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2010 OVERVIEW
One
of the most welcome signs of spring is Epcot's
annual International Flower & Garden Festival.
While the grounds at Epcot
are always beautiful, the Flower and Garden Festival
takes them to the next level.
The 2010 theme is "Celebrate the Great Outdoors" with 70 amazing topiaries featuring your favorite Disney characters. The main entrance will have a garden to Celebrate the Great Outdoors!
Throughout Epcot over 70 topiaries will be on display. The Flower Power Concert Series will return as well as special kid's activities and gardening workshops.
Perennial Flower and Garden favorites such as the Flower Power Concert series, Minnie's Butterfly Garden, I dig Bugs, Art in the Garden, Growing Future Gardeners, Great American Gardeners and Disney Gardening at Home will be returning. For the kids, there's Let's Get Moving featuring Evos & Weevos play systems, the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, the Princess and The Frog, and a Bee Scavenger Hunt.
Over at the France Pavilion, there will again be a "lift and sniff" Fragrance Garden focusing on some of the flowers used in making the Guerlain line of perfumes.
Throughout the event, Disney horticulturists will conduct seminars, sharing tips and secrets for you to try at home.
2010 Flower & Garden Review
The 17th Annual EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
by Pete Werner
The perennial (no pun intended) Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is once again upon us. Each year, as spring approaches, Epcot allows the very talented gardeners and horticulturists in their employ to, quite simply, go flower crazy. This year was certainly no exception.
Yes, everything and anything in the Disney universe has seemingly been turned into a topiary – from the old favorites (Mickey and Minnie) to butterflies, fairies, trolls and even tigers made out of – corn (this can be found in China, where I’m quite certain the uncooked corn will make it’s way onto a dinner plate at Nine Dragons – it’s the only culinary crime yet to be committed by the place).
After a somewhat under whelming Food & Wine festival last year, I was prepared to find Disney’s new “Charge More / Do Less” business model on display here. Thankfully, that’s not the case. In fact, I think this year might be one of the best in the festivals 17-year history.
Future World is where you’ll find some of the more creative displays. As soon as you enter the park, Donald, Daisy and Goofy greet you with a display ‘celebrating the great outdoors’. As you wind your way past Spaceship Earth, you’ll find some of your favorite characters from the Lion King, including the iconic image of Rafiki raising Simba for display. Midway between Spaceship Earth and the entrance to World Showcase you’ll find a display of dolphins advertising Disney Nature’s upcoming film “Oceans” scheduled to be released in theaters on Earth Day (April 22nd).
The Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden is expanded this year and it was, arguably, the best of the exhibits on display. Worked into the Fairy Garden is a children’s play area (ages 2-5), which seemed pretty popular with the young ones – as was the practice of stomping on the flowerbeds (this is when the parents need to be slapped). Also tucked back in this area is Princess Tiana’s Wedding Bayou – which is so completely out of place it defies logic. It’s really nothing more than an advertisement for the movie (which conveniently is coming out on DVD and Blu-Ray on March 16th). Instead of topiaries of the films characters, there are cardboard cutouts. This baron desert of creativity stands in stark contrast to the artistry on display around it. In fact, I think it’s almost insulting to the landscape artists who worked to create the real attractions that this uninspired ‘ad campaign’ isn’t out in the parking lot where it belongs.
The Butterfly Garden that has been the brunt of some jokes on our podcast (the DIS Unplugged) is also back this year. The black plastic chains that form the entrance look more like you’re entering a medieval ‘butterfly dungeon’ – and from the number of butterflies stuck to the screened enclosure, you could be forgiven for thinking that the butterflies feel the same way. Sadly, that’s where most of the butterflies were – on the screen – seemingly praying for release. However, there was one adorable little girl that was holding a butterfly tenderly in her hand for what had to be at least 10 minutes (I saw at least four people take a picture of it before I got a shot with my video camera). An image like that is priceless.
Around World Showcase you’ll also find some inspired displays – but it seemed to me as though there was less here than there should have been. Some countries seemed all but forgotten (Mexico, Norway) while others were simply stunning (China, France). Also, if you’ve been to previous festivals, you will see some ‘repeats’ – like Aladdin on his carpet in Morocco and Bambi and friends in Canada; beautiful to be sure – but familiar.
