It’s hard to believe another Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival has come and gone. For me, this year’s food left a lasting impression in more ways than one.
Most would agree the food is the biggest draw. The 2026 menu included many familiar favorites and a few new (to me) entrees. I always attend F&G with a strategy because it’s almost impossible to try every single offering, even if you go a few times a week (assuming you’re a local).
I tried a good number of entrees and beverages this year but I’m only mentioning the most worthy and notable favorites from the menu. I might as well throw in my favorite topiaries and festival merch as well.
– FAVORITE FOOD –
Seared Scallops
This entree was served at the Northern Bloom booth and I remember it’s been a menu offering for the last three years. It’s described as seared scallops with French green beans, marble potatoes and bacon vinagrette. I didn’t try it in 2024 but I did in 2025 – I was not impressed.
The scallops were just okay, a tad overcooked and under seasoned while the green beans tasted as if they came straight from the garden. The potatoes were literally just boiled. How? These ingredients are too simple to foul up like this.
Somehow my instincts led me to try the scallops again this year and as always my instincts were spot on.
I don’t know who was in the kitchen cooking this year but they’d better come back for 2027. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned to the gods, a complete 180° from last year. It was so good I went back a few days later for another serving.
The second time I had it they used the Purple Majesty potato variety. The biggest difference was presentation. The Purple Majesties overshadowed the scallops in size but both varieties were equally good in flavor and texture.
The portion size was perfect for the price. It was one of the healthier options offered which made it worth a try.
Spicy Chicken Gumbo
Magnolia Terrace in the America Pavilion served Spicy Chicken Gumbo. This was my first time trying it and of course I was concerned. Everybody can’t make authentic Louisiana style gumbo. Disney surprised me this time, it was actually pretty good for a theme park. The best part was the serving size, it filled me up so it was worth the price.
Grilled Gulf Oysters
I’m new to grilled oysters so when I saw them on the menu I was excited. The last time I had them was on my most recent trip to New Orleans. Of course I had concerns but after watching so many guests pick up their oysters and seeing how good their plates looked, that was enough to boost my confidence to order them.
The presentation was everything and oh, the aroma of well seasoned grilled oysters is indescribable. You had to be there. The dish came with a lemon wedge and a tiny bottle of hot sauce – best believe I used the entire bottle. Don’t skip the oysters if they bring them back next year.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
I raised my eyebrow high when I first saw this on the menu. Having grown up eating Caribbean food from just about every Caribbean country, I’m very particular and quite critical of Caribbean food served outside of the places I normally frequent.
The closer I got to the La Isla Fresca booth that familiar, warm jerk aroma hit me hard. It was enough to lower my eyebrow back down and convince me to try it.
It came with fried plantains (pronounced “PLAN-TINS”) and rice & peas. Disney put some razzle dazzle on the plantains with cinnamon butter – interesting. It was good but I’ve never had plantains like that. I prefer them fried the traditional way, nothing on them. I get it though, Disney wants to make plantains more appealing for a broader, uninformed and unfamiliar audience, right? Right.
Let’s address how the Jerk Chicken fell short. The rice was parboiled (❌) and I’m still searching for the peas in the rice & peas (❌❌). As far as flavor I tasted more parboiled rice than anything else (❌❌❌). Remember, this is the theme park version of Jamaican rice & peas so I already knew better. Next year put the razzle dazzle where it’s desperately needed, on the rice & peas.
The jerk chicken saved this entree. The color, texture and flavor was on point. I was caught off guard by how spicy it was, definitely not the level of spicy I’d expect from theme park food. Not gonna lie, I was impressed. This was another winning dish solely because of the chicken and plantains.
Blackened Fish Slider
The Fish Sliders were impressive as well. Florida Fresh at Communicore Hall served them fresh and hot, topped with lettuce, a fried green tomato and Cajun remoulade on a toasted Brioche bun.
Presentation was fantastic. The fish was well seasoned and perfectly cooked, but the menu never disclosed what type of fish it was. Who knows, it could possibly be a fresh water LWTL variety👀, but whatever it was, it was good. Seriously, am I the only one questioning the fish?
Conch Fritters
Florida Fresh surprised me this year by serving Bahamian style Conch (pronounced “Konk”) Fritters. When I see a regionally and culturally specific food like this served at theme parks I’m always skeptical of the quality and effort put into maintaining its authenticity and flavor.
I had the conch fritters three times this year. The first time I wasn’t that impressed. The second time there was improvement, more conch and more flavor. The third time they were a tad bit over cooked but very flavorful.
Despite the inconsistency I still enjoyed them – not bad for a theme park. No comparison to authentic conch fritters from the Bahamas but I would definitely get them again.
Chicken and Waffles
The Honey Bee-stro once again served up a fan favorite, the Chicken and Waffles. Last year was my first time trying this entree and it blew me away. I’ve never had chicken and waffles so fresh, piping hot, perfectly seasoned and prepared.
The waffle had a sweet, subtle cornbread flavor that paired well with the chicken. The presentation was lovely and the portion size was very filling. I could make this a complete meal.
I came back this year with high expectations for the Chicken and Waffles, only to be let down terribly. The waffle was on the dry side and not as fresh as I remembered. The chicken was a bit overcooked and tough, making it difficult to cut and chew. Disappointed is an understatement. I’ve heard similar opinions from other guests so there was definitely an issue this season.
