Opening Day at Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival 2013

Hello and welcome to this local's solo jaunt to opening day of the 2013 Flower and Garden Festival.​

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Let me preface this by saying that I had no intention of going to opening day. I was sitting in an education inservice training (which is located at our school board building, right off 1-95) and, while perusing the Disney Food Blog and other related Disney blogs (Twitter, Instagram, and the like), I had a wonderful thought. "Why not just pop on over to the park? It's only a 45 minute drive, it's a BEAUTIFUL day, and lo and behold, I've got my Annual Pass in my wallet!" (It's usually not.)​

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The class ended around 3:30- I stopped for gas and a Starbuck's iced coffee and with that, I was off. I arrived at Epcot around 4:30, parked and walked to the entrance. This was just before Daylight Savings Time, so the sun was starting to get low in the sky, which made it tough to take good pictures (for this iPhone novice).​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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I wanted to go to Festival Center (mostly to see the new Vera Bradley/Disney patterns!) but it had just closed at 5. Instead, I headed to one of my favorite bathrooms in the hallway by the character meet and greets, behind Club Cool, and made my way to the butterfly garden.​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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(I don't know any of those people, I just like the chains you have to walk through to get in- reminds me of the beaded curtains in doorways in the 70's. I had one in my room as a kid, too )​

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Unfortunately, there weren't any butterflies out- it was a chilly day. There were these neat little fairy huts made out of organic materials:​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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And lots of chrysalises waiting to 'bloom.'​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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After a short stay in the butterfly garden, I walked along the pathway next to the Oz playground and waited about 10 minutes for this shot:​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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After that, I wandered through the herb garden. I would LOVE to grow herbs and greens. This whole area made my mouth water.​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Look how delicious!!! I just want to saute these bad boys up with some garlic, oil, red pepper flake and lemon juice! Drool.​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Mmm, beets.​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Beautiful AND tasty!​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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Valentines and F&G Disney trips by GatorAsh11, on Flickr​

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[openendedsky]

So the automatic doors of Festival Center opened and I stepped out to find this happy sight:​

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Wah-wahhhh.​

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Then I noticed the plants had also taken a beating:​

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THEN I looked down and noticed the ground was littered with debris:​

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Still, the sun was shining through for the first time all day; even these guys were happy about it.​

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Blue skies, smilin' at me...​

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Nothin' but blue skies (with some big fluffy grey clouds), do I see...​

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I made my way over to Test Track to see about jumping in the Single Rider line, but the ride was shut down and they didn't know when it would be back up.​

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So, I decided to leave, but was thoroughly entertained by:​

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CAST MEMBERS SWEEPING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER!!​

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When the yellow boots come out, you know they mean business​

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As I was leaving, I found my first one of these:​

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I call this, "Survey Marker Under Water." (as you can see on my Instagram account, DisneyfiedAsh)​

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Even the poor palm trees were still a bit droopy- but still pretty as ever​

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Poor dragonfly. I went ahead and followed you on instagram!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Ooh, I so want one of those Vera bags!! Do you know if they are only going to offer them at the parks?

 

[GatorAsh]

Poor dragonfly. I went ahead and followed you on instagram!

Well thanks! All Disney, all the time! I know, POOR dragonfly!

 

[GatorAsh]

Ooh, I so want one of those Vera bags!! Do you know if they are only going to offer them at the parks?

I don't know the specifics, but I know they're not available 'till the Fall. I assume it will be much like the Dooney and Burke bags, and available in the same places...

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Ooh, I so want one of those Vera bags!! Do you know if they are only going to offer them at the parks?

FWIW, they were in a showcase at the 'Center - I didn't see anything for sale.

 

[TheMouseFan]

I don't know the specifics, but I know they're not available 'till the Fall. I assume it will be much like the Dooney and Burke bags, and available in the same places...

I kind of figured that would be how it would work.

 

[GatorAsh]

I walked to Sunshine Seasons to try a piece of their strawberry shortcake​

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This was the second time today where I found a completely deserted seating area. Mine, all mine!!!​

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I ate the Sunshine Seasons cake, and proceeded to have a Strawberry Shortcake Showdown between the Florida Fresh food kiosk version and the Sunshine Seasons version. ​

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And the winner is...​

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Florida Fresh by a mile (IMO). I preferred the fresher, tart strawberries there, and the thick whipped cream. ​

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My next stop was to find a hidden bathroom I'd read about in the 'Best Bathroom' thread. On the way, I passed these little guys:​

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And then came upon the elusive restrooms:​

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Sure enough, it was deserted. It also didn't look like anyone had been around to clean the joint in a few days. There were paper towels all over the floor, and the trash cans were overflowing with them. ​

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Peek-a-boo!​

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Next stop was the butterfly garden. When I was here on opening day, it was chilly and there were maybe all of 5 butterflies in the garden. I had to check back to see if there were more now that it had warmed up.​

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But first, as a nod to the upcoming LTM Fairies week, here are some pictures of the fairy topiaries in the butterfly garden:​

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[openendedsky]

Now I'm craving strawberry shortcake
Good pictures of the fairy topiaries! And the rabbits are cute. My boyfriend and I saw one just hanging around ten feet away from us at Fantasia Minigolf one night.

