Last year, we were able to go to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival for the first time. We usually wind up at WDW later in the summer, but as it turns out, Little Buster graduated from High School. Instead of spending Senior Week with his friends, he wanted to go to Disney with the family! He’s such a wonderful kid. We were thrilled to celebrate his success with him. Plus, we realized that our visit to the Flower and Garden was going to be able to happen! We had been to Food and Wine the year before and had a real blast, so getting to go to another festival was a real treat.
When we got home, I thought about the festival. At first I thought maybe I liked it a bit less because the food was better at Food and Wine. Duh. It is in the name! That led to a discussion between Buster and me about appreciating each festival for its unique flavor. I had taken a lot of pictures and I realized I was really enraptured by the topiaries and garden/flower displays. Duh. Its in the name! The amount of time and care it takes to keep them fresh and blooming and beautiful is staggering.
It would be easy to walk by the flowers to make your way to the next ride or food booth. I would humbly beg you not to do that. Much like passing right by the Tree of Life at AK, it would be easy to grab your photo, consult your food guide and take off. However, you will miss out on the whole point the point of the festival.
Now back to my musings about the food at this festival. I realized part of the reason they cannot be compared to one another goes back to theming. The food at Flower and Garden is lighter, fresher, and supposed to revolve around the idea of fresh, local, farm to plate, and wholesome. Of course there are exceptions, but the popular selections fit many of these parameters. Little Buster and I especially wanted to try Frushi and the Tuna Tataki Bowl. Both were delicious! The BLT Scone deserves mention as a favorite as well. Memorable! Little Banshee ate it all – forcing us to go back and get another. She likes to eat!
If you are following Buster’s vacation planning series, we are going earlier this year and will get to go back to Flower and Garden. I am looking forward to embracing this festival.
I will do a review of it when we get back, but I am sure I am going to enjoy it, eat well, and stop and smell the flowers.
Duh. It’s in the name!
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