We’re at the FIRST Day of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival - Follow Along!

It’s finally here! The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is officially underway.

We’re ready to check out all the food booths, eat food for a prize, participate in some fun activities, and see some great entertainment. So while we go do all that, we’re taking you with us, so let’s go!

Atmosphere

As soon as we headed inside the park, we made sure to pick up a festival passport.

These free books will be your complete guide to the festival events, food, merchandise, activities, and more.

It has full lists of the menus at each food booth, as well as a guide to the Garden Graze (more on that in a minute!).

Now that we’ve got our book, it’s time to check out the crowds! Things weren’t too bad when we arrived at the entrance early this morning, although there was a line.

Here’s a quick look at what crowd levels are like on this Wednesday morning! pic.twitter.com/AO15QeMEy5

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

Once the park opened, the biggest crowds we spotted were at Creations Shop! There was a HUGE line of people waiting here to get that Flower & Garden merchandise.

Looks like everyone headed to Creations Shop

Early in the morning, the World Showcase was pretty quiet, but we’re expecting this to ramp up once the food booths open.

Annnnnd we were right! Shortly before booths opened at 11AM, there was already a line for Brunchcot!

This is the line for BrunchCOT, y’all…(and sound on 🔊 for some Test Track ASMR) pic.twitter.com/aJniQIlnL7

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

We had to wait in most of our booth lines throughout the day. The people are ready to EAT!

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the special offerings!

Topiaries

One of the things that set the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival apart from the others is all the beautiful topiaries. This year is bringing some new ones, though, so we had to check them out. For the first year ever, there are topiaries with the Family Madrigal from Encanto!

The other new addition is the Princess Tiana topiary located in the American Adventure! This stunning new design features Tiana in her green dress — it looks seriously impressive.

The detail they put into the faces of these characters is amazing!

Princess Tiana is HERE at the EPCOT Flower and Garden festival! 👑 Her topiary is new this year, but myyyyy is it stunning 🤩 pic.twitter.com/b7ArftYxoQ

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

And of course, you can find other returning topiaries around the park as well.

They pretty much have one topiary in every World Showcase Pavilion, as well as some in World Discovery and World Nature.

They’re a great chance for a festival photo op — this is one of the ways that Disney makes EPCOT extra beautiful for this festival!

Make sure to stop and check them out if you’re visiting soon!

Outdoor Kitchens

Now it’s time to EAT! We’re heading to all of the outdoor kitchens (AKA food booths) to share this year’s menu items with you. Let’s go!

Honey Bee-Stro

This booth is returning from years past, and we’re excited to check it out again. They’ve got some new menu items in 2023 — chicken and waffles, anyone?

We’re starting off the Flower and Garden festival at 🐝THE HONEY BEE-STRO🐝

At this booth, you can get:
– Chicken and Waffles
– Pollinator Flatbread
– Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake
– Honey-Peach Freeze (with or without Blueberry Vodka) pic.twitter.com/FnXv12H2EE

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

The standout item this year is the Chicken and Waffles. It’s new to the booth and made with “crispy honey-brined chicken and honey sweet cornbread waffle with whipped honey butter and spicy honey.” You can get it for $6.75.

Many of the items on this menu feature (you guessed it!) honey, so if that’s your thing, you’ll definitely want to stop by.

BRUNCHCOT

Breakfast lovers, unite! This year, Sunshine Griddle was replaced with a new booth called BRUNCHCOT. However, the items on the menu will look pretty familiar if you visited the old booth last year!

This booth had a long line first thing in the morning because it’s closest to the front of the park (near Test Track). And of course, it’s a great option to start the day with some brunch.

We absolutely LOVED pretty much everything we ate here! The Froot Loops Shake is a great option for kids and cereal lovers, the Avocado Toast was a returning fave, and the Shrimp & Grits were absolutely delicious.

To top it all off, we finished up with the Cinnamon Roll Bites, and they were spectacular!

Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina

Tangierine Cafe has become a bit of festival staple since the pandemic, and we’re back to try out some eats for Flower & Garden! This is a mix of new and returning items.

Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina ✨ is next on our adventure around the Flower and Garden festival!

