News 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

[Ayla]

I never understood the craze of purchasing dated festival merch. It's virtually the same each year and I always see a good amount of inventory at the outlets.

Especially spirit jerseys... why? No offense to anyone, I just want some clarity

I have a 2019 Flower and Garden Tervis cup I use literally every day. It makes me think of mine and my Mom's trip that year and makes me smile.

 

[JohnD]

Wow, these topiaries are gorgeous! Great job, horticultural team!

Even the Wish one. The topiary is beautiful although probably most won't have a clue who she is.

 

[JohnD]

I never understood the craze of purchasing dated festival merch. It's virtually the same each year and I always see a good amount of inventory at the outlets.

Especially spirit jerseys... why? No offense to anyone, I just want some clarity

I have a 2014 tumbler. Why? It had a really cool design (not my photo).

 

[Andrew25]

Thanks for everyone's comments, wasn't meant in any condescending way, I just wanted to know if there was a market out there as I rarely see anyone viewing the merch in park outside of opening day

 

[Jambo Dad]

Good to see the wicked witch of the west showing her more pleasant side.


It looks like a cross between wicked witch of the west and the joker. Wait did the joker get busy with poison ivy?

New improved joker products! - Batman 1989

 

[Jambo Dad]

I think it's usually a popular film out front. And it's not fair comparing it to the Encanto one last year. That one was incredible. Plus the fit was perfect - there's a character who makes flowers in the film so the topiaries made sense (but to be fair I didn't see wish, so I don't know if thsts the case here too).

No one saw Wish.

 

[Jambo Dad]

Tiana should have been upfront instead of what’s her name.

That’s ok - what’s her name will never get a major attraction.

 

[SoFloMagic]

No one saw Wish.

I always see a line to meet her at Epcot, so someone did. I think it's just hard to tell whether it's the cruise ship or the movie. Shoulda called it Asha and the little sun thing.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Near Germany:

So bright and vibrant!

 

[HauntedPirate]

We may all scratch our heads at some of the topiary character/placement decisions, but there is no question that the effort put into Flower and Garden is top notch, and the end results reflect that.

 

[Andrew25]

Attended last night, surprisingly not busy at all. 3 items I had (Mediterranean Flatbread, Chicken and Waffles, and the Veal Loin) were all great.

Just like any other festival, the Italy, France, and Canada booths were the only ones to have lines.

Not a fan of the increased amount of IMPOSSIBLE items this year (some locations only offering these items as the savory option). I understand having an item at each booth... but couldn't they offer a non-IMPOSSIBLE version of the Buffalo Chicken poutine and a few other items?

Is there any reason why they avoid adding lighting to the flower beds between World Whatever and World Showcase (the big ones by the ponds)? Just cost? I think they could benefit with some spotlights or accent lighting.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Attended last night, surprisingly not busy at all. 3 items I had (Mediterranean Flatbread, Chicken and Waffles, and the Veal Loin) were all great.

Just like any other festival, the Italy, France, and Canada booths were the only ones to have lines.

Not a fan of the increased amount of IMPOSSIBLE items this year (some locations only offering these items as the savory option). I understand having an item at each booth... but couldn't they offer a non-IMPOSSIBLE version of the Buffalo Chicken poutine and a few other items?

Is there any reason why they avoid adding lighting to the flower beds between World Whatever and World Showcase (the big ones by the ponds)? Just cost? I think they could benefit with some spotlights or accent lighting.

Similarly, the beef tenderloin tips and chocolate maple-whisky cake from Canada were very good. I believe those who ate the Frushi in Japan liked it (it's typically a must-have thing for a few in my family if they are there during F&G). Lines weren't terrible earlier in the day, the only delay we experienced was with the Canada booth being out of mashed potatoes for the beef tenderloin tips.

FYI - You can still get regular poutine, but it's only listed on the physical menu at the stand.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

So have we confirmed that Epcot will be without a festival this summer?

 

[peter11435]

So have we confirmed that Epcot will be without a festival this summer?

It will be

 

[SoFloMagic]

It will be

Makes sense to go back to normal now that most walls are down. There's enough of Epcot now without the crutch of Never-ending festivals.

 

[castlecake2.0]

It will be

Any word on expected start dat for F&W?

 

[donaldtoo]

So have we confirmed that Epcot will be without a festival this summer?

Wait…?!
I thought that’s when they celebrated the “Festival of Heat and Humidity”…?!

 

[SoFloMagic]

Any word on expected start dat for F&W

No dates yet. Flower and garden is just about 90 days this year, so it'll be interesting to see if food and wine gets knocked back to 90 days as well (August-November) like the old days. My bet is 7/25 or 8/1

 

[castlecake2.0]

No dates yet. Flower and garden is just about 90 days this year, so it'll be interesting to see if food and wine gets knocked back to 90 days as well (August-November) like the old days. My bet is 7/25 or 8/1

I really hope this means all the junk will get pulled off the promenade for the summer. It could be a good experiment to see if the park knows how to operate without a festival propping it up. Another thing to consider is that Epcot merged its ODV/stands department into festivals, so when there is no festivals what happens to all those people.

 

[SoFloMagic]

I really hope this means all the junk will get pulled off the promenade for the summer. It could be a good experiment to see if the park knows how to operate without a festival propping it up. Another thing to consider is that Epcot merged its ODV/stands department into festivals, so when there is no festivals what happens to all those people.

I think the park knows how to operate without it, but I'm not sure the guests do. To ease into it, I think the wise move would be to operate some "summertime stands" in permanent kiosks (brunchcot/donut box, honey bistro, America, odyssey). Like Agua Frescas, cocktails, and snacks maybe?

And have live music at America gardens.