert Series
- Fun festival themed merchandise
- Entertainment for the kids
- Festival Event Center offering hands-on demonstrations
- Outdoor Kitchens with delicious drinks and dishes
Disney Themed Topiaries
This year there will be over a dozen incredibly designed topiaries to view. Here’s what is planned:
- Anna and Elsa located at World Showcase Plaza.
- Goofy About Spring featuring Goofy, Chip ‘n Dale, and friends located near the main entrance.
- Miss Piggy & Tour de Fleurs Garden located at the Italy Pavilion.
- Spring is in the Air featuring butterfly topiaries located behind Spaceship Earth.
- Disney-Pixar Buzz Lightyear located near Mission: SPACE.
- The Living Desert Road Rally Play Area featuring Mater and Lightning McQueen located near Test Track.
- Fantasia located at Future World West.
- Phineas and Ferb located at the Odyssey Bridge.
- Farmer Mickey and Minnie located between Future World and World Showcase.
- Bambi and Friends featuring Bambi, Flower, and Thumper located at the Canada Pavilion.
- Aurora and Prince Phillip located between the International Gateway and France Pavilion.
- Beauty and the Beast located at the France Pavilion.
- Disney-Pixar Woody located at the American Adventure.
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs located at the Germany Pavilion.
- Lady and the Tramp located at the Italy Pavilion.
- The Lion King featuring Mufasa, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Sarabi, Simba, and Timon located at The Outpost between the Germany and China Pavilions.
- Cinderella and Prince Charming located at the France Pavilion.
- Year of the Ram located at the China Pavilion.
- Troll located at the Norway Pavilion.
Magical Gardens and Exhibits
Throughout Future World and World Showcase, you will find many magnificent gardens and engaging interactive exhibits. Here are a few of the dozens of gardens that there will be to enjoy:
- Illuminated Gardens – Select topiaries and festival play areas will be lit for even more after dark fun.
- Butterflies on the Go – Learn about a butterfly’s life cycle and journey.
- Mike & Sulley’s Monstrous Garden – A fun Monsters University themed play area to explore.
- Health Garden – A unique garden near the Land pavilion in Future World will display ancient medicinal plants.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
This year, eleven bands will appear in the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. These concerts are included with your Epcot admission. Here’s the current lineup (subject to change without notice):
- March 6 – 8: Gin Blossoms
- March 13 – 15: Pablo Cruise
- March 20 – 22: En Vogue
- March 27 – 29: Starship
- April 3 – 5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
- April 10 – 12: Village People
- April 17 – 19: Jon Secada
- April 24 – 26: The Guess Who
- May 1 – 3: Taylor Dayne
- May 8 – 10: Little River Band
- May 15 – 17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Festival Themed Merchandise
This year you will find a huge variety of festival themed merchandise including clothing, accessories, kitchenware, and more. These items will be available at the Festival Center (open Fridays through Sundays) as well as select merchandise locations throughout Epcot.
Entertainment For Kids
There will be plenty available to keep the kiddos entertained during the festival. There are two play areas – Mike & Sulley’s Monstrous Garden and Cactus Road Rally Garden with Mater and Lightning McQueen – both of which are illuminated at night for even more fun. The butterfly garden returns this year and is always a big hit with the younger set. Plus Disney has created a fun interactive scavenger hunt for kids to follow and discover topiaries of their favorite characters.
Festival Event Center
The Festival Event Center will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the event to host complimentary demonstrations from gardening and horticulture specialists.
Outdoor Kitchens
The Flower & Garden Festival also includes eleven outdoor kitchens very much like what you see at the Food & Wine Festival in the fall. This year’s kitchens include Botanas Botanico, Urban Farm Eats, Pineapple Promenade, Fleur de Lys, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, The Smokehouse, Primavera Kitchen, Lotus House, Jardin de Fiestas, and Florida Fresh. Be sure to pick up a Garden Passport and get stamped at your stops along the way. Passports will be available at the Festival Event Center, all Outdoor Kitchens, plus select merchandise locations. Disney has just released the full menus:
Botanas Botanico
- Cachapa con Queso
- Seafood Ceviche with Shrimp, Scallops and Grouper
- White Corn Arepa
- Coconut Tres Leches
- Polar Beer
- La Tizana
- Monte Paschoal Reserve Tannat
- Monte Paschoal Natural Brut White Sparkling Wine
Urban Farm Eats
- Quinoa Vegetable Naanwich with Arugula Pesto & Oven-Dried Tomatoes
- Kale Salad with Dried Cherries, Almonds and Goat Cheese
- Ghost Pepper-Dusted Tilapia with Winter Melon Slaw
- Urban Mary
- Cucumber Lemon Spa Water
- Hess Shirtail Creek Vineyard, Chardonnay
- King Estate Acrobat Pinot Noir
- Crispin Blackberry Pear Cider
Pineapple Promenade
- Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Sriracha Mayo
- Pineapple Soft Serve
- Pineapple Soft Serve with Sammy’s Beach Bar Red Head Macadamia Nut Flavored Rum
- Pineapple Soft Serve with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
- Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade
- Ace Pineapple Hard Cider
- Sparkling Pineapple Wine
- Berry Tea Cocktail with Twinings Cold-Brewed Mixed Berry Tea
