Flower and Garden Festival (Disney World 2025)
Disney World has always felt like a second home to me. This recent trip marked my 25th visit, and for my girlfriend Anna, it was her 2nd. It was also our first experience utilizing our new Disney Vacation Club membership, making this journey particularly special.
Our adventure kicked off with the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, a new experience for us both, as we'd previously only attended the Food and Wine Festival. Epcot was beautifully adorned with vibrant topiaries and countless floral arrangements—even floating pots beneath the monorail! One standout highlight was the enchanting butterfly tent, where hundreds of butterflies fluttered around us and cocoons hung delicately, offering a magical glimpse into their lifecycle. Nearby, we stumbled upon a fascinating bird hatchery. A Disney caretaker showed us tiny nests filled with hatchlings, explaining their conservation efforts. Moments like these truly encapsulate the hidden wonders of Disney.
We stayed at our home resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, with a breathtaking view of Caribbean Beach from our 4th-floor room. Having previously stayed exclusively at Caribbean Beach as a child, this view was a comforting, nostalgic bonus. Our spacious room boasted luxurious amenities including two showers—one featuring an incredible rainfall showerhead that left us wishing for one at home. Additionally, for our last night, we enjoyed a spectacular theme park view from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Watching Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from our balcony was an unforgettable way to close out the trip.
The journey to Disney, however, was a feat in itself. We tackled a grueling 18-hour, 1200-mile drive. Anna and I alternated driving, surviving on just about an hour and a half of total sleep. Upon arrival at 6 AM, our room was not yet ready, prompting an ambitious and exhausting decision: after a quick coffee, we headed straight to Hollywood Studios for early resort entry, though we opted for shopping at Galaxy’s Edge and breakfast at Woody’s Lunchbox instead of rushing to attractions.
Dining remains a central joy for us at Disney, and this trip was no exception. Each day featured a new culinary adventure. Highlights included our last-ever dinner at Mama Melrose, marking a bittersweet farewell as Disney transitions from the beloved Muppets theme to Monsters Inc. We enjoyed exquisite meals at Hollywood Studios' Brown Derby and Epcot’s Chefs de France—where I tasted real champagne for the first time and Anna devoured a pork shank so tender it literally fell off the bone. When Coral Reef’s menu unexpectedly changed, we embraced spontaneity, exploring festival booths around Epcot. Tutto Italia Ristorante and 1900 Park Fare provided additional culinary delights, with the latter offering a whimsical buffet paired with delightful character interactions from Aladdin, Mirabel, Tiana, and Cinderella. We even discovered Docking Bay 7 at Galaxy’s Edge—a surprising gem for quick-service dining.
Amid all this excitement, we prioritized experiences Anna had missed previously, carefully balancing must-see attractions with leisurely exploration. Remarkably, we achieved nearly all our goals, skipping only the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Animal Kingdom Safari. Though I love the safari, we decided to save that magical experience for a future stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, sipping coffee as wildlife roam outside our balcony.
Anna’s favorite experiences included the thrilling Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a first-time adventure for her. In the middle of wandering Epcot we remembered that we wanted to see Fantsamic so we rushed to Hollywood Studios—only to see Fantasmic briefly halted just minutes after starting. Thankfully, the show resumed swiftly, much to our amusement, adding yet another memorable anecdote to our Disney adventures. This was our only real “rush” to get somewhere.
In contrast to my childhood trips, meticulously scheduled to the minute, this visit felt wonderfully relaxed. Our approach, organized yet flexible, allowed spontaneous moments of joy, whether strolling leisurely through Tomorrowland or savoring treats at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in France, now firmly our favorite Disney dining spot.
Disney continues to capture our hearts. Each visit offers unique memories, and our dream now includes experiencing every festival at Epcot and eventually visiting every Disney park around the globe. Until then, we cherish each magical trip, always planning the next Disney adventure.