– Grilled Kebab — Lamb Kefta
– Grilled Kebab — Harissa Chicken
– Hummus Trio 🌺 (Garden Graze item)
– Orange Blossom-Saffron Cake
– Pomegranate Mimosa
– Cider Flight pic.twitter.com/AvUPuqmv0o

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

We were excited about that hummus trio — it’s on the Garden Graze and it’s brand-new! But sadly, we were let down. None of the three hummus options had much flavor in our opinion.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t a standout booth for us. Maybe one that you can skip if you’re short on time!

Farmers Feast

One of the more unique booths this year is Farmers Feast, which will have seasonal rotating menus throughout the four-month-long festival. First up is the “Early Bloom Menu.”

We got the Chilled Potato and Leek Soup, the Char-grilled Bison Ribeye, and the Spice Cake. For a drink with a kick, you can order the Ghost Mary throughout the festival.

A closer look at the 👻 GHOST MARY 👻 from Farmers Feast!

It’s a Translucent Bloody Mary with Boyd & Blair Cucumber Vodka, Tomato Water, Horseradish, Celery Salt and a hint of Pepper 👀 pic.twitter.com/4zFchHGCgu

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

It’s definitely an interesting beverage!

Primavera Kitchen

In the Italy Pavilion, you’ll find Primavera Kitchen, which is serving up some pasta, veggies, and a few beverages.

We’re not usually very impressed with the Italy booth, but this time it was pretty good!

Jardin de Fiestas

If you’re craving some Mexican cuisine, make sure to stop by Jardin de Fiestas, where you can order margaritas, tacos, quesadillas, and more!

The quesadilla is new on the menu this year and is made with House-made Masa Tortillas filled with Squash Blossoms, Bacon, Onion, Zucchini, and Cheese. It’s gluten and wheat-allergy-friendly!

However, our favorite thing on the menu at Jardin de Fiestas is the Taco Vampiro. It’s a returning item but it’s essentially a small taco with crispy cheese around the shell.

It was SO good! Seriously, we recommend this highly.

La Isla Fresca

Between France and Morocco is La Isla Fresca, where you will find Braised Oxtail, a Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer, Coconut Tres Leches, and the Tropical Breeze.

If you go between the France and Morocco pavilions, you’ll find La Isla Fresca! ✨

– Braised Oxtail with Pigeon Pea Rice
– Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer
– Coconut Tres Leches
– Tropical Breeze (non-alcoholic) pic.twitter.com/nSvZJ92JvI

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

This booth will make you feel like you’re on a vacation WITHIN a vacation!

Bauernmarkt

Next up, we’re stopping in the Germany Pavilion for a Flower & Garden booth that’s a classic. This is where you’ll find the potato pancakes and strudel for dessert.

Time to go to GERMANY 🇩🇪 at Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market!

– Potato Pancakes with house-made applesauce
– Potato Pancake with caramelized ham, onions, and herb sour cream
– Toasted Pretzel Bread
– Warm Cheese Strudel
– Beer Flight 🍻 pic.twitter.com/hwEAAfVmWN

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

This booth also has beer flights, so it’s a popular destination for those who want to try out some different drinks.

We’re hardly ever disappointed by Bauernmarkt, so give it a try!

Citrus Blossom

And now we arrive at the Flower & Garden booth that just keeps coming back! There are a few different things on the menu this year.

Also, the booth has changed location, moving to the Odyssey Pavilion. This is the place to go if you want to eat in the A/C!

Hanami

Hello from the Japan Pavilion, where we’re visiting Hanami! This year, the booth has sushi, Creamy Shrimp Udon, and the Nigori Dragon Fruit Sake Cocktail.

However, one of the things we keep coming back for each year — and that is a big hit with many guests — is the Frushi!

If you want to check this out, it’s available for $7.50.

Fleur de Lys

There are a LOT of menu items available at the France booth this year, and we tried out several of them.

Fleur de Lys ⚜️ in the France Pavilion has a LOT of menu items to choose from at this year’s Flower and Garden festival! Check the thread for item names ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OkLbbJpz7o

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

Nearly everything we ate here was delicious, especially the croissant, the gnocchi, and the tart.

Florida Fresh

This booth is back for the first time in a few years, and it has a menu filled with fresh eats! You can get Street Corn, Watermelon Salad, a Blackened Fish Slider, or Strawberry Shortcake.

Florida Fresh ☀️ is a returning booth, but it’s back for the first time in a few years!

– Grilled Street Corn on the Cob (plant-based 🌱 and Garden Graze 🌺)
– Blackened Fish Slider
– Watermelon Salad
– Florida Strawberry Shortcake
– Cucumber Watermelon Slushy (nonalcoholic) pic.twitter.com/aPC4eFbYU5

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

The perfect eats for a booth named after the Sunshine State!

