Disney World May 2012 Trip Report Pt 4
I’m not too upset by this, as I think it’s great that Epcot is dressed up a bit for a no-charge event, but it would be nice to have more than just 10-15% refreshed/new from year to year. Same goes for Food & Wine Festival. Flower & Garden Festival may be a no charge event, but I find it difficult to believe that Disney isn’t profiting off of it some way or another (merchandise, associated special events, getting people to the parks who wouldn’t otherwise come, etc.), and given that, a little more effort to make it fresh each year–especially given that it’s something that appeals more to frequent/returning guests more than one in a lifetime guests–would be appreciated.
As long as I’m on my list of things I’d like to see change about the Flower & Garden Festival, in addition to new topiaries, I’ll add to the list more topiaries not based on Disney properties. This is a huge one. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that characters from Cars 2 should be in Japan. There is absolutely no sound justification for this. I don’t care if the movie was partially set in Tokyo, it doesn’t make talking cars fit in Japan. It’s insulting to guests, and an affront to the concept of World Showcase. I would speak more harshly, but I’m betting a lot of people reading this have a “who cares” or “close enough” attitude towards the Cars characters in Japan. I don’t.
Whereas Beauty and the Beast and other classic fairytale characters fit in European countries in the World Showcase because they have somewhat rich histories with those countries or at least a somewhat strong association to the country where they’re located, the same cannot be said for Cars in Japan. I would hazard a guess that most people don’t think “Japan” when thinking about Larry the Cable Guy’s Mater character. Regardless of what dumb adventure that character has had in a foreign country, I instantly associate Mater with rednecks. He and Lightning McQueen simply don’t fit in Japan. It’s a contrived association that just doesn’t work.
Similarly contrived is the Toy Story characters in America. Yes, Toy Story was set in America, but it’s setting was hardly relevant to the story. I don’t like these characters being located in America, but it’s not nearly as big of a deal (in the grand scheme of things, neither of these issues are really “big deals,” but you’re reading a trip report about Walt Disney World, and in the context of pressing Walt Disney World “issues,” they’re big deals) of Cars in Japan. The former is more forgivable because the toys aren’t prominently featured at the front of the pavilion, and because there isn’t a whole lot of cultural richness to the exterior of the American Adventure anyway.
Japan has this inarticulable mystique, plus rich theming and layers of details that are broken by the Cars characters. American Adventure, while beautiful and a testament to the powers of forced perspective, isn’t really all that immersive of an “America” experience from the exterior, so there’s less for the toys to break. Plus, perhaps, random toys strewn about in a garden aren’t all that atypical in America. We see plenty of crap in yards here in Indiana! In any case, the Toy Story characters in America don’t bother me as much.
Every other topiary in World Showcase for Flower & Garden Festival is okay, although I would love to see entirely new topiary designs for 2013. I don’t care if the same characters are used, just make them different. Put Beast and Belle in different poses. Give Winnie the Pooh something besides a balloon. Just do something different. I can’t imagine that the frames used to grow these topiaries are all that expensive to redesign.
The worst offenders could be found up by the Wonders of Life pavilion, where the Fab Five could be found. Not only are these characters in these same poses used from year to year at Flower & Garden Festival, they’re used from year to year at Christmas and other times, too. I have photos dating back to Christmas 2007 that show the exact same topiary poses for these characters. Disney moves the characters around and puts them in different scenes, but the characters have the same poses–it’s pretty pathetic.
Of course, our Epcot fun didn’t stop there! Neither did my “airing of grievances…”
There are multiple pages in this Walt Disney World trip report installment. Navigate to the next page below!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to find somebody with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that’s wanted on the web, somebody with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the web!
Hello it is a little late but, I love your trip reports, and I enjoy reading/ looking at them especially before upcoming trips (the next being at the end of this month). I just wanted to give a possible reason as to why they cars themed flowers were in Japan. It is true that the opening scene and part of the movie cars TWO (released in 2011) was set in Japan. I still agree with you in thinking it was a poor choice, by those were just my thoughts. Thanks, honestly adore your reports, keep it up!
Absolutely love your trip report installments. You guys have “it” when it comes to relaying that magical feeling of being at Disney. My family is staying at CBR for the first time during our upcoming Sept.-Oct. trip. Can you maybe post your favorite CBR pic? Thanks and keep up the outstanding work!
I just wanted to show a little support for your anti-Tinkerbell stance 😉 I’ve always disliked that character! She’s TOO sassy (like you said). And it may have something to do with my name… My mother named me after Wendy from Peter Pan and it’s always bugged me that Tinkerbell steals Wendy’s thunder in that movie 😉 Most little girls love Tinkerbell, not Wendy!
Glad someone else agrees. Judging by the relative silence in response to my point, I’m guessing most people DISAGREE with me. Sorry to anyone I offended! 🙂
I agree 100% about the clothing you mentioned in your trip report. There’s an over saturation of this “fairy” themed clothing that really becomes annoying. And if I ever did have kids, I would definitely give them a well rounded impression of Disney and it’s offerings.
The photos with the cars near Test Track are great! Those are the type of photos I love taking!
I’ve already had multiple requests for prints of those photos (okay, not really), so I guess they’re a big hit!!! 😉
Which night was your reservation at Narcoossee’s? I was going backward through my trip and trying to figure out which night you’re talking about, in comparison to the night you were kind enough to spend some time with Mike and I.
Oh I do love reading your trip notes. Thanks so much for the photos you did show of the Riverside. Hubby and I (fellow hoosiers) will be staying there in 21 days. Seeing the lovely photos added to my growing excitement.
Ah, Tom…once you have a kid, especially if that kid happens to be a daughter, you’ll get to know all of those fairies really quickly! Our daughter is obsessed with the Tink movies and I’ve heard them so many times on long road trips, I know the words to the music!
Great installment…I agree with your feelings on the topiaries. We’ve attended the festival three times over the last five years and all of my photos look the same!
Love this installment! Gorgeous pics! Can’t wait to read your next entry….Narcoossee’s is my favorite restauarant on property!