Fleur de Lys
- Macaron Guimauve à la Fraise (Strawberry Marshmallow Macaron)
- Confit de Canard (Pulled Duck Confit) with Garlic and Parsley Potatoes
- Gnocchi Parisien à la Provençal (Parisian Style Dumpling with Vegetables and Mushrooms)
- Ice Pop Peach Grand Marnier Cocktail
- La Vie en Rose St-Germain Vodka Slush
- Kir Imperial with Sparkling Wine and Chambord Liquor
- Beer Kronenbourg Blanc 1664
Taste of Marrakesh
- Vegetarian Falafel Pocket with Cucumber Tomato Salad & Tahini Sauce
- Harissa Chicken Kebab with Couscous Salad
- Pistachio Baklava
- Mint Iced Tea
- White Sangria
- Guerrouane Red
- Desert Rose — Sparkling Wine with Pomegranate Liqueur
Hanami
- Frushi (fresh pineapple, strawberry and melon rolled with raspberry coconut rice, sprinkled with toasted coconut and whipped cream)
- Teriyaki Curry Bun
- Salmon Sushi
- Kirin Draft Beer
- Yuzu Plum Wine Slush
- Strawberry Nigori
- Karatamba Sake
The Smokehouse
- Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue & Pickled Jalapeños
- Pulled Pig Slider with Cole Slaw
- Smoked Debreziner Sausage
- Piggylicious Bacon Cupcake
- Billy’s Chilies
- Floridian Hefeweizen
- Category 3 IPA
- Maple Bacon Stout
- Beer Flight
- The Original Rib Shack Red Wine
- Frozen Lemonade (with or without Palm Ridge Reserve Whiskey)
- R.C. Sweet Tea made with Twinings Cold-Brewed English Classic Tea
Primavera Kitchen
- Pinwheel of Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Ciabatta Bread
- Three Cheese Manicotti
- Lemon Panna Cotta
- Placido Pinot Grigio
- Placido Chianti
- Bosco del Merlo Prosecco
- Corbinello
- White Peach Bellini
- Strawberry Rossini
- Frozen Italian primavera
- Moretti Lager
- Moretti La Rossa
Lotus House
- Beijing Candied Strawberries
- Kung Pao Chicken Bun
- Vegetable Spring Roll
- Oolong Peach Bubble Tea
- Kung Fu Punch
- South Sea Storm
- Plum Wine
- Tsing-Tao Beer
- Honey Mango Wine Cooler
Jardin de Fiestas
- Tacos with Achiote-Marinated Pork
- Vegetarian Quesadilla
- Flan de Chocolate Abuelita
- Tecate with Patrón Citrónge
- White Mexican Sangria
- Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita
- Tequila Liqueur Flight
Florida Fresh
- Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, Baby Arugula and Feta Cheese
- Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage
- Florida Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart
- Watermelon Passion Fruit Slush
- Key Lime Sparkling Wine
- Blonde Ale
- Channel Marker Red Ale
- Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale (Festival Exclusive)
- Jai Alai
- Beer Flight
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Schedule
Weekend 1: March 6 – 8, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: Gin Blossoms
Spring into Spring Weekend 2: March 13 – 17, 2015 (extended by two days)
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: Pablo Cruise
Extra Spring into Spring Experiences March 16 – 17, 2015
- St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the American Adventure
Weekend 3: March 20 – 22, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Meet specialists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
Art in the Garden Weekend 4: March 27 – 29, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
Extra Art in the Garden Experiences
- From 11:00am to 7:00pm, see nature through the eyes of “Plein Air” artists, along with one-of-a-kind works of art in Guest Artist booths—located all throughout World Showcase.
Weekend 5: April 3 – 5, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: The Orchestra
Weekend 6: April 10 – 12, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: The Village People
Earth Day Weekend 7: April 17 – 22, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
Extra Earth Day Weekend Experiences
- Meet specialists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park: April 17 – 19, 2015
- Hear about conservation efforts to protect coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks and more at The Seas with Nemo & Friends: April 22, 2015
- See the grand reveal of a sand sculpture, based on the new Disneynature film Monkey Kingdom: April 22, 2015
Florida Fresh Weekend 8: April 24 – 26, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: The Guess Who
Extra Florida Fresh Weekend Experiences
- From 10:00am to 5:00pm, head for the Festival Center and discover why Florida is one of the top agriculture producing states in the nation.
Weekend 9: May 1 – 3, 2015
Festival Center Events
- See a stunning display of hibiscus in a wide array of colors at the Hibiscus Show
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
Weekend 10: May 8 – 10, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: Little River Band
Weekend 11: May 15 – 17, 2015
Festival Center Events
- Hands-on presentations on the Greenhouse Stage: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- Demonstrations on the Fresh Epcot Stage: 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Concert Series
- Musical Act: Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
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Have you attended the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival before?
What did you like the most? Are you going this year? Please leave a comment!
Happy Early Spring!
This year the 2015 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be held for 75 days from March 4 through May 17. The theme is “Fresh Epcot” and once again this springtime event will feature beautiful blooms, exciting entertainment, and loads of delicious drinks and dishes. A few of the highlights are:
Disney World Enthusiast 