I am a huge fan of the Flower & Garden festival for a ton of reasons. For starters, it takes more than a year to concept, cultivate, design and install, utilizing about 24,000 cast members in the process. This year features 30 million blooms blanketing the park for the full 75 days of the event. The front Fantasia-themed bed alone houses 28 stunning topiaries including Sorcerer Mickey, three ostriches, two hippos, two alligators, two elephants, nine stars, a spiral and eight mushrooms. Each masterpiece was constructed with care out of numerous plant varieties to get just the right look. For example, the 4,000 Blushing Bride air plants used for the hippo tutus appear dainty with a hint of pink as if made of tulle. And, check out the gorgeous eyelashes on the ostriches, although not made from plant material it showcases Disney’s dedication to the details.
 
You might be overwhelmed by the displays, so here are a few things not to miss while exploring the park.
 
- Be sure to visit Bambi’s Butterfly House, which has 1,000 native butterflies representing 10 species fluttering around as you stroll through.
 
- Enjoy one of the 150 hands-on gardening demonstrations and seminars presented in the Festival Center.
 
- Rock out at the Flower Power Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
 
- Get expert advice from HGTV and DIY designers (including Antonio Ballatore, from The Antonio Treatment, and Genevieve Gorder, from Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star) and Epcot gardening experts. Click here for the schedule.
 
The Flower & Garden Festival continues until May 20th.
 
More information for the 19th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available at www.disneyworld.com/flower or at 407/W-DISNEY.
 
Published on i.seekissimmeee.com