If you are visiting Walt Disney World and need a break from lines, crowds, and all that running around, I highly recommend going to EPCOT for one of their festivals. I have been to the Food and Wine Festival (September- early November) and Festival of the Holidays (late November-December). This post covers my first visit to the International Flower and Garden Festival (March-May) during its last weekend, and I can confidently say it is my favorite of the 3 festivals. In addition to delicious and exotic food and drinks you also get the beautiful views of topiaries throughout the park.

I purchased both the Alex and Ani EPCOT bangle and the limited edition 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival MagicBand on the Shop Parks app before I arrived. Behind my arm candy is a semi-view of the famous Figment topiary, seen fully in the next picture.

My assumption about the Flower and Garden Festival was that topiaries would only be in the World Showcase, but to my surprise and satisfaction they were spread throughout the entire park!

The monorail passes by around every 10 minutes. This view (and photo opportunity) was worth the standing around.

Basically anywhere you look, there is something gorgeous to gaze at.

Topiaries at the Norway Pavilion and home to Frozen Ever After.

I had to take the classic flower ears picture with Spaceship Earth in the background and I added the Passport book in for fun. Lots of online shops sell ears like this. I purchased these pretty ears from EarsByErin on Etsy. The Passport books can be found around the park for free and include the food and drink menus for all the kiosks at the festival. They even have stickers for you to “stamp” your passport after you’ve visited a country’s kiosk.

The Lady and the Tramp topiary at the Italy Pavilion.

My favorite drink at the festival was found at the France Pavilion kiosk. La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush (Grey Goose Vodka Orange, St. Germain liquor with white and red cranberry juice).

My favorite dessert was also found at the France Pavilion. The Macaron Chocolat Framboise is a large Raspberry macaron with chocolate fudge and raspberry jam.

 

The festival also features the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Some performers from 2017 included Plain White T’s, Simple Plan, Pointer Sisters, and Gin Blossoms. During the final weekend, The Spinners performed.

The Frushi from the Japan Pavilion kiosk was out of this world. It was so unique and fresh… I almost bought a second! I knew I had to save room for other countries though, so I held back. It was made of fresh Pineapple, strawberry and melon rolled with raspberry coconut rice, and sprinkled with toasted coconut and whipped cream on the side.

This was the Desert Rose from the Morocco Pavilion kiosk. It contained sparkling wine and pomegranate liqueur. It was delicious and not too sweet!

This was from the Florida Fresh kiosk. Shrimp and stone-ground grits with Andouille sausage, sweet corn , tomatoes and cilantro.

This was my favorite topiary! In the U.K. Pavilion, Tink and Peter!

Of course just as I started setting up for the cover picture of this post, the monorail came, so I snapped a quick shot of the 2017 Flower and Garden Festival Dooney and Bourke purse and Violet Lemonade. Sadly, I didn’t have time to put the passport out! Oh well. During the festival, this Dooney and Bourke print could only be purchased in-store. Now a few of the styles can be purchased online. The style in this photo costs $178. The Violet Lemonade is nonalcoholic, fairly sweet, and found at the Pineapple Promenade kiosk.

As the sun began to set, we said goodbye to this beautiful festival.

Once again, Flower and Garden Festival is my new favorite festival at EPCOT. However, if you are looking for some downtime and need a break from theme park craziness, try out any of EPCOT’s festivals. I’m positive you won’t be disappointed.