Credit: Inside The MagicThe weather in Florida can be…unpredictable. The peninsula is no stranger to extreme shifts and weather events, from hurricanes to tornadoes.
When guests go to the Walt Disney World Resort, especially in the summer heat, they expect the afternoon to be interrupted by a thunderstorm or two. Being built on a swamp, people just expect that Disney World will be wet.
Despite the association of Central Florida with water, something very strange is happening: the areas around Disney World are suffering from drought conditions.
According to reports, the Orlando area has seen two fewer inches of rain than an average year, putting it into the United States Drought Monitor’s D2-Moderate Drought category.
Last week, red flag warnings were issued for Central Florida. The combination of low humidity and strong winds had the potential for extreme fire conditions in the area.
Now, to help combat the drought, Orange County, where most of Walt Disney World is located, has issued watering restrictions. These new restrictions only allow homes and businesses to water their plants, gardens, and lawns twice a week.
Anyone who has been around the Walt Disney World Resort early in the morning knows that Dinsey tends to water its greenery daily. The Flower and Garden Festival ongoing at EPCOT puts even more pressure on Disney’s water systems.
Under the new restrictions, Disney World can only water on Tuesday and Friday. The rules apply to all water sources, including private wells and water sources.
The St. Johns River Water Management District, which controls the area’s water flow, said these restrictions will remain in place until November and cooler weather returns. During the warm months, residents and businesses are advised to water early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid evaporation.
For the Walt Disney World Resort, these water restrictions could endanger the lush green areas that guests have come to love, especially during the steamy summer months. The good news is that those summer months also bring those afternoon thunderstorms, but for now, the upcoming forecast shows very little rain for Central Florida.