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 2007 theme is "Pirates and Princesses" with 70 amazing topiaries depicting your Disney favorites as Buccaneers and Royalty.
For the very first time, Captain Hook's pirate ship will be recreated in greenery and will include an ivy clad Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.
No Disney celebration is complete without Mickey and Minnie. You can expect the number 1 Mouse to be sporting a sword and bandanna while Minnie will be in princess mode.
Speaking of princesses, expect to see some of Disney's most romantic couples in a flowery embrace. Belle and the Beast, Cinderella and Prince Charming and others will provide unforgettable photo backdrops.
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 as well as last year's Growing Future Gardeners area will be returning.
The 2007 event begins with Paul James, host of HGTV's "Gardening by the Yard" as the celebrity guest from April 5-8 at the Great American Gardeners series presentation.
Over at the France Pavilion, there will be a "lift and sniff" Fragrance Garden focusing on some of the flowers used in making the Guerlain line of perfumes.
Kid's will have a ball at the expanded Tinker Bell's Fairy Garden, and there are daily ladybug releases for the littler visits to particpate in.
Throughout the event, Disney horticulturists will conduct seminars, sharing tips and secrets for you to try at home.
The 2007 International Flower & Garden Festival has expanded from seven to eight weeks and will include Easter weekend. Other than this holiday, this event takes place during one of the less busy times of year.
2007 Flower Power Concert Series
Featuring music from the 60's and 70's (Show Location America Gardens Theatre):
Show times 5:45pm, 7:00pm & 8:15pm
- April 5 - 9: Paul Revere and the Raiders
- April 10 - 14: Tony Orlando in Concert
- April 15 - 18: The Buckinghams
- April 19 - 21: The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie
- April 22 - 24: The Box Tops
- April 25 - 28: The Tokens
- April 29 - May 1: Peter & Gordon
- May 2 - 3: Jose Feliciano
- May 4 - 5: Petula Clark
- May 6 - 10: Nelson featuring the songs of Ricky Nelson
- May 11 - 15: Davy Jones
- May 16 - 19: BJ Thomas
- May 20 - 22: Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill
- May 23 - 26: The Guess Who
- May 27: The S.O.S. Band
- May 28 - 30: Gary Puckett
- May 31 - June 3: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
2007 Epcot Flower and Garden Themed Events:
- "Premiere Weekend" - April 5, 6, 7, 8 - The official kick-off to the 14th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is celebrated on April 5th at 10:00am at the Fountain Stage
- "Garden Party Weekend" - April 13, 14, 15 - Join the Disney Characters at this weekend party
- "Art in the Garden Weekend" - April 20, 21, 22 - "Plein Air" artists display their craft throughout Epcot. In Future World West "Kid's Paint Out" is featured
- I Dig Bugs Weekend - April 27, 28, 29 - 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"
- Cinco de Mayo Weekend - May 4, 5, 6 - Head to the Mexico Pavilion for a weekend long celebration. There will be special activities for kids and specialty beverages offered.
- "Mother's Day Weekend" - May 11, 12, 13 - Among the activities is Mother's Day Brunch in the World Showplace. This special event can be booked by calling WDW-DINE. There will be a Mother's Day floral display. All of the Moms who visit the Festival on May 13th will be given a flower.
- "Teddy Bear and Doll Celebration " - May 19, 20 - This annual event features more than 40 artisans displaying their doll and bear creations. Centered at the World Showplace, the event is open to the public on Saturday from 1 to 5pm and on Sunday from 9:30am to 4pm
- "Memorial Day Weekend" - May 26, 27, 28 - Join in the field games for some good old fashioned fun.
- "Festival Farewell Weekend" - June 1, 2, 3- The final opportunity to enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival
2007 Flower & Garden Festival Highlights
- Pirates and Princesses - Main Entrance - This year's theme with Captain Hook's Pirate Ship created in greenery. The Disney Characters will be wearing Pirate/Princess costumes
- Wildlife Garden - Future World East - Focusing on the natural beauty of Florida, guests will learn how to cultivate their own garden
- 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
- Growing Future Gardeners - Next to the Germany Pavilion - Hosted by FNGLA - Play area for the kids as well as family gardening ideas. Ladybug release at 1:00 and 3:00pm daily
- Tinker Bell's Fairy Garden - Imagination Walkway - Geared towards children ages 2 - 5, this fairyland is sure to be a hit
- 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
- Dynomite Vegetable Garden - Future World West - Hosted by Dynamite - Kids can learn how to grow tomatoes and learn about vegetable gardens.
- 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 - Canada Pavilion - Hosted by Aquascape Design, Inc. - See some great exhibits of the hottest trend in landscaping
- Water Works - Canada Pavilion - Hosted by Rain Bird Corp.- A playful look at the serious subject of using water wisely
- 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
World Showcase Pavilion Exhibits
- 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 - Italian Garden Containers - Learn the secrets of creating cascading floral containers
- Germany Pavilion - Garden Railway - Experience the Flower & Garden Festival in this expanded miniature world
- 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
- China/Germany Pavilions - Disney's Lion King is presented in topiary by the Disney Vacation Club between these two countries
- Morocco Pavilion - The Art of Outdoor Living Garden - Dupont Garden Systems hosts this display found adjacent to the Morocco Pavilion
