PHOTOS - Topiary installation for Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival now underway

TP2000Feb 23, 2014

It's an amazing spectacle of human ingenuity, that's for sure. And darn pretty. Immediately following the parade on New Year's Day, around 1:00PM, the floats are parked on Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena and are available for up close inspection. The Tournament of Roses staffs volunteers, and the various companies also staff representatives to talk about the floats and materials they used. It's sort of a street party that usually runs through January 3rd. I enjoy going up on January 2nd when the crowds have lessened. Floats Displayed After The Rose Parade in Pasadena Has WDW made any sort of announcement regarding these new Epcot topiaries? Anything on the official Parks Blog or something? If these are created with natural materials, like a Rose Parade float, it would seem Disney could really play that up for a bit of fun PR. But if these new faces are made with Styrofoam and plastic arts n' crafts materials, then perhaps they shouldn't say anything. ;)

Snowflake82Feb 23, 2014

Seeing the Tournament of Roses parade in person is on my bucket list. Haven't yet convinced anyone else in the family to go.

TP2000Feb 22, 2014

I think at the Rose Bowl parade there is more distance between the audience and the floats so you can do more details with more believable foliage. At Epcot when you are 2 feet away it is more difficult of course. Actually, one of the most popular parts of the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (AKA "The Rose Bowl Parade") is the post-parade tradition of parking the dozens of floats in Pasadena for several days for the local community to walk through and inspect up close. It's absolutely a stunning spectacle to wander amongst all these giant floats and see the handiwork up close. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, that is visible on the floats must be naturally grown materials; flowers, seeds, grasses, leaves, pollen, petals, bark, roots, or stems, and all must be applied by human hands. It's truly amazing to see in person up close. A recent example... Here's the float last year from the nice folks at Rain Bird Sprinklers, with a jungle theme and big tigers, as seen from the curb. Impressive! But after the parade the floats are parked, you can get up and take a look at these amazing creations... Even more impressive! If the WDW horticulturists are using the same high standards and practices demanded by the Tournament of Roses, it's entirely possible that these new faces on the Epcot topiaries are all natural using seeds and natural materials. Although, the parade floats only have to look nice for a short week in a gentle SoCal climate, while those Epcot topiaries must stay up for months in the much harsher Orlando climate. That's the only thing that makes me think these topiary faces are made with unnatural and man-made materials while the torsos remain plants. Like visiting New York City and Washington D.C. and the Grand Canyon, every patriotic American should also try to see the Rose Bowl Parade at least once in their life. It's a truly inspiring and jaw-droppingly impressive experience. Watching it on TV doesn't do it justice. FUN FACT: Disney has a long history entering floats in the parade, back to the 1930's. The most exciting year was when Walt Disney was the Grand Marshall for the Tournament of Roses Parade for 1966. The parade theme that year was "It's A Small World", to celebrate the imminent opening of the it's a small world attraction at Disneyland a few months later in May, 1966.

TubaGeekFeb 22, 2014

I was on the fence till I thought of it this way: If we had had the realistic faces and then switched to the vague bump faces, I would be SUPER upset. So... I guess I'm in the "like it" group. Though I do wish they still made her dress the old way.

MOXOMUMDFeb 22, 2014

"Check this box if you like it." (checkaroo :))

Prototype82Feb 22, 2014

They might as well make them weeping angels. That's how creeped out I am. Kidding. I don't know. I liked the classic topiaries better. But that's just me.

hpyhnt 1000Feb 21, 2014

Cool, but kinda creepy looking as well. Also note the differences to the dress. Last year the upper part was blue and red moss; this year her dress is just shades of green ivy and shrub.

Soarin' Over PghFeb 21, 2014

I kinda like the 'old' version better. It looks more topiary-esque. This reminds me of a poor Snow White who's been turned green and has grown into the forest... The no-face was OK with me. But then again, I like the look of basic topiaries.

lebeauFeb 21, 2014

Can't decide if it is cool or creepy. Can I split the difference?

NowIncFeb 21, 2014

...its creeping me out.

mutekiFeb 21, 2014

Subjective of course, but I think you can only add so much detail to the point that it stops looking like real foliage and instead looks like something else. An "uncanny valley" for topiaries :p There is some value in the "abstract" versions as well. I think at the Rose Bowl parade there is more distance between the audience and the floats so you can do more details with more believable foliage. At Epcot when you are 2 feet away it is more difficult of course.

wdwmagicFeb 21, 2014

Almost looks like their using the same technique as with the Rose Bowl parades... as long as the fixture is covered with plant/organic material. Nice. Can't wait to see the others I'm surprised that have not done all of them. The princess figures along the bridge between the UK and France now look very primitive compared to this one.

BwanaBobFeb 21, 2014

Almost looks like their using the same technique as with the Rose Bowl parades... as long as the fixture is covered with plant/organic material. Nice. Can't wait to see the others