There’s something unmistakable about walking into Walt Disney World Resort for the first time on a vacation.
The palm trees sway. Lush tropical plants frame walkways. Bright green foliage hugs hotel entrances and lines pathways through the parks. It’s not just landscaping—it’s part of the storytelling. The immersive design helps guests forget they’re in Central Florida and believe they’ve stepped into the South Pacific, Africa, or an entirely different world.
For decades, Disney’s meticulous horticulture teams have maintained that illusion. From the vibrant grounds of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to the themed lands across the parks, landscaping has quietly played a starring role in shaping the magic.
But in recent days, longtime visitors have noticed something different.
Guests Are Noticing a Dramatic Shift in the Parks’ Signature Greenery
Across Walt Disney World property, entire sections of landscaping appear to have been cut back—sometimes all the way to the ground. Palm trees that once fanned out in dramatic fashion are now reduced to a single central spike. Garden beds look sparse. Tropical foliage that once framed iconic photo spots has seemingly vanished.
At first glance, some fans feared a refurbishment project—or worse, a budget-driven reduction in theming. Social media lit up with speculation. On X and Reddit, guests shared photos of stripped palms and barren patches of soil. “It looks like the tropics disappeared overnight,” one guest wrote. Others wondered whether the changes were permanent.
Fans are heartbroken whenever a beloved element of the parks appears altered, and landscaping is no exception. For many, these details are tied to childhood memories and annual vacations.
But this time, the reason behind the transformation isn’t creative—it’s climatic.
A Rare and Historic Freeze Brought Central Florida to a Standstill
In late January, Central Florida experienced an extreme cold outbreak unlike anything seen in years. On Sunday, February 1, temperatures dropped into the mid-to-upper 20s across the Orlando area. Wind chills fell as low as 7 degrees.
Hard freeze conditions persisted through Sunday and Monday mornings, marking the coldest stretch the region has seen since 2010. An Extreme Cold Warning was issued, signaling an extraordinary threat to life and property.
For a region defined by subtropical warmth, those numbers are staggering.
The extended duration of freezing temperatures proved particularly damaging to tropical and subtropical plants—many of which define Walt Disney World’s aesthetic identity. Unlike northern climates, Central Florida landscapes are not built to withstand prolonged hard freezes.
And that’s where the real story begins.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Was Among the Hardest Hit
Disney World horticulture teams have confirmed that extensive freeze damage occurred across the property, with Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort especially affected.
Known for its immersive South Pacific atmosphere and dense tropical foliage, the Polynesian relies heavily on plants that thrive in warmth and humidity. Many of those species struggled during the historic cold snap.
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 explained that while a large number of damaged plants will ultimately survive, they must be cut back significantly to allow for regrowth. In some cases, dead foliage is being cut to ground level. Completely dead plants are being removed entirely. Damaged palms are being pruned down to their central growth spike after brown fronds are stripped away.
The work happening now includes:
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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 palm trees
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Clearing away fallen fronds and branches
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Assessing which plants will regenerate from their root systems
The recovery process will take time. Many plants are expected to regenerate slowly, drawing energy from their established root systems. However, the visual impact in the short term is undeniable.
The Coldest Conditions Since 2010 Leave Younger Plants Vulnerable
The last time Central Florida experienced a freeze of this magnitude was 16 years ago, in 2010. That gap is significant.
Many of the plants installed after that freeze had never endured such extreme cold. Younger, less-established plants were particularly vulnerable. Without deep root systems or prior exposure to freezing conditions, they suffered more severe damage.
Disney’s horticulture teams are now working systematically across the property, evaluating which landscaping elements can be saved and which must be replaced entirely.
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
It’s a massive undertaking. Walt Disney World spans tens of thousands of acres, including four theme parks, water parks, shopping districts, and more than 25 resort hotels. The scale of the cleanup effort reflects just how widespread the freeze’s impact was.
What This Means for Future Disney World Travelers
For guests planning upcoming vacations, the most important thing to understand is that this is not a permanent removal of Disney’s signature greenery. It is a recovery phase.
Plants that appear lifeless may regrow in the coming months. Others will be replanted. The lush, immersive atmosphere that defines Walt Disney World isn’t going anywhere—but it may look different for a while.
In the meantime, the sight of stripped palms and trimmed-back beds serves as a reminder that even “The Most Magical Place on Earth” isn’t immune to nature’s extremes.
Have you visited Disney World since the freeze? Did you notice changes to the landscaping at the Polynesian or in the parks? Let us know your thoughts—because for many fans, this moment feels like the end of an era, even if it’s only temporary.
