NEWS: Disney Releases Menus for Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Spring is just around the corner! One of our favorite things to do at Disney World in the spring is visit the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. With over a dozen outdoor kitchens, you’ll find some fantastic treats all over Epcot. The menus for the 2018 Flower and Garden festival have now been released and we can’t wait to get started! Full details below.

This year’s festival runs from February 28 – May 28, 2018. Outdoor Kitchens are open daily from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Please note: the following menu items marked with (GF) are gluten/wheat-friendly and those with (V) are vegetarian.

Bauernmarkt: Farmers Market @ Germany

Food

• Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V)
• Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions and Herb Sour Cream
• Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese
• Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries

Beverages

• Hugo-Charles De Fere “Organic” Brut with Elderflower and Mint
• Paulaner Original Munich Lager
• Ayinger Bräu Weisse Hefeweizen, Munich, Germany
• Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager
• Beer Flight

Cider House @ United Kingdom

Food

• Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef with Braised Cabbage and Branston Dressing with Pears
• House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare
• Freshly Baked Lemon Scone with Crème Fraîche and Mixed Berries (V) (GF)

Beverages

• McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, West Seneca, NY
• Florida Beer Company Caribé Pineapple Tropical Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
• Ciderboys Grand Mimosa Apple Orange Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
• Cider Flight
• Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, California (Non-alcoholic)

Fluer de Lys @ France

Food

• Tarte à la Tomate Provençale: Provencal Tomato Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Pastry Crust (V)
• Canard Confit Aux Gnocchi à la Parisienne: Braised Duck Confit with Parisian Gnocchi
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop (GF)

Beverages

• La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liqueur, White and Red Cranberry Juice
• Kir Pomegranate: Sparkling Wine, Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France
• Kronenbourg Blanc 1664

Florida Fresh @ nestled between France and Morocco

Food

• Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
• Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Stone-ground Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish
• Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue

Beverages

• Florida Orange Groves Winery Key Lime Sparkling Wine, St Petersburg, FL
• Tampa Bay Brewing Company Quat Seasonal Fruit Ale
• Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL
• First Magnitude Brewing Co. Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL
• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Tamiami Florida Gin
• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy (Non-alcoholic)
• Beer Flight

Hanami @ Japan

Food

• Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side (V)
• Ginger Beef Yaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger
• Teriyaki Salmon with Furikake Seasoned Brown Rice (GF)

Beverages

• Pineapple Momo Sake Cocktail
• Kara Super Dry Sake
• Sapporo Premium Black Lager

Jardin de Fiestas @ Mexico

Food

• Pork Taco: Slow-braised Pork Taco served with Apple Relish, Goat Cheese and Chile de Árbol Sauce
• Chilaquiles: Chilaquiles served with Chorizo, Mexican Cream and Cotija Cheese
• Capirotada: Bread Pudding served with Rompope

Beverages

• Tiger Lily Sangria
• Rose Margarita
• Violet Cassis Punch
• Daisy Spicy Beer

La Isla Fresca @ World Promenade

Food

• Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
• Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut Lime Sauce
• Caribbean Conch Salad with Mango, Papaya and Pickled Red Onions
• Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple

Beverages

• Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
• Tropical Freeze with Cruzan Mango Rum
• Tropical Freeze (Non-alcoholic)

Lotus House @ China

Food

• Spicy Meatballs with Crispy Tofu
• Fried Chicken Dumplings with Peanut Sauce
• Vegetable Spring Rolls (V)

Beverages

• Oolong Peach Bubble Tea (Non-alcoholic)
• Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec, Mango and Orange Juice
• BaiJoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice
• Plum Wine Cooler
• Tsingtao Lager

Northern Bloom @ Canada

Food

• Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood Smoked Bacon (GF)
• Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables
• Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato

Beverages

• Maple Popcorn Shake with Crown Royal Maple Whisky
• Maple Popcorn Shake (non-alcoholic)
• Unibroue Maudite Amber Ale, Chambly, Québec
• Unibroue À Tout Le Monde Saison, Chambly, Québec
• Unibroue Éphémère White Ale, Chambly, Québec
• Beer Flight

Pineapple Promenade @ World Showcase Promenade 

Food

• Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
• Pineapple Soft-Serve (V)

Beverages

• Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Savannah, GA
• Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
• SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA
• Pineapple Beer Flight
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
• Pineapple Soft-serve with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
• Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (Non-alcoholic)
• Pineapple Soft-serve with Fanta (Non-alcoholic)

Primavera Kitchen @ Italy

Food

• Frittata di Asparagi: Asparagus Frittata, Mixed Greens and Citrus Dressing (GF) (V)
• Firtto Misto: Crispy Shrimps, Zucchini and Spicy Sauces
• Ravioli: Maine Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Sauce
• Panna Cotta al Melone: Cantaloupe Panna Cotta (GF) (V)

Beverages

• Pinot Grigio
• Chianti
• Prosecco
• Corbinello
• Moscato
• Bellini: Sparking Wine and Peach Purée
• Frozen Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
• Moretti Lager L’Autentica
• Moretti La Rossa

Taste of Marrakesh @ Morocco

Food

• Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad
• Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley and Chili Ranch Sauce
• Walnut Honey Baklava

Beverages

• Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur
• White Sangria
• Casa Beer

The Berry Basket 

Food

• Lamb chop with Quinoa Salad and Blackberry Gastrique
• Field Greens with fresh Strawberries, Crisp Quinoa, Strawberry Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans (V)
• Warm Wild Berry Buckle with Pepper Berry Gelato (V)

