Disney World offers a special ticket for those that wish to visit a specific park after the park closes to the general admission guests. While it is similar to the After Dark Events that are hosted throughout the year, with the After Hours, there is no special celebration or holiday in focus.

Purchasing an After Hours ticket can be a great way to spend a little bit more time in a park with shorter wait times for select rides, special character encounters, as well as special snacks.

In the past, the After Hours events have been very popular, and are only offered on select nights during select months. Disney World has been offering After Hours Nites since January, and originally planned on ending the nites at the beginning of summer. However, they have recently announced that they will be continuing the After Hours Nites until early Fall.

This post will go over everything that you will need to know about Disney World After Hours, so you can learn how to maximize your time, and take advantage of enjoying the parks after the park closes!

What To Expect at After Hours at Disney World

After Hours is a special separate ticketed option for guests who wish to visit Disney World in the evening hours, after the park has closed to the general admission tickets. The After Hours Ticket allows guests to enter the selected park as early as 7 p.m. and allows you to stay for up to three hours after the park has closed!

When you enter the park at 7pm, not only does it mean entering the park prior to the event starting, but it also means that you can enjoy the nighttime spectaculars that are offered at the Park that evening.

Once the event has started, you can enjoy many popular attractions with shorter wait times, meeting your favorite Disney Characters! Additionally you can also enjoy ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages (included in ticket cost) during the event!

There is no park hopping or Lightning Lane access during the After Dark event. And each park only offers the After Hours on select nights.

Each park, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios offers a slightly different evening in what they each offer during their After Hours.

Let’s break down to see what each park specifically offers, and when the After Hours starts at each park.

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Disney World After Hours at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom was the first Disney World Park to bring back After Hours, on January 6, 2025. And the After Hours event will continue through September.

Note: As of right now, Disney World hasn’t announced the dates for the continuation of After Hours at Magic Kingdom, but we expect to hear them soon.

Since we don’t have the continued dates for Magic Kingdom, this is what we know about the After Hours at Magic Kingdom from the nights that have been held earlier this year.

After Hours at Magic Kingdom officially starts at 10 pm, but ticketed guests will be able to enter Magic Kingdom as early at 7 pm.

There will be a special firework spectacular Disney Enchantment, that will only be available for the guests at Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom.

Pro Tip: If you enter Magic Kingdom at 7 pm for the event, then you will be able to see Happily Ever After (showing for regular park guests), as well as Disney Enchantment in the same evening.

The event ends at 1 am, so if you’re looking to maximize you total time with this ticket, you can enjoy up to 6 hours of added Magic Kingdom fun.

Magic Kingdom After Hours Attractions

Most of the attractions for Magic Kingdom will be available for After Hour guests to enjoy. Including the very popular attractions like: Tron Lightcycle / Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Both of these rides will be available with a standby queue. So you don’t have to worry about the hassle of getting a virtual queue during the After Hours.

Additionally, guests can also enjoy Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, as well as all the other Magic Kingdom favorites.

Before buying tickets to After Hours at Magic Kingdom, be sure to check out the attraction Height Requirements, and check the height of the little ones in your group!

Magic Kingdom After Hours Dates

As stated earlier, After Hours isn’t available every night, but only on select nights from January until May September. All events have so far, taken place on Wednesday nights. It is fairly safe to assume that the Wednesday nights will continue through September.

Disney World After Hours at EPCOT

Disney After Hours at EPCOT takes place on select nights, from February 27 until September 25, 2025. The event officially starts at 10 pm, and goes until 1 am. But remember that guests with an After Hours ticket can enter EPCOT as early as 7 pm.

EPCOT After Hours Attractions

Nearly all EPCOT attractions will be available for guests to enjoy during the After Hours event. Including, but not limited to; Soarin’ Around the World, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.

Don’t worry, other favorites like Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Spaceship Earth will also be available during the event.

All of these attractions will be available through standby queue, no virtual queue or lightning lane will be available during the After Hours event.

Before buying a ticket for EPCOT After Hours, be sure to double check the height of the little ones in the group, and check out EPCOT Height Requirements.

Characters at After Hours at EPCOT

Like with most other special events that take place at Disney, there will be unique and special meet and greets available to event guests. This can be a great opportunity to meet some of your favorite characters in a different outfit, and usually with less of a wait time.

Guests can look forward to seeing guests like:

• Mickey Mouse – located at the Dreamer statue
• Goofy – located at the DJ Dance party at CommuniCore Plaza
• Minnie Mouse – located at the France gazebo

After Hours at EPCOT: Snacks

Tickets to Disney After Hours also includes some snacks during the event hours. These snacks include Ice Cream, Popcorn, and select bottled beverages!

In order to get these included you must visit one of the following carts:

• Mission: SPACE cart
• Imagination Cart
• Connections Cart
• Fountain Popcorn Cart

Additionally, there will be snacks available for purchase throughout the World Showcase.

EPCOT After Hours Dates

After Hours will be held at EPCOT on select nights from February until September. The event takes place on the following Saturday nights:

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Disney World After Hours at Hollywood Studios

Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios kicked off on January 22, 2025. On select nights from January until September, you can enjoy this event. The After Hours officially starts at 9:30 pm and goes until 12:30 am.

The After Hours at Hollywood Studios does start 30 minutes earlier then the After Hours events at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. However, you are still able to get in to the park hours prior to the start of the event, at 7pm.

Hollywood Studios After Hours Attractions

Hollywood Studios has some of the favorite thrilling attractions Disney World has to offer. During the After Hours event, you can look forward to enjoying Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, Toy Story Mania!, Alien Swirling Saucers, Slinky Dog Dash, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Note: purchasing event tickets, doesn’t guarantee access to these attractions, and does not take into account any possible closures or refurbishment that could take place during the event dates.

Pro Tip: Measure the height of the little ones, and check out Hollywood Studio height requirements to ensure everyone will be tall enough to ride their favorite rides.

Hollywood Studios After Hours: Snacks

Staying late at a Disney park means you must have a late night snack! Enjoy ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages from select stations included with the purchase of the event ticket.

The snacks must be ‘purchased’ from one of the following stations:

• Grand Avenue
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Sunset Boulevard
• Toy Story Land

If you’re craving a little something more, these locations will also be available during After Hours. Enjoying food from the following locations will need to be purchased, as they are not included in the purchase of the After Hours ticket.

• Milk Stand
• Woody’s Lunch Box
• KRNR The Rock Station
• Oga’s Cantina (Walk-up availability only)

Hollywood Studios After Hours Dates

After Hours at Hollywood Studios takes place on select nights from January until the start of September. The event usually happens on Friday nights during those months.

The following dates are for After Hours at Hollywood Studios:

*Note that on Friday March 26, and Thursday April 1, the After Hours event time will change to 10 pm until 1 am. This time change for the event will only apply to those two event dates.

After Hours at Disney World: Ticket Cost

The ticket cost for the After Hours event depends on which park and which date you plan on going to. Which is very typical for all of the Disney World events.

It is important to note that this is not a ticket add-on. This After Hours Ticket can be used as a stand alone ticket to get you into the park as early as 7 pm.

The After Hours ticket will only be valid for the date and park that is selected at the time of purchase. This ticket cannot be used to park hop from park to park, and cannot be used to to access After Hours at a different park other then the one that it is purchased for.

If you’re planning on taking advantage of the After Hours, make sure that the night you want to enjoy After Hours is available and is at the park that you want.

The cost of tickets for After Hours at Disney World are the following for the parks:
Magic Kingdom – $175 to $185
EPCOT – $155 to $185
Hollywood Studios – $155 to $185

The cost of the After Hours ticket does depend on which park, and which night you attend.

Now if the price of the tickets seem a bit steep for the amount of time that you spend in the park, it is important to know that you are able to get ice cream, popcorn, and select bottled beverages included (at select locations) with the ticket.

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Disney has also announced that Disney World Annual Passholders, as well as Disney Vacation Club members can save $30 per ticket for After Hours at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Ticket sales open on September 4, 2024, for Disney World Resort hotel guests, WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotel guests, as well as Shands of Green hotel guests. On September 10, 2024, After Hours tickets go on sale to the general public.

If you’re planning on purchasing this event ticket, I recommend purchasing your ticket as soon as possible, as most nights sell out quickly.

Closing The Gates On: After Hours at Disney World

One of the best ways to enjoy Disney World is at night, and with the After Hours ticket, guests are able to enjoy a Disney World park on select nights after the park closes to the general public.

An After Hours ticket allows you to access a specific park, on a specific date for hours of fun after the parks have closed to the general public. This is a great way to get all the last minute Disney magic that the parks have to offer.

With limited tickets sold, this means you have a greater chance to ride those attractions that typically have the longest wait times. Didn’t get the virtual queue for a ride you really wanted? Completely fine with the After Hours ticket, as there are no lightning lanes, or virtual queues. Everything is standby lane!

After Hours at Disney World can be a great way to do a half day at a park, or to extend an already great day at a Disney World park that you are having.

After Hours is only available on select nights at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.

The post After Hours at Disney World: Dates, Times, and Cost [2025] appeared first on Red the Traveler.

Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration is a fun, spring-themed scavenger hunt specifically created for the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. Go on the hunt to find Spike, a busy bee that has been working hard to pollinate all the different flowers at the Flower & Garden festival.

This is a great (cheap) activity that is fun for all ages at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.

What is Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration?

This springtime-themed scavenger hunt is designed to be enjoyed by all ages! Guests, regardless of age, can go on the quest to find Spike all throughout EPCOT gardens.

To participate, guests will work to find Spike at all of Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration locations and use the corresponding sticker on their map.  Once completed, guests can show their completed map for a prize.

Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration: Map

Guests can purchase Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration map at one of the following locations; Gateway Gifts, Creations, Port of Entry, Disney Traders, as well as at most of the festival-themed merch booths around the World Showcase.

The map costs about $9.99 and can be redeemed for one prize. Each map purchase gives guests everything they need to participate in the scavenger hunt.

There are 12 stickers that are on the backside of the map, to place on the front of the map. Each sticker corresponds to the type of flower that you find Spike with.

Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration: Locations

There are 12 different locations where you can find Spike for this scavenger hunt. Locations can be all around the EPCOT park.

Here are some important reminders for finding Spike:

• All Spike locations are outdoors
• The map doesn’t need to be completed in one visit
• This scavenger hunt is a good way to discover all of the different gardens at EPCOT

Now, if you wish to take out some of the guesswork and know the locations, here is a cheat sheet of where Spike was located last year during Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration 2022.

