Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
March 7 - May 20, 2012

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a spring special event filled with Disney character topiaries, a colorful array of flowers, gardens, live music and special presentations. It's where Disney springs to life!

A little gardening magic will go a long way when an eight-foot-tall floral Sorcerer Mickey topiary holds court at the entrance to the 19th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 7-May 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. Standing atop a 12-foot-tall floral mountain cliff and towering above the park's front-entrance topiary bed, the commanding Sorcerer Mickey will direct a riot of color in the manicured shapes of dancing broomsticks, buckets, mushrooms, hippos, alligators and elephants straight from the classic Disney film, "Fantasia."

The front-entrance floral spectacle will welcome guests to a festival packed with new displays, featured speakers and hands-on fun for all ages. For 75 festival days, Epcot guests can explore topiaries and gardens, learn planting, style and design techniques and rock to the tunes of popular Flower Power concerts.

Festival Highlights

• Bambi's Butterfly House, three times the size of the festival's original, will be a-flutter with multiple species of brilliant butterflies. At Imagination Walkway by Innoventions West.
  
  
• Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden - Fabulous Disney fairy topiaries alight to greet young fans who enter this whimsical garden designed with play structures for children ages 2-5. At the Test Track Walkway.
  
  
• The HGTV Designers Stage will present HGTV celebrities each Friday through Sunday and nationally recognized garden personalities Monday through Thursday. At the Festival Center.
  
  
• The Flower Power concert series will welcome back 20th century pop favorites this year when Jose Feliciano, Chubby Checker and The Wildcats, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and eight other bands rock the America Gardens Theatre with their timeless tunes. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Performers and appearance dates subject to change.

Petal Power

Thirty million blooms, 240 floating mini-gardens on two ponds, 700 container gardens of flowers, herbs, plants and vegetables, dozens of Disney character topiaries, 30 "flower towers" of impatiens and sweeping beds of floral designs will create a tapestry of brilliant color across the 260-acre Epcot landscape. It takes more than one full year and 400 Walt Disney World horticulturists to plan and prepare for the 75-day festival. One of the most interesting challenges is finding just the right plant materials to bring the park's topiaries to life.

The front-entrance "Fantasia" rock cliff topiary will be carpeted with a "blackish-purple Ajuga," says Disney plant specialist Heather Will-Browne. White and blue flowers will represent streams of water tumbling down the rock face, she adds, and the "Fantasia" theme will be carried out with masses of hot pink geraniums, blue delphiniums, white poppies, violet petunias and blue pansies, among others. Other show-stopping character topiaries: Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars 2 at the Japan showcase; Buzz, Woody and Lotso the teddy bear from Toy Story 3; and the Fab Five - Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy - outside the Festival Center.

The horticulture team also will plant new landscape looks outside the Italy and Norway pavilions, Will-Browne says. In Italy, gardeners will display a mix of containers overflowing with bright flowers and pots of fragrant herbs used in Italian cuisine. Around Norway, "we'll do a white show of geraniums, violas, snap dragons, poppies and alyssum," she says. A small Norway meadow will feature "a mass of brilliant, wild mixed color." Each of the park's other nine World Showcase countries will feature special festival landscape elements.

Themed Weekends

• Art in the Garden Weekend: See nature through the eyes of "plein air" artists and behold one-of-a-kind works of art. At World Showcase from March 23 through 25, 2012.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Specialists: Meet the experts and learn about incredible indigenous insects that are part of our world. At the Festival Center from April 13 through 15, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day.
• Florida Federation of Garden Clubs: See amazing arrangements that defy description. At the Festival Center from April 27 through 29, 2012.
• Fresh from Florida Weekend: Discover the bounty of Florida-from Apalachicola to Zellwood! At the Festival Center from May 4 through 6, 2012.

