How Epcot is Becoming the 'Festival Park' at Walt Disney World
Epcot will officially become as the “Festival Park” at Walt Disney World. Here’s why.
Disney World recently shared plans about the transformation of EPCOT. While a timeline hasn’t been provided, we now know that Disney is officially making EPCOT its “festival park” by creating new spaces for these events to take place.
The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has really grown in popularity and now runs from July 14 through November 19, 2022. Remember when it used to run for just a few weeks? I wouldn’t mind if it ran all year!
Festival of Arts, EPCOT’s winter event has become one of my personal favorites with so many interactive displays and events like the giant Paint by Numbers wall.
And of course the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival with the amazing Disney topiaries and of course the concerts.
As festivals continue to become more of an integral part of the EPCOT experience, Disney Imagineers are creating new spaces that will bring these events into the heart of the park in the new World Celebration neighborhood.
In several new artist concept renderings recently released, you can see how the transformation of EPCOT will take shape as you walk past Spaceship Earth and begin your journey through the park.
If you have been to EPCOT recently or if you have passed by on the monorail and got a look over the construction walls, you know that work is far from complete and they seem to be working at a snail’s pace.
While no opening date has been provided, my guess is that we are at least a year out from completion, unless this new area is opened in phases.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
Search
Recent Articles
5 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World in 2018
Toy Story Land Opens Summer 2018
- Amazing Walt Disney World offers so you can do more, and spend less
- Disney Springs Will Welcome Eight New Dining Locations – A total of eight exciting new food and beverage locations are set to make their grand debuts at Disney Springs in 2018. The Edison, along with Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Enzo’s Hideaway and Pizza Ponte are scheduled to open early in 2018, while Terralina Crafted Italian, Wine Bar George, Jaleo and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill are set to debut later on in the year.
- The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates its 25th Anniversary –This year’s festival will run from Feb. 28-May 28, 2018. The 90-day event brings with it a multitude of Disney character topiaries, tasty offerings at 15 Outdoor Kitchens, garden tours, the Garden Rocks music series, new kids’ activities, the Egg-Stravaganza scavenger hunt and much more.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Celebrates It’s 20th Anniversary – The theme park dedicated to celebrating life in the animal kingdom will mark a milestone 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, 2018.
- Toy Story Land Opens in Summer 2018 – The highly anticipated expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut to Guests this summer, and with it, two new attractions: Alien Swirling Saucers and the Slinky Dog Dash family coaster. You can already catch a glimpse of what’s in store inside the park’s Walt Disney Presents attraction, where they can view the model and some attraction vehicle maquettes.
By Darren W, Specializing in Disney Destinations
Fun Fresh Weekends at Epcot
Fun Fresh Weekends at Epcot during the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
During Festival weekends, you can celebrate the great outdoors at nature-themed events, including:
Art in the Garden Weekend April 1-3, 2016
View nature through the eyes of “Plein Air” artists and discover one-of-a-kind Disney works of art on display around World Showcase.
Outdoor Family Fun Weekend: April 8-10, 2016
Families can enjoy the benefits of sharing quality time together at select Festival gardens. As a bonus, animal specialists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be on hand at the Festival Center to share how bugs play an important role in helping a garden thrive.
Earth Day Weekend: April 22- 24, 2016
Take part in interactive activities, discoveries and more. Learn about the efforts to protect coral reefs and other marine life at The Seas with Nemo & Friends―a special tribute to the amazing creatures that dwell in our vast oceans.
Florida Fresh Weekend: April 29- May 1, 2016
Explore the bounty of the Sunshine State from Apalachicola to Zellwood at this Festival Center-based event.
Florida Federation of Garden Clubs: May 6- 8, 2016
Marvel at amazing flora designs that defy description inside the Festival Center from 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Plus, each weekend you can visit the Festival Center for inside tips, DIY inspiration and top gardening trends. The Festival Center is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. throughout the event.
And, don’t forget … pop bands with hits spanning the decades take the stage every Festival weekend for the Garden Rocks Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, Bad Company, former lead singer BRIAN HOWE, Georgia Satellites and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs now through May 30, 2016. Admission to Epcot is required. While most Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival events are included with your theme park ticket, many experiences require a separate purchase or a separate admission fee. Availability is limited for some experiences. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.
>> View Walt Disney World Resort hotel offers happening during Flower & Garden.
Darren Wittko - Specializing in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel.
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016 - News, Offers, Schedules
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.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016
Celebrating its 23rd year, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort March 2-May 30, 2016, expanding from 75 days to 90 days.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016
Returning to for the 2016 festival are the Outdoor Kitchens, new Disney character topiaries, interactive play gardens and live music. Don't miss these money saving offers on Walt Disney World Resort hotels and theme park passes.
Available Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Offers During Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
- Play, Stay and Dine Offer - Jan 2 - Apr 16, 2016
- Easter Offer - March 19, 2016 - April 3, 2016
- April Offer - April 9 through April 20, 2016
- Late April Offer - April 21 through April 30, 2016
- Early May Offer - May 1 through May 10, 2016
- Late May Offer - May 26 through June 4, 2016
Epcot Flower & Garden, What's New!
Huey, Dewey and Louie, will make their topiary debut with Donald and Daisy at the park’s front entrance garden this year. Plus, this year's feature topiary is Ranger Mickey Mouse to celebrate the National Parks Service Centennial celebration. You may recall the Anna and Elsa topiaries where the featured last year. 2016 marks the first time Ranger Mickey will appear at the festival.
If it's sweet treats you're after, the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will be returning for a fourth year. This has proven to be very popular with guests as a min-food festival as well. Favorites and new food and beverage offerings can be found throughout Epcot.
Other festival favorites include the hands-on Disney-led gardening seminars or grab a seat for pop musical performances during the Garden Rocks concert series at the outdoor America Gardens Theatre, all returning for 2016.
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
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin + Swan Reserve Hotel