In spite of the minor misses, the festival this year is as good as ever. These creations aren’t easily conjured – they take months of careful planning and attention to detail – something Disney’s ‘flower and garden’ team seem to do repeatedly, all year long, regardless of the event (or the theme park). I found myself looking at many of the details and repeatedly asking “how do they do this?”. Keep in mind that my gardening ability is comparable to my brain surgery skills, but you get the point. Yes, there are many places that do great landscaping, and many of them do it creatively, but I must give Disney their due – nowhere will you find such an epic display of creativity, color and beauty. It really is a sight to see. As in years past, EPCOT will play host to a number of gardening experts on the weekends who will share their expertise in a wide variety of disciplines. Click Here for a list guest presenters for this yeaar's “Great American Gardeners” series.
In addition, each weekend features Disney’s “Gardening at Home” series, which has some of Disney’s own gardening experts sharing some of the tips, techniques and inspiration used to create the festival. Click Here for the topics covered this year.
Also offered this year is the “Gardens Exploration” tour where a Disney horticulturist guides you on a 3-hour tour of the festival. Price is $59 (ages 16 and up only) and can be booked by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687) The 17th annual International Flower and Garden Festival runs thru May 16th.
Featuring music from the 60's and 70's (Show Location America Gardens Theatre):
Show times 5:15pm, 6:30pm & 7:45pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
3/05 - 3/07:
Jose Feliciano
3/12 - 3/14:
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/19 - 3/21:
David Cassidy
3/26 - 3/28:
Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
4/02 - 4/04:
Tony Orlando
4/09 - 4/11:
Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
4/16 - 4/18:
Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons
4/23 - 4/25:
Atlanta Rhythm Section
4/30 - 5/02:
Fran Cosmo/Boston (70's)
5/07 - 5/09:
Davy Jones (60's)
5/14 - 5/16:
Chubby Checker & The Wildcats (60's)
Note: The concert schedule is subject to change without notice
2010 Flower & Garden Festival Highlights
New this year! Community Garden -
Come see Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy topiaries gardening in the special community garden. This garden represents the 2010 celebration "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day."
Fawn's Butterfly House - Test Track Walkway - Presented by Disneynature - This area features colorful foliage with hundreds of free-flying butterflies.
The Garden Town Festival Center - Shop for festival merchandise, watch demonstrations, attend speaker presentations and speak to gardening experts.
Planting Pointers -
Gardening experts from the University of Florida present tips for everyone to become a great gardener.
Offered every Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm.
The Making of the Flower & Garden Festival -
Learn the secrets of how Disney's Horticulture Team puts together the Festival year after year. Offered every Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Ask An Expert - "Master Gardeners" from the University of Florida will be available to answer your gardening questions. Offered
every Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Let's Get Moving - Imagination Walkway - Find Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy in topiaries.
Fragrance Garden - France Pavilion - Hosted by Guerlain, Inc - This beautiful garden captures the fragrances of Guerlain. Complimentary 20 minute tours are scheduled at 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00pm. (Sign up at the Guerlain Shop located in the La Signature shop
Lush Xeriscapes - Imagination Walkway -
Learn How to create fantastic vistas at home and minimize your use of water at the same time.
Garden Town Breakfast- March 21, April 18, May 16 from 10:30 AM-12:30PM. $60.00 per person plus tax. Tip is included. Theme park admission is required. Enjoy a breakfast that includes a selection of items from the items grown in the Land Pavilion. Call 407-WDW-FEST.
Garden Explorations- Epcot Gardens of the World Tour. March 9-May 15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. $59.00 includes tax. Guests must be at least 16 years old. Theme park admission is requires. This is a 3 hour tour. You can register at Guest Relations or for advance registration call 407-WDW-Tour.
March 26-28, 2010- Art in the Garden Celebration. See some unique works of art.
April 23-25, 2010- Fresh from Florida. Visit the Florida Farmer's Market in Garden Town.
April 20, May 1&2, 2010-I Dig Bugs: If you find these tiny garden helpers intriguing, this is the perfect opportunity to see the important role that insects play in horticulture. One of the activities is a "good bug" release.
United Kingdom - English Tea Garden -
Sign-up for a twenty-minute guided tour at the Tea Caddy hosted by Twinings.
Monday - Thursday: 3:30 & 6:30 pm
Friday - Sunday: 2:30, 3:30, 5:00 & 6:30 pm
This site is not affiliated in any way with the Walt Disney Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. This site and the information contained therein represent the opinion of the webmaster. For official information on Walt Disney World,Click Here
One
of the most welcome signs of spring is Epcot's
annual International Flower & Garden Festival.
While the grounds at 
The perennial (no pun intended) Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is once again upon us. Each year, as spring approaches, Epcot allows the very talented gardeners and horticulturists in their employ to, quite simply, go flower crazy. This year was certainly no exception. 