Special Displays

Delight in special displays presented by HGTV, including:

• Bambi's Butterfly House, presented by HGTV: Three times the size of the festival's original exhibit, experience hundreds of native butterflies and see some of your favorite characters from Bambi, presented in topiary. Located at Imagination Walkway by Innoventions West.
• Sustainable Beauty, presented by HGTV: This unique garden showcases sustainable gardening ideas that you can try at home.
• English Tea Garden, presented by Twinings of London Tea: Discover the art and history of tea blending during a free 20-minute tour of this elegant English Tea Garden, featuring classic tea blends and new herbal teas for 2012. Tours are held Monday through Thursday at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and Friday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Register in advance for your guided tour at The Tea Caddy located at the United Kingdom Pavilion on the day of the tour. You will be given a ticket for your tour that you can exchange at the end of the tour for several free tea packets. You'll also get the opportunity to sample several cold brew teas. Sign up early as it fills up fast!
• Haiti: Garden of Many Colors, presented by Haiti Originale: This is the first illuminated night garden in the 19-year history of the festival. Learn about Haitian culture both day and night through a variety of experiences, including:
  • Beverages: Taste frozen cocktails featuring Haitian rhums and liqueurs (Guests ages 21 and up only), savor freshly brewed gourmet coffee or cool off with a mango punch that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
  • Arts and Crafts: Kids can get creative by coloring a vibrant "Tap-Tap" (Haitian bus).
  • Shopping: Discover a colorful collection of par Haiti - pour Haiti products. Meaning "From Haiti - For Haiti," this mark denotes quality products grown on Haitian lands and crafted by Haitian hands - and signifies a commitment to consistency, a determination to deliver and a focus on excellence.
• Other Unique Gardens: Plus, enjoy a variety of unique gardens located throughout Epcot theme park:
  • For the Birds, Presented by the National Audobon Society - next to Pixie Hollow
  • Festival Blooms, Presented by Miracle-Gro - located at Future World East and West Lake
  • Water Wise Herbs & Vegetables, Presented by Rain Bird Corporation - adjacent to the Canada Pavilion
  • Spice and Herb Garden - located at the Morocco Pavilion
  • Bonsai Collection - located at the Japan Pavilion
  • Orchids - located at the Mexico Pavilion
  • Sand Sculpture Art, Presented by Disneynature Chimpanzee - Imagination Walkway
• Topiaries: Discover dazzling topiaries throughout the theme park during the festival. Carefully sculpted and deeply detailed, these botanical creations depict Disney characters, classic stories and whimsical designs. Highlights include:
  • Fantasia Mickey, displayed at the front entrance
  • Peacock topiary, displayed behind Spaceship Earth
  • The Fab Five - Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald - displayed outside the Festival Center
  • Fairies, displayed at Test Track Walkway
  • Peter Pan topiary, displayed at the walkway from Future World to World Showcase
  • Bambi and friends in the Butterfly House, located at Imagination Walkway
  • Farmer Mickey and Minnie, displayed at World Showcase Plaza
  • Winnie the Pooh and friends, displayed in the United Kingdom Pavilion
  • Classic Disney couples, displayed between the United Kingdom and France Pavilions
  • Beauty and Beast, displayed in the France Pavilion
  • Lightning McQueen and Mater from the Disney•Pixar film Cars 2, located at the Japan Pavilion
  • Buzz, Woody and Lotso from the Disney•Pixar film Toy Story 3, displayed in the American Adventure Pavilion
  • Lady and Tramp, displayed in the Italy Pavilion
  • Snow White and the 7 dwarfs, displayed in the Germany Pavilion
  • Dragon and panda topiaries, displayed in the China Pavilion

Fun Activities

• Epcot Gardens of the World Tour: A Disney horticulturist is your host on this 3-hour, guided tour designed especially for garden enthusiasts. Available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Register at Guest Relations or call (407) WDW-TOUR. Cost is $59.00, including tax, and theme park admission is required. Available to Guests ages 16 and up only. Please note: Price of the tour is subject to change.
• Let's Get Moving: Unique play structures offer fun for the little ones-the Evos play systems for ages 6 and older and the Weevos play systems for ages 2 through 5. Located at Imagination Walkway.
• Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden: Explore the garden world of Pixie Hollow and find some of your favorite fairy characters presented in topiary. Play structures are designed for ages 2 to 5. Located at Test Track Walkway.
• Toy Story Alphabet Garden: Find some of your favorite characters in topiary from the Disney•Pixar film Toy Story 3. Located at the American Adventure Pavilion.
• Backyard Play Garden: Located between the Morocco and France Pavilions, the Backyard Play Garden invites your family to come, play and take home healthy ideas that will last a lifetime. Designed to spark your imagination and deliver playful activity ideas for kids of all ages - from young Guests to the young at heart. Here, your entire family can enjoy:
  • Fun and healthy outdoor activities for the entire family, so you can enjoy more quality time together
  • The Backyard Fun Bunch Clubhouse, where kids make a pledge to play often, eat well and have fun
  • Delightful adventures that you can recreate in your very own backyard - creative and inspiring!
• Bambi's Butterfly House: Experience hundreds of native butterflies and see some of your favorite characters from the Disney film Bambi, presented in topiary. Located at Imagination Walkway.

