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Epcot merchandise

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2016 Sneak Peek

1 March 2016 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Ranger Mickey at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016

As much as I enjoy the unique foods offered at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each year, it’s no secret that I actually prefer the Flower & Garden Festival by leaves and mounds (see what I did there? horticultural puns!). In all seriousness, it really is my favorite Festival, especially with the addition of the outdoor kitchens. Seeing new topiary creations each year, in addition to the old favorites always makes for great visits to Epcot, and fun photo ops, ensuring you explore and visit even some forgotten areas. Additionally, with the spring season at hand, the food options at the outdoor kitchens (now in their 4th year at the Festival), are lighter, more focused on vegetables and organic and locally sourced ingredients. The menus are fresh (there’s a reason they use #FreshEpcot as the hashtag for the Festival) and not too heavy, just perfect for strolling the park in the springtime.

This year, the Flower & Garden Festival runs from March 2 – May 30, expanding from 75 days last year, to a full 90 this year. Festival Horticultural Manager Eric Darden explained that they are prepared and excited for the challenge of a 90-day festival. With the previous length, they had 2 separate plantings to keep the gardens looking bright and full. This year, they may have to do 3 sets of plantings for some of the displays, ensuring no matter when you visit, the flowers will look as wonderful as day 1. Also new this year, is a new topiary character, Ranger Mickey, who, along with Chip n’ Dale, help celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary. I loved these new topiaries and of course, awareness of our amazing National Parks is always a good thing.

We were treated to a preview of some of the menu options as well as some of the areas which were still under construction. Set to open tomorrow, March 2nd, everything will be revealed and ready to go at park opening. Until then, enjoy some photos and further information on 23rd annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival!

(Hover over photos to read captions)

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Beef Teriyaki Udon tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits and Andouille Sausage, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, and Cilantro
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Seared Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Ragout, Spring Vegetables, and Marbled Potatoes
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Charles de Ferre and Monin Prosecco
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Land-harvested Field Greens with Apples, Dried Blueberries, Stilton Cheese, and Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Burnt Ends Beef Brisket Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Burnt Ends Beef Brisket Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Cremoso al Pistachio – Pistachio Cream, Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Mezze Lune Primavera! Egg Pasta is stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach and served in a Creamy Sauce with Spring Vegetables and Pecorino Cheese
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Watermelon Cucumber Slush with Hendrick’s Gin
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Currywurst getting sprinkled with curry spices
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider and Sonoma “The Pitchfork” Organic Pear Hard Cider
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Currywurst with Paprika Chips
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
French Macaron with Chocolate Fudge and Raspberry Jam
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Chocolate art from France
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Orlando-made Ricotta Cheese, Cahaba Farms Micro Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic, along with Country Pate and House-made Pickles
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Orlando-made Ricotta Cheese, Cahaba Farms Micro Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic, along with Country Pate and House-made Pickles
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Honey Baklava from Morocco
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Jerk-spice Chicken with Mango Salsa, Chayote, and Green Papaya Slaw with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
Key Lime Wine, Tropical Sangria, and Pineapple Wine from Florida Orange Groves Winery
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016

 

Of the samples we tried, I was most in love with the Shrimp and Grits and the Burnt Ends – so, so good and the flavors are ridiculous. I also really liked the Currywurst, which I guess used to be at Sommerfest, but I never tried it there. The Jerk Chicken was also a winner. I thought I had tried gin in my past and not been a fan, but mixed with the Cucumber Watermelon Slush, I really loved it. I would totally get this when I go back to the Festival. Of course the Festival Passport is back, and you can get stamps at every kiosk around the World Showcase. You can view all the menus, topiary checklist, Garden Rocks performers, and all the Festival info online before you go.

Here are some of the topiary and garden photos from our sneak peek. We’ll have more throughout the run of the Festival on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and in future posts here.

2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Sunburst garden behind Spaceship Earth
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Floating flowers and flower quilt
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016
I just love Chip ‘n’ Dale with their sandwich
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Ranger Mickey
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Minnie and Pluto topiary
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Bambi, Thumper, and Flower
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Baby pineapples by the Pineapple Promenade
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Eeyore’s tail is the cutest
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
T-I-double G-ER
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Rabbit
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
New this year: the interactive Harmony Gardens musical playground, which features the Fab Five topiaries on a smaller scale.
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Kids will be able to play with drums, xylophones, chimes, and jungle gyms
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
We saw it under construction but it will be open 3/2
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
We were able to pot a plant, similar to the gardening seminars held in the Festival Center during the Flower & Garden Festival
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Some previews of the Festival merchandise
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Festival tumbler
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
How cute is this Donald figurine with Chip n’ Dale?

 

Will you be visiting during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival? What are you most looking forward to seeing and trying? We can’t wait to get back for more!

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Resorts, & Entertainment, Disney Special Events, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Epcot, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, Epcot flower quilt, Epcot merchandise, Epcot Outdoor Kitchens, Epcot topiaries, Flower & Garden Festival 2016, FreshEpcot, Ranger Mickey

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