Anyone been there during a hurricane?

[Teachr4Disney]

I can not believe that I've meticulously planned our trip to WDW and now there's a ridiculous hurricane in the Atlantic and possibily headed toward my magical vacation!

Has anyone ever been to WDW during or in threat of a hurricane? When was the last time a hurricane hit the Orlando area. Of course, I guess I could look it up on the web, but I'd rather hear real stories.

Also, what happens if it hits while we're there? I'm guessing there will be no refunds or free passes or free night's stay, etc. Kinda like, plan your trip and take your chances with the weather and GOOD LUCK!

Hopefully it'll stay out at sea, but this is so my luck that it would hit land right on me!!

 

[Dwarful]

We have been hit with flooding so I haven't paid much attention to the weather beyond our area. When is the hurricane set to hit?

I honestly think that with WDW being inland you will get hit more with hard rains but nothing that would ruin your trip (unless you let it). Just grab that poncho and go! Disney won't offer you anything because of the weather. Good luck.

 

[Lucky]

Most years Orlando is completely unaffected by hurricanes. Aug/Sept 2004 was the last time, and two went through then, one from the southeast and one from the southwest. Every year since then Disney has offered their dining plan for free around then, to lure us into the path of more hurricanes.

We barely missed one of them in 2004. The airport had just been re-opened the morning we flew in, and we had to circle for a while in northern Florida before landing. Others can tell you more about what happens if your vacation is seriously affected.

I wouldn't worry too much. Most hurricanes miss Florida, and most of those that do hit Florida miss Orlando. The odds are heavily in your favor.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Feeling a little better

Ok, after reading those 2 posts, I'm feeling a little better. I guess I'm just overreacting. I'm just so excited and soooooooo ready to go. I've spent so much time planning and reading the posts on here and I don't want anything to ruin it! Call me overly paranoid, huh?

 

[strmchsr]

In the history of WDW it's only been closed 5 days, so I wouldn't concern yourself with the hurricane. Also, the chances of Bertha actually hitting WDW are extremely slim (less than 3%). However, getting out of North Carolina could be another story. While I think it's pretty unlikely Bertha hits the US east coast, it's not impossible. WDW has a tropical storm policy in place, though, that allows you to reschedule your vacation without penalty if a tropical storm/hurricane warning is in place during the time when you are supposed to arrive.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Reassuring but I hope not!

Well, it's reassuring to know that they'll help you out if there's a warning in place on Saturday (our arrival date), but I DON'T WANT TO RESCHEDULE!! ha ha

I've been planning this in my mind since the day my daughter was born (4 1/2 years ago) and literally planning it since January! I'M READY TO GO! :sohappy:

 

[DawnBerg]

Been There...Done That!!!

Hi Teach,
Let me just say this...Remember where you are going...DISNEY!!! They do everything way and beyond the rest....including hurricanes!!! My family relocated to Florida in August of 2004. Since our belongings took longer to get to Florida than we did we decided to spend a week in Disney rather than sleep on our floors. Hence, no belongings...no TV's meaning no news. We had no idea that Hurricane Charley was churning in the Gulf of Mexico. When we arrived at the Carribean Beach Resort we decided to go to the Magic Kingdom and spend our first day exploring. When we got there we were foolishly surprised and delighted that the crowds were extremely small. As we were going in most people were coming out. Around 1pm we were starting to wonder what was going on as we were pretty much alone in the park. We asked a cast member what was up and she informed us that the park was closing early due to the approaching hurricane, We were, as you can imagine, quite shocked. We decided since we were now pretty much stuck we would head to a nearby grocery store and get some supplies. We got snacks, drinks and flashlights to take back to our hotel. I was extremely nervous that we were going to be dealing with a hurricane and still did not really know what was coming. Back at our hotel we hunkered down and turned on the news. The hurricane was not only HUGE it was headed straight at us!!! I was obviously very nervous and called the front desk. They informed us that every precaution was being taken and asked if we needed anything. I thanked them but told them I thought we had everything we needed. A couple of cast members later knocked on our door informing us that we should keep our curtains closed and that the resort was going to play full length Disney movies on the TV in our room for the kids. They also brought us ice and again asked if we needed anything. While they were there I also noticed that the parking lot was filling up with campers and vehilcles. The cast member informed us that all of their patrons who were staying in the Fort Wilderness Campground had been given rooms in the hotels just to be safe. I thought that was absolutely amazing. Well long story shortened some...we made it through the hurricane completely unscathed, or so I thought. I assumed the hurrican hadn't been that bad. Yes it was scary and loud but it was during the night and we did TRY to sleep. The snacksand drinks came in hady but we never even turned on the flashlights once. The power never even flickered once. In the morning we went outside and noticed some trees had been uprooted and branches were strewn about but otherwise things looked ok. There were many cast members rushing around cleaning up and making sure all of the guests were not in need of anything. I asked a cast member if the parks were open and he, to my surprise, said yes. He told us that all of the parks except for Typhoon Lagoon and Animal Kingdom were up and running at full capaciy. He informed us that the other two parks would open by the following day as they had some tree damage and needed some TLC, but otherwise were fine. We then decided to go back to the Magic Kingdom. Since we had our own car with us we drove to the park. When we left the resort we were utterly shocked at the awful damage to the town there was. I don't think there was power anywhere. We did not realize that Disney generates their own power and they kept it going without a hitch. There was a ton of damage to buildings outside of Disney but none inside that I noticed whatsoever. Not even a shingle that I saw. Their buildings withstood it all. The park did not look as if anything had happened other than you could tell some branches had been cut from some of the trees here and there. My family actually TRIED to find damage kind of like finding the hidden Mickey's. When we returned to our hotel later that day we were told that they were adding an extra day to our park passes that wouldn't expire. We had purchased season passes so this didn't apply for us, but I am sure the people who purchased regular passes were thrilled that they didn't lose anything. Only after our trip was over and we drove the 2 hours home did we really realize the full magnitude of what Disney had done. The damage to Florida was tremendous but Disney not only seemed to survive it, they made us feel like nothing had even happened at all!! Have a great trip and worry none!!!!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Thanks

