Theme parks keep close eye on weather
This summer's steady -- and sometimes violent -- rainfall has not caught the theme parks off guard.
In fact, Central Florida weather is such an issue that Walt Disney World has even built it into the design of the park.
Every six minutes, the Disney World central communications center gets an update from the National Weather Service. When a storm is approaching, outdoor attractions vulnerable to weather, such as roller coasters or water slides, are temporarily halted until the weather passes.
This summer, Disney has had ample opportunity to test its weather readiness. June rainfall at Orlando International Airport was 13 inches -- 51/2 inches above normal. It rained all but six days. But the park almost always weathers the storm. The park has only had to close once, because of Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
"Weather is a reality here in Central Florida," said Greg Emmers, vice president of operations at the park. "We have to keep the cast and guests as safe as possible."
Messages can be relayed throughout the park by pagers and cellular phones. If the communications center does see weather on the radar, all Disney World employees can be contacted within 15 minutes, Emmers said.
The Disney World parks were even designed differently than the California theme park, with proportionally more indoor activities to keep guests busy during inclement weather. Orlando received 55 inches of rain last year, according to the National Weather Service. The Anaheim area received less than 4 inches during the rainy season.
Weather can still test the patience of visitors. During heavy rain, Disney World shuts down all its transportation from parking lots. Instead, it advises visitors to stay in their cars and wait for the weather to pass.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
This summer's steady -- and sometimes violent -- rainfall has not caught the theme parks off guard.
In fact, Central Florida weather is such an issue that Walt Disney World has even built it into the design of the park.
Every six minutes, the Disney World central communications center gets an update from the National Weather Service. When a storm is approaching, outdoor attractions vulnerable to weather, such as roller coasters or water slides, are temporarily halted until the weather passes.
This summer, Disney has had ample opportunity to test its weather readiness. June rainfall at Orlando International Airport was 13 inches -- 51/2 inches above normal. It rained all but six days. But the park almost always weathers the storm. The park has only had to close once, because of Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
"Weather is a reality here in Central Florida," said Greg Emmers, vice president of operations at the park. "We have to keep the cast and guests as safe as possible."
Messages can be relayed throughout the park by pagers and cellular phones. If the communications center does see weather on the radar, all Disney World employees can be contacted within 15 minutes, Emmers said.
The Disney World parks were even designed differently than the California theme park, with proportionally more indoor activities to keep guests busy during inclement weather. Orlando received 55 inches of rain last year, according to the National Weather Service. The Anaheim area received less than 4 inches during the rainy season.
Weather can still test the patience of visitors. During heavy rain, Disney World shuts down all its transportation from parking lots. Instead, it advises visitors to stay in their cars and wait for the weather to pass.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
