LPWire: Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival - LaughingPlace.com: Disney World, Disneyland and More

LPWire: Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival

Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival
April 16 - June 6, 2004

With more than 80 topiaries and 30 million blooms Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival is running a record seven weeks. Through April, May and June guests can enjoy a variety of experiences all centered around the joys of gardening and the beauty of nature including the Disney Gardening Series, the Great American Gardeners series, and more. And in the evening enjoy the groovy sounds of the 60's and 70's with the Flower Power Concert Series. Here's a brief introduction to the variety of events guests of Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival can enjoy:

Disney Gardening at Home Series

Monday through Thursday from April 19th through June 3rd at 11a and 2p, the Festival Center at Innoventions West in Future World will host the "Disney Gardening at Home" series. This series includes a variety of gardening presentations as well as offering information about easy-to-make floral wreaths, how to keep a garden pest-free, and how to save time and money in the garden.

  • April 19-22: "Adding Style With Containers" -- How to make a garden come alive with the perfect container combinations by using contrast, harmony, and movement, with Disney's Mohamad Hamden and Luz Munoz.
     
  • April 26-29: "Birds, Beasts and Other Relatives" -- How to turn a yard into a wildlife haven while attracting, recognizing and appreciating the wonders of nature, by Disney's Grenville Roles.
     
  • May 3-6: "Creative Wreaths For All Seasons" -- Ways to translate nature's beauty to the home year-round in the form of easy-to-make floral wreaths, by Disney's Mary Morlando and the Walt Disney World Florist.
     
  • May 10-13: "Big Show, Little Dough" -- Tips on stretching resources and cultivating gardening creativity at home, by Disney's Heather Will-Browne.
     
  • May 17-20: "Plants With Flavor" -- How to add fresh garden flavor to any meal, with ideas on using herbs to incorporate international flair in everyday dishes, with Disney's Michele Ingram Cole and Chef Darryl Mickler.
     
  • May 24-27: "Bug Patrol" -- Ways to control garden pests with integrated pest management techniques that keep a garden healthy, by Disney's Ray Locke and Kathryn Shimer.
     
  • May 31-June 3: "A Gardener's Kit" -- Essential tools every gardener should own to make gardening tasks easier, with details on selection, use, storage and care, by Disney's Debbie Mola Mickler and Rob Williams

Festival Fun Facts

  • At least 25 different plants, grasses and mosses of various colors, including pink and red begonias, ficus, Mexican feather grass and lichen, are used to create and define features of the festival topiaries.
  • 14 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of five popular perfumes are revealed in the new Fragrance Garden presented by Guerlain at the France pavilion. Guests can sniff the enduring fragrance Shalimar to discover botanical notes that include lemon, Arabian jasmine and vanilla. Components of four other Guerlain fragrances include mimosa, magnolia, rose, nutmeg and Vetiver grass.
  • Nearly 40 varieties of trees, plants and flowers are featured in the new Ultimate Backyard Garden Display presented by The Home Depot between the France and Morocco pavilions.

Festival Weekend Calendar

Premiere Weekend April 16-18

  • The 11th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring HGTV host Paul James.
  • Davy Jones rocks the Flower Power concert series at America Gardens Theatre. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
  • Paul James, a.k.a. "The Gardening Guy" and host of HGTV's "Gardening By the Yard," answers gardening questions and provides helpful insight into this popular hobby as part of the Great American Gardeners series presented by the American Horticultural Society on April 16, 17 and 18 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Festival poster artist Hope Barton signs posters of the artwork she created for this year's festival.

I Dig Bugs Weekend April 23-25

  • Guests discover that bugs are fun and keep gardens healthy.
  • Caterpillars, spiders and more bugs are on display at Disney's Animal Kingdom Bug Zoo in the Wildlife Garden in Future World. At The Land, guests see a working beehive and a Kid's Bumblebee project.
  • Eric Grissell, author of Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of Garden Ecology, reveals the benefits of hard-working garden insects in the Great American Gardeners series presented by the American Horticultural Society on April 23, 24 and 25 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Flik, Princess Atta, Francis, and Tuck & Roll from "A Bug's Life" make special appearances in Future World throughout the weekend at various times from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • The Nelsons is the featured act at the Flower Power concert on Friday, April 23, and BJ Thomas takes the stage April 24 and 25. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
  • Butterflies and ladybugs will be released more frequently throughout the I Dig Bugs Weekend.

Art in the Garden Weekend April 30-May 2

  • Guests can observe landscape artists at work while they capture the beauty of the Epcot gardens. There will be 12-16 Plein Air artists painting at four locations around the promenade of World Showcase from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 1.
  • Festival poster artist Hope Barton signs her artwork for guests.
  • Gary Puckett plays the Flower Power concert April 30 and May 1, and Orleans rocks the crowd May 2. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
  • Listed in Who's Who in American Art, Judi Betts, Art in the Garden Artist, tells guests about painting watercolors of gardens and landscapes as part of the Great American Gardener series at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Located in Future World West, the Sculpture Garden offers beautiful and artistic scenery for guests to enjoy.
  • Budding gardeners can enjoy daily butterfly releases (11 a.m.) and ladybug releases (12:30 and 2:30 p.m.).
  • Children ages 3-9 can enjoy the Kids Paint Out experience located inside the Sculpture Garden daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A half dozen easels and special paint bottles are set out for kids to paint freehand (or any other style) with the assistance of a professional artist nearby.

