Epcot is really starting to get its groove back…
Of all Disney’s theme parks, in so many ways it felt like Epcot got hit hardest by the effects of 2020. A combination of extensive construction, the departure of World Showcase’s cultural representatives, and the scaling back of the park’s annual festivals all took a toll on the magic at the park celebrating Walt Disney’s greatest dream.
2021 is here, and things are really starting to look up at Epcot—especially with the arrival of the Taste of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Disney really has done an outstanding job with Epcot’s festivals since the start of 2021. The Festival of the Arts was great, but the park is really starting to feel like itself again with the Flower & Garden Festival—full of color, music, sunshine, and enticements to the senses.
Video: Jett Farrell-Vega (@My Kingdom For a Mouse – Glimpses of Disney)
Whether you’re planning to visit or are just in the need of some cheer, here’s some of the best highlights we saw at the Taste of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Gardens, Gardens, Gardens Galore
Epcot already holds some of the most beautiful gardens at Walt Disney World, but the Flower & Garden Festival really take these to the next level.
From one end to the other, this festival turns Epcot into an explosion of color from thousands of carefully arranged flowers. You can’t walk two minutes without being treated to a staggering artistic display of plants.
For a supposedly toned-back version of the festival, it certainly didn’t feel to us like they held back at all. In fact, this year felt like we saw the widest variety of gardens we’ve ever seen at Epcot before.
You can see floating gardens setting colorful flowers upon gently rolling waters…
A Shakespeare garden in the UK pavilion that brings some of the great playwright’s most botanical verses to life with displays accurate to the contents of his verse…
A peaceful bonsai garden in the Japan pavilion to make Mr. Miyagi proud…
A tea garden displaying the many herbs that make your favorite blends possible…
And many more stunning artistic displays of floral life…
The Butterfly Pavilion is the place to linger
Video: Jett Farrell-Vega (@My Kingdom For a Mouse – Glimpses of Disney)
Because butterflies are apparently easier to film than to photograph…
Of all the things I expected Disney to skip this year, the butterfly pavilion was the one I figured we wouldn’t see… and I am so happy I was wrong.
The pavilion is an enclosed garden positively bursting with inquisitive butterflies of many different species. You can see a number of them in the video above. The secret to the pavilion is to take it slow. Keep an eye out for plants the butterflies like most. I found one particular arrangement that had dozens of butterflies doing helicopters around my head.
All in all, we’re thrilled this annual favorite returned for 2021!
Treat yourself to a topiary scavenger hunt
Disney has some of the most skilled topiary artists in the country, and they really put their best foot forward for the Flower & Garden Festival. During your tour of Epcot, be on the lookout for your favorite characters brought to life as plant-sculptures.
A few of our favorites included this one from The Lion King…
This dragon in Japan…
And this brilliant butterfly…
And many more!
The food is ON POINT this year
In the last few years, I personally felt like some of Epcot’s Festival food offerings were starting to slip on quality. Fortunately, this year Disney’s chefs have been bringing their best work despite the unusual times. The variety available is seriously impressive with some delightful new additions.
I particularly enjoyed the Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread at the Honey Bee-stro…
The Grilled Baby Vegetables at Flavor Full Kitchen…
And both the Grilled Street Corn on the Cob and Lavender Pot de Crème (pictured above) at Trowel & Trellis…
Eager foodies may want to try the Garden Graze food scavenger hunt… If you try five specific items from the back of your Festival Passport, you get a complimentary treat. I was less-than-impressed with the prize offered for a similar hunt at the Festival of the Arts, but this time, the prize involves DOLE WHIP and includes a little freebie as well.
These are just a few highlights—the Taste of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival really blew us away this year. With park capacity continuing to be capped at 35%, it’s really an excellent time to check out this lovely Epcot offering…
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