Welcome, everyone, to one of my favorite annual events: the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Or as it’s called this year, the 2021 Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Whew. That’s a mouthful. The first of many mouthfuls you’ll experience if you ever get the chance to attend this annual event at Walt Disney World.
What is the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival?
It’s a festival for the senses, located exclusively inside Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park. By far the most adult of the Disney parks, Epcot feels like a modern World’s Fair, with an emphasis on innovation, learning, and exploring new cultures. Epcot is currently split into two distinct parts: Future World, which focuses on technology and innovation, and World Showcase, an impressive collection of pavilions themed to look and feel like countries from around the world. One of the best times to visit Epcot is during the annual Flower and Garden Festival. Every spring, Epcot bursts to life in a colorful explosion of themed gardens, character topiaries, flavorful food and drink, and live music.
When the Flower and Garden Festival debuted in the spring of 1993, its learning gardens, impressive Disney character topiaries, and visiting botanists were a natural extension of Walt Disney’s ongoing desire to learn, create, and innovate. The festival was later expanded to include concerts from big names like Rick Springfield and the Plain White T’s, as well as themed outdoor kitchens packed with dishes inspired by specific ingredients, countries, and cooking styles. Today, the Flower and Garden Festival is an event beloved by locals and tourists alike for its fresh flavors, fun musical acts, and cheerful floral displays. For a peek at past festivals, as well as some great money-saving tips, check out my guide to the 2019 Flower & Garden Festival.
What’s New in 2021?
COVID-19 Precautions
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Walt Disney World has rolled out enhanced safety features and guest entry requirements. All guests must submit to a temperature check and wear an approved face covering except when eating or drinking while stationary. The Fast Pass system is not currently in use, and social distancing markers stretch already-long lines out the front doors. Most play areas are closed, and there are no major concerts this year. Instead, you can catch performances by Epcot’s own Mariachi Cobre and Voices of Liberty, as well as a handful of local cover bands, on the American Adventure stage. Finally, and most importantly, you must make a theme park reservation in order to enter the park. Read more on park reservations here.
Making Way for the Future
Epcot as a whole is undergoing a major renovation right now. In August 2019, Disney announced major changes to Epcot, including the division of Future World into three distinct lands: World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature. Much of central Future World is currently closed beyond Spaceship Earth, and guests can choose to veer right toward Finding Nemo or left toward Mission Space, rather than continue through the middle of the park. Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Innoventions, Club Cool, and the Fountain of Nations are among the many classic Epcot sites being demolished.
Just in time for the Flower and Garden Festival, the park has debuted a brand-new entrance. The Leave a Legacy pillars in the front of the park have been removed for a much cleaner look. In their place is a brand-new fountain with three acrylic pylons representing the past, present, and future of Epcot. Guests who previously took a legacy photo need not fret, however. They can still find themselves on new, colorful, frankly Insta-worthy legacy walls just outside the front gates, and scan a QR code to find their new photo location with ease.
New Food Offerings
In addition to a few new menu items throughout the festival, there are two brand-new festival kitchens. The first, located just outside of Test Track, has been used before, but this year it houses a new kitchen with all-new menu items. The aptly-named Epcot Sunshine Griddle kitchen serves up creative breakfast dishes like avocado toast with toybox tomatoes and goat cheese, corned beef brisket hash, and fried cinnamon roll bites with candied bacon.
Next is the Epcot Farmer’s Feast, located in the World Showplace center. This kitchen features a rotating selection of dishes based on what is in season, meaning the menu is likely to change as the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival continues. Some of the dishes available in the first seasonal menu, for example, are Profiteroles with Red Beet Mousse, Golden Beet Pastry Cream, Whipped Goat Cheese Cream, and Candied Walnuts; and Duck Confit with Carrot Purée, Roasted Root Vegetables, Rainbow Chard, and Duck Jus. Yum.
What’s on the Menu
The 2021 Taste of Epcot Flower and Garden Festival features 21 flavor-packed kitchens, as well as specialty offerings at seven existing food locations. Most of these locations are situated around Epcot’s scenic World Showcase lagoon, with one more tucked away in Future World, near Test Track.
Specialty Kitchen Locations
- Epcot Sunshine Griddle (Future World East)
- Trowel & Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods (Showcase Plaza, near Mexico)
- Jardin des Fiestas (Mexico)
- Lotus House (China)
- Refreshment Outpost
- Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany): Bavarian bites
- Primavera Kitchen (Italy)
- Magnolia Terrace (The American Adventure)
- Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco)
- Hanami (Japan)
- La Isla Fresca
- Fleur de Lys (France)
- Cider House (World Showplace)
- EPCOT Farmer’s Feast (World Showplace)
- Festival Favorites (World Showplace)
- Northern Bloom (Canada)
- The Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza, near Canada)
- Pineapple Promenade (Showcase Plaza, near Canada)
- The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board (Showcase Plaza, walkway to Figment and Future World)
- Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth (Showcase Plaza, walkway to Figment and Future World)
- EPCOT Sunshine Griddle
Year-Round Stands with Festival Offerings
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company in Future World
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company in Showcase Plaza
- Refreshment Outpost (Between China & Germany)
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company in the American Adventure
- Funnel Cake (The American Adventure)
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company in Canada
- Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)
See all Festival menu items here.