• Magnolia Terrace
  • In the American Adventure Pavilion
• Garden Italiano
  • In between Italy and Germany Pavilion
• Tropical Rainforest
  • In the Mexico Pavilion
• Donald & Daisy Duck Topiaries
  • Behind Spaceship Earth
• World Discovery Playground
  • Close to Test Track
• Prehistoric Plants
  • Between Club Cool and Test Track
• Bambi’s Butterfly House
  • Among the Bambi Topiaries
• The Honey Bee-stro
  • Near the utensil table for The Honey Bee-Stro booth
• English Tea Garden
  • In the United Kingdom Pavilion
• French Gardens
  • In the France Pavilion (near the new expansion)
• Spice Garden
  • In the Morocco Pavilion
• Kokedama Garden
  • In the Japan Pavilion

After the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival starts, I will update this list to the 2023 locations.

Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration: Prizes

Now, it is a different level of enjoyment when you complete the map and receive your prize, however, completion of the map is not required in order to get your prize.

The prizes change from year to year. Last year (2022) there was a bit of a delay in the prizes, so Disney started handing out prizes from the Olaf scavenger hunt that ended with a previous event.

As stated earlier, one map = one prize. If you have multiple people or children each wanting their own prize, then you will need to purchase multiple maps, so they can each get their own prize.

The Wrap-Up: Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration

Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration is a great way to see all the different flowers and gardens that are exclusive to the Flower & Garden Festival. It is fun to always be on the lookout for Spike wherever you are in EPCOT.

Why should you participate in Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration? It is a great way to add a little extra magic, fun, and education to your vacation.

Plus, you get a prize for participating in the hunt, and who doesn’t love prizes?

The post Complete Guide to Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration appeared first on Red the Traveler.

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is right around the corner! And this year’s festival is going to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the International Flower & Garden Festival!! For the past thirty years, this festival brings bright and colorful flowers to the EPCOT park.

Just like all the other EPCOT Festivals, the International Flower & Garden Festival is a very popular event providing fun for everyone!

In this post, we are going to explore everything that you will need to know about the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Going over everything from the dates, cost, what to see and do, and much much more.

What is EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival?

Every spring this festival returns to EPCOT, bringing beautiful topiaries, flower gardens, and tasty treats to guests. For the 2025 Festival, Disney has some exciting new features to the festival that are going to make this year a completely unique experience. But don’t worry, they have also brought back some of the fan favorites from previous years.

Let’s take a look at the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival! And don’t forget to buy your tickets and reserve your park reservations to EPCOT at Walt Disney World, so that you don’t miss out on this incredible springtime festival.

This post will cover all of the important details you are going to want to know to plan the best Flower & Garden experience.

Dates of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is set to begin on March 5, 2025, and end on June 2, 2025. Making it one of the best times to visit EPCOT and enjoy all of the full bloom of flowers and topiaries that located throughout the park!

The Flower & Garden Festival starts not too long after the end of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts. This is pretty common for EPCOT festivals, to be nearly back to back.
(Personally I think that is what helps with the magic)

This makes EPCOT a great park to visit no matter what time of year, as there will most likely always be a ‘free’* festival going on.

*’Free’ as in the cost of the festival is included in the general admission cost. There is no additional cost to attend.

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Topiaries

Topiaries in general are something really cool to see, and Disney topiaries are no exception. And the Disney topiaries at the Flower & Garden Festival, are sure to impress everyone. It is absolutely incredible to see your favorite Disney characters come to life in a unique way.

If you have been to the Flower & Garden Festival in previous years, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t been to the Flower & Garden Festival, or seen Disney Topiaries, then you are in for a real treat!

There are around a hundred different topiaries that can be found throughout all of EPCOT. Most of those are favorite Disney Characters, which can be found throughout the whole park.

In the Flower & Garden Festival of 2022, guests could enjoy the following topiaries;

• Goofy Topiary with the  Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration Cake
• Sorcerer Mickey Mouse along with Brooms, Ostriches, Hippo, and Gator
• Woody, Bo Peep, and Her Sheep – near The Land Pavilion
• Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse
• Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie
• Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale
• Buzz Lightyear
• Figment
• The Three Caballeros
• Anna and Elsa
• Trolls (from Frozen)
• Dragon
• Pandas
• Simba, Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa, and Sarabi
• Pumbaa and Timon
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• Lady and the Tramp
• Beauty and the Beast
• Lumiere and Cogsworth
• Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy
• Peter Pan
• Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc
• Winnie the Pooh, Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger
• Tinker Bell
• Bambi, Thumper, and Flower

Most of the Disney Character topiaries can be found in their country of origin. For example, Peter Pan characters can be found in the United Kingdom Pavillion, Anna and Elsa can be found near the Norway Pavillion, and Beauty and the Beast characters can be found in the France Pavillion.

The full list of the topiaries for the 2025 season has not been released, however, we do know that Disney will be celebrating the 30th anniversary, so we can expect to see some of our favorite characters from previous years. There will probably also be some that we haven’t seen in a dozen years as well, for tribute to the three decades we’ve been celebrating the Flower & Garden Festival.

Returning topiaries should be characters such as; Figment, Anna, and Elsa, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Tinkerbell, TikTok Croc, plus so many more! Characters from ‘Encanto’ can also be assumed to be returning this 2025 season as well. So be sure to keep an eye out for Luisa, Mirabel, Antonio, and Isabela!

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Garden Rocks Concerts

Garden Rocks Concerts are going to again be returning to the America Gardens Theatre!

Guests who visit EPCOT during the Flower& Garden festival can look forward to live concerts happening during the festival.

Concerts typically take place on select nights and feature popular, as well as, local,m Orlando artists. These concerts are free, and they are first come, first serve standing room only (unless you have a dining package).

Artists like; Plain White T’s, Dauntry, Rick Springfield, and more are expected to be at this year’s Garden Rocks Concerts.

The complete list of artists hasn’t been released, but we do have the list of performing artists for the first month have been set.

Be sure to check out the list of performers, as well as check back in a few weeks for the full concert list.

For the full line-up check out: Garden Rocks Concerts.

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Outdoor Kitchens

Every EPCOT Festival has its signature food booths with incredible new and returning food options, and the Flower & Garden Festival is no exception. At the Flower & Garden Festival, these food booths are called Outdoor Kitchens, as most of them are outside.

This year, there will be over 20 different Festival specific ‘Outdoor Kitchens’ available for guests to enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages. Including some specialty items just for the Flower & Garden Festival, which will include over 50 NEW items this year to enjoy.

The Outdoor Kitchens where guests will be able to find seasonal treats will be at the following locations;

1. Connections Cafe and Eatery
2. EPCOT Farmers Feast
3. BRUNCHCOT
4. Citrus Blossom
5. Jardin de Fiestas
6. Florida Fresh
7. Pineapple Promenade
8. The Honey Bee-Stro
9. The Land Cart
10. Refreshment Port
11. Northern Bloom
12. Trowel & Trellis
13. Fleur de Lys
14. La Isla Fresca
15. Tangerine Cafe
16. Hanami
17. Funnel Cakes
18. Magnolia Terrace
19. Primavera Kitchen
20. Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market
21. Refreshment Outpost
22. Lotus House

Each Outdoor Kitchen has a unique menu giving guests a wide variety of different treats to try.

There will be special treats that stay the whole length of the festival, as well as special items that will come and go after a short while. So if you visit EPCOT more than once during the Flower & Garden Festival, you are bound to try some different food each time!

For a full foodie guide, check out; Flower & Garden Foodie Guide.

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Garden Graze

Similar to the Holiday Cookie Stroll that was available at EPCOT during the Holiday season, Disney has created a Garden Graze during the Flower & Garden Festival.

How Garden Graze Works:

In its simplest terms, there are select items that are offered during the Flower & Garden Festival that qualify as a Garden Graze purchase. After you purchase a set number of items required, you can go to Pineapple Promenade, to get a fun little surprise.

To get started, just pick up a Festival Passport, which is located at a variety of different booths throughout the park. There are only a select number of items that qualify for the Garden Graze, which are listed in the Festival Passport.

At each qualified purchase, a cast member stamps your festival passport, to show that you made the purchase of the food item. Once you have collected five stamps you can get your special stroll treat.

Participating in the Garden Graze is really simple and fun. It is a great way to try a variety of different treats offered during the Flower & Garden Festival, with a bonus treat at the end.

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration

Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration is a scavenger hunt during the Flower & Garden Festival that is sure to entertain all ages.

The Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration is very similar to the other scavenger hunts that take place throughout Disney parks. Like Pluto’s Pumpkin Hunt, which takes place during the Halloween season at both Disneyland and Disney World.

For more information about this scavenger hunt, be sure to check out; Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration.

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Blossoms of Fragrance

It wouldn’t be a flower and garden festival if there were not beautiful smelling flower gardens! Besides the flower gardens that can be found throughout the whole park, on the bridge to the World Showcase there is an extra special experience Disney is offering.

Guests can find Blossoms of Fragrance, presented by Scentsy, to help them embark on a journey with the nose. At Blossoms of Fragrance, guests will be able to see butterfly topiaries, as well as different scent stations.

These scent stations are created to help guests create meaning full memories, that utilize more of your scenes to help solidify the memories you make to be long-lasting memories.

There will be six different scent stations that guests can enjoy. Each scent station has a different scent that guests can explore and discover. Be sure to find your favorite scent, to make this year’s memories at the festival last a lifetime.

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival FAQ

Here are some of the frequently asked questions that pertain to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.

If your specific question isn’t answered here, be sure to send us an email: at red@redthetraveler.com, we would be happy to answer any and all questions that you have.

What are the dates for Epcot Flower and Garden Show 2023?

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is from March 1 until July 2, 2023. Making this festival a great springtime activity for the whole family.

The Flower and Garden festival starts a few weeks after the Festival of the Arts ends.

Where are garden rocks at Epcot?

Garden Rocks, is the name of the concert series that is offered at EPCOT during the Flower & Garden Festival. All concerts are held at the American Gardens Theater, where guests can see world-famous, as well as local artists throughout the length of the festival.

For more information on the Garden Rocks Concerts, including times, dining packages, and lineup, check out; Garden Rocks Concert Lineup.

What time are the Flower and garden concerts at EPCOT?

The concerts happen on almost a nightly basis, and there are three different concert times every night that concerts happen.

The first concert of the night happens at 5:30 pm, the second at 6:30 pm, and the final concert is at 8:00 pm.

For more information on the Garden Rocks Concerts, including times, dining packages, and lineup, check out; Garden Rocks Concert Lineup.

Is Epcot Flower and Garden Festival worth it?

Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes! Like all of the other incredible EPCOT Festivals, the Flower & Garden Festival is no exception. This festival is the perfect springtime/summertime festival, where you can enjoy beautiful gardens, delicious food, and some Disney magic.

 Another reason to love EPCOT festivals is that they are at no additional cost to attend. The cost of the festival is included in the general admission ticket, which means all you have to worry about is purchasing some of the yummy food options.

They also include lots of fun activities, food, and performances that are sure to entertain the whole family.

Does the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival have food booths?

Yes, the food booths at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival are called Outdoor Kitchens. You can find all of the outdoor kitchens throughout EPCOT. Many of them are in the World Showcase area. With each Outdoor Kitchen offers a unique menu giving a lot of variety in the food.

