EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival and Concerts 2015
While the dates from Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival 2015 have not been officially released, the probable dates for the beloved festival are likely: March 4-May 17.
As soon as information is released, I will update.
Meanwhile, let's take a look back at the festival from this past year.
The International Flower and Garden Festival dates are March 5-May 18, 2014. During this time, EPCOT is transformed into a wonderland of colorful flower beds, unique shapes and designs, hands on events for adults and kids and evening concerts.
Carefully designed topiaries are found throughout the park and many are in the shape of favorite Disney characters.
Here's the scoop on what to do during the IFGF 2014.
How To Attend the Flower and Garden Festival
A park ticket will get you into the IFGF and give you access to most of the events. Any separately priced events should be noted in your guide map at the front gate.
If you are planning to attend a talk, concert or demonstration, it is in your best interest to arrive well-ahead of the scheduled time.
Many of the events fill up and lines can form early. So make your plans accordingly as you are planning your day at EPCOT, also keeping in mind how large the park is and how far you must walk to reach certain events including the concerts.
Flower Power Concerts
Throughout the festival, on select nights, different bands are scheduled to take the stage for free concerts.
The concerts are located in the amphitheater across from The American Adventure.
Some of the more popular bands fill up quickly so you may want to get in line up to an hour ahead of time in order to insure a seat.
The 2014 schedule has not been released yet. Bands booked are most often popular ones from the 1960s and 1970s so check back for updates.
Flower Power Concert 2014
Band
| Date
| Famous Song
|
---|---|---|
The Guess Who
| March 7-9
| American Woman
|
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
| March 14-16
| Rythm of the Rain
|
The Orchestra Starring Former Members of Electric Light Orchestra
| March 21-23
| Evil Woman
|
The Lovin' Spoonful
| March 28-30
| Summer in the City
|
Paul Revere & The Raiders
| April 4-6
| Louie, Louie
|
The Village People
| April 11-13
| YMCA
|
The Grass Roots
| April 18-20
| Let's Live for Today
|
Herman's Hermits
| April 25-27
| I'm Into Something Good
|
Starship
| May 2-4
| Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
|
Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
| May 9-11
| The Twist
|
Alan Parsons Live Project
| May 16-May 18
| Games People Play
|
English Tea Garden
One of the more popular, free events is a tour of the English Tea Garden. The tour is scheduled two to three times a day, in the afternoon, and includes a tour of the gardens, samples of teas and free tea packets to take with you.
Space is very limited so you will want to head over the United Kingdom portion of the World Showcase (veer to your right when you enter the showcase gate) and find the Tea Caddy. From there you can sign up for the tour.
Sometimes there are even characters. This is well-worth the time and effort.
Garden Inspired Food Offerings
Just like the Food and Wine Festival in the Fall, the IFGF offers unique food offerings during the festival only.
Visitors can find food at each of the different countries around the world plus extra booths.
Foods are sample size along with special teas, beers, wines and mixed drinks.
The food for 2014 includes:
EPCOT Food Offerings for Flower and Garden 2014
Name
| Location
| |
---|---|---|
Fleur de Lys
| France
| Gnocchi Parisien à la Provença: Confit de canard avec pommes de terre Sarladaise; Macaron à la fleur d’ Oranger
|
Florida Fresh
| Germany
| Watermelon Salad; Shrimp and Grits; Kumquat Pie
|
Hanami
| Japan
| Frushi;Temaki Hand Roll; Hanami sushi; Puffed Rice Cakes
|
Intermissions Cafe
| Festival Center
| Grapes; Fruit and Chees Plate; Vegan Trio; Chicken Wrap; Tuna and Pita; Side Salad; Asian Tuna Salad; Caprese Push Pop
|
Jardin de Fiestas
| Mexico
| Tacos al pastor; Quesadilla de hongos con queso; Flan de chocolate Abuelita
|
Lotus House
| China
| Beijing-style candied strawberries; Spring pancake with grilled chicken and green apple; Vegetable spring rolls
|
Pineapple Promenade
| Canada
| Pineapple soft serve (with or without rum); Sweet potato cinnamon waffle
|
Primavera Kitchen
| Italy
| Caprese; Three-cheese manicotti; Torta di ricotta.
|
Taste of Marrakesh
| Morocco
| Lamb brewat roll; Harissa chicken kebab with couscous salad; Moroccan pancake
|
The Buttercup Cottage
| United Kingdom
| Baked potato and cheddar cheese biscuit with smoked salmon tartare; Field greens with strawberries, toasted almonds and Farmstead stilton; Pork and apple sausage roll;Lemon scones
|
The Smokehouse
| American Pavillion
| Pulled pig slider with cole slaw; Smoked beef brisket; Smoked turkey “rib”; Bacon cupcake
|
Urban Farm Eats
| World Showcase
| Pickled beet salad, Mizuna and pistachios; Land-grown eggplant “scallop” with romesco sauce and spaghetti squash; Ghost pepper-dusted tilapia with crisp winter melon slaw and mint oil
|
HGTV Stars at the Festival Center
Every year, stars of the popular cable channel HGTV are guests of the festival, giving talks about their particular interests and talents.
These talks happen at the Festival Center which is past Spaceship Earth, to the left, near Test Track and Mission Space.
The presentations are free and usually happen at noon and three. However, space is limited so guests are encouraged to line up early to insure a seat.
The 2014 HGTV Guest List is below.
HGTV 2014 Star Appearances
Date
| Celebrity
| Show
|
---|---|---|
March 7, 8, 9
| Vern Yip
| Design Star
|
March 14, 15, 16
| Chris Lambton
| Going Yard
|
March 21, 22, 23
| Matt Blashaw
| Yard Crashers
|
March 28, 29, 39
| Matt Meunster
| Bath Crashers
|
April 4, 5, 6
| Taniya Nayak
| House Hunters on Vacation
|
April 11, 12, 13
| Amy Matthews
| Renovation Raiders
|
April 18, 19, 20
| John Gidding
| Curb Appeal
|
April 25, 26, 27
| David Bromstad
| Color Splash
|
May 2, 3, 4
| Chip Wade
| Elbow Room
|
May 9, 10, 11
| Genevieve Gorder
| Design Star
|
May 16, 17,18
| Alison Victoria
| Kitchen Crashers
|
HGTV 2014 Flower and Garden EPCOT
Seminars and Other Events
Seminars, how-to sessions and decorating talks also occur within the festival center.
Some presentations run throughout the festival and some are for a limited time.
Other presentations will occur around the park at different times, on temporary stages set up especially for the IFGF.
As the 2014 Flower and Garden schedule is finalized, details about the special events will be posted.
In addition to all the great activities for adults there are special displays, playgrounds and interactive areas set up just for kids to explore and learn.
Last year, 2013, featured an "Oz The Great and Powerful" themed playground. Kids can also plant seeds, draw pictures and learn about the environment, making this a very family-friendly event.
2014 Festival Is Going To Be Great
The 2014 International Flower and Garden Festival promises to be another great one.
Be sure to stick around after dark to see many of the beautiful daytime displays being transformed into an array of lights and colors.
There are play areas for the children, food to delight the whole family and interesting information about how to get the most out of your own plants and gardens.
This is an event that appeals to all ages.