Flower and Garden "Festival" not that Festive

[Club Cooloholic]

There were some flowers and gardens but I found the whole thing to lack any festive or cohesive atmosphere. It seemed like there would be things crammed into spaces but, I don't know it was one of those cases where the blogs etc make it look a lot more awesome than what was actually there. I mean it's a nice little add on but something was missing.

 

[Nemo14]

We've been a couple of times in the past, and really enjoyed it. This year we went on the first day, and were very disappointed. I realy hate to see it turned into the F&W thing.

 

[PUSH]

The only part I really care about is the topiaries. And the flowers planted everywhere. It just has a great ambiance. I've never taken the time to look into events. There have always been booths set up for various things, though.

PS- I've been to the F&G Festival numerous times in the past. Skipped it this year, though.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

We've been a couple of times in the past, and really enjoyed it. This year we went on the first day, and were very disappointed. I realy hate to see it turned into the F&W thing.

What were the differences from years past? I just sorta felt in the showcases they really squeezed in what they could and that was it. The playgrounds were fun for my kids but again, nothing that screamed F&G

 

[Nemo14]

It seemed that every booth had pretty much the same stuff - nothing all that original or informative. And adding food & booze kisosks took away from the atmosphere.

 

[luv]

We've been a couple of times in the past, and really enjoyed it. This year we went on the first day, and were very disappointed. I realy hate to see it turned into the F&W thing.

We went to Epcot today to see the Village People, who gave us a primer on how to do the motions for YMCA, lol. It was really fun.

On the way out, I was treated to walking behind a group of drunken young people who were staying in the same condo or whatever. One of the young men began to imitate the words and sounds he'd heard from the woman in the next room, who was staying with his friend, Jamie. Very loudly. Rather than embarrass her or make her angry, she was proud. She had some interesting comments.

Later, I was treated to walking by a young man who was doing air pee. Much like air guitar, but you pretend your peeing. His friends found this so amusing, they began to do it, as well. I saw a woman with two kids, maybe six and eight, watching them. She was not pleased.

I don't know what the hell Disney is thinking. I really don't. Turning Epcot into...I don't even know what.

 

[englanddg]

We went to Epcot today to see the Village People, who gave us a primer on how to do the motions for YMCA, lol. It was really fun.

On the way out, I was treated to walking behind a group of drunken young people who were staying in the same condo or whatever. One of the young men began to imitate the words and sounds he'd heard from the woman in the next room, who was staying with his friend, Jamie. Very loudly. Rather than embarrass her or make her angry, she was proud. She had some interesting comments.

Later, I was treated to walking by a young man who was doing air pee. Much like air guitar, but you pretend your peeing. His friends found this so amusing, they began to do it, as well. I saw a woman with two kids, maybe six and eight, watching them. She was not pleased.

I don't know what the hell Disney is thinking. I really don't. Turning Epcot into...I don't even know what.

Oktoberfest?

 

[luv]

Oktoberfest?

I don't know.

This is just not my idea of a good time at Disney. And certainly not during Flower & Garden, for cripes sake.

I'm not anti-alcohol. I've been drunk. I walked into the doorway of my bedroom and bruised myself once, lol. Never thought I was particularly special for having been drunk. Never wanted to do my drinking around a bunch of kids, either. When I drink, I do it with adults. And not with obnoxious ones.

And when I'm just going about my day at Epcot, I don't want to be subjected to obnoxious drunks. If that's what I wanted, I'd go to bars near college campuses.

There's a time and a place for everything, IMO. Epcot is not the place for this crap...especially during Flower & Garden.

IMO.

 

[bethymouse]

Yikes! I always enjoyed F&G. I guess they need something "new" too.

 

[englanddg]

I don't know.

This is just not my idea of a good time at Disney. And certainly not during Flower & Garden, for cripes sake.

I'm not anti-alcohol. I've been drunk. I walked into the doorway of my bedroom and bruised myself once, lol. Never thought I was particularly special for having been drunk. Never wanted to do my drinking around a bunch of kids, either. When I drink, I do it with adults. And not with obnoxious ones.

And when I'm just going about my day at Epcot, I don't want to be subjected to obnoxious drunks. If that's what I wanted, I'd go to bars near college campuses.