If you have difficulties locating a specific Outdoor Kitchen, you can always either ask a cast member or search for it in the map function of the Disney World App.

What time do food booths open at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival?

Most of the food booths open at 11 am every day. Usually, 1 or 2 booths offer a breakfast option.

The food booths that offer breakfast options open up a bit earlier in the morning (usually with the park opening).

The Wrap-Up: EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

Springtime at Disney World is a beautiful time to visit. Specifically, if guests are going to EPCOT, where they can enjoy the beauty of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.

With over 20 outdoor kitchens and 50 exciting new menus of snacks and treats, along with plenty of topiaries and flower gardens to enjoy, this is definitely an EPCOT festival you aren’t going to want to miss.

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival starts on March 1 and ends on July 5, 2023. Giving guests plenty of time to see and enjoy everything that EPCOT has to offer during the festival. Like Spike’s Pollen-Nature Exploration, and live Garden Rocks concerts.

What is even better about the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is that it is all included in the general admission ticket! No need to purchase an additional event ticket! Making EPCOT a magical place to visit this spring season.

The post Guide to EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival [2025] appeared first on Red the Traveler.

With the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival around the corner, it means delicious food and beautiful gardens are to be explored at EPCOT.

This year, Disney has decided to sprinkle some extra magic and add over 50 new food items to the festival menus, meaning there is much more food to choose from. Since there are limited hours that the outdoor kitchens are open, going in with a plan will help ensure that you are able to experience all the best available.

In this post, we will go over the available food options, and where to find the ones you want to try the most. This will be the Ultimate Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide.

For more information about what to expect, and the fun activities available during this festival, check out EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Guide.

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: Outdoor Kitchens

The Outdoor Kitchens (food booths) can be found throughout the whole park, allowing you to eat at almost every corner! Which, truthfully, can be a bit overwhelming, as there are so many different things to try (especially the ones that are new this year).

To help make planning and navigation easier for your trip, I’ve decided to separate all of the Outdoor Kitchens by area in EPCOT where you can find them.

There are four different areas of EPCOT; World Discovery, World Nature, World Celebration, and (the most popular) World Showcase.

The World Showcase is where all the country pavilions are located, and where most of the outdoor kitchens are located. Even if you spend your whole time in the World Showcase, you will be able to see and experience most of the food options available this year.

Flower & Garden Festival: Cost of Food

With so many different food options, one thing to consider is the cost of each one, so you can budget accordingly.

Individually, most of the food options vary in cost but on average each item costs about $5 – $10. Some items are a little more, and some are a little less, but as a majority, they fall within that range.

If you went to the Flower & Garden Festival last year, you will probably notice a slight increase in the prices. Some of the items have increased anywhere between .25 ¢ – .75¢ which isn’t much but can add up if you are planning on trying a wide variety.

Where the cost of each item isn’t going to be listed in the Festival Passport, there are stands that are set up in front of each Outdoor Kitchen with a list of items that the food booth offers, as well as the current price for each.

Also, note that prices are subject to change.

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: World Celebration

World Celebration is the first part of EPCOT when you enter the park. This is where the famous EPCOT Ball is located.

The Citrus Blossom

Food Items:

• Orange Sesame Tempura Shrimp with orange chile sauce (NEW)
• Citrus Baked Brie with preserved lemon marmalade, limoncello-macerated blueberries, and spiced Marcona almonds (NEW)
• Lemon Meringue Pie: Lemon curd, lemon mousse, and toasted meringue (NEW)

Beverages:

• Orange-Lemon Smoothie in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (Non-alcoholic)
• UFO Beer Co. Citrus Hazy Wheat Beer
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Citrus Honey Cream Ale
• Parish Brewing Co. Drive Thru: Orange Octane Imperial Sour
• Bella Strada Spritz (NEW)
• Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
• Beer Flight

Novelty:

• Orange Bird Bundle featuring The Orange Bird Little Golden Book and souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: World Discovery

World Discovery is part of EPCOT which is to the left, as you enter the front gates, just past the World Celebration.

BRUNCHCOT

Food Items:

• Avocado Toast with marinated toybox tomatoes on toasted ciabatta (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Shrimp and Grits: Blackened shrimp and cheddar cheese grits with brown gravy and sweet corn salsa
• Lox Benedict on Everything Focaccia with everything-spiced cream cheese, shallots, crispy capers, and hollandaise (NEW)
• Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon

Beverages:

• Froot Loops Shake (Non-alcoholic)
• Peach Bellini (NEW)
• Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail with milk, Kahlúa Rum and Coffee Liqueur, and vanilla vodka

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: World Nature

World Nature is the area just to the right from World Celebration, as you enter the park. This is the area of the park where you experience Living with the Land, and Soarin’ Around the World.

The Land Cart hosted by AdventHealth

Food Items:

• Fruit and Cheese Plate: Grapes, strawberries, cheddar, and Mini Babybel Snack Cheese
• Vegetable Plate: Broccoli, carrot sticks, and tomatoes with dip (Plant-based)
• Pretzels with Hummus Dip (Plant-based)
• Cookies ‘n “Cream” Chocolate Mousse Cup (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)

Sunshine Seasons

Beverage:

• Strawberry-mango Slushy (Non-alcoholic)

Connections Café & Eatery

Food Item:

• Orange Bird Liege Waffle (NEW)

Beverage:

• Flower Drop Cocktail: St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Minute Maid Premium Lemonade (New)

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: World Showcase

Here are all the different Flower & Garden food options at the World Showcase. They are listed by country pavilion wherein you can find them.

For a visual reference, you can find a map that I created with all of the Outdoor Kitchen locations listed, as well as seating areas where you can sit down while you enjoy your treats.

Florida Fresh

• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and spicy corn chips (New) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and plant-based cotija cheese (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Blackened Fish Slider with roasted tomatoes, watercress, and citrus remoulade on brioche (New)

• Watermelon Salad with blueberries, pickled red onions, balsamic, and feta
• Florida Strawberry Shortcake (NEW)
• Cucumber Watermelon Slushy (Non-alcoholic)
• Cucumber Watermelon Slushy with gin

BAUERNMARKT: FARMER’S MARKET (Germany Pavilion)

• Potato Pancakes with house-made apple sauce (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Potato Pancake: caramelized ham, onions, and herb sour cream (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
• Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with black forest ham and melted gruyère cheese
• Warm Cheese Strudel with mixed berries

• Bitburger Premium Pils
• Stiegl Brewery Radler Raspberry
• Flensburger Dunkel
• Apfelschaumwein: Sparkling wine and apple liqueur
• Beer Flight

Magnolia Terrace (The American Adventure Pavilion)

• Muffuletta Panini: ham, salami, mortadella, provolone, and Swiss with olive salad (NEW)
• Spicy Chicken Gumbo with Andouille sausage and BEN’S ORIGINAL Long Grain & Wild Rice
• Crawfish Pie (NEW)
• Bananas Foster Bread Pudding (NEW)
• Bayou Cocktail: Bayou Spiced Rum, coconut rum, fruit punch, and orange juice
• Central 28 Beer Co. Pretty Things Ale (NEW)
• Wicked Weed Brewing Day Light American Light Ale
• Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA
• Beer Flight

Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion)

• Hummus Trio: Traditional hummus, red beet and black garlic hummus, and avocado-herb hummus with Moroccan bread and crispy papadam (NEW) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Orange Blossom-Saffron Cake (NEW)
• Pomegranate Mimosa
• Keel Farms Strawberry Elderflower Hard Cider
• Bold Rock Tangerine Hard Cider
• 3 Daughters Brewing Pomegranate Hard Cider
• Cider Flight

La Isla Fresca (Between Morocco Pavilion and France Pavilion)

• Braised Oxtail with pigeon pea rice (NEW)
• Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with BEN’S ORIGINAL Long Grain White Rice, mango salsa, and coconut-lime sauce
• Coconut Tres Leches: Vanilla cake soaked in oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk with toasted coconut (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)

• Tropical Breeze: Minute Maid Lemonade, grapefruit, and simple syrup (Non-alcoholic)
• Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Tropical Perception White Sangria
• Tropical Breeze with Don Q Límon Rum

Northern Bloom (Canada Pavilion)

• Seared Scallops with French green beans, butter potatoes, brown butter vinaigrette, and Nueske’s Applewood-smoked Bacon (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
• Beef Tenderloin Tips, mushroom bordelaise sauce, and whipped potatoes with garden vegetables
• Chocolate Maple Whisky Cake (NEW)

• Maple Popcorn Shake (Non-alcoholic)
• Collective Arts Brewing Honey Lager
• Glutenberg Blonde Ale, Montreal
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Apricot with Maple Syrup
• Maple Popcorn Shake with Tap 357 Maple Rye Whisky
• Beer Flight

Refreshment Port (Near Canada)

Food Items:  

• Shrimp Scampi Poutine with cheese curds, lemon-garlic cheese fondue, spinach, and artichokes (NEW)
• Soft-serve Waffle Cone: Peanut butter, jelly, or swirl

Beverages:

• Mighty Swell Purple Magic Spiked Seltzer (NEW)
• Villa Maria Earth Garden Sauvignon Blanc (NEW)
• Frozen Mojito with Boyd & Blair Rum (NEW)

Trowel & Trellis Hosted by IMPOSSIBLE

• Boneless IMPOSSIBLE Korean Short Rib with cilantro-lime rice, Danmuji slaw, and kimchee mayonnaise (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• IMPOSSIBLE Lumpia with Thai sweet chili sauce (NEW) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)

• Chocolate Cake with black currant ganache, mixed berry compote, and chocolate ice cream (NEW) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Twinings Iced Green Tea with Cranberry and Lime (Non-alcoholic)
• Parish Brewing Co. Bloom Hazy IPA
• Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié
• Twinings Iced Green Tea with cranberry and lime with Hangar 1 Makrut Vodka served in a mason jar

The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board

• Chicken and Waffles: Crispy honey-brined chicken and honey sweet cornbread waffle with whipped honey butter and spicy honey (NEW)
• Pollinator Flatbread with honey-whipped mascarpone, honey caramelized onions, blueberry gastrique, prosciutto, honey-whipped goat cheese, arugula, honey vinaigrette, and bee pollen (NEW)

• Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with honey whipped cream, whipped honey, crystalized honey, honeycomb, dehydrated honey, and fennel pollen meringue kisses
• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with streusel (Non-alcoholic)
• Nektar New Wave Lemonade Mead
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine
• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with blueberry vodka and streusel

Pineapple Promenade

Food Items:

• Spicy Hot Dog with pineapple chutney and plantain chips
• DOLE Whip (Plant-based)

Beverages:

• Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (Non-alcoholic)
• DOLE Whip with Fanta (Non-alcoholic)
• 3 Daughters Brewing Tropical Hefe
• BrewDog Hazy Jane IPA
• Urban Artifact Teak Tropical American Fruit Tart
• Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine
• DOLE Whip topped with Sōmrus Mango Cream Liqueur
• Pineapple Beer Flight

Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico Pavilion)

• Quesadilla de Flor de Calabaza: House-made masa tortillas with squash blossoms, bacon, onion, zucchini, and cheese (NEW)(Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
• Taco Vampiro: Barbacoa Beef in a Corn Tortilla with crispy grilled Monterey jack cheese, salsa ranchera, and esquites (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)

• Mala Hierba Margarita: Centinela Tequila Reposado, elderflower-chamomile tea, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, and UNA Flower-infused Vodka with a chile salt rim (NEW)
• Cristal Margarita: 100% Agave Tequila Blanco, Ilegal Mezcal Joven, clarified lemon juice, and orange liqueur in a souvenir cup (NEW)
• Craft Mexican Lager

Lotus House (China Pavilion)

• Spicy Mala Chicken Skewer with creamy peanut sauce
• House-made Cheesy Crab Wontons
• Pan-fried Vegetable Dumplings
• Classic Bubble Milk Tea (Non-alcoholic)
• Cherry Blossom Pilsner Draft Beer
• Kung Fu Master: Tito’s Vodka, Triple Sec, mango, orange juice, and soda water
• Tang Dynasty: Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila Gold, light rum, strawberry, piña colada mix, soda water, and white boba pearls
• Tropical Moon: Smirnoff Vodka, Triple Sec, passion fruit, soda water, and white boba pearls (NEW)

Primavera Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)

• Caesar con Gamberett: Baby gem lettuce, shrimp, Caesar dressing, and crispy bread crumble (NEW)
• Tortelloni Primavera: Spinach tortelloni, sweet butter, pancetta, corn, peas, and fava beans (NEW)
• Budino alle Nocciole: Chocolate-hazelnut pudding with cookie crumble (NEW)

• Peroni Pilsner
• Prosecco
• Moscato
• Italian Sangria red or white
• Italian Margarita with limoncello and tequila

Hanami (Japan Pavilion)

• Frushi: Strawberry, pineapple, and lychee wrapped in sweet rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, drizzled raspberry sauce, and toasted coconut
• Hanami Sushi: Assorted Nigiri sushi with lemon-cured salmon, soy-marinated tuna, and cured mackerel (NEW)
• Creamy Shrimp Udon: Udon soup with shrimp and spring vegetables (NEW)

• Sakura Cherry Blossom Pilsner (NEW)
• Hakushika Hana Kohaku Plum Sake: Junmai Ginjo blended with Japanese plum (NEW)
• Nigori Dragon Fruit Sake Cocktail (NEW)

Fleur de Lys (France Pavilion)

• Croissant au Fromage de Chèvre, Herbes et Ail Rôtie: Croissant with goat cheese, herbs, and roasted garlic
• Daube de Boeuf à la Provençal, Compote de Tomate au Romarin Gnocchi à la Niçoise: Provençal-style braised beef, rosemary tomato, and niçoise gnocchi(NEW)
• Tarte Chocolat Mogador: Chocolate tart with Valrhona single-origin chocolate brownie, walnuts, and raspberry coulis served warm (NEW)
• Beignet Caramélisé, Fourré Crème Vanille, Glacé au Caramel Fleur de Sel: Caramelized beignet filled with vanilla cream and glazed with caramel fleur de sel

• Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Draft Beer
• VeRy Raspberry: Rosé wine with natural raspberry flavor
• Kir àla Poire: French sparkling wine with Monin desert pear (NEW)
• La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush: Vodka, Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and white and red cranberry juices

Refreshment Outpost (Near China Pavilion)

• Pineapple Skewer with Tajin seasoning (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
• Tangerine Soft-serve
• Ice Cream Float: Tangerine soft-serve and cream soda
• Lavender Martini: Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka with Lavender and Lemon
• Lexington Brewing Tangerine Cream Ale
• Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Grand Cherry Hard Cider (NEW)
• Southern Tier Brewing Co. Juice Jolt IPA (NEW)

Flower & Garden Foodie Guide: EPCOT Farmers Feast

The Farmers Feast is the outdoor kitchen where the menu changes as the festival continues. There are 3 different menus that this outdoor kitchen will have. Each menu lasts about a month and a half during the festival.

Be sure to plan accordingly, as you don’t want to miss some of these delicious items that are offered. The beverages are going to be offered the full length of the festival, but the food will be changing.

The EPCOT Farmers Feast outdoor kitchen is located near the Test Track attraction.

Beverages:

• Collective Arts Brewing Blueberry & Elderberry Sparkling Hard Tea (NEW)
• Ghost Mary: Translucent Bloody Mary with Boyd & Blair Cucumber Vodka, tomato water, horseradish, celery salt, and a hint of pepper (NEW)

Early Bloom Menu (March 1^st through April 8^th)

• Chilled Potato and Leek Soup “Vichyssoise” with bacon lardons, potato croutons, chive oil, and crispy leeks (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
• Char-grilled Bison Ribeye with creamy leek fondue, red wine butter sauce, and whipped red wine goat cheese

• Spice Cake with cream cheese icing and candied pecans and parsnip (NEW)
• Hibiscus Lemonade Cocktail featuring Islamorada Brewery & Distillery Hibiscus Gin

Springtime Menu (April 9^th through May 20^th)

• Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta with marinated peppers, zucchini, squash, artichokes, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze on grilled ciabatta

• Grilled Swordfish with crushed fingerling potatoes, pea and mint purée, grilled asparagus, and lemon beurre Blanc (NEW)
• Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-down Cake with crème fraîche whipped cream

Summer Solstice Menu (May 20^th through July 5^th)  

• Tomato and Red Onion Panzanella with avocado, burrata cheese, and fresh basil
• Barbecued Seared Pork Tenderloin with summer succotash, herb butter, and grapefruit vinaigrette (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)

• Sweet Corn Crème Brûlée with corn biscotti (NEW)

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: Garden Graze

I’m sure you’ve noticed that some of the food items listed above have said ‘Garden Graze’ next to the item. Let’s talk about this delicious food stroll that is available.

Similar to the Holiday Cookie Stroll, the Garden Graze is the stroll through the Flower & Garden Festival with plant-based food.

You might be thinking plant-based food isn’t your thing, so why would you try this Garden Graze stroll? Because if anyone can make delicious plant-based food, it is Disney.

I have never had such mouthwatering and flavorful plant-based items as I have had at Disney. Disney really goes above and beyond with their plant-based food options and they are one of a kind.

How Does Garden Graze Work?

In the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival booklet, there is a section in the back for the Garden Graze with all the garden graze items listed.

There are 10 items that are a part of the Garden Graze, and purchasing 5 of them gets you a fun treat at the end. With each purchase of a qualifying item, make sure to have the cast member stamp your booklet to get your sweet prize at the end.

Flower & Garden Festival Foodie Guide: Other Festive Treats

In addition to the Outdoor Kitchens at the Flower & Garden Festival, there are some other food booths that are available all year round at EPCOT that are serving seasonal Festival-themed items.

Funnel Cake

• Banana Split Funnel Cake: Funnel Cake topped with Banana-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Diced Strawberries, and a Maraschino Cherry drizzled with Chocolate Syrup (NEW)

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company is equivalent to Starbucks. Disney World doesn’t have a lot of Starbucks, but they have Joffrey’s Coffee.

You can find a few different Joffrey’s Coffee stands throughout EPCOT and during the Flower & Garden Festival, there are a few different items that are offered at each stand.

These items are alcoholic beverages, and will only be available to guests who are 21 years and older with a valid ID.

World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE) – Exotic Lemon Tea: A refreshing mix of Frozen Lemon and Iced Tea featuring Exotic Berry notes (Spirited option available featuring Grey Goose Vodka) (NEW)

Near Canada – Melonade: A tangy blend of Frozen Lemon with a burst of watermelon (Spirited option available featuring Grey Goose Vodka) (NEW)

World Showcase (Near Disney Traders) – Orange Cream Cold Brew: A smooth blend of French Roast Cold Brew with flavors of orange and vanilla topped with a splash of cream, whipped cream, and coconut shavings (Spirited option available featuring Kahlúa Rum and Coffee Liqueur) (NEW)

The American Adventure – Key Lime Cold Brew: A zesty blend of French Roast Cold Brew with flavors of Key lime and white chocolate topped with a splash of cream, whipped cream, and graham cracker crumbs (Spirited option available featuring Kahlúa Rum and Coffee Liqueur) (NEW)

Flower & Garden Foodie Guide: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the Flower & Garden Festival food that’s available.

If you have any specific questions or would like help planning your Disney World vacation, be sure to send us an email at red@redthetraveler.com.

What food is served at the Flower and Garden festival?

There are a lot of different options available at the Flower and Garden Festival. At any outdoor kitchen in the World Showcase, you can find food from that country of origin which can be a fun way of trying new foods.

What time do flower and garden food booths open?

The Outdoor Kitchens (food booths) open at 11 am. Which is just a few hours after the park opens. The outdoor kitchens close when the park closes. Giving you plenty of time to try all of the yummy treats.

What is the best dessert at Flower and Garden Festival?

The dessert that I am most looking forward to this year is the Frushi offered at

Hanami in the Japan Pavilion. This Frushi is a sweet, fruity twist of sushi, with strawberry, pineapple, and lychee wrapped in sweet rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, drizzled raspberry sauce, and toasted coconut.

I can already tell this is going to be the best dessert that the Flower and Garden Festival has to offer.

Do you have to pay extra for the Flower and Garden Festival?

Nope. All EPCOT Festivals are included in the cost of the general admission ticket. This is one of the great things about EPCOT Festivals! They have so much to offer at no additional ticket charge!

The Wrap-Up: Flower & Garden Foodie Guide

There are over 50 new items on the Flower & Garden Festival menu, making this festival one for all the foodies out there.

The flower gardens and topiaries are incredible to see, but nothing will beat enjoying the gardens and topiaries with a refreshing beverage or delicious snack.

The outdoor kitchens open at 11 am, just a few hours after the park opens, giving you plenty of time to pick out what you want to try and be the first in line!

If you’re a foodie, be sure to plan your next Disney World trip around the food items that you really want to try!

Have a favorite food item? Send us a message and let us know on Instagram!

The post Foodie Guide To EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival appeared first on Red the Traveler.

If you’re going to Disney World during from March until June, then you definitely want to check out the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. And if you check out the Flower & Garden Festival, then you should also check out their Live Garden Rocks Concerts.

These Garden Rocks Concert series has returned again for the Flower & Garden Festival from March until June! Taking place on almost a nightly basis, these are some concerts you aren’t going to want to miss!

Not only are these concerts included in the cost of admission, but they showcase artists Orlando’s local area, as well as from around the world.

