2025 EPCOT Flower & Backyard Competition Information

The 2025 EPCOT Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition is Walt Disney World’s springtime competition that includes topiaries, seasonal meals, merchandise & extra. This information covers information & 2025 dates, ideas & methods, live performance schedule, what to anticipate from crowds, and tips on how to maximize your time & cash.

Walt Disney World has now introduced the dates of the 2025 EPCOT Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition, and it’s principally according to final yr’s pattern of lowered dates. We are saying principally as a result of the occasion is ‘borderline’ between two weeks. It usually begins on the final Wednesday in February (like final yr) or first Wednesday in March (just like the a number of earlier years).

For this coming yr, the EPCOT Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition will run from March 5 to June 2, 2025 at Walt Disney World. That shifts barely later than final yr, however the length of the occasion is kind of unchanged. As with final yr, the even remains to be a full month shorter than the prior few years–however according to historic precedent up till 2020.

Additionally value noting is that the 2025 EPCOT Flower & Backyard Competition is the thirtieth Anniversary of the annual occasion! Walt Disney World can be celebrating thirty years of lovely character topiaries, pleasant gardens, scrumptious menus and extra. How they’ll try this has not but been revealed, however we’re anticipating shows with nods to the anniversary and plenty of merchandise. Disney didn’t actually get the prospect to correctly have a good time the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition’s thirtieth Anniversary, so we’re hoping that is an oblique do-over, of kinds.

With the announcement of 2025 EPCOT Flower & Backyard Competition dates, Walt Disney World has additionally revealed the March lineup of performers:

The larger query, as soon as once more, is whether or not Walt Disney World would lastly add a fifth competition to the calendar. We strongly suspected this might occur final yr, particularly with Flower & Backyard ending earlier and Meals & Wine beginning later. It actually appeared like Disney was setting the desk for one more occasion in between. The indicators had been there, after which…nothing.

A brand-new occasion to bridge the hole can be extremely savvy, particularly with the brand new Disney Starlight Evening Parade debuting at Magic Kingdom. Introducing a brand-new summer season competition for June by way of August can be the neatest transfer of all, as it will present counter-programming for summer season to attract crowds to EPCOT.

We’ll hold you posted as as to if Walt Disney World pronounces one other competition for June by way of August. For now, right here’s all the pieces else it’s essential to find out about EPCOT’s Flower & Backyard Competition…

Whereas we predict the topiaries and exquisite floral shows are the spotlight of the Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition, many individuals go for the meals. For lots of Walt Disney World guests, it’s primarily a spring model of the favored Meals & Wine Competition. There are greater than one-dozen Outside Kitchens that supply specialty menus of delicious delicacies and drinks on the Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition.

In case you’re primarily involved with the Outside Kitchens, we’ve handy opinions for every of the meals cubicles from final yr:

These will all be up to date as soon as we’ve an opportunity to graze our approach across the 2025 EPCOT Flower & Backyard Competition!

Because the parentheticals counsel, the highest 3 cubicles above are the very best of the competition. We’d extremely suggest prioritizing these Outside Kitchens, and people opinions, when planning what you’re going to eat and drink on the Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition.

To make issues simpler, that trio of Outside Kitchens is all situated conveniently close to each other in direction of the entrance of the park. Whereas many of the meals cubicles are in World Showcase, these choices are way more hit and miss than BRUNCHCHOT, Farmers Feast, and Honey Bee-stro.

In case you’re on the lookout for technique to effectively expertise for navigating the parks amidst all of those adjustments, you should definitely seek the advice of our Itineraries & Touring Plans for Walt Disney World. These have been up to date with the entire newest adjustments (like Genie+ and Lightning Lanes) plus the latest additions, like Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Harmonious, and Disney Enchantment. As quickly as Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind opens, we’ll add it, too.

Right here’s what else we all know primarily based upon our previous experiences on the Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition…

Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition: Data & Ideas

We go to Epcot for Flower & Backyard Competition annually, and this information relies upon experiences attending the occasion yearly over the course of the final decade-plus. Yearly, the spotlight of Epcot’s Flower & Backyard Competition is the topiaries and superb backyard shows. These make Epcot pop with shade and sweetness, and are an exquisite enhancement to Epcot.