Mother's Day Weekend May 7-9

  • Gorgeous flower arrangements take center stage at the Mother's Day Invitational Flower Show, and moms are treated to a photo and a flower exclusively on Mother's Day, May 9.
  • Families can celebrate mom at the Mother's Day Brunch May 8-9 at World ShowPlace. Times are 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Guests can make reservations at 407/WDW-DINE. Families can make the day even more special with complimentary photographs on Sunday, May 9, at four locations around World Showcase: Canada, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Germany and Norway, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and in Future World near Innoventions, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • On stage at the Flower Power concert series is The Grass Roots at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
  • Richard Johnson, Guerlain perfume expert, is on hand May 7-9 for the Great American Gardeners series at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Festival Center. For Mother's Day Weekend, Johnson offers insight into the world of fragrance and explains the special relationship between plants and perfume.

Photography Weekend May 14-16

  • Nationally known photographers and artists Steve Vaughn, Maggie Taylor, Burk Uzzle, Leslie Frye and Jerry Ulesmann showcase their work in a new gardening photography exhibit in the Festival Center. Guest photographers present daily at 10 a.m., 1, 3 and 4 p.m. (May 14 only).
  • For children ages 3-9, the Kid's Photo Frame projects take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend on the Rose Walk area.
  • P. Allen Smith, host of "P. Allen Smith Gardens" on The Weather Channel, makes an appearance at the Great American Gardeners series May 14-16 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Festival Center. Smith will show guests how to create simple, yet elegant, garden elements.
  • The Turtles are the Flower Power performers for the weekend. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

FamilyFun Weekend May 21-23

  • The Home Depot supplies children with kid's aprons for some hands-on gardening fun throughout the weekend.
  • FamilyFun magazine hosts two butterfly projects for children ages 3-9 daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the promenade near the Mexico pavilion.
  • The Great American Gardeners series features Jane Kirkland, author of Take a Tree Walk and Take a Backyard Bird Walk, who shows guests how fun a family tree walk can be on May 21-23 at the Festival Center.
  • Flower Power concerts showcase the music of Eric Burdon & The Animals on May 21 and Paul Revere & The Raiders May 22 and 23 at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 pm.
  • Guests can meet some of their favorite Disney characters (and discover a few surprises) throughout FamilyFun Weekend at four Future World locations during various times daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend May 28-30

  • Rosemary McCreary, author of Tabletop Gardens, Houseplants and Taylor's 50 Best Shrubs, will show how to make indoor gardens at the Great American Gardeners series May 28-30 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • On May 28, Arlo Guthrie takes the Flower Power stage, and Felix Cavaliere's Rascals entertain May 29 and 30. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
  • Children ages 3-9 can take part in Field Day activities near The Land with bean-bag tosses, relay races and other outdoor fun.

Festival Farewell Weekend June 4-6

  • At the Festival Center, Central Florida gardening celebrity Tom MacCubbin talks about filling gardens with good things to eat during the Great American Gardeners series June 4-6 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • The Lovin' Spoonful closes out the Flower Power concert series at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
  • Hope Barton, festival poster artist, is on hand for poster signings.
  • Field Day fun continues at The Land for children ages 3-9 with bean-bag tosses, relay races and other outdoor activities

Festival Fun Facts

  • More than 20 flower towers of impatiens line Innoventions Plaza.
     
  • 120 floating mini-gardens of multi-hued impatiens, each three feet in diameter, provide splashes of color on two lakes that border the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.
     
  • 750 container gardens of flowers, herbs, plants and vegetables in clay pots, barrels and urns enhance the landscape throughout Epcot.
     
  • 30 horticulturists from the Walt Disney World nursery and nearly 100 Epcot gardeners maintain topiaries and other festival displays.

Epcot's Flower Power Concert Series

Running concurrently with the 11th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Flower Power will feature concerts daily at America Gardens Theatre at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. and are included with regular Epcot admission.

Here's the lineup:

  • April 16-19 -- Davy Jones
  • April 20-23 -- The Nelsons
  • April 24-27 -- B.J. Thomas
  • April 28-May 1 -- Gary Puckett
  • May 2-5 -- Orleans
  • May 6-9 -- The Grass Roots
  • May 10-13 -- Dave Mason
  • May 14-17 -- The Turtles
  • May 18-21 -- Eric Burdon & The Animals
  • May 22-25 -- Paul Revere & The Raiders
  • May 26-28 -- Arlo Guthrie
  • May 29-30 -- Felix Cavaliere's Rascals
  • May 31-June 3 -- The Buckinghams
  • June 4-6 -- The Lovin' Spoonful

*Entertainment is subject to change without notice. Guest information is available at disneyworld.com. Or call 407/824-4321.

--Posted April 22, 2004
Source: Walt Disney World
Edited by LaughingPlace.com