Hi Alicia,
It looks like you’re currently visiting the beautiful Walt Disney World Resort! Hopefully your visit includes exploring the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, which runs through July 5, 2023. As the flowers sing in the animated classic film Alice in Wonderland:
“Little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips
And the sun is like a toy balloon
There are get up in the morning glories
In the golden afternoon
There are dizzy daffodils on the hillside
Strings of violets are all in tune
Tiger lilies love the dandy lions
In the golden afternoon”
Like Alice, I found your question curiouser and curiouser so I made a few connections with Cast Members and we all came to the same conclusion. There are many amazing processes and behind the scenes activities that bring magic to life for us Guests, so the exact next destination for these stunning flowers and plants is not clear. Rest assured, these plants are living their best life in full bloom and bringing so much joy to countless Guests who visit the festival during its long run. I can’t think of a better place to be as a flower than this colorful, happy festival!
At Disney Institute, I learned some fascinating facts about how they keep the lush grounds throughout the Walt Disney World Resort seemingly perfect. Some of the key species and signature plants or trees have an understudy, just as we would in a theatrical play, that grows and thrives backstage until it is one day needed to take the grand stage in a theme park or resort. Until that day when it can be seen and enjoyed by all Guests, it is treated with the utmost respect, love, and care to be sure it is show-ready if ever needed. While the horticulture team works so hard to keep every living thing at its best, sometimes Mother Nature can spoil the best laid plans. With these understudies and additional gardens that Guests will never see, the team is able to replace or supplement displays as needed. Knowing the attention to detail and thought behind the vegetation that creates these stunning worlds in the theme parks, I’m confident the EPCOT showstoppers at the festival will have another great place to thrive after their time in the sun is complete.
I suggest, and the Cast Members I chatted with today agree, that you take the time to connect with a Cast Member working in EPCOT during this visit to ask your question. You can learn more through a personal conversation about what goes on to prepare for the festivals and how they help so many incredible living things to always look their best. I love connecting with these special teams when I’m exploring a theme park; everyone is always so friendly and wants to help so please don’t be shy!
The Behind the Seeds Tour is another opportunity to feed your own curiosity – you can learn more about the magic behind these beautiful plants and the ethical, sustainable way that the Walt Disney World Resort approaches its parks and resorts.
While I regrettably don’t have a firm answer for you Alicia, I hope you’ve enjoyed going down the rabbit hole of possibilities and imagination with me as we envision what these beautiful flowers’ lives must be like. I hope you have a special time on your vacation, and please send us any more questions you may have in planning your next trip.
Wishing you blue skies and sunshine,
Amy