Wow. Excellent story. Thanks for sharing your experience. See, that's the kinda thing I was looking for and you can't get that on Wikipedia!

Sounds like I will be safer at Disney than if I was at home during a hurricane!

Thanks again.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

^^ Wow! That is why I love Disney as much as I do. They bend over backwards to make the guests feel comfortable even in a scary situation like that. That was such a good story, thanks for sharing. The fact that it didn't look like wdw got hit, but you noticed some things off property that were damaged...just makes me think about how much I really feel far away from reality and the real world when I'm there.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Having lots of experience with Florida weather and hurricanes Bertha basically has little to no chance of hitting Orlando. It doesn't look like it's going to even hit Florida at all now. Something may change or another storm might develop from that same area, but it looks like you're in the clear for now. By Saturday she should be well north of Orlando. Here's what our county emergency director emailed out this morning:


"As for the ultimate track for Bertha, it is fairly likely that this system will turn to the northwest and then north in five days. Bertha should not pose a threat to Florida and most likely to anywhere on the eastern seaboard. Bertha could become a strong hurricane before entering the cooler waters in the central Atlantic. Elsewhere, in the tropics, there are no other disturbances of note to discuss. However, the pattern which spawned Bertha from last week continues to persist as we begin to get closer to the active part of the season. I will advise as needed."

 

[Teachr4Disney]

I'm feeling very reassured now. Thanks so much for all your comments! Let's just hope that the weather experts are right and mother nature doesn't play a trick on all of us!

 

[DawnBerg]

How right you are

Hi again Teach,
I am glad my reply helped and I can REALLY assure you that you are safer at Disney than at home. After our trip to Disney during Hurricane Charley we went home to Port St Lucie, Florida. We had a beautiful home and were happy to be there. We were hit by 2 more hurricanes (while at home) that were direct hits to us Hurricanes Francis & Jeanne. And as if to add insult to injury Ivan made a U-turn and came back at us as a tropical storm. Needless to say we pretty much lost everything including our jobs since the hospital my husband and I both worked for was destroyed and jobs became scarce. We moved to my parents home up here in Rhode Island but cannot wait to come home to Florida. We are planning to move to the Orlando area this time and steer way clear of the coast. I can promise you this...If when we are there another hurricane ever comes our way I am making reservations at Disney to ride out the storm. So as you can see you were right spot on that it IS safer in Disney!!! Enjoy your trip really. And never give anything else a second thought. I know your decision to go will be well worth it when you see your daughters face when she lights up at all there is to enjoy. Nothing can beat that. I can't wait to go back and hope that it will be soon. Take a million pictures and post some. I am sure we would all love to be there with you.

 

[coltow]

I can not believe that I've meticulously planned our trip to WDW and now there's a ridiculous hurricane in the Atlantic and possibily headed toward my magical vacation!

Has anyone ever been to WDW during or in threat of a hurricane? When was the last time a hurricane hit the Orlando area. Of course, I guess I could look it up on the web, but I'd rather hear real stories.

Also, what happens if it hits while we're there? I'm guessing there will be no refunds or free passes or free night's stay, etc. Kinda like, plan your trip and take your chances with the weather and GOOD LUCK!

Hopefully it'll stay out at sea, but this is so my luck that it would hit land right on me!!

