When most people think of Disney World, they think of pixie dust, characters, rides, and magic. What they might not know is that Disney also hosts special events, like Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival that combines the magic of Disney, foodie tastes from around the world and stunning artistic garden creations. The good news for me is that the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is a walking, talking, breathing example of wellness travel.
Epcot is known as a world showcase, where visitors travel throughout 11 different countries, taking in the sites, tastes, and cultures of each land. During the International Flower and Garden Festival, in addition to stunning topiaries, even more choices for food and beverages take shape as you stroll along the world showcase.
Beverages at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
The garden marketplace in the Flower and Garden Festival offers something for everyone….although you might find yourself skipping the rest of the Disney Parks to just eat and drink your way through a vacation. My first attempt to “immerse” myself into the local culture was the Yuzu Rita in Japan. This slushy beverage was made with a blend Tequila, triple sec, lime, and a hint of Yuzu.
Going “home” to Italy, meant going for something classic…a lovely glass of Prosecco at Primavera Kitchen. Sitting down in the sun, lakeside, with a replica of Piazza San Marco, sipping Prosecco, chatting with friends (and the Italian servers pouring the Prosecco) was almost as fabulous as the real thing, along the Grand Canal.
Epcot in Bloom
Epcot is already scenic and beautiful, but the addition of the flowers, topiaries, and displays during the Flower and Garden Festival make it even more magical. The gardener in me that crosses her fingers that my garden blooms (and survives despite a rabbit that likes to feast on my plants) was in awe, one display after another.
Perhaps my favorite though, was the mix of real and glass blooms in the garden displays. (I think I need some of these glass flowers…)
You might be wondering – how exactly does the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival equate to wellness travel? Easy. For me – the time spent outdoors, the aroma from the flowers that seeps into each breath and the array of culinary temptations – enriches the senses and offers a reminder to slow down to appreciate each display and taste.
For more topiary displays, do not miss this Epcot Flower and Garden Photo Tour by Nadia Carriere.
Now all Walt Disney World needs is to add a runDisney event during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival to make Disney a family, foodie, and endurance athlete destination all in one! (Though, truth be told, maybe instead of donning my tiara for another Princess Half Marathon, I should consider the Wine & Dine Half Marathon? Or maybe I should just do both?)
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I was hosted by DisneyParks during the TravelingMom retreat. The prosecco and Yuzu Rita….were sponsored (and enjoyed….profusely) by me. All opinions are my own.
Magical Moments at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino