2003
Flower and Garden Festival


2003 Flower and Garden Festival Entrance

Epcot's Annual Flower and Garden Festival
highlights every spring at
Walt Disney World


In 2003, Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 25-June 8 with a special display featuring the best topiaries from the past 10 years, including a 20-foot-tall floral peace sign, a larger than life double-decker bus and one of last year’s favorites -- Lady and the Tramp.

New in 2003 - Signature Display - Disney's "DogGone" Maze - located on the rose walkway - fun for the entire family, explore this interactive maze showcasing many of your favorite Disney canine stars in topiary.

Festival Display Highlights - Presented by The Flower Fields, Power of Flowers will feature more than 60,000 colorful bedding plants in a whimsical design. Explore a unique look at American history at "America's Timeless Trees," an all-new display for 2003. See descendants of famous trees from President George Washington's Tulip Poplar to Elvis Presley's Pin Oak at the American Adventure. Experience spectacular international gardens throughout World Showcase, including the newly designed gardens in Canada, oodles of orchids at Mexico, and bonsai masterpieces at Japan.

This year's Flower and Garden Festival Poster is by Artist Marilynne Roland. She is tentatively scheduled to sign on: April 25, 26, and 27; May 2, 3, 4, 24, 25, and 26

Open Greenhouse at the Land! May 17 and 18 - 1pm to 3pm Explore the greenhouses at your leisure! Get a close-up view of the unique growing systems. Take photos and get your questions answered by Epcot scientists.

Garden Demonstrations & Events
Please see the Entertainment Schedule for locations

"Butterfly Release" - Daily at 11am
"Lady Bug Release" - Daily at 12:30pm and 2:30pm
"Curb Appeal" - (FNGA) Thursday - Sunday 10am - 5pm
"Water Works" - (Dive-in/Aquascapes) Friday - Sunday 10am - 5pm
"Turf Tips" (Toro) - Daily 10am - 5pm
"Open Greenhouse" - The Land - Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 - 1pm - 3pm
"Salute to International Crops" - The Land - park operating hours
"Epcot Future Harvest Ambassadors" - World Showcase between Morocco and France - operating hours

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Special Events for 2003


Theme Weekends: (Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays)

Grand Opening Weekend - April 25-27

The 10th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring Davy Jones of The Monkees.

Roger Swain talks about great gardening practices as part of the Great American Gardeners series April 25-26 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Budding gardeners can enjoy the butterfly release on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and the ladybug release on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Davy Jones gets the Flower Power Concert Series started at American Gardens Theatre. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Marilynne Roaland, the festival poster artist, will be signing the poster she designed.

Rob Williams and Debbie Mola of Disney Horticulture offer creative ideas to transform small garden spaces into petal paradises as part of the Disney Gardening at Home series, Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Art in the Garden - May 2-4

Guests can observe renowned artists at work while they capture the beauty of the Epcot gardens. There will be 12 artists at four locations around the promenade of World Showcase. Festival poster artist Marilynne Roaland will be available to sign her piece.

Paul James, host of HGTV's "Gardening By the Yard," answers gardening questions and provides helpful insight to this popular hobby May 2-3 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Playing at the Flower Power concert is Starship featuring Mickey Thomas on May 2 and Felix Cavalier's Rascals on May 3-4 at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

In addition to the ladybug and butterfly releases, Lulu the Bug Lady and Dr. A. Morphus visit the Kids Garden.

The sculpture garden offers beautiful and artistic scenery for guests to enjoy.
Jessie Mack Burns of Disney Horticulture and Chef Ken Hittman show how easy it is to turn edible landscape into a delicious home-grown meal Sunday, May 4, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mother's Day- May 9-11

Gorgeous flower arrangements take center stage at the Mother's Day Invitational Flower Show and moms are treated to a photo and a flower exclusively on Mother's Day, May 11.

Families can celebrate mom at the Mother's Day Brunch May 10-11 at World ShowPlace. Times are 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday. To make reservations call 407/WDW-DINE. Families can make the day even more special with Mother?s Day at four locations around World

Showcase: Canada 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Germany and Norway 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and in Future World near Innoventions 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

On stage at the Flower Power Concert Series is Paul Revere & The Raiders at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Peat Moss joins Dr. A. Morphus in the Kids Garden where the ladybugs and butterflies are being released.

Jim Hynd, floral director of Fiesta Parade Floats, is on hand May 10 for the Great American Gardeners series at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Festival Center.

Walt Disney World florists demonstrate how to create whimsical designs for the table on Sunday, May 11, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Fun for the Family - May 16-18

There's lots of activity for budding gardeners throughout the festival including a special activity sponsored by Home Depot, appearances by Lulu the Bug Lady, Peat Moss and Dr. A. Morphus, and ladybug and butterfly releases.