Each concert performance will take place for 2 nights. Either Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday. And let me say there are some really popular artists that have been confirmed for this year!

In this post, we are going to look at the full Garden Rocks Concert Line up, as well as the Garden Rocks Dining Packages that are available. We will break down how to make reservations, and ensure that you are going to have a magical trip.

Let’s dive into the concert details!

Garden Rocks Concert: Dates & Times

The concerts start on March 7, 2025 and will happen every weekend until June 2, 2025.

In previous years, concerts will take place at 5:30 pm, and 6:45 pm, and a final concert at 8:00 pm.

Concerts do take place on Friday to Monday nights during the Flower & Garden Festival.

Garden Rocks Concert: Concert Lineup

Previous years have help artists like Daughtry, Rick Springfield, Smash Mouth, Blue Oyster Cult, and many many others. It is always exciting to wait to see who will perform at the Garden Rocks Concerts.

This year is no different as far as incredible local and popular artists! If you see someone that you have to go see, be sure to reserve your seats as soon as you can (seats are first come first serve).

So without further ado, here is the lineup for the Garden Rocks Concert series for 2025.

• March 7-8 – Tommy DeCarlo, former lead singer of Boston
• March 9-10 – Air Supply – 50th Anniversary Celebration
• March 14-15 – Blue October
• March 16-17 – Rick Springfield
• March 21-22 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
• March 23-24 – 38 Special
• March 28-29 – Jason Scheff, Longtime singer of Chicago
• March 30-31 – TBD
• April 4-5 – THE ORCHESTRA Starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members
• April 6-7 – Sugar Ray
• April 11-12 – Simple Plan
• April 13-14 – Jo Dee Messina
• April 18-19 – Mike Delguidice
• April 20-21 – A Flock of Seagulls
• April 25-26 – Taylor Dayne
• April 27-28 – 98 Degrees
• May 2-5 – Plain White T’s
• May 9-10 – Jon Secada
• May 11-12 – Maverick City Music (new)
• May 16-17 – The Spinners
• May 18-19 – The Pointer Sisters
• May 23-24 – The Outlaws (new)
• May 25-26 – Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
• May 30-31 – The Cat Empire (new)
• June 1-2 – We The Kingdom (new)

Dining Packages for Garden Rocks Concerts

Even though the concerts don’t start until March, guests will be able to book a Garden Rocks Dining Package starting January 29, 2025.

You will be able to secure a concert and dinner through the Garden Rocks Dining Package. This package will include a meal at one of the participating restaurants, and one guaranteed seat per person at one Garden Rocks concert taking place on the same day.

Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package Restaurants

In previous years, there was only a small handful of restaurants that were a part of the dining package for Garden Rocks Concerts. This year, there have been a few more added to the list making it easier to find something for everyone to enjoy.

When guests book the dining package their meal includes one of the following:
Appetizer, entrée, Dessert, or one buffet/family-style meal. Nonalcoholic beverages are included in the package as well.

The only exception to what the dining packages is eating at Spice Road Table. At Spice Road Table guests can expect their package to cover two small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter, and a nonalcoholic beverage (or an alcoholic beverage for guests over 21).

Additional important information for Garden Rocks Dining Packages

• Dining Packages are only offered from Friday to Monday. No dining packages are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
• Alcohol will only be served to guests 21 and older with a valid ID
• Reservations do require a credit card guarantee
• Guests will receive a reserved seating pass with their meal which will need to be shown at the special dining package queue.
• Valid theme park tickets and valid theme park reservation is required to enter EPCOT. Having a dining package doesn’t count as a ticket or theme park reservation.

Same-Day Dining Packages

It is important that you make a reservation for the Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package. If you are unable to make a reservation, Disney World does offer some same-day dining packages ONLY available at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue.

If you are wanting to do a same-day reservation, then I recommend getting your name down as early as possible, as they are available on a first-come, first-served basis for their limited number of meals.

Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package Cost

The cost of the dining packages is set per person and varies on the restaurant. Here is a breakdown of the cost per adult, and per child, by the restaurant.

Where this might seem a bit expensive, for getting a meal and a seat at a live concert, it really is an incredible value. It is a great way to make some memories with the family, eat some good food, and see some great performances.

Closing The Gates On: Garden Rocks Concerts

Incredible artists will be performing at the American Adventure Theater Garden Rocks Concerts during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. These are some performances you do not want to miss.

The return of the Garden Rocks Concerts means the return of the Garden Rocks Dining packages. Be sure to book your package in advance, but if it is a last-minute decision, there will be some same-day reservations available.

Having a Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package is the only way to have guaranteed seating for select concerts. Otherwise seats are first come, first serve, so be sure to plan accordingly.

For a complete guide to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, be sure to check out; EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Guide.

The post EPCOT Garden Rocks Concert Lineup appeared first on Red the Traveler.

If you are heading to EPCOT this holiday season to enjoy the International Festival of the Holidays, then you need to also check out the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll!

The EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll is a ‘free’ activity that is fun for all ages!

EPCOT Porcelain Starbucks Tumbler Official shopDisney Reminiscence on your international explorations of EPCOT when you sip from this porcelain tumbler by Starbucks. Featuring screen art of Minnie Mouse and EPCOT park attractions and snacks, this mug will fuel your fondest vacation memories for years to come.

What is the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll?

The EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll is a fun and ‘free’ activity that takes place during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

Guests can get a Holiday Cookie Stroll Passport, and purchase 5 cookies at any of the designated Holiday Cookie Stroll food kitchens.

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This allows guests to try a variety of different holiday cookies from around the world! It can be a delicious way to get into the holiday spirit.

Note: You have to get the passport stamped by a cast member with each Holiday Cookie Stroll purchase in order to qualify for the redemption prize.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary Sequined Ear Headband Official shopDisney Celebrate 40 years of imagination in this sequined Minnie Mouse ear headband with multicolor padded satin bow and EPCOT 40 logo.

When is the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll?

The EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll takes place during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. From November 25 until December 30.

This gives guests just over a whole month to enjoy the Holiday cookies available at the World Showcase.

How many cookies are in the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll?

There are a total of eight cookies that qualify for the Holiday Cookie Stroll. However only five of them need to be purchased in order to complete the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll.

Meaning that you can select which ones you wish to enjoy!

Which cookies are apart of the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll?

The cookies that are apart of the Holiday Cookie Stroll are as follows;

• Connections Café: Sugar Cookie
• Sunshine Seasons: M&M’s Sugar Cookie
• Holiday Hearth Desserts: Gingerbread Cookie
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen: Linzer Cookie
• American Holiday Table: Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen: Black and White Cookie (Plant-based)
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen: Snickers – Doodle Cookie
• Nochebuena Cocina: Alfajores
  Vanilla Shortbread Cookie with Dulce de Leche and Coconut

Where to get Cookie Stroll Passport?

Cookie Stroll Passports are located by the entrance of the World Showcase, and you can also get one wherever participating holiday food kitchens are located.

Don’t forget to get the passport stamped when you purchase a participating cookie.

The Cookie Stroll Passport is free, and the cookies that qualify for the Holiday Cookie Stroll are listed in the passport.

The Wrap-Up: EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll

The EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll is a fun and exciting little bonus that takes place at EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays.

Guests can enjoy and participate these yummy holiday cookies November 25 to December 30. After that, the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll will be gone until next Holiday season.

The post EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll Guide [2022] appeared first on Red the Traveler.

EPCOT is known for always having festivals at the park throughout the year! At the beginning of the New Year, you can count on the EPCOT Festival of the Arts to arrive! It has been officially announced that the festival will be returning in 2023!

One of the great parks of visiting EPCOT is that there are always festivals taking place, offering a wide variety of different food and drinks inspired from around the world!

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts is no different. In fact, this is one of the more popular festivals that EPCOT hosts, as it also has hundreds of artists at the festival!

EPCOT 40th Anniversary Woven Shirt for Adults Official shopDisney Celebrate 40 years of imagination in this commemorative button-up shirt with EPCOT 40 insignia on front pocket, plus multicolor print at hem.

Now the information for this year’s (2023) festival is still being announced, so be sure to keep checking back to see what new information is going to be released!

Not sure when to go to Walt Disney World? Need help with the details of your trip?
You need a Walt Disney World Planner!
I am a travel agent that is a certified Disney Destinations Specialist!
Send an email to red@redthetraveler.com subject ‘WDW Help’

When is the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?

EPCOT hosts the International Festival of the Arts every year. This year (2023) the festival will take place from January 13, 2023, until February 20, 2023!

EPCOT Festival of the Arts allows guests and artists alike to become fully immersive in the arts. This includes culinary arts, performing arts, and visual arts.

Guests can expect to find whole new food menus at a variety of different Food Studios (food booths). As well as the opportunity to participate in a variety of different visual art

Pro-Tip: Valid tickets AND Park reservations are still required to visit EPCOT!

EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Food Studios

This year there will be 16 food studios (or food booths) available for guests to enjoy! Which includes 2 new food studios for guests to try!

Each food studio is guaranteed to have food that is bursting with color and flavor!

New Food Studios:

Moderne – This food studio will be located near Test Track, and is rumored to feature new avant-garde menu items.

Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Spark of Magic – This food studio will be over near Figment’s area [INSERT AREA NAME]. And is rumored to have new treats and drinks that will be bright and vibrant in both colors and flavors.

There will be more information on these two new, and other food studios as the Festival gets closer.

EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Activities

Currently, all that is known for this year is that like years, before there will be a wide variety of activities that will be enjoyable for guests of all ages.

It is confirmed that a giant pain-by-number mural will be available for guests to enjoy and help complete.

Guests will also be able to learn how to draw different Disney Characters at Animation Academy. Additionally, there will be an area for guests to help Figment learn about the history of art through a scavenger hunt around the World Showcase.

Figment Ringer T-Shirt for Women Official shopDisney With one little spark of imagination, our designers have come up with a vintage style ringer tee featuring everybody’s dreamfinding dragon friend, Figment, direct from EPCOT.

EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Artists

Disney has only announced that guests will be able to browse through a variety of collections from established artists as well as up-and-coming artists.

The full list (of over 100) participating artists isn’t released yet, but stay tuned as I will update accordingly.

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EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Concerts

During the evening time of the Festival, guests will be able to enjoy a Disney On Broadway concert series. Which will feature live performers, performing Disney songs at American Gardens Theatre.

The full list of performing entertainers isn’t released, but I will update you when released.

EPCOT Festival of the Arts FAQ:

Here are some basic frequently asked questions about the EPCOT Festival of the Arts. If there are any specific questions that you have, feel free to reach out, and I would be happy to answer them.

Figment Figural Mug with Lid EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2022 Official shopDisney Refresh your delicious memories of the 2022 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival with this souvenir figural mug of Figment the dragon with a chef hat lid.

How long is the art festival at EPCOT?

