Spring is in the air as the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival returns March 4, 2020 through June 1, 2020. There is nothing quite like seeing the more than 70 Disney characters that come to life in topiary form during this family-friendly event.
Our family has been enjoying Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival since the twins were babies. This picture below is still one of my favorites taken during the festival. Mark recreating a moment from Lion King with Xen, although from the look on Xen’s face I am not sure how he felt about the moment.
Topiaries
Disney does a fantastic job with the topiaries and it seems that as many times as we have gone, I always discover something new. Speaking of new, this year a new Remy creation joins the party. You can find him as the centerpiece in the new Ratatouille Garden in France. Also, several topiaries have been updated and gotten “facelifts” so to speak, like Peter Pan.
You will also find Mickey, Minnie and the gang, as well as other classic characters like Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Elsa, Anna, Snow White, Dopey, Buzz Lightyear and plenty more located around the park. My favorite of course is the classic Beauty and the Beast.
Topiaries are not the only family-friendly fun to have during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival.
Butterly House
The Butterfly House is always a hit with our family. Located between Imagination! Pavillion and Soarin’ this year, the Butterfly House is home to 10 to 20 species of butterflies that are native to Central Florida.
The reason you will only find butterflies native to Central Florida in the house is if by chance butterflies escape they can assimilate to the environment. We have personally seen butterflies flutter right out the door of the house before our very eyes, so it definitely happens.
After the Butterfly House is assembled, a team of experts brings in shelves with butterfly chrysalises. It is so neat to see the shelves with butterfly chrysalises as they transform.
I love to sneak in eduction on any trip I can. The Butterfly House at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is no exception as it is the perfect place for a science lesson with the kids as they learn about the lifecycle of a butterfly.
Although you will find butterflies in various stages of the life cycle, to ensure guests can see fully developed butterflies right away, 300 to 500 butterflies are released into the house prior to the festival’s start. Our family has even made a game out of discovering different species in the caterpillar form.
The best time to visit the Butterfly House is when it is sunny and warm. Thankfully that is most days here. Unfortunately, we have been on cloudy, rainy spring days where we did not get to view any activity. Butterflies hide out under leaves with their wings folded to stay safe and dry during bad weather.
With Disney’s 3,500 square feet of gardens in the Butterfly House, this makes it harder to spot them when they are hiding, so be sure to check the weather before you go and plan your visit accordingly.
Educational Gardens
The Educational Gardens are another great opportunity for a little schooling on your fun visit to Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. From The Tropical Rainforest Garden where you can learn how plants and animals in the Mexico rainforest have adapted to a wide variety of light levels and water conditions to The Honey Bee-Stro where you can learn about the importance of honeybees and enjoy some food from the fruit of their labor, the educational gardens provide a fun learning experience for all!
Interactive Play Areas
Need a little break? I absolutely love the interactive play areas at Epcot. I love how Disney changes the playground area themes. Right now you can enjoy the following interactive play areas during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival.
Bo Peep’s Playtime Training Grounds, located along the Test Track Walkway is a great place to relax while the kids play in an interactive garden.
New this year is Play Full Garden sponsored by Advent Health. This brand new playground and outdoor kitchen with interactive activities that focus on nutrition and wellness is located along the Imagination Walkway.
Dining with Kids
I’ve said it before, we really enjoy eating around World Showcase. Okay, okay, I may be the one who is obsessed with eating around the world, but I think this picture speaks for itself.
This is Eden enjoying her frozen violet lemonade and all of its flowery goodness. I love that Epcot has Kid Approved selections designated on the menu with a (KA) like the Violet Lemonade, Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt, Zeppole, Dole Whip, and more! With 16 outdoor kitchens at the festival this year there is plenty of food for the whole family to choose from.
Scavenger Hunts
There are two available scavenger hunts available during the Flower and Garden Festival, both are an additional fee, but well worth the adventure.
Spikes Pollen Nation Exploration available March 4 through June 1 offers gardeners of all ages to participate in a springtime scavenger hunt starring Spike the Bee. On this adventure, you will search through the World Showcase in search of flowers featuring Spike. When you return your completed map you will be given a special prize.
From March 27 through April 12 (while supplies last), you can experience the Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt as you search the World Showcase for Disney character-themed eggs. Hunt high and low for hidden eggs featuring your fave Disney peeps and return the completed map to Disney Traders for a special surprise.
Now keep in mind to get the map and receive the prize you will have to pay $6.99 each, but you could also just be on the lookout for the eggs or Spike if you didn’t want to fully commit or have an additional charge.
Concerts
The free nightly concerts are held in the American Gardens Theater every night during the Flower and Garden Festival. This year’s lineup includes Plain White T’s, The Pointer Sisters, Simple Plan, Air Supply, and many more artists. It is really a fun eclectic mix from time and genres and a great opportunity to introduce your children to the music you know and love.
All in all, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has plenty of family-friendly activities, worth putting it on your list of events to check out at Disney.
Have you been to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival with your kids? What was your favorite activity? Share in the comments below.