Hurricane Irma

[rocketraccoon]

This was posted before, right? Test Track still has no covering since the storm.

 

[trainplane3]

This was posted before, right? Test Track still has no covering since the storm.

As much as I hope it stays that way, I doubt it. They probably aren't rushing to do it.

 

[larryz]

As much as I hope it stays that way, I doubt it. They probably aren't rushing to do it.

It would make sense to wait until after hurricane season ends.

 

[Rider]

Animal Kingdom update. Still some big trees down and some stumps that will need to be removed.

Big tree near the entrance destroyed the fence around the swan pond. A temp fence has been installed.

The lemurs lost one of their trees.

I think this is hurricane damage: The door near the tiger habitat has been repaired/replaced.

A huge tree fell over the river near the new Pandora/Africa walkway. This one might be around for a while until they figure out how to remove it.

Other items spotted but no pictures:
A few trees fell around Pizzafari but only stumps remain now. One looks like it tore up some utility line and there is a barrier setup to keep guests away.
Also the African Crown Crane habitat in the Safari queue had a tree fall on part of the fence. The birds are MIA until that gets fixed.

 

[Clamman73]

This was posted before, right? Test Track still has no covering since the storm.

I did some retro-imagineering to your pic.

 

[Gabe1]

Thanks for updated photos

Being at WDW before and after Irma I was impressed with how the resorts and parks held up. I never worried during lockdown at Wilderness Lodge. 24 hours post Irma the parks looked overall fantastic and most areas were free from any obvious damage. My town looked worse after a low level tornado and still does 7 weeks after. I slept through the worst of Irma. I expected at least noise to the glass doors to balcony. Nope. Overwhelmingly the parks held up incredibly well.

 

[Tom P.]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, or earlier in this thread, but is the balloon at Disney Springs operating again?

We were at Disney Springs on Thursday evening and it was still closed. I haven't seen any update on it since then.

 

[psherman42]

We were at Disney Springs on Thursday evening and it was still closed. I haven't seen any update on it since then.

I was actually there Saturday night and it was running.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Thursday, September 28. Debris removal via barge at Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom. The trees used to be thick enough you couldn't see the windmill on the hill.

 

[Chef Mickey]

This was posted before, right? Test Track still has no covering since the storm.

I guess I'll say it...why is/was that even there to begin with? The "reimagined" photo above looks so much cleaner anyway. This is like the hat in front of the Chinese Theater.

 

[rocketraccoon]

I guess I'll say it...why is/was that even there to begin with? The "reimagined" photo above looks so much cleaner anyway. This is like the hat in front of the Chinese Theater.

With the original facade it reminds me of something you'd see at Universal Studios more than anything.

Maybe they decided that it might not've looked great to have just the building and bit of track. Maybe it would've been slightly annoying to get rid of and re-do the area when they resigned it so they just printed some new banners. It's a nice escape from the rain at least.

 

[Bullseye1967]

That is because it is a gross exaggeration. The average power bill for Florida is around $125 a month. So unless they are keeping all of the windows open and running the AC at 60 degrees, there is no way that your monthly bill is $500. That would be extreme price gouging and there would be an uproar if people paid that all the time. The power companies are working their butts off and so many more are coming in from other states. Even some from Nebraska have been sent down to help. People act as if the workers have some kind of personal grudge against them and not getting the power up. It is a spoke and hub system. They have to start at the main generators and work their way down so if you happen to be at the end of that line then you will be the last to get power. It is that simple.

I don't find that to be an exaggeration. I have no clue where you would get a figure like $125. For the years i lived in Kissimee and paid KUA (Kissimmee Utility Authority), we averaged around $400 a month and kept our thermostat at around 74. Yes we had kids and our house was about 3600 sq ft, but I can't see a studio apartment paying $125.

 

[JoeCamel]

I don't find that to be an exaggeration. I have no clue where you would get a figure like $125. For the years i lived in Kissimee and paid KUA (Kissimmee Utility Authority), we averaged around $400 a month and kept our thermostat at around 74. Yes we had kids and our house was about 3600 sq ft, but I can't see a studio apartment paying $125.

While I can see 3600 ft with kids generating a bill of $400 I have a very leaky house/windows and an old heat pump system and my average here on the west coast (FL) is $100. My utility says my consumption is about average for Florida.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Monthly bill doesn't matter. Too many factors go into utilization. Simply look at the price per kwh. Florida power prices are on par with most southern states at around 11 cents and lower than national averages of around 12.5 cents. Sydney Australia is around 23 cents per kwh while Hawaii is around 37 cents per kwh, just for some perspective.

But never let facts get in the way of a good story.

Carry on.

 

[wdwjmp239]

Even though we had IRMA tear through Florida a few weeks ago, we're open and ready for business! Come on down and bring your Disney face! Have fun!

 

[andysol]

Thanks to @andysol for giving us a look at MK this morning

1 Year anniversary.

Still the best Disney trip I've ever had and loads of fun sharing it on here too!