There’s no extra cost to see flowers and topiaries which might be organized all through Epcot, but it surely must be famous that just about all the pieces apart from the meals is included in regular Epcot admission. A lot of the occasion is a “plussing” of Epcot at no extra cost, and that is a part of why we extremely suggest it.

For foodies, the Outside Kitchen meals cubicles are one other extremely common ingredient of Flower & Backyard Competition. These make the spring occasion like a mini Meals & Wine Competition, which is Epcot’s hottest competition of the yr.

Other than the snacking and rocking, the occasion presents Walt Disney World company the power to get pleasure from expert-designed flower and backyard shows, Disney character topiaries, playgrounds, and extra. Right here’s what else you’ll be able to anticipate…

When it comes to fundamental information concerning the horticulture on show at Epcot throughout Flower & Backyard Competition, let’s begin by hitting you with some fact-bombs. First, it takes a full yr and 400 Walt Disney World horticulturists to organize for the 90-day Flower and Backyard Competition.

The fruits of these efforts are 30-million blooms, 240 floating flower planters, 700 gardens, almost 100 Disney character topiaries, 30 flower towers, and one lovely butterfly tapestry of flowers all culminate in an extremely vibrant time of yr for Epcot.

A few of you’re most likely pondering, “okay, however I detest gardening and I a lot want barren concrete to vibrant flowers.” Nicely, if that’s the case, I can’t suggest visiting Epcot throughout the Worldwide Flower and Backyard Competition. Nonetheless, in case your views on flowers and gardening aren’t fairly that excessive, it’s a good time to go to.

I groan when Sarah activates HGTV (simply what number of episodes of a present about adorning a home to resell it could actually one particular person watch?!) and I’ve been identified to (by accident, I swear!) run over parts of our personal backyard with the lawnmower, however I nonetheless love visiting throughout Flower & Backyard Competition.

It bears repeating: throughout Flower & Backyard Competition, Epcot is beautiful, smells nice, and there are a number of distinctive issues to {photograph}. Very like the Behind the Seeds at Epcot Tour (which I extremely suggest), the elemental substance of the shows at Flower & Backyard Competition doesn’t enchantment to me, however the general “really feel” and ambiance of the Competition does enchantment to me. It’s a extremely enjoyable time to be at Epcot.

Whereas we suggest visiting throughout the Epcot Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition, but it surely’s not one thing round which it is best to plan a visit. The excellent news is that there are just a few low-crowd, nice-weather intervals of time throughout Flower & Backyard Competition’s run, and concentrating on these is a good suggestion.

Seek the advice of our 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars & When to Go to so you’ll be able to plan particular dates. As a normal matter, the very best instances to go to are on weekdays initially of the occasion, earlier than the arrival of Spring Break Crowds at Walt Disney World. After these faculty breaks finish in April 2025 is one other good time to go to, as is the whole lot of Might 2025. Crowds will begin to decide up once more in June, rising step by step over the course of the summer season till the occasion ends.

Right here’s a rundown of all the pieces you’ll be able to expertise throughout the Epcot Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition…

Outside Kitchens – That is already talked about above, however these are primarily Meals & Wine Competition kiosks providing meals and drinks.

In case you’ve by no means attended Epcot’s Meals & Wine Competition, it’s value noting that grazing from these kiosks will value you significantly greater than consuming an precise meal. So in case you’re trying to economize, steer clear of these kiosks.

In case you’re trying to have a good time and are keen to spend a bit of cash (we simply spend $40-60 in a day at meals kiosks), it is best to have the ability to spend a day simply wandering these Outside Kitchens.

