Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes one of the most breathtaking and delicious events of the year—the 2025 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Running from March 5 through June 2, 2025, this year’s festival marks an incredible 30th anniversary of celebrating the beauty of nature, the artistry of topiaries, and the creativity of EPCOT’s world-class culinary teams.
But how does Disney strike the perfect balance between beloved traditions and exciting new innovations? I had the opportunity to sit down for a roundtable discussion with three key people behind this year’s festival:
- Chelsea Florig, Food & Beverage Project Manager
- Amanda Lauder, Chef de Cuisine – Pastry
- Daniel Sicilia, Executive Chef
Together, they shared insights into how they approach the challenge of keeping the festival fresh while respecting its legacy.
Honoring Tradition While Embracing Change
As a longtime EPCOT fan, I kicked off the discussion with a big question:
“The Flower & Garden Festival is my favorite festival of the year. I love them all, but Flower & Garden really holds a special place for me. How do you balance that tradition with innovation while ensuring Flower & Garden maintains its distinct identity? Because if you want to make Disney fans crazy, you tell them you’re taking one of their favorites away.”
Chelsea explained how the team evaluates the festival in real time:
“Really during the festival, we start evaluating the dishes and guest response right away. We start taking notes internally and almost immediately start looking at what’s working and what’s not.”
Chef Daniel added:
“We try to get a year out in our planning, knowing how many locations we’re going to have, what’s happening in the park around us, and what’s going to be trendy.”
Amanda described her creative process:
“I have quite an outrageous whiteboard that sort of looks like the inside of my mind. It lays out different concepts that we’ve thought about, and we just put it up there and let it sit and simmer. Then we go back and start refining.”
The “Untouchables” – Festival Favorites That Must Stay
Not every dish or display at the Flower & Garden Festival is up for revision. Some have earned a permanent place in the hearts (and stomachs) of Disney fans.
When I asked what items were “untouchable,” Chelsea shared:
“We do have those legacy items that we know people love, and we try to protect those. There are certain things that we just wouldn’t remove.”
Chef Daniel added:
“We know there are items for each festival that we cannot take off a menu because guests love them. But we also want to push the boundaries and try new things.”
Amanda agreed:
“There are certain things that we just wouldn’t take away.”
Exciting New Additions for 2025
While fan-favorites remain, the culinary team is excited to introduce fresh flavors and experiences for the festival’s 30th anniversary.
New Outdoor Kitchens
This year, two new kitchens will debut:
- Beach Grub (Near World Showcase and Imagination! Pavilion)
- Seafood Bake: Shrimp, mussels, clams, andouille sausage, red potatoes, corn on the cob, persillade butter, white wine broth, and grilled sourdough
- Grilled Street Corn on the Cob (Plant-Based): Savory garlic spread and “cheese”
- Yacht Grub (Near Playalong Bay Play Garden)
- Inspired by Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, offering a variety of seafood dishes and refreshing beverages.
Chelsea explained:
“We had a great opportunity this year to add two brand-new outdoor kitchens with our Yacht Grub and Beach Grub locations. They will be centered around our Playalong Bay areas, paying homage to our next-door neighbors, the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.”
New Topiaries & Gardens
Each year, the horticulture team expands the topiary lineup with new Disney characters, and 2025 is no exception.
- Moana, Maui, Heihei, and Pua will take center stage at the park entrance.
- Groot will be featured near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
- Miguel & Dante (Coco) will brighten up the Mexico Pavilion.
The Heart of the Festival: Guest Experience
Beyond food and flowers, the true magic of the Flower & Garden Festival lies in the experience it provides to guests. Chelsea emphasized how important it is for the festival to feel immersive and interactive:
“From the scavenger hunts to the Garden Rocks concerts, we want people to feel engaged, not just like they’re walking through another theme park experience. We want them to stop, take a breath, and just enjoy the beauty around them.”
This philosophy extends to beloved festival traditions like:
- Spike the Bee’s Pollen-Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt
- Garden Rocks Concert Series (Featuring acts like Air Supply, Rick Springfield, and 38 Special)
- CommuniCore Hall Exhibits, which offer behind-the-scenes looks at Disney’s horticulture magic.
What Are You Most Excited For?
The 2025 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event, celebrating three decades of floral artistry, culinary creativity, and unforgettable guest experiences.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are you most excited to see, eat, or experience at this year’s festival? Do you have an “untouchable” favorite that you’d never want Disney to remove?
Join the conversation in the WDW Radio Clubhouse (WDWRadio.com/Clubhouse and let’s celebrate springtime at EPCOT together!
