Disney

Celebrate Spring at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival

Ranger Mickey leads the ways as Disney celebrate the National Park Service's Centennial. Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival
Ranger Mickey leads the way to Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

The carful of kids love our national parks and we’ve spent years driving to the corners of our country to explore them. So why are the carful of kids exploring Disney during National Parks Week? What does Disney and the National Parks have in common? I find out at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival.

Disney is a sponsor of the National Park Service’s Centennial. I was a little shocked to hear this myself. I love Disney and I love our national parks but they’re kinda different.

Ranger Mickey celebrates the National Park Centennial at Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival.
Ranger Mickey celebrates the National Park’s Centennial at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

During the carful of kid’s exploration of Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, I find Mickey as a Park Ranger in the National Park Foundation’s garden. Mickey celebrates the National Park’s Centennial and encourages kids to find their park. Yea, Ranger Mickey encourages families to explore the national park near them.

I am in love with the Lady topiary. Do you think I can take her back on the plane? Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival
I’m in love with the Lady topiary. Do you think I can take her back on the plane? Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

What to do at the International Flower and Garden Festival

Every spring since 1994, the International Flower and Garden Festival plants itself in Epcot. From the first week of March until the last week of May, plant lovers gaze and daydream as they wander through the amazing displays. It’s a must for the gardener, young and old.

Snow White and her Dwarfs march along next the the World Showcase Lagoon. Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival
Snow White and her Dwarfs march along next to the World Showcase Lagoon.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Topiaries in France

With over 70 topiary displays with Disney characters of every generation, I love meandering through Epcot’s World Showcase discovering each display. Each character is a piece of plant art and I take a few minutes to discover the details in each. They’re spectacular.

Cogsworth is dancing away the day in his flower bed home in Epcot's France. International Flower and Garden Festival
Cogsworth is dancing away the day in his flower bed home in Epcot’s France.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

For music-lovers, Epcot comes alive with the Garden Rocks Concert Series onthe weekends. Check out the free concert located in the America Gardens Theatre; bringing national acts to the World Showcase.

Cinderella and Her Prince dance away as the setting sun baths them in golden light. Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival
Cinderella and Her Prince dance as the setting sun baths them in golden light.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

The floating gardens under the monorail near the Odyssey Bridge catch us by surprise. Turning ever so slightly in the breeze, they’re a delight. Everywhere I look, there’s beds of plant color that only Disney can dream up.

Belle and the Beast are crowd pleasers in Epcot's France. International Flower and Garden Festival
Belle and the Beast are crowd pleasers in Epcot’s France.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Next to the floating gardens, the carful of kids explore the butterfly garden that’s sponsored by Go-Go Squeez. After chasing butterflies, the carful of kids slurp an apple sauce pouch down in one gulp, compliments of Go-Go Squeez.

Toparies in England 

In Epcot's United Kingdom, I'm enchanted with the teacup gardens in all my favorite varieties. International Flower and Garden Festival
In Epcot’s United Kingdom, I’m enchanted with the teacup gardens in all my favorite varieties.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Along with the themed topiaries, some of the countries have themed gardens too. In Japan we find a display of Bonsai. In the United Kingdom, I’m enchanted in the Shakespeare Garden.

The traditional English garden dedicated to Shakespeare is a delight for Anglophiles and book-lovers alike. International Flower and Garden Festival
The traditional English garden dedicated to Shakespeare is a delight for Anglophiles and book-lovers alike.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

If your kids aren’t as mesmerized with the International Flower and Garden Festival, find the kid-pleasing miniature outdoor train. I’m as delighted as my boys with Epcot’s Garden Railway located in Germany. With a scaled, living landscape and several trains running at once, it’s a must for the whole family.

Epcot's Garden Railway enchants kids and adults alike in Germany with it's tiny town and bonsai-like landscape. International Flower and Garden Festival
Epcot’s Garden Railway enchants kids and adults alike in Germany with it’s tiny town and bonsai-like, living landscape.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

As the sun dips and the light begins to fade, the topiaries transform again. Thanks to their lighting, the topiaries glow into the night.

After the sun sets, Epcot's Minnie and Pluto topiaries glow against the inky, night sky. International Flower and Garden Festival
After the sun sets, Epcot’s Minnie and Pluto topiaries glow against the inky, night sky.Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Along with the garden displays and topiaries, Epcot’s celebrates its farm-to-table initiative. With produce grown in the park, the International Flower and Garden Festival has special menu items throughout Epcot’s World Showcase. In the outdoor kitchens that are sprinkled throughout, I find farm-to-table items that are fresh alternatives for families. Yum!

Disclosure

Consideration for brands mentioned.

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel and seen all 50 U.S. States. As a former flight attendant with one of the largest airlines, there isn't a North American airport that she hasn't landed in at least once. Since clipping her professional wings after 9/11, she combines her love of the open road with visiting architectural and cultural icons. She is based out of Central Texas dividing her time between writing and restoring a pair of 100-year-old houses. She shares her life with her three kids and her husband.

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