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The 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will kick off spring at Walt Disney World Resort February 28 and continue through May 28, 2018, with seasonal fun for all. epcot-flower-and-garden-monorailA brand-new Epcot front-entrance topiary garden will set the milestone anniversary scene with a kaleidoscope of blooming color where topiary icons Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will greet festival guests. What began in 1994 as a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries has grown over the years to a 90-day spring extravaganza with something for every generation. We can’t wait to experience it in person! beauty-and-the-beast-topiariesThe 2018 festival will take place during the 35th anniversary of Epcot and will showcase millions of brilliant blossoms.The 90-day festival will open with an irresistible array of sights, sounds, tastes, aromas and tactile discoveries and here are some of the offerings guests can explore:
Flavor-rich cuisine from 15 Outdoor Kitchens
New and creative dishes will debut at 15 Outdoor Kitchens encircling the World Showcase Promenade. Guests can sip and savor their way around Epcot, enjoying chef-inspired noshes and refreshing libations.epcot-flower-and-garden-foodEach Outdoor Kitchen will feature its own raised-bed or in-ground garden of herbs and produce that can inspire the growing numbers of guests who want to learn to grow what they eat.

“The culture of growing your own food continues to trend, and our guests each year have quite a few questions related to edible gardens. They get a big kick comparing items in our gardens with the herbs and produce our chefs incorporate into the festival’s Outdoor Kitchen recipes.” – Eric Darden, festival horticulture manager

epcot-flower-and-garden-food-2Disney Topiary Stars
A bonanza of Disney character topiaries, including classic-character favorites Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many others, will play a starring festival role. Returning this year, Belle will be featured in France along with Beast, Snow White in Germany with the Seven Dwarfs, and Anna and Elsa in Norway. snow-white-topiaryAmong the nearly 100 festival topiaries will be returning favorites like the pandas and Bromeliad dragon at the China pavilion, The Three Caballeros at the Mexico pavilion, Disney-Pixar’s Woody at the American Adventure pavilion and Buzz Lightyear in Future World. The back-by-demand Figment topiary garden between Future World and World Showcase will offer the perfect selfie backdrop and family photo opportunity. Dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” and beds of multi-colored blooms will transform the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat.epcot-flower-and-garden-lady-and-the-tramp-topiaryGarden Rocks Concert Series
The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will feature live chart-topping musical acts  of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s on the America Gardens Theatre stage. From March 2 through May 28, 3 evening concerts each Friday through Monday will be offered and present musicians that span multiple genres. Garden Rocks Dining Packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants. For more information about these packages, please go here.epcot-flower-and-garden-concertInteractive Play Gardens
A brand-new Future World interactive play garden and a revved-up Road to Florida 500 garden featuring new games and play challenges will set the pace for family festival fun. The new interactive area in Future World will feature a play maze, a sensory garden, an activity zone and a covered seating area. The redesigned “Cars”-themed garden based on the Disney•Pixar sequel, “Cars 3,” will add more fun activities like highway bingo for families.

epcot-flower-and-garden-festival-butterfly-topiaryThe Royal Tea Garden Tour will return for a second year each festival morning at the United Kingdom pavilion. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days. For more information or to book your Royal Tea Garden Tour, visit hereflower-and-garden-festival-tourFor more information about the 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, please visit EpcotInSpring.com or call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). The festival, including all gardens and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

Images are property of Walt Disney World and used with permission.