New 2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise
The 2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicked off on Feb. 28, bringing an extra layer of color and beauty to the park. But besides the topiaries, special gardens, seminars, outdoor kitchens and live music, the festival offers up something else that Disney does especially well: festival merchandise. And, with the festival celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, you know the souvenirs will be extra special.
Disney hosts a lot of special events throughout the years, and one thing that always seems to go along with these events is the extra special souvenirs that you can get from them. And, the commemorative merchandise for this year’s Flower & Garden Festival does not disappoint. The festival typically offers a wide array of garden-themed merchandise. Some things are brought in by outside vendors and are not really Disney related, but the stuff I’m most interested in is, of course, Disney specific.
Probably the most exciting aspect of all Epcot merchandise in recent years and continuing this year is how prominently Figment is featured on many of the items. He’s on everything from shirts and Magic Bands to mugs and other drinkware along with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other special characters – Orange Bird anyone?
According to the Disney Parks Blog, the seeds of this year’s merchandise assortment were planted more than a year ago by Event Product Developer Cathy Dawson. By collaborating with a talented art team and incorporating beloved products from Disney Parks, Dawson tells the Festival’s story from a fresh new perspective.
“This year’s merchandise mixes the latest on-trend designs with products we know guests love such as headwear or home décor,” Dawson said. “Since this year is a milestone anniversary, everything has a new look and many items include a 25th Anniversary logo in the artwork. There’s something for everyone to remember a springtime visit to Epcot.”
More than 75 items were created for this year’s annual event and little details were added to many products. New headwear, such as the Mouse-eared baseball cap, contain nods to Spaceship Earth, while the flower-covered headband is reminiscent of the millions of blooms guests will see at Epcot.
This year, four art collections complement the Festival’s overall design. Dawson referenced an artwork style guide during the design process so the products have a consistent look when displayed throughout the park.
The “Mickey’s Grove” collection with Mickey Mouse, Pluto, and Orange Bird contains a harvested assortment of apparel, accessories, home décor, and more. Figment “unearths the unexpected” in the “Figment Discovers” collection with apparel, drinkware, and garden statuary. The “Fresh Epcot” collection has brightly colored picks of the season from a simple pocket t-shirt to collectible pins. “Minnie’s Farmhouse Flower Shop” showcases Minnie Mouse with her cat Figaro capturing the essence of spring.
And, of course, Annual Passholders attending the event will find a variety of Passholder Exclusive products including drinkware by Tervis, pins, apparel, and a handbag by Dooney & Bourke.
So far, two limited-edition retail MagicBands have been released for the festival. The Mickey Mouse-themed one has an edition size of 2,000 and is packaged in an orange-scented box. The Passholder Exclusive MagicBand also has an edition size of 2,000 and complements other Figment products created for the event. One additional MagicBand will be released at a future date during the Festival. Packaged in a box that smells like flowers, the Minnie Mouse-inspired item will have an edition size of 1,000.
I don’t know about you but I am loving this year’s merchandise. I can’t wait to get myself down there and check it out in person. I’m pretty sure I need that Figment mug in my collection and really everything else. What’s your favorite? Comment below and let us know.
These products and many others can be found in select merchandise locations throughout Epcot. For more information on the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, check out epcotinspring.com.
Photos Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Lindsay Mott, aka Souvenir Gal, is a lover of all Disney merchandise. She worked for Walt Disney World for 5 years and has never truly gotten over it, now visiting Disney World as often as possible. Lindsay is a regular contributor to Celebrations Magazine and is always on the hunt for the next “perfect” Disney souvenir – official or not. She is an Authorized Disney Travel Planner with The Traveling Mouse Company. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for the best souvenirs and travel planning tips and tricks.