Beverage

• JDub’s Brewing Company Blueberry IPA, Sarasota, FL
• Island Grove Blueberry Moscato, Hawthorne, FL
• Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep
• Twinings Green Tea Berry Mint Julep (Non-alcoholic)

The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews

Food

• Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
• Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue and House-made Pickle
• Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños
• Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)

Beverage

• Zen of Zin Old Vine, California
• Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
• 3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
• Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
• Beer Flight
• Frozen Lemonade with Firefly Blackberry Moonshine
• Frozen Lemonade (Non-alcoholic)

The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board – NEW

Food

• Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Puree, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey Blistered Grapes and Sunflower Brittle (GF) (V)
• Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, charred vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream and Micro Watercress
• Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses

Beverages

• Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Orange Blossom Pilsner, Orlando, FL
• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka
• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (Non-alcoholic)

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Reasons We Love Springtime at Disney World

by Christy Caby

Spring is in the air!  Well, at least we are ready for it to be!  Springtime at Walt Disney World is absolutely amazing and there is so much to do and see on property.  Walt Disney World Resort already has more than you can do and see over the length of vacation, and then during spring time there is even more for you to enjoy!  The restaurants roll out their spring menus, special events start and many other great things are happening.  Here are 7 reasons why we love springtime at Disney World:

7 – Atlanta Braves Spring training

Each spring the Atlanta Braves call ESPN’s Wide World of Sports their home for spring training.  This means that you can visit the complex and see the Braves during their training.  You can also watch the Braves play pre-season games against other teams in the MLB, so even if the Braves aren’t your favorite team, there is a good chance that you could still see your favorite team play the Braves at the happiest place on Earth.  It is definitely a big win for all you sports and baseball enthusiasts out there.

6 – Easter fun around all of Walt Disney World

Easter is a fun holiday at Walt Disney World.  Some of the events you don’t have to be there on Easter Sunday to experience either.  At the Magic Kingdom staring in early March, you are able to meet Mr. and Mrs. Bunny up until Easter Sunday.  They are super cute and a lot of fun.  On Easter Sunday there will also be the Easter processional and other Easter entertainment.  At Epcot, also starting in early March you can participate in the Easter Egg Hunt around the World Showcase.  You purchase a game card and apply the stickers once you have found the egg at each pavilion.  You return it to receive a special surprise.  Everyone in the family can play, so it is a lot of fun for everyone.  On Easter Sunday, the favorite bunnies will also meet at the other parks so that you have more opportunities to get your picture with them.  The Grand Floridian does an Easter egg display for guest to view.  All of the resorts get into the action with themed Easter activities in the days leading up to the holiday, and many of the restaurants also serve brunches and other special meals.  There is definitely tons of great activities and it is a great way to enjoy the holiday!

5 – The Weather

The weather in the spring is beautiful.  It is definitely warm and sunny during the day, but it isn’t as hot as it is during the summer.  You get to enjoy cooler evenings than you would at summer and the temps won’t be as high during the hottest part of the day as they will be in the summer.  It is a much more comfortable time to visit and not feel like you are constantly overheating on your vacation.  It is still important to stay hydrated and coated in sunscreen anytime that you are vacationing in Florida, but the impacts are far less when you aren’t dealing with the scorching summer heat.

4 – Flower & Garden Festival

Beginning in March and ending in May each year, Epcot is transformed to an amazing Flower & Garden festival with impressive topiaries, beautiful flower arrangements and so much more.  With the event included educational booths and demonstrations that help educate guests on how to grow and care for all types of plants.  There are also limited time food and beverage snack locations inspired by fresh produce and ingredients.  There is so much to see and do that it would be very difficult to fit it all into one day, and still enjoy all the rides, shows and attractions that Epcot already has to offer.  You will want to make sure that you have your camera ready for this one so that you can capture the all of the beauty around Epcot during this time.  It really is breathtaking!

3 – St. Patty’s Day at Ragland Road

If you are Irish or just like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, then you don’t want to miss the celebration that takes place at Ragland Road.  The celebration actually lasts all week with non-stop musical and dance entertainment performing every night.  Ragland Road is an authentic Irish pub where you will find all of your favorite Irish dishes and beers.  There are also Celtic face painters on hand for the event so that you can really dive into the celebration.  It is so much fun, and an event that you will definitely want to find a sitter for!  You will also be able to find St. Patrick’s Day ears and a few other themed merchandise items in the parks that you can purchase, too!

2 – Deals and discounts on resort packages

Every spring Disney announces various promotions and discounts on vacation packages and resort stays for the spring.  You can usually get a discount on the cost of your stay when you utilize the discounts.  You can even get great discounts as a Florida Resident or an Annual Passholder with special discounts offered on resort stays over the spring.  It is a great time to visit Disney, and you can even save a few bucks on the stay, too!  Don’t expect the free dining promotion during this time, as Disney hasn’t offered that promotion in the spring for a couple of years now.

1 – Longer park hours

Because springtime brings in crowds and visitors that are on their spring break vacation, the parks are open later to accommodate the increased crowds.  You can expect the Magic Kingdom to open at late as 2AM and other parks open until at least 9 or 10PM.  This gives you more time to enjoy the parks!  The best recommendation to beat the crowds is to hit the parks right at opening and the morning hours, take a break around noon and the early afternoon when the parks are at their busiest and then return for the evening hours so that you can see all of the evening shows and then have the energy to stay until closing when the crowds and families with smaller children start to make their way out of the park after the fireworks!  We love the parks at night!  They are so beautiful!