Particular Gardens & Reveals -There can be 20 completely different backyard areas all throughout EPCOT throughout Flower & Backyard. Weave by way of dazzling flowerbeds, encounter unique gardens, study extra about sustainable meals and have a good time the methods we will reside in concord with the pure world. Right here’s a full listing of the wonderful gardens:

• The Neighborhood Backyard – World Celebration
  Join with the earth and one another at this celebration of a various and thriving communal backyard plot.
• Competition Blooms – World Celebration
  Admire 1000’s of flowers that kind colourful, residing panoramas.
• Connections Conservatory Backyard – World Celebration Close to Connections Eatery
  Settle into this considerate backyard stuffed with floral inspirations to your indoor areas.
• Songbird Meadow Introduced by Wild Birds Limitless – World Discovery
  Songbirds are an essential a part of many ecosystems—together with the one in your individual yard! Uncover easy steps you’ll be able to take at residence to assist these feathered buddies thrive.
• Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Backyard – World Discovery
  Carry the whole household to discover this camp-themed backyard the place little ones are invited to leap, play and climb.
• Prehistoric Backyard – World Discovery Close to Mission: SPACE
  Think about life on Earth 65 million years in the past with astounding flowers that’s thrived because the age of the dinosaurs.
• Floating Gardens – World Nature
  Peer upon greater than 170 petite plots drifting on the ponds that border the bridge to World Showcase.
• Daring Bromeliads – World Nature in The Land Pavilion
  Observe a wide range of distinctive and colourful vegetation that may adapt to a variety of climates and circumstances.
• Butterfly Touchdown – World Nature Close to Creativeness!
  View a kaleidoscope of butterflies up shut, in all their extraordinary shade. Find out about butterfly lifecycles and possibly even see one emerge from its chrysalis. Closes at nightfall.
• The Honey Bee-stro – Rosewalk Close to Creativeness!
  Find out about honeybees’ important position within the setting, and enjoyment of candy and savory treats made doable by their exhausting work.
• Blossoms of Perfume – World Showcase Bridge
  Observe your nostril and kind lasting reminiscences with the assistance of contemporary, unforgettable fragrances.
• Extraordinary Orchids – World Showcase – Mexico Pavilion
  Set eyes on spectacular vegetation blooming in radiant shade.
• Desert Backyard – World Showcase – Mexico Pavilion
  Uncover the particular variations that enable vegetation in arid climates to regulate to the harshest of rising circumstances.
• Bamboo Backyard – World Showcase – China Pavilion
  Go to this backyard to see bamboo in a wide range of colours, patterns and sizes.
• China Penjing Backyard – World Showcase – China Pavilion – NEW!
  Uncover historical Chinese language artwork that recreates miniature landscapes.
• Gnome Backyard – World Showcase – Germany Pavilion – NEW!
  Uncover topiary variations of magical backyard gnomes, originating from German people tales.
• Miniature Backyard – World Showcase – Germany Pavilion
  Admire the little issues on this showcase of diminutive dwellings nestled in a forest of advantageous shrubs.
• Backyard Italiano – World Showcase – Italy Pavilion
  From contemporary spaghetti sauce to pizza toppings, this Tuscan kitchen backyard options all of the produce and herbs wanted to create a traditional Italian feast.
• Bonsai Assortment – World Showcase – Japan Pavilion
  Be taught concerning the artwork of bonsai, a few of the most interesting residing sculptures. Bonsai masters fastidiously form and have a tendency these miniature artworks, creating peace and stability with the earth.
• Kokedema Backyard – World Showcase – Japan Pavilion
  Admire contemporary expressions of an historical Japanese artwork at this tranquil backyard.
• Shishi Odoshi – World Showcase – Japan Pavilion
  Ponder the methodical motion and soothing rhythm of this conventional Japanese bamboo water fountain.
• Spice Backyard – World Showcase – Morocco Pavilion
  Uncover how Japanese cultures flourished, buying and selling signature spices and herb blends as soon as thought-about extra priceless than gold.
• Bouquet Backyard – World Showcase – France Pavilion 
  See bountiful blooms good for a bouquet of reduce flowers.
• English Tea Backyard – World Showcase – United Kingdom Pavilion
  Unearth the historical past and artwork of tea-blending at this elegant English tea backyard—that includes vegetation utilized in a few of Twinings’ most interesting blends.
• Shakespeare Backyard – World Showcase – United Kingdom Pavilion
  Discover the works of Shakespeare on this idyllic backyard that includes excerpts from a few of the bard’s most well-known sonnets—and the dazzling flowers that influenced them.

Our favorites are just about something in World Showcase, in addition to the floating gardens on the water in World Nature, and prehistoric backyard (gotta love dinosaurs). We’re additionally intrigued by the brand new gnome backyard.