Although I have not been there when a hurricane came through Orlando I was there a few days after Charley in 04. The airport was a mess the ceiling was leaking (even though it hadn't rained that day) the carpet was so wet that it smelled and there were giant fans blowing trying to dry the floors.

We were supposed to stay at my grandfather's home in Haines City. The power hadn't been restored to that area yet (about 30 minutes south of WDW) and wouldn't be for awhile. My mom was able to score us rooms at Music. When we checked in and told the CM our story she had told us the hurricane had displaced alot of people. She told us if we needed anything to make sure to let them know and they'd try to help us. Because we had a car on this trip we did stop at a store to get everything we needed.

We were amazed at the damage we had seen from the airport and were probably more amazed by the lack of damage we saw once on property.

We were also there when Wilma was coming (October 05) and had met people that travelled from southern Florida to Pop just to not be home. We met a nice family who lived near the Keys and the "father" had told us that they had boarded up their house and just drove to WDW where they had hoped to forget that terrible hurricane season. During this same trip we had met many families that had been from southern states that had been effected by all the hurricanes, just hoping that WDW would brighten thier spirits. I hope it did, how could it not?

 

[imamouse]

Our family was at ASMu during Hurricane Floyd in Sept 99. WDW did a fantastic job of keeping guests informed and safe. We had driven down, so no mess at the airport, but the family in the room next to us were from Germany and they're flights were canceled. Their reaction was. 'Oh well - more time at WDW."

The day after the hurricane "hit" (not close to Orlando), most of the theme parks were closed due to the inability to staff them. Only DAK opened at noon (wasn't crowded, which we thought was odd). Overall, WDW did an excellent job and our vacation was only marginally impacted.

I hope all hurricanes steer clear of FL and stay out at sea!

 

[Lucky]

I forgot about Jeanne. Charley (Aug 13 2004) and Frances (Sept 5 2004)were category 4, while Jeanne (Sept 26 2004) was "only" a category 3, and took pretty much the same track as Frances.

We arrived Sept. 6 right after Frances went through, and saw a lot of roof and other damage to homes and trees on the way in from the airport to WDW. There was no way of telling how much of the damage was from Frances and how much from Charley 3 weeks earlier.

We got to MK around 6 PM on Sept. 6, and walked on to every ride. No Fast Passes were in operation the entire week we were there. The lines were too short to need it.

 

[tink68]

We missed Charley in 04 by about 2 days. Hit right after we left. I always get nervous about this when we go because we usually can only go during hurricane season. Its nice to know what they do at DW to make you feel safe.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Thank you for the reassurance. Photography is a hobby of mine and I can't wait to take and share the pictures from our "magical" trip with everyone! I will definitely post a bunch of pictures from our trip.

Thanks again for the kind words!

 

[elizs77]

We drove from NC to FL right into the wake of Hurrican Erin (Cat 1) back in 1995. It was kind of creepy driving south as everyone else was driving north. Erin was initially thought to be hitting around Miami/Ft Lauderdale, but as it got closer, it shot straight over to Volusia County (Daytona). Funny enough, a ton of southern Floridians had headed up to central FL only to be hit anyway!

Our WDW experience during Erin was unique! The park closed early, but we managed to be able to hit the MK before it closed. We just walked around in our hot ponchos. The clouds were swirling above, and I'll just never forget riding Big Thunder Mountain with a crazy sky above me. It was interested to watch them prepare - everything was getting tied down, covered, etc.

We were staying at the Wilderness Lodge, and it was brand new. There was a msg on the phone that would update us as to the weather situation, remind us not to get near windows, etc. We had a view of the woods towards the Contemporary, but during the storm, you could barely see the tree line. There were evidently a few leaks in the hotel, as I also remember there being buckets catching leaks in the walkway down to Roaring Forks.

The next day, the parks opened a little late, but there was no apparant damage. It was still rainy, the humidity was crazy even for Florida, but we had a good time.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Hi Teach,

We were at BCV during the Wilma hit on central Florida. Wilma dumped alot of rain the night before it hit and they refunded our tickets to the MNSSHP and gave us another night. Wilma hit in the early morning hours. The next day, all parks were closed until 1:00pm and then only MK and Epcot opened to resort guest only.

There were lots of tree limbs all over Epcot (which is where we chose to go).

After Wilma hit, the weather became much cooler.

Hope that helps.

Niki

 

[cdunbar]

Yeah we were scheduled to go when I guess I would of been Jeanne, and it was suppoe to go towards Orlando, and so we got an automated call saying that in case you weren't aware there is tropical system headed towards Walt Disney World, if you wish to cancel or post pone your vacation please be aware that there will be no charge if you keep it I think it was within a 45 day period. Neways we just switched the dates, and everything was fine. I think maybe there was a few broken windows but that was pretty much i.