You know Spring is in the air when the Flower & Garden Festival arrives at Epcot. Celebrating it’s 17th year, the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival started a little earlier, kicking things off March 3rd, 2010. This year it will run for 75 days- through May 16th, 2010.

Along with the Food & Wine Festival, this is one of my favorite times to visit Epcot. In addition to the World Showcase and attractions, the festival brings new entertainment and a variety of floral and topiary displays to feast your eyes on.

The main theme this year is the “Great Outdoors”, where you are greeted at the entrance by Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto around a campfire roasting marshmallows.

Many of the exhibits from last year are back, including the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden. This year the fairy garden has been expanded to include Fawn’s Butterfly House.

I have to admit, I liked last years display a little better with the pixie dust lined pathway. I was happy they brought back fairy seeds for the kids – This year children receive a packet of Iridessa’s Rainbow Violas to plant when they get home.

I didn’t notice as many butterflies at Fawn’s Butterfly House (formerly Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly House) this year. I can only assume this is because they are still hatching. The butterfly cocoon houses were very full!

A brand new addition this year is Princess Tiana’s Wedding Bayou. This was of great interest to my daughter, who is a big Princess Tiana fan.

Here children can color and rub stencils along a garden pathway featuring Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis the alligator and other animal friends. Bottles dangle from the trees in this Bayou scene from the movie.

Also new, the First-Ever American Gothic Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Based on the 1930 Grant Wood painting, this was by far one of my favorite displays.

There were a few new vendors around the entrance to the World Showcase (specifically here for the Flower & Garden Festival). One of particular interest to me was the topiary Mickey. What a great souvenir to bring home from the festival!

The Flower Power Concert Series is back as well.

Here’s this years lineup (subject to change):

March 5-7 – Jose Feliciano

March 12-14 – Paul Revere & The Raiders

March 19-21 – David Cassidy

March 26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

April 2-4 – Tony Orlando

April 9-11 – Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone

April 16-18 – Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring the Nelsons

April 23-25 – Atlanta Rhythm Section

April 30-May 2 –Fran Cosmo (former lead singer of Boston)

May 7-9 –Davy Jones

May 14 – 16 – Chubby Checker & The Wildcats

The groups’ shows at America Gardens Theatre are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is included with admission to the Epcot theme park. If you are traveling to Disney World at this time,  it’s a definite don’t miss. I find my 5 year old enjoys the displays as much as I do!

{ 5 comments }