The Season of Magic: How the Holidays Bloom at Disney World

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a certain iconic red plant decking the halls – the poinsettia! That’s why Cast Members plant over 100,000 poinsettias and other festival foliage each year at Walt Disney World. Planning, decorating, and planting this stunning amount takes careful preparation from Disney’s skilled horticulturists who create the beautifully landscaped wonderland that guests know and love during the most wonderful time of the year.

At a 3.5 acre-tree farm behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, horticulturists have been caring for the resort’s plants and flowers for over five decades even before Disney World opened! Today, selecting these quintessential holiday plants begins nearly a year before the holidays. With over 100 different varieties of poinsettias to choose from, this living decor finds its way into picture-perfect spots across our theme parks, resorts and Disney Springs and come in a range of colors – from classic reds and bright whites to unique shades of pink. You can also check out the 8-foot-tall poinsettia “towers” throughout World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT.

As a horticulture area manager, Allison Brooks has been transforming Disney landscapes since she started as an intern 26 years ago and truly loves bringing the holidays to life.

“I love to use my horticulture skills to bring our parks and resorts to life, especially during the holidays. Our team works year-round enhancing Disney spaces with carefully chosen foliage,” said Allison. “After all the flowers are nurtured and planted, it becomes a special moment to showcase the team’s talents and share this experience with our guests.”

Allison’s Pro Tip: If you’re caring for poinsettias at home this holiday season, make sure they have plenty of sunlight. Add water whenever the surface of the soil feels dry. Be careful not to overwater your poinsettia. Some may even surprise you and bloom again next year!

Once the holiday season is upon us, the floral magic comes alive! Allison and her team—including talented gardeners, arborists and more—plant a stunning array of poinsettias in the wee hours of the morning. They then prepare the parks and resorts for opening the next day, adding a vivid pop of color to beloved experiences like the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth.

So next time you’re strolling through Disney World, take a moment to immerse yourself in the vibrant displays that create beautiful memories and bring holiday cheer to guests of all ages!

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