Comparing EPCOT's Festivals: Festival of the Arts, Flower and Garden, and Food and Wine
By Brian Miller
The theme of festivals also play a big role at EPCOT.
There is no festival with a better theme than the Flower and Garden Festival. From the moment you enter the park, you are greeted with character topiaries, flower displays, and there is no mistaking what festival you are at.
Nothing compares to the F&G and while I'm not a big plant guy, I appreciate all the effort that goes into creating these displays.
Up next, The Art Festival - Festival of the Arts comes in at number two. It has interactive areas that adults and kids can take part in. There are artists located all over the park and you can even take lessons or watch them create.
Along with the artists, there are art displays that are both temporary and art you can take home with you. It's a fantastical-themed festival that goes beyond simple expectations, especially for a festival that doesn't last very long.
Food and Wine Festival - The theme of the festival has been lost for a few years now. A long time ago there were tents that sold wines you were tasting, there were interactive cooking seminars and shows. During those days, the F&W was the ruler of them all.
Mostly that has all stopped but there is a glimmer of return as the World Celebration area nears full completion. For now, it's a tour around the world but never really feels like you are touring the world. Overall, the theme has faded into more or less an excuse to drink and eat, which isn't always a bad thing.
OVERALL RANKING
Everyone has their favorite and least favorites of anything. I admit that my favorite has always been the Food and Wine Festival. I have 10 wine glasses I collected from each year I visited but I haven't purchased any the last three years and probably won't anymore.
If I am going, I get more excited about each festival for different reasons but here is my final ranking.
3rd - Festival of the Arts - too short, not enough options for food or entertainment.
2nd - Food and Wine Festival - Great entertainment, great food options, not themed well and an be kind of boring.
1st - Flower and Garden Festival - Great entertainment, great amount of food options with better taste and attention, perfectly themed that brings more fun to the festival itself.