What’s New for Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in 2024?

Are you excited to find out what’s new for 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden festival?

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has a fresh new feel for 2024.

You’ll be able to enjoy many of your favorite Disney-inspired topiaries and garden displays throughout Epcot.

Such as the Princess Tiana, characters from Encanto, Anna & Elsa topiary and so much more!

This year there will be more than 20 delicious Outdoor Kitchens for you to try featuring an array of delicious dishes and drinks to try.

Epcot China Pavilion Zodiac Topiary Sculpture Year of Tiger Bull and Pig. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024.

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Visiting the 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival at a Glance:

  • This Epcot Festival will take place daily from February 28, 2024 through May 27, 2024!
  • Epcot opens daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.; however, the food booths (also known as the Outdoor Kitchens) don’t open until 11 a.m.
  • Witness the brand-new fireworks show called Luminous the Symphony of Us
  • Explore all of the magnificent topiaries
  • Capture the most incredible photos with a group of your beloved Disney Hipster Friends
  • Listen to the wonderful artists as they bring you classic tunes from Gardens Rocks Concert Series.
  • Eat your way through the festival with the colorful cuisine (my favorite thing to do)!

Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer this Disney event like a pro!

What to Expect in the Disney Guide Today: hide

When is the 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival?

This special event takes place February 28, 2024 through May 27, 2024!

New experiences will include a variety of garden-fresh inspired seasonal dishes served at the Outdoor Kitchens and the new topiary displays. 

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Encanto Topiary at the Entrance near Spaceship Earth. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Get Your FREE Epcot Video Planning Guide TODAY!

What’s New for 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (A Fresh Feel)

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival looks a little bit different this year due to the global crisis we went through.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Miss Piggy Topiary in Moroccan Pavilion. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

As you experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, you’ll notice a few things still missing such as the special tours and seminar classes. Hopefully they’ll return next year.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Garden area near monorail overlooking Spaceship Earth. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024.

Although some of your favorite treats and experience may be there, you’ll notice a few changes on trip to Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Let’s go through some of the top strategies for experiencing this annual Epcot festival.

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1. Park Reservations Must Be Made

Although Park Hopping is back, you may still need to book a reservation for your day at Epcot.

Disney Park Reservations Step One. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
Screenshot of Walt Disney World Website

According to Disney, theme park reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required.

You can read how this new Disney reservation system works here.

2. New Dates for Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Epcot has went back closer to the original length of the festival. So, instead of it ending in July (like the past few years), it will now end in May.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Buzz Lightyear Topiary. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

This is a welcomed change as many fans, like myself, were starting to not appreciate the year-round festival feel that Epcot was starting to take on.

Plus, having the Flower and Garden festival end in May, allows all of us to get excited when the Food and Wine festival does start in the fall.

3. Say Hello to Your Favorite Characters

On your trip to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, you are now able to take photos with the characters up close.

Pluto in fronts of Spaceship Earth mural at Epcot. Keep reading to see what is new for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Previously, you had to see them in their own special locations on the promenade of World Showcase at various times during the day AND from a distance.

Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty at Disney Epcot

This is no longer the case so enjoy your character interactions!

Don’t forget to meet some of the newest characters added to the Epcot lineup such as: Moana and Asha from the wonderful movie, WISH.

4. Enjoy the New Attractions and Shows

This galactic roller coaster is the newest addition to Epcot.

Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot Walt Disney World Resort Keep reading for the fastest rides at Disney World.
NEW Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot Walt Disney World Resort

Here you’ll join Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord (a.k.a. Peter Quill) to save humanity!

Don’t forget to end your day with the NEW nighttime spectacular, Luminous the Symphony of Us, as it will definitely give you all of the Disney feels 🙂

2024 Disney Fireworks Luminous the Symphony of Us at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Recommended: Disney World Roller Coasters: ALL RANKED!

5. Check Out the New Topiaries and Gardens

There will be a few new gardens and topiaries added to this year’s Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Princess Tiana Topiary in the American Pavilion

New Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Topiaries for 2024

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Encanto Topiary at the Entrance near Spaceship Earth.

New Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Gardens for 2024

  • China Penjing Garden NEW! – China Pavilion
  • Gnome Garden NEW! – Germany Pavilion

Now the topiaries and gardens are my favorite part of the festival. They are what made me initially fall in love with this event almost ten years ago.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Colorful Garden display

