EPCOT Just Transformed Into a Bloomin’ Wonderland—And It’s Even Better Than Last Year

EPCOT’s annual glow-up is officially here. The 2026 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival opened its gates today, March 4, and if the early previews and official details are any indication, this year’s event is the most ambitious version of the festival in recent memory.

According to the official Disney Parks Blog announcement, the festival runs through June 1, 2026, and is included with standard EPCOT park admission. That means no separate ticket, no upsell—just walk in and the whole thing is yours.

Toy Story Takes Over the Front Gates

The first thing guests will notice when they arrive this year: Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Bo Peep and her sheep, and Lotso are all waiting to greet you right at the park entrance. The Pixar Ball topiary has also returned after roughly a decade away.

Disney chose the Toy Story theme for the main entrance display to celebrate Toy Story 5, which hits theaters this summer. It’s a savvy move—guests who visit the festival now will already be primed for the film before it even releases, and the topiaries are genuinely spectacular photo opportunities that will be everywhere on social media.

This continues a tradition of rotating the main entrance theme around a marquee Pixar or Disney property. Recent years have featured Moana (2025), Wish (2024), Encanto (2023), Goofy (2022), and Sorcerer Mickey (2021). Toy Story is a crowd-pleaser by any measure, and it fits the cheerful, family-forward energy of the festival perfectly.

Over 60 Topiaries and 31 Gardens Throughout the Park

Beyond the entrance, more than 60 character topiaries are scattered across World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase. Some fan favorites are back after long hiatuses—Stitch and the Monsters, Inc. duo of Mike and Sulley are both returning this year, as are Lightning McQueen and Mater.

Familiar faces like Bambi, Flower, and Thumper reappear near the World Showcase bridge, while Anna and Elsa are accompanied by giant snowflake topiaries outside the Norway Pavilion. Lady and the Tramp make their appearance in the Italy Pavilion. The level of horticultural craft involved in these displays—building fully realized characters entirely from plants and flowers—is genuinely impressive, and the detail is consistent year after year.

The 31-plus gardens and floral installations include several new additions for 2026:

• Pluto’s Pet-Friendly Garden — a new offering this year
• Wildlife Crossing Garden — another debut feature
• Trendy Tropicals Garden — also new in 2026
• Spike’s Larger-Than-Life Garden at CommuniCore Hall — transitions from bright daylight to a moonlit evening scene with fireflies and night-blooming flowers

That last one sounds like a genuine showstopper. A garden that changes character as the day moves into night is the kind of detail that makes the festival worth a return visit after dark.

New Food and a Stacked Concert Lineup

The outdoor kitchens are back in full force with fresh garden-inspired flavors from around the world. This year’s festival features 76 new menu items alongside returning favorites spread across more than 20 food booths. The dining component has become a serious draw on its own—the combination of unique seasonal food, a relaxed outdoor atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings makes it one of the best food experiences Walt Disney World offers at any time of year.

For entertainment, the Garden Rocks Concert Series kicks off this weekend with a Music of ABBA tribute performance on March 5-7 at America Gardens Theatre, with shows at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. The lineup throughout the festival includes Sugar Ray, A Flock of Seagulls, and 98 Degrees, among others. All performances are included with park admission, though dining packages with guaranteed seating are available if you want to lock in a table.

More to Do Throughout the Festival

Families with kids have several activity-based options this year. Spike’s PollenNation Exploration is the classic festival scavenger hunt, free with admission. The Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt runs for a limited time as well. Butterfly Landing returns as a walk-through experience. And for anyone who collects Disney Park memories, nearly 20 PhotoPass Magic Shots and props are scattered throughout the park—including a new Honey Jar Prop with Spike the Bee and an Orange Bird Vacation Magic Shot.

Speaking of Orange Bird: the beloved retro character has a full merchandise collection this year, including apparel, accessories, ears with detachable bows, and spirit jerseys.

Why This Festival Matters More Than People Realize

There’s a reason the Flower and Garden Festival has become one of the most beloved recurring events on the Disney Parks calendar. EPCOT, more than any other park, genuinely transforms during this event. The park was designed around the concept of world exploration and human creativity—and a festival that fills it with intricate gardens, international food, and live music is about as true to that original vision as anything Disney currently offers.

It also represents one of the best values in the Walt Disney World lineup. Everything we described above—the topiaries, the gardens, the concerts, the scavenger hunts—is included with regular park admission. The food is the one place you’ll spend extra, but even there you’re getting fresh, seasonal dishes at outdoor booth prices rather than sit-down restaurant tabs.

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip between now and June 1, building your EPCOT day around the festival rather than just treating it as a backdrop is the smart play. Come hungry, bring your PhotoPass login, and check the Garden Rocks schedule before you book dining.

The festival runs through June 1, 2026.