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Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine
A Parent’s Guide to EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2024
By Dani Meyering,
2024-02-24
If you like to inspire your kids to appreciate nature and the outdoors, then the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is a must-do. This festival runs from February 28 to May 27, 2024, giving you three whole months to plan a great time together.
This festival at EPCOT is loved by locals and visitors alike. There is a lot to see and do, so let’s dive into the best things for families to experience while at the festival. As an Orlando mom, I love helping parents have a great time at Disney – so let’s get to it!
This Parent’s Guide to EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is built to help you plan ahead and find the best things to do with kids. We’ve also got the 2024 Topiary Lineup and Locations – keep reading!
Some of our TOP Picks for the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival with kids:
Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt: Pick up the card for $9.99 at the gift shops and search for Spike the Bee in the different gardens around the park! There will be an Easter egg theme hunt for a limited time too.
Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth – near Imagination!: This festival favorite is back and now located near Imagination! Butterflies are everywhere. Enough said.
Family Friendly Play Garden presented by OFF! – near World Discovery: Sit back and relax while the kids play in the playground. It’s a great spot to get the wiggles out.
The Topiaries: Challenge yourself to spot as many of the 100+ topiaries scattered throughout the park that are snipped to look just like your favorite Disney characters including NEW additions like Groot and characters from “Coco”.
Cool Gardens: There’s something inspirational about each of the 20+ gardens in the park. The Miniature Garden near Germany features a mini village and the Prehistoric Plants garden near Mission: Space is pretty cool to see!
Pro-parenting tip: don’t miss the Family Friendly Play Zone near the Creations Shop in World Discovery. Before my son and I left Epcot for the day, we enjoyed playtime. I love that this is completely fenced in and I could find some shade.
Pro-parenting tip #2 – Visit Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth right when it opens. The line moves fairly quickly and the butterflies are more active first thing in the morning.
Best Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Foods For Kids
Below are our picks for 2024
Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon – BRUNCHCOT (Near Test Track)
Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread – Florida Fresh (Near Disney Traders)
My son preferred this corn once I nibbled off the topping
Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with black forest ham and melted Gruyère cheese – Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany)
Orange Sesame Tempura Shrimp with orange chile sauce – Citrus Blossom Odyssey Building
Florida Strawberry Shortcake (plant-based) – Florida Fresh near Disney Traders
Chicken and Waffles: Crispy honey-brined chicken and honey sweet cornbread waffle with whipped honey butter and spicy honey – The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board (Near Port of Entry)
The Land Cart hosted by AdventHealth
Food Items:
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with cucumbers, olives, and multigrain crackers (New)
Açaí Parfait with Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and granola (New)
Florida Smoothie: Pineapple, orange, and mango (New)
Keep reading for this year’s 2024 Topiary Lineup and Locations!
Topiaries at EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2024
The Flower and Garden Festival topiaries are sure to be a hit with everyone, especially your kid(s). Each section of EPCOT has at least one topiary display. So, no matter where you roam, you’ll find delightful Disney springtime magic. My kindergarten son loved the Toy Story topiaries, with Buzz Lightyear near Mission: SPACE and Woody with Bo Peep near The Land Pavilion.
The Princess Tiana topiary in American Adventure is a new festival favorite returning this year!
2024 Disney Character Topiary Lineup and Locations
Asha, Valentino and Star from “Wish” – NEW! Main Entrance
Figment, World Celebration – World Celebration Plaza
Huey, Dewey and Louie, World Celebration – World Celebration Plaza
Donald Duck, World Celebration – Community Garden Near Connections Café in World Celebration
Bambi and Friends, World Discovery – Near Imagination! and Refreshment Port
Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy – NEW!, World Discovery – Near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Buzz Lightyear, World Discovery – Near Mission: SPACE
Woody, Bo Peep and Her Sheep, World Nature – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion
Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi), World Nature – Near The Land Pavilion
Goofy (new display), Rosewalk
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale and Pluto, Bridge to World Showcase
Encanto (Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa), World Showcase
Coco (Miguel and Dante) – NEW!, World Showcase – Mexico Pavilion
Anna and Elsa, World Showcase – Norway Pavilion
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, World Showcase – Germany Pavilion
Lady and the Tramp, World Showcase – Italy Pavilion
Tiana, World Showcase – The American Adventure Pavilion
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, World Showcase – Between France and Morocco Pavilions
Beauty and the Beast, World Showcase – France Pavilion
Lumiere and Cogsworth, World Showcase – France Pavilion
Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger), World Showcase – United Kingdom Pavilion
Tinker Bell’s Fairy House Garden, World Showcase – United Kingdom Pavilion
Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc, World Showcase – Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
Global Gardens Throughout Epcot
Besides the adorable topiaries, make time to explore the Global Gardens. These garden displays throughout Epcot are beautiful and inspiring. I personally do not have a green thumb, at all, but it is nice to dream what I could create if I did.
My young son loved looking at some of these gardens. Here are the new and returning favorites for 2024:
China Zodiac Garden – China Pavilion
Discover your favorite zodiac with while visiting clever creations.