Maybe it was just a fluke. That’s why I decided to wait until next year before I try it again. I’m hoping it makes a big comeback like the Seared Scallops.
– FAVORITE DESSERTS –
Chocolate-Maple Whisky Cake
I tried this cake for the first time in 2025 and I was disappointed. It wasn’t fresh and I noticed an artificial chocolate aftertaste. I gave it another chance this year and just like with the Seared Scallops, now I’m singing its praises.
I couldn’t get enough of this cake. It was rich and decadent, a chocolate lover’s dream. Some people I know who’ve tried it noticed no difference in the cake from the last two years so perhaps my taste buds were off or maybe my cake wasn’t fresh. All I know is the cake was delicious this season and I can’t wait to have it again next year.
Coconut Panna Cotta
The menu describes this dessert as Coconut Panna Cotta with a Cherry Gelée and Matcha Crumb topped with a Citrus Cookie, Plant-based Meringue and Flower Confetti.
I didn’t notice a distinct coconut flavor but it was still tasty. The cherry flavor was subtle and perfectly sweet. I especially loved the smooth, creamy texture. It was served at room temperature but I would have preferred it chilled. Overall I enjoyed it and I’d definitely order it again.
FAVORITE MERCH
New festival merch is released every year but I rarely buy any, except this year I couldn’t pass up the 2026 F&G Annual Passholder T-shirt.
Believe it or not this is my only WDW Passholder shirt so it was definitely a special purchase this season.
– FAVORITE DRINKS –
Sparkling Blackberry Wine
Northern Bloom serves this bright sparkling blackberry wine every year. I love that it’s poured to the brim. I had to take a few sips first to keep from spilling it as I walked.
It’s bursting with berry flavor with the perfect alcohol content for us lightweights to enjoy.
Frozen Island Escape
This nonalcoholic drink is described as a Minute Maid Peach and Mango Smoothie featuring an Outshine Frozen Mini Fruit Pop. The citrus flavor wasn’t artificial tasting. It was perfectly sweet, tangy and a must try.
Citrus Slushy
Served at the La Isla Fresca booth between France and Morocco Pavilions, this tart/sweet slushy is tasty and refreshing as well. You could make it even more tangy by squeezing the lime wedge garnish into it – so good! It’s served alcoholic or nonalcoholic.
Cucumber Watermelon Slushy
This slushy drink was also served alcoholic or nonalcoholic at the Florida Fresh stand in Communicore Plaza. The cucumber and watermelon flavors balanced each other well, and it wasn’t too sweet. I loved the bright red color and the watermelon chunk for garnish was perfect. Add this one to your must try list for next year.
– FAVORITE TOPIARIES –
Princess Tiana
Princess Tiana is my favorite Disney princess as well as my favorite F&G topiary. Isn’t she pretty? You’ll find her poised and picture perfect in the America Pavilion every year.
Kermit the Frog
Miss Piggy
Kermit and Miss Piggy were placed in a different location this year, just past the Northern Bloom booth. They’re always a fan favorite but especially this year with the recent reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster featuring the Muppets.
Winnie the Pooh
Piglet & Eeyor
Pooh and his friends popped up in a different location this year and I think I prefer their 2025 spot in the UK Pavilion over this one.
Elsa and Anna
The Elsa & Anna topiaries are always located front and center in the Norway Pavilion. Obviously no other location would make sense!
Mickey Mouse
Every year you’ll find the popular Mickey and friends topiaries at the Bridge to World Showcase section of World Celebration. This happens to be one of many Disney PhotoPass locations in the park as well as one of the busiest.
Moana, Hei Hei & Pua
Maui
Moana and friends graced the main entrance in 2025 but moved to World Showcase between Disney Traders and Port of Entry this year. You run right into them walking on the Bridge to World Showcase toward World Celebration.
Bo Peep, the sheep & Woody
Back in 2025 these Toy Story topiaries were located between Communicore Hall and The Land. This year they were front and center at the main entrance, along with Buzz Lightyear and the Pixar ball.
I’ll be honest, the main entrance presentation was underwhelming, mainly due to the small scale of the topiaries. They were so small it was almost difficult to see them, especially Buzz Lightyear. To me the visual imbalance was an eyesore which made it tricky to compose decent shots for photos.
Flower & Garden is my favorite WDW festival and if I had to recommend one for a first timer it would be this one. There’s so much more to experience besides the food, merch and topiaries but I would highly recommend focusing on the food first.
I’d give most improved entree to the Seared Scallops and Chocolate-Maple Whiskey Cake, second runner up goes to the Conch Fritters. Most satisfying entree goes to the Jerk Chicken (not the rice & peas). Most filling entree was the Spicy Chicken Gumbo. Best Presentation goes to the Grilled Gulf Oysters and most disappointing goes to the Chicken and Waffles.
As with any Epcot festival, the best way to experience it is purely subjective. That’s something you’ll figure out for yourself once you go.
On your next visit, pick up a Festival Passport just inside the main entrance or at the register of any festival food booth queue. It’s your personal guide to everything Flower & Garden has to offer. It kicks off late Spring/early Summer every year, just in time for the end of school and the start of Summer vacation season.
Mo Goes | The Blog 