Epcot is beginning to bloom for Flower and Garden Festival. We’ll take a quick look at the colorful happenings as well as news from Hollywood Studios, where Star Wars is taking over the park. Let’s go!

Welcome to the park!
Welcome to the park!

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Construction for F&G happening next to Innoventions.
Construction for F&G happening next to Innoventions.
Lots of extra flowers planted throughout the park already.
Lots of extra flowers planted throughout the park already.

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Flower beds are in place in Future World!
Flower beds are in place in Future World!

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More flower bed and monorail goodness!
More flower bed and monorail goodness!
The butterfly house is mostly constructed as well.
The butterfly house is mostly constructed as well.
Almost all of the food booths are set up in World Showcase as well.
Almost all of the food booths are set up in World Showcase as well.

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Anna and Elsa have left the center of the park for Norway for this year's festival.
Anna and Elsa have moved from the center of the park to Norway for this year’s festival.

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Temple of Heaven is still getting cleaned up.
Temple of Heaven is still getting cleaned up.
More booths.
More booths.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs topiaries are installed.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs topiaries are installed.

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Lady and the Tramp in Italy as well.
Lady and the Tramp in Italy.
Woody is back at the American Adventure.
Woody is back at the American Adventure.

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More things being set up between Morocco and France.
More things being set up between Morocco and France.

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France's new booth from Food and Wine is used for F&G this year.
France’s new booth from Food and Wine is used for F&G this year.
Twinings tea pots are up in the UK.
Twinings tea pots are up in the UK.
Peter Pan topiaries are in the UK as well.
Peter Pan topiaries are in the UK as well.

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So many flowers.
So many flowers.
Playground being constructed between Future World and World Showcase near Imagination.
Playground being constructed between Future World and World Showcase near Imagination.

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Rumors have it that there are major cuts coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World that would have some major impact on park hours and store hours. Even a place like MouseGear is rumored to have shorter hours and less staffing.
Rumors have it that there are major cuts coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World that would have some major impact on park hours and store hours. Even a place like MouseGear is rumored to have shorter hours and less staffing.

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Time to move over to Hollywood Studios!

Star Wars-Themed Land Artist Concept

Disney has released some concept art for Star Wars Land!
Disney has released some concept art for Star Wars Land!

Star Wars-Themed Land Artist Concept

Disney has also announced that the fireworks will be updated.
Disney has also announced that the fireworks will be updated.
There will be projection mapping on the Chinese Theater, and it starts on April 4th.
There will be projection mapping on the Chinese Theater, and it starts on April 4th.
With The Force Awakens potentially releasing on Blu-Ray on the 5th, that's a pretty big week for Star Wars fans.
With The Force Awakens potentially releasing on Blu-Ray on the 5th, that’s a pretty big week for Star Wars fans.
There will also be a stage show in the center of the park that showcases many Star Wars characters.
There will also be a stage show in the center of the park that showcases many Star Wars characters.
Captain Phasma will also lead a procession from Launch Bay to the center stage multiple times a day.
Captain Phasma will also lead a procession from Launch Bay to the center stage multiple times a day.

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More News from around Walt Disney World:

  • Yo ho, yo ho.. It’s a pirate  tsum tsum life starting Friday, February 26. These cute little 3  inch plush characters were created especially for the Disney Parks. 7 different tsums inspired by the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction can be found in all four Walt Disney World theme parks and also at Once Upon a Toy located in Disney Springs Marketplace. The dog with keys is going to be a fan favorite for sure!
  • Walt Disney World just announced 16 miles of new running/ walking trails located throughout the entire resort. Even though you’re on vacation, you might want to take the family for a fun walk or an early morning solo run. The trail located along the Seven Seas Lagoon offers some wonderful and unique views of the area resorts and Magic Kingdom theme park. The New Balance running trails will be open day or night. The front desks of all Walt Disney World resorts have maps available with further information
  • Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is celebrating all the glamour of old fashioned movie making and Hollywood glitz, with an epic feast and character dining experience. Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine is hosted by the one and only starlet herself, Minnie Mouse. This party includes walking the red carpet and rubbing elbows with Mickey and all the gang dressed to the nines,  in their Hollywood best. Fabulous food, special activities and one of a kind photo opportunities will also be available. This dining experience is open now and runs until March 20, 2016

That’s it for this week. Do you like what you see at Epcot? Excited for more Star Wars at DHS? Do you like the concept art for Star Wars Land? Let us know in the comments below!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.