A Front Row Feast: My Garden Rocks Dinner Package Experience at EPCOT

 

Spring at EPCOT means one thing to me—it's time for the Flower and Garden Festival. The park comes alive with vibrant blooms, stunning topiaries, and the kind of fresh, floral energy that makes just walking around feel like a celebration. But nestled within all that magic is a gem I look forward to each year: the Garden Rocks concert series. Free with park admission, these performances are always fun, but for the second year in a row, I went all-in and booked the Garden Rocks Dinner Package. Front row seats, a delicious meal, and live music? Yes, please.

This year, I chose to dine at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion, an easy pick for a steak lover like me. 

Since I was running the next day, I opted for the earliest performance at 5:30 p.m., which meant a 2:50 p.m. dinner reservation. An early dinner suits me just fine, especially when it means I’ll be in bed early and up with the sunrise.

The package at Le Cellier was priced at $99 and included an entrée, their famous bread service, and dessert. While drinks weren’t part of the deal, I couldn’t resist ordering my favorite cocktail—the Ottawa Apple. Worth every penny.

The bread came out first, and I have to pause for a moment of silence. Their pretzel bread alone is reason enough to book this meal, and the butter? Let’s just say it had a touch of maple sugar and probably should be illegal. I could’ve eaten that and left happy. 

But then came the main event.

I ordered the Filet Mignon, which was served with mushroom risotto, Pomodoraccio tomatoes, truffle butter sauce, and petit herbs. It was cooked perfectly and so tender that my knife practically slid through it. The flavors blended beautifully, rich and earthy with just the right amount of brightness from the tomatoes. 

For dessert, I went with the Maple Crème Brûlée—silky, sweet, and caramelized to perfection. I left feeling beyond full and only slightly ashamed that I enjoyed it all so thoroughly. 

No regrets, but yes, I did waddle out of there.

With a happy heart and a very full stomach, I made my way to the American Gardens Theater. This is the real magic of the dinner package: preferred seating. It usually means the front or second row, and for the second year in a row, I ended up right in the front. Nothing beats that view, especially when the music starts.

This weekend’s performers were The Orchestra, featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II. I’ll be honest—they’ve aged like any rockers do: a little rough around the edges. But age didn’t affect their performance. 

They may move a bit slower than they used to, but their energy was still very much alive. The music took over and they delivered hit after hit, including Evil Woman, Sweet Talkin’ Woman, and Hold On Tight. Each performance during the festival is about 30 minutes long, but it flies by when you're singing along to classics. I left the theater humming all the way back to my resort, fully satisfied—body, soul, and stomach.

If you’re planning to visit EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival and want a truly memorable experience, I highly recommend the Garden Rocks Dinner Package. Whether you're a foodie, a music lover, or just someone who appreciates a good seat — it's well worth the price. Just be sure to book early, because those front row spots, they’re magical… and they go fast.

Until next year, Garden Rocks. I’ll be back — steak knife in one hand, concert ticket in the other.