Spring has arrived, and with it comes my favorite time of year at Walt Disney Worldโthe EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! This annual event, which started in 1993, transforms EPCOT into a colorful celebration of blooms, outdoor kitchens, and family-friendly fun. For 2016, the festival has expanded from 75 days to 90, running from March 2 to May 30, making it the perfect way to kick off spring.

As we get ready for the 2016 festival, letโs take a look back at the highlights of 2015 before diving into whatโs new and exciting this year.
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a feast for the senses. With over 30 million blooms, 700 gardens, and 200 floating flowerbeds, every corner of EPCOT bursts with color and life. Topiaries of more than 70 Disney characters create picture-perfect moments, while butterfly gardens, hands-on exhibits, and outdoor kitchens offer something for everyone.

Topiaries and Gardens: Disney Magic in Full Bloom
The topiaries are always a fan-favorite, and for 2016, Disney has taken it up a notch with new additions and nighttime lighting that makes the displays a must-see day or night. Here are some of the character topiaries you can expect to see:
- New for 2016: Fresh Food, Fun & Flowers at the Main Entrance: Featuring Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie
-
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival โ Bambi and Friends in Canada New for 2016: Ranger Mickey & Friends In Future World East
- Buzz Lightyear: in Future World East
- Fantasia: Future World West
- Phineas and Ferb: Future World East
- Minnie, Mickey & Pluto: Showcase Plaza
- Anna & Elsa: Norway
- Bromeliad Dragon: China
- Simba & Friends: African Outpost
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Epcot Flower and Garden Festival โ Beauty and the Beast Topiaries in France Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Germany
- Lady and The Tramp: Italy
- Woodyโs: American Adventure
- Beauty and the Beast: France
- Winnie the Pooh and Friends: United Kingdom
- Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and the Croc: United Kingdom
- Bambi & Friends: Canada
If youโre traveling with children, donโt miss the interactive play areas. The new Harmony Garden Musical Playground and Cactus Road Rally featuring Mater and Lightning McQueen let kids be part of the fun while learning how desert plants survive the heat.

Outdoor Kitchens: Fresh Flavors and Culinary Adventures
Food lovers are in for a treat as outdoor kitchens return for another year. These kitchens bring fresh flavors from around the world to EPCOT. Hereโs whatโs new for 2016:
- La Isla Fresca โ World Showcase Promenade
- Cider House โ United Kingdom
- Urban Farm Eats โ Walkway near Imagination!

Returning favorites include the Pineapple Promenade, Bauernmarkt in Germany, and The Smokehouse at the American Adventure. With so many options, itโs hard to pick a favorite. Whether youโre in the mood for savory barbecue or something sweet and refreshing, the festivalโs outdoor kitchens offer plenty of choices.
Themed Weekends at the Festival Center
In addition to the gardens and food, the Festival Center is the hub for presentations, workshops, and merchandise. Open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Festival Center features themed weekends that offer unique experiences:
- Art in the Garden Weekend (April 1-3)
- Outdoor Family Fun Weekend (April 8-10)
- Earth Day Weekend (April 22-24)
- Florida Fresh Weekend (April 28-May 1)
- Florida Federation of Garden Club (May 6-May8)
Each weekend features special presentations by Disney horticulturists and local experts, along with activities for the whole family. The โMaking of the Flower & Garden Festivalโ video inside the Festival Center is a must-watch for any fan interested in learning how Disney creates this incredible event.

Garden Rocks Concert Series: Music and Memories
Music lovers wonโt want to miss the Garden Rocks Concert Series, which brings a variety of bands to the American Gardens Theatre. This yearโs lineup includes classic acts like STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, the Little River Band, and Night Ranger. These concerts are included with park admission and take place every weekend throughout the festival.
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Garden Rocks with the Village People March 4โ6: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO โEvil Womanโ
- March 11โ13: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas โWe Built This Cityโ
- March 18โ20: Little River Band โReminiscingโ
- March 25โ27: Village People โY.M.C.A.โ
- April 1โ3: Hermanโs Hermits starring Peter Noone โIโm Henry VIII, I Amโ
- April 8โ10: The Guess Who โAmerican Womanโ
- April 15โ17: NEW! Blood, Sweat and Tears โSpinning Wheelโ
- April 22โ24: NEW! โBad Company former lead singerโ, BRIAN HOWE โCanโt Get Enoughโ
- April 29โMay 1: NEW! Georgia Satellites โKeep Your Hands to Yourselfโ
- May 6โ8: Gin Blossoms โHey Jealousyโ
- May 13โ15: NEW! Darlene Love โWait Till My Bobby Gets Homeโ
- May 20โ22: NEW! Night Ranger โSister Christianโ
- May 27โ Monday, May 30: The Spinners โWorking My Way Back To Youโ
Butterfly House: A Guest-Favorite Experience
Butterflies also take center stage at โButterflies on the Go,โ where you can learn about the migration of monarch butterflies and even get up close with them. At the end of the festival, the butterflies are released into the wild, adding a beautiful conclusion to this magical experience.

Special tours are available for those looking to take a deeper dive into the festival. Options include the English Tea Garden Tour, Gardens of the World Tour, and Behind the Seeds Tour. Annual Passholders can also collect exclusive Flower & Garden Festival prints featuring Donald Duck, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse throughout the season.

With so much to see and do, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is the ultimate springtime celebration. Whether youโre a first-time visitor or a seasoned festival-goer, this yearโs expanded offerings promise to make 2016 the best festival yet.
Get all the details at www.freshepcot.com and thanks for visiting, watching, and reading SamsDisneyDiary!
The Ultimate 2015 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Photo Drop
Flower and Garden 2020 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Top 20, Jammin Gardeners 2019, Flower and Garden 2018 Night Ranger, Behind the Scenes 2017 , Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2015, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2012, Garden Rocks: Jon Anderson of YES (2019)
[โฆ] 5th Stop โ Samโs Disney Diary | Epcotโs Flower & Garden: Getting Ready for 2016, Looking Back at 2015 [โฆ]
[โฆ] 5th Stop โ Samโs Disney Diary | Epcotโs Flower & Garden: Getting Ready for 2016, Looking Back at 2015 [โฆ]
[โฆ] 5th Stop โ Samโs Disney Diary | Epcotโs Flower & Garden: Getting Ready for 2016, Looking Back at 2015 [โฆ]
[โฆ] Epcotโs Flower & Garden: Getting Ready for 2016, Looking Back at 2015 with Samโs Disney [โฆ]
What an amazing collection of photos! WOW! I canโt get enough of this festival and am so excited to return in April this year.
[โฆ] SamsDisneyDiary Flower and Garden Preview. [โฆ]
Epcot is beautiful all year around, but never as much as the Flower and Garden Festival. It is so colorful and picturesque. I love it. Thanks for sharing these awesome pictures!
Seriously, I watched the video and never realized how much I had missed. I loved the walkthrough showing how they made the topiaries.
Iโve never been to the Flower and Garden Festival, but it looks like there are a lot of great things to see! Iโd love to take the English Tea Garden Tour and also see the new Donald, Daisy, Heuy, Louie, and Dewey topiary!
Nice comprehensive post! Thanks!
Love the video and pictures! Even with the sun finally shining somewhat consistently in Ohio, I wish I were there now! :)
[โฆ] 5th Stop โ Samโs Disney Diary | Epcotโs Flower & Garden: Getting Ready for 2016, Looking Back at 2015 [โฆ]