HGTV Designer Presentations

Learn to build a better garden with fascinating tips, tricks and techniques from talented HGTV designers and personalities. Presentations are held at the Festival Center at 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV.

Location: On the HGTV Designers Stage at the Festival Center, between Universe of Energy and Mission: SPACE in Future World.

Show Times: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m., from March 7 to May 20, 2012.

Featured HGTV designers include:

• John Gidding, HGTV's Curb Appeal - March 9 - 11
  "Designing for Curb Appeal"
  
  
• Sabrina Soto, HGTV's The High/Low Project - March 16 - 18
  "Decorating Design Tips, Tricks and Savvy Shopping Secrets"
  
  
• Jason Cameron, DIY Network's Desperate Landscapes & Man Caves - March 23 - 25
  "Working Makeover Magic for Desperate Landscapes"
  
  
• Camille Styles, HGTV.com's Design Happens - March 30 - April 1
  "Planning Garden Parties That Are Simple, But Not Your Garden Variety"
  
  
• Dan Faires, HGTV.com's DanMade - April 6 - 8
  "Planning Your Planting with Terrarium, Vertical Gardens and Small Space Greenery"
  
  
• Brandon Johnson, host of HGTV's My Yard Goes Disney - April 13 - 15
  "Bringing Disney Inspiration and HGTV Design to Your Backyard"
  
  
• Meg Caswell, HGTV's Meg's Great Rooms - April 20 - 22
  "Tips for Turning a Good Room Into a Great Room!"
  
  
• Monica Pedersen, HGTV Dream Home Tour 2012 & Designed to Sell - April 27 - 29
  "Make It Beautiful: Designs and Ideas for Entertaining at Home"
  
  
• Antonio Ballatore, HGTV's The Antonio Treatment - May 4 - 6
  
"Design Outside of the Box: How to Personalize, Customize, and Inspire"


• Carter Oosterhouse, from Million Dollar Rooms - May 11 - 13
  "10 Renovation Tips You Need To Know"
  
  
• Genevieve Gorder, HGTV's Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star - May 18 - 20
  "Turning Your Landscape Inside Out"

Whether you wish to learn a few new gardening techniques or simply catch a glimpse of one of your favorite television personalities, each HGTV designer presentation is a special experience that you won't want to miss! HGTV designer presentations are subject to change without notice.

More Festival Fun

At the Festival Center, guests can shop for festival merchandise, attend demonstrations and get ideas and tips from master gardeners, and enjoy delicious refreshments. Located in Future World between Universe of Energy and Mission:SPACE, the Festival Center open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Highlights include:

2012 Topiary Scavenger Hunt - Kids can answer questions about the different topiaries that they find. Pick one up at the Festival Center.

Intermissions Cafe (Hosted by Moet Hennessy USA) - Enjoy fine wines by the glass, English teas, cold sandwiches, salads and light snacks.

Planting Pointers - Get great gardening ideas from the gardening experts at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Visit the Festival Center for daily topics. Show times at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on select days, from March 7 to May 20, 2012.

HGTV Theater - Show times are continuous daily shows, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., March 7 to May 20, 2012.

Ask an Expert - Get your gardening questions answered by master gardeners from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Show times are continuous daily shows, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., March 7 to May 20, 2012.

Merchandise - This year's artwork theme features Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck as topiaries applied to a variety of apparel items, mugs, key chains and more. There will also be a variety of items to decorate your own garden including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as garden gnomes.

HGTV Designers Stage - See informative and entertaining presentations from nationally recognized garden personalities. Show times are every Monday through Thursday at 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m., from March 7 to May 17, 2012.

