Although we've been to Epcot several times since the 2011 festival opened on March 2, it occured to us that we had not yet found the topiary for Mater - the tow truck companion to Lightening McQueen from the Disney animated film Cars (and soon to be released Cars 2). In fact, we had only just recently found Lightening McQueen... long after the festival had officially opened. Seems this cartoon sports car was a little late getting to the gate.
We expected Mater to be in close proximity to Lightening McQueen so we began asking Disney cast members, "Where is the Mater topiary?". The first two cast members we asked didn't even seem to know there was supposed to be a Mater. Was he near Test Track, we wondered. A third cast member finally told us, "Mater is currently racing around the world and should be making a pit stop at Epcot soon." In reality, she confided, "horticulture is still working on the frame for Mater."
There's just 4 weeks left for Mater to make it to the finish line. The 2011 Flower and Garden Festival ends May 15. We hope he makes it in time!