Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World, where we are getting ready to visit the Magic Kingdom for the 24 hour day! However, today’s update is dedicated to Epcot, where the bloom is finally off the rose. . . literally. Flower and Garden (or Garden and Wine) Festival has come to an end.
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| [img]http://datelinedisneyland.smugmug.com/Other/DDW/i-vbVkdkc/0/O/epcot-1.png[/img] |
Welcome to Epcot!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3035.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3036.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3037.jpg[/img]
They used to have CM’s holding signs like these, but these signs are probably cheaper.
Entering the park, Flower and Garden is now over and removal of topiaries has begun. On the plus side, the regular entrance background music has returned.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3038.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3039.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3040.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3041.jpg[/img]
Some work being done near the Leave a Legacy cemetery.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3042.jpg[/img]
There are lots of these around now, this one blocks the path to where the Cars topiaries were.
Some parts of the festival are still here for now.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3043.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3044.jpg[/img]
Over at the World Showcase Promenade, there are several small projects happening.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3045.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3046.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3047.jpg[/img]
More Flower and Garden removal.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3048.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3049.jpg[/img]
The Peter Pan displays are now gone.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3050.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3051.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3052.jpg[/img]
These blockers are up in between France and Morocco.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3053.jpg[/img]
The sign is up showcasing who will be playing the Sounds Like Summer concert series.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3054.jpg[/img]
The smokehouse food booth, which was my favorite during F&G is removed. Some people thought it might stick around, but it did not.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3055.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3056.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3057.jpg[/img]
This ODV cart with the donkey used to be towards the lagoon, but is now placed inside the Italy pavilion.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3058.jpg[/img]
Via Napoli still offers delicious food at a great price for table service in the park.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3063.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3064.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3065.jpg[/img]
These ones block where the little biergarten was outside Germany.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3066.jpg[/img]
No more panda topiaries.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3067.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3068.jpg[/img]
All the Oz stuff is blocked off as well.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3069.jpg[/img]
The walls that were seemingly up forever to setup Fastpass+ at Nemo are down.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3070.jpg[/img]
Character spot is still tarped up. It looks ugly now, but hopefully good work is going on behind the curtain.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3071.jpg[/img]
Walls for the new Starbucks location now extend almost all the way to Club Cool.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3072.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3073.jpg[/img]
Another visit to Epcot, another time seeing this booth not operational. Seems like kind of a waste.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3074.jpg[/img]
Phineas and Ferb have also left this area, which will probably add a Mickey floral or something soon.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3075.jpg[/img]
Pro tip: Ride Spaceship Earth around 2pm, never a line!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3076.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3077.jpg[/img]
This shot glass set looks rather generic with the exception of the Figment glass, which looks pretty great.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld05222013-IMG_3078.jpg[/img]
Well, that wraps things up for this week’s column. Are you sad to see the Flower and Garden Festival go? What were your thoughts on the Food and Wine style booths which were added this year. Is it something you’d like to see return? Let us know in the comments below.
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If you enjoyed the column, especially the photos, and you want to check out more photos and tutorials on Disney photography, please check out my photo site, [URL=”http://www.DisneyPhotographyBlog.com”]Disney Photography Blog[/URL]. And if you like listening more than reading, you can hear us talk about Disney and photography on my podcast, [URL=”http://www.ISO5571.com”]ISO5571[/URL]