Why You Should Wait Until 10 AM to Go to EPCOT

It’s a big day in EPCOT today. Yes, today marks the first day of the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.

We’re in EPCOT live covering all of it and we’ll getting back to you throughout the day with festival happenings as well as reviews of all the festival food booths. However, we have to share the first SHOCKING thing we saw today with EPCOT crowds, and let’s just say a LOT of people turned out for the first day!

When we arrived at EPCOT this morning, we experienced a shocking rope drop. Although it was a bit rainy, that didn’t stop LOADS of folks from standing in line to enter the park. What’s a little rain when it’s a festival day?

That rope drop lines stretched back quite a way, too. It seems like everyone is ready to start having some festival fun (but they had to wait a while just to get in the park).

Once inside the park, folks were packed in nearly shoulder to shoulder. Yes, it’s going to be a busy day in EPCOT.

So where was everyone heading? Well, it seems like almost everyone had the idea to pop into Creations Shop to check out the exclusive EPCOT Flower and Garden merchandise. The line to get into the shop was doubled back on itself.

We get it. This year’s merchandise is HOT. You’ll find cute Orange Bird souvenirs and clothing, as well as a Spike the Bee plush and Lug bag. Here’s another look at that Creations Shop line.

So if you’re headed to EPCOT today, things are going to be a little chaotic and very busy.

? EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom—and so are the crowds! ?? Hope you’re ready for topiaries, tasty bites, and a little bit of chaos. pic.twitter.com/O0VKXvVZhi

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 5, 2025

Pro tip: If you want to grab a ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, rope drop IS your friend because that’s about the only way to get a shorter wait time for that attraction without paying for Lightning Lane Single Pass. But if you’re headed to EPCOT just for the festival, well, you should probably wait until AFTER rope drop when things have calmed down a bit at the entrances. Most of the food booths don’t open until about 11 AM anyways!

We’ll be keeping an eye out for EVERYTHING this year’s festival has to offer, so check back with AllEars again soon for more.