Severe Cold Weather Advisory Issued for Walt Disney World Nov 11 2025

[Goofyernmost]

In the 1980's I witnessed heavy frost (actually fluffy frost, how that happens puzzles me) and at least once when all the orange groves that were once in the area, had to be sprayed with water so that ice would form on the fruit to protect them from the cold. Try figuring how that worked. I must work because they used to do it all the time, but the point is that central Florida is not without a few quite chilly below freezing days. Of course that was in February and by noon it was usually no colder than 60 degrees F. I can remember a few years after EPCOT opened, I remember going to the park with the car heater on high only to temporarily leave around 2 pm with the AC on high. Back to a jacket after sundown.

 

[Nubs70]

Spaying orange trees with water.

When water freezes ( changes from 32F liquid to 32F solid) the water releases thermal energy know as "Heat of Fusion". This energy will be absorbed by the buds/fruit and keep the bud/fruit from freezing and protect the cellular structures from rupturing until the air warms and melts the ice.

 

[Touchdown]

Spaying orange trees with water.

When water freezes ( changes from 32F liquid to 32F solid) the water releases thermal energy know as "Heat of Fusion". This energy will be absorbed by the buds/fruit and keep the bud/fruit from freezing and protect the cellular structures from rupturing until the air warms and melts the ice.

Also having water being in a constant state of melting and refreezing (which is what would happen directly next to the tree as long as the tree was warmer then freezing) assures the temperature will only be 32F/0C (ice can’t get colder then that until it is 100% solid) if the air gets colder the tree could experience even colder temperatures, but not if it’s coated in ice.

 

[DisneyCane]

In the 1980's I witnessed heavy frost (actually fluffy frost, how that happens puzzles me) and at least once when all the orange groves that were once in the area, had to be sprayed with water so that ice would form on the fruit to protect them from the cold. Try figuring how that worked. I must work because they used to do it all the time, but the point is that central Florida is not without a few quite chilly below freezing days. Of course that was in February and by noon it was usually no colder than 60 degrees F. I can remember a few years after EPCOT opened, I remember going to the park with the car heater on high only to temporarily leave around 2 pm with the AC on high. Back to a jacket after sundown.

It was those cold snaps that led to the orange groves growing housing developments. They kept doing damage to the crops and making the groves do worse financially so either the owners decided to cash out or abandon the groves and leave the land sitting there until the values went up.

A pet peeve of mine is when a housing development on a former grove names itself Something Groves. You aren't living in a grove!

 

[networkpro]

It was those cold snaps that led to the orange groves growing housing developments. They kept doing damage to the crops and making the groves do worse financially so either the owners decided to cash out or abandon the groves and leave the land sitting there until the values went up.

A pet peeve of mine is when a housing development on a former grove names itself Something Groves. You aren't living in a grove!

Well that was one factor, several others in play like the Asian Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing (HLB) ) and imports from Mexico, Chile and Peru where production costs are significantly lower. As soon as the desert regions in the US run out of water, I'm sure production in FL will increase.

 

[DisneyCane]

Well that was one factor, several others in play like the Asian Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing (HLB) ) and imports from Mexico, Chile and Peru where production costs are significantly lower. As soon as the desert regions in the US run out of water, I'm sure production in FL will increase.

The WDW area groves started shutting down before the other factors became major. There won't be any land left far enough south for citrus when they can't grow it in the desert regions. I guess if it becomes more profitable than sugar cane or whatever vegetables they grow maybe they will turn some of the farms south of Lake Okeechobee into citrus groves.

 

[Comped]

The WDW area groves started shutting down before the other factors became major. There won't be any land left far enough south for citrus when they can't grow it in the desert regions. I guess if it becomes more profitable than sugar cane or whatever vegetables they grow maybe they will turn some of the farms south of Lake Okeechobee into citrus groves.

There are a few groves around I've seen in the past few years, but they are very rare. Certainly rarer than they used to be even a decade ago!

 

[Alice a]

Fun fact- my dad first visited WDW in the early 1970s on his way back to NY after picking oranges all season.

He camped in his car and only had enough money to walk around and ride a few rides.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

There are a few groves around I've seen in the past few years, but they are very rare. Certainly rarer than they used to be even a decade ago!

When my husband and I were first married we drove on a whim to Florida. I remember driving through endless orange groves. It seemed that they would never end. That was in the late 60's. I'm so glad we got to see Florida in a somewhat natural, pre theme park, state. The only attraction that we saw on the Atlantic coast was Marineland, which was right on the coast. There was no Disney or Universal, etc. We visited Silver Springs and saw Huge fish from the glass bottom boats. When we returned several years later, the huge fish were no where to be seen. But, back to the orange groves, lol. I am so sad to see them going away due to whatever the cause.

