How to Plan a Fun Filled Day at the 2021 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
Of all the Epcot festivals my favorite has always been the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. It may be because I live in a part of the country where we can’t safely plant our flowers till May, but it just brings so much joy when I see the topiaries and beautiful flower creations in full bloom.
My family just got back from our 2021 visit to the festival and I wanted to share with you all of the can’t miss activities that your kids are going to love.
I will also be including a few pro tips along the way. Even if this is your first Flower and Garden Festival, you will be able to guide your family through it like a pro.
The Festival
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is running this year from March 3rd to July 5th, 2021. The festival provides a unique way to visit Epcot in which you will be able to sample delicious garden inspired food at outdoor kitchens, view amazing Disney themed topiaries, experience live entertainment, and more.
What we love about this festival compared to others is the amount of fun kid friendly activities that it has to offer.
How to Start Your Day at The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
You will want to start off by picking up the official guide as well as a park map. While the My Disney Experience app does a great job, there is just something kids love about holding and guiding with a physical map. We always grab one for each kid, and an additional one to bring back as a (free) souvenir. Regardless of which entrance you use you will be able to clearly see the guides available after you enter the park.
Next you will want to pick up a Spike’s Pollination Exploration scavenger hunt map. (well maybe take a ride on Frozen Ever After…..but then grab the map). This is a fun scavenger hunt throughout the park where you can look for Spike the Bee hidden in gardens and displays. The cost is 7.99 but at the end you will get an awesome prize of your choice.
The prize can sometimes change, so feel free to ask before you purchase if you want to confirm the prize. When we were there it was a travel mug, and we chose Orange Bird, but Minnie Mouse and Figment options were also available.
Future World Flower and Garden Kid Activities
If you have young kids you will want to check out the Healthful Trail which provides a fun open space to run and explore.
On your way to the Land Pavilion, make sure you stop to see the Goodness Garden Butterfly House. Here you can get up close with butterflies and maybe see some emerging from their chrysalis if you’re lucky.
*pro tip: The butterfly garden is a great place to take a little one if you have big kids who will be riding Soarin’, as it is right around the corner.
Keep your eyes peeled as you walk around future world as this is where you will find many of the flower topiaries featuring Fab 5 characters.
The World Showcase for Kids- Flower and Garden
The World Showcase will be the place for more beautiful gardens and live entertainment.
If you are looking for princess photo ops this is your stop. You will see Snow White, Anna and Elsa, Belle and more. We found that with the lack of character meets this year, this provided an awesome opportunity to still get princess character shots-2021 style.
This is also where you will find this year’s live entertainment. Near the American pavilion you will find the American Gardens Theater. Here you can find Epcot favorites such as Voices of Liberty or Mariachi Cobre performing throughout the day. On the weekends you can find the occasional local cover band which this year will replace the usual big name concerts.
*pro tip: This outdoor venue offers lots of seating under a shaded pavilion. It is a great stop if you are circling the World Showcase with kids as it gives them a nice shady place to sit and recharge.
On the other side of the World Showcase at the Canada pavilion you will find another Epcot favorite the Jammitors, who rename themselves the Jammin’ Gardeners in honor of the festival.
As you walk through each country, remember to stop and look for Spike the Bee to mar his location off your scavenger hunt.
The Kid Friendly Epcot Festival Food
Ok, I will be the first to admit that Epcot festival food can be tricky with kids. The lines can be long with little seating. With a few tips, however, you can be able to enjoy the fun food the festival has to offer even when touring with your family.
The food booths are scattered throughout the park and offer different items at each booth. You’ll want to take a look at the menus in your My Disney Experience app or the festival guide to decide where to stop.
Some of our kid friendly Epcot Flower and Garden Festival favorites include:
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Whipped Cream, Cider House
- Orange Lemon Smoothie in optional souvenir cup and Citrus-Braised Crispy Pork Belly with Kumquat and Carrot , The Citrus Blossom
- Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue, Festival Favorites
- Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Bacon and Froot Loops® Shake, Epcot Sunshine Griddle
The lines for food booths can get very long, so we have had good luck visiting them early in the day as they first open, and also late at night for an after dinner snack.
*pro tip: Make reservations for a sit down lunch if you are visiting with kids. It is tempting to want to make a lunch of the food booths, but we found this year since Epcot doesn’t officially open till 11am, the lines grow long quickly. Enjoy an nice break from the heat with a sit down meal for lunch and hit up the food booths when it is cooler at night (post dinner rush) and kids will be more accommodating of the wait.
Giveaway
Now for the most exciting part of this post, our GIVEAWAY! Because I want you to try all the yummy treats the Epcot Flower and Garden Festivalhas to offer- I’m giving away a $15 Disney gift card you can use at the festival AND 3 Disney snack themed face masks!
Just follow the instructions below to enter and one lucky reader will be chosen on May 18th!
What Epcot Flower and Garden Festival food would you spend your gift card on? Let me know below!
[…] Magic For Five – Spring Festival Giveaway […]