New in 2011:

• Toy Story 3 characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Lotso will make their Flower & Garden debut at the EPCOT main entrance as seven-foot-tall topiaries.  In an effort to stay true to the strawberry-sceneted belly of the Lotso character in the successful film, the area surrounding Lotso will smell like strawberries.
• Characters from the Summer 2011 release Cars 2 will be featured as topiaries in the World Showcase Plaza.  There are also plans for a special celebration in anticipation of the film's June 24th release.
• Winnie the Pooh and Tigger will occupy a Hundred Acre Wood display in between Future World and World Showcase.
• The Healthy Living Garden will be focused on helping guests develop a healthy lifestyle, this garden will "focus on healthful eating, fitness, relaxation and meditation."
• Rapunzel can be found in the Tangled Magical Garden between Germany and Italy.
• Bambi's Butterfly House will be expanded as it opens in its new location near Innoventions West.
• Special Weekend Celebrations:
  • Art in the Garden celebration of plein air artists - 3/25 - 3/27
  • I Dig Bugs - 4/15 - 4/17
  • Fresh from Florida Farmer’s Market salute - 4/29 - 5/1
  • Disney/Pixar celebration will be held in May (date to be announced)

Each year, as spring approaches, Epcot allows the very talented gardeners and horticulturists in their employ to, quite simply, go flower crazy. This year was certainly no exception.

Yes, everything and anything in the Disney universe has seemingly been turned into a topiary from the old favorites (Mickey and Minnie) to butterflies, fairies, trolls and even tigers made out of corn this can be found in China.

Future World is where you’ll find some of the more creative displays. As soon as you enter the park, Donald, Daisy and Goofy greet you with a display ‘celebrating the great outdoors’. As you wind your way past Spaceship Earth, you’ll find some of your favorite characters from the Lion King, including the iconic image of Rafiki raising Simba for display. Midway between Spaceship Earth and the entrance to World Showcase you’ll find a display of dolphins advertising Disney Nature’s upcoming film “Oceans” scheduled to be released in theaters on Earth Day (April 22nd).

Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden expanded and it was, arguably, the best of the exhibits on display. Worked into the Fairy Garden is a children’s play area (ages 2-5), which seemed pretty popular with the young ones practice of stomping on the flowerbeds. Also tucked back in this area is Princess Tiana’s Wedding Bayou.

The Butterfly Garden black plastic chains that form the entrance look more like you’re entering a medieval ‘butterfly dungeon’ and from the number of butterflies stuck to the screened enclosure, you could be forgiven for thinking that the butterflies feel the same way. Sadly, that’s where most of the butterflies were on the screen seemingly praying for release.

These creations aren’t easily conjured – they take months of careful planning and attention to detail  something Disney’s ‘flower and garden’ team seem to do repeatedly, all year long, regardless of the event (or the theme park). Yes, there are many places that do great landscaping, and many of them do it creatively, but give Disney their due  nowhere will you find such an epic display of creativity, color and beauty. It really is a sight to see.

2011 Flower Power Concert Series

• 3/4  -   3/6: Jose Feliciano
• 3/11 - 3/13: The Guess Who
• 3/18 - 3/20: Chubby Checker and the Wildcats
• 3/25 - 3/27: Melissa Manchester (new in 2011)
•  4/1 -   4/3: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
• 4/08 - 4/10: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (new in 2011)
• 4/15 - 4/17: Juice Newton (new in 2011)
• 4/22 - 4/24: Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons
• 4/29 -  5/1: Paul Revere & The Raiders
•  5/6 -  5/8:  Davy Jones
• 5/13 - 5/15: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone

 Note: The concert schedule is subject to change without notice