There's a time and a place for everything, IMO. Epcot is not the place for this crap...especially during Flower & Garden.

IMO.

I agree. The fun about drinking (or even getting drunk) at Disney is that, unlike a pub crawl at a college town, you SHOULD keep it civil. To me, it actually would improve the experience.

Then again, I take the kid by myself, so I've never been drunk at Disney. Though, I do enjoy a drink or two (hello La Cava!)...far from drunk...

 

[Adam5897]

There were some flowers and gardens but I found the whole thing to lack any festive or cohesive atmosphere. It seemed like there would be things crammed into spaces but, I don't know it was one of those cases where the blogs etc make it look a lot more awesome than what was actually there. I mean it's a nice little add on but something was missing.

I went last week for my first FGF and I completely agree. I expected it to be all cheery and lively and i was very disappointed in the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong the topiaries and food/drinks were very nice but overall it lacked energy.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I don't know.

This is just not my idea of a good time at Disney. And certainly not during Flower & Garden, for cripes sake.

I'm not anti-alcohol. I've been drunk. I walked into the doorway of my bedroom and bruised myself once, lol. Never thought I was particularly special for having been drunk. Never wanted to do my drinking around a bunch of kids, either. When I drink, I do it with adults. And not with obnoxious ones.

And when I'm just going about my day at Epcot, I don't want to be subjected to obnoxious drunks. If that's what I wanted, I'd go to bars near college campuses.

There's a time and a place for everything, IMO. Epcot is not the place for this crap...especially during Flower & Garden.

IMO.

Epcot is normally our favorite place to be, but this last trip it just was not working for us. I still love the bands at the UK stage (though I got very very sick from the shepards pie), but it was lacking. Funny but the family agreed that Hollywood Studios was the best.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I love Epcot regardless, so the festival just adds that much more.

Is it "all that and more?" Well, probably not. They re-use most of the topiaries, and the flowers are mostly the same... But it's still awesome to see. And this year they introduced the food/beverage kiosks from the F&W festival which was *awesome* to sample from. There's also the various stuff on the side; the Oz garden, Water-wise, etc. The butterfly house got a little bit of a makeover.

While I might not go just because of the festival - it makes going that much better if you are (which we tend to do, by chance).

 

[DVCOwner]

I think Disney makes big bucks off the Food and Wine Festival (F&WF) in the Fall. The Flower and Garden Festival may bring in a few extra guest, but nothing like the cash cow F&WF. My prediction is this year is a test to see if the can turn the F&GF into a spring F&WF. Looking at flowers brings in no additional revenue, eating and drinking does!

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I think Disney makes big bucks off the Food and Wine Festival (F&WF) in the Fall. The Flower and Garden Festival may bring in a few extra guest, but nothing like the cash cow F&WF. My prediction is this year is a test to see if the can turn the F&GF into a spring F&WF. Looking at flowers brings in no additional revenue, eating and drinking does!

Absolutely a cash cow - and why they brought in the food/booze kiosks at the F&GF! I'd expect this to continue.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Absolutely a cash cow - and why they brought in the food/booze kiosks at the F&GF! I'd expect this to continue.

I did not see lines really though at the food and booze booths.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I did not see lines really though at the food and booze booths.

Depends on when you go, I guess. I saw plenty of people on line when I was there. I know I was one of them!

 

[Zman-ks]

It seemed that every booth had pretty much the same stuff - nothing all that original or informative.

And adding food & booze kisosks took aay from the atmosphere.

I don't knwo about that...

 

[BoarderPhreak]

There's no reason to get wasted at Epcot, let alone obnoxious. But if someone wants to enjoy responsibly, there's NOTHING wrong with that. And I'll tell y'all straight up that I love having some beers during my day at Epcot. It's a vacation, after all.

If you have APs, are local, have a designated driver/taxi and want to party in the 'World... I can see the appeal. There's a ridiculous selection of cool themed bars at your disposal. I'd rather not see it, but it's usually done late(r) at night so not a big deal. Again, don't be obnoxious. But I think you can spend money much more wisely at say, Church Street Station or something.

I've noticed over the years that Epcot (and now AK) have more and more booze. It's clearly profitable for Disney.

 

[Nemo14]

Frankly, I don't understand how anyone can afford that many drinks in Epcot anyway...