Review: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival Part 2
Note: This is Part 2 of my review of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival 2020. Go to Part 1 to check out my first part of the review.
Hey Everyone! Thank you for joining me here for Part 2 of my review of this year’s Flower & Garden Festival. This part of the review is all about the two things that a lot of people only go to the festival for… to eat and drink! While this festival does not have as many specially themed food booths as the annual Food & Wine Festival (held every fall), this year it sports a solid assortment of 21 booths with special offerings. Additionally, each of the four Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea stands has their own specialty alcoholic drink.
Throughout this review, I will share the menu at each of the booths, as well as my thoughts on the dishes that we tried. Some of the booths I did by myself, others I did with friends. A few of them we did multiple times, so we tried more of the dishes there. Also, those who have seen my reviews in the past know that I bring a collectible or two with me to pose in the food pictures. This year, my trusty Porg Leonard was there with me… and a couple of times his buddy Nimoy joined in the festivities.
One thing before I begin, I will say that this is a must for anyone traveling around Epcot during one of these festivals. Pick yourself up a Disney Gift Card wristlet. These small circular gift cards come on a stretch cord bracelet, making it easier for you to order and pick up your food and drinks without having to quickly stow away your gift card or wallet. This year I saw two designs at the festival: a pink/purple flower and Spike the Bee. Of course, I had to get Spike for myself.
Okay, not onto the festival booths. First I will cover the few located in Future World and Showcase Plaza, and then I will head around World Showcase, starting in Mexico and ending in Canada.
Future World
Cool Wash
I am pretty sure the Cool Wash location was chosen as a spot because Taste Track, located across the walkway from Cool Wash, is going through a renovation/upgrade. Cool Wash is sponsored by Coca-Cola, and they currently serve non-alcoholic slushies. You can first choose the flavors you want (I got Cherry and Orange) and then you can top it with different ingredients. I got a few butterfly gummies, as they seemed to be the special topping for the festival.
Flavor Full Kitchen
Located on the walkway between the Imagination Pavilion and Showcase Plaza, I visited this location twice, once by myself and once with my friend Adam. Between the two trips, we tried the Grilled Baby Vegetables and the Seared Salmon dishes. Even though I am not much of a salmon person, I enjoyed both dishes… but they weren’t as good as other booths.
Showcase Plaza
The Honey Bee-stro
Opening day of the festival, the Honey Bee-stro was not open due to some issues. You could not get any of the dishes, but you could pick up the Honey-Peach Freeze in the Spike Sipper Cup over at Pineapple Promenade… which I did. The next day when I was there with Adam, we tried the Roasted Cauliflower dish and the Cheesecake dessert, as well as the alcoholic Honey-Peach Freeze and the Mead. All were really good.
The Citrus Blossom
Only visited this booth once, but every time I passed it was busy. I ordered the Crispy Citrus Chicken dish, but when I went to pick up my order they were out of one of the elements to that dish. Instead, they offered me the Lobster Tail. It was really good, but I am not sure at that price point. Getting it at the price of the chicken dish was very worth it.
At this location, they are also selling the Orange Bird Sipper, filled with an Orange Cream Shake. I did not pick one up, since my friends got me one last year. However, here is a picture of the one that Kristen got this trip.
Refreshment Port
This year-round location usually serves different poutines. However, for this festival they were also serving a couple of special dishes. While the Popsicle Trio looked delicious, I ended up getting the Fried Green Tomatoes dish, which was really good. Probably in my top five dishes of the festival.
Pineapple Promenade
I visited this booth more than I’d care to admit for two reasons… Dole Whip and Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade. Those of you who know me know that I LOVE Dole Whip (not just the Pineapple version, but that’s still the best). However, I will admit that the Violet Lemonade is amazing. It would be great for everyone if this frozen drink found a permanent spot in Epcot, not just being around for the Flower & Garden Festival. Additionally, when I went by the booth one time with Adam, he picked up the beer flight. I am not a big beer drinker, but he enjoyed it.
This might also be a great time to highlight that Spike Spork that you see in the Dole Whip. Disney is promoting reducing, reusing, and recycling at the parks, especially during the festivals. Straws, when asked for, are now paper park-wide. Most, if not all, of the dishware used for serving the food and drink are recyclable. The biggest thing is that they are asking guests to reuse their silverware, or purchase this Spork. It’s so cute, and a great option so you aren’t grabbing a new fork or spoon at each booth.
La Isla Fresca
To be honest, I almost did not get to dine at this booth during my time there. For the first two days of the festival (when I did most of the festival), this location was having issues that kept them from opening. It wasn’t until my final night at Epcot, right before the evening Epcot Forever fireworks, that I got to this location. Since I had to wait so long, and could not get back, I tried not only the Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer, but also the Tropical Mousse Cup and the non-alcoholic Tropical Freeze drink. All were very good.
Trowel & Trellis
This location was frequented a couple of times during the trip. The first time I was solo, and tried the Grilled Street Corn on the Cob (amazing) and the Impossible Farmhouse Meatball (it was okay). The second time I was with Adam, and while he decided to get some food and drink, I decided to get the alcoholic Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea drink, which came in this fun plastic mason jar. This is one of those drinks that would be bad for me, as I drank it down way too fast for it containing vodka… but it was so good. Whoops!
World Showcase
Jardin de Fiestas
This is another location that I visited twice this trip. First time was solo, and I tried the Quesadilla al Pastor. While tasty, it was not something I would run back to get. The second time with Adam, he got the Choriqueso Torta and the Lucky Margarita. I am not a margarita fan to begin with, but I tried it. Both that and the torta were too spicy for me.