P. Allen Smith, host of "P. Allen Smith Gardens" on The Weather Channel, makes an appearance at the Great American Gardeners series May 17 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Festival Center.

Open greenhouse tours are available for the family from 1-3:30 p.m. on May 17-18.

The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie are the Flower Power performers for the weekend. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Jeff Thompson and Dawn Nason of Disney Horticulture offer guests tips on how to create gardens that are appealing to wildlife, Sunday, May 18, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Memorial Day - May 23-26

Tom Wyatt and Ira Wileman from Disney Horticulture show guests how to take ordinary gardens to extraordinary gardens May 25 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Rosalind Creasy showcases themed gardens at the Great American Gardeners series May 24.

The Kids Garden is active with visits from Lulu the Bug Lady and Dr. A. Morphus.

Guests can get their official festival poster signed by artist Marilynne Roaland.

Herman's Hermits featuring Peter Noone take the stage at the Flower Power concert nightly at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

I Dig Bugs Weekend - May 30 - June 1

Guests discover how fun bugs are and how they keep gardens healthy.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Bug Zoo is on display at World Showcase.

Jeff Meyer, author of America's Famous and Historic Trees, appears at the Great American Gardeners series May 31 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Gary Puckett is the featured performer at the Flower Power Concert Series. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Heather Will-Browne and Barry Stockwell demonstrate how to make a great first impression by spiffing up the front yard with a touch of green and a splash of color on June 1 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Closing Weekend - June 6-8

Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey talk about gardening in containers during the Great American Gardeners series June 6-7 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Arlo Guthrie closes out the Flower Power Concert Series at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Disney Horticulture pros Heather Will-Browne and Barry Stockwell give tips on how to make the front yard more appealing on June 8 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Great American Gardeners" - presented by the American Horticulture Society - Friday and Saturday at 11am and 2pm

April 25-26 - Roger Swain - Former host of PBS's "The Victory Garden
May 2-3 - Paul James - Host of HGTV's "Gardening by the Yard"
May 9-10 - Jim Hynd - Floral Director of Fiesta Parade Floats
May 16-17 - P. Allen Smith - Host of "P Allen Smith Gardens" on the Weather Channel
May 23-24 - Rosalind Creasy - Author of "The Edible Garden Series" books
May 30-31 - Jeff Meyer - Author of "America's Famous and Historic Trees"
June 6-7 - Rose Marie Nichols McGee & Maggie Stuckey - Authors of the book - "The Bountiful Container"

Disney Gardening @ Home - Join us for informative presentations by Disney Horticulturists - Sunday - Thursday 11am - 2pm

April 27 - May 1 - Rob Williams & Debbie Mola - Big Ideas, Small Spaces - Gather creative and Imaginative ideas to turn your small garden space into paradise.
May 4-8 - Jessie Mack Burns & Chef Ken Hittman - Cooking & Gardening - See how easy it is to turn your edible landscape into a delightful, home grown meal.
May 11-15 - Walt Disney World Florist - Floral Design - Watch the experts! Learn how to decorate your table with flower-filled "tablescapes."
May 18-22 - Jeff Thompson & Dawn Nason - Wildlife Gardening - Invite wildlife into your garden by creating your own backyard habitat and see the wonders of nature right in your own garden.
May 25-29 - Tom Wyatt & Ira Wileman - Done in a Day - Discover quick and clever ideas to take your garden from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
June 1-5 and June 8 - Heather Will-Browne & Barry Stockwell - Welcome Home - Make a great first impression by spiffing up your front yard with a touch of green and splash of color.

Planting Partners- join the University of Florida as they share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of gardening topics. Topics change weekly. Daily at 1pm and 4pm.

"Tips from the Pros" - Don't miss the opportunity to learn valuable tips from horticulture industry pros! Daily at 12pm and 3pm

"Flower Power" - Entertainment of the '60s & '70s presented in America Gardens Theatre -- Relax "under the stars" and enjoy the groovy music from the 60's and 70's. Flower Power show times are 5:45, 7:00, and 8:00pm

Davy Jones - April 25-28
Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas - April 29-30 and May 1-2
Felix Cavaliere's Rascals - May 3-4
Classic Rock (Rare Earth, Sugarloaf All Stars) - May 5-8
Paul Revere & The Raiders - May 9-12
Gary Lewis & The Playboys - May 13-15
The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie - May 16-19
The Grass Roots featuring original lead singer Rob Grill - May 20-22
Herman's Hermits featuring Peter Noone - May 23-26
Dave Mason - May 27-29
Gary Puckett - May 30-31 and June 1
The Buckinghams - June 2-3
The Lovin' Spoonful - June 4-5
Arlo Guthrie - June 6-8

All events and times are subject to change.