Landscaping at the Parks: New column looks at Jack Frost's visit to Universal Orlando Resort

Column by Don Gworek

Jack Frost has been visiting Central Florida throughout December. It usually takes several days to see the full effect of the cold air on the landscaping. Although nearly every garden in the area was affected, today we’re taking a look at some of Jack Frost’s work in the landscaping at Universal Orlando.

Editor’s Note: This is the first of an occasional column and video series by contributor Don Gworek about some of the more interesting aspects of theme park and resort landscaping.

Most of the landscaping at Universal was not affected by the cold. At first glance, the resort grounds are lush and green as always. But here and there are pockets of some cold damage, like these Birds of Paradise.

The theme parks and resorts are in show business. Sometimes the star of a show needs some makeup in order to look great on stage. So in a few key highly-visible areas, grass that was browned in the cold has been spruced up with color more often used over a newly-seeded lawn. You can see some overspray of the color on the curb below. The top photo also shows what color the grass really is in the foreground, and the colored version across the street.

Much of the effect of the cold air is seasonal, causing the deciduous trees to lose their leaves and needles. The landscape designers for the Universal Resort carefully placed these trees so their autumn color glows against the tropical evergreens.

Here’s a video showing some of the pretty and not-so-pretty effects of the cold at Universal:

Landscaping in the Parks: Cold weather effects at Universal Orlando Resort
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One Comment

  1. Absolutely beautiful! I would love to be in Florida right about now. The pictures where I am in the Northeast are all snow!

    Jack Frost visiting you is not as bad as when he visits me…

    Even with his visit to the theme parks, the landscaping looks amazing. It sure beats the snow!