 

[GatorAsh]

Now I'm craving strawberry shortcake
Good pictures of the fairy topiaries! And the rabbits are cute. My boyfriend and I saw one just hanging around ten feet away from us at Fantasia Minigolf one night.

I almost stepped on one, yes literally stepped on one, on the pathway through the rose garden at MK. It was not afraid of me at all, and it was night time, so I didn't see it. Yikes!

And I'm totally jealous that you were at Fantasia mini-golf last night. You live pretty close then, huh?

 

[openendedsky]

I almost stepped on one, yes literally stepped on one, on the pathway through the rose garden at MK. It was not afraid of me at all, and it was night time, so I didn't see it. Yikes!

And I'm totally jealous that you were at Fantasia mini-golf last night. You live pretty close then, huh?

Oh it wasn't last night. A couple of months ago now, but live in Lakeland, so yes. Close enough haha. The rabbits are so cute, and fairly big for being "wild".

 

[farrellbarrel]

Beautiful!! I love these pictures so much. The sweeping of water cracks me up

 

[GatorAsh]

Beautiful!! I love these pictures so much. The sweeping of water cracks me up

Well thanks for stopping by! I know, in all my years and times at Disney, I've never seen 'Cast Members Sweeping Water' before. Always something new and magical!

 

[BoarderPhreak]

The "Disney Reality Distortion Field" (similar to that of S.P.J.)...

"It didn't rain. Or flood. Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along."

 

[GatorAsh]

The "Disney Reality Distortion Field" (similar to that of S.P.J.)...

"It didn't rain. Or flood. Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along."

So funny and so true!

 

[GatorAsh]

Ok I'm going to try to motor through this and get caught up to 'real time' in preparation for my upcoming trip this coming weekend! (Where I'm sure to take more F&G pictures, so best get caught up now!)​

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Finishing up in the Butterfly Garden:​

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From there I headed behind Mousegear to find this:​

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which was closed due to the rain.​

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Walking down the path, I came upon this:​

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I then doubled back into Mousegear (pretty sure to buy a CD or something) and headed through here looking for the Bird Garden:​

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Why did I take a picture, you say? Because for the life of me, I cannot figure out why people would choose to eat here. In Epcot, of all places. A few hundred yards away you can find any kind of food from anywhere in the world! Or go across to the Land and have some garden-y goodness! Why, people, WHY?!?!​

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While pondering that, I looked at my map only to discover that I had been rightby the bird garden when I was at Radiator Springs. So, back through EU I go. ​

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Found it!​

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A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush- what about a really cool bird in a floating bush at Epcot?! What's that worth, huh?!​

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[GatorAsh]

Looking at my watch, I noticed that the Gator game was just about to start! I had two choices: walk to the right and head out of International Gateway to find the game on the Boardwalk or make a pit stop in Mexico at La Cava del Tequila. I was torn- is it lame to have a drink by oneself there? I always have my boyfriend to accompany me. But it was a Gator game, which is always enhanced with a drink. And darn it, I was in Epcot! Here's the decision I made:​

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Hola! ​

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And look at that- another chap having a drink along at the bar. Not so lame, after all. ​

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Some more of those exquisite orchids:​

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Coming out of Mexico, I again had a choice to make- how to get to the International Gateway. I was literally smack dab in the middle- it would have been ideal to take a boat or swim straight across World Showcase Lagoon. I chose to turn left toward Norway since I hadn't gone through those countries yet that day. On my way around, I took a picture of these pitcher plants for sale in a kiosk.​

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It started spitting again, so I was high-steppin' (all the while singing "Stepping Time" from Mary Poppins in my head) to make it here:​

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It was here that I met who was to become a good friend- Disney Bill. We started chatting; he works for Disney and I was going on about my love for the place. We watched the game together and talked for a few hours, and then decided to go back to Epcot to check out Illuminations. ​

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If anyone has any tips for taking good firework and/or dark ride photos on an iPhone5, please share! 'Cause obviously, I ain't got it!​

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Disney Bill couldn't believe that I'd never watched the Boardwalk entertainment before, so we stopped to catch a few acts:​

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And then, because I was STILL parked at MGM from earlier that day (remember the TOT ride?!?) I caught the boat back over and called it a day. A fantastic day, at that. New friends, food, sights and experiences- that's what Disney is all about. ​

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[openendedsky]

I'll have to remember the boat ride if I ever parkhop DHS/EPCOT. And I always kind of forget that the electric umbrella even exists, though I guess it's good for the family of picky eaters. What kind of drink was that from La Cava De Taquila? And those nachos look delicious.