Lotus House
Swung by here with Adam and tried the House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons. Quite tasty. I never got back to try the “Panda” Bubble Tea, but I wanted to.
Throughout it all, my trusty Porg Leonard was there with me… and a couple of times his buddy Nimoy joined in the festivities.
Refreshment Outpost
This location only had one special dish, the Pineapple Skewer. I got it, but without the tajin seasoning. Adam also grabbed the cider flight here. I did like the banana one a bit, but not the other two. He liked them all.
Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market
Based on my records, this was the only booth that every item on the board (aside from the water) was purchased during the trip. The first time around, Adam and I got everything other than the Potato Pancake with the ham. However, on my last night there, I swung by to try it. I will say I preferred the pancakes with the apple sauce much more. For a difference of $0.25, the one with the ham you get only one small pancake instead of two larger ones. So more money for less actual food, where the taste wasn’t worth the up in price.
Primavera Kitchen
Sadly, I only got to try one dish at this booth during my trip. I had the Ravioli, which was filled with grilled chicken. Yes, it was expensive, but it was delicious. Another one of my top dishes at the festival. Sadly, Leonard (aka Adam and myself) got into the dish before a picture was taken. Yes, we are blaming the Porg.
Magnolia Terrace
This new take on American cuisine at The American Adventure featured some Southern classics. We tried the Southern Seafood Boil and the House-made Boudin. Both were great, although the boil broth was a bit spicy for me. I am assuming it was because of the sausage. Adam got the beer flight here as well. He took his time enjoying them, but he did like them.
NOTE: Some of you might be wondering where the BBQ items went. Well, this location’s BBQ cuisine was so popular over the past few years of festivals, that when the Liberty Inn (The American Adventure’s former Quick Service location) went through an upgrade/ renovation, the menu was changed to a tour of US BBQ. I will be reviewing this new eatery, Regal Eagle Smokehouse (a Muppets themed location), in a future article.
Block & Hans / Funnel Cake
Both of these permanent locations in The American Adventure had a couple of specialty items for the festival. I did try the alcoholic version of the Arendelle Aqua Lemonade (wondering why it isn’t being served over near Norway), but for the funnel cake we chose on just getting the regular one and not the special mini one.
Hanami
Stopped here twice. First time tried the Menchi Katsu Slider and the Strawberry Nigori Sake. Second time tried the Salmon Flower Ikura. Both the slider and the salmon were delicious. Adam enjoyed the sake.
Taste of Marrakesh
Quickly swung by here and tried the Fried Cauliflower dish. It was tasty, but too spicy for me to have it all.
Florida Fresh
Here, we tried the Key Lime Tart and both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the Watermelon Cucumber Slushy. All were quite refreshing.
Fleur de Lys
We stopped here twice. First time we got the Goat Cheese Tart, the Duck dish, and tried the La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy. The second time the tart and duck dishes were gotten again, but this time the Eclair Chocolat Framboise was also enjoyed. I enjoyed all of the dishes, and the slushy, a lot.
Northern Bloom
The last food booth at the festival, this one celebrates Canada. I ended up trying the Seared Scallops and the Beef Tenderloin Tips, both of which were delicious. However, in less than a week between me getting the scallops the first day and my friends getting the scallops, they shrunk! I tried both versions and I prefer the larger ones, as they could be seared properly. I also tried the Blackberry Fruit Beer, which my friend Kristen purchased. It wasn’t bad!
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Out of the four specialty drinks that Joffrey’s had at their carts, the only one that I decided to try was the Orange Splash, located in Canada. It was quite tasty, though I totally forgot to take a picture of the actual drink.
The Garden Graze
Something special for this festival: The Garden Graze. If you purchased five items from the pre-chosen list of five dishes throughout the festival (it could be all of one dish or a combination… Adam and I chose one of each of the five) and collect five stamps, you can then redeem your passport at Pineapple Promenade for a sixth stamp and a special item. Here are the five dishes:
Grilled Baby Vegetables- Flavor Full Kitchen
Impossible Farmhouse Meatball- Trowel & Trellis
Pineapple Skewer- Refreshment Outpost
Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce- Bauernmarkt
Watermelon Cucumber Slushy (non-alcoholic)- Florida Fresh
The Complimentary Item? A really fun Garden Graze themed plastic terrarium, filled with Lime Dole Whip (exclusive at the festival to this promotion), as well as a pack of basil seeds. When you finish the Dole Whip and bring everything home, you can grow some basil in the terrarium this summer. It was totally worth it, and a great souvenir from the festival.
Festival Map
Before I go, some people have been asking me what this festival map looks like. Here it is. I found it interesting that both Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the new restaurant near Mission SPACE called Space 220 are labeled as “Coming Soon”. Just a couple of weeks ago, a banner has appeared outside of the Ratatouille show building announcing a Summer 2020 opening, while many outlets reported that Space 220 will be opening in April. However, with everything that has been going on with the closures due to COVID-19, timetables can be drastically changed. I guess we shall see what happens.
Click thumbnails for larger versions.
Well, that’s it for Part 2. Later this weekend, Part 3 will be posted, which will include a look at the various gardens around Epcot, as well as some other fun things like the Garden Rocks concert series, and more.
Thanks for joining me for this part of my review. Please comment below with your thoughts on what you read, or what you experienced if you went yourself.