March

• Faith Savage, "Color and its Impact in Your Home Garden" - presenting March 7 - 8
• Paul Zimmerman, "Roses are Plants, Too" and "Beyond Knockout, The Next Generation of Garden Roses" - presenting March 12 - 15
• Jim Thompson, "Gardening With Bamboo" - presenting March 19
• Melanie Palmrose, "Super Hypertufa Planters" - presenting March 20
• Redenta Soprano, "Botanical Illustration: A Closer Look!" - presenting March 21
• Frank Dasse, "You Too Can Grow Orchids" - presenting March 22
• Jaret C. Daniels, "Pollinator Gardens: Attracting Butterflies, Bees and Birds to Your Landscape" - presenting March 26 - 29

April

• Paul Tukey, "Lawn Games for Life" and "Safe Lawns & Landscapes" - presenting April 2 - 5
• Walter Reeves, "How to be Sherlock Holmes in Your Garden" and "Garden Disasters and How to Avoid Them" - presenting April 9 - 12
• Jim Thompson, "Gardening With Bamboo" - presenting April 16
• Melanie Palmrose, "Super Hypertufa Planters" - presenting April 17
• Redenta Soprano, "Botanical Illustration: A Closer Look!" - presenting April 18
• Frank Dasse, "You Too Can Grow Orchids" - presenting April 19
• Steve Aitken, "Garden Gear: Tools You Need and Gadgets to Avoid" and "Why Doesn't Mine Look Like That: 10 Questions to Ask About Your Garden's Design" - presenting April 23 - 26
• Erica Glasener, "Gardens with Style" and "Striking Container Gardens" - presenting April 30 - May 3

May

• Erica Glasener, "Gardens with Style" and "Striking Container Gardens" - presenting April 30 - May 3
• Danielle Sherry, "Fantastic New Plants for 2012" and "12 Foolproof Vegetables and Fruits" - presenting May 7 - 10
• Jim Thompson, "Gardening With Bamboo" - presenting May 14
• Melanie Palmrose, "Super Hypertufa Planters" - presenting May 15
• Redenta Soprano, "Botanical Illustration: A Closer Look!" - presenting May 16
• Frank Dasse, "You Too Can Grow Orchids" - presenting May 17

Greenhouse Stage - Gardening experts share tips and secrets that you can use in your own garden. Visit the Festival Center for daily topics. Show times every Monday through Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., from March 7 to May 20, 2012.

March

• Scott Shultz, "Trees - Proper Selection" - presenting March 7
• John Groh and Jesse Pacheco, "The Forgotten 4 (soil, mulch, fertilizer & compost)" - presenting March 8
• Robert Bowden, "Cabbage, Collards and Beans-Oh My! A Southerners View on Growing Fruits and Vegetables" - presenting March 9 - 11
• Joseph Rainey, "One Sided Window Boxes" - presenting March 12
• Season Steib & Eric Williams, "The Artful Garden" - presenting March 13
• Doug Mc Kenney, "Garden History" - presenting March 14
• Scott Hulett, "Kids Love Bugs" - presenting March 15
• Rob Zaccaro, "Irrigation 101" - presenting March 16 - 18
• Ed Buhler, "Pest Management-Pest Friendly" - presenting March 19
• Nelson Whittaker, "Topiary in Miniature" - presenting March 20
• Rob Williams, "Epi What? Get Acquainted With Epiphytes" - presenting March 21
• Eric Schmidt, "Dinosaurs in the Garden: Prehistoric Plants for your Yard!" - presenting March 22
• Doug Benedict, "Special Occasion Plants and Projects" - presenting March 23 - 25
• Ed Rehrig, "Kids Love Bugs" - presenting March 26
• Ray Locke, "Pest Management-Pest Friendly" - presenting March 27
• Cindy Stump, "Gardens From Dusk to Dawn" - presenting March 28
• Scott Shultz, "Top Performing Trees" - presenting March 29
• Scott Luers Franklin, "Equipment Care" -presenting March 30 - April 1

