🌷 Springtime in the parks
Flowers, festivals, and delightful weather
Springtime is coming, and that means festival season at the Disney and Universal resorts.
The weather is pretty much perfect in both LA and Orlando, crowds are generally low, and the parks have lots of extras going on. It’s a great time to visit, especially for adults.
ICYMI, here’s my post about why adults should consider a theme park vacation
There are four big spring events going on at the four major US resorts. I’m starting on the West Coast today because WOW - Universal Studios has a really cool event coming up.
Special springtime events at Disney and Universal
Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest
After-hours, special ticketed event, weekends April 25th - May 18th
This is a new event exclusive to the west coast. Described as “if Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con had a baby”, Hollywood Fan Fest allows fans to completely step into the worlds of Star Trek, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, Anime, Nintendo, and even Dungeons and Dragons.
Guests will be allowed to dress in cosplay, and every fandom gets to play in every special zone every night. This is not just the park after hours, there are all sorts of interactive experiences, plus characters, and of course themed food too.
The Back to the Future section is located on the original Hill Valley movie set. The Star Trek walk-through includes the actual Enterprise bridge used in Star Trek: Picard. In the Wizarding World, you’ll meet a baby dragon and a niffler.
Tickets start at $74. Universal’s official information here.
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Included with park admission, February 28th - April 21st
Disneyland’s festival hub is almost always California Adventure. This spring brings back the always-delightful Food & Wine Festival.
You’ll find special food booths throughout the park, with all kinds of culinary delights, adult beverages, and treats. There’s also extra entertainment, winemaker dinners at Carthay Circle, and culinary demonstrations. Plus of course you get to meet Goofy in his chef costume!
The festival also features special tasting events. Join a class to learn more about California wines, beer, and cider. Or join a mixology lesson, or even a wine and chocolate pairing.
Here’s the official info about California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Included with park admission, March 5th - June 2nd
It’s kinda the granddaddy of them all. Since 1994, Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival has welcomed spring to Disney World.
This beautiful festival features fields of flowers, wonderful Disney-themed topiaries, and of course lots of special food & bevs - and merch 😉 There is also a concert series, included for free, featuring bands like Rick Springfield, Air Supply, and .38 Special.
Here’s the official info about Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras
Included with park admission, February 1st - March 30th
Universal Orlando’s fun spring event is centered around Mardi Gras. The festival includes a special parade, entertainment, and of course, food and drinks. (See a pattern here?)
One of the most unique experiences at this festival is the ability to ride on one of the Mardi Gras parade floats. Yes, you can be the one tossing the beads! (Don’t get any ideas - this is a family-friendly event 😉).
Universal’s festival also features concerts, included in regular admission. Bands here range from T-Pain to Foster the People and even Kool & the Gang.
Here’s the official info about Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras
Which event do you want to see? Let us know in the comments
Check out my other project, Go Informed Plus
I was inspired to write a “newbie” post about Bluesky, and it birthed a new free publication. Go Informed Plus will be the space for topics outside of theme parks. Here’s the one & only post so far - you can join the mailing list there too 👍
