The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival returns next month, albeit for a much shorter period than usual. In previous years, the festival has run until after the 4th of July, though this year the dates are 28th February to 27th May, 2024 (just 90 days!)
The festival is a celebration of all things garden and nature, with beloved topiaries of iconic Disney characters dotted throughout the park, a mix of world gardens, and pop-up food stalls.
Plus, Disney has released the line-up for its Garden Rocks series – and it’s better than ever.
Disney Character Topiaries
The Disney character topiaries are, without a doubt, the most popular aspect of this EPCOT festival. From the likes of Figment at the World Celebration Plaza to Mickey and friends near the bridge to the World Showcase, these intricate topiaries receive a lot of fuss.
New displays pop up each year and, for 2024, Disney World has announced that there will be a Wish exhibit featuring Asha, Valentino, and the Wishing Star, plus a brand new Groot topiary will be added to the park.
World Gardens
The World Celebration land will feature its regular Community Garden, as well as the stunning Festival Blooms display with its thousands of colorful flowers. This is where you will also be able to find the Connections Conservatory Garden filled with beautiful indoor displays near Connections Eatery.
World Discovery will also boast its fair share of gardens, from the Songbird Meadow and the Prehistoric Garden to the Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Garden, which is perfect if you’re at Disney with little ones.
Over in World Nature, you’ll find the Floating Gardens and the Butterfly Landing area. Meanwhile, The Land Pavilion hosts the Bold Bromeliads display, which features plants and flowers that can adapt to a wide range of climates.
But that’s not all; the majority of the World Showcase Pavilions each has a garden or two. Below you can see the gardens announced for 2024…
Mexico Pavilion: Extraordinary Orchids, Desert Garden
China Pavilion: China Penjing Garden, Bamboo Garden
Germany Pavilion: Gnome Garden, Miniature Garden
Italy Pavilion: Garden Italiano
Japan Pavilion: Shishi Odoshi, Kokedama Garden, Bonsai Collection
Morocco Pavilion: Spice Garden
France Pavilion: Bouquet Garden
United Kingdom Pavilion: Shakespeare Garden, English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings®
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Each year, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival hosts free concerts that feature a wide range of artists, from local favorites to global names. Some of the most exciting performers in 2024 include Simple Plan, Plain White T’s, and Orlando’s very own Epic Live!
Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8pm, though it’s always worth checking on the day as these times can vary. You can view the full Garden Rocks schedule here.
Dining packages are also available at many of the restaurants throughout the park, such as Garden Grill, Akershus, and the Rose & Crown Dining Room. These packages offer guaranteed seating during the concerts and can be booked in advance.
EPCOT Garden Graze
No Disney World festival is complete without a hefty selection of limited-edition snacks. And, as usual, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is bringing the goods.
Pick up a festival passport at the main entrance (or in a select number of merchandise spots around the park) and collect stamps to get a free specialty treat.
Your festival passport will lead you on an EPCOT Garden Graze journey to ten snack spots. All you need to do is try five items, collect a stamp for each, and then take your passport to the Pineapple Promenade, where your free treat awaits.
Usually, the treat is tasty Dole Whip in a limited edition cup, though we’ll have to wait and see what 2024 has in store.
Outdoor Kitchens will also be appearing all over the park, with many showcasing the best of local ingredients through specialty menus. These foodie pop-ups are always a major highlight of EPCOT’s festivals.
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