Bamboo Garden – China Pavilion
Visit this garden to see bamboo in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes.
Miniature Garden – Germany Pavilion
Appreciate the little things in this showcase of diminutive dwellings nestled in a forest of fine shrubs.
Garden Italiano – Italy Pavilion
From fresh spaghetti sauce to pizza toppings, this Tuscan kitchen garden features all the produce and herbs needed to create a classic Italian feast.
Bonsai Collection – Japan Pavilion
Learn about the art of bonsai, some of the finest living sculptures. Bonsai masters carefully shape and tend these miniature works of art, creating peace and balance with the earth.
English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings – United Kingdom Pavilion
Unearth the history and art of tea-blending at this elegant English tea garden––featuring plants used in some of Twinings’ finest blends.
China Penjing Garden – World Showcase – China Pavilion – NEW! Discover ancient Chinese art that recreates miniature landscapes.
Gnome Garden – World Showcase – Germany Pavilion – NEW! Discover topiary versions of magical garden gnomes, originating from German folk tales.
EPCOT Gardens in World Discovery, World Nature, and World Celebration
Songbird Meadow Presented by Wild Birds Unlimited – World Discovery Songbirds are an important part of many ecosystems—including the one in your own backyard! Discover simple steps you can take at home to help these feathered friends thrive.
PB&J Garden presented by Smucker’s Uncrustables® – World Showcase Bridge – NEW! Follow your nose and form lasting memories with the help of fresh, unforgettable fragrances.
The Community Garden – World Celebration
Connect with the earth and each other at this celebration of a diverse and thriving communal garden plot.
Family-Friendly Garden Presented by OFF!
Explore a camp-themed garden where little ones are invited to jump, play and climb.
Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy – World Showcase Bridge
Follow your nose and form lasting memories with the help of fresh, unforgettable fragrances.
Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth – World Nature Near Imagination!
View a kaleidoscope of butterflies up close, in all their extraordinary color. Learn about butterfly lifecycles and maybe even see one emerge from its chrysalis. Closes at dusk.
Prehistoric Garden – World Discovery near Mission: SPACE
Imagine life on Earth 65 million years ago with astounding plant life that’s thrived since the age of the dinosaurs.
Garden Rocks Concert Lineup and Tips
The Garden Rocks concert series probably won’t interest your kid(s). Quite honestly, not many of the performers interest me either. But, each family is different. Maybe you and your kid(s) just love music of any kind and will enjoy experiencing a concert together.
You’ll need to be in the American Gardens Theater at least 15 minutes before showtime to at least get a seat.
2024 Epcot Garden Rocks Lineup
February 28 and 29 – The Vybe
March 1-2: Jason Scheff, Longtime Lead Singer of Chicago
March 3-4: Richard Marx
March 5-7: Evolution Motown
March 8-9: Berlin
March 10-11: Rick Springfield
March 12-14: Dian Diaz
March 15-16: Modern English – New!
March 17-18: The Commodores
March 19-21: Foreigners Journey
March 22-25: The Orchestra
March 26-28: Funkafied
March 29-30: Mike DelGuidice
March 31 – April 1: The Pointer Sisters
April 2-4: The Female Collective
April 5-6: Blue October
April 7-8: Crowder – New!
April 9-11: The Hooligans
April 12-13: Jo Dee Messina
April 14-15: A Flock of Seagulls
April 16-18: The M-80’s
April 19-22: Plain White T’s
April 23-25: The Champagne Orchestra
April 26-27: Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas
April 28-29: Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
April 30 – May 2: Southbound
May 3: Monsieur Periné
May 4: Raul Acosta & Oro Solido with Luisito Ayala y la Puerto Rican Power – New!
May 5: Raul Acosta & Oro Solido with Magic Juan – New!
May 6: Fonseca – New!
May 7-9: Gilly & The Girl Band
May 10-13: Simple Plan
May 14-16: Element
May 17-18: The Spinners
May 19-20: Sister Hazel
May 21-23: Epic Live!
May 24-25: Lit – New!
May 26-27: Casting Crowns
Garden Rocks Dining Packages
There is a dining package available in which you purchase a meal at a participating Epcot restaurant and then enjoy reserved seating for the performance. If you see a performer or band in the lineup above that is a must-see for you, then I recommend booking the dining package.
Choose from 4 unique eateries at EPCOT offering Garden Rocks Dining Packages at lunch and dinner. Each package includes:
An appetizer, entrée and dessert or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage, one (1) guaranteed seat per person to one Garden Rocks concert performance on the same day; the concert time will be assigned at the time of booking.
Tips and Reminders
EPCOT is typically open 9am – 9pm during the Flower and Garden Festival
Most of the festival-related activities start at 11am
Hours vary so please check Disney’s calendar before making plans
Weekends are especially busy and crowds build as the day goes on
Pack a tray or plastic plate that’s flat to help you carry food and drinks as you search for a spot, and corral your kid(s)
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