WDW Daily News

The Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival is now in bloom at Walt Disney World® Resort. With fresh, farm-to-table flavors, vibrant gardens, interactive playgrounds and rocking entertainment the Festival boasts fun-filled exploration for every age and interest.

During Festival weekends, guests can celebrate the great outdoors at nature-themed events, including:

Art in the Garden Weekend: April 1-3, 2016

Guests can view nature through the eyes of “Plein Air” artists and discover one-of-a-kind Disney works of art on display around World Showcase.

Outdoor Family Fun Weekend: April 8-10, 2016

Families can enjoy the benefits of sharing quality time together at select Festival gardens. As a bonus, animal specialists fromDisney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park will be on hand at the Festival Center to share how bugs play an important role in helping a garden thrive.

Earth Day Weekend: April 22- 24, 2016

Guests can take part in interactive activities, discoveries and more as they celebrate the place we all call home! Plus, they can learn about the efforts to protect coral reefs and other marine life at The Seas with Nemo & Friends―a special tribute to the amazing creatures that dwell in our vast oceans.

Florida Fresh Weekend: April 29- May 1, 2016

Guests can explore the bounty of the Sunshine State from Apalachicola to Zellwood at this Festival Center-based event.

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs: May 6- 8, 2016

Guests can marvel at amazing flora designs that defy description inside the Festival Center from 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Plus, each weekend guests can reach for new horticultural heights by visiting the Festival Center for inside tips, DIY inspiration and top gardening trends. The Festival Center is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. throughout the event.

And, don’t forget … pop bands with hits spanning the decades take the stage every Festival weekend for the Garden Rocks Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, Bad Company, former lead singer BRIAN HOWE, Georgia Satellites and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs now through May 30, 2016. Admission to Epcot is required. While most Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival events are included with your theme park ticket, many experiences require a separate purchase or a separate admission fee. Availability is limited for some experiences. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.

Take a look at photos from the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival ‘Prehistoric Plants’

Read more

Take a look at the gorgeous sand sculpture created at Epcot for the upcoming movie, ‘The Jungle Book’.

If you still think theme park fare is limited to hot dogs and turkey legs, think again.

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***Please note the live stream for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will take place on Monday, March 21, 2016***

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot® is just one of the nighttime spectaculars guests can enjoy at Walt Disney World® Resort. This stunning show celebrates the spirit of humanity through fireworks, lighting effects, moving music and more. At the heart of the show is a 350,000-pound Earth Globe featuring a spherical video display, around which, all of the action takes place.

On March 21, 2016 at 8:50 p.m. EDT, the Disney Parks blog will live stream IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth from Epcot. If you haven’t had a chance to experience the show in person, this is a great opportunity to increase your product knowledge! Head over to the Disney Parks blog to check it out on March 20th!

Guests can catch this popular entertainment experience on their next visit to the Walt Disney World® Resort. Encourage them to check the Times Guide upon arrival for schedule and show times.

B-Roll included: Shots of the monorail passing by Spaceship Earth Front entrance topiary New Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries New Ranger Mickey topiary Chip ‘n’ Dale topiaries Minnie Mouse and Pluto topiaries New Music Garden Melodies play garden Butterfly Garden Outdoor Kitchens and guests enjoying food & beverages Close up food & beverage shots

Guests will be able to visit Headquarters to meet Joy and Sadness, two of the Emotions who help guide Riley through life in the Disney•Pixar film “Inside Out” at the expanded Epcot Character Spot starting next month. On the way to Headquarters, you’ll journey through Riley’s long-term memory, catching a glimpse of her Islands of Personality before joining Joy and Sadness at the console. The Epcot Character Spot is located in the heart of Future World in Epcot, located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)

Thirteen pop bands with hits spanning several decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 30, 2016. This year’s festival expands from 75 to 90 days, adding two additional concert series weekends to the lineup and extending the final weekend of performances to Memorial Day.

Blood, Sweat & Tears, Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company, Darlene Love and Georgia Satellites will rock Epcot audiences for the first time. Night Ranger, a fan favorite band that’s played the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, will make a Flower & Garden Festival debut. The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, who topped charts in the 1970s and ‘80s, will kick off the concert series March 4-6.

Guests can dance in their seats each festival weekend to classic tunes at the park’s America Gardens Theatre. An eclectic mix of Flower & Garden Festival fan favorites includes the Village People, who debuted at the festival in 2013. With a nod to the 1960s, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will rock the house April 1-3. On Memorial Day, The Spinners will close the 90-day festival on a high note, extending their weekend performance to Monday.

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

March 4-6     The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”

March 11-13     Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”

March 18-20     Little River Band “Lady”

March 25-27     Village People “Y.M.C.A.”

April 1-3     Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

April 8-10 The Guess Who “These Eyes”

April 15-17     NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”

April 22-24     NEW! Bad Company, former lead singer Brian Howe “Can’t Get Enough”

April 29-May 1     NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”

May 6-8     Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”

May 13-15     NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”

May 20-22     Night Ranger “Sister Christian”

May 27-30     The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World® Resort Sept. 14-Nov. 14, 2016. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.

 

Thirteen pop bands with hits spanning several decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 30, 2016. This year’s festival expands from 75 to 90 days, adding two additional concert series weekends to the lineup and extending the final weekend of performances to Memorial Day.

Blood, Sweat & Tears, BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company, Darlene Love and Georgia Satellites will rock Epcot audiences for the first time. Night Ranger, a fan favorite band that’s played the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, will make a Flower & Garden Festival debut. The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, who topped charts in the 1970s and ‘80s, will kick off the concert series March 4-6.

Guests can dance in their seats each festival weekend to classic tunes at the park’s America Gardens Theatre. An eclectic mix of Flower & Garden Festival fan favorites includes the Village People, who debuted at the festival in 2013. With a nod to the 1960s, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will rock the house April 1-3. On Memorial Day, The Spinners will close the 90-day festival on a high note, extending their weekend performance to Monday.

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

March 4-6     The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”

March 11-13     Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”

March 18-20     Little River Band “Lady”

March 25-27     Village People “Y.M.C.A.”

April 1-3     Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

April 8-10 The Guess Who “These Eyes”

April 15-17     NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”

April 22-24     NEW! Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough”

April 29-May 1     NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”

May 6-8     Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”

May 13-15     NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”

May 20-22     Night Ranger “Sister Christian”

May 27-30     The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”