Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth serves as backdrop to a colorful scene titled “Great Outdoors,” starring expertly crafted topiaries of Donald Duck, Goofy, Daisy Duck and Pluto. Picture this: Donald presides over a picturesque campsite while Daisy roasts marshmallows over a campfire and Pluto hangs out by his “pup” tent. Goofy is fishing by a real waterfall, but he’s flying by the seat of his pants because his fishing hook has snagged his britches from behind! And that’s just an introduction to myriad festival surprises that fill the 305-acre park beginning in Future World and continuing throughout the World Showcase.
This is the first year that the popular festival begins in early March, and it continues for 75 days through May 16, with bold strokes of seasonal color, 30 million blossoms and 100 carefully constructed topiaries in all. Topiaries created with plants, flowers, mosses and other plant materials represent beloved Disney princesses, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Captain Hook, fairies, butterflies and more. A new American Gothic Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse topiary scene based on the classic 1930 Grant Wood painting will be located at World Showcase Plaza.
The early Flower & Garden Festival opening gives visitors a head start on the gardening season as they explore exhibits and activities geared toward discovery and outdoor fun, says Eric Darden, festival horticultural manager. In past years, the festival kicked off in mid-to-late March.
“The advantage of starting earlier is that we’ll be able to feature more brilliant color than ever, with richly hued petunias, violas, snapdragons and other hardy flowers,” Darden says. “By starting earlier and going through mid-May, it allows more guests than ever to experience the festival and to plan ahead for their spring and summer gardening.”
As a salute to the many community gardens springing up across the country, the Epcot festival will showcase a special Community Garden of tomatoes, beans, peppers, herbs and other edibles tended by Disney’s “fab five” topiary pals – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy, outside the American Adventure pavilion.
Other special gardens, exhibits and children’s play areas are on display in addition to daily park attractions and activities open to all who visit.
The newly expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden welcomes families into the world of Tinker Bell and a cast of colorful topiary characters from Walt Disney Pictures’ latest DVD release, “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.” Fast-flying, sharp-tongued Vidia and charming Terence, who dispenses pixie dust in the film, join Tink and other characters in the garden. Children can participate in hands-on activities and explore Fawn’s Butterfly House, an extension of Pixie Hollow named after the movie’s fairy Fawn.
Guests who linger in the Butterfly House can watch hundreds of the winged beauties flit among nectar-producing plants and, if they’re lucky, can see caterpillars emerge from their chrysalis in a special discovery exhibit.
At the France pavilion in the World Showcase, a Fragrance Garden tells the “love story” of plants and perfume with containers of the many flowers, plants and fruits that make up each Guerlain fragrance. Guests can sample each fragrance at a “lift and sniff” display and sign up for complimentary guided tours of the garden. They’ll also see meticulously shaped, giant topiary perfume bottles, including the Shalimar container familiar to many perfume aficionados. At the Japan showcase, bonsai masterpieces -- some more than one-half century old -- are framed by the vermilion torii gate on the World Showcase Lagoon.
Beds of brilliant color are scattered throughout the park, with eye-popping designs around the Future World’s East and West lakes, and floating gardens of impatiens dotting each waterway.
There’s just as much to do during the festival as there is to see.
Each weekend, the Great American Gardeners series welcomes celebrity gardeners, authors and other experts from across the country to share gardening secrets in seminars. Throughout the festival, Disney horticulturists share tips at Disney Gardening at Home presentations, and every guest present can participate in a take-home activity or planting.
It wouldn’t be a festival without great music. Pop acts like Chubby Checker, Davy Jones and Tony Orlando perform three Flower Power concerts each Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening in the open-air America Gardens Theatre.
And special festival celebrations include Art in the Garden, with plein air artists March 26-28; Florida Farmer’s Market celebration April 23-25; and the popular I Dig Bugs event April 30-May 2.
Learn more about the 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or by visiting disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.