Tell me about Flower & Garden Festival / Easter Weekend

[AJT607]

We just got back from a Disney trip from June 14-21 and we can't wait to go back.

We are tentatively planning to go back April 13-17 (Easter weekend) 2017. It's just my wife and I and we normally rope drop everyday morning, relax away from the busiest attractions in the afternoons and then focus morn on attractions again in the evening.

This is during F&G Festival and Easter weekend. Are the crowds unbearable that weekend and during the festival?

Any tips for getting the most out of the short trip and the F&G festival are greatly appreciated.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

While I wasn't there Easter weekend, I can tell you the lines for Flower & Garden on weekends in general were low. Even on Saturday night - empty lines or 2-3 people in front of us. It just doesn't draw the crowds like Food & Wine. We were there in late April this year (2016). Here's a Saturday - basically we had no waits. The crowds were heavy at times at Epcot in general but the F&G lines never were busy.

 

[Baptist]

I think Epcot is manageable, even on the busier days. Everything is very spread out. I think you will enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival. It's like a mini Food and Wine. The outdoor kitchens had a good variety offerings at reasonable prices (by Disney standards). They post the menus in advance, so check them out before you go. If they still have the pineapple soft serve with coconut rum, it's a must! Also, I really enjoyed the BBQ kitchen. Oh, the topiaries are really cool too.

It sounds like you can manage the crowds. If it's 2 adults who rope drop, you will be fine.

 

[AJT607]

Ok - that's really good news to hear. We've gone during mid-June the past two years and we've found it to be a little bit crowded but very manageable.

I know its a long time away and hours can change but we were planning the following rough schedule - does it seem appropriate?

Thursday:

• Early flight, arrival at Epcot-area resort (probably BCV or BWV) between 8-10am
• Spend a few hours in Epcot just exploring the Flower & Garden Festival
• Hop to Animal Kingdom late afternoon to get in some rides and *hopefully* see Rivers of Light
• Head back to the resort (or depending on park hours, hop to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic/Fireworks)

Friday:

• Rope drop Magic Kingdom until crowds get bad around lunchtime
• Lunch at Magic Kingdom OR Epcot
• Afternoon of FP+ Attractions at Epcot and exploring F&G
• Dinner in Epcot + Illuminations

Saturday:

• Rope drop Magic Kingdom (full day)
• Lunch at Magic Kingdom
• Possible resort time mid-day, if needed
• Dinner at Ohana
• Wishes/Celebrate the Magic
• Stay at Magic Kingdom through park close

Sunday:

• Rope drop Animal Kingdom
• Stay at Animal Kingdom until around lunchtime
• Possible resort time mid-day, if needed
• Hop to Hollywood Studios for FP+ attractions and Fantasmic/Fireworks

Monday:

• Rope drop Epcot (possible PPO breakfast)
• Possible visit to Disney Springs if we really want to stop over (visited this past June and didn't see anything that made it worth the trip over)
• Flight home late afternoon/early evening (between 6pm-9pm)

 

[Tiggerette]

As an aside FYI, Star Wars Celebration is also that weekend at the Orlando Convention center. If anyone in your family is a SW fan, that might be worth considering. We're thinking of enjoying F&G while we're in town as well.

 

[AJT607]

I'm a SW fan but my wife is not so I just take the SW stuff I can get at Hollywood Studios. I also talked her into the SW Dessert Party when we visited in June. She enjoyed it for the atmosphere but not for the Star Wars stuff.