We might be in the middle of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, but we’re already looking ahead to the next festival.
2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
That festival is the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, which brings SO much to Disney World, including gorgeous topiaries, a lot of AMAZING food, and the Garden Rocks concert series. However, this year, you’re going to have a lot less time to enjoy this festival because it’s going to end 36 days earlier than it did last year, which could basically upend your Disney World plans.
So the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival begins on February 28th and ends on May 27th. If the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival doesn’t start shortly after that (and we don’t have any word on that yet from Disney), it could mean you’ll be missing out on a festival if you’re visiting between the two festivals. With most folks having already booked their vacation packages for the year, we can imagine this news was pretty shocking for those with plans to attend the festival.
EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
We reached out to you, our DFB Readers, to see how you felt about this shorter festival, as well as if this will impact your Disney World plans this year. Some of you told us that you’re disappointed about how short the festival is this year. Marlaina said, “I’m a bit disappointed. We will be there the 2nd week of June. We didn’t plan our trip around possible festival dates but I was hoping to see the beautiful topiaries and gardens.”
Berlin at Garden Rocks in 2023
Laura commented, “This was going to be my first time experiencing this festival and I’ll literally just miss it 
“
Tina added, “We usually go in late May-early June and I’ll be VERY SAD not to see the flower and garden festival.”
Chris said, “Yes! Was looking forward to it but will be there 2 days after it ends!
“
EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival
Other readers say that this disrupts their plans for their Disney World trips this year. Jacki told us, “We are super sad! Flower and Garden is our favorite festival and we have been going in June after my daughter gets out of school. I told her last night about when the festival is ending and she had a moment! We might have to figure out how to get there this spring without taking too many days off of school. 
“
Mickey & Minnie in bloom!
Helen had something similar to say: “We normally go in September when the food and wine festival is on but due to getting time off work we’ve had to book June this year so we were looking forward to a different festival this year. Oh well maybe Epcot will be quieter.”
EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival
Patricia told us, “Yes!! We just booked nonrefundable airfare for early June to specifically go down for the festival!!! How disappointing!!” Oh, ouch. That’s always disappointing when it’s too late to change your plans!
2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Some of you have even changed your plans because of the shorter festival. Tara said, “Yes. I rescheduled so we wouldn’t miss it.”
Azalea said, “Yes! Simple Plan at Garden Rocks has been our summer tradition for a few years now. We will probably go somewhere else on vacation in June.”
Japan pavilion during the festival
Some of you, though, prefer to go to EPCOT between festivals and think it could mean fewer crowds in the time between the Flower and Garden Festival and the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Tanya said, “My friend is going to WDW for the very first time in June and I gave her the news yesterday. But I think her family is better off not being overwhelmed with food options any more than regular EPCOT.”
Food from Magnolia Terrace at the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Jen commented, “We were a little disappointed last year when Food and Wine started a little later and we just missed the start date, but it honestly worked out. World Showcase was easier to navigate without the booths and lines. We were able to eat our long neglected favorites rather than passing them up to roll the dice on festival food that we may or may not enjoy. The festivals are fun, but missing them can offer a few perks.”
2023 Northern Bloom Booth
Jessica said, “Nope, it will be nice to go to Epcot without a festival going on.”
So some of you are obviously disappointed about the shorter festival this year, but this is about how long the festival used to be before 2020, so it’s just another thing returning to “normal” at Disney World this year.
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CONFIRMED: These 4 Things Will RETURN to the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
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MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO!
See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival
Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages
Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival
Everything Returning to the Flower & Garden Festival in 2023
2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival
Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival!
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What do you think of the shorter festival? Let us know in the comments!