I had never been to Disney during the Springtime until last May. I completed my College Program in the fall and had taken vacations there in the fall or in February during the slow(er) season. We decided to plan around my birthday, my son’s 4th birthday, Mother’s Day, and as luck would have it, the Flower & Garden Festival was taking place during this time as well. Having experienced the Food & Wine Festival on previous occasions, I was excited for another trip around the world showcase full of new experiences.
While my kids enjoyed EPCOT, it’s probably not the most exciting park for them at their current ages. One thing that they really did enjoy was the Monsters University themed temporary playground that was set up there as a part of the Flower and Garden Festival. After sitting in strollers for much of the day, they were thrilled to have a place of their own to run around, climb, and play with other kids. Mom and Dad were thrilled to sit down and take a breather after pushing strollers all day.
Aside from the fun playground, my kids really, really enjoyed locating all the topiaries of their favorite characters around Future World as well as throughout the World Showcase. Even though Hollywood Studios will always be number one in my heart, we ended up going to EPCOT on my birthday due to other plans during our stay. EPCOT did not disappoint this birthday girl. We all enjoyed various food and drinks from the specialty carts stationed around the park while strolling through the topiary displays.
As a bonus, we were able to slip off to Beaches N Cream at the Beach Club Resort (walkway between France and England in the World Showcase) for my birthday treat – the Mickey Kitchen Sink sundae. What else could you ask for? This year the Flower and Garden Festival runs from Mar 2 – May 30. In addition to the fun topiaries, you’ll also find seminars and workshops on gardening, special concerts, a butterfly house, and outdoor kitchens. This year the playground is the Harmony Gardens playground featuring Disney’s Fab 5 topiaries. We will not get to attend this year but I hope we make it back soon. There are definitely enough activities and attractions to interest guests of all ages.
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Candice was raised in east Tennessee. While in college, her best friend dragged her to a Walt Disney World College Program recruiting session at the University of Tennessee and the rest is Disney history. In the Fall of 1999, Candice became a quick service food hostess for Sunset Ranch Market and Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios – or what is now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While soaking up her time as a cast member, she met Ryan, a neighbor and a fellow college programmer who worked as a custodial host at Epcot. Four years later, Candice moved to the Midwest and married that boy from across the hall. They now live in Greenwood, Indiana with their two little boys. The Disney-loving foursome took their first family trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in 2013 and Candice is eagerly planning their return. Candice also works full-time at a community mental health center and enjoys taking photographs and blogging at Mommy in the Midwest.
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