The Festival of the Arts runs for almost a whole month in 2023. The festival will start on January 13, 2023, and will end on February 20, 2023.

Giving guests an opportunity to enjoy all of the fun things that are happening at EPCOT for the Festival.

What should I wear to Epcot in January?

It is always sunny and warm in Florida, and not to mention humid! It is always best to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt.

But as always, don’t forget to bring an umbrella or a poncho, for any unscheduled scattered rainstorms that might come through. Even though January isn’t really the rainy season, it is always best to bring rain gear.

What should I wear to Epcot in February?

Similar to January, February is sunny weather with the occasional rain. There is a higher chance of rain in February than in January. But the weather is still warm and sunny, making it ideal for shorts and t-shirt weather.

Remy Pullover Hoodie for Adults Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Customized Official shopDisney Remy, the aspiring chef from Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille, has his dream come true as he gets creative in the kitchen on this design celebrating the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021.

The Wrap-Up: EPCOT Festival of the Arts

This year’s Festival of the Arts will bring a bunch of new food items and artists for everyone to enjoy. From live concerts, drawing classes, and meet and greets with Disney artists.

It has only recently been confirmed that the Festival would be returning in 2023, so I will update information as more becomes available. Be sure to check back as the dates get closer for more information.

The post Disney’s EPCOT Festival of the Arts [2023] appeared first on Red the Traveler.

EPCOT is often known for the World Showcase, an area of the park where you can explore “around the world” and discover different cuisines and drinks from around the globe. However, there are quite a few rides that also make EPCOT quite a lovely Disney park to visit.

And of course, with rides, comes height requirements! This post will break down the EPCOT Height Requirements so that you can be better prepared for your visit to EPCOT.

Looking for the height requirements for a specific Walt Disney World Park?
Check out these other height requirement posts:
>Magic Kingdom Height Requirements
>Animal Kingdom Height Requirements
>EPCOT Height Requirements
>Hollywood Studios Height Requirements
>Blizzard Beach Height Requirements
>Typhoon Lagoon Height Requirements

If you are looking for more of an overview of EPCOT, check back later, as we have a blog post in progress for that.

EPCOT Height Requirements: World Discovery

World Discovery at EPCOT is located to the left of the park after you pass the iconic EPCOT ball. This area of the park is dedicated to exploration, and technology that moves society further.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – 42″ (107 cm)

Mission: SPACE
Green Mission (less intense side) – 40″ (102 cm)
Orange Mission (more intense side) – 44″ (112 cm)

Test Track – 40″ (102 cm)

EPCOT Height Requirements: World Nature

World Nature is located to the right of the park after you pass the iconic EPCOT ball. This area of the park is dedicated to the earth and the many things we get from the earth. Both of land and of the sea.

Soarin’ Around the World – 40″ (102 cm)

What Rides At EPCOT Have No Height Restrictions?

Yes, there are still plenty of rides at EPCOT (as well as other attractions) that don’t require any type of height requirements. Making EPCOT truly a fun place for the whole family.

The rides that have no height requirements are listed below in their respective area of the park.

World Celebration

Spaceship Earth
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Journey Into Imagination With Figment

World Nature

Awesome Planet
Living with the Land

World Showcase

Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros
Meet Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
Frozen Ever After
Reflections of China
America Gardens Theatre
Palais du Cinema
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360

EPCOT Height Requirements FAQ:

Here are some more EPCOT Height Requirements questions that people often ask.

If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to reach out.

How tall do you have to be to ride frozen at Epcot?

Frozen Ever After is the very popular frozen ride at EPCOT. It is located in the Norway pavilion at the World Showcase.

Due to the type of ride that it is (boat ride), there are no height requirements for this ride. Making it popular, even among the little ones.

Is Epcot good for toddlers?

There is definitely a lot to see and do at EPCOT for guests of all ages, including toddlers.

EPCOT has a large selection of rides without height requirements, plenty of theater-style performances/movies, as well as some really cool character, meet n greets.

Toddlers can definitely have a lot of fun here if you plan correctly for them.

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Does the Ratatouille ride have a height requirement?

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is located in the France Pavillion at the World Showcase. This is a new ride that has recently been added (since the pandemic).

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is another ride that doesn’t have any height requirement with the ride. Making it a fun option for all ages.

Can babies go on Remy?

Because there is no height requirement for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, yes, babies can go on the ride.

The only ‘requirement’ is that any child 7 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

The Wrap-Up: EPCOT Height Requirements

EPCOT is often thought of being an adult Disney park. However, there are only 4 rides that have any type of height requirement attached to them. Making EPCOT a fun park for the whole family.

Regardless of age and height, everyone in the family is bound to have a good time when at EPCOT.

Yes, even if you are bringing little ones along with you, EPCOT is a Walt Disney World park that you wouldn’t miss out on.

The post Everything You Need To Know About EPCOT Height Requirements appeared first on Red the Traveler.

There are many things that attract guests to Walt Disney World. Beyond the magical vacation experience, the special events that Walt Disney World hosts always bring crowds from all over the world. One of the most popular events is EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

This post will be a guide to everything you need to know if you plan on attending the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!

What is Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a way for you to “travel” around the world and try food from all over the world.

Now if you’ve been to EPCOT before, then you know about the World Showcase. The World Showcase has 11 different pavilions representing various countries around the world. Each pavilion focuses and specializes in offering that country’s own unique food, culture, and experiences to guests that visit.

Fun Fact: Disney is all about authenticity, and making experiences as magical and real as possible. This is why if a cast member works at an EPCOT at one of the Pavillions, they must be from that country. For example, any cast members you find at the Japan pavilion will be from Japan, and the same goes for all the countries.

During the Food & Wine Festival, there are even more countries represented throughout the World Showcase, bringing a wider variety of food and beverage options. These additional countries are showcased through Global Marketplaces, and this year there will be over 35 Global Marketplaces throughout the park.

But food isn’t the only thing that the Food & Wine Festival brings to the table. There is also a bunch of fun activities, live performances, and more to see and explore during the event.

What are the dates for the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot 2025?

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival takes place every year from mid-summer to mid-November.

This year, the Food & Wine Festival starts on on Thursday, August 28, and goes until November 22, 2025.

The Festival takes place daily, allowing guests to enjoy the festivities any day of the week. There are special events, like concerts, that only happen on select nights, so be sure to continue reading to figure out when is the best time for you to go.

What to Expect at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Because the festival occurs daily at EPCOT for a few months, there are a lot of things to see. Everything from live performances, to so much delicious food, and are all in addition to everything else that EPCOT has to offer!

Attending the Food & Wine Festival is definitely something that should have some planning, especially if you have never visited EPCOT at Walt Disney World before.

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At the International Food & Wine Festival, you can expect a lot of food options. And I mean a LOT!

EPCOT is known for having some of the best food all around! Now add a limited festival to highlight some special dishes, and you could easily spend a whole week going to the festival and still have food options to try.

Whether you are a picky eater or have any dietary restrictions, there will be various food options available. Disney is also well known for its customer service, and great accommodations for any dietary restrictions that any guests may have. All you have to do is say something!

What goes great with good food? Live entertainment! And don’t worry, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has all the live entertainment that you need. With performances happening nightly, Eat to the Beat is a great way to enjoy good food and music!

Food & Wine Festival: Eat to the Beat

An often popular feature of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is the live performances! That’s right, during the Food & Wine Festival, you can find a wide variety of live performances.

Everything from some internationally recognized artists, and top charting musical acts, to local Orlando bands as well!

For the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, the artists and dates for Eat to the Beat haven’t been released. However the following information is from previous years.

Concerts take place nightly from July 14th through November 14th! There are usually 3 concerts per night, taking place at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8 pm. Each concert/performance usually lasts about 30 minutes.

Which gives you plenty of time to see a concert while also having time to explore the different booths!

These concerts are free with an admission ticket to EPCOT! And tickets are located at the Americal Gardens Theater, which is between Japan and Italy by the water.

Below is the full list of live performers that will be performing during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. The local artists will be bolded, and the top charting-musical acts will be non-bolded, to help show the difference between the two.

Previous July Artists

14 & 15: Baha Men
16 – 18: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
19 – 21: C’Nergy
22 & 23: Tonic (NEW)
24 & 25: Jeremy Camp (NEW)
26 – 28: Country Airways
29 & 30: Taylor Dayne
31: Tiffany

Previous August Artists

1: Tiffany
2 – 4: Element
5 – 8: Joey Fatone & Friends
9 – 11: Latin Ambition
12 & 13: The Devon Allman Project
14 & 15: Christopher Cross
16 – 18: Epic
19 & 20: Steve Augeri (former Journey lead vocalist)
21 & 22: Air Supply
23 – 25: Evolution: Motown
26 & 27: Blanco Brown (NEW)
28 & 29: 98 degrees
30 & 31: M-80s

Previous October Artists

1: Stokley (NEW)
2 & 3: Sheila E.
4 – 6: Latin Ambition
7 & 8: Mark Wills
9 & 10: 38 Special
11 – 13: The Vybe
14 & 15: Robert Randolph Band
16 & 17: Newsboys (NEW)
18 – 20: 506 Crew
21 & 22: Ray Parker Jr. (NEW)
23 & 24: Billy Ocean
25 – 27: M-80s
28 – 31: Hanson

Previous November Artists

1 – 3: Country Airways
4 – 7: Boyz II Men
8 – 10: Foreigners Journey
11 & 12: Kenny G
13 & 14: Sugar Ray

Additionally, Walt Disney World does offer a special dining package for guests who wish to enjoy dinner and reserved seating for the concert. For more information about the Dining Packages, check out Eat To The Beat Dining Packages.

Food & Wine Festival Activities

Along with trying all of delicious food, and adult beverages there are other activities that can be a lot of fun for everyone. Some of the top two activities are Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt and Emile’s Fromage Montage.

Remy Ratatillouie Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt

This activity returned this year for another year of fun! Throughout EPCOT you can find little Remy (Yes the rat from Ratatouille), all around with different items. Purchase a sticker map, find all of the Remy’s, show your completed sticker map, and get a free prize!

The sticker maps can be purchased at Port of Entry, Creations Shop, and World Traveler at International Gateway. Maps cost $9.99, and there is a limit of 5 maps per guest.

Once you’ve got your map, you can go around EPCOT and try to find all of the hidden Remy’s! There are 15 Remy’s that need to be found to complete the full sticker map.

When you have found all of the Remy’s and completed the sticker map, you can go to the designated areas to get your prize. (You can always go to the designated area prior to finishing your map if you wish).

The prize usually includes a themed item for the event such as a tumbler or a mug. Usually something fun, festive, and exclusive to the Food & Wine Festival.

At the time of update, there is no news on whether Pluto’s Pumpkin Hunt will be returning to EPCOT this year.

Pluto’s Pumpkin Hunt

A new activity at Walt Disney World! If you’ve visited Disneyland during the Halloween season then you know exactly what to expect! Pluto’s Pumpkin Hunt will be available from September 29th until October 31st (while supplies last).

