7 Reasons to visit Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival in 2018

There are many festivals held at Disney World each year but one of the best is Epcot Center’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Check out these seven reasons to visit it in 2018 and then come to us for your discounted vacation home rentals and Orlando hotels.

1. You can taste tons of delicious food at the numerous outdoor kitchens

Flowers and gardens may get top billing, but this Epcot Center festival is, for many people, all about the food. You’ll be treated to an eclectic selection of delicious eats and beverage pairings from around the world. These outdoor kitchens give you access to everything from appetizers to sandwiches to dessert. Each one also has its own garden of herbs and / or produce used in the dishes you’re sampling.

2. The flowers

This may seem obvious, but the flowers are worth mentioning – after all, they’re the belle of this ball. Not only will you see tons of flowers and plants, but there are topiaries in just about any shape and size you can imagine. This makes for great photo opportunities as you get a shot of you and your family in front of your favorite Disney character.

3. The concerts

There isn’t a concert every day during the International Flower and Garden Festival, but there is just about every day. You can see top-shelf artists and famous bands from yesteryear. These concerts are included with your price of admission to Epcot Center and can be heard from around the park.

4. Other events happening in Orlando

The Flower and Garden Festival may be what brings you to Orlando but while you’re here, don’t miss Mardi Gras going on from February to April in Universal Studios Orlando, or the Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando.

5. There are hands-on attractions for the kids

Some kids love looking at flowers and learning about plants, but a lot of them don’t. That’s why Disney has also included numerous play areas with mazes, activity zones, sensory gardens, and covered seating. There’s even a “Road to Florida 500” garden, which is a favorite for fans of Cars 3. This garden has a game called highway bingo that’s sure to bring the giggles and laughs.

6. You can find limited time merchandise

If you’re a collector then there may be no better time to find out more about Orlando hotels and vacation home rentals than during Epcot Center’s International Flower and Garden Festival. Why? Because there are some amazing new souvenirs and merchandise available for sale. It changes every year so who knows what you’ll find this year? If you want a truly special, one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia, or something to bring home to friends or family, then this is the time to visit.

7. You can take part in special tours

There are some really unique tours throughout the year, from the Behind the Seas tour of the farm in The Land ride, to the Keys of the Kingdom tour that takes you through the secret spots in Disney World. During the International Flower and Garden Festival, you can take part in a number of tours that can give you a better understanding of the purpose of these gardens and how they work.

We recommend Gardens of the World, which take guests to various gardens within the festival and point out the different ways in which different areas of the world have dealt with growing issues of drought, floods, bugs, etc. The English Tea Garden is a great choice for tea fans, or those who love to learn about England, and the previously mentioned Behind the Seeds tour adds a few stops during the garden festival. If you’re considering one of these tours, remember that they aren’t included in park admission and you generally need to book them in advance.

There’s no bad time to visit Epcot Center

The above are seven reasons to book your Orlando hotels now to check out this unique festival. However, no matter when you take off for your Disney vacations, you can count on one thing: You’re in for the time of your life.