4 Important Rules For Using Early Entry During EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival

Since its 1994 launch, the Flower & Garden Festival has been one of EPCOT’s most popular annual events. The 2026 Flower and Garden Festival is set to run from March 4th through June 1st.

This year’s assortment of 20 outdoor kitchens is offering more than 75 new menu items for festival-goers to enjoy. If that all has you excited enough that you’re planning to hit the park using Early Entry, there are some things you need to keep in mind.

A quick refresh on Early Entry before we begin: Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels (and select other hotels) can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into each of Walt Disney World’s theme parks every day of their stay (including check-in and check-out days). Now that’s out of the way, let’s move on to the Flower & Garden Festival.

Booth Times

If your plan is to get into the park as quickly as possible and then get the Festival’s most in-demand booths, you’re unfortunately out of luck. Most of the festival’s booths don’t open until approximately 11:00 AM most days, so entering the park early doesn’t mean immediate early access to their food and drinks. That said, there are a few early options.

For example, Florida Fresh lists a 9:30 AM opening time, so if you want Conch Fritters, Blackened Fish Sliders, or Strawberry Shortcake for breakfast, you’re in luck.

Don’t Waste Precious Time

Since many of the booths aren’t open yet, it can be tempting to try to knock out rides early, then take advantage of the festival all day. An admirable goal, but we have to stress that you shouldn’t waste Early Entry time on attractions that will have sub-10-minute waits later in the day (we’re looking at you, Spaceship Earth and The Seas with Nemo & Friends).

Choose the RIGHT Entrance for You

Moving from the rides you shouldn’t rush to to the rides you should, if you’re planning to hit some of EPCOT’s most in-demand attractions during Early Entry, you need to keep in mind which way you’re entering the park. If Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or Test Track are your targets, you should plan to use the park’s traditional front entrance.

However, if the bigger draws for you are the new — and most would argue improved — versions of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (converted to 2D) and Frozen Ever After (now featuring newly added animatronics), you’re better off entering the park from the international Gateway entrance located near France.

Now, when you’re deciding on your entrance, also bear in mind where you’re staying. The majority of Disney World hotels offer transportation to the front entrance, so if you want to prioritize the International Gateway, you’ll need to make your way to either one of the stops on the Disney World Skyliner line (Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, or Hollywood Studios) or to one of the EPCOT Resort Area hotels within walking distance.

On the flip side, if you’re staying at a Skyliner or EPCOT Resort Area hotel but want to enter through the front of the park, you’ll need to make your way there.

Merchandise Should be Plentiful

While there are many guests who rope drop/use Early Entry to immediately pick up merchandise, it shouldn’t be necessary to do so. Most of the Festival’s merchandise should be comfortably in stock throughout the day.

If you’re planning on taking advantage of the Early Entry as part of your Flower & Garden Festival plans, be sure to keep these rules in mind!

Disney Fans Are Answering An IMPOSSIBLE EPCOT Question

Are you heading to Flower & Garden this year? Let us know in the comments below.

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