Disney gets it, y’all. They know what we want and good gracious did they deliver with this year’s Flower and Garden Festival. The topiaries and gardens are gorgeous, as always, but what really stands out this year is the addition of lots more food and beverage options. I’m going to focus this post on the food and my tips for getting the most out of your visit. But If you want to see my favorite topiaries, check out this post. They’re classic and always a major hit. If you’d like to know more about this year’s scavenger hunt “Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration” I’ve got a post on that as well (but consider this your spoiler alert!). Make sure you check out my post on the quietest spots to relax in Epcot before you go so you know where to take a break!
Our Favorite Finds at the Outdoor Kitchens
The new Honey Bee-stro is fantastic! We tried a Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread and it was absolutely delicious. It was also a great size for sharing and I could definitely see the kids enjoying it. It’s a must-try.
We ended up accidentally trying the Capirotada (bread pudding) from the Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico) because they got our order wrong, but it was a happy accident because it was delicious!
The only food we tried that neither of us loved was the Pork Taco at Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico). It was just alright, nothing to write home about.
At the Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany) we tried what may have been my favorite dish: the Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyere Cheese. It was very filling as well, so this is a great dish to get your money’s worth or to share.
Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco) had Fried Cauliflower that was so good and Jon tried the Harissa Chicken Kebab, though it wasn’t my favorite. Of course the Walnut Honey Baklava was mouthwatering.
We tried every dish offered at the Florida Fresh Outdoor Kitchen and they were all fantastic. The Carne Guisada was probably my favorite because the flavors worked so well together, but the Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits were also delicious and very fresh. And you can’t really go wrong with a Key Lime Tart.
The Basics
- This year’s festival runs until May 28, so you’ve still got plenty of time to visit.
- There is no separate/additional admission charge for the festival, so it’s a really good value.
- The entertainment is always fun, so check out their lineup to see who you want to catch! Somehow, without planning, we never fail to end up at the Festival on a night when Starship is appearing. It’s become a long-running joke.
Pro Tips
- Pick up a Passport at the front of the park so you can stroll around with a game plan.
- Share a table with some strangers and chat a while! We’ve met lots of fun people this way and really enjoyed swapping ideas about what the best dishes are!
- Don’t just go “around the world” once. Start in Norway and go around clockwise to Canada, then turn around and go in reverse! You’ll see things you missed the first time and get to try more dishes and drinks!
- Get a gift card. Not only will it help you stay on budget, it’s nice not to have to pull out your credit card or cash every time you want to buy something.
- If you’re going with kids, make sure you pick up one of the scavenger hunts that are available at many of the Festival vendors. It’s a great way to keep them involved and excited while you enjoy the more grown up aspects of the Festival.
- If you’re on a tight budget or visiting with some picky eaters, pick up a slice of pizza from the pizza window at the back of the Italy Pavilion, or grab a light bite at a quick service restaurant to fill up a bit before you visit the Outdoor Kitchens.
- Go prepared! If you’ve got kids with you who might be less excited about the food offerings, print out my scavenger hunt for Hidden Mickeys to keep everyone entertained.