 

[Goofyernmost]

When my husband and I were first married we drove on a whim to Florida. I remember driving through endless orange groves. It seemed that they would never end. That was in the late 60's. I'm so glad we got to see Florida in a somewhat natural, pre theme park, state. The only attraction that we saw on the Atlantic coast was Seaworld, which was right on the coast. There was no Disney or Universal, etc. We visited Silver Springs and saw Huge fish from the glass bottom boats. When we returned several years later, the huge fish were no where to be seen. But, back to the orange groves, lol. I am so sad to see them going away due to whatever the cause.

I don't think Seaworld existed, at least in Florida in the 60's. It came in shortly after WDW opened I think. You could be thinking of Marineland. That was on Rte 1 just below St. Augustine. I remember being with my family in 1962 and we stopped at Marineland on our way home. I was just 14 at the time.

Another dull story... On our way into Florida on that trip we stopped at the Florida Welcome Station where they gave everyone ice cold fresh Florida Orange Juice. I can still taste it. (ambrosia) Many years later when I was 35 we were on our first road trip from Vermont with our two young girls. All the drive down from home I could taste that Orange Juice. We arrived at the place and I couldn't wait to get into the building to get the OJ only to find that all they had was grapefruit juice (awful). I never forgave Florida for that slip up in planning. I almost asked Florida to reimburse me for the trip but since we had a great time at WDW I decided to just let it go!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I don't think Seaworld existed, at least in Florida in the 60's. It came in shortly after WDW opened I think. You could be thinking of Marineland. That was on Rte 1 just below St. Augustine. I remember being with my family in 1962 and we stopped at Marineland on our way home. I was just 14 at the time.

Another dull story... On our way into Florida on that trip we stopped at the Florida Welcome Station where they gave everyone ice cold fresh Florida Orange Juice. I can still taste it. (ambrosia) Many years later when I was 35 we were on our first road trip from Vermont with our two young girls. All the drive down from home I could taste that Orange Juice. We arrived at the place and I couldn't wait to get into the building to get the OJ only to find that all they had was grapefruit juice (awful). I never forgave Florida for that slip up in planning. I almost asked Florida to reimburse me for the trip but since we had a great time at WDW I decided to just let it go!

I think you are right! It was Marineland. I know there wasn't much commercial to see like theme parks. I'm glad we took that trip way back then and was able to see Florida as it was. LOL, I remember that delicious OJ too. It's too bad they don't do it anymore. And yes, we looked forward to that too.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I think you are right! It was Marineland. I know there wasn't much commercial to see like theme parks. I'm glad we took that trip way back then and was able to see Florida as it was. LOL, I remember that delicious OJ too. It's too bad they don't do it anymore. And yes, we looked forward to that too.

The west side of Florida had a few really original parks. There were Weeki Wachee Springs with it's live mermaid show swimming about and nearby, Silver Springs and the glass bottom boats, Cyprus Gardens and Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. Probably others that I don't remember. I know we only stopped a Weeki Wachee and Silver Springs. I've stated before that my Dad did not acknowledge that the car had brakes. We usually had all we could do to stop for bathroom breaks.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

The west side of Florida and a few really original parks. There were Weeki Wachee Springs with it's live mermaid show swimming about and nearby, Silver Springs and the glass bottom boats, Cyprus Gardens and Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. Probably others that I don't remember. I know we only stopped a Weeki Wachee and Silver Springs. I've stated before that my Dad did not acknowledge that the car had brakes. We usually had all we could do to stop for bathroom breaks.

We saw all of those except Weeki Wachee Springs. Fun times.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Im not so worried about the oranges. Its the frozen Iguanas falling out of the trees without warning and rendering unsuspecting guests unconscious.

 

[Comped]

View attachment 892836
Im not so worried about the oranges. Its the frozen Iguanas falling out of the trees without warning and rendering unsuspecting guests unconscious.

Far as I know, Disney doesn't have such large iguanas on property, at least in guest-facing areas?

 

[twilight mitsuk]

View attachment 892836
Im not so worried about the oranges. Its the frozen Iguanas falling out of the trees without warning and rendering unsuspecting guests unconscioexeus.

extreme falling lizard warning

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Poor Josh D’Amaro’s assets are freezing!

You Win the Internet Trophy!!!! (I just wish I could find the darn thing to post, lol)

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

50s? 50s? That's nothing. Try below freezing (below 32 degrees F).

I live in Northern Minnesota and we have hit - 50 before with windchills. It gets extremely cold here. I moved here from the hot South to the frozen North!!! What a culture shock that was. Now I dont get too excited when it gets -30 or more. I am retired and just stay inside and keep warm.