Hands on Workshops at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival?

[bobbiwoz]

I do not see any specific reference to the Workshops or lectures they typically have in the Festival Headquarters. Can someone tell me anything about them?

Thank you.
Bobbi

 

[LauraLea]

Does not look like there will be any this year since the festival center will not be open.

Very disappointed as I have been attending these for many years.

Laura

 

[rteetz]

Yeah there is no festival center this year so it appears these probably won’t be happening.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, thank you! That’s bad news.

 

[nemodeb]

I am so disappointed with this, especially since this is the 20th anniversary of the F&G. I was hoping to see an announcement that they would be using Odyssey or the Millennium Pavilion. I miss the days when HGTV was a sponsor. We saw some really great talks and seminars back then. I'm hoping that the F&G show won't be underwhelming this year, considering it's the 20th year. Was hoping for some extra hoopla!!

 

[rteetz]

I am so disappointed with this, especially since this is the 20th anniversary of the F&G. I was hoping to see an announcement that they would be using Odyssey or the Millennium Pavilion. I miss the days when HGTV was a sponsor. We saw some really great talks and seminars back then. I'm hoping that the F&G show won't be underwhelming this year, considering it's the 20th year. Was hoping for some extra hoopla!!

It’s the 25th year actually.

 

[WEDWDW]

Comparing this year's Festival to the "Glory Days" when HGTV was the sponsor and there were 7 days a week Concerts is really sad.


OTPN

 

[Colleen27]

I'm so disappointed with the festival offerings this year. Without the festival center and events, it is just some extra decorations and food booths... and while that's great, the *garden* aspect of the festival was what made it great in my opinion. I was hoping for bigger-and-better to celebrate 25 years of the festival, not just "We put up some character topiaries, come buy stuff!"

 

[bobbiwoz]

Where is Showcase Plaza?

 

[BayouQueen]

So they have extra topiaries, food booths, some maybe small specially planted garden areas and the butterflies, and the concerts. Am I missing anything else here? We've been before and it did seem much more elaborate.

 

[Colleen27]

So they have extra topiaries, food booths, some maybe small specially planted garden areas and the butterflies, and the concerts. Am I missing anything else here? We've been before and it did seem much more elaborate.

There are two festival-exclusive tours - one in the tea garden in the UK, and one that covers what goes into putting the festival together. And there are a couple of playgrounds that aren't there year-round. But that's it. And it was much more elaborate in the past, with the festival center and seminars and presentations. I still have an azalea in my yard from a gardening seminar I went to during the festival in 2013... The TSA guys gave me such a strange look, taking a totebag with a potted plant as my carry-on on the flight home!

 

[BayouQueen]

There are two festival-exclusive tours - one in the tea garden in the UK, and one that covers what goes into putting the festival together. And there are a couple of playgrounds that aren't there year-round. But that's it. And it was much more elaborate in the past, with the festival center and seminars and presentations. I still have an azalea in my yard from a gardening seminar I went to during the festival in 2013... The TSA guys gave me such a strange look, taking a totebag with a potted plant as my carry-on on the flight home!

We were there in 2014 and are set to go again this May. I'm trying not to be disappointed. When we went before, the food kiosks were kind of a newish and secondary element. The festival center and seminars did create a kind of "buzz" -- like you knew people were gathered together who loved nature, landscapes and gardens...the outdoors. All the food just kind of creates a different emphasis.
I'm happy for you that you have your azalea!

Edit to add I just looked at the other thread with photos of F&G now. So gorgeous. Takes the "sting" out of lack of festival center.

 

[nemodeb]

It’s the 25th year actually.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I’m a veteran Food & Wine visitor, but this May will be the first time I’m going to Flower & Garden.

I can’t miss what I haven’t experienced, and I am psyched about seeing it for the first time in May.

The rainforest and butterfly exhibits look gorgeous! I want to try every beer flight and the Le Vie en Rose slushie.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have kept my lantana plant alive over 7 seasons by bringing it in over the winter. It was a workshop project, and I have yet to see the Kat whiskers bloom, that was given last year. I will miss the workshops. Not everything has made it, namely banana plant and a gardenia.

 

[DaisyNY]

Oh, that's sad...the exhibits are beautiful but look so similar to prior years. No festival center is disappointing! We arrive on March 11 and Epcot is our first stop!

 

[WEDWDW]

I can’t miss what I haven’t experienced, and I am psyched about seeing it for the first time in May.

You will be BLOWN away!

Once a Guest has seen Epcot "dressed up" for F&G it looks so "plain" the rest of the year!

But F&G had such a better "vibe" during the "7 days a week Concerts and HGTV sponsorship days".

 

[JerseyJanice]

You will be BLOWN away!

Once a Guest has seen Epcot "dressed up" for F&G it looks so "plain" the rest of the year!

But F&G had such a better "vibe" during the "7 days a week Concerts and HGTV sponsorship days".

Thanks, WEDWDW. Looking at photos and vlogs, I am already very impressed.