The team discuses the 2007 Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot.
2008 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 2008 theme is "Fun in the Sun" with 70 amazing topiaries featuring your favorite Disney characters.
When you come through the main entrance, you'll find a 14 foot tall Goofy 'surfing' a 6 foot 'wave' of plants and blossoms.
Mickey and Minnie will be at the beach party posing on a flowery beach towel surrounded by starfish, tropical palms and sandcastles.
If you're looking for Donald and Daisy Duck, head to the World Showcase. They'll be depicted in topiaries playing a game of beach volleyball. You may not want to go near the water when you see Stitch on the lifeguard stand. Pluto will be close at hand playing with sand crab topiaries.
Sailors will be put to the test as they try to decode the message spelt out in the flower beds depicting nautical flags. These will line the shores of the East and West lakes in Future World.
If you're missing last year's pirates theme, don't despair. You'll find topiaries of Captain Hook at 'Peter Pan's Neverland Garden' along with Tinker Bell, the Croc and of course, Peter Pan. This pirate ship garden will feature a shaded play area that will be great for the kids.
Perennial Flower and Garden favorites such as the Flower Power Concert series, Minnie's Butterfly Garden, I dig Bugs, Art in the Garden, Mother's Day festivities, Growing Future Gardeners, Great American Gardeners and Disney Gardening at Home will be returning. For the kids, there will be Pluto's Play Zone, daily ladybug releases and the Peter Pan Neverland Garden.
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.
The 2008 International Flower & Garden Festival has expanded from 60 to 70 days and will include Easter weekend. Other than the weeks preceding and following this holiday, this event takes place during one of the less busy times of year.
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"Opening Ceremony" - March 19: The official kick-off to the 15th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is celebrated at 9:50am at the Showcase Plaza
"Premiere Weekend" - March 21 - 23
"Characters in Bloom " - March 28 - 30: Join the Disney Characters at this weekend party
"Art in the Garden Weekend" - April 4 - 6: "Plein Air" artists display their craft throughout Epcot. In Future World "Kid's Paint Out" is featured
"Wellness" April 11 - 13: Take part in outdoor activities designed to promote good health
"Green" April 18 - 20: The focus is on conservation and reducing waste
I Dig Bugs Weekend - April 25 - 27: 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. Click Here for our 2005 Review of "I Dig Bugs"
"Florida Farmers Market" - May 2 - 4: Browse among the displays at this mega Florida Farmers Market
"Coming up Roses " - May 9 - 11: Featuring 1000's of varities of roses. Among the activities is Mother's Day Brunch in the World Showplace.
"Garden Party " - May 16 - 18: Disney Characters host fun parties
"Outdoor Living " - May 23 - 25: - Tips for creating your own backyard haven as well as specialty food and beverages for outdoor entertaining
"Festival Farewell Weekend"- May 31 - June 1: The final opportunity to enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival
Fun in the Sun - Main Entrance - Cowabunga! Goofy hangs ten and rides the surf in this year's celebration of "Fun in the Sun"
Green Garden - Future World East - Focusing on a low maintenance and environmental friendly approach to gardening
Mower Mania! - Future World East - Hosted by Toro, test your mowing skills by navigating a remote controlled mower. An exhibit of mowers from push to power is on display
Peter Pan's Neverland Garden - Imagination Walkway - Hosted by ValleyCrest Landscaping Solutions, Inc. & Cherry Lake Tree Farm - Designed for ages 5 and under, this area features topiaries of characters from Peter Pan
Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden - Test Track Walkway - Hosted by D&D Construction Services - This area features colorful foliage with hundreds of free flying butterflies
Dynamite Vegetable Garden - Future World West - Hosted by Dynamite Plant Food - Learn how to grow a great vegetable garden
Florida's Wildflowers - Imagination Walkway - Hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture - The efforts of wildflower growers is featured as they create natural beauty throughout the State. There's a fun activity for kids
Tricks of the Trade - Future World West - Disney's talented Horticulturists give you a behind the scenes look at how they create and maintain the beauty of Disney World
Sculpture Garden - Future World West - A garden setting is the perfect backdrop for this display of outdoor art
Water Garden Wonders - Location TBA - Hosted by Aquascape Design, Inc. - See some great exhibits of the hottest trend in landscaping
Fragrance Garden - France Pavilion - Hosted by Guerlain, Inc - This beautiful garden captures the fragrances of Guerlain. Complimentary 20 minute tours are schedueld at 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00pm. (Sign up at the Guerlain Shop located in the La Signature shop
Morocco Pavilion - Spices of Life -Exhibit featuring spices from around the globe
Japan Pavilion - Bonsai Collection - The ancient art of Bonsai is featured in the Japan garden setting
Italy Pavilion - Amore nel Giardino (Love in the Garden) - Learn the secrets of creating cascading floral containers
Germany Pavilion - Growing Future Gardeners - Tour a variety of gardens to inspire creating your own backyard harvest. There's a play area for the kids and this is where the little ones can take part in the daily Ladybug releases at 1:00 and 3:00pm
China Pavilion - Penjing (Chinese Bonsai) - The art of creating miniature trees as originated by the Chinese.
