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Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2018: 25 Years of Blooming Magic

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018, kicking off on February 28 and running through May 28. Known as one of Epcot’s most vibrant and family-friendly festivals, it’s a true celebration of spring with something for everyone. From stunning topiaries and gardens to outdoor kitchens and live concerts, this festival is a feast for the senses.

Sams Disney Diary Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2018 Garden Destinations all around world showcase
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2018: 25 Years of Blooming Magic

For those of us in colder climates, it’s a much-needed reminder that spring is right around the corner. With over 30 million blooms, 70 Disney-themed topiaries, and interactive play areas, it’s the perfect way to kick off the season. Let’s take a closer look at what made the 2018 festival so memorable.

Sams Disney Diary Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2018 Garden Destinations all around world showcase
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2018

Festival Fun Facts

Here are just a few impressive facts about the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival:

  • Over 30 million blooms required two complete crop rotations during the festival.
  • 500,000 plants, trees, and shrubs were planted for this year’s event.
  • The Honey Bee-stro joined the 15 outdoor kitchens, featuring a menu inspired by honey.
  • The Imagination Play Garden, a ⅓-acre play space, was one of the largest festival gardens ever created.
  • More than 400 horticulturists worked tirelessly to create the festival’s stunning landscapes.
  • Preparing the annual festival takes over a year and 24,000 cast member hours.
  • EpcotInSpring.com is the official website of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

Topiaries: Disney Magic in Bloom

Topiaries have been a Flower and Garden Festival staple for 25 years. Each topiary is a work of art, crafted from 25 different plants, grasses, and mosses. The topiary team uses 200 pounds of hairpins to attach plants to the frames, bringing beloved Disney characters to life.

Some of the most popular topiaries of 2018 included:

  • Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy at the main entrance
  • Buzz Lightyear in Future World East
  • Anna & Elsa in Norway
  • Simba & Friends at the African Outpost
  • Beauty and the Beast in France

Garden Destinations and Play Gardens

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House in Future World West offered a close-up experience with nearly 1,000 native butterflies. Featuring nectar plants like passionflower and milkweed, it was a haven for nature lovers.

The How-To Gardens at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival are perfect for guests wanting to learn new gardening tips and tricks. These interactive gardens offer hands-on experiences with topics ranging from sustainable gardening practices to edible plants and composting. Disney horticulturists and experts provide helpful insights, inspiring guests to bring a touch of the festival’s magic into their own backyards.

New for 2018, the Imagination Play Garden invited kids to climb, explore, and discover sounds in a musical maze.

The Road to the Florida 500 Play Garden, inspired by Cars, featured topiary favorites Mater, Lightning McQueen, and Cruz Ramirez.

Kids could even participate in scavenger hunts like Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration and Egg-Stravaganza.

The “Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt,” previously known as the “Easter Egg Hunt,” runs from March 16th to April 1st.

Festival Merchandise

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the 2018 festival featured exclusive merchandise, including limited-edition items for Annual Passholders. You could find festival-themed apparel, garden accessories, and collectibles at locations throughout World Showcase and Mouse Gear.

Festival Tours and Experiences

  • Gardens of the World Tour: This three-hour guided experience with Disney horticulturists offers behind-the-scenes stories about the festival’s creation.
  • Behind the Seeds Tour: A favorite for plant enthusiasts, this tour explored the Living with the Land greenhouses.
  • English Tea Garden Tour: For those wanting to explore the UK Pavilion’s tea traditions, both guided and self-guided tours were available.

Outdoor Kitchens

The outdoor kitchens have become a major draw at the Flower and Garden Festival, offering delicious tastes from around the world. New for 2018, The Honey Bee-stro joined the lineup with honey-inspired dishes. With 12 kitchens located around World Showcase, there was something for everyone. Kid-friendly options were also highlighted, making it easy for families to enjoy the festival.

Garden Rocks Concert Series

The Garden Rocks Concert Series featured 17 bands performing hits from the ’60s through the 2000s. Newcomers like Foghat and Lonestar joined fan favorites like Rick Springfield, Night Ranger, and The Guess Who. With performances every Friday through Monday, there was no shortage of live entertainment.

Here’s the full 2018 lineup:

  • March 2–5: Night Ranger – “Sister Christian”
  • March 9–12: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City”
  • March 16–19: Simple Plan – “Welcome to My Life”
  • March 23–26: Little River Band – “Reminiscing”
  • March 30–April 2: The Orchestra featuring former members of ELO – “Evil Woman”
  • April 6–7: Foghat – “Slow Ride”
  • April 8–9: Survivor – “Eye of the Tiger”
  • April 13–14: Smash Mouth – “All Star”
  • April 15–16: Rick Springfield – “Jessie’s Girl”
  • April 20–21: Jo Dee Messina – “Stand Beside Me”
  • April 22–23: Lonestar – “Amazed”
  • April 27–30: Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice – “Spinning Wheel”
  • May 4–7: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone – “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”
  • May 11–12: Village People – “Y.M.C.A.”
  • May 13–14: Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles – “Hotel California”
  • May 18–21: The Guess Who – “American Woman”
  • May 25–28: The Spinners – “Working My Way Back to You”

Final Thoughts

The 2018 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival was a feast for the senses, combining stunning floral displays, delicious food, and world-class entertainment. Whether you explored the topiaries, sampled treats at the outdoor kitchens, or rocked out at the Garden Rocks Concert Series, there was truly something for everyone.

For More and the Flower and Garden 2020 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festia Top 20, Jammin Gardeners 2019Flower and Garden  2018  Night Ranger, Behind the Scenes  2017 Epcot  Flower and Garden Festival 2015Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2012, Garden Rocks: Jon Anderson of YES (2019)

 

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