First Timer @ Epcot Flower and Garden

[Icecoldpenguin]

So I have read all the stuff on what is going on at the Flower and Garden festival but I was hoping that people with first hand experience could give me some tips and pointers on things to do, what to look for, what the neat things are? I am hoping it is a really cool scene to see and that there will be more gardens and stuff to look at but as I have said I have never been. I am a big flower photographer and macrophotography person so I really want to go to take pictures of flowers. Anyone that can help me understand would be awesome.

~Teresa

 

[WEDWDW]

100 Topiaries.

MILLIONS of blooms.

Just get out your camera and start shooting.

Flowers are literally everywhere.

The most interesting Topiary this year is Peter Pan-he is ON THE ROOF of United Kingdom.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

very cool thank you! This leads me to ask another question where is everything located or is just all around you?

 

[msmama]

It's all around you. It starts, literally, as you walk in the gate (maybe even before).

The flowers are generally part of bigger displays so taking pictures of single blooms may be harder (never tried it).

The old Wonders of Life pavillion has some stuff going on - I think that's where there are lectures and stuff, and maybe some shopping areas. Wasn't worth it the one time I walked through it. Unless you're into gardening, then maybe it would be.

There are other tents set up for shopping along the World showcase and topiaries to represent all the countries.

It's lovely - this will be my third Flower and Garden fest and I'm starting to think I'd be disappointed going to Epcot without it!

 

[CarolineB]

download the festival map
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/

If you're going with kids, they'll probably like the 3 play ground areas and the games at the Oz area. If you play the games, you'll get free marigold seed packets.

The butterfly house is pretty but the fairies from last year are being re-used here -- I liked last year's display better because it had Bambi and Thumper.

This year has the food kiosks which may interest you. The Dole Whip food kiosk gave basil seed packets.

If you want good seats for the concerts, get in line early. However, I've found that the music is so loud that you can just as easily enjoy the music from the American Adventure pavilion area.

The Hospitality Center has an exhibit on how the topiaries are made and also a short film. I didn't go to any of the seminars. There were tables set up with exhibits -- bonsai plants was one.

If your schedule and budget permits, the gardens tour for $60 might be good for you. It's from 9 a.m. to 12 noon so the tour participants would be able to walk around without a lot of people and probably get great pictures since WS doesn't open until 11:00 a.m.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

download the festival map
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/

If you're going with kids, they'll probably like the 3 play ground areas and the games at the Oz area. If you play the games, you'll get free marigold seed packets.

The butterfly house is pretty but the fairies from last year are being re-used here -- I liked last year's display better because it had Bambi and Thumper.

This year has the food kiosks which may interest you. The Dole Whip food kiosk gave basil seed packets.

If you want good seats for the concerts, get in line early. However, I've found that the music is so loud that you can just as easily enjoy the music from the American Adventure pavilion area.

The Hospitality Center has an exhibit on how the topiaries are made and also a short film. I didn't go to any of the seminars. There were tables set up with exhibits -- bonsai plants was one.

If your schedule and budget permits, the gardens tour for $60 might be good for you. It's from 9 a.m. to 12 noon so the tour participants would be able to walk around without a lot of people and probably get great pictures since WS doesn't open until 11:00 a.m.

This is all great advice no kids here my husband and I are still just us 2 a family will be coming soon. Question on this though I am a huge kid and would love to go into the play areas and see what they are all about can I do this? Also the oz area sounds amazing will they allow us to play the games? It also seems like collecting seed packets is a thing is this true and where can you get them?

I checked concert dates and there won't be one the weekend we are there but that is ok. Also how do you sign up for the tour thingy?

Thank you for the link and all the help.

~Teresa

 

[minnie mum]

When I signed up I just called 407 WDW-TOUR

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I am glad you asked b/c I wanted a quick overview as well.

 

[parkhopping]

This is all great advice no kids here my husband and I are still just us 2 a family will be coming soon. Question on this though I am a huge kid and would love to go into the play areas and see what they are all about can I do this? Also the oz area sounds amazing will they allow us to play the games? It also seems like collecting seed packets is a thing is this true and where can you get them?

I checked concert dates and there won't be one the weekend we are there but that is ok. Also how do you sign up for the tour thingy?

Thank you for the link and all the help.

~Teresa

I was surprised to read this since I was pretty sure there is a concert scheduled every weekend during the fest. I looked at your signature and see that you are going in June...the F&G fest only runs through May 19 so unless you are planning another trip sooner, it looks like you will be missing the festival entirely

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I was surprised to read this since I was pretty sure there is a concert scheduled every weekend during the fest. I looked at your signature and see that you are going in June...the F&G fest only runs through May 19 so unless you are planning another trip sooner, it looks like you will be missing the festival entirely

HAHA ignore my signature that was a previously planned trip. My husband and I are moving to the orlando area in 2 weeks so we will be around for F&G festival every weekend if we wanted to go.

