The Hofreiters

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Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2019

Epcot has gussied up the park once again with pretty flowers and characters made out of plants. Lined t he walks with food stands, and convinced us to all spend way too many dollars because the shit is pretty and special. Of course being the sucker I am for something pretty and special, I spent my last day of Spring Break taking in the festival with my friend Hannah.

Let’s start with a couple Toy Story Pals.

Buzz, Woody, and Bo Peep were near the kids playground between MouseGear and Test Track. I loved that Bo Peep even had some sheep with her.

Our first snack stop was Taste Track, we tried the Violet Blueberry Vanilla Croissant Doughnut, $6.50. It was good, but I wish the doughnut part had been warm. I would recommend trying it, but I probably wouldn’t get a second one.

Next snack stop, Trowel and Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods. This Grilled Street Corn, $5.50 is really good, not that I’ve met too many ears of corn I didn’t love. It’s rubbed in a savory garlic spread from heaven and I want to eat this again. Like now please.

Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea feat. Twinings of London and Tito’s Vodka, in a plastic Festival Mason “Jar” $15. Why with the crappy commemorative cups. This thing was flimsy and cheap and I threw it away. Just put my drink in a normal paper cup and let’s save me a dollar and the landfill another plastic cup.

This is the Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Veggies, and Creamy Herb Dressing, $5.50. The meatball had a nice texture, it didn’t taste or feel like fake meat. I don’t love lentils so I only had one bite with the bread, then are the rest with my fingers, like a wild beast.

I was thrilled to see the Three Caballeros made out of plants. I love the Gran Fiesta Tour ride in the Mexico Pavilion and they look so cute here.

Mexico always has some bangin’ food options, but the standout at the Jardin de Fiestas booth this festival is the Tres Leches Cake, $4.50. So cool, moist, and refreshing, which is important seeing as how it’s always Summer in Florida.

The Frozen characters in Norway were adorable. I especially like the Troll.

Alright, enough plants. Time for another snack stop at Lotus House. Hannah tried the House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons, $6.00.

Look and that baby Simba!

Most importantly, we snacked our way through the menu at Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market near Germany. Our favorite snack was the Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forrest Ham and Melted Gruyere Cheese, $5.25. We both had the Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, $4.50 and it was perfect.

The Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries, $4.25, tasted good, but wasn’t all that warm. I probably wouldn’t get it again, but it wasn’t bad.

Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce, $4.50, were good. The potato pancakes were crispy and the apple sauce tasted really nice. The German inspired food booths are always among my favorites. Hannah and I specifically saved room for this booth and we weren’t disappointed.

Our next snack stop was a quick one. We got the Walnut Honey Baklava, $4.50, from Taste of Marrakesh. It was baklava, good, but nothing particularly special.

Kermit was looking quite cute with his bicycle and baguettes.

Oh France, how I love you. We snacked like queens at Fleur de Lys. First, the Tarte au Chevre, goat cheese and caramelized onions tart, $5.50.

I can’t even walk through France, festival or not, without getting an adult slushy. The La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy, $10.75, was probably one of my favorites yet.

This beauty is the Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette, Giant tasty chocolate macaron on a stick, $5.25. It was so big I couldn’t even eat it all and had to share, which I assure you I wasn’t planning to do. You’re welcome, Hannah.

Ummm excuse me, where is Tinker Bell?

Rabbit and Pooh were holding down the fort in the UK.

Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore were also keepin’ it cool in the UK.

Hey Bambi. Fun story, there was a time in college when I used Bambi as my fake name. It was fun.

Thumper and Flower, looking fresh as daisies.

Before we left the park, we snagged a box of maple popcorn in Canada, and then we snuck it on the tram, like a couple of scofflaws. We really know how to have a good time.

Flower and Garden Festival is a really nice festival, the weather isn’t horrible yet, the flowers and plants are beautiful, and the snacks and drinks are always good.

Have you been to Flower and Garden Festival this year? What should I try on my next visit? Leave your favorites in the comments below.