The 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is back in a burst of color and outdoor family fun – starting earlier than ever and continuing through May 16, 2010. “The advantage of starting earlier is that we’ll be able to feature more brilliant color than ever, with richly hued petunias, violas, snapdragons and other hardy flowers,” says festival horticulture manager Eric Darden.

Donald Duck and his topiary pals set up camp in full floral color to celebrate The Great Outdoors at the Epcot front entrance. Each year, dozens of Walt Disney World horticulturists install the giant display in a single night, starting once Epcot guests depart and finishing before sunrise. This year’s display includes a live waterfall and pond, Goofy in a fly-fishing misadventure, Daisy Duck roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and Pluto in his “pup tent.”

Special gardens, events and children’s play areas include:

• The new Community Garden - featuring topiary Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy tending tomatoes, beans, peppers and herbs in a salute to community gardens being planted across the country.
• Expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden – Topiaries of Tinker Bell and friends from Walt Disney Pictures’ latest DVD release “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” sprinkle pixie dust over this playful garden for kids, now including the popular live butterfly garden.
• Flower Power concerts – Nationally-known bands play every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Scheduled performers include Jose Feliciano, Davy Jones, Chubby Checker, Tony Orlando and former Boston lead singer Fran Cosmo.
• Home gardening presentations – Both Disney horticulturists and visiting gardening celebrities and authors share tips and secrets.