cucumbers and pumpkins dangling midair from their trellised vines ?)
Finally , visitors end their tour by winding through the creative greenhouse and past a series of laboratories where growers engage with the cutting edge of current agricultural technology . For example , a portion of this part of the ride is devoted to aquaponics — a system in which aquaculture and agriculture merge , with the fish fertilizing the plants and the plants keeping the water clean and safe for the fish . EPCOT ’ s researchers are working with the USDA to help ensure the future of food production , even tackling mysteries like how to grow food in outer space .
Suffice to say , it ’ s a feast for the eyes … and yes , you ’ ll also want to keep your eyes peeled the entire time for topiary hidden Mickeys .
WHERE IT ALL GOES All told , Disney harvests more than 30 tons of produce from Living with the Land ’ s greenhouses each year . So , where does it all go ?
Well , first , into guests ’ hungry bellies . The nearby Garden Grill restaurant and Sunshine Seasons food court serves up dishes made with produce grown and seafood raised on-site , though the greenhouses don ’ t supply all these eateries ’ ingredients . Check out our review of Sunshine Seasons on page 86 .
Disney also shares the produce with the animals who inhabit Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom theme park , served as special treats , and sometimes used for enrichment purposes . For example , the shells of the long-handled dipper gourds you might spy on the ride make excellent and engaging toys for meerkats .
A clever hidden Mickey in the lettuce . PHOTO BY BRETT SVENSON