This week I'll let you tag along on our honeymoon adventures... in the parks anyways.
Okay, let's face it. Epcot gets a bad rap for being the "boring" Disney theme park. If you're into gardens, however, it's definitely worth a visit! In Future World the landscaping is actually the most modern part, light years ahead of some supposedly futuristic attractions.The massed plantings of bromeliads and other architectural plants were out of this world, and nothing beats the sight of blooming jacarandas against Spaceship Earth.
Even the agricultural attraction "Living With the Land" was behind the times, at least for the first half where you hear messages such as "Scientists are discovering that organic matter in the soil yields greater crops!" The second half of "Living With the Land" was a lot cooler. There we got to see aquaponics in action, fish farming, and some cool plants like cocoa, miracle fruit, jackfruit and vanilla. There's even a "Behind the Seeds" tour you can take, though it was out of our budget.
Here are some other garden scenes from Future World in Epcot. I really dug their plant choices... how about you?
 |
| Rivers of Duranta and Agapanthus beneath crepe myrtles... such a beautiful sight |
 |
| Alcantarea bromeliads en masse in front of Spaceship Earth |
 |
| An Aechmea "Blue Tango" planted in swathes of Liriope and Alocasia. |
 |
| A gorgeous cassia tree in bloom |
 |
| Some of the modernist plantings reminded me of Roberto Burle Marx's work. |
 |
| Jacaranda blooming in front of Spaceship Earth |
One more thing. If you ever find yourself exhausted and in dire need of air conditioning, do not, I repeat do NOT wander into the first ride you come across just to get out of the sun. We awoke to find ourselves in the funhouse of terror called "Journey Into Imagination with Figment" where a purple dragon invited us to explore our imagination with our senses! All we wanted to do was explore the exit, as did the only other participants on the ride, a few bewildered and confused older adults. We were even assaulted with a blast of skunky odor. I don't even think that little kids would like that ride!
Stay tuned for the next stop on the honeymoon tour, the gardens of Epcot's World Showcase!
Oh I was at Epcot for their flower festival and it was awesome, seems as though it is is still wonderful at any time. I love that jack fruit - didn't know they could grow them there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us tag along :) I have been visiting Epcot for several years since my kids have out-grown disney world. When I was there before, I was not a gardener yet, and did not pay much attention to their landscapes. Your pictures made me wanting to go back, not for that skunk odor ride :) Especially love the picture with agapanthus flowers under crape myrtle tree.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks for hopping over to my blog to identify that bromeliad. Don't worry about it. I was just curious . Thanks again!
oops, I meant " I have NOT been visiting Epcot...".
ReplyDeleteWow I have always wanted to go there. Thanks for the look. It is beautiful and can't wait to see more photos!
ReplyDeleteSame as Ami. I was not a "gardener" either so I didn't get to appreciate the plants. Hmm. I vaguely recall a purple dragon. Does this mean I was also trapped into imagining? *shudder*
ReplyDelete