Set the USDA ratings aside and look at your own minimum temps over the last 30 years. What should you expect as a minimum overnight temperature in January? Queens are a z9b palm and will burn a bit in z9a.

Queens prefer rain and humidity. They look better in Orlando than in L.A.

Hi, Joey:
Queens are quite susceptible to mineral deficiencies in central Florida; in S. Ala. it should be less of a problem, but make sure they have Manganese, iron, boron, sulfur, zinc. Your avg. temp. will then make them grow like gangbusters; you may lose them to freezes infrequently. This is my strategy in N. Fla.
Best Wishes, merrill

There are beautiful, large Queen Palms planted in the ground as one enters North Wildwood in southern New Jersey (zone 7b) The poor trees may well expire before Christmas. Also, a local restaurant on the other side of the Cape May peninsula used to inport Coconut Palms with fruit to grace the grounds of his restaurant. They were expensive "annuals" that have since been replaced with much hardier trachies.

I've seen gardeners out on Jacksonville Beach and Amelia Island (zone 9a) attempting to grow Queen, Pygmy Date, Areca and Foxtail Palms and they don't look as good as Orlando, St. Pete, Melbourne and southward. They look "rough".

Queen Palms are nutrient hogs--I know from personal experience.

What does look great are the Pindo Palms though! You could attempt a Mule Palm--a cross between the Queen and Pindo palm.