2012 Flower and Garden

The 19th annual Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival kicked off March 7th at the Walt Disney World® Resort with a huge splash of color. Walt Disney World’s® horticulture team showed off their green thumbs with the garden inspired from a scene of “Fantasia” in front of the park’s iconic Spaceship Earth.

Here are some fun facts on the front-entrance “Fantasia” topiary display:

• Comprised of 28 topiaries which is more than have been used in any front-entrance display!  Those 28 topiaries include Sorcerer Mickey, three ostriches, two hippos, two alligators, two elephants, nine stars, a spiral and eight mushrooms.
• 22,615 plant plugs of 15 plant varieties make up the Fantasia front-entrance topiary.  They include reindeer moss, red begonias, creeping fig ,Sweet Ayssum, and three shades of Lobelia, and Black Scallop Ajuga.
• 4,000 Blushing Bride air plants from Guatemala color the two hippos’ tutus and 300 Cotton Candy air plants from Peru feather the wings and tails of the three ostrich topiaries.
• 1,250 feet irrigation tubing is woven into the “Fantasia” front-entrance topiaries

Watch as Cast Members bring the display to life

Yesterday was the opening of the 19th annual Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival. Upon entering the park, guests will experience the largest topiary Disney’s horticulture team has ever created, Sorcerer Mickey. In a scene inspired by the movie Fantasia, Sorcerer Mickey is joined by 15 additional characters creating a splash of color that only Disney could do!

Take a look into how cast members bring these amazing topiaries to life!