Spring is in the air, the Topiaries have returned and the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is upon us!
The Festival runs from March 1 to July 5, 2023, and features food, concerts, topiaries, scavenger hunts and more! We do have new allergy procedures that I’ll link here if you are curious how they manage food restrictions. The Festival does not require an additional ticket, as your EPCOT ticket provides all of the Entertainment. The Booths are an additional food fee, with most items costing from 5-10 dollars for a small sample serving size.
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***As Always, please speak to a qualified restaurant employee when ordering food. In order to see the most accurate ingredients and risk assessment, you will need to confirm allergy safety in real-time. This is my personal experience, I am not employed or endorsed by companies or brands mentioned.***
Examples of what to Expect at Gluten Free Flower and Garden 2023
Not too long ago, Festivals were totally off limits for us, but the team at EPCOT has done an incredible job at making this safe for us!
While there are a few items that are exposed to Cross Contact, these are recognized terms that Disney understands and can disclose when you ask.
All of the items below are “Celiac” Safe if you are comfortable with a shared kitchen with allergen procedures. Several of these items were given to my kids who have a gluten allergy (FPIES) with no reaction. Always go based on your comfort level (I definitely prefer lower lines and being able to watch my food being made).
When you get to the Booth, let them know you have a gluten ‘allergy’, and they can call the Chef to Confirm over the phone, or you can ask for a Food and Beverage Leader to meet with you (could be up to a 30 minute wait).
There are NO Binders or Ingredient sheets at Disney Owned Booths, and there is *sometimes* a binder or ingredient sheet at the Third Party Booths.
The Third Party Booths are France, Japan, Italy, China and Mexico.
Gluten Free Details for booth options at EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival
Not interested in the booths (or need a full meal?). The EPCOT gluten free guide is just what you need!
All Reviews are paid for (nothing is sponsored or endorsed) and reviewed by myself and my team. See the Food Allergy guide for EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival 2023, and the full guide by Disney World here.
This year, it’s a bit disappointing to note that there aren’t any Gluten Friendly Labeled Desserts. I’m hopeful that some of these items are just Friendly and Just not labeled. The update that none of us wanted… the Pastry Chefs that were in charge of bringing those delicious Gluten Free treats are not working the EPCOT festivals this year.
Please leave a note with Guest Services when you visit that you want more Gluten Friendly treats and options.
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EPCOT Farmers Feast (Near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)
Early Bloom Menu (Available March 1 through April 8)
- Chilled Potato and Leek Soup “Vichyssoise” with bacon lardons, potato croutons, chive oil, and crispy leeks (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Since this is a chilled soup, it’s perfect for the weather, and even more perfect for your taste buds! I was very surprised with how delicious this soup was! 5/5 (Sorry for the bad picture, I was so hungry after waiting that I didn’t even get a proper picture!)
Char-grilled Bison Ribeye with creamy leek fondue, no red wine butter sauce (as that sauce has gluten, so ask for the modifications) and Whipped Red Wine Goat Cheese. Modification needed for Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
This is another 5/5 item that I will be going back for again and again!
Spring Solstice Menu (Available April 9 through May 19 )
Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta-Modification needed for Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Summer Solstice Menu (Available May 20 through July 5)
- Barbecued Seared Pork Tenderloin with summer succotash, herb butter, and grapefruit vinaigrette (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
- Sweet Corn Creme Brulee Modification needed for Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Florida Fresh (Near Disney Traders)
Note: Previously these were Gluten Friendly and I expect them to be this year (they used Gluten Free Earth Balance Spread last year with seasonings). Likely something that can be modified.
Yes, all of these are gluten friendly and just not labeled
- Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and spicy corn chips (New) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
- Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and plant-based cotija cheese (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
- Watermelon Salad
Pineapple Promenade (Near Port of Entry)
- DOLE Whip (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Trowel & Trellis Plant Based Booth
In years passed the housemade impossible beef blend was made without gluten. This year it contains Gluten.
Refreshment Port near Canada
Shrimp Scampi Poutine (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Northern Bloom (Canada)
- Seared Scallops with French green beans, butter potatoes, brown butter vinaigrette, and Nueske’s Applewood-smoked Bacon (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
- Beef Tenderloin Tips, mushroom bordelaise sauce, and whipped potatoes with garden vegetables (Modified Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
**** AND Glutenberg Blonde Ale, Montreal which is a Gluten Free Beer on tap in 6 and 12 oz.
Fleur De Lys (France)
Everything has Wheat/Gluten.
La Isla Fresca (between France and Morocco)
Braised Oxtail (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
This is a fan favorite, but I dislike how overpower the spicy and sweet were. It was a very powerful dish. 4/5
Tangierine Cafe (Morocco)
Again like in years past, the Kabobs are Gluten Friendly, but aren’t on any guidebooks.
This year the Hummus Trio is supposedly modificable gluten friendly, BUT I received conflicting information.
Hanami (Japan)
Frushi: Strawberry, pineapple, and lychee wrapped in sweet rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, drizzled raspberry sauce, and toasted coconut
Magnolia Terrace in America, Funnel Cake Stand in America, and Primavera Kitchen in Italy all have gluten/wheat.
BAUERNMARKT: Farmers Market (Germany)
- Potato Pancakes with house-made apple sauce (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
- Potato Pancake with caramelized ham, onions, and herb sour cream (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Refreshment Outpost
- Pineapple Skewer with Tajin seasoning (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Garden Graze)
- Tangerine Soft-serve (Modified to remove cone for Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)
- Quesadilla de Flor de Calabaza: House-made masa tortillas with squash blossoms, bacon, onion, zucchini, and cheese (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
- This is a larger portion, and the most authentic tasting! I did ask several of the staff at the booth and the the Quesadilla was the favorite. 5/5
- Taco Vampiro: Barbacoa Beef in a Corn Tortilla with crispy grilled monterey jack cheese, salsa ranchera, and esquites (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
- Nice flavor, but a smaller portion for the price. 4/5
Lotus House (China)
Spicy Mala Chicken Skewer looks to be gluten friendly according to ingredients. I wasn’t able to get confirmation on shared or dedicated fryers.
Gluten Free Garden Graze Options
If you’d like to complete the scavenger hunt at the back of the Festival Guide Book for a treat (typically a dole whip!), There’s several options to choose from. You only need to get any one item 5 times, so you could theoretically order the same thing 5 times, or mix and match.
Florida Fresh Booth
- Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and spicy corn chips (New) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
- Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and plant-based cotija cheese (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
Refreshment Outpost
- Pineapple Skewer with Tajin seasoning (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Garden Graze)
BAUERNMARKT: FARMER’S MARKET (Germany)
- Potato Pancakes with house-made apple sauce (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Plant-based) (Garden Graze)
- Potato Pancake with caramelized ham, onions, and herb sour cream (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
That’s all for Gluten Free Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT
Next up, we’ve got the Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, again starting in July! Food and Wine is similar to Flower and Garden in that it draws a large crowd, and I’m looking forward to it!
Everyone should eat well on vacation! Learn more common questions and concerns in the Food Allergy FAQ or the Gluten Free Disney FAQ.
Plus the latest Disney News when it comes to Food Restrictions, eats, and offerings. Connect with the MouseEarMemory Gluten Free and Allergy Community at the socials listed below or @Mouse.Ear.Memories