This activity doesn’t last the whole Food & Wine Festival, so be sure to check it out while it is at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Similar to Remy’s Ratatillouie Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt, the sticker map can be purchased at Port of Entry, Creations Shop, and World Traveler at International Gateway. Maps also cost $9.99 with the same limit of 5 maps per guest.

Just like with Remy’s Hide & Squeak, you search throughout the park for decorated pumpkins. The pumpkins should look like different Disney characters.

As you can tell from the photos, the pumpkins can be everywhere, and while some are very obvious, some are slightly more hidden! Making it truly a fun scavenger hunt!

Find all 13 pumpkins and you can go get a Halloween-themed prize. Usually a Halloween-themed travel tumbler.

Emile’s Fromage Montage

This activity takes you on a journey of enjoying a variety of different cheese dishes throughout the festival. Making participating really easy!

Using your Festival Passport, find Emile’s Fromage Montage menu items at certain global marketplaces. Every time you purchase one of the select dishes, you receive a stamp at the location.

Once you’ve collected 5 stamps (there are 10 different menu items that count, keep scrolling for the options) you can show off your passport for a prize at the Shimmering Sips marketplace!

At Shimmering Sips marketplace, you can receive a special dessert! Not just any dessert, this special dessert is served in a Food & Wine Festival cup!

Food & Wine Festival Global Marketplaces

The most popular attraction of the Food & Wine Festival is of course the world-renowned food options that are available. I mean let’s be honest, even without the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT, there are some incredible dishes from all around the world.

With the Food & Wine Festival being in town, that just means there are even more excellent food and wine options. (And don’t worry they serve other adult beverages other than just wine).

EPCOT Pavilions & Marketplaces

In order to fully understand how much gets added to EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival, we need to understand what it is like without the festival. So let’s take a look at what the park looks like without all the extra added Food & Wine booths.

Note: that I am only focusing on the World Showcase area of EPCOT, as that is primarily where the Food & Wine Festival activities are located. There is definitely much more to EPCOT than just the World Showcase, and I do recommend those other parts too.

There normally are 11 incredible pavilions to check out and explore. Each Pavillion at the least showcases specialty food originating in that home country.

For example, the Canadian Pavillion offers Poutine! Which is a delicious dish that is very common in the provinces of Canada. The Germany Pavillion offers Brawtworst, the Japan Pavillion offers a variety of sake, udon, and sushi.

At the International Food & Wine Festival, there are over 35 different booths with delectable food options to try! Additionally, there will be a few booths that will open up in August, providing even more food choices for guests to enjoy.

Food & Wine Marketplaces

For the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, the marketplaces haven’t been fully announced. The following information is based on previous years. Check back for updates!

Let’s break down all of the different marketplaces/booths that will be exclusively open for the International Food & Wine Festival.

Tip: Scan the QR code in the picture for the Festival information to open in the Walt Disney World app.

All of the numbered dots around the world showcase are all different booths that will be open for the Food & Wine Festival. And that is in addition to the ones that are regularly open ‘around the world’.

There are a lot of different options to try out, it can be a bit overwhelming. I’ve broken down all of the restaurants with where they are on the map, making it easier to plan a bit for your trip.

And yes, putting a little work into planning a visit to Epcot will really make all the difference.

1. Coastal Eats
2. Mac & Eats
3. Fry Basket
4. Flavors from Fire
5. Brew-Wing at the Odyssey
6. Noodle Exchange
7. Swanky Saucy Swine
8. Mexico
9. China
10. India
11. Kenya
12. Refreshment Outpost
13. The Alps
14. Germany
15. Spain
16. Italy
17. Hops & Barley
18. Japan
19. Greece
20. Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina
21. Belgium
22. Brazil
23. France
24. Ireland
25. Appleseed Orchard
26. Canada
27. Refreshment Port
28. Australia
29. Shimmering Sips
30. Earth Eats
31. Hawai’i

As you can tell from the list above, there are quite a few marketplaces that are exclusive to the International Food & Wine Festival!

Late Opening Marketplaces

These marketplaces are going to be at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, they just won’t be open the whole time. Most of these aren’t going to be available until August 15th, unless otherwise noted.

Coastal Eats – located near Mission: SPACE, this marketplace offers seafood dishes along with cocktails, wine, and beer.

Mac & Eats – located near Mission: SPACE, this marketplace offers a variety of macaroni and cheese options like you have never seen before!

The Noodle Exchange – located near Disney Traders, this marketplace offers a variety of flavors from the Far East served with noodles!

Hawai’i – located near the Port of Entry, this marketplace offers tropical flavors that highlight both the sweet and savory tastes of the islands of Hawai’i.

If any of those places sound good (who am I kidding, they all sound good), then be sure to plan your visit to the International Food & Wine Festival to be after August 15, 2022, so that you can enjoy these additional booths!

Early open for Breakfast

For the most part, the marketplaces open up at 11 am. This means that if you get there at the rope drop, then you have to wait a few hours before you can dive right into the Food & Wine Festival.

However, there are a few select marketplaces that will be open for breakfast! They will start serving breakfast options around 8:30 am (unless otherwise noted). There is not a lot, so if you want to enjoy some good food early in the morning I recommend going to one of these booths.

Belgium is open for breakfast! Belgium is one of the few booths that will be opening when the park opens up. They will serve some delicious breakfast options too!

For breakfast, the Belgium booth is offering two different types of Belgium Walffles. One with a berry compote and whipped cream, one with chocolate ganache!

Add a chilled coffee with Godiva chocolate liqueur and you are all set for a perfect breakfast to kick of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Special Menus

With all of the different marketplaces, there are a ton of new menu items for this festival. Listed below are some of the newest food items that you can find throughout.

Emile’s Fromage Montage Menu Items

If you plan on participating in this cheezy activity then here is a preview of the items that qualify. Remember you have to purchase 5 items from the menu and get stamped in order to receive your special prize.

The items listed on the left (or top if you are on a mobile device), are the qualifying items that have been released for the 2025 Food & Wine Festival. The items listed on the right, are qualifying items from previous years.

As you can tell from the menu, there are a lot of delicious options to choose from in order to get your special prize at the end.

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FAQ: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Below are some of the most common questions that are asked around the Food & Wine Festival. Most of the questions are specific to the Food & Wine Festival, however, some of the last few are EPCOT specific.

If you have any further questions, or a specific question, feel free to message me. I am also a travel agent that can help you plan your trip!

How long is the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot?

Overall, the Food & Wine Festival runs for about 3.5 – 4 months in total. The Festivities start when EPCOT park opens which is 8:30 am on most days.

However, most of the food marketplaces/booths don’t open up until around 11 am. There are a few exceptions of course, that provide some breakfast options that open up at 8:30/when the park opens.

Is Epcot Food and Wine Festival worth it?

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is absolutely worth it! Since the festival has no additional cost (other than park admission) there really is no reason not to enjoy it!

There are various delicious food and beverage options (including some specialty adult beverages). There is fun merch to purchase, as well as free live performances.

You really can’t go wrong attending the Food & Wine Festival. In fact, the only negative thing that I have heard about it is that guests wish that they had spent more time at the Festival because there was so much to see and do!

How much does it cost to go to Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

The Food & Wine Festival itself doesn’t cost any additional cost. Guests who wish to attend, need a valid park admission ticket, and a valid park reservation in order to go!

Prices for the different food options vary, but can usually run between $5 – $8. Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic can generally run between $5 – $10, depending on the drink.

It is important to remember that most of these food options are smaller portions, not quite a full meal, but a little bit more than a snack.

Can you walk around with alcohol at Epcot?

Yes! You can absolutely walk around Epcot (as well as a few other parks) with alcohol. The only rule is that you aren’t allowed to take it back to your hotel or vehicle.

In other words, guests won’t be allowed to actually leave the parks with the open container. Cast members will require you to either toss it or chug it at the turnstiles before you leave.

Do you need a separate ticket for Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

No! That is one of the great things about going to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, is that there is no additional ticket that needs to be purchased.

All guests need is a valid park admission ticket, and a valid park reservation (or a park hopper ticket, then you can hop over after 2 pm). Without either one of these, you will not be allowed into the park.

Can you use Disney Gift Cards at Epcot Food and Wine?

Yes! Like most of the stores at EPCOT, the booths take all forms of payment. Cash, card, MagicBand, gift card, and even the Disney Visa Reward Dollars (available only to Disney Visa members).

For this Food & Wine Festival, EPCOT also offers a special International Food & Wine Festival gift card wristlet.

A themed gift card on a little wristlet making it easy for you to carry around. Just load up the gift card for your fun day at the festival.

What is the best day of the week to visit Epcot?

Realistically, the best day of the week to visit EPCOT will depend upon what you are looking for in your experience. Which I why I always hate saying that you should go on this day over that.

The weekends are going to be more crowded than the weekdays. But if you are attending the Food & Wine Festival, maybe there is a performance or concert that you are really wanting to see and they only are playing on a weekend.

Closing The Gates On: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

There is a lot to see and do at the International Food & Wine Festival! From live entertainment to great food, it is going to be easy to get swept up in everything.

To really capitalize on your time, create a bit of a game plan, and know which food booths you must visit!

Also know if you can, take more than one day to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival! Seriously, nearly everyone who attends spends more than one day at the park. Those that spend only one day, wish that they spent at least 2 days there!

I cannot stress this enough, create a general game plan together for how you want to tackle the festival! And make sure you try lots of food, drink lots of cocktails or mocktails, enjoy the free concerts, and take lots of pictures. But most importantly, have fun!

The post A Guide To EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival [2025] appeared first on Red the Traveler.

If you’ve heard of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, then chances are you have heard about their live performances that also take place during the event called Eat to the Beat. Nothing pairs well with good food than great live music!

This year, Eat to the Beat is back and back with a variety of different dining packages to choose from.

In this post, we will go over all the everything that you will need to know if you’re considering doing an Eat to the Beat Dining package. From cost, restaurants, times, and more, we will cover it all. And if you are looking for information about the festival itself, then check out: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival [2024].

What is Eat To The Beat?

During the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, there are also live concerts that take place on a nightly basis. The concerts help showcase local (Orlando area) artists, as well as many popular would-renowned artists!

Eat to the Beat can be a great way to see one of your favorite artists on a smaller scale setting!

Disney is also known for having some great dining packages during special events, which is where Eat to the Beat Dining Packages comes in!

Performance Dates

Eat to the Beat does performances every night at the Food & Wine Festival. This means you can catch nightly performances from August 30 through November 18!

Most artists (whether local artists or international) usually play for about 2 nights. During those 2 performing nights, there are 3 concerts per night as well, making it easier to catch a concert!

Concerts take place at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm. Each concert lasts about 30 minutes.

The complete Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup can be found in our Food & Wine Festival Guide.

