Why is it 50 degrees in Orlando this morning, which may be a record low? Global climate change? A fluke? No.
One Orlando resort is taking the blame for the cold snap. The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center claims its new ice-carving attraction is to blame.
The attraction, which is called ICE!, is currently being carved from 2 million pounds of ice by a group of 40 artisans from China. The temperature began falling when the elaborate refrigeration system used to cool the 18,000-square-foot attraction to 9 degrees began to malfunction.
“Essentially, they’ve created a 9-degree winter-like environment in the middle of sunny Florida,” said an Osceola county official who asked not to be identified. “What they didn’t count on was the accidental cooling of the entire region to 40-some degrees.”
By the way, you can see the progress on two live Webcams.
I visited ICE! last year with my family, and it’s really extraordinary. My hat’s off to the folks at the Gaylord for leveraging the weather to promote an attraction. I expect they’ll win a PR award for this.
