The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will return to Walt Disney World Resort March 2-May 30, 2016 – expanding from 75 to 90 days. Here’s a look at what’s new as the festival celebrates its 23rd year!

What's New at the Epcot Flower and Garden 2016

New culinary creations at the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade.  This year, La Isla Fresca takes youto the Caribbean for authentic bites, including Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. And, at the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested at The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Florida.

At the park entrance, the first-ever Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries will feature floral interpretations of Donald’s mischievous nephews inspired by the 1943 Donald Duck comic book called “The Victory Garden.”

A new hands-on Harmony Gardens musical playground will debut featuring Disney’s Fab Five topiaries of “band leader” Mickey Mouse, as well as Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. With the playground’s interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, kids can create their own musical sounds.

And, as in previous years, each weekend at the Festival Center, you can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience as they get tips from experts on a broad range of topics.

Plus, the Garden Rocks concert series returns with music spanning four decades. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company, Georgia Satellites and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year. Here’s the lineup (subject to change without notice)

Exclusive Resort & Ticket Offers

▸ Easter Offer 
March 19 through April 3, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts

▸ Disney Visa Offer - Save on Deluxe Villa Resorts 
April 3 through June 30, 2016

▸ April Offer
Travel Window: April 9 through April 20, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts

▸ Late April Offer 
Travel Window: April 21 through April 30, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts

▸ Early May Offer 
Travel Window: May 1 through May 10, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts

▸ Late May Offer 
Travel Window: May 26 through June 4, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: Garden Rocks Concert Series Schedule

• March 4-6 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
• March 11-13 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
• March 18-20 – Little River Band “Reminiscing”
• March 25-27 – Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
• April 1-3 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
• April 8-10 – The Guess Who “American Woman”
• April 15-17 – NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
• April 22-24 – NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough”
• April 29-May 1 – NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
• May 6-8 – Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
• May 13-15 – NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
• May 20-22 – Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
• May 27-30 (Monday) – The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Festival.

Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent"  by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. He is also the creator of The Best of Walt Disney World blog.