2024 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Topiaries

  • Disney Film, Wish (Asha, Valentino and Star) – NEW! Main Entrance
  • Figment, Flower Topiaries and Flower Towers – World Celebration Plaza
  • Huey, Dewey and Louie – World Celebration Plaza
  • Donald Duck – Community Garden Near Connections Café in World Celebration
  • Bambi and Friends World Discovery – Near Imagination! and Refreshment Port
  • Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy – NEW! World Discovery – Near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
  • Buzz Lightyear World Discovery – Near Mission: SPACE 
  • Woody, Bo Peep and Her Sheep World Nature – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion
  • Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi) World Nature – Near The Land Pavilion
  • Pumbaa and Timon World Nature – Near The Land Pavilion
  • Goofy – Rosewalk
  • Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale and Pluto – Bridge to World Showcase
  • Encanto (Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa) – World Showcase
  • Coco (Miguel and Dante) – NEW! – Mexico Pavilion
  • Anna and Elsa – Norway Pavilion
  • Troll – Norway Pavilion
  • Pandas World Showcase – China Pavilion
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Germany Pavilion
  • Lady and the Tramp – Italy Pavilion
  • Princess Tiana – The American Adventure Pavilion
  • Dragon – Japan Pavilion Near Torii Gate
  • Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – Between France and Morocco Pavilions
  • Beauty and the Beast – France Pavilion
  • Lumiere and Cogsworth – France Pavilion
  • Butterfly and Flower Towers – International Gateway
  • Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger) – United Kingdom Pavilion
  • Tinker Bell’s Fairy House Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion
  • Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc – Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
  • Geese – Canada Pavilion
Beauty and the Beast Topiary Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
Beauty and the Beast Topiary Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

2024 Epcot Gardens of the World Tour

  • Bamboo Garden – China Pavilion
  • Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy – World Showcase Bridge
  • Bold Bromeliads – The Land Pavilion
  • Bonsai Collection – Japan Pavilion
  • Bouquet Garden – France Pavilion
  • Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth – World Nature Near Imagination!
  • Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Garden Presented by OFF! – World Discovery
  • China Penjing Garden NEW! – China Pavilion
  • The Community Garden – World Celebration
  • Connections Conservatory Garden – Connections Eatery
  • Desert Garden – Mexico Pavilion
  • Extraordinary Orchids – Mexico Pavilion
  • English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings® – United Kingdom Pavilion
  • Festival Blooms – World Celebration
  • Floating Gardens – World Nature
  • Gnome Garden NEW! – Germany Pavilion
  • Garden Italiano – Italy Pavilion
  • The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board® – Rosewalk Near Imagination!
  • Kokedema Garden – Japan Pavilion
  • Miniature Garden – Germany Pavilion
  • Prehistoric Garden – World Discovery Near Mission: SPACE
  • Shakespeare Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion
  • Shishi-odoshi – Japan Pavilion
  • Spice Garden – Morocco Pavilion
  • Songbird Meadow Presented by Wild Birds Unlimited® – World Discovery
 

6. Don’t Miss Out on the New Garden Rocks Artists

There are quite a few new artist performing at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year such as:

  • Modern English – New! March 15 and 16
  • Crowder – New! April 7 and 8
  • Raul Acosta & Oro Solido with Luisito Ayala y la Puerto Rican Power – New! May 4 and with Magic Juan – New! on May 5
  • Fonseca – New! May 6
  • Lit – New! May 24 and 25

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

7. New Epcot International Flower and Garden Merchandise and T-Shirts

A true ThemeParkHipster must bring home a nice souvenir to commemorate your time at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Orange Bird Spirit Jersey

This year you will find:

  • Orange Bird Collection – Features the Orange Bird collection of apparel, headwear, accessories and more
  • Coco Collection – Features a collection of apparel and other magical accessories of the hit film, Coco
  • Figment’s Garden Collection – No Epcot Festival would be complete without honoring Figment, a staple to the Disney theme park characters.
  • Annual Passholder Collection: – Features a Festival-inspired gardening collection that includes apparel, a magnet, drinkware and more for Annual Passholders

You can find the Festival merchandise throughout Epcot theme park. Epcot Flower and Garden Festival merchandise can also be found on shopDisney.com.

Epcot Drinking Around the World Passport

8. Try the New Festival Food

When I’m at Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, I’m all about the new food items to try.

Cotton Candy Machine in China Pavilion at Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

This year Disney is coming through with over 50 brand-new foodie treats for you to try. There are too many to name here, but here are a few:

  • Biscuit and Gravy with Impossible™ Chicken Fried Steak and Impossible Sausage Gravy at BRUNCHCOT
  • Veal Loin with Spring Pea Risotto featuring Ben’s Original™ International Grains™ Arborio Rice and Red Wine Syrup at EPCOT Farmers Feast
  • Key Lime Wine Slush (NEW) at The Citrus Blossom
  • Grilled Warm Lobster Tail with Key Lime Butter and Cubanito with Mojo-Marinated Pork Belly, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles and Stone Ground Mustard Sauce at Florida Fresh
  • Tamale de Rajas: Poblano Peppers, Corn and Cheese in Masa topped with Poblano Cream Sauce, Crema Mexicana, Pickled Carrots and Onions with Chives AND Lychee Margarita: Centinela Blanco Tequila, Lychee Liqueur, Citrus Juice and Agave Nectar at Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico Pavilion)
  • Chocolate Cannoli: Chocolate-Covered Cannoli Shell with Peanut Butter-Ricotta Filling at Primavera Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)
  • Ramen Cup: Ramen Salad shaken in a cup with Fresh Vegetables, Grilled Chicken and Dashi Broth with Chili Oil and Yuzu AND Ichigo Breeze Cocktail: Sake with Strawberry and Watermelon at Hanami (Japan Pavilion)
  • Impossible Jamaican Beef Patty with Spicy Papaya Syrup at La Isla Fresca
  • Gâteau au Crémeux Citron, Lavende et Thym, Compote de Fruits Rouges: Warm Cake filled with Lemon, Lavender & Thyme-Infused Cream served with Berry Compote at Fleur de Lys (France Pavilion)