China Pavilion - Topiary Chinese Zodiac - Find your Chinese Zodiac sign portrayed in greenery
Norway Pavilion - Norway Troll Trek - Find the hidden rock and forest trolls in the gardens of Norway
There's a change of venue for 2008. These sessions are now hosted inside the Wonders of Life Pavilion.
March 19 & 20: Roger Swain, "Gardening Bright From the Start" - Host of PBS' 'The Victory Garden' kicks off the Festival with
March 21 - 23: Joe Lamp'l (joe the gardener) , Green Gardening - Environment friendly tips for today's gardener
March 28 - 30: Ellen Zachos , Prehistoric Planting - Learn how ancient species of 'dinosaur' plants create a fun garden
April 4 - 6: Shirley Bovshow, This TV host will instruct you how to bring a touch of artistry to your garden
April 11 - 13 : Jeffrey Rustuccio, Get Fit Through Gardening - Learn how to garden without the usual calluses, muscle and back aches. Turn your time on your garden into a fitness routine
April 18 - 20: Tovah Martin, - This respected author and guest on PBS' 'Cultivating Life' will discuss Garden Stewardship and how historic gardens can transition to current trends. Ms. Martin will also give tips from top 'green' pros.
April 25 - 27: Felder Rushing , Author of 'Passalong Plants', acclaimed horticulturist and NPR host, Felder Rushing will discuss SLOW - Slow Gardening. Learn about resilient shrubs, herbs and flowers and learn how to grow 'designer' veggies in containers and your flower beds.
May 2 - 4: Tom MacCubbin , Extension Agent Emeritus with the University of Florida, writer and local media personality, Tom MacCubbin will instruct you in converting your landscaping into a bountiful harvest of foods your family will enjoy.
May 9 - 11: Raymond Western,
Guerlain perfume specialist will discuss how you can plant a fragrant garden and what blooms become part of their fragrances
May 16 - 18: Robert Bowden,director of Orlando's renowned "Harry P. Leu Gardens" will give tips for weekend gardeners as well as talk about plants of different textures, colors and habits
May 23 - 25: Melinda Myers, TV Host and author, this gardening expert will share tips in creating gardens in small spaces as well as maintaining gardens with year round interest
May 31 - June 1: Jon Carloftis, author of "First A Garden" and "Beyond the Windowsill" shares his expertise in bringing nature into all of your surroundings
Disney garden pros are here to share their secrets and insights. Each seminar includes hands-on activities that you can bring home.
This twice daily workshop takes place at 11:00am and 2:00pm Wednesdays through Sunday. Note that seating is limited and is first come - first served
March 19 - 23: "Bromelaids? Take a Closer Look" - Hosted by Barbara Albright and Rob Williams - Learn how to care for these colorful plants
March 26 - 30: "Garden-Sense-Sations: - Hosted by Tracy Fischer and Matthew Pollard - Create a garden that appeals to all the senses
April 2 - 6: "It's a Small Garden After All" - Hosted by Season Steib and Stephen Skalak - Learn the latest trends in creating a garden in the smallest of spaces
April 9 - 13 "Gardening Math-Add, Divide and Multiply" - Hosted by Ken Howell and Ed Buhler - Learn how to successfully grow plants from seeds and cuttings
April 16 - 20: "Going Green in Your Own Backyard" - Hosted by Doug McKenney and Ed Rehrig - This workshop is for families who want to learn fun things plants can do for us and how to simple it is to go 'green' when planting your garden
April 23 - 27: "Home Tweet Home" - Hosted by Nick Czerkies and Scott Franklin - Your garden can become a haven for birds, butterflies, small animals and beneficial bugs
April 30 - May 4: "Make a Difference - Plant Trees " - Hosted by Scott Shultz and Gary Gavin - Learnhow planting a tree can have long term benefits for the environment
May 7 - 11: "Take a Walk Through Our Roses " - Hosted by Michele Ingram Cole and Jessie Mack Burns - Learn the history of the beautiful roses found throughout Disney World as well as tips for maintaining the different varieties of this bloom
May 14 - 18: "Heirloom Gardening From Past to Present " - Hosted by Cindy Stump and Amber Young - As heirloom plants become more prominent, learn of their history and how to grow and pass along these treasured species to future gardeners
May 21 - 25: "Weird and Wonderful - Carnivorous Plants" - Hosted by Ira Wileman and Susan McLaughlin - Learn about the unusual varieties of insect eating plants
May 28 - June 1: "Bedding Plants - Amaranthus to Zinnia" - Hosted by Allison Brooks and Lewis Brehm - Learn about the 3 million bedding plants used throughout Disney World and how you can enhance your own gardens with these plantings.
From the past: 2006 Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival
Opening Ceremony with the release of "
The Art of Disney: Romance Commemorative Stamp Series" Click Here for Pictures
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