Butterfly Topiary

This delightful butterfly topiary, made entirely of succulents, was outside Butterfly Landing at the 2024 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. 

Donald Duck Topiary

Every spring, fun new character topiaries appear throughout EPCOT for the International Flower and Garden Festival. This Donald Duck topiary, with the adorable bee on his forehead, was near Connections in 2024. I wonder which characters will be featured this year?

Mickey Topiary

On our last trip to Disney World, we decided to try out the Behind the Seeds tour at EPCOT. It was a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the methods Disney uses to grow the plants in the greenhouses that are part of the Living With The Land ride. This Mickey topiary is a pepper plant and the oldest living plant in the greenhouses.

Minnie Topiary

Living With The Land is one of my favorite rides at EPCOT. I love seeing all of the new plants and planting techniques. And it's always fun to search for hidden Mickeys, or Minnies.

Troll Topiary

I love seeing the various topiaries at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival each year. From popular Disney and Pixar characters, to a Marvel character or two, and a few that just represent their country's pavilion perfectly, there's something fun around every corner. This Troll in front of the Norway Pavilion was one of my favorite topiaries at last year's festival. 

🎶 I Am Groot 🎶

Little Groot is ready to rock out to his Green-House Mix Vol. 1. I love this new topiary at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. 

Making A Wish

The topiaries at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival are so fun. You never know which character will be hiding around the next corner. In 2024, this Goofy topiary was making a wish on a dandelion near the World Celebration Bridge. 

Figment Topiary

Imagination!

Imagination!

A dream can be a dream come true,

With just that spark from me and you.

Photo of the Week

I love all of the character topiaries at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. This Stitch topiary from 2010 is one of my favorites.

The Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is Nearly Here

All images: Disney

I absolutely love the festivals at EPCOT. It's so fun to experience flavors and sights from around the world throughout the World Showcase. This Wednesday marks the start of this year's Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. There will be dozens of topiary featuring favorite characters, beautiful gardens, including the return of the butterfly house, music, and of course, a ridiculous number of delicious dishes to share.

Spike the Bee can be found buzzing his way throughout the Festival again this year. Guests can take part in Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration, a flower-filled scavenger hunt that's fun for all ages. And there will be lots of festival-specific merchandise featuring Spike, Figment, Orange Bird and Minnie Mouse.

Music performances include the Voices of Liberty celebrating America and Mariachi Cobre performing Mexican folk music. The Jammin' Gardeners will be creating lively rhythms with backyard percussion and the EPCOT Pianist will be playing favorite music from the parks in the World Showplace. And for something new, each weekend, Friday to Monday, local Orlando bands will perform popular songs from yesterday and today in the American Gardens Theatre.

And don't forget to pick up a Festival Passport. Not only does it have all of the menus, but you can use it to keep track of everything you've tried. The Passport is also the place to track your Garden Graze purchases. Each time you buy a Garden Graze dish, get your passport stamped. Collect 5 stamps to receive a complimentary prize from the Promenade Outdoor Kitchen. 

And now for the part we've all been waiting for: the menus!

Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth (Future World West)

• Grilled Baby Vegetables with Hummus Cream and Red Pepper Coulis 🥖🥬🥕
• Seared Verlasso Salmon with Farro Risotto and Micro Herbs
• Strawberry Mousse with Chocolate Crisp Pearls
• Blood Orange Agua Fresca
• Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt

EPCOT Sunshine Griddle (Future World East)

• Avocado Toast with Marinated Toybox Tomatoes and Fresh Goat Cheese on Toasted Ciabatta 🌻
• Shrimp and Grits: Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Sweet Corn Salsa.Corned Beef Brisket Hash with House-made Potato Barrels, Onions, Peppers, Cheese Curds, and a Soft-poached Egg with Tabasco Hollandaise 🌻
• Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Bacon 🌻
• Froot Loops Shake

The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board (Showcase Plaza)

• Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread with Jalapeños, Bacon, and House-made Whipped Honey Butter 🥖🌻
• Lavender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread with Whipped Honey-Ricotta Cheese, Marinated Vegetables, and Purple Haze Lavender Goat Cheese 🌻
• Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Whipped Cream, Whipped Honey, Crystalized Honey, Honeycomb, Dehydrated Honey, and Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses
• Honey-Peach Freeze in a Souvenir Spike the Bee Sipper Cup

The Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)

• Meyer Lemon-poached Lobster Salad with Grapefruit-Rosé Vinaigrette, Yuzu-marinated Hearts of Palm, and Avocado-Yuzu Panna Cotta 🥖🌻
• Citrus-braised Crispy Pork Belly with Kumquat and Carrot 🌻
• Citrus Shortcake: Orange Chiffon Cake, Lemon Curd, Mandarins, Whipped Cream, and Citrus Crumble
• Orange-Lemon Smoothie in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup

Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)

• House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers Poutine 🥕🌻
• Popsicle Trio: Honeydew, Raspberry-Mint, and Coconut-Lime 🥖

Pineapple Promenade (Showcase Plaza)

• Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
• Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake
• DOLE Whip 🥕
• Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade
• DOLE Whip with Fanta

Trowel & Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods (Showcase Plaza)

• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread 🥖🥕
• Impossible Sausage and Kale Soup 🥕🌻
• Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Danmuji Slaw, and Kimchee Mayonnaise 🥕🥬🌻 
• Lavender Pot de Crème with Blueberry Cake, Pink Peppercorn, and Lime Whipped Cream 🥕🌻
• Twinings of London Energize Matcha Cranberry & Lime Green Tea 🌻

Refreshment Outpost

• Pineapple Skewer with Tajin Seasoning 🥖🥕🥬

Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany)

• Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce 🥖🥕🥬
• Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream 🥖
• Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese
• Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries

Magnolia Terrace (American Adventure)

• Crawfish Étouffée with Andouille Sausage and Dirty Rice🌻 
• Cajun-style Roasted Oysters.House-made Boudin Two Ways with Spicy Mustard
• Pecan Cake with Maple Whipped Cream
• Pecan Praline

Funnel Cake (American Adventure)

• Mini Funnel Cake topped with Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream, Blueberries, and Powdered Sugar

Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco)

• Moroccan Seafood Couscous with Shrimp, Mussels, Olives, Preserved Lemons, and Anchovy Breadcrumbs 🌻
• Shakshuka: Moroccan Baked Eggs in a Spiced Eggplant and Tomato Stew 🌻
• Lemon Magdalena Cake with Fig Compote and Sangria Gel 🥕🥬🌻

La Isla Fresca (Between Morocco and France)

• Lamb Curry with Sweet Plantains and Rice 🥖
• Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut-Lime Sauce 🥖
• Tropical Mousse Cup: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse, and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple
• Tropical Freeze 

Festival Favorites (World Showplace)

• Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, Feta, and Balsamic Reduction 🥖
• Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle
• Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade, and Smoked Paprika Oil
• Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue
• Frozen Lemonade

EPCOT Farmers Feast (World Showplace)

Rotating Menu 1:

• Spring Onion Soup with Crispy Shallots and Micro Chive 🌻
• Duck Confit with Carrot Purée, Roasted Root Vegetables, Rainbow Chard, and Duck Jus 🥖
• Off the “Beet”en Path: Profiteroles with Red Beet Mousse, Golden Beet Pastry Cream, Whipped Goat Cheese Cream, and Candied Walnuts 🌻

Rotating Menu 2:

• Cheesecake on Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Butter with Passion Fruit-Mango Compote

Cider House (World Showplace)

• House-made Potato and Cheddar Biscuit with Salmon Tartare
• Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Whipped Cream

Northern Bloom (Canada)

• Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood-smoked Bacon 🥖
• Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, and Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables
• Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato
• Maple Popcorn Shake

Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)

• Tostada de Cochinita: Braised Pork on a Crispy Corn Tortilla with Black Beans topped with Pickled Onions, Mango-Habanero Relish, and Oregano 🥖 
• Taco Vampiro: Braised Beef on a Corn Tortilla with Crispy Grilled Monterey Jack Cheese and Salsa Ranchera 🥖
• Sope de Chorizo: Plant-based Ground Chorizo on Fried Corn Dough with Black Beans and Avocado Mousse 🥖🥕

Lotus House (China)

• Papa Cakes: Potato Cakes filled with Shrimp and Water Chestnuts served with House-made Strawberry Sauce 🌻 
• Bon Bon Chicken Skewer with Sesame and Peanut Sauce
• House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons
• “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Boba Pearls

Primavera Kitchen (Italy)

• Margherita: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella
• Arancini: Sweet Sausage Fried Risotto Balls with Pomodoro Sauce
• Traditional Sicilian Cannoli: Crisp Pastry filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange

Hanami (Japan)

• Frushi: Strawberry, Pineapple, and Cantaloupe wrapped in Sweet Rice and Pink Soy Wrap served with Whipped Cream, Drizzled Berry Sauce, and Toasted Coconut
• Shrimp and Crab with Spicy Mayonnaise and Cucumber Slices finished with Creamy Avocado and Violet Sauce 🌻 
• Soy-glazed Pork Shank with Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Lotus Flower, Garlic Chips, and Green Onion                                

Fleur de Lys (France)

• Tarte aux Oignons Caramélisés et Chèvre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a flaky Pastry Crust
• Canard Confit à l’Orange aux Gnocchi à la Parisienne: Braised Duck Confit à l’Orange with Parisian Gnocchi 🌻
• Macaron au Chocolate en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop
• Beignet Caramélisé, Fourré Crème Vanille, Glacé au Caramel Fleur de Sel: Caramelized Beignet filled with Vanilla Cream and Glazed with Caramel Fleur de Sel 🌻

🥖 = Gluten/Wheat Friendly

🥕 = Plant-based

🥬 = Garden Graze

🌻 = New

The Taste of EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 3 until July 5.

Wish Topiary At EPCOT

There are so many fun new topiaries at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival this year. This one of Asha and Star from Wish is one of my favorites. It even has red yarn tangled up in the trees like in the movie.

Photo of the Week

This Remy topiary at the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is so cute!

Photo of the Week

Hook and the Tick-Tock Croc were one of my favorite topiary scenes at the 2010 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.