International Arts or Food and Garden

[slpeters]

So we went to Disney World for the first time three years ago and just loved it. Since we've done a trip to Universal with a MVMCP thrown in, a trip to Disneyland and are going to WDW this fall for Halloween (probably end of September or beginning of October). We've sort of accommodated my new obsession by alternating trips--one Disney trip and one "adult" trip, which has worked well. Well anyway, I mentioned the spring festivals at Epcot an was a little surprised when my husband suggested we do that next year--not only do we already have a Disney trip in the planning but this would make it two in a row.

When I got to really looking I realized that I had conflated two different festivals in my head: International Arts and Food and Garden. So which should we do? It's just the two of us, we'll go for a week and it will be our third week long trip to WDW.

 

[OB1]

I think it is hard to mess up with Flower & Garden. EPCOT is just explodes with all of the flowers and color that is added.
That said, friends have said how much that really like the Festival of the Arts, but I think that is more of a veteran comment - they have been over 40 times. For someone with minimal trips. F&G is the way to go. Just work on the dates as some fall in heavy spring break weeks. That is one good thing about FOTA, not really in spring break, but does conflict with some busy holidays.

 

[Mome Rath]

If you like Art of various kinds, and like to have more shopping available, go to FotA. If you like color and flowers, and the food booths, go to F&G. If I had one choice I'd do F&G, but I like them both for different reasons, but, EPCOT is at it's most beautiful during F&G.

 

[igrsod]

We have done Food and Wine, Flower and Garden and Festival of the Arts. Our favourite it Festival of the Arts. We always sign up for a workshop. The foods are very fun and artsy creations. We love the fun photo opportunities. Seriously though, all the festivals are fun... you will have a good time no matter what. Keep in mind it is busy though.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have done all four festivals, Food & Wine, Festival of the Holidays, Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden. Festival of the Arts was our least favorite. F&W is #1, F&G is #2 and FotH is #3.

 

[CanucksRock]

After going to F&W for the first time in the fall, I found the Arts Festival very “Meh” didn’t have single food item. Then again, my day in general was ruined with all the construction walls.

 

[Deb & Bill]

After going to F&W for the first time in the fall, I found the Arts Festival very “Meh” didn’t have single food item. Then again, my day in general was ruined with all the construction walls.

They probably won't be down for F&G and F&W. We liked the brie in the bread bowl the best for the Arts Festival.

 

[gharter]

Haven't been to the Arts Festival. We enjoy Flower and Garden for the topiaries, flowers, butterfly garden and food kiosks. IMHO, its not as good as Food and Wine but we enjoy going to F&W and F&G each year.

 

[Haley R]

I like both festival of the arts and flower and garden. The weather is typically nicer during flower and garden which is a plus. For actual festival offerings I prefer festival of the arts though. The performance arts, chalk art, fun photo spots, and mural are all really cool. We tried lots of foods this year and thought they were all pretty decent. We’ve never done any of the workshops but they look fun.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I like both festival of the arts and flower and garden. The weather is typically nicer during flower and garden which is a plus. For actual festival offerings I prefer festival of the arts though. The performance arts, chalk art, fun photo spots, and mural are all really cool. We tried lots of foods this year and thought they were all pretty decent. We’ve never done any of the workshops but they look fun.

We don't go for the concerts. We reserve our stay long before they are announced and don't know many of the newer groups anyway. Like the ones from the 80's or newer (we are old). We do a few loops for F&W and F&G so it's about two trips to Epcot. FotH and FotA are usually a one and done. So shorter trips.

 

[PanamaMike]

If possible, stretch your trip out a few more days and catch both.
Last year I was there for the final day of the FOTA and a few days later attended the opening day of F&G.

 

[beccasmom]

We loved the Flower Festival. We also had just about perfect spring weather last April and that sure didn’t hurt. We attended the Arts Festival last month, but there’s so much renovation going on at Epcot - and it was so crowded - that I didn’t really enjoy it, but am hoping to try again some time. Try to avoid the weekends if you can.