Our favourite is Butterfly Touchdown, a home combining butterflies and fairies. This butterfly home is at all times actually cool, as butterflies fly all over and even land on company. We suggest spending about 10-Quarter-hour in right here to look at the butterflies and take pictures.

Beacons of Magic on Spaceship Earth – An addition for the Epcot Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition is a Pocahontas section throughout the Beacons of Magic on Spaceship Earth. (Learn & see extra about this World’s Most Magical Celebration addition in Beacons of Magic at Epcot: Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary Spotlight!)

Per Disney, an orchestral model of the Academy-Award successful tune “Colours of the Wind” was chosen “for its message of intrinsic worth and respect for great thing about nature and residing issues – with visible thrives that evoke the musical scene from the movie with methods fully authentic for Spaceship Earth.”

Character Topiaries – Greater than 70 topiaries will fill the park, that includes a pleasant array of Disney characters in addition to different figures and kooky objects. Company may even stay up for seeing the Figment topiary within the newly opened World Celebration Gardens.

Additionally new this yr, company can stay up for viewing new topiaries from the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie “Want,” together with Asha, Valentino and the Wishing Star, on the park’s fundamental entrance. In Mexico, Miguel and Dante from Disney Pixar’s “Coco” will take middle stage!

Disney Horticulture and Walt Disney Imagineering labored collectively to design, construct and develop various topiary shows. This course of started almost a yr in the past. Artists developed sketches, Imagineers designed 3D fashions, expert welders molded frames, and horticulture specialists selected plant supplies.

Right here’s the total listing of topiaries on the EPCOT Flower & Backyard Competition and the place you could find them:

• Disney Movie, Want (Asha, Valentino and the Wishing Star) – NEW!
  Most important Entrance
• Butterflies
  Most important Entrance, Scentsy Backyard, Butterfly Home and World Showcase
• Figment, Flower Topiaries and Flower Towers
  World Celebration – World Celebration Plaza
• Huey, Dewey and Louie
  World Celebration – World Celebration Plaza
• Donald Duck
  World Celebration – Neighborhood Backyard Close to Connections Café in World Celebration
• Bambi and Buddies
  World Discovery – Close to Creativeness! and Refreshment Port
• Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy – NEW!
  World Discovery – Close to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Buzz Lightyear
  World Discovery – Close to Mission: SPACE
• Woody, Bo Peep and Her Sheep
  World Nature – Between Creativeness! and The Land Pavilion
• Simba and Buddies (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi)
  World Nature – Close to The Land Pavilion
• Pumbaa and Timon
  World Nature – Close to The Land Pavilion
• Goofy
  Rosewalk
• Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale and Pluto
  Bridge to World Showcase
• Encanto (Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa)
  World Showcase
• Coco (Miguel and Dante) – NEW!
  World Showcase – Mexico Pavilion
• Anna and Elsa
  World Showcase – Norway Pavilion
• Troll
  World Showcase – Norway Pavilion
• Pandas
  World Showcase – China Pavilion
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  World Showcase – Germany Pavilion
• Girl and the Tramp
  World Showcase – Italy Pavilion
• Tiana
  World Showcase – The American Journey Pavilion
• Dragon
  World Showcase – Japan Pavilion Close to Torii Gate
• Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy
  World Showcase – Between France and Morocco Pavilions
• Magnificence and the Beast
  World Showcase – France Pavilion
• Lumiere and Cogsworth
  World Showcase – France Pavilion
• Butterfly and Flower Towers
  World Showcase – Worldwide Gateway
• Winnie the Pooh and Buddies (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger)
  World Showcase – United Kingdom Pavilion
• Tinker Bell’s Fairy Home Backyard
  World Showcase – United Kingdom Pavilion
• Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc
  World Showcase – Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
• Geese
  World Showcase – Canada Pavilion

For us, the topiaries must be the spotlight of Epcot’s Flower & Backyard Competition, however they very often disappoint. The topiaries are recycled from yr to yr and season to season (you’ll be able to see a few of the very same topiaries in several areas at Christmas…we’ve pictures of them from about 10 years in the past and so they look the identical) and are sometimes shoe-horned in locations they actually don’t belong.