Lotus House

Moving on to the China Pavilion, we have Lotus House. Most of the things on the menu are returning.

The Pan-fried Vegetable Dumplings are new this year, as well as the Classic Bubble Milk Tea.

Those wontons are a returning favorite, so make sure to stop by and try them out if you’ve enjoyed them in the past!

Trowel & Trellis

If you’re a plant-based eater, then Trowel & Trellis is a MUST during this festival. The booth menu is filled entirely with plant-based items.

Breedlove took us to Trowel & Trellis for some IMPOSSIBLE (plant-based 🌱) eats!

– Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib
– Impossible Lumpia
– Chocolate Cake

All of these items are part of the Garden Graze 🌺

– Twinings® Iced Green Tea with Cranberry and Lime (nonalcoholic) pic.twitter.com/gimje2lQIA

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

And as an added bonus, all the items we ordered are part of the Garden Graze. Yay!

Magnolia Terrace

In the American Adventure Pavilion you’ll find Magnolia Terrace, which is home to some classic eats from across the U.S. We were seriously impressed by that Spicy Chicken Gumbo!

The America Pavilion is where you can find the Magnolia Terrace booth! 🌸

– Muffuletta Panini
– Crawfish Pie
– Spicy Chicken Gumbo
– Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
– Beer Flight pic.twitter.com/xfdgwpuIS1

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

And Bananas Foster Bread Pudding? Does that sound amazing to anyone else?!

Pineapple Promenade

This returning booth is known for having similar menu items each year, and we’re back with the same favorites! You can order the Spicy Hot Dog, the Pineapple DOLE Whip, the Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade, or the Pineapple Beer Flight.

This is also the booth where you pick up your completer prize for the Garden Graze!

Northern Bloom

And last on the food booth list, we’re heading to Canada for Northern Bloom. The menu doesn’t typically change too much here — we’ve got scallops, beef, and a cake for dessert.

You can also order the beer flight to wash it all down.

Refreshment Port

Refreshment Port is a snack stand that stays open in EPCOT year-round, but usually gets a few unique items during the festivals. First up, we ordered the Shrimp Scampi Poutine.

We also ordered the Soft Serve Waffle Cone! You can get Peanut Butter, Jelly, or swirl.

Refreshment Port also has a Soft-serve Waffle Cone, which you can choose from Peanut Butter, Jelly, or Swirl flavors! 🍦 We went for the best of both worlds and got a Peanut Butter Jelly swirl cone 🥜🍇 pic.twitter.com/UVmlt1OgzB

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

Obviously, we HAD to get it swirled!!

Refreshment Outpost

Over in the African Outpost area of World Showcase, we stopped to try some sweet treats! First there’s the Tangerine Soft Serve, served in a waffle cone.

If you want to level that up, you can order the Ice Cream Float, which is Tangerine Soft Serve with cream soda.

You can also get an Ice Cream Float at Refreshment Outpost 🍦 It’s Tangerine soft-serve with Cream Soda 🍊 pic.twitter.com/9HyVyYlFB4

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

That sounds like the perfect dessert for summer!

Funnel Cake

In the American Adventure Pavilion, you’ll find a funnel cake stand. At each festival, we get a new limited-time treat, and this time it’s the Banana Split Funnel Cake.

This year’s Flower and Garden festival funnel cake is the Banana Split Funnel Cake! 🍌🍫

It’s a Funnel Cake topped with Banana-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Diced Strawberries and a Maraschino Cherry drizzled with Chocolate Syrup 🤤 Would you try it? pic.twitter.com/lsU5yXdCyf

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

This is like the EPITOME of dessert, y’all.

The Land Cart

Near The Land Pavilion, you’ll find one of the Garden Graze items at a snack cart. Say hello to the Cookies ‘n’ “Cream” Chocolate Mousse Cup.

The Land pavilion in EPCOT has a cart that carries the Cookies ‘n “Cream” Chocolate Mousse Cup 🍫 It’s plant-based 🌱 and also a part of the Garden Graze! 🌺 pic.twitter.com/WiAOOJfYmg

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

We sent our resident Vegan, Breedlove, to review this one and he said it tasted the exact same as the version that’s available at Sunshine Seasons year-round. It’s one of his favorite treats!

