Flowers and Butterflies, Oh My!
For so many years I found myself visiting the Walt Disney World Resort only during the summer. It seemed that it had to be June, July, or August for me to head to Orlando.
Then a few years ago, I decided to take a brief solo trip to get a taste of this animal called the International Flower and Garden Show. My thoughts were that it would be a one-shot deal and that I’d come away with the experience of observing all that occurs during the Festival and that would be it. I was wrong.
The trip was a very eye-opening experience and it must have made an impression on me because I am gearing up for my third spring trip in as many years.
Why am I going back? What is its draw? Have you considered taking a trip to Walt Disney World during the International Flower and Garden Festival?
Today, let’s look at exactly what this festival is about—maybe it will help you decide if the Flower and Garden Festival is for you.
Epcot, Epcot, Epcot!
If you are an Epcot fan, you are going to love the International Flower and Garden Festival. Actually, let’s make a correction right now. The official name is Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival. You get the picture… we’re talking Epcot, Epcot, Epcot.
So if you are neither a flower nor an Epcot fan, you may want to rethink whether you want to visit Walt Disney World during the festival.
From the moment you step through the Epcot turnstiles during the festival, you get the sense that Epcot has got a bit extra going on.
During the Festival, Epcot is the home of many special topiary designs and the first of these are found at the front of the park in front of Spaceship Earth.
Mickey and Friends greet guests to Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival. Photo by Mike Scopa.
These topiaries can be found throughout the park in such areas as near Innoventions Plaza, near the fountain and of course at the world Showcase Plaza area that is located just in front of the World Showcase Lagoon.
What will you see? In past years, the topiaries in front of the park have usually been those of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. I have also seen a huge topiary of Tinker Bell with lights on it.
Tink topiary in front of Spaceship Earth. Photo by Mike Scopa.
I have seen a group of topiaries behind Spaceship Earth. The Innoventions Plaza
area has had Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and at World Showcase Plaza,
Fantasia is usually well-represented.
Snow White and seven dwarfs topiary greeting guests as they head towards World Showcase. Photo by Mike Scopa.
Throughout the park, there are exhibits that show how topiaries are made.
World of Color
Remember the old television program, Disney’s Wonderful World of Color? You can use that moniker for Epcot during the International Flower and Garden Festival. In fact, you will never see Epcot immersed in as much color as you do during the festival. The aforementioned topiaries of course are surrounded by many flowers.
One of the most anticipated moments I have when I go during the festival is the winding path from Future World through the rose gardens near the Canadian pavilion. It’s more than just color though; it’s about fragrance as well. I can’t describe the fragrance but I wish I could bottle it up and release it in my own garden at home.
Bambi and friends just outside the Canadian Pavilion. Photo by Mike Scopa.
Did I also mention that the Epcot waterways between Future World and World Showcase are filled with floating flower displays? Or that there are several amazing flower displays of such things as butterflies on the grounds?
Butterfly shaped flower arrangement adds color to Epcot. Photo by Mike Scopa.
Walking through Epcot during the International Flower and Flower Festival puts you, dare I say, in a type of Disney Zone. You are surrounded by beautiful colors, and you are forever enjoying the fragrance of the many different flowers that you cannot help but feel relaxed. It’s a definite reason for my return every year.
As you leave Epcot’s Future World and before crossing over the bridge that connects Future World to World Showcase, there is a path just behind MouseGear. If you walk up that path you will come across Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden. This garden is set inside a screened tent and is just filled with butterflies and those flowers favored by these beautiful creatures. You haven’t lived until you’ve spent some time in this butterfly garden.
A topiary Minnie Mouse enjoying the butterfly garden. Photo by Mike Scopa.
I believe last year was the first year for the butterfly garden. I was pretty amazed at what I saw. The exhibit shows butterflies in different stages of development and you can actually witness the emerging of a butterfly from its cocoon. You don’t see that everyday.
Throughout Epcot, guests can take in all kinds of events that are focused on gardening, including as demonstrations and seminars on various topics. It is a gardener’s paradise. Here is a brief description of what I am looking forward to seeing this year:
- Backyard Garden Party – This shows how to go about turning your backyard into an entertaining environment for parties.
- Tricks of the Trade – Imagine being able to talk to the Disney horticultural experts and find out some secrets that I can use at home to help spruce up my garden.
- Water Garden Wonders – I’m not into building water gardens but I’m always curious as to new ideas.
- Penjing (Chinese Bonsai) – I’ve always been fascinated by the art of Bonsai… so I will check this out… not to be confused with Japanese Bonsai.
- Italian Container Gardens at Italy Pavilion – I’ve recently started using containers as a garden alternative around the house… so I will look into this.
- Shishi-odoshi (Clacker Garden) at Japan Pavilion – I love this clacker garden… you will see musical instruments come to life… powered by water.
- Bonsai Collection at Japan Pavilion – Japanese Bonsai.
- WaterFULL World – I like the idea of anything that talks about conservation,
and this is one of those areas at the F&G F that does just this.
- Behind the Seeds Greenhouse Tour – I’m seriously thinking about doing this tour. Its only $12.
- Ladybug Release – I know this happens every year and I miss it. I hope to catch it this year.
- Tinker Bell’s Fairy Garden – I need to check this out too.
Clacker Garden in World Showcase’s Japanese pavilion. Photo by Mike Scopa.
So as you can see… there are lots of things to see and do in Epcot and I know I missed a few things here and there.
Themed Weekends
During the course of the Festival there will be special themed weekends.
Some of these weekends focus on areas such as Garden Art, Mother’s Day, Teddy Bears, bugs, and my favorite which is a special weekend devoted to the Disney characters.
Here is the complete list:
- April 21, 22 & 23 – Premiere – Opening weekend for the 13th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
- April 28, 29, & 30 – Party in the Garden.
- May 5, 6, & 7 – Art in the Garden
May 12, 13, & 14 – Mother’s Day
- May 18 – 21 – Teddy Bear and Doll
- May 19, 20, & 21 – Characters in Bloom
- May 27, 28, & 29 – Memorial Day (Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
- June 2, 3, & 4 – I Dig Bugs
- June 9, 10, & 11 – Festival Farewell
Flower Power Concert
The Flower Power Concert is comprised of singers and groups from the 60’s and the 70’s.
They perform in the American Gardens Theater directly across from the American Adventure.
I won’t list the entire roster of performers but some recognizable names are Gary Puckett, B.J. Thomas, and Tony Orlando.
Guests take in a late afternoon Flower Power Concert at the American Gardens Theater. Photo by Mike Scopa.
With a few exceptions the shows are not that crowded and it gives you a chance to just relax and listen to a few songs and enjoy the atmosphere.
Walt Disney World in the Spring
Of course there is much more going on in the spring at Walt Disney World than the International Flower and Garden Festival.
Another reason for going is Star Wars Weekend and new this year, the Minnie Marathon Weekend.
So with spring in the air, low heat, low humidity, and low crowds, you can understand why I am hooked on visiting Walt Disney World at this time of year.
The flowers, colors, and fragrances just make it easy to…
…Remember the Magic.
Next Time
It’s time to have some fun and look at the attractions around Walt Disney World and apply what I call “Randomization Imagineering.”
I really think that it’s more than a pipe dream… it may be the future of theme park attractions.
We’ll talk about it next time.
Class dismissed.
