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EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Opens With Spike Spotlight, New Merch and Adjusted Booth Hours

Opening-day crowds tested a new three-lane rope-drop system for non-resort guests.

Overview

  • The 2026 festival is now running March 4 through June 1, with a free passport listing topiaries, gardens, menus, Garden Graze and Garden Rocks showtimes at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m.
  • Select Flower & Garden merchandise is on sale both online and in EPCOT shops, with Orange Bird, Spike and Alice collections plus Annual Passholder exclusives available in-park.
  • Spike’s Pollen‑Nation Exploration scavenger hunt has returned at $11.99 plus tax, offering a solar‑powered flower pot prize, and a new Spike’s Garden debuts at CommuniCore with nighttime firefly effects.
  • Disney introduced split operating hours for Outdoor Kitchens—Fri–Mon 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and Tue–Thu 11:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.—with Florida Fresh opening at 9:30 a.m. and some CommuniCore food spots scheduled to end service early to prepare for Cool Kids’ Summer.
  • Reporters on site described heavy opening‑day turnout and said the new three‑lane rope‑drop trial led to confusion when lines merged for attractions, a pin release and merchandise.