Top Ten Tips for the 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

The birds, the bees, and most importantly the full bellies are all things to be expected while conquering the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. You will find me there in the midst of the colorful garden creations, the vivacious seminar hosts, and the consuming cocktails in true honor of the Mouse from March 5th -May 18th.

Since this event doesn’t draw the extreme crowd like the Food and Wine Festival, you’re able to get the benefits of the aforementioned without the shoulder to shoulder crowd that comes with it. I’m pretty sure that in a few years this event will be as popular as the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Tips for the 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

1. Go during the weekdays: Anyone visiting Walt Disney World on a regular day knows that going on the right day is extremely important; however, during special events that priority is even higher. For the fullest enjoyment I recommend attending the festival during the weekday (Monday through Thursday).
2. Get there early: The early bird catches the worm, you snooze, you lose…well you know what I’m trying to say. It’s the classic tip for any ThemePark goer in Florida especially any Disney guest. Coming early to the Flower and Garden Festival will give you a chance to pace yourself by enjoying the attractions in Future World, which will allow you to take your time as you hop around the World Showcase.
3. Attend the seminars: There’s no better way to enjoy the event than attending the amazing classes which are mostly free or budget friendly. A plus is that you will get to meet many of your favorite HGTV hosts in a much more relaxed environment compared to the Food and Wine Festival.
4. Buy a Disney wristlet gift card: For the typical pro foodie or amateur, tasting the many samples is a must, but doing this without a set budget could turn a fun trip into one of financial regret…trust me, I’ve made this mistake a few times.
5. Split the cost: Going with a friend or two or three always turns an already great journey into one of epicness! Just ask my friends. It also means that if you’re on a budget and down for sharing then you can really try most of the dishes without leaving the park broke.
6. Visit the Welcome Center: Starting here is a must! It opens two hours before World Showcase and it is a good way to enjoy a few seminars and chat with the Cast Members, possibly gaining some insider tips.
7. Map out your day: This is another classic tip for any avid Disney traveler. Visit the official Epcot Food and Wine Festival website for the complete guide. This will save you the headache of missing out on cool things especially if you’re only able to visit once. This tip is very important, because it will help guide you on where to find your gardening inspiration, what time seminars/demonstrations will occur, and any additional information regarding speakers, performers, and other special Disney guests.
8. Plan to visit multiple times: You will need a trip to try it all, a trip for seminars, and a trip to retry your favorites
9. Plan for a cab or have a designated driver in the group: Previewing the festival’s menu below should give you an idea of what delicious treats can be expected. There are lots of drinks (mostly adult inspired) below that will fuse fresh ingredients with ripened spirits; hopefully you will leave balanced and able to walk out. Having a plan for this kind of indulgence makes for a safe and fun experience at Epcot.
10. Enjoy yourself! You’re really going to have a great time, so try not to stress too much if you find yourself spending too much time at the Kitchens. There’s always something going on in the park that will bring great delight to your heart. Have fun, learn something, eat well, and drink up for all of the ThemeParkHipsters around the world!

Make sure you’re ready to see detailed topiary displays of your favorite Disney characters, with both pandas and trolls thrown in the mix. You can also visit the official event website for the Flower Power Concert Series and the HGTV Designer Stage dates. Until next time, happy park hopping Hipsters!

NikkyJ

What tips do you have for anyone attending the Flower and Garden Festival?

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