Spring at Walt Disney World can only mean one thing—The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! Since its debut in 1993, the festival has blossomed into a vibrant springtime tradition. The 2012 festival, its 19th year, ran from March 7 to May 20 and brought 75 days of floral displays, topiary magic, and special events. EPCOT is always stunning, but during the Flower & Garden Festival, it becomes an explosion of color and creativity.
The character topiaries, breathtaking flower beds, and interactive exhibits turn EPCOT into a visual wonderland. The topiaries feature over 100 Disney characters, including Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto. As you arrive via monorail, the view of Future World’s colorful blanket of blooms is unforgettable—perfect for snapping photos!
Festival Center at Wonders of Life Pavilion
The hub of the festival was the Festival Center, located in the former Wonders of Life Pavilion, between Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Mission: SPACE. For longtime EPCOT fans, stepping back into this pavilion was a treat in itself. Inside, guests could explore:
- The Designers Stage: Featuring HGTV stars like John Gidding (Curb Appeal) and Brandon Johnson (My Yard Goes Disney).
- The Greenhouse Stage: Disney horticulture experts and university specialists presented gardening tips like Topiary in Miniature and Edible Landscapes.
- Festival Merchandise Locations: The pavilion’s former food court area was transformed into a retail space with festival-exclusive merchandise.
The Festival Center was open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so be sure to plan your visit early!
Kid-Friendly Gardens and Activities
The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival isn’t just for adults—kids have plenty of interactive areas to explore, including:
- Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden – Discover Tinker Bell and her friends.
- Bambi’s Butterfly House – Walk among butterflies in a lush, magical space.
- Toy Story Alphabet Garden – An educational garden designed for little explorers.
- Backyard Play Garden – A fun climbing space for young adventurers.
These areas make the festival a perfect blend of education and entertainment for the whole family.
Character Topiaries Around World Showcase
The topiary displays are a fan-favorite part of the festival. Many feature characters in settings that reflect their stories and origins. Here are some must-see highlights:
- Winnie the Pooh and Friends – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Beauty and the Beast – France Pavilion
- Lady and the Tramp – Italy Pavilion
- Mickey and Minnie – World Showcase Plaza
Each topiary is a masterpiece of Disney artistry, meticulously designed and placed in its ideal setting.
Flower Power Concert Series
The Flower Power Concert Series at the American Gardens Theatre brought music legends from the 1960s and 70s to EPCOT every weekend. In 2012, the lineup featured artists like Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas. If you timed your visit just right, you could experience both the Flower & Garden Festival and Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the same trip! Imagine catching Micky Dolenz from The Monkees at Flower Power and then heading to Hyperspace Hoopla at Star Wars Weekends.
Relive the Magic
The 2012 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival offered something for everyone—from gardening enthusiasts to music lovers and families with kids. Its combination of breathtaking displays, engaging presentations, and fun-filled activities make it a festival not to be missed.
If you were lucky enough to time your visit for both Flower & Garden Festival and Star Wars Weekends, you experienced a magical Disney double feature!
Did you visit the 2012 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival? Share your memories in the comments below!
For More and the Flower and Garden 2020 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Top 20, Jammin Gardeners 2019, Flower and Garden 2018 Night Ranger, Behind the Scenes 2017 , Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2015, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2012, Garden Rocks: Jon Anderson of YES (2019), Food and Wine Festival 2013
[…] events. The two most notable, The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (I covered the 2012 Flower and Garden Festival back in Episode #11), and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (every Fall) fit perfectly. And better […]