National Parks and Disney? Yes! At the Epcot International Flower Festival

Part of this trip was provided free for review purposes. The opinions are solely that of the writer.

The Carful of Kids enjoy Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival with Park Ranger Mickey.

The carful of kids love our national parks and we've spent years driving to the corners of our country to explore them. So why are the carful of kids exploring Disney during National Parks Week? What does Disney and the National Parks have in common?

Disney is a sponsor of the National Park Service's Centennial. I was a little shocked to hear that myself. I love Disney and I love our national parks but they are kinda different. Right?

I think this is my favorite topiary. I love Lady! If she would fit in the overhead bin on the flight home, she would be mine.

On our recent trip to Walt Disney World during Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival, I find Mickey as a Park Ranger in the National Park Foundation's garden. Mickey celebrates the National Park's Centennial and encourages kids to find their park.

Snow White and her Dwarfs bring a smile to my face.

Every spring since 1994, the International Flower and Garden Festival plants itself in Epcot. From the first week of March until the last week of May, plant lovers gaze and daydream as they wander through the amazing displays.

Who doesn't love Cogsworth? 

With over 70 topiary displays with Disney characters of every generation, I love meandering through Epcot's World Showcase discovering each display. Each character is a piece of plant art and I take a few minutes to discover the details in each.

Cinderella and Her Prince dance away the afternoon in shades of green. 

On the weekends, Epcot comes alive with music with the Garden Rocks Concert Series. A free concert located in the America Gardens Theatre brings national acts to the World Showcase.

France's Beauty and the Beast is a crowd pleaser. 

The floating gardens catch us by surprise. They float and turn under the monorail near the Odyssey Bridge and the International Gateway.

Tea? Yes, Please. I love the tea-themed garden in the United Kingdom.

Next to the floating gardens, the carful of kids explore the butterfly garden that's sponsored by Go-Go Squeez. After chasing butterflies, the carful of kids slurp an apple sauce pouch down in one gulp.

I love the Traditional English Garden dedicated to Shakespeare in the United Kingdom. 

Along with the themed topiaries, some of the countries have themed gardens too. In Japan we find a display of Bonsai. In the United Kingdom, I'm enchanted in the Shakespeare Garden.

Be sure and find Epcot's Garden Railway in Germany for the kids. 

If your kids aren't as enchanted with the International Flower and Garden Festival, find the kid-pleasing miniature outdoor train. I'm as delighted as my boys with Epcot's Garden Railway located in Germany.

After the sun fades, the topiaries glow after dark.

As the sun dips and the light begins to fade, the topiaries transform again. Thanks to their lighting the topiaries glow into the night.

The International Flower and Garden Festival has special menu items throughout Epcot's World Showcase. In the outdoor kitchens that are sprinkled in the countries, I find farm-to-table items that are fresh alternatives for families.

Up Next: My Review of Walt Disney World's Caribbean Beach Resort