New ‘Wish’ Attraction at EPCOT Is Turning Heads

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

When it comes to attractions, if you asked anyone visiting Walt Disney World which park is lacking, they’d probably say EPCOT. Although the universally beloved park is home to Spaceship Earth, fabulous food, and unique festivals, it’s lacking in the attractions department, at least regarding rides. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see and do at EPCOT, and with new Disney films like Wish (2023) to influence the sights and sounds of the famous park, the 2024 International Flower and Garden Festival has seen a few new arrivals that are turning heads.

The festivals at EPCOT are some of the best offerings at Walt Disney World. The current offering is EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival. This annual event at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the wonders of flora with breathtaking floral displays, enchanting gardens, and vibrant topiaries. Guests can explore the World Showcase, adorned with stunning blooms, and participate in horticultural workshops to learn gardening tips and tricks. The festival also features live music, delicious food offerings, and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Don’t miss this magical springtime celebration at EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival.

Although you’ll find tons of fabulous food and drink around the World Showcase during the Flower and Garden festival, another huge draw is the amazing topiaries that pop up all over the park during the Spring celebration. Each one brings to life iconic characters and scenes from popular Disney offerings, typical of what you’d expect at Walt Disney World.

new wish topiary at epcot

This year’s festival edition is no different but brings a few new astonishing topiaries to EPCOT, including one that is beautifully bright, especially at night!

Ashley Carter posted recently to X, formerly Twitter, a fantastic shot of this new attraction at EPCOT, a Wish-inspired topiary that can be seen with Spaceship Earth lit up in the background.

If you haven’t seen it, Wish is a heartwarming, Walt Disney Animation Studios animated film that takes viewers on a magical adventure.

Although the film didn’t perform well in theatres during its release last year, the story, which features the voice talents of Ariana DeBose (Asha) and Chris Pine (King Magnifico), combines classic Walt Disney Animation Studios features in an attempt to bring the golden age of Disney animation back to life.

wish fails at the box office epcot

With fascinating characters like King Magnifico and Queen Amaya, Wish is a better movie than received initially, and its new topiary at the 2024 Flower and Garden Festival is a must-see, perfect for those Instagram photos, especially at night.

Although this particular topiary is turning heads, you’ll find many others as you venture around EPCOT and the World Showcase. Miquel from Coco, Elsa Anna, and other newcomers like Groot await guests at the 2024 International Flower and Garden Festival, one of the most highly anticipated events you’ll find in any of the four Disney Parks at Walt Disney World Resort.

New Details Revealed for 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It may be winter according to the calendar, but spring is nearly blooming at Walt Disney World Resort. And nothing says springtime fun like the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!

This year’s festival will begin on Feb. 28 and continue through May 27 for ninety days full of beautiful topiaries, inspirational gardens, delicious dishes and rockin’ music celebrating spring. From the tiniest tykes to the young at heart, there’s something for everyone!

Today we’re sharing more details, from new topiaries to acts coming to the Garden Rocks concert series. Let’s dig in!

New Topiaries to Enjoy

Each spring, we look forward to the astounding topiaries our Disney horticulture cast create for the festival.

This year, more than 70 topiaries, featuring a delightful array of Disney characters as well as other figures and whimsical items, will fill the park. As part of the topiary magic, guests can also look forward to seeing everyone’s favorite dragon, Figment, in the newly opened World Celebration Gardens.

Something else we’re excited to share: For the first time, Groot takes root at EPCOT! The flora colossus from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy will appear near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery.

Also new this year, guests can look forward to viewing new topiaries from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Wish,” including Asha, Valentino and the Wishing Star, at the park’s main entrance. And in Mexico, we’re thrilled to share that Miguel and Dante from Disney Pixar’s “Coco” will take center stage!

Fresh Garden Rocks Concert Series

It’s time to dance and sing along to guest favorites as the popular Garden Rocks concert series takes to the American Gardens Theatre stage daily during the festival. Featuring local and globally recognized acts, there’s something for everyone.

