Are you excited to find out what’s new for 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden festival?
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has a fresh new feel for 2024.
You’ll be able to enjoy many of your favorite Disney-inspired topiaries and garden displays throughout Epcot.
Such as the Princess Tiana, characters from Encanto, Anna & Elsa topiary and so much more!
This year there will be more than 20 delicious Outdoor Kitchens for you to try featuring an array of delicious dishes and drinks to try.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Visiting the 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival at a Glance:
- This Epcot Festival will take place daily from February 28, 2024 through May 27, 2024!
- Epcot opens daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.; however, the food booths (also known as the Outdoor Kitchens) don’t open until 11 a.m.
- Witness the brand-new fireworks show called Luminous the Symphony of Us
- Explore all of the magnificent topiaries
- Capture the most incredible photos with a group of your beloved Disney Hipster Friends
- Listen to the wonderful artists as they bring you classic tunes from Gardens Rocks Concert Series.
- Eat your way through the festival with the colorful cuisine (my favorite thing to do)!
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer this Disney event like a pro!
When is the 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival?
This special event takes place February 28, 2024 through May 27, 2024!
New experiences will include a variety of garden-fresh inspired seasonal dishes served at the Outdoor Kitchens and the new topiary displays.
Get Your FREE Epcot Video Planning Guide TODAY!
What’s New for 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (A Fresh Feel)
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival looks a little bit different this year due to the global crisis we went through.
As you experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, you’ll notice a few things still missing such as the special tours and seminar classes. Hopefully they’ll return next year.
Although some of your favorite treats and experience may be there, you’ll notice a few changes on trip to Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
Let’s go through some of the top strategies for experiencing this annual Epcot festival.
Get Your Walt Disney World Tickets Today! CLICK HERE.
1. Park Reservations Must Be Made
Although Park Hopping is back, you may still need to book a reservation for your day at Epcot.
According to Disney, theme park reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required.
You can read how this new Disney reservation system works here.
2. New Dates for Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
Epcot has went back closer to the original length of the festival. So, instead of it ending in July (like the past few years), it will now end in May.
This is a welcomed change as many fans, like myself, were starting to not appreciate the year-round festival feel that Epcot was starting to take on.
Plus, having the Flower and Garden festival end in May, allows all of us to get excited when the Food and Wine festival does start in the fall.
3. Say Hello to Your Favorite Characters
On your trip to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, you are now able to take photos with the characters up close.
Previously, you had to see them in their own special locations on the promenade of World Showcase at various times during the day AND from a distance.
This is no longer the case so enjoy your character interactions!
Don’t forget to meet some of the newest characters added to the Epcot lineup such as: Moana and Asha from the wonderful movie, WISH.
4. Enjoy the New Attractions and Shows
This galactic roller coaster is the newest addition to Epcot.
Here you’ll join Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord (a.k.a. Peter Quill) to save humanity!
Don’t forget to end your day with the NEW nighttime spectacular, Luminous the Symphony of Us, as it will definitely give you all of the Disney feels 🙂
Recommended: Disney World Roller Coasters: ALL RANKED!
5. Check Out the New Topiaries and Gardens
There will be a few new gardens and topiaries added to this year’s Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.
New Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Topiaries for 2024
- Disney Film, Wish (Asha, Valentino and Star) – NEW! Main Entrance
- Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy – NEW! World Discovery – Near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Coco (Miguel and Dante) – NEW! – Mexico Pavilion
New Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Gardens for 2024
- China Penjing Garden NEW! – China Pavilion
- Gnome Garden NEW! – Germany Pavilion
Now the topiaries and gardens are my favorite part of the festival. They are what made me initially fall in love with this event almost ten years ago.