April

• Scott Luers Franklin, "Equipment Care" - presenting March 30 - April 1
• John Groh and Jesse Pacheco, "The Forgotten 4 (Soil, Mulch, Fertilizer & Compost)" - presenting April 2
• Joseph Rainey, "One Sided Window Boxes" - presenting April 3
• Season Steib & Eric Williams, "The Artful Garden" - presenting April 4
• Doug Mc Kenney, "Garden History" - presenting April 5
• Jarrod Stewart, "Preserving Your Bounty" - presenting April 6 - 8
• Scott Hulett, "Kids Love Bugs" - presenting April 9
• Ed Buhler, "Pest Management-Pest Friendly" - presenting April 10
• Nelson Whittaker, "Topiary in Miniature" - presenting April 11
• Rob Williams, "Epi What? Get Acquainted With Epiphytes" - presenting April 12
• Ira Wileman, "Horticulture Disney's Heritage" - presenting April 13 - 15
• Ed Rehrig, "Kids Love Bugs" - presenting April 16
• Ray Locke, "Pest Management- Pest Friendly" - presenting April 17
• Cindy Stump, "Gardens From Dusk to Dawn" - presenting April 18
• Eric Schmidt, "Dinosaurs in the Garden: Prehistoric Plants for your Yard!" - presenting April 19
• Nick Baker, "Pruning and Training" - presenting April 20-22
• Scott Shultz, "Trees-Proper Selection" - presenting April 23
• John Groh and Jesse Pacheco, "The Forgotten 4 (soil, mulch, fertilizer & compost)" - presenting April 24
• Ed Buhler, "Pest Management - Pest Friendly" - presenting April 25
• Nelson Whittaker, "Topiary in Miniature" - presenting April 26
• Tracy Pollard, "Roses at the Walt Disney World Resort" - presenting April 27 - 29
• Rob Williams, "Epi What? Get Acquainted With Epiphytes" - presenting April 30

May

• Ed Rehrig, "Kids Love Bugs" - presenting May 1
• Ray Locke, "Pest Management-Pest Friendly" - presenting May 2
• Cindy Stump, "Gardens From Dusk to Dawn" - presenting May 3
• Tom MacCubbinv, "The Edible Landscape" - presenting May 4 - 6
• Scott Shultz, "Trees-Proper Selection" - presenting May 7
• John Groh and Jesse Pacheco, "The Forgotten 4 (soil, mulch, fertilizer & compost)" - presenting May 8
• Joseph Rainey, "One Sided Window Boxes" - presenting May 9
• Season Steib and Eric Williams, "The Artful Garden" - presenting May 10
• Ricardo Bansho Carrasco, "Telling Stories Through Flowers" - presenting May 11 - 13
• Doug Mc Kenney, "Garden History" - presenting May 14
• Scott Hulett, "Kids Love Bugs" - presenting May 15
• Ray Locke, "Pest Management-Pest Friendly" - presenting May 16
• Eric Schmidt, "Dinosaurs in the Garden: Prehistoric Plants for your Yard!" - presenting May 17
• Lewis Brehm, "Fashionable Fabulous Containers" - presenting May 18 - 20

Epcot admission is required. Most Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival events are included with admission to Epcot.

Meet Disney Artist Randy Noble

Above is one of the original watercolor print for sale created by Disney Design Group senior artist Randy Noble. Randy will be meeting with fans in the Flower & Garden Festival merchandise tent on the World Showcase promenade near Canada Pavilion during the following dates and times:

• Friday, March 30 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 28 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 5 - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Staying Informed

One easy way to navigate through this year's festival is to use the Epcot International Flower & Garden mobile site on your smartphone, which you can access by visiting epcotinbloom.com. The mobile version of this site has a map of the events, Disney topiaries and gardens, plus an audio tour and information on Flower Power concerts & HGTV presentations.

Also, if you see a QR code like the one pictured above while viewing a topiary or garden, scan it to learn more information about the display.

Read Some Fun Topiary Facts and Festival Landscape Trivia

Download Festival topiary artwork wallpaper for your computer or smartphone

Special Tables in Wonderland Flower Power Happy Hour Event

Join your fellow Tables in Wonderland members for a cocktail hour and then reserved seating for the Flower Power concert of Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, best known for "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am". The special Flower Power Happy Hour Event will be held at Norway Pavilion on Saturday May 12, 2012 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. For more information on this event, visit our Tables in Wonderland Events page.

Additional Epcot Flower and Garden Festival information for 2012 will be added as it becomes available.

Take a look back at the 2011 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival events

For the latest Epcot Flower and Garden Festival updates, guests may also visit DisneyWorld.com.

Call your travel agent or contact The Magic For Less Travel at (888) 330-6201 to book your Walt Disney World travel during this event.

March 5, 2012