This year, we’ll welcome new groups, including Modern English, Crowder, Lit, Monsieur Perine, and Fonseca. And for the first time, Raul Acosta & Oro Solido will share the stage with Magic Juan, then return the next day with Luisito Ayala and The Puerto Rican Power Band in a series of unforgettable performances.*

Garden Rocks Dining Packages Open Feb. 6

To guarantee priority seating for your preferred performances, be sure to check out Dining Packages, available at seven fabulous EPCOT restaurants:

  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Brews & Barbecue (same-day, in-person walk-up packages only)

For more information, including pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com. Packages go on sale beginning Feb. 6.

Flavor Abounds at Outdoor Kitchens

It wouldn’t be an EPCOT festival without innovative and delicious dishes and drinks to savor! Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for the official Foodie Guide to EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival as we dish on all the new flavors coming to this year’s event, but in the meantime, we’re thrilled to share that many guest favorites will also return to Outdoor Kitchens located throughout the park.

We can’t wait to dig into Chicken & Waffles at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by the National Honey Board! Also returning: the Muffuletta Panini at Magnolia Terrace and the Chocolate Whisky Cake at Northern Bloom.

Inspiration and Play: There’s Something for Everyone

Looking for interactive fun? At this year’s festival, the whole family can enjoy two seasonal scavenger hunts. Throughout the festival, follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail where he’s “buzzing” to collect nectar from all the beautiful gardens with Spike’s Pollination Exploration. And for a limited time, guests can also hop around World Showcase for the Egg-stravaganza Hunt! Twelve beautiful, bunny-inspired eggs will be placed throughout the park; can guests find them all?

Both scavenger hunt maps will be available for purchase while supplies last. Once the journey is complete – whether or not guests find all the items – they can redeem their map at Disney Traders, Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special surprise.**

Also back this year, Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth offers guests the chance to get up close and personal with some of nature’s most beautiful pollinators – butterflies! This walkthrough butterfly house highlights the lifecycle of butterflies and contains valuable pollinator gardens.

At Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy, guests create lasting memories with the help of unforgettable fragrances. And new this year, guests will be able to bring home some of their favorite fragrances experienced at Blossoms of Fragrance!

Looking for a place to get a little energy out? At Camp Get Out N’ Play Garden Presented by OFF!, families can explore a camp-themed garden where kiddos can jump, play, climb and explore this area created just for them.

So, summon the flower power, because everything will be coming up roses at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival before we know it!

*Entertainment subject to change without notice.

**Redemption valid through May 27 or while supplies last.

PHOTOsynthesize With These EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Magic Shots

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot
Epcot

We are ready for yet another fantastic year of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. We are most excited for the Magic Shots that will be available from Disney PhotoPass Service (and the Outdoor Kitchens, of course). Seriously, we can’t get over these amazing shots! 

Like Heimlich said in Disney and Pixar’s film, “A Bug’s Life,” “Someday, I will be a beautiful butterfly and then everything will be better.” And well, everything does seem better when posing for this Magic Shot underneath a flurry of butterflies. Fly down to the entrance to World Showcase under the Monorail beam to capture this festival favorite!

Who wouldn’t want to visit Pixie Hollow and hang with Tink and her fairy friend? Now, with this Magic Shot and a little pixie dust, guests might find their way to Pixie Hollow! Just think of the happiest things and fly over to most PhotoPass photographers to uncover this flitterific Magic Shot.

Speaking of flying…when in Magic Kingdom Park, Orange Bird hangs out at Sunshine Tree Terrace and serves up some Dole Whips. But for the festival this year, he’s flying into the frame! guests can visit most Disney PhotoPass photographers stationed in World Celebration locations to capture this Magic Shot. And then maybe go and get a Dole Whip, because…why not?!

After a Dole Whip, guests can go find this fantastic floral photo at the water near Journey Into Imagination With Figment. You know how Isabela grows a flower and the town goes wild? Well, we’re going wild over this Magic Shot. Visions of purple, pink, and peonies will fill guests’ heads long after their visit.

Those visions of flowers are filling Spike the Bee’s thoughts too, so watch out Donald Duck! Spike the Bee is the star of the show in this Magic Shot. When he’s not busy pollinating or tormenting Donald Duck, he’ll make sure to pop into guests’ photos anywhere in the World Showcase.  

