The Flower and Garden Festival is Epcot's oldest festival, it's been running since 1994, but it is always kept fresh and new with exciting new things every year. This years festival has just begun, so let's talk about what makes this year special.
Like the rest of Epcot's festivals, food is a super important element of the Flower and Garden Festival. Here you'll find dishes that focus on fresh fruits and vegetables and local specialties. This year has more delicious food than ever before!
Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-fennel Salad, Remoulade and Smoked Paprika Oil
Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar and Focaccia
Crostino Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake, served with Apple Cider Sorbet
Here you will also find 3 different kinds of cider and 3 different beers. You can get a flight of either.
Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Citrus Greens
From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese and Micro Herbs with Lemon-oil Dressing
Mickey Tart Peanut Butter Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Boba Pearls
Both drinks available here are non-alcoholic and kid friendly. They will especially love the Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt drink option!
Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon
Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado and Pappadam Crisp
Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens
Citrus Shortcake: Orange Chiffon Cake, Lemon Curd, Mandarins, Whipped Cream, Citrus Crumble
Enjoy your citrus themed food with one of three citrus themed beers. You will also find an alcoholic and non-alcoholic Orange Slushy that's already getting tons of buzz.
Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread\
Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, Creamy Herb Dressing
Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate and Baby Herbs
For drink options here you will find a couple of beer options as well as two cold pressed juices and an alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink.
Tlacoyo: Blue Corn Masa topped with Black Bean Spread, Ground Chorizo, Queso Fresco and Mexican Cream
Beef Torta: Braised Beef served on a Crispy Sourdough Roll with Queso Oaxaca, Avocado, Pickled Onions and Jalapeños in a Spicy Habanero Sauce
Tres Leches: Milk-soaked Sponge Cake topped with Cajeta Whipped Cream and Almond Powder
The Flower and Garden kitchen in Mexico has a whole new menu this year, so check out all the food and drinks for a fresh take on Mexican cuisine.
Pizza Toscana: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Asiago and Parmesan Cheeses
Pomodori Verdi e Mozzarella: Fried Green Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Balsamic Reduction
Tri-Colored Cheese Tortellini, Sage Butter and Chicken Veloute
Zeppole: Ricotta Cheese Fritters, Powdered sugar, Raspberry Sauce and Chocolate-hazelnut Drizzle
The Italian outdoor kitchen also has a new menu with lots of brand new delicious food and drink options.
Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Soup
Tarte au Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a flaky Pastry Crust
Canard Confit à la Provençal: Braised Duck Confit with Tomatoes and Olives on Polenta
Along with three new dishes, the French outdoor kitchen also has a new drink, the Kir Framboise, which is made with raspberries and sparkling wine.
Szechuan Spicy Red-braised Beef Shank over Rice
House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons
The Chinese outdoor kitchen also has a new classic bubble tea called the "Panda" Bubble Tea and a cocktail with Dark Rum, Peach Syrup and Piña Colada Mix known as the Pirates of the China Sea.
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing
Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and Vinegar-based Dressing
Head to Japan for these two new dishes and three brand new drinks as well.
Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue and House-made Pickle
In addition to a delicious new dish, the Smokehouse also has a new beer that you can get on its own or in a flight with the other returning beers.
Pedal to the Meadow – Frozen Cappuccino topped with Vodka and Kahlúa Liqueur
Cold Clover – Cold Brew Coffee with Irish Cream Syrup and topped with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
Goose on the Loose – Frozen Passion Fruit and Le Citron Vodka topped with Iced Tea
Bee’s Buzz – Frozen Lemonade and Coconut Syrup topped with Pineapple Rum
You'll have to hit up all four of Epcot's Joffrey's locations to try the new specialty drinks they've added this year.
This year Disney is introducing festival specific menu items at some of its permanent dining locations. Here's where to find them:
Refreshment Port: Coffee-rubbed Pork Poutine with Barbecue Demi-Glace, Fire-roasted Corn Relish and Cheese Curds
Stow Away Mary: Classic Bloody Mary with Absolut Vodka garnished with Pimento-stuffed Olives, Cherry Tomato, Celery, Jumbo Shrimp and Smokehouse Jerky
Taste Track: Violet Blueberry Vanilla Croissant Doughnut; Berry Tea Mint Julep
Funnel Cake: Key Lime Funnel Cake topped with Crumbled Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream
Obviously there's a lot of new food to keep you eating all through Spring. There's more to the festival than food, so here's the other things you should look out for this year:
More fun for the kids is available this year with two new play gardens. At Bo Peep's Playtime Training Grounds they can play in an innovative playground inspired by Toy Story 4. The Play Full Garden is a family friendly place focused on healthy and active living.
Among all of Epcot's topiaries and gardens you will find a new Penguin Sculpture created from trash removed from the ocean.
Also check out the shops for brand new merchandise including the Violet Lemonade Collection and so much more!