It could be good to have new topiaries annually, particularly since within the late Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, new topiaries usually appeared when there wasn’t even a particular occasion (as mirrored in one in all our favourite Walt Disney World books, Gardens of the Walt Disney World Resort). Nonetheless, there are some new topiaries annually, and it’s nice to see them added to boost the park.

Live shows – The Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition will characteristic reside music from the Nineteen Sixties, Nineteen Seventies, and past due to the return of the Backyard Rocks Live performance Sequence. Well-known artists rock the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase each Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and eight p.m. every night.

Walt Disney World has launched extra particulars about this, which we cowl in Backyard Rocks Live shows at EPCOT Flower & Backyard Competition: Dates, Lineup & Eating Packages. That options the total lineup, plus pricing and eligible eating places for the eating package deal–and why we do NOT suggest paying for that package deal.

Not like Candlelight Processional, we’ve by no means discovered the eating packages to be vital for another Epcot concert events. Nonetheless, if the perfect seats are a should so you’ll be able to actually admire the rad hairstyles sported by A Flock of Seagulls, the eating package deal will assist you there. Simply don’t really feel like it’s essential to purchase it with a purpose to get a spot, as a result of there’s normally loads of seating for walk-ups.

Anticipate to listen to reside music each night on the Epcot Flower & Backyard Competition. Along with the Backyard Rocks Live performance Sequence, native Orlando bands step into the highlight Tuesday by way of Thursday, performing within the America Gardens Theatre.

There can even be different acts all through World Showcase, together with Mariachi Cobre, the Jammin’ Gardeners, and extra.

Different Stuff – Different reveals embrace the Competition Middle (within the former Odyssey pavilion), that includes merchandise, one of many Outside Kitchens, and different actions.

One of many cooler facets of the Flower & Backyard Competition is you could go to a number of instances and have a completely completely different expertise every time. This isn’t solely as a result of the presenters and bands change, however as a result of midway by way of the competition, Disney gardeners take away the blossoms that thrive in early-spring to plant a brand new crop of flowers that flourish in late-spring’s hotter temperatures.

That is nice for these company visiting throughout the concluding weeks of the Competition, as they don’t have to fret about seeing a bunch of wilted flowers. It’s lovely throughout the Competition’s total run.

Though there are contemporary choices annually, typically not a ton differs from yr to yr. The identical character topiaries are used yr in and yr out (with just a few exceptions), and many of the new content material consists of thinly veiled promotional items for upcoming Disney movies.

Personally, we predict it will be good to see investments in altering the topiary designs that haven’t modified within the final 10 years or so, however in case you’re a first-timer, these will clearly nonetheless be contemporary to you.

The Outside Kitchens are one other spotlight, and whereas these are an apparent try and capitalize on the colossal success of the Meals & Wine Competition, so what? Meals & Wine Competition is extremely common with company, so why not incorporate parts of it into different instances of the yr?

The most effective issues Disney does are mutually helpful for it and company. We love the meals cubicles at Meals & Wine Competition, so we predict these are a strong addition to the Flower & Backyard Competition. In case you disagree with us, you’ll be able to merely ignore the meals cubicles. No hurt, no foul.

General, Epcot’s Flower & Backyard Competition is a extremely beautiful occasion. There’s an honest quantity to do on the Flower & Backyard Competition, and one thing that can enchantment to everybody. It’s our third favourite time of yr to go to Epcot, after the Competition of Holidays and newer Competition of the Arts (however forward of Meals & Wine Competition).

Whether or not you’re a primary time visitor or a seasoned veteran of Walt Disney World, visiting throughout Epcot’s Flower & Backyard Competition is a number of enjoyable. Epcot is at its most lovely throughout Flower & Backyard Competition, and you may get pleasure from a lot of what’s provided throughout the occasion with out spending something further. Epcot smells and appears fantastic, and there are a number of distinctive choices, shows, and photographic alternatives.

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s essential to know!

Your Ideas

Have you ever ever been to Epcot Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition? What do you suppose are the highlights? Are favourite meals, demonstrations, or different facets of the occasion? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation for the occasion? Are you contemplating attending the 2025 EPCOT Worldwide Flower & Backyard Competition? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!