Topiaries & Gardens
One of the primary attractions of the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival, of course, are the gorgeous topiaries of Disney characters located throughout the park. From Buzz Lightyear welcoming space travelers to Mission Space, to Belle and the Beast holding court in the France pavilion, the topiaries are a treat for kids and adults alike.
The themed gardens throughout the park are also a delight. There are the Chinese Zodiac garden in the China pavilion. The whimsical butterfly garden in Future World. The charming English tea garden in the United Kingdom pavilion. And so much more. Here’s where you can find all the themed topiaries and gardens at the 2021 Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.
Topiary Locations
- Sorcerer Mickey Mouse, Broom, Ostriches, Hippo and Mushroom – Main Entrance
- Woody, Bo Peep and her sheep – Future World West
- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy – Between Future World & World Showcase
- Pluto and Chip ‘n Dale – Between Future World and World Showcase
- Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey and Louie – Showcase Plaza
- Buzz Lightyear – Future World East near Mission: SPACE®
- Figment – Future World West near Imagination!
- Topiary Butterflies – Future World West
- The Three Caballeros (Jose, Donald and Panchito) – Mexico Pavilion
- Anna and Elsa – Norway Pavilion
- Troll – Norway Pavilion
- Dragon Topiary – Japan Pavilion near Torii Gate
- Pandas – China Pavilion
- China Zodiac Topiary Garden – China Pavilion in front of Nine Dragons
- Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi) – Future World West
- Snow White and Dopey – Germany Pavilion
- Lady and the Tramp – Italy Pavilion
- Beauty and the Beast – France Pavilion
- Remy – France Pavilion
- Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
- Peter Pan and Captain Hook – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger) – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Tinker Bell and Fairy Houses – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Bambi and Friends – Future World East near Mouse Gear
Global Gardens
- Outdoor Escapes Presented by OFF!® Repellents at Future World East
- Floating Gardens – Walkway between Future World and the World Showcase
- Festival Blooms – Future World’s East and West lakes
- The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ® at Future World West
- Prehistoric Garden at Future World East
- Bold Bromeliads at Future World West by the Land
- Health Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth – Imagination Walkway
- The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board™ at Future World
- Tropical Rainforest Garden at Mexico Pavilion
- Extraordinary Orchids at Mexico Pavilion
- Bamboo Garden at China Pavilion
- Chinese Zodiac Topiary Garden at China Pavilion
- Alpine Miniature Garden at Germany Pavilion
- Growing the Future presented by Murata Electronics at Future World West – Beginning April 3rd
- Garden Italiano at Italy Pavilion
- Kokedama Garden at Japan Pavilion
- Bonsai Collection at Japan Pavilion
- Urban Spice Garden at Morocco Pavilion
- English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London®
- Shakespeare Garden at United Kingdom Pavilion
Read more about Festival gardens and topiaries here.
Score a Free Flower and Garden Festival Treat!
In the very back of the Festival passport, you’ll find a page marked “Garden Graze.” There are five plant-based festival menu items listed. Try all five items and ask for a passport stamp as you pay. Collect all five stamps and head over to the Pineapple Promenade kitchen to collect your prize: an exclusive mango-lime Dole Whip in a collectible festival cup! Yum.
Let’s Take a Walk!
All right, now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get out and explore all that the 2021 Taste of Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has to offer. Do you have your Festival passport? Grab one at the front of the park, or pick one up at any of the outdoor kitchens for a handy, pocket-sized list of all the outdoor kitchens, topiaries, specialty gardens, and more. Ready? Let’s see what’s cooking!
World Showcase is laid out in a circle around World Showcase Lagoon. My personal preference is to start on the left side of World Showcase, near the Mexico pavilion, and make my way around the lagoon. Be sure to stop and explore the beautiful themed pavilions as you make your way around. Each has its own unique shops, sights, and restaurants. Some of my favorite stops are La Cava del Tequila (Mexico), the Brass Bazaar (Morocco) and of course, the entirety of the France pavilion. Here are a few visual highlights of the 2021 Taste of Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
My Top 10 Must Try Festival Dishes
- Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato – Northern Bloom $4.75
- Cajun-style Roasted Oysters – Magnolia Terrace $7.50
- La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: Vodka, Grey Goose l’Orange Vodka, St. Germain Liqueur, White and Red Cranberry Juice – Fleur de Lys $12.50
- Seared Verlasso® Salmon with Farro Risotto and Micro-herbs – Flavor Full Kitchen $6.25
- Passion Fruit Margarita: Corazón de Agave Blanco Tequila, Passion Fruit Purée, Lime Juice, Nixta Corn Liqueur and a Hint of Smoke with a Hibiscus Flower Salt Rim – Jardin de Fiestas $12.50
- Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Applewood-Smoked Bacon – Northern Bloom $7.00
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade and Smoked Paprika Oil – Festival Favorites $6.25
- Lavender Honey Mustard-Marinated Chicken Flatbread with Whipped Honey-Ricotta Cheese, Marinated Vegetables and Purple Haze Lavender Goat Cheese – The Honey Bee-Stro $5.75
- Meyer Lemon-Poached Lobster Salad with Grapefruit-Rosé Vinaigrette, Yuzu-Marinated Hearts of Palm and Avocado-Yuzu Panna Cotta – The Citrus Blossom $8.25
- Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, Feta and Balsamic Reduction – Festival Favorites $4.25
Have you been to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival? What did you think? What was your favorite part?
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