Introvert hack: book a Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Package
Introversion Insight:
Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. Uncertainty can make an introvert anxious. While we’re at it, let’s avoid crowds. Large groups of people can drain an introvert’s social battery quickly.
The Garden Rocks Concert Series takes place each year at EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival. These concerts are included in your EPCOT park admission.
2023 show schedule
Glass Ceiling
March 1 & 2
Steve Augeri, former Journey lead vocalist
March 3 & 4
Daughtry
March 5 & 6
Audio Exchange
March 7–9
Tommy DeCarlo
March 10 & 11
Smash Mouth
March 12 & 13
Element
March 14–16
Mike DelGuidice
March 17 & 18
Blue Oyster Cult
March 19 & 20
The Vybe
March 21–23
Berlin
March 24 & 25
The Pointer Sisters
March 26 & 27
The Female Collective
March 28–30
Luis Figueroa
March 31
Piso 21
April 1 & 2
Melina León
April 3
Epic Live!
April 4–6
STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 7 & 8
Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles
April 9 & 10
Foreigners Journey
April 11–13
Blue October
April 14 & 15
Switchfoot
April 16 & 17
Evolution: Motown
April 18–20
A Flock of Seagulls
April 21 & 22
Jo Dee Messina
April 23 & 24
The Hooligans
April 25–27
Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, the voice of Player
April 28 & 29
Kool & The Gang
April 30 & May 1
Finesse
May 2–4
Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 5–8
Latin Ambition
May 9–11
The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
May 12–15
506 Crew
May 16–18
A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce
May 19 & 20
Casting Crowns
May 21 & 22
M-80s
May 23 to 25
Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago
May 26 & 27
Rick Springfield
May 28 & 29
The Champagne Orchestra
May 30–June 1
Plain White T's
June 2–5
Glass Ceiling
June 6–8
The Spinners
June 9 & 10
The Commodores
June 11 & 12
Element
June 13–15
Vertical Horizon
June 16 & 17
Tony Orlando
June 18 & 19
Foreigners Journey
June 20–22
Simple Plan
June 23–26
Epic Live!
June 27–29
Living Colour
June 30 & July 1
Wang Chung
July 2 & 3
Evolution: Motown
July 4 & 5
For each of these dates, there are three performances: 5:30 p.m. 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m.
You can also add an optional dining package. Let’s see how it works and why it might be a good option for introverts.
How it works
Decide which musician and restaurant
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation, your dates may not revolve around a single act’s performance at Garden Rocks. (Or maybe they do because you’re a big Rick Springfield fan. Don’t forget to pack your Jessie’s Girl T-shirt.) It may just be the luck of the draw based on when you’ll be at the parks—and more specifically when your EPCOT day is.
Keep in mind dining packages are only available Friday through Monday.
Once you know your date and musician, it’s time to pick your restaurant. For 2023, you have eight to choose from:
I’d recommend Le Cellier. (We did Coral Reef just to check it off our list.)
Compare prices
Is the Garden Rocks Dining Package a good deal? No, not really. Even if you pick the most expensive items on the menu, you may not come out ahead. But you're not booking a dining package because of the value. More on that soon.
Adult prices below are for ages 10 and up; child prices are for ages 3 to 9.
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: $74 | $48
- Biergarten Restaurant: $60 | $34
- Coral Reef Restaurant: $69 | $27
- Garden Grill Restaurant: $66 | $43
- Le Cellier Steakhouse: $95 | $36
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue: $35 | $20
- Rose & Crown Dining Room: $59 | $25
- Spice Road Table: $47 | $20
Make the reservation
You can book your dining package online, through the My Disney Experience app, or by phone (407.939.3463) for lunch or dinner up to 60 days in advance. Keep in mind the reservation time has to be 2.5 hours before showtime. So if you opt for dinner, it may be an early dinner. The system will automatically pick your showtime when booking online. If you’d like a different showtime, it’s best to call.
If you want to wing it, you can also try for a same-day dining package at Regal Eagle Smokehouse. Visit the restaurant that day to see what’s available.
Dine at restaurant
I hope you’re hungry because the dining package includes a nonalcoholic beverage, an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for each person.
For Akershus, Biergarten, and Garden Grill, it includes a nonalcoholic beverage and full buffet/family-style meal for each person.
For Spice Road, each person receives a nonalcoholic beverage and two small plates. The table receives a shared dessert platter.
You’ll order from the restaurant’s regular menu. There isn’t a special Garden Rocks menu. Your server will know you have the dining package and can explain your options, if needed.
Attend concert
You’ll be given your show tickets at the restaurant at the end of your meal. The tickets say to arrive 15 minutes before showtime; however, if it’s a popular musician or you just want to be as close to the front as possible, I would show up 30 minutes before.
The Garden Rocks Dining Package guarantees you a seat, but it doesn’t guarantee you a certain row or seat.
Concerts take place at the American Garden Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. There are two queues. If you’re facing the theatre, the queue on your right is standby. The queue on your left is just for dining package guests like you. The queues are clearly identified with large signs.
Once you show the Cast Member your ticket, you’ll be directed to the section reserved for dining package guests. It’s first come, first served, so pick where you want to sit. This section is typically the front left section, so you’ll have a good seat for the show.
Why the dining package is for introverts
So what are you really paying for? For D•Introverts, it’s peace of mind. You have a guaranteed seat for the show, so you’ve eliminated the potential worry and anxiety of not knowing if you’ll get in. This is especially helpful when it’s a popular musician since capacity may be reached for the standby sections.
Speaking of standby, you don’t have to camp out early in a long standby queue that’s only partially shaded. So you’ll avoid that crowd and have more time to roam World Showcase. Win and win! It’s a much more relaxed, VIP experience. And as you know, it’s always nice if you can have less stress during an already stressful vacation.