Concerts Included with Eat to the Beat Dining Packages

Even though the Eat to the Beat concerts happen nightly, only select concerts are available through the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages.

The concerts that apply to the Eat to the Beat Dining packages, start on July 9th, and are the concerts that happen Friday to Monday nights throughout the rest of the festival.

Eat To The Beat Dining Packages Restaurants

There are many great restaurants to select from for the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages! With the restaurants located all throughout EPCOT. You can try something new, or go for a classic favorite with so many options.

The restaurants that you have to select from are as follows:
Akershus Royal Banquet – Norway Pavilion
Biergarten Restaurant – Germany Pavilion
Chefs de France – France Pavilion
La Crêperie de Paris – France Pavilion
Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada Pavilion
La Hacienda de San Angel – Mexico Pavilion
Nine Dragons Restaurant – China Pavilion
Rose and Crown Dining Room – United Kingdom Pavilion
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – Japan Pavilion
Teppan Edo – Japan Pavilion
Tutto Italia Ristorante – Italy Pavilion
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Italy Pavilion
Garden Grill Restaurant – The Land Pavilion
Coral Reef Restaurant – The Living Seas

Additionally, there is Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue in the American Adventure Pavilion that is available only for same day dining packages. More on that a little later on.

Dining Package Prices and Inclusions

The pricing for the dining package depends on which restaurant you select to eat at. Selection of restaurant must be made when booking the reservation in advance. If you plan on doing the same day dining package, then only one restaurant is available.

Pricing also varies upon the size of the group, as there are different pricing for adults and children. Just like with Disney tickets, adults are classified as anyone 10 years of age and older, and children are considered anyone between the ages of 3 and 9 years old.

Now, before we list the prices with each restaurant, I think it’s important to note, everything that the Eat to the Beat Dining packages include.

For all of the participating restaurants (Except Spice Road Table) you can expect to receive the one of the following as apart of the dining package:
-Entrée and Dessert
-Full Buffet

For Spice Road Table, guests can enjoy 2 small plates, a shared tagline, shared dessert platter

Additionally, guests will receive one nonalcoholic beverage (for guests 21+ an alcoholic beverage can be applicable).

But there is more than just the meal that’s included with the dining package! Each guest will also receive one guaranteed seat to one of the Eat to the Beat concerts on that same day.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the participating restaurants and the cost.

Akershus Royal Banquet – Norway Pavilion

Enjoy a medieval themed castle, where you can enjoy Norwegian-inspired food. Whether its enjoying traditional Norwegian meatballs or grilled salmon, you are sure to find something delicious on the menu.

Breakfast – 8:30 AM to 12:10 PM
Lunch – 12:15 PM to 4:40 PM
Dinner – 5:25 PM to 8:05 PM

Breakfast:
Adults cost $72 per adult, and children cost $42 per child.
Lunch/Dinner:
Adults cost $84 per adult, and children cost $50 per child

Biergarten Restaurant – Germany Pavilion

Here guests can enjoy authentic German food, where Oktoberfest is celebrated all year long! Designed to look like a traditional Bavarian village, guests can enjoy a live Polka band while they eat.

Lunch is usually served between 12 (noon) and 3:55 pm.
Dinner is usually served between 4 pm and 8 pm.

Adults cost $66 per adult, and children cost $34 per child.

Chefs de France – France Pavilion

At Chefs de France, you will feel like you’ve been transported to the heart of Paris, enjoying delicious French nouvelle cuisine. With an innovative rotating menu, this is a place the whole family can enjoy.

Lunch – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Dinner – 4:00 PM to 8:55 PM

Adults cost $61 per adult, and children cost $34 per child.

La Crêperie de Paris – France Pavilion

Another incredible French cuisine restaurant, where you can enjoy your French favorites like Chicken, Salmon, etc. Or go with the sweeter side, and enjoy a wide selection of crepes.

Breakfast – 9:00 AM to 10:55 AM
Lunch – 11:00 AM to 3:55 PM
Dinner – 4:00 PM to 8:50 PM

Adults cost $48 per adult, and children cost $24 per child.

Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada Pavilion

Le Cellier Steakhouse offers top-of-the-line Canadian cuisine! Featuring many favorites such as fresh seafood, steaks, cheesy poutine, and so many more favorites.

A wide selection of fine Canadian wine, traditional beer, and specialty drinks are also available to guests who are over the age of 21 years old.

Lunch is usually served between 12 (noon) and 3:55 pm.
Dinner is usually served between 4 pm and 9 pm.

Adults cost $99 per adult, and children cost $39 per child.

La Hacienda de San Angel – Mexico Pavilion

Get ready to enjoy delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine with a wide selection of top shelf margaritas (for those 21+). At La Hacienda tortillas are made in house daily, paired with fresh salsa for whatever level of heat you desire.

Adults cost $82 per adult, and children cost $37 per child.

Nine Dragons Restaurant – China Pavilion

At Nine Dragons you can enjoy Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan, Cantonese, and Kianche-style specialties all on one menu! Whether you have a Chinese cuisine favorite, or are going to try something new, there is going to be options for the whole family to enjoy.

Lunch – 12:00 PM to 2:55 PM
Dinner – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Adults cost $51 per adult, and children cost $23 per child.

Rose and Crown Dining Room – United Kingdom Pavilion

Looking to enjoy some of your favorite British dishes? Then Rose and Crown is the place to go. Enjoy classics like fish and chips, bangers and mash, as well as a great selection of British beers, ciders and other alcoholic beverages.

Dinner – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Adults cost $61 per adult, and children cost $26 per child.

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – Japan Pavilion

Embark on an authentic izakaya experience with a menu full of tempura, sushi rolls, skewers, and okonomiyaki. With a menu designed around the traditions of Japan’s seasonal festivals, you can enjoy some excellent seasonal items.

Lunch – 12:00 PM to 3:55 PM
Dinner – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Adults cost $81 per adult, and children cost $50 per child.

Teppan Edo – Japan Pavilion

Have a larger group? Then Teppan Edo is for you. Enjoy Teppanyaki style stir-fry dishes cooked right at your table!

Lunch – 12:00 PM to 3:55 PM
Dinner – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Adults cost $85 per adult, and children cost $50 per child.

Spice Road Table – Morocco Pavilion

Inspired by Moroccan cuisine, Spice Road Table offers guests a flavorful variety of plates to try. From spicy shrimp to naan spreads, indulge in Mediterranean food for everyone.

Spice Road Table open from 11:30 am to 9 pm.

Adults cost $56 per adult, and children cost $21 per child

Tutto Italia Ristorante – Italy Pavilion

For authentic Italian dishes, you need to go to Tutto Italia Ristorante (my personal favorite). Where you can find everything from classic spaghetti and meatballs to pan roasted fish, and everything in between.

Lunch – 12:30 PM to 3:55 PM
Dinner – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Adults cost $75 per adult, and children cost $28 per child.

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Italy Pavilion

With a menu full of mouth watering pastas, fresh hot vegetable soup, and wood-fire pizzas, at Via Napoli Ristorante you can experience all of the delicious flavors of Southern Italy.

Lunch – 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Dinner – 4:05 PM to 9:00 PM

Adults cost $63 per adult, and children cost $27 per child.

Coral Reef Restaurant – The Living Seas

A restaurant that makes you feel like you’re dining in the middle of the ocean! Offering fresh seafood, ocean inspired dishes!

Lunch is usually served between 11:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Dinner is usually served between 3:45 pm to 8:30 pm.

Adults cost $73 per adult, and children cost $29 per child.

Garden Grill Restaurant – The Land Pavilion

Enjoy one of a kind Character dining experience with Chip ‘n’ Dale! Garden Grill features an American dining experience with an ever-changing menu to correlate with the seasons. This restaurant is designed to reflect living off of the land. Providing a new experience every visit.

Lunch is usually served between 11:30 am and 3:40 pm.
Dinner is usually served between 3:45 pm and 8 pm.

Breakfast:
Adults cost $64 per adult, and children cost $37 per child
Lunch/Dinner:
Adults cost $79 per adult, and children cost $47 per child

Eat to the Beat Same-Day Dining Package

Sometimes, we can’t always plan everything, and spur-the-moment ideas to happen. Thankfully, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has made it easy for you to decide on the same day to purchase a Eat to the Beat Dining Package.

There are only two restaurants that offer same-day dining packages for Eat to the Beat. They are Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, and Spice Road Table. Located at the American Adventure Pavilion and the Morocco Pavilion.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse – American Adventure Pavilion

A savory American barbecue smokehouse utilizing house-recipe sauces! Paired with American brewed beers and ciders crafted all throughout the United States.

This restaurant is open from 11:45 am until 9 pm.

Adults cost $36 per adult, and children cost $21 per child

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Making Eat to the Beat Dining Package Reservation

Dining packages for Eat to the Beat are available now and can be made online through Disney World’s site.

In order to make a dining package reservation, you must be logged into your Disney account, and have a saved credit card linked to your account to hold the reservation.

The credit card that is used to hold the reservation, won’t be charged during the dinner unless you select for it to be charged.

However, guests will be charged a cancelation fee (usually about $10/per person) if they fail to cancel their reservation within 24 hours or fail to show up to the reservation.

Additionally, you will need to know the exact number of guests that will be a part of your party when you make the reservation. Guests must also specialize any special dietary allergies or needs during the reservation booking process.

Other Important Information

The following is important information that guests will need to know before making an Eat to the Beat dining reservation. This information is also found on Disney World’s website, and on every page of restaurants and information associated with Eat to the Beat dining reservations.

• Guests will still need valid park tickets and valid park reservations, in order to attend dining package reservations.
• Dining Packages aren’t offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.
• Only guests that are 21 years and older (with valid ID) will be served alcohol.
• Eat to the Beat Dining Packages will only be available during EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
• An Eat to the Beat concert badge will be given to guests after their meal, which will specify the date and show time for their concert reservation.
• Guests will have a separate entrance and waiting queue at the American Gardens Theatre.
• Guests will be seated in the reserved seating area on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Wrap Up: Eat to the Beat Dining Packages

Dining Packages have made a full come back to the Walt Disney World Resort. With Eat to the Beat being one of the first ones to return. The Eat to the Beat dining package is a great way to enjoy a meal and a concert during EPCOT International Food & Wine festival.

This year, there are more dining restaurants to pick from for the dining package, with even a same day reservation restaurant available. No matter what your budget is, there is going to be a restaurant with a mouth watering menu for you and your group to enjoy.

Cost of the Eat to the Beat dining package is dependent upon the number of adults and children that are in the reservation. Prices do vary by restaurant too.

The Eat to the Beat Dining Packages do need to be reserved online or through the Disney World App, in advance. When you make the reservation you will need to be logged into your Disney account, and have a credit card on file to complete the reservation.

Having one of these Eat to the Beat dining reservations a great way to ensure that you have reserved seating for the concerts.

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