Written by: Jennifer Erwin
Next week, The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida welcomes the 25th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, which will run from March 6, 2019 through June 3, 2019. Entrance to the Festival is included with a regular park admission ticket. Children aged 2 and under do not need a park ticket.
Topiaries
Nature becomes sculpted works of art again this year at the F
estival. The topiaries displayed during Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival can be seen at the Main Entrance, in Future World East and West, and throughout World Showcase. New this year are the Sunflower topiaries in The American Adventure Pavilion. Also new this year, the Bo Peep with her Sheep topiaries from Disney’s Pixar’s “
Toy Story 4” in U.S. theaters June 21, 2019. The Bo Peep with her sheep topiaries are located near Test Track. Be sure to snap lots of pictures of the topiaries and let us know your favorites!
Food
The Festival also brings with it lots of tempting new treats this year. The Orange Cream Slushy served in a souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic) will be available at The Citrus Blossom. Be sure to grab yours soon, I am sure this hot item will sell out fast! Speaking of frozen treats, the Queen of the Festival, Violet Lemonade returns to her throne. The frozen
dessert lemonade tastes like sweet tarts and is served with an edible flower on top. It can be found at Pineapple Promenade during the Festival.
One of the most exciting Outdoor Kitchen locations this year is Trowell & Trellis hosted by IMPOSSIBLE Foods where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy vegan dishes, Cold Pressed Juices, teas and locally brewed ale. I have a feeling that I will be going back often for the Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach and Marinated Vegetables served with a Creamy herb dressing. While I am there I don’t think I will be able to resist the Chocolate Pudding Terrarium made with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate and Baby Herbs.
Festival Merch
One of my favorite items at every Epcot Festival is the Scavenger Hunt. This year, Spike’s Pollination Exploration Scavenger Hunt returns. The cost is $6.99. Don’t forget to use your Annual Pass or Disney Vacation Club discount to save 20%. Completed maps can be traded in for a prize and I can’t wait to complete the Scavenger Hunt map and choose from one of the four cute patch packs.
The Spirit Jersey has become a hot item throughout Disney Parks, so it comes as no surprise that the new Festival merch will include two super cute options to add to your collection. One of the themes for Festival merchandise this year is “put some zest into your fest” and I have a feeling this violet Spirit Jersey is going to fly off the shelves. There will also be a cute soft pink Minnie Garden Party Spirit Jersey.
This year Annual Passholders will have the opportunity to get two themed magnets that celebrate the Festival. Visit Mouse Gear and Port of Entry during the Festival to pick up your magnet. (Limit one magnet per Annual Passholder). The Festival Pluto Magnet will be available March 6, 2019 through April 10, 2019. The Festival Daisy Duck Magnet available April 11, 2019 through June 3, 3019.
Like the magnets, Annual Passholder-Exclusive merchandise will be released in two waves. The first will launch March 6, 2019 and will include a Figment T-shirt, Tervis tumbler, limited-edition Magic Band, two trading pins, a Pandora charm, Donald and Spike mug and a Dooney & Bourke Tassel Tote. The second wave will launch April 11, 2019 and passholders will have the opportunity to purchase a Tervis stem glass, Minnie Mouse mug, ladies tank top and baseball cap and a Goofy mug, t-shirt and baseball cap.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Garden Rocks Concert Series returns again this year for 90 straight days of rock! There will be 270 concerts starting with Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI (March 6th through March 8, 2019). Other new Garden Rocks performers include, Wang Chung, Air Supply, Christopher Cross, John Michael Montgomery, Sister Sledge, Sister Hazel, Stephen Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, A Flock of Seagulls, Marshall Tucker Band, Peabo Bryson, Richard Marx, Colin Hay of Men at Work, War and Eddie Palmieri. Complete lineup can be found here.
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