FLOWERS TO EAT , DRINK , AND DISCOVER
BY TRISHA DAAB
The first time my son Austin
tried Disney ’ s iconic Violet Lemonade , he looked at me incredulously . “ I eat the flower ?!?“ Getting this picky eater to drink a beverage based on a flower took convincing . But that ’ s the magic of Disney and the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival .
SEE EPCOT BLOOM Make sure to grab a Festival Passport . These small books are packed with all the festival info , and you can use them to track all the tastes , topiaries , gardens , and games you experience .
Sprinkled around the festival , the playful character topiaries provide a whole new way of experiencing favorite characters like Elsa , Remy , and Mickey . To find out more about where to find these leafy wonders , check out Discovering New Magic on page 54 .
Look up near Test Track to find birdhouses that are home to the purple martins , a colorful breed of Brazilian migratory birds . It ’ s a great time to talk to the kids about birds you see at home and where and why they migrate .
In the Butterfly House , you ’ ll see a variety of butterfly species , caterpillars , and even a butterfly nursery . Time it right , and you may even see a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis .
5 FRESH FESTIVAL FOODS OUR KIDS LOVE 1 . Violet Lemonade at Pineapple Promenade : Edible flowers ! 2 . Frushi at Hanami in the Japan Pavilion : On-the-go healthy snack . 3 . Orange Cream Shake in an Orange Bird Sipper from The Citrus Blossom : An adorable souvenir and refreshing sips all in one ! 4 . Local Wildflower Honey- Mascarpone Cheesecake from Honey Bee-stro : A delicious way to learn about what those pollinators can do . 5 . The seasonal dessert at Sunshine Seasons : Past favorites have included the Flower Pot Cupcake and the Honey Bee Earl Grey Tea Cake with an almost-too-cute-to-eat edible bee . Almost !
NEXT PAGE : Spike ’ s Pollen-Nation Exploration is fun for the whole family . PHOTO BY BRETT SVENSON