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The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Continues at Walt Disney World

It’s hard to believe that there is less than a month left to experience the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival! The last day this year is June 3. Disney invited my daughter and me to a hosted Family Media Day on Saturday, May 4. Since the Flower & Garden Festival is my favorite festival, I gladly accepted the invitation.

Part of the reason why I love the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is because of all of the character topiaries. My favorite is always Winnie the Pooh and his friends. I learned how to read in my father’s lap as we explored the Hundred Acre Wood together, so these characters hold a special place in my heart. Elsewhere Bo Peep has joined Woody and Buzz this year, and she is helping them to watch over one of two children’s play areas. Adding a bit of whimsy to the 2019 festival are Miss Piggy and Kermit. They have been part of the festival before, but it’s been a couple of years.

The Outdoor Kitchens this year are remarkable. One favorite that is brand new is Trowel & Trellis. It’s plant based and is sponsored by IMPOSSIBLE. One bite and you will be shocked that the “meatball” is not beef. Returning kitchens The Honey Bee-stro and The SMOKEHOUSE continue to be popular this year. Of course the main item that has truly taken this festival by a storm can be found at The Citrus Blossom. That is where you can pick up the Orange Bird Slushy, in the cutest cup that you have ever seen.

One of my favorite parts about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is always the Goodness Garden Butterfly House. As a local Annual Passholder, I’m able to visit often. I love to see how the number of butterflies in the house increases each visit. The butterflies were pretty active on May 4, they are so much fun to watch.

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The Garden Rocks Concert Series seems to be more popular than ever this year. I’ve already been a couple of times, and I’ve loved every moment. The concerts take place three times each night: 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00. On May 4 it was the final day for Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone. It was a really entertaining show. I hope I have that much energy when I’m 71!

If you’re looking for some extra fun for the whole family, purchase a scavenger hunt map! With Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration, you’ll purchase a map, then look for Spike the Bee throughout Epcot. When you find him, take the matching sticker (they come with the map) and place it on the map. Once you’ve finished, turn it in for a prize. Even if you don’t finish the hunt, you can still get the prize. Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration takes you to the various gardens that are located around Epcot for the festival, so it’s a good way to explore them as well.

I can’t mention Epcot these days without saying something about IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. The incredible nighttime show will end its 20 year run on September 30. By then the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be in full swing. Disney has given us plenty of warning about when IllumiNations is going to end, so make your plans to see it (at least) one more time. A new temporary show, Epcot Forever, will debut on October 1. No ending date for that has yet been announced.

We were treated to a media-only dessert party at 8:00. It featured several treats such as Boston Cream Cupcakes, Caramel Astro Bars, and churros. It was a sweet way to end the day. We were then supposed to enjoy IllumiNations in a reserved viewing area, but the weather had a different idea. The show was cancelled a little after 10:00. By then it was a beautiful evening, but there was lightning in the area, and safety needs to come first.

I’d like to thank Walt Disney World for inviting us to spend the day at Epcot. We had a wonderful time, and I hope that the Cast Member who I met at Gardeners Terrace was finally able to get a reservation for Cinderella’s Royal Table!

About PaulaK

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. When I was nine my family went to Disneyland and I was hooked. I grew up, attended New England College in Henniker, NH and eventually moved to Virginia. I worked as a disc jockey, married and became a full time mom when our daughter was born. Fast forward several years. In 2010 we moved to Central Florida and my Disney obsession grew. I now work as a freelance writer and spend my spare time in the parks. Under the name Paula Brown I penned the novels Dream Wanderers and The Coffee Cruiser. I also am a co-author of Dining at Walt Disney World: The Definitive Guide. I'm obsessed with Star Wars, so this is a good time to live in Central Florida. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade, a choice that my daughter eventually made as well. While my husband still hasn't joined us fully he has given up most meats except for seafood. I was relieved to find that vegetarian dining is not difficult at Walt Disney World.