Walt Disney World's Epcot has always been a laid back theme park designed more for adults than children with the World Showcase collection of areas with themes of different countries and various other themed pavilions.
The theme park has a few rides and attractions adults and older kids will like, such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, or maybe Soarin' Around the World. Younger kids might like the Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway Pavilion or maybe Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion. But the park doesn't have the amount of rides that Disney World's Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios offer.
Magic Kingdom is geared more toward children of all ages with rides such as Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant or "it's a small world," while older kids, teens and adults might prefer a few thrill rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or the new Tron Lightcycle/Run that opens April 4. Of course, there's always Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Hollywood Studios has the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land with the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run rides for adults and older kids. Younger children can enjoy Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad, Toy Story Mania or TriceraTop Spin.
Following Epcot's more adult-themed approach to a theme park, the Disney (DIS) park hosts four different festivals throughout the year to provide guests with interesting exhibits and high quality musical acts, as well as a break from walking around the massive property. Epcot consists of 305 acres, almost three times the size of Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Epcot is currently featuring the International Festival of the Arts which runs through Feb. 20, 2023, and includes culinary arts, performing arts, visual arts, and the popular annual Disney on Broadway Concert Series in the American Gardens Theatre.
The theme park also hosts the International Food and Wine Festival from mid-July to sometime just before Thanksgiving, then presents the International Holiday Festival from sometime around Thanksgiving until the end of December. Disney has not yet revealed the specific dates for these festivals this year.
Image source: Walt Disney
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Stages Classic Music
But Disney just scheduled its Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival for March 1 through July 5 that includes a lineup of classic rock, pop, and rhythm and blues groups bringing a blast from the past.
International Flower & Garden decorates Epcot with signature topiaries based on Disney's classic characters that are the premier attraction of the Flower & Garden Festival. However, the musical acts will feature spectacular performances from at least 31 classic artists like Blue Oyster Cult, Berlin, The Pointer Sisters, Herman's Hermits, Kool and the Gang, The Spinners, The Commodores and many more that are sure to pack the American Gardens Theater. Guests can be sure that the festival will feature a menu of impressive foods and drinks as well.
All guests need is a valid Epcot admission ticket and reservation for the day they plan to attend and the concert is free.
Plenty of Rock, Pop, Rhythm and Blues Hits the Stage
Leading off the Garden Rocks Concert Series is former Journey lead vocalist Steve Augeri, March 3-4; Daughtry on March 5-6; Tommy DeCarlo, who became Boston's lead singer in 2008, March 10-11; Smash Mouth, which performed a cover of "I Wan'na Be Like You" for "Jungle Book 2", March 12-13; Mike DelGuidice, a guitarist and vocalist in Billy Joel's Band, March 17-18; Blue Oyster Cult, March 19-20; Berlin, March 24-25; The Pointer Sisters, March 26-27 and two-time Latin Grammy nominee Luis Figueroa.
The lineup continues in April and May with Latin pop group Piso 21, April 1-2; Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, April 7-8; Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles, April 9-10; Switchfoot, April 16-17; A Flock of Seagulls, April 21-22; Jo Dee Messina, April 23-24; Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, The Voice Of Player, April 28-29; Kool and the Gang, April 30-May 1; Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, May 5-8; The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, May 12-15; Jim Croce's son A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce, May 19-20; Christian band Casting Crowns, May 21-22; Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago, May 26-27; and Rick Springfield, May 28-29.
Rounding out the series in June and July are Plain White T’s, June 2-5; The Spinners, June 9-10; The Commodores, June 11-12; Vertical Horizon, June 16-17; Tony Orlando, June 18-19; Simple Plan, June 23-26; Living Colour, June 30-July 1 and Wang Chung, July 2-3.
