Introduction

This section of Brian Bennett's Disney Trip Planner is unique. Rather than providing specific help for planning a great trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, "The Magical Gardens of Disney" instead points out some of the details that make WDW and Disneyland so very special—and gives ideas about how you can recreate some of that magic at home!

From the very beginnings of Walt's plans for Disneyland, landscaping was intended to be an integral part of the parks. Walt learned these lessons during his many visits to the wonderful formal gardens of Europe during the late 1940's and 1950's. Tivoli Gardens, in Copenhagen, for example, gave Walt ideas about presentation and technique that he sorely wanted to have implemented in his new park. Accordingly, Morgan "Bill" Evans, the great Disney horticulturist, was hired to bring a fantastic perspective to the attractions and vistas of the parks. It was Mr. Evans that first implemented the ideas that floriculture and agriculture can—and do—give provide depth to the "show" that the park's guests were to enjoy.

"The Magical Gardens of Disney" is based in part on material that Barb and I received during the International Flower & Garden Festival in 1998 and 2000 and several tours of Walt Disney World's gardens and greenhouses as well as the "backstage" tree farm and horticultural facilities. Barb has added some of her own expertise that she has acquired from working in a commercial greenhouse here in Michigan. With her knowledge of plant material that is available and that thrives way up here in zone 5, Barb might provide some information that can help you to create at home some of the wonderful show that the Disney horticulturists are so famous for. We hope you enjoy...

A working bibliography of documents and books is provided as a final resource.

I do have to point out that a great deal of the material for this presentation was taken directly from the seminar notes provided to attendees of the 1998 and 2000 International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. The copyright for the material is held by the Walt Disney Company. As long as the Walt Disney Company and co-sponsors Southern Living Magazine and Sta-Green do not claim an infringement on that copyright, I will keep it here for everyone to enjoy.

Selected Bibliography

Backyard Habitats – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Bonzai and Penjing – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Butterfly Gardening – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Cutting Gardens – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Disney's Gardening with Mickey – by Ann Groom, The Walt Disney Company.

Floating Gardens – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Flower Gardening – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

The Gardens of the Walt Disney World Resort – by Katy Moss Warner; Gene Duncan; Jim Cooper; Dee Hansford; and Tom Underwood, The Walt Disney Company, 1988.

Hanging Baskets – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Horticulture at Disney's Animal Kingdom – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Innovation In Action – tour handout notes, Disney University Professional Development Programs, The Walt Disney Company.

Interior Plants – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Planting Ideas – tour handout notes, Walt Disney World Seminar Productions, The Walt Disney Company, 1984.

Right Plant in the Right Place – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

Topiary – seminar handout notes, Walt Disney World, 1998.

More Help Direct from Disney

It always happens. We notice a specific plant we like or see the Disney gardeners using a special technique while we're at the park and decide to try it out at home. After a few days, though, we've forgotten what it's called or how to do it before we're able to give it a shot. The answer? call Walt Disney World and ask.

If you have questions about Disney's horticulture, call the Walt Disney World Gardening Info Line at (407) 938-3900.

• Introduction

• Garden Tours

• Barb's Top 10 Disney Garden Attractions

• Brian's Top 10 Disney Garden Attractions

• Tips: Right Plant in the Right Place

• Tips: Interior Plants

• Backyard Habitats

• Butterfly Gardening

• Bonsai and Penjing

• Water Gardening

• Flower Gardening

• Cutting Gardens

• Disney StyleTopiary

• Disney Style Horticulture at Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Disney Style Hanging Baskets

• Disney Style Floating Gardens

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