Disney Garden of Wonder has returned to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, presenting a second edition of the character-led topiary showcase at Floral Fantasy.
Organised with Disney and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, the exhibition will run until 14 March 2027. It features 23 topiaries inspired by Disney and Pixar characters, using horticultural design, themed environments and interactive elements to create a family-focused visitor experience.
Character IP Meets Horticultural Design
The second edition builds on the showcase first presented at Gardens by the Bay in 2024. For attraction operators and destination marketers, the project demonstrates how well-known intellectual property can be adapted into a horticultural setting without relying on screen-based media.
The exhibition is arranged across five themed areas. Go Local places Disney characters within Singapore-inspired settings, including food and drink references linked to local culture. Toy Story 5 introduces Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie alongside new characters Lilypad and Smarty Pants. Hundred Acre Wood presents Winnie the Pooh characters in a party scene, while the Disney Princess area includes Rapunzel, Belle and Jasmine. Frozen adds an interactive zone where lighting and responsive floor effects create a snow-themed environment.
Production Detail Supports Visitor Appeal
The topiaries have been assembled by hand using preserved and dried floral materials from over 40 different species. The production required over 16,000 hours of labour, reflecting the level of labour involved in character accuracy, texture and scenic detail.
Material selection plays an important role in the final presentation. Flowers are used extensively for the Disney Princess area, while Rapunzel’s hair is formed from Stipa, a perennial grass known for its soft flowerheads.
The surrounding planting also supports each narrative zone. Sunflowers and marigolds create a warm meadow setting for Winnie the Pooh, while roses and lilies support the Disney Princess environments. Dusty miller and hydrangeas help create the cool tones associated with Frozen.
For designers, this points to the value of aligning plant material, colour, texture and story in temporary or semi-permanent attractions.
Interactive And Destination Value
The Frozen area introduces a stronger participatory element, with an Ice Palace-inspired floor where snowflake effects respond to movement. A four-metre Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey has also been positioned outside Floral Fantasy as a high-impact arrival feature.
The wider programme includes selected weekend appearances by Disney characters in Singapore-inspired outfits, adding an events layer to the exhibition’s core scenic offer.
For Gardens by the Bay, the project supports repeat visitation, seasonal programming and international appeal. For tourism bodies, it shows how cultural localisation can make global IP feel more connected to its host destination.
Disney Garden of Wonder also offers a useful case study for visitor attractions working at the intersection of branded entertainment, botanical design and destination marketing. By combining recognised characters with local references, detailed scenic production and interactive moments, the exhibition gives Gardens by the Bay a long-running attraction that can support both tourism visibility and on-site engagement.