2024 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Topiaries
- Disney Film, Wish (Asha, Valentino and Star) – NEW! Main Entrance
- Figment, Flower Topiaries and Flower Towers – World Celebration Plaza
- Huey, Dewey and Louie – World Celebration Plaza
- Donald Duck – Community Garden Near Connections Café in World Celebration
- Bambi and Friends World Discovery – Near Imagination! and Refreshment Port
- Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy – NEW! World Discovery – Near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Buzz Lightyear World Discovery – Near Mission: SPACE
- Woody, Bo Peep and Her Sheep World Nature – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion
- Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi) World Nature – Near The Land Pavilion
- Pumbaa and Timon World Nature – Near The Land Pavilion
- Goofy – Rosewalk
- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale and Pluto – Bridge to World Showcase
- Encanto (Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa) – World Showcase
- Coco (Miguel and Dante) – NEW! – Mexico Pavilion
- Anna and Elsa – Norway Pavilion
- Troll – Norway Pavilion
- Pandas World Showcase – China Pavilion
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Germany Pavilion
- Lady and the Tramp – Italy Pavilion
- Princess Tiana – The American Adventure Pavilion
- Dragon – Japan Pavilion Near Torii Gate
- Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – Between France and Morocco Pavilions
- Beauty and the Beast – France Pavilion
- Lumiere and Cogsworth – France Pavilion
- Butterfly and Flower Towers – International Gateway
- Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger) – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Tinker Bell’s Fairy House Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc – Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
- Geese – Canada Pavilion
2024 Epcot Gardens of the World Tour
- Bamboo Garden – China Pavilion
- Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy – World Showcase Bridge
- Bold Bromeliads – The Land Pavilion
- Bonsai Collection – Japan Pavilion
- Bouquet Garden – France Pavilion
- Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth – World Nature Near Imagination!
- Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Garden Presented by OFF! – World Discovery
- China Penjing Garden NEW! – China Pavilion
- The Community Garden – World Celebration
- Connections Conservatory Garden – Connections Eatery
- Desert Garden – Mexico Pavilion
- Extraordinary Orchids – Mexico Pavilion
- English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings® – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Festival Blooms – World Celebration
- Floating Gardens – World Nature
- Gnome Garden NEW! – Germany Pavilion
- Garden Italiano – Italy Pavilion
- The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board® – Rosewalk Near Imagination!
- Kokedema Garden – Japan Pavilion
- Miniature Garden – Germany Pavilion
- Prehistoric Garden – World Discovery Near Mission: SPACE
- Shakespeare Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Shishi-odoshi – Japan Pavilion
- Spice Garden – Morocco Pavilion
- Songbird Meadow Presented by Wild Birds Unlimited® – World Discovery
6. Don’t Miss Out on the New Garden Rocks Artists
There are quite a few new artist performing at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year such as:
- Modern English – New! March 15 and 16
- Crowder – New! April 7 and 8
- Raul Acosta & Oro Solido with Luisito Ayala y la Puerto Rican Power – New! May 4 and with Magic Juan – New! on May 5
- Fonseca – New! May 6
- Lit – New! May 24 and 25
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
7. New Epcot International Flower and Garden Merchandise and T-Shirts
A true ThemeParkHipster must bring home a nice souvenir to commemorate your time at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.
This year you will find:
- Orange Bird Collection – Features the Orange Bird collection of apparel, headwear, accessories and more
- Coco Collection – Features a collection of apparel and other magical accessories of the hit film, Coco
- Figment’s Garden Collection – No Epcot Festival would be complete without honoring Figment, a staple to the Disney theme park characters.
- Annual Passholder Collection: – Features a Festival-inspired gardening collection that includes apparel, a magnet, drinkware and more for Annual Passholders
You can find the Festival merchandise throughout Epcot theme park. Epcot Flower and Garden Festival merchandise can also be found on shopDisney.com.
8. Try the New Festival Food
When I’m at Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, I’m all about the new food items to try.
This year Disney is coming through with over 50 brand-new foodie treats for you to try. There are too many to name here, but here are a few:
- Biscuit and Gravy with Impossible™ Chicken Fried Steak and Impossible Sausage Gravy at BRUNCHCOT
- Veal Loin with Spring Pea Risotto featuring Ben’s Original™ International Grains™ Arborio Rice and Red Wine Syrup at EPCOT Farmers Feast
- Key Lime Wine Slush (NEW) at The Citrus Blossom
- Grilled Warm Lobster Tail with Key Lime Butter and Cubanito with Mojo-Marinated Pork Belly, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles and Stone Ground Mustard Sauce at Florida Fresh
- Tamale de Rajas: Poblano Peppers, Corn and Cheese in Masa topped with Poblano Cream Sauce, Crema Mexicana, Pickled Carrots and Onions with Chives AND Lychee Margarita: Centinela Blanco Tequila, Lychee Liqueur, Citrus Juice and Agave Nectar at Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico Pavilion)
- Chocolate Cannoli: Chocolate-Covered Cannoli Shell with Peanut Butter-Ricotta Filling at Primavera Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)
- Ramen Cup: Ramen Salad shaken in a cup with Fresh Vegetables, Grilled Chicken and Dashi Broth with Chili Oil and Yuzu AND Ichigo Breeze Cocktail: Sake with Strawberry and Watermelon at Hanami (Japan Pavilion)
- Impossible Jamaican Beef Patty with Spicy Papaya Syrup at La Isla Fresca
- Gâteau au Crémeux Citron, Lavende et Thym, Compote de Fruits Rouges: Warm Cake filled with Lemon, Lavender & Thyme-Infused Cream served with Berry Compote at Fleur de Lys (France Pavilion)
Disney World Safety Tips for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
Let’s go through a few safety tips to make your trip as magical as possible.
