[…] are many hidden gems and opportunities at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, but one is year-round opportunity that I just discovered when attending this year. There is a […]
Disney•parenting
Stop and smell the flowers on a mom-cation at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
March 6, 2018Is a mom-cation a thing? Can it be, please??
Disclosure:
“Thank you to Walt Disney World for #hosting me by providing tickets to Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
All opinions in this post are original and my own.”
Sometimes moms need a break (dads too, but that isn’t the discussion right now). Even at while at Disney! There so much stress and planning that goes into a Walt Disney World vacation and at least in our household, vacations come with a lot of stress that seems to end up squarely on my shoulders. I am lucky enough to live in Central Florida which means I have direct access to the parks. I am thankful that my husband indulges me regularly with my Disney obsession and our family visits often. Sometimes though, Moms just need a break.
The Epcot International 25th Annual Flower and Garden Festival is the perfect place for moms to have a moment to themselves. Not that the kids wouldn’t enjoy it, because it should not come as a surprise to you that Disney has thought of that and there is a wonderful amount of things to do for the entire family. But sometimes- just sometimes- you just need to take a minute to yourself. From February 28 through May 28th, 2018 you can welcome Spring with food, family, friends, flowers, and fun!
Recently Disney invited me out for media day and my wonderful friend Tina at Footprints In Pixie Dust joined me as we set out to explore all of the wonderful details that are to be found at Flower and Garden Festival. Not only did we have an amazing experience sampling many of the culinary treats that Disney is world-famous for, we were able to take time to really explore some of the details that go into making this an unforgettable experience. I have been to the festival in the past with my children and I cannot believe the amount of details that I over looked while literally stopping to smell the flowers with them!
When it comes to the food samplings Epcot always takes it up a notch. Each area really had a unique perspective on what they were offering. You can find breakdowns of what is available in each area as you travel through the festival tasting your way around the world in this wonderful post on Disney Parks Blog.
I personally enjoyed and can recommend a few menu items specifically:
Food:
-Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue and House-made Pickle found at THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews
-Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyére Cheese found at BAUERNMARKT: Farmer’s Market
Drinks:
-Island Grove Blueberry Moscato found at BAUERNMARKT: Farmer’s Market
-Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka (non-alcoholic also available) found at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board
Dessert:
-Tropical Mousse Cake found at LA ISLA FRESCA
-Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato found at Northern Bloom
Can we talk about the merchandise?
I will let the images speak for themselves as to the appeal of this year’s cute lineup and though it is a matter of preference as to which piece is your favorite, this mug is just the cutest thing to wake up to ever.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
At dusk we got to attend a concert as part of the Garden Rocks Concert Series. I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have been to a concert. I had so much fun. The crowd was into it, the band was on point, and the Florida weather was perfect. I don’t think I could have wished for a better outing. The food, the music, the flowers, and the laughs were fantastic. Often as moms we do not get enough of a chance to relax. Sometimes, you really do need to stop and smell the flowers.
Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):
- March 2-5: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
- March 9-12: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
- March 16-19: Simple Plan “Welcome to My Life”
- March 23-26: Little River Band “Reminiscing”
- March 30-April 2: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
- April 6-7: Foghat (NEW!) “Slow Ride”
- April 8-9: Survivor (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Eye of the Tiger”
- April 13-14: Smash Mouth (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “All Star”
- April 15-16: Rick Springfield (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Jessie’s Girl”
- April 20-21: Jo Dee Messina (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Stand Beside Me”
- April 22-23: Lonestar (NEW!) “Amazed”
- April 27-30: Blood, Sweat and Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
- May 4-7: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII I Am”
- May 11-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
- May 13-14: Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles (NEW!) “Hotel California”
- May 18-21: The Guess Who “American Woman”
- May 25-28: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”
- Garden Rocks performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission.
For more information on the Festival, check out EpcotInSpring.com.
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What a wonderful event. I enjoyed last years one so much. I can’t wait to go at least 5 maybe 6 or 7 times. It is so fun.