So luckily enough for me I will not be missing it. Now we just need to decide if we will keep our trip in june or cancel it since we will be so close.

 

[cocofifi]

You might enjoy the DisUnplugged podcast from 3/12/13. They review this years Flower and Garden Festival.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

You might enjoy the DisUnplugged podcast from 3/12/13. They review this years Flower and Garden Festival.

Thank you so much I will listen to it

~Teresa

 

[WEDWDW]

I checked concert dates and there won't be one the weekend we are there ~Teresa

The Flower Power Concerts are EVERY weekend during F&G.

Years ago,the Concerts were 7 days a week-VERY cool.

America Gardens Theatre: Friday-Sunday: 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8 p.m.

Micky Dolenz of The Monkees
March 8-March 10, 2013
Known for "Last Train to Clarksville"

Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
March 15-March 17, 2013
Known for "The Twist"

The Guess Who
March 22-March 24, 2013
Known for "American Woman"

Nelson
March 29-March 31, 2013
Known for "Garden Party"

The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 5-April 7, 2013
Known for "Happy Together"

Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 12-April 14, 2013
Known for "Good Thing"

Village People
April 19-April 21, 2013
Known for "Y.M.C.A."

The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO and ELO II
April 26-April 28, 2013
Known for "Don't Bring Me Down"

Tommy Roe
May 3-May 5, 2013
Known for "DIZZY"

Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
May 10-May 12, 2013
Known for "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am"

Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
May 17-May 19, 2013
Known for "We Built This City

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

100 Topiaries.

MILLIONS of blooms.

Just get out your camera and start shooting.

Flowers are literally everywhere.

The most interesting Topiary this year is Peter Pan-he is ON THE ROOF of United Kingdom.

What about the new LIVE topiary this year?!?!

Can't wait to see these!

 

[siskaren]

Nelson
March 29-March 31, 2013
Known for "Garden Party"

Actually, it was their father Rick Nelson who was known for "Garden Party".

 

[WEDWDW]

Actually, it was their father Rick Nelson who was known for "Garden Party".

Garden Party is listed because Matthew and Gunnar will be performing their "Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons" show at F&G.

I love Ricky's music!

Good times!

 

[parkhopping]

HAHA ignore my signature that was a previously planned trip. My husband and I are moving to the orlando area in 2 weeks so we will be around for F&G festival every weekend if we wanted to go.

So luckily enough for me I will not be missing it. Now we just need to decide if we will keep our trip in june or cancel it since we will be so close.

Oh, good! I'm glad to hear that you'll be able to enjoy the festival You'll love living so close, too! Will you be upgrading to APs?

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

The Flower Power Concerts are EVERY weekend during F&G.

Years ago,the Concerts were 7 days a week-VERY cool.

America Gardens Theatre: Friday-Sunday: 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8 p.m.

Micky Dolenz of The Monkees
March 8-March 10, 2013
Known for "Last Train to Clarksville"

Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
March 15-March 17, 2013
Known for "The Twist"

The Guess Who
March 22-March 24, 2013
Known for "American Woman"

Nelson
March 29-March 31, 2013
Known for "Garden Party"

The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 5-April 7, 2013
Known for "Happy Together"

Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 12-April 14, 2013
Known for "Good Thing"

Village People
April 19-April 21, 2013
Known for "Y.M.C.A."

The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO and ELO II
April 26-April 28, 2013
Known for "Don't Bring Me Down"

Tommy Roe
May 3-May 5, 2013
Known for "DIZZY"

Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
May 10-May 12, 2013
Known for "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am"

Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
May 17-May 19, 2013
Known for "We Built This City

you are correct I was reading this wrong because we will be there april 13th and 14th and was looking at the march weekend for that and thought there was no band...so upset I am missing the monkees and the turtles!

What about the new LIVE topiary this year?!?!

Can't wait to see these!

this looks awesome I am so excited about this and cant wait to get there

 

[parkhopping]

What about the new LIVE topiary this year?!?!

Can't wait to see these!

I actually haven't seen him around. In the video I saw it was Captain Hook. There is a Hook topiary in the UK but he doesn't seem to be live. So I think the live topiary was just for the promotional video

 

[Chuckers]

The last time I was at WDW during F&G time, it was the last Sunday and I didn't know about the Butterfly House. I'll be there again this May and was wondering what the Butterfly House is like.

Are there a lot of them? Do they fly around you or are they behind protective screens? i.e. is there a possibility they will land on you? (not that I am scared of them, I think they're beautiful and wouldn't love to see them up close.)