Credit: Joe Schlabotnik, FlickrAll 4 of the Walt Disney World parks are now undergoing a monumental overhaul that came suddenly and out of nowhere. This was all due to the historic ‘turbulence’ that hit Central Florida in January and February.
The Magic of Disney World Has Always Bloomed in Full Color
For many guests, stepping into Walt Disney World Resort feels like entering another climate entirely. Palm trees sway gently above Main Street, U.S.A., lush tropical foliage lines the pathways of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and vibrant greenery frames iconic castles and attractions across all four theme parks.
The landscaping at Disney World is not accidental. It is curated, themed, and meticulously maintained by horticulture Cast Members who ensure that every walkway, resort courtyard, and ride queue feels immersive. From the subtropical plants surrounding EPCOT to the island-inspired gardens of the Polynesian, the environment is part of the storytelling.
That’s why, in recent days, longtime visitors have noticed something different.
A Sudden Shift Has Left Portions of the Resort Looking Bare
Guests visiting Walt Disney World in early February have reported sections of landscaping that appear trimmed back more aggressively than usual. In some areas, palm trees have been reduced to a single central spike. Flower beds that once overflowed with greenery now appear sparse.
At first glance, it might look like routine seasonal maintenance. After all, Central Florida does experience cooler temperatures in winter. But this wasn’t just a chilly morning or two.
A shocking development unfolded in late January that left even seasoned Florida residents bracing for impact.
Central Florida’s Coldest Conditions Since 2010 Changed Everything
In late January, an extreme cold outbreak swept through the Orlando area, bringing the coldest temperatures the region has experienced since 2010. On Sunday, February 1, temperatures dropped into the mid-to-upper 20s across Central Florida. Wind chills reached as low as 7 degrees.
Hard freeze conditions persisted through Sunday and Monday mornings, with lows ranging from 20 to 27 degrees. An Extreme Cold Warning was issued, marking what officials described as an extraordinary threat to life and property.
While guests may have layered up and continued enjoying attractions at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the resort’s tropical and subtropical landscaping faced prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. The extended duration proved particularly damaging.
And that’s where the real story begins.
Disney World Is Cutting Back Freeze-Damaged Landscaping Across the Property
Walt Disney World horticulture teams are now systematically cutting back extensive freeze-damaged landscaping across the property. The impact is visible at multiple resorts and park areas, with Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort particularly hard hit due to its reliance on tropical foliage.
When Orlando froze a week or two ago, Animal Kingdom got hit pretty hard. This is a park that relies heavily on landscaping so it’s very interesting to see it in this state. The winter is already interesting here, but this is something completely different. – @EvanPatel11 on X
When Orlando froze a week or two ago, Animal Kingdom got hit pretty hard. This is a park that relies heavily on landscaping so it’s very interesting to see it in this state. The winter is already interesting here, but this is something completely different. pic.twitter.com/bI0ZkRJhNA
— Evan Patel (@EvanPatel11) February 10, 2026
Horticulture Cast Members on site confirmed that much of the damaged vegetation will survive, but aggressive pruning is necessary to allow for regrowth. Current cleanup efforts include:
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Cutting back dead foliage to ground level
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Removing completely dead plants
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Pruning damaged palms
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Clearing away brown fronds and broken branches
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Assessing which plants will regenerate from root systems
Many palm trees have been stripped of all brown fronds, leaving only a central spike. While the appearance may feel stark compared to the resort’s usual lush presentation, Cast Members emphasize that the process is designed to encourage recovery.
Some of the lingering damage in Disney’s Hollywood Studios from two nights of freeze last weekend. – @bioreconstruct on X
Some of the lingering damage in Disney's Hollywood Studios from two nights of freeze last weekend. pic.twitter.com/bN0EAaccEJ
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) February 7, 2026
The freeze was classified as the coldest Central Florida has experienced in 16 years. That gap matters. Many plants installed after 2010 had never endured temperatures this low, making younger and less-established landscaping particularly vulnerable.
The recovery process will take time, as surviving plants slowly regenerate from their roots.
What This Means for Future Guests—and Why Recovery Will Take Time
For upcoming travelers planning Disney World vacations, the change may be noticeable in certain areas, especially at tropical-themed resorts like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. However, operations across the parks remain unaffected, and attractions continue running as usual.
Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit have already lit up with guest reactions. Some users expressed surprise at the dramatic pruning, while others shared side-by-side photos showing the difference before and after the freeze. “It looks so bare,” one guest wrote, while another pointed out, “This happened in 2010 too—it will come back.”
Fans are heartbroken to see portions of the landscape temporarily diminished, but many longtime Disney visitors understand that nature occasionally interrupts even the most carefully curated environments.
The Walt Disney Company has navigated extreme weather before, from hurricanes to rare freezes. The 2010 cold snap caused similar widespread plant damage across Central Florida, and over time, the property returned to its signature vibrancy.
Still, this moment feels significant. The end of an era? Not quite. But certainly a reminder that even the Most Magical Place on Earth is not immune to historic weather events.
For now, Disney’s horticulture teams continue their careful, methodical work—cutting back, clearing away, and preparing for regrowth. Spring and summer in Florida typically bring ideal growing conditions, which could accelerate the recovery process.
Guests planning trips in the coming months may witness the parks in a transitional phase—less lush in certain areas but actively healing. And for many Disney fans, that resilience is part of the story.
Have you noticed changes to the landscaping during your recent Disney World visit? Do you think the freeze will have a long-term impact on the resort’s iconic look, or is this just a temporary setback?