The 20th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

The 20^th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

The 20^th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will take place March 6-May 19, 2013. To honor such a momentous occasion, this year Disney is planning a bigger and better celebration than ever before. The best of past festivals will be combined with new features that will make you want to visit more than once. The festivities take place throughout the park. Most of the events are included in your park admission, food and beverages will cost extra. If you’re not sure where to start pick up a free Garden Passport Guide, Presented by HGTV. You’ll then be able to easily see what is new and what has returned from past festivals.

Amazing Topiaries

Grab your camera because the topiaries are back. There will be over 75 topiaries in 2013. Lightning McQueen and his friends, Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc., and Phineas and Ferb will be joining such past favorites as Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood. Topiaries will be located throughout the park. To add to the magic, the gardens will be illuminated at night.

Land of Oz

If you think that the Flower & Garden Festival won’t appeal to your little ones, think again. Land of Oz is part garden, part play area, based on the upcoming movie Oz the Great and Powerful. Your kids can have a chance to blow off some steam and you’ll love the theming.

Garden Marketplaces

One new feature for 2013 has everyone talking. There will be 11 special kiosks, similar to the Food & Wine Festival. They will be known as Garden Marketplaces and will serve foods that are not normally served at Epcot, as well as alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Eight of them are known as International Pavilions. They are as follows

Jardin de Fiestas: Start your journey in the Mexico Pavilion. There you’ll find pork tacos, crab tostadas and guava flan. They’ll also be serving tequila flights, strawberry-infused Rosita margaritas and Mexican beer.

Lotus House: Located in the China Pavilion, here you’ll be able to dine on such delicacies as Spring Pancake with Grilled Chicken and Green Apple and Taro-Bacon Puff Pastry. Try the Beijing-Styled candied strawberries with a cup of Bubble Tea, or try a Fruit Beverage Cocktail.

Bauernmarkt – Farmer’s Market: In the Germany Pavilion you can order Potato Pancakes, Spring Pea and Mushroom Bread Pudding or a German Meatloaf Sandwich. Try the elderflower cocktail Hugo or enjoy a cold German beer.

Primavera Kitchen: Your next destination should be the Italy Pavilion, where you’ll be able to sample Spring Vegetable Lasagna, Lobster with Asparagus or Panna Cotta. Try a fruity cocktail or a glass of Italian wine.

The Smokehouse – Barbeque and Brews: Where else would you expect to find a smokehouse but at the American Adventure? They’ll have smoked brisket and pulled pork. For sides try the cole slaw or the jalapeño cornbread. Cold beer will also be served.

Hanami: In the Japan Pavilion you’ll find Frushi, which is fruit sushi made with coconut rice and fresh fruit. You’ll also find Grilled Seafood Sticks and, of course, sake.

Taste of Marrakesh: Enjoy Lamb Kabobs with Couscous in the Morocco Pavilion. You can also try Harissa Chicken Drumettes with Chermoula and a Desert Rose Cocktail. White Sangria, Moroccan Beer and Mint Iced Tea with Peach will also be served.

L’Orangerie: The French are known for their pastries and baked goods, so head to the France Pavilion to try some delicious treats that you won’t find anywhere else at Walt Disney World. You can order a Ratatouille Tart with Goat Cheese or Country Pâté with Cherry Compote. French wines will also be sold.

The Cottage – Savories, Trifles and Tea: Stop by the United Kingdom Pavilion for a Trio of Truffles, a Salmon Tartare-Topped Cheddar Biscuit, an ultra-Gourmet Caprese and, of course, a variety of tea choices. They’ll also serve Rose Blush Lemonade.

The Other Delicious Destinations are:

Pineapple Promenade: Located in the World Showcase Promenade, this is the place that everyone is talking about because they will be serving Dole Whip with Spiced Rum. You can also get this classic Disney treat without the rum. Try a piece of  Pineapple Upside Down Cake or grab a fruit cup. They will also serve Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade and Cream Stout Beer.

Florida Fresh: Here you can taste some of the best that Florida has to offer. Located in the World Showcase Promenade, you can sample Shrimp with Grits or Watermelon and Feta Salad. You can also order a glass of either carrot or tomato wine.

Fruits by the Glass: Try a Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktail or a nonalcoholic Wildberry Slush. Mango and Blueberry Wines will also be sold. Other types of wine and Raspberry Ale will be available. Fruits By the Glass will be found at the World Showcase Plaza.

 

DIY at the HGTV Designers’ Stage

Back by popular demand is the DIY at the HGTV Designers’ Stage. Celebrity guests from HGTV and DIY will be hosting seminars on the weekends. Appearances are subject to change. According to Disney, the schedule is as follows

March 8-10: Chris Lambton of HGTV’s Going Yard

March 15-17: Chris Grundy of DIY Network’s Cool Tools

March 22-24: Egypt Sherrod of HGTV’s Property Virgins

March 29-31:Brandon Johnson of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney

April 5-7: Meg Caswell of HGTV’s Meg’s Great Rooms

April 12-14: Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves

April 19-21: Sara Peterson of Editor-in-Chief, HGTV Magazine

April 26-28: Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV’s Million Dollar Rooms

May 3-5: Casey Noble of HGTV’s Design on a Dime

May 10-12: Dan Faires of HGTV’s Design Star and HGTV.com’s DanMade

May 17-19: David Bromstad of HGTV Design Star, Color Splash, Design Star All-Stars

 

The Flower Power Concert Series

Returning for 2013 is the extremely popular Flower Power Concert Series, which features musical acts from the 1950’s through the 1990’s. The concerts are included in your park admission. They are held Fridays through Sundays at the American Gardens Theater in the American Adventure Pavilion. Shows are held at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm. Arrive early, seats will fill up quickly. The performances and acts are subject to change without notice. According to Disney, the 2013 Flower Power schedule is as follows:

March 8–May 10: Micky Dolenz of The Monkeez

March 15–March 17: Chubby Checker & The Wildcats

March 22–March 24: The Guess Who

March 29–March 31: Nelson

April 5–April 7: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie

April 12–April 14: Paul Revere & The Raiders

April 19–April 21: The Village People

April 26–April 28: The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO and ELO II

May 3–May 5: Tommy Roe

May 10–May 12: Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone

May 17–May 19: Starship Starring Mickey Thomas