Disney kicks off its 17th International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

For those mourning the loss of Cypress Gardens from Central Florida's entertainment options, there is a ray of sunshine. It cannot take the place of the year-round theme park completely devoted to flowers and plant life, but this week Disney kicks off its 17th International Flower and Garden Festival at Disney's Epcot Center. If you are unfamiliar with this Disney event, read on for some highlights.

The festival is a 75 day celebration of plants, flowers, and everything outdoors. One of the most fun features offered at this year’s event is the topiary display. Imagine ten feet tall Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy made out of plants and flowers, fishing, roasting marshmallows, and other favorite outdoor activities. They’re really amazing to see. The park features about 70 of these gigantic and caringly constructed topiaries.

Spring begins in the third week of March. It’s a great excuse to get out to Epcot and enjoy the special surroundings while they last. This is the earliest start date of the 17 festivals since they began. Disney hopes that starting earlier will give visitors the chance to make the most of the tips and tricks taught during the festival in their own gardens before planting time is mostly over.

The event also offers educational opportunities, in case you need another excuse to visit. Top horticulturists will be on the premises to give gardening tips. There is even a butterfly garden with hundreds of colorful flying beauties.

Make sure you stay for the "Flower Power" concert series. Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, popular music artists of the 1970s and 60s will entertain crowds. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a bustling day on your well-used feet.

Fantasyland Renovations at Disney World in Orlando

Every girl loves a princess. From the youngest of age, little girls are enchanted with fairy tales, especially those featuring a princess. Perhaps they learn it from their mothers, who were little girls once. Or it could be innate. But whatever the reason, parents of little girls everywhere know that daughters would love to meet a real life princess. Well, Orlando is just the place to make that dream come true.

Disney is famous for its princesses. There’s Cinderella, Snow White, Jasmine, and the newest to the group- Princess Tiana. The princesses have always been a focus in Disney films and books, but now Disney World is working hard to make the adored princesses an even more integral part of the park going experience. Fantasyland is undergoing a significant renovation to enhance and expand its features and fun for guests. Among the major changes is the focus on the Disney princesses. They say there will be more interaction between the princesses and guests. They aren’t revealing much more than that, but to a little girl, this can only mean good things.

But Disney isn’t the only park in Orlando with a princess. Even Universal Studios Orlando has a princess - the lovable half-ogre wife of Shrek. That’s right, Princess Fiona is widely loved by little girls, too. So if you have a little girl who would love to meet a princess and even get to dress up like one, Orlando is the place to take her. It will be a memory she will never forget.

Best Rates on your Orlando Vacation for Disney's 4th of July Spectacular

It's going to be a big fourth of July celebration at Disney this year. The fireworks alone were not enough for Disney this year. This year the theme park giant is bringing in a very special guest. No, it's not Mickey or any long lost Disney character. It's none other than the President of the United States himself. Well, not exactly. The July fourth celebration this year will include the unveiling of "Robobama" which is the animatronics version of our President. The figure will be joining all his presidential peers in Disney's Hall of Presidents. The script has been changed for the attraction and Mr. Obama has recorded the voice overs for the Disney presentation. Disney's fireworks are top notch and with the president on board, you know that they won't disappoint.

If you are traveling to the Orlando area for your Orlando Vacation, give us a call at 1-800-641-4008 and we will help you put together your vacation package!