After a day of gazing at flowers, guests might as well pose for a photo with them! Poppy in this floral frame stationed in the Italy pavilion, near the entrance to World Showcase under the Monorail beam, and by the water near Journey Into Imagination With Figment. Here, guests will be surrounded by flowers that will last a lifetime. 

It is only fitting to wrap this up with our favorite shot of all: the Tiny World Magic Shot. Located near the fountain just beyond the main entrance of the park, guests can capture their entire family from the most magical angle. They get a fun festival border too!

We think Disney PhotoPass Service really rose to the occasion for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival this year. guests can use the locations noted here as a guide for finding these Magic Shots, but we also recommend asking photographers what Magic Shots are available at their location. We truly hope guests enjoy their time photosynthesizing with Disney PhotoPass Service!

Fun New Additions Coming to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Sprouting March 1

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

There is nothing lovelier than springtime at Walt Disney World! The days get longer, the weather warms up, and colorful flowers bloom across the landscape. And one of the best places to experience spring is at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Beginning March 1 and continuing through July 5, this stunning festival features alluring gardens, whimsical topiaries, lively entertainment, beautiful merchandise and delightfully fresh cuisine.

Today, we have exciting news to share. For the first time, topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from Disney “Encanto” will make a grand appearance at the festival. Located near the EPCOT main entrance, these new topiaries are sure to be a must-do photo moment. (But remember: We don’t talk about Bruno.)

And that’s not all. A new Princess Tiana topiary will grace The American Adventure. Plus, we also have returning favorites such as Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs; Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc; Figment; Anna and Elsa; and more.

The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series is back, featuring favorite tunes at the America Gardens Theatre. More details about the musical lineup will be released soon. Stay tuned here!

Guests better get their taste buds ready; because they’re in for a treat! More than 15 Outdoor Kitchens will offer specialty menus of scrumptious cuisine and beverages. One of our favorites is The Citrus Blossom which will move to a new location at Odyssey. With fresh new menu items, guests will want to sample all the mouth-watering delights.

Of course, guests can commemorate their visit with official ‘70’s inspired Orange Bird merchandise, including apparel, headwear, drinkware and much more.

Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration will have people abuzz again. This springtime scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. Guests can follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail, where he will “bee” busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT. Once guests find him in each garden on their map, they’ll add the corresponding sticker of the plant he is visiting.

On the bridge to World Showcase, guests can enjoy the sights and scents of spring with Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, guests will be invited to follow their noses to six scent stations—to form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas.

To experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Keep an eye here for more details!

‘Encanto’-Inspired Garden Debuts at EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

At the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Guests can now step inside a wonderful garden inspired by the magical Madrigal family from “Encanto,” the new Academy Award®-nominated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

A new “Encanto”-inspired garden will let Guests explore a lush tropical jardín inspired by the movie (streaming on Disney+) and its strong female characters like Julieta, Isabela, Luisa and of course, Mirabel. Guests can also stroll around a path inspired by the youngest member of the Madrigal family, Antonio.

The garden, which debuted last week, will be available through May 22, 2022, and is located near La Isla Fresca Outdoor Kitchen between the Morocco and France pavilions in World Showcase. This year, La Isla Fresca features three arepas dishes: arepas topped with melted queso fresco; arepa topped with shrimp, crushed avocado ají and tomato sauce; and an arepa topped with chorizo. Delicioso!

This is just one of the recent additions based on “Encanto” that can be enjoyed at Walt Disney World Resort. As part of Celebrate HER Story in honor of Women’s History Month, Guests can also enjoy delicious specialties and treats inspired by the women of the film at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. 

While visiting EPCOT, Guests can discover two more incredible garden destinations at Mexico pavilion in World Showcase. Extraordinary Orchids offers a breathtakingly beautiful area filled with orquídeas, while the Tropical Rainforest Garden lets Guests discover the rich biodiversity of the Mexican rainforest and its adaptive species.

For more information on the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival that runs through July 4, click here.