{"id":1869,"date":"2011-04-06T08:00:30","date_gmt":"2011-04-06T12:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_ms_news\/?p=1869"},"modified":"2022-05-04T21:58:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T01:58:49","slug":"epcots-18th-annual-flower-and-garden-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/epcots-18th-annual-flower-and-garden-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Epcot&#8217;s 18th Annual Flower and Garden Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>By Carol Garcia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_ms_news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/sign2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1873\" title=\"Epcot Flower and Garden Festival\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_ms_news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/sign2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/block.jpg\" alt=\"Block\" hspace=\"5\" width=\"258\" height=\"266\" align=\"right\" \/>For  those of us who live in a dreary, gray climate during the winter, a  trip to Epcot&#8217;s Flower and Garden festival can be just what the doctor  ordered. A breath of spring in a beautiful setting can go a long way  toward chasing away the winter blues.<\/p>\n<p>This year marks the 18th anniversary of the Flower and Garden  Festival. While I&#8217;m not sure anything this year is extremely new or  innovative compared to previous years, I really enjoy the event. It&#8217;s a  time to wander the park, enjoy the scenery, snap a few (hundred) photos,  and just take it all in. When travelers discuss taking time to smell  the roses, there is no better time to do it than during this festival.<\/p>\n<p>Although the festival is sponsored by HGTV this year, we only  found that to be prevalent in the guests speakers. The festival center  (formerly the Wonders of Life pavilion) hosed the HGTV Designers&#8217; Stage,  featuring a line up of HGTV personalities offering presentations over  the weekends of the festival.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the festival center, there are special displays  throughout the park. There is a butterfly garden, Pixie Hollow Fairy  Garden, festival merchandise, presentations, Flower Power concerts  (weekends only), and of course lots of gardens and topiaries. Rather  than explain the event, let me show you some of the highlights.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/ts3.jpg\" alt=\"Toy Story 3\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The topiaries begin right at the entrance of the park. The first display features characters from Toy Story 3. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><!--more--><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-top: 50px; margin-bottom: 50px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/festivalcenter.jpg\" alt=\"Feastival Center\" vspace=\"50\" width=\"316\" height=\"236\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/festivalcenter2.jpg\" alt=\"Festivale Center 2\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Scenes from the Festival Center.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/taniya.jpg\" alt=\"Taniya\" width=\"350\" height=\"348\" \/><\/em><br \/>\n<em>HGTV personality Taniya Nayak gives a design presentation.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/mickey.jpg\" alt=\"Mickey\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>A picnic complete with kite flying is depicted here. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/butterfly1.jpg\" alt=\"Butterfly Garden\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/> <em><br \/>\nBambi&#8217;s Butterfly House is filled with beautiful creatures&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/butterfly2.jpg\" alt=\"Butterfly2\" width=\"350\" height=\"326\" \/><br \/>\n&#8230;like this one&#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/bambi.jpg\" alt=\"Bambi\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n&#8230;and these familiar friends.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/fairy.jpg\" alt=\"Fairy\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/tink.jpg\" alt=\"Tink\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Just two of the many fairy topiaries in the Pixie Hallow Fairy  Garden. Also in this location is a meet-and-greet with the fairies (now  that they&#8217;ve been relocated from Toontown), and games for the kids to  play. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/cats.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Just a small portion of the enormous sand sculpture promoting the <\/em>African Cats<em> movie to be released on Earth Day.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/pooh.jpg\" alt=\"Pooh\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/><br \/>\n<em>There is a large Winnie the Pooh display near the Fountain. Pooh and friends are all available for photo opportunities. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/floatinggarden.jpg\" alt=\"Floating garden\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The floating flower arrangements flank the entry to World Showcase. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/mcqueen.jpg\" alt=\"Lightening McQueen\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><em><br \/>\nLightening McQueen greets guests in the Cars display. This is an  amazing example of the attention to detail in some of the displays. You  can just see pictured here that the flowers create a road for the car,  and there are also plant materials creating the lines on the road. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/flags.jpg\" alt=\"Flags\" width=\"350\" height=\"259\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Flags depicted in plants grace the entrance to World Showcase.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/hook.jpg\" alt=\"Hook\" width=\"350\" height=\"279\" \/> <\/em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/pan.jpg\" alt=\"Pan\" width=\"197\" height=\"279\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The Peter Pan display.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/greenliving.jpg\" alt=\"Green living\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/><\/em><br \/>\n<em>The Art of Green Living display showed the beauty of edible plants, and offered watering solutions. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/lumiere.jpg\" alt=\"Lumiere\" width=\"250\" height=\"326\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/potts.jpg\" alt=\"Mrs. Potts\" width=\"238\" height=\"326\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The France pavilion has Beauty and the Beast topiaries. Around  this area is also a display of different perfumes and the plant what  make up those fragrances. It&#8217;s quite interesting to see the flowers and  smell the combination of them at the same time. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/lightpost.jpg\" alt=\"Light Post\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The roses are all ready for stopping and smelling.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/japan.jpg\" alt=\"Japan\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Bonsai display in Japan.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/america.jpg\" alt=\"America\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The topiary garden next to the America pavilion features &#8220;America the Bountiful.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/america2.jpg\" alt=\"MinnieMickey\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><\/em><br \/>\n<em>Mickey and Minnie greet visitors to the America pavilion.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/flowerpower.jpg\" alt=\"Flower Power\" width=\"300\" height=\"391\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/Thomas.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas\" width=\"250\" height=\"391\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The Flower Power concert series is presented weekend evenings and features popular musical acts from the 60s and 70s. <\/em> <em>Mickey Thomas of Starship is pictured here during a Flower Power appearance. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/ladytramp.jpg\" alt=\"Lady &amp; the Tramp\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Lady and the Tramp are displayed.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/tangeled.jpg\" alt=\"Tangled\" width=\"275\" height=\"400\" \/><br \/>\n<em>While Rapunzel can&#8217;t actually be seen, she must be in her tower since her hair can be seen hanging from it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/snowwhite.jpg\" alt=\"Snow White\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/> <\/em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/dwarves.jpg\" alt=\"Dwarves\" vspace=\"30\" width=\"331\" height=\"246\" \/><em><br \/>\nSnow White and the dwarves hanging out in Germany.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/pumba.jpg\" alt=\"Pumba\" width=\"343\" height=\"301\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/timon.jpg\" alt=\"Timon\" width=\"222\" height=\"300\" \/><br \/>\n<em>The <\/em>Lion King<em> display is among my favorite. There are some wonderful colors and the characters are very realistic. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/mexico.jpg\" alt=\"Mexico\" width=\"250\" height=\"333\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Beautiful birds near the Mexico pavilion.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The photos here only scratch the surface of what is  displayed. Oh, and of course all of the regular Epcot rides and  attractions are all still here. The Festival this year will continue  daily through May 15.<\/p>\n<p>I find myself wondering if I would build a trip  around this festival, and I realize, that I did. Spending time at Epcot  in the sun viewing the amazing Flower and Garden displays was quite  relaxing. The concert series and presentations added to make sure great  memories.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/tripplanning\/news\/ms\/2011\/images\/FlowerGarden\/thanks.jpg\" alt=\"Thanks\" width=\"350\" height=\"262\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Carol Garcia &nbsp; For those of us who live in a dreary, gray climate during the winter, a trip to Epcot&#8217;s Flower and Garden festival can be just what the doctor ordered. A breath of spring in a beautiful setting can go a long way toward chasing away the winter blues. This year marks&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":202,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6189],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/202"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1869"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79470,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869\/revisions\/79470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}