1. Keep Your Hands Clean
Throughout Epcot are hand washing and hand sanitizing stations to help you keep your hands clean while you eat your way around the world.
This is definitely a win for anyone doing Epcot during the Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.
2. New Mask Guidelines
Disney wants all their Guests and Cast Members to stay safe. That’s why the have adjusted and will continue to adjust the mask guidelines.
Face coverings are currently optional for Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations.
3. Take Extra Masks
This one tip will make your visit to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival way better! Especially if you feel more comfortable wearing a mask on your trip.
Wearing a mask all day can get yucky from sweating and just smelling all the stagnant air left in it from your breath.
Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!
What to Know Before You Go to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
How much does Epcot cost?
A one-day REGULAR season Epcot ticket starts at $109* (prices do fluctuate based on the season).
What is Disney’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival?
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is one of Disney’s annual events aimed at teaching you how to appreciate the natural resources that we have on this planet through seminars, dining adventures, and topiary displays.
How long is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival?
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is from February 28 to May 27, 2024!
In order for you to make the May 27th closing date of the festival, I’ve put together a great way to explore the floral celebration in only one day.
What time does Flower and Garden Festival open?
Epcot opens daily at 9 a.m. You’ll be able to see all of the topiaries in Future World before heading over to World Showcase.
What are the Best Rides at Epcot for Adults
- Soarin Around the World
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Test Track
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Frozen Ever After
Watch Next: 5 BEST Rides at EPCOT You Can’t Miss!
How many countries does Epcot have?
There are 11 (eleven) countries in Epcot.
What are the countries in Epcot?
- Mexico
- Norway
- China
- Germany
- Italy
- America (United States)
- Japan
- Morocco
- France
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Where are the best places to have a drink Epcot?
Like everywhere in the park and I mean that. Nothing else needs to follow…
I will say that Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in the Italy Pavilion and La Cava Del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion are the absolute best places to chill and enjoy a drink.
If it’s not too crowded.
Have Your Drinking Around the World at Epcot Passport Handy
Don’t get overwhelmed trying to plan your perfect route around World Showcase. You already have enough to worry about for your Disney vacation.
Get your Drinking Around the World Passport to help you keep track of your progress of the best drinks in Epcot.
Grab your own copy below!
What are the best drinks at Epcot?
My top 5 must have alcoholic beverages are:
- Avocado Margarita from La Cava del Tequila in Mexico
- Violet Sake in Japan Pavilion
- Leaping Leprechaun from Rose & Crown Pub in United Kingdom
- Apple Ice Wine from the Trading Post in Canada
- Tokyo Sunset from Kabuki Cafe in Japan
Get the best drinks at Epcot here!
My Final Thoughts on the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
If you’re planning on attending the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, then you must taste all the delicious food and drink offerings, and explore the majestic topiaries throughout the park.
If you want to continue planning your epic Festival day, then read my top tips here!
Let me know what new experience you are looking forward to at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in the comment section below.
If you like this article, then check the links below for more Epcot Festivals Tips
- 11 BEST Things to Do at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
- I Went to Epcot Flower & Garden Festival ALONE and You Should Too (18 Disney Solo Travel Tips)
- Epcot Festivals: A Guide To The Best Events At Walt Disney World
- Should You Go? Epcot International Festival of the Arts
- 14 Fun Things to Do for Christmas at EPCOT (Festival of the Holidays Guide)
- Epcot Food and Wine Festival Guide: What Everyone MUST KNOW
Are you planning a Disney vacation soon? Read the Disney Vacation Planning Guide for your next dream trip!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
(Original date 2015/Updated February 28, 2024)