First look: Where to see Epcot’s latest topiaries
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A handful of new topiaries have debuted during the 2024 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The new greenery-based figures are based on relatively recent Disney films and are part of an event lineup that features more than 70 characters.
Walt Disney World typically mixes things up, finding new locations and ways to spotlight the topiaries. This year, for instance, visitors see a dandelion-blowing Goofy near the upper edge of the floral banks between World Showcase and World Celebration neighborhoods. And this year, there are completely new flower beds for planners to play with and populate thanks to the ongoing transformation of Epcot.
Here’s what to look for – and where – at this year’s flower fest, which runs through May 27.
Wishing well
Who: Asha, Valentino and Star from “Wish,” a Disney animated film released last year.
Where: Front and center, just inside the main entrance of Epcot.
What you’ll see: Asha, the teenage heroine of the film, in a dress of flowers, reaching out toward the wish-granting Star, as Valentino, pet goat of Asha, frolics. (Asha was played by Arian DeBose, and Alan Tudyk gave voice to Valentino.)
What else: The display is not as big or bombastic as some previous Flower & Garden front beds. It leans into the tree backdrop that’s there year-round, plus a fallen trunk, just like in nature. Creative floral touches present large mushrooms plus bowls of blooms on poles.
Tree time
Who: Groot, the tree-like character seen in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, voiced by Vin Diesel.
Where: In a slightly off-the-beaten-path bed in the World Discovery neighborhood. Walk toward the Mission: Space attraction, but veer to the left. If you get to topiary Buzz Lightyear, you’ve gone too far.
What you’ll see: Groot stands on one leg with a cassette tape lofted overhead. (There is a soundtrack playing, and perhaps a rewind sound effect going). He’s brownish, like bark, not the usual green of topiaries. He’s not tough to spot yet he does blend in with the surroundings.
What else: The positioning makes it a challenge to get Groot and the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride in the same photo. More like backgrounds are Mission: Space or the dome of the former Wonders of Life building.
Strum chums
Who: Miguel, the guitar-toting kid in “Coco,” and Dante, his dog/spiritual guide.
Where: The little patch of land near the Mexico pavilion and the Odyssey restaurant. (We have seen “The Three Caballeros” topiaries there in the past.
What you’ll see: Miguel (dig the sombrero treatment) and guitar and a colorful, winged version of Dante, amid orange blooms.
What else: This display is a little more animated than the characters’ bronze statues just to the west.
Finding Figment
Who: The topiary of Figment, longtime dragon mascot of Epcot, isn’t new, but it returns in a brand-new spot.
Where: He’s elevated in the center of the giant centerpiece planter in World Celebration garden area.
What you’ll see: Figment is backed by a set of pink blossoms. Spaceship Earth looms in the background.
What else: It’s a prime PhotoPass spot.
More nuggets
Last year’s front topiaries, the “Encanto” crowd, now stand in the area just over the bridge to World Showcase. … Floating gardens are on both sides of the bridge. … The floral banks there have a butterfly and blossom theme. …. Odyssey is home to the Citrus Blossom kitchen, and there’s a ton of Orange Bird merchandise inside. (On the menu: orange sesame tempura shrimp, lemon meringue pie, Key lime wine slush, more). … Pooh and Piglet topiaries may be bushier than before. … Traffic flow is better than a year ago, but construction walls may vex folks at the Imagination Pavilion (or butterfly garden) trying to get to World Showcase. On opening day that required a scenic route. … Planners did not enhance the new Walt Disney statue with blooms or greenery. So if you so desire, it’s BYOBulbs.
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