Disney World Safety Tips for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Let’s go through a few safety tips to make your trip as magical as possible.

Epcot Pavilion Garden with red and pink flowers

1. Keep Your Hands Clean

Throughout Epcot are hand washing and hand sanitizing stations to help you keep your hands clean while you eat your way around the world.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2023 Welcome Sign

This is definitely a win for anyone doing Epcot during the Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

2. New Mask Guidelines

Disney wants all their Guests and Cast Members to stay safe. That’s why the have adjusted and will continue to adjust the mask guidelines.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Mission Space with Buzz Lightyear Topiary

Face coverings are currently optional for Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations.

3. Take Extra Masks

This one tip will make your visit to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival way better! Especially if you feel more comfortable wearing a mask on your trip.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Princess Tiana Topiary in the American Pavilion

Wearing a mask all day can get yucky from sweating and just smelling all the stagnant air left in it from your breath.

Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!

What to Know Before You Go to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Epcot China Pavilion The Chinese Zodiac Year of the Tiger Topiary

How much does Epcot cost?

A one-day REGULAR season Epcot ticket starts at $109* (prices do fluctuate based on the season).

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Princess Tiana Topiary in the American Pavilion with NikkyJ

What is Disney’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival?

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is one of Disney’s annual events aimed at teaching you how to appreciate the natural resources that we have on this planet through seminars, dining adventures, and topiary displays.

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How long is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival?

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is from February 28 to May 27, 2024!

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Beautiful Yellow Tree in front of Journey into Your Imagination with Figment

In order for you to make the May 27th closing date of the festival, I’ve put together a great way to explore the floral celebration in only one day.

What time does Flower and Garden Festival open?

Epcot opens daily at 9 a.m. You’ll be able to see all of the topiaries in Future World before heading over to World Showcase.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Map and Passport Lady and the Tramp Topiary Garden
Lady and the Tramp Topiary Garden in Italy Pavilion

What are the Best Rides at Epcot for Adults

Watch Next: 5 BEST Rides at EPCOT You Can’t Miss!

How many countries does Epcot have?

There are 11 (eleven) countries in Epcot.

Test Track Epcot Entrance area with monorail and Spaceship Earth

What are the countries in Epcot?

  1. Mexico
  2. Norway
  3. China
  4. Germany
  5. Italy
  6. America (United States)
  7. Japan
  8. Morocco
  9. France
  10. United Kingdom
  11. Canada

Where are the best places to have a drink Epcot?

Like everywhere in the park and I mean that. Nothing else needs to follow…

I will say that Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in the Italy Pavilion and La Cava Del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion are the absolute best places to chill and enjoy a drink.

If it’s not too crowded.

Have Your Drinking Around the World at Epcot Passport Handy

Don’t get overwhelmed trying to plan your perfect route around World Showcase. You already have enough to worry about for your Disney vacation.

Get your Drinking Around the World Passport to help you keep track of your progress of the best drinks in Epcot.

Grab your own copy below!
Drinking Around the World Epcot Passport

What are the best drinks at Epcot?

My top 5 must have alcoholic beverages are:

  1. Avocado Margarita from La Cava del Tequila in Mexico
  2. Violet Sake in Japan Pavilion
  3. Leaping Leprechaun from Rose & Crown Pub in United Kingdom
  4. Apple Ice Wine from the Trading Post in Canada
  5. Tokyo Sunset from Kabuki Cafe in Japan

Get the best drinks at Epcot here!

My Final Thoughts on the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

If you’re planning on attending the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, then you must taste all the delicious food and drink offerings, and explore the majestic topiaries throughout the park.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Three Caballeros Topiary with Donald Duck and NikkyJ. Guide to the Best rides at Epcot for Solo Travelers.

If you want to continue planning your epic Festival day, then read my top tips here!

Theme Park Travel Guide on What's New at the 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
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Let me know what new experience you are looking forward to at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in the comment section below.

If you like this article, then check the links below for more Epcot Festivals Tips

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Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Hoop Dee Doo Revue NikkyJ Dinner Show Disney World. Author bio of theme park expert Nikida Metellus.

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

(Original date 2015/Updated February 28, 2024)

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