Connections Cafe & Eatery

If you’re heading to Connections Eatery and the attached Starbucks location, you can find some surprise festival items in there as well! First is the Orange Bird Liege Waffle.

There’s also the Flower Drop Cocktail, which is made with St. Germaine Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Elderflower, and Lemonade.

It’s kinda fun how they spread out some of these offerings around the park!

Sunshine Seasons

Inside The Land Pavilion, you can get this Strawberry Mango Slushy during the Flower & Garden Festival. You can order either flavor separately or have them put together in the same cup.

Sunshine Seasons ☀️ at the Land Pavilion has a Strawberry-Mango Slushy (nonalcoholic) available for the Flower & Garden festival 🍓🥭 pic.twitter.com/S518cfPaHU

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

The two flavors together are a fun spring and summer combination. It might be a good treat if you’re looking to cool off!

Joffreys

There are four Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company locations around EPCOT, and we’re stopping by each of them to get special beverages for the festival. First up, we have an Annual Passholder-exclusive drink from the World Discovery Joffrey’s location.

This is the Annual Passholder ✨EXCLUSIVE✨ drink from Joffrey’s! It’s a Honey Nut Latte (with or without Bailey’s Irish Cream — we went without) ☕️ pic.twitter.com/V6s2kPulxu

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

You can also find the Exotic Lemon Tea here! It’s a mix of frozen lemon, iced tea, and exotic berries.

At the American Adventure Joffrey’s, you can order the Key Lime Cold Brew. What a fun way to add a taste of Florida to your coffee!

Midday Joffrey’s break, anyone? ☕️

This is the Key Lime Cold Brew from the Joffrey’s near The American Adventure 💚 It’s a zesty blend of French Roast Cold Brew with flavors of Key Lime and White Chocolate topped with a splash of Cream, Whipped Cream and Graham Cracker Crumbs! pic.twitter.com/5wS62Fw1Y2

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

At the Joffrey’s near the Canada Pavilion, we’ve got Melonade!

The Joffrey’s near the Canada Pavilion has Melonade at this year’s Flower and Garden festival! ✨

It’s a tangy blend of Frozen Lemon with a burst of Watermelon 🍉🍋 pic.twitter.com/oKbnjeXrrg

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

And last but not least, we’ve got the Orange Cream Cold Brew at the Joffrey’s location in World Showcase Plaza. Sounds like a refreshing way to get your caffeine fix!

The last of the Joffrey’s items for this year’s Flower & Garden festival is the Orange Cream Cold Brew ☕️🍊 It’s a French Roast Cold Brew with Orange and Vanilla topped with a splash of Cream, Whipped Cream and Coconut Shavings and can be found at the Joffrey’s by Disney Traders! pic.twitter.com/n0TKkS5KBy

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 1, 2023

These drinks are a good way to stay hydrated throughout your visit.

Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration

We HAD to do the scavenger hunt with Spike The Bee. Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration takes you all through EPCOT on Spike’s pollination trail where you hunt down different Spike figures. First, you’ll pick up a map at select merchandise locations around the park for $9.99.

Then, you go on the hunt to find Spike hidden in gardens around the park. Once you find him in each location, add a sticker to your map!

When you’re ready to turn in your map and collect a prize, head to Disney Traders or World Traveler! There, you’ll find this year’s options — a collection of plates and cups themed to different characters.

We’ll be honest — that Orange Bird design is really catching our eye!

And the scavenger hunt is THAT easy! It’s a great activity for kids and adults to enjoy during a festival day.

Butterfly Landing

Near The Land Pavilion, you’ll find an activity that you certainly don’t want to miss! Throughout the festival, Disney cares for an entire greenhouse filled with butterflies.

Inside are some beautiful floral displays…

…houses where you can watch caterpillars in their cocoons…

…informational signs with details on butterflies…

…and live butterflies, of course!

As the festival continues on, the habitat fills with more butterflies. It’s really neat to see!

A Ride Overlay

After you visit the butterfly house, don’t forget to stop inside the pavilion next door to ride Living With the Land. The ride gets some small updates during each festival, with new decor and details about some of the dishes served at the booths.

You might see some of the festival ingredients on display throughout the greenhouses!

Besides having a special festival overlay, it’s just a pretty cool ride in general.

Merchandise

Finally, it’s time to talk about the festival merchandise! We spotted various items from the collections in Creations Shop, the Odyssey Pavilion, and at carts around World Showcase.