Disney World Closed on Sunday - Confirmed!!

[pepsistar]

prberk-- Wow you sure get upset easy--

I sent them to Disney to be safe, so they could have hot meals, lights, and feel safe! I am glad they are there and OK. I am not complaining, as an employee of the sheriff's office and former flight attendant, I surely understand what is happining.

I was just stating that the letter they sent to the rooms said the food court hours would be extended so guests could get a hot meal today and then they were not.

I had also read trip reports from Charley and had read that a free buffet was provided and games and etc were held for the children in the main building -- Soooo I was expecting the same. :lookaroun weather permitting.

 

[Mary Poppins]

WESH just reported that Frances has officialy made landfall near Stuart, FL.

 

[wdwjmp239]

Hurricane Frances

All Ears. Net is reporting that All Disney World Parks and Transportation will be closed on Sunday, September 5th!! They claim to have the official word!!!

I just heard this on MSNBC news and Veronica (spokeswoman) confirmed this that the park will be closed on Sunday 9/5/04

 

[wdwjmp239]

WESH just reported that Frances has officialy made landfall near Stuart, FL.

As a hurricane makes landfall, the winds will tend to slow down. However, the wind field around the hurricane will spread!

I'm located in Naples, FL (Collier County on the SW Florida Coast) and we're in the BEST place for this hurricane (on the southwest side). The hurricane force winds will be well to the north and east of us. We're only expecting tropical storm force winds (40-60 mph) and heavy rain (up to 5" where I'm at). In some other parts of Florida (depending where you are), expect up to 20".

For those of you who went through Charley in Central Florida. Hunker down.. we're gonna do this again.

I went through Charley down here and we were VERY lucky. Hurricane force winds were about 70 miles off the coast of Collier County. If Charley moved one degree towards the east, Collier County would've been demolished.

And, if you haven't had enough. Watch for Ivan next week?

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200409_5day.html

*sigh*

 

[Mary Poppins]

And, if you haven't had enough. Watch for Ivan next week?

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200409_5day.html

*sigh*

Hey now, let's take one on at a time!

 

[kevmagkingdom]

They are keeping it closed Sunday for the best interest of the guests. I wonder how the parks withstand these whopper hurricanes.

 

[skeeter]

I'm here in Sarasota, FL--about an hour south of Tampa--we have had a few wind gusts (not heavy) and some rain. Otherwise, lucky so far. You guys further north of me (in the path) just use common sense and stay safe. As for the person earlier that was upset about the parks being closed, I commend Disney for making the best decision to keep it's employees and guests safe. I'm sure they would have been open Saturday had they known that the storm was going to stall--look at the business they have lost, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend! Whew! You guys in Orlando be safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to you!

 

[burbur]

No, I think it was just for part of 9/11/01, the day itself. Just very light attendance after that.

you're correct. wdw was open on 9/11 and did not close until late in the morning that day. things were, for the most part, back to normal the following day.

 

[Atta83]

Many people want to get hot meals and such from the food courts, but reports are showing wind speeds at up to 60 MPH do you really think Disney wants their guest out and and possibly getting hit by flying debirs..??/I dont think so....

 

[ermccartin]

To Ask Mike1

:brick: Yeah, even though I live in NY and was just there last year at this time; DW was always noted to be Open unless there was unusual circumstances. This year's weather is an unusual circumstance. People safety has to be forefront. But I hear the frustration even 3,000 miles away; from you and from the resort guests down there. :veryconfu

 

[bgraham34]

I just hope there is not much damage and no injuries for people.

 

[Computer Magic]

Many people want to get hot meals and such from the food courts, but reports are showing wind speeds at up to 60 MPH do you really think Disney wants their guest out and and possibly getting hit by flying debirs..??/I dont think so....

I agree with Atta. The guests staying in resorts that are mainly enclosed (AKL) can walk around w/o having to venture outdoors. The Port guests would have to venture outside to get to the food court. I have stayed at both places and the main difference is most rooms at POR require you to cross a bridge to get to the food court.

I can see how on the surface how someone would question why one resort was offering hot meals while the others were not. However, I believe it’s based on Atta’s comment of safety first. We don’t want guests or employees venturing outside.

 

[Mr D]

I agree its so very selfish to even think about of all the people needed to support WDW from the parking crews, custodial, rubberheads, float operators, well it just goes on and on and on. And each and every person that works at the parks is affected by these storms, many rely upon public transportation to even get to work, and those that do drive are most likely unable to buy fuel. I think its a very wise decision by Rasulo to keep the park closed to insure everything is safe as there is hours and hours of inspections needed for a lot of rides, for instance Test Track, I cannot believe it hasn't had some form of damage, get a reality check folks that are currently staying at the resorts or planning on arriving in the next week that it will take that long to put eveything back in place and IF Ivan comes even close to either coast of Fla and its as big as Frances well then all that has happened in the last three weeks will happen again. Lot of stores have NO FOOD, gas is in very short supply, rooms are all booked up and of course some are damaged.

I think anyone that has plans on arriving in Orlando should postpone at least a week, wait for everything to return to normal, the waters to recede, power restored before flocking into Otown and getting in the way and complaining the "magic" is gone.

Jeez, get real...

 

[Thorphin]

Monday

Just wanted to pass a long word from a cast member (a friend of mine) living in the Disney student housing. At around 3pm, they still had power and he said that cast members have been told that the parks will remain closed on Monday. Yikes! 3 days! If this is the longest the parks have been closed ever, I hope that this storm hasn't done the most damage to them...

Also, in case anyone is interested, he also said that the Rivers of America were drained on Friday in anticipation of storm runoff and to avoid flooding. Well, if things do get a little more than a little wet, now at least we've got the Rivers of America, 20,000 Leagues, and It's a Small World all dry and ready to accept flood runoff!

 

[skeeter]

The official Walt Disney World website has confirmed minimal damage to a backstage building and horticulture. The site states that Disney plans to open Monday (via a small pop up window)--check the site for specific times. :wave:

 

[Mary Poppins]

Just wanted to pass a long word from a cast member (a friend of mine) living in the Disney student housing. At around 3pm, they still had power and he said that cast members have been told that the parks will remain closed on Monday. Yikes! 3 days! If this is the longest the parks have been closed ever, I hope that this storm hasn't done the most damage to them...

Also, in case anyone is interested, he also said that the Rivers of America were drained on Friday in anticipation of storm runoff and to avoid flooding. Well, if things do get a little more than a little wet, now at least we've got the Rivers of America, 20,000 Leagues, and It's a Small World all dry and ready to accept flood runoff!

Incorrect. The cast portal has the following:

Resort Venues Hours of Availability (September 6, 2004)
Disney-MGM Studios CLOSED
Epcot® 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Magic Kingdom® Park 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park CLOSED
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park CLOSED
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex Open for Events
Downtown Disney® Area 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Please Island Closed)
Disney University 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Centeral Florida YMCA Family Center at the WDW Resort 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Kindercare (North Service Area) 6 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Kindercare (Lake Buena Vista) 6 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Disney Reservation Center Orlando First shifts begin at 9 a.m.
Disney Reservation Center Tampa First shifts begin 11 a.m.
Casting CLOSED
Mickey's Retreat CLOSED
Walt Disney World Resort hotels OPEN
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground CLOSED

 

[Thorphin]

Thanks, Mary Poppins for the clarifications. I'm sure that the cast members in the midst of the storm were hearing and thinking all sorts of things, but it's good to get a recent official statement on what is actually going on now that the bulk of the danger has passed.