Flower and Garden Festival, in my way?

[auntyjenn]

Please tell me about the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Will they close the parks early? Will they be extra crowded? Is it only on weekends?

 

[HopperFan]

No they will not close the parks early. It's every day. I have never found the park crowded but if extra folks come for the Flower and Garden they are focused on that. Even if you are not interested you will see some beautiful topiary and flowers!

This gives you a good overview:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/ep-flower-garden.htm

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I love the Flower and Garden festival, especially now that they added food and drinks to it! I like it better than Food and Wine in the fall because you get the food and wine but for some reason I don't see as many overly intoxicated people (no more than usual at Epcot). Plus you get the beautiful flowers.

As the previous poster said they do not close early and it's there every day during the festival dates.

 

[disnut8]

We are Epcot lovers and ave been there during the Flower and Garden Festival and I am not a flower and garden person, having grown up with concrete. I have never had the Festival interfere with any of our plans at all and have seen some interesting things. Also, on the weekends, there are free concerts so that's a bonus and as a previous poster mentioned, there are now food booths as well. This festival will not be in your way at all.

 

[OKW Lover]

For the OP, don't fret about F&G. Its confined to Epcot's World Showcase so you won't see any impact on the other parks. Even in World Showcase, you'' notice some more elaborate floral displays and some food booths at various places but it doesn't really affect your ability to see the attractions or shop there. Go and have fun!

 

[JennyDrake]

Fridays and possibly Saturdays can bring hoards of school groups. Two years ago as I was about to enter the CM noticed I had an AP and asked if I wanted to consider another park as they were expecting 900 middle school kids that day.

As PPers have noted, no impact on the other parks.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It is true about the school groups. Lots of local and semi-local schools (everything from elementary to high schools) have field trips to Epcot during this festival. Also, has nothing to do with the festival, but a few years ago WDW discountinued Grad Nights in favor of senior class trips which means that later in April/beginning of May you will see more classes on senior trips and they are in all the parks, not confined to MK on a certain night. There don't seem to be that many of them, but they are noticeable. Of course MK does not close early for Grad Nights anymore.

So far, Flower and Garden has not yet caught on like Food and Wine to see massive crowds in WS every weekend.

 

[focusondisney]

For the OP, don't fret about F&G. Its confined to Epcot's World Showcase so you won't see any impact on the other parks. Even in World Showcase, you'' notice some more elaborate floral displays and some food booths at various places but it doesn't really affect your ability to see the attractions or shop there. Go and have fun!

Well, it is only in Epcot, but there are also some displays in Future World too, like the butterfly walk thru & elaborate topiary displays. Plus the Wonders of Life pavilion is open for lectures & shops. Everything is beautiful, but it is also easy to tour Epcot as you always do.

 

[Saimaeve]

We went during F&G in 2013. It was actually very pretty. It seemed there were a few crowds around the demonstrations and some snack booths set up. But overall it was rather quiet.

We spent 2 days at Epcot I believe and never had long lines or felt it overly crowded. It's actually my favorite time to go. Just...if you have really bad allergies, maybe not the best? That's the only reason I would suggest someone not go during that time.

Be sure to check out the little pop up areas. They have some snack and beverage type carts that are wonderful

 

[auntyjenn]

Thanks everybody. I was a little worried. Now I'm happy. I do like flowers, topiaries, and the thought of extra food booths. : )