Mickey_777
Well-Known Member
I've seen Youtube videos of MK shutting down and sending everyone home during a hurricane (can't remember which one).
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Hurricane Isaac
- Thread starter cheezedoodle20
- Start date
midwest_mice
Well-Known Member
We're arriving the 30th as well and hope things are calmed down by then. I can deal with rain, its the wind and rain combined that gets nasty
ajrwdwgirl
Premium Member
We were there a few years ago during a tropical storm (it was suppsed to be a hurricane but it downgraded) and WDW opened the parks an hour early the day before the storm hit and extended hours for Downtown Disney and the theaters. We just got a lot of wind and rain but there wasn't a lot of lightning so most everything ran on schedule. We even watched Wishes in the rain. Neither of us minded it because a lot of the parks were cleared out of people, I guess they were too scared to go out in the rain. We just donned our ponchos and had fun!
plutofan15
Well-Known Member
We were there for Hurricane Floyd in '99 (1st time the parks had ever closed by the way). The storm was supposed to come ashore around Daytona and head across central FL. We were staying at Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings then) and a day or so before the storm everyone had letters waiting for them in the room asking that the curtains be closed and to stay away from windows in case the high winds might break the windows. They also aske that we fill the tub with water. The day the storm was supposed to hit, the parks were open in the morning but closed in the early afternoon along with Downtown Disney. Basically the only places operating were the resorts. They moved everyone out of Ft. Wilderness campground into the moderate resorts. We were there with another couple with adjoining rooms so we filled one tub with water and the other ice. We stocked up on "supplies" (soda, beer, snacks) from the store at the resort - h-u-g-e lines but the cast members were great and it was actually fun. That night we ventured out to the lounge, snagged a table, ordered a pizza and had a hurricane party with everyone else. The cast members (waiters, bartenders) were again great. After a bit of wait we got our pizza and a couple of drinks, ate and watched the weather coverage. We headed back to the room in some rain and a bit of wind to continue our party. The storm turned north at the last minute and so we only got rain and wind. The next morning was cloudy and a breezy with occaisional rain. Since mosy of the cast members were sent home to take care of themselves & family, there wasn't enough cast members to open the parks. With the exception of Animal Kingdom since employees had to come in to look after the animals. They opened Animal Kingdom to resort guests only and then opened the park in stages. Very low crowds. By that evening Downtown Disney was back open and the next morning all parks were back to normal - we spent a gorgeous day at Blizzard Beach. It was actually a lot of fun.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
I think the ones I saw were Hurricane Charley. From what I have seen and read, Disney pulled out all the stops, had characters at resorts, etc for the kids, and did their very best to keep the kids from being scared.
PUSH
Well-Known Member
We were there back in '04 or '05 when Hurricane Wilma was a tropical storm. We stayed at CBR and they opened Epcot and either HS or AK in the afternoon (kept the other two closed.) They had people down at the food court and gift shop showing kids how to make the towel animals, had movie marathons on the TVs, etc. What did we do? Walk around the resort and take pictures. 
wdwfan4ver
Well-Known Member
I was at WDW when Tropical Storm Fay hit. My flight back was delayed a day because Tropical Storm Fay hit.
The Magic Kingdom wasn't closed. Magic Kingdom didn't have a lot of people, but I lot of fun with me wearing a puncho. The crowds were short for the attractions.
I am guessing the other 3 parks were open when Tropical Storm Fay hit.
The Magic Kingdom wasn't closed. Magic Kingdom didn't have a lot of people, but I lot of fun with me wearing a puncho. The crowds were short for the attractions.
I am guessing the other 3 parks were open when Tropical Storm Fay hit.
TERRILYNN
Active Member
Okay Floridians, I'm from the Midwest so I have NO idea what these things are like other than the super bad ones we have seen on the news. From what I'm seeing they are forcasting a category 1?? We are leaving (or supposed to be leaving) Missouri tomorrow morning and would arrive in Florida around Sat night, .... around the same time as Issac. Honest opinions please, we are staying in a large SeaBreeze camper with my VERY hard headed (will not go to a hotel for nothing) father and my mom, hubby and 4 year old daughter. What will this be like in Orlando? I know we aren't on the coast but does this just mean for Orlando? lots of rain?? Tornadoes??? Like very bad storm, lightning? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I just want opinions from people who know vs listening to my dad who think's he's 10ft tall and bulletproof. Our little girl will be there an I don't want to risk her for anything. Our "park day" was Monday due to having a reservation at CRT but really from watching the weather channel, I'm thinking maybe we shouldn't even go. Ideas?
coltow
Well-Known Member
Until they know EXACTLY what direction it's going to head I'm not worrying about it. We've been there before/after and during previous Hurricanes/Tropical Stroms. They are mostly rain and wind. It's only bad if storm is BIG or hits directly, if on the out skirts it's fine. This one is only being forcast at category 1 which in any luck won't close much at WDW. I know that if it's expected to be bad WDW will close parks. I'm watching it, cuz I leave on Friday but I'm not worrying about it. I also went to Dollar Tree and grabbed a fee extra ponchos as a precaution.
ajrwdwgirl
Premium Member
This is the tropical storm we were there for. We went to MK & Epcot that day. I remember it was so strange seeing Main Street basically empty at like 6pm.
We were at WDW in 2004 when hurricane Charley hit. Only guests on disney property were allowed in the parks unitl midday. During the morning they moved the portable stands/kiosks tied back the signs. When we returned to the hotel the food court had shut and all we had were crisps and lindt choclates in the room lol. At around 2 in the morning the red light was flashing on the phone to tell us the food court had reopened.
Near I Drive the traffic lights were hanging down, a garage roof was torn off and there was a lot of debris. Not much was open and the queue for breakfast at the Ponderosa was huge.
Disney parks seemed OK but Seaworld stayed shut.
Near I Drive the traffic lights were hanging down, a garage roof was torn off and there was a lot of debris. Not much was open and the queue for breakfast at the Ponderosa was huge.
Disney parks seemed OK but Seaworld stayed shut.
afar28
Well-Known Member
I was there for tropical storm Fay 3 or 4 years ago. It's a ton of rain and wind. The shops were crowded, indoor rides had HUGE waits (as high as 250 minutes at Peter pan Winnie the Pooh, and Soarinas wel has 150 minute waits about at Buzz Lightyear and Tower of Terror ) because the outdoor rides we're closed. When their was a short stoppage of rain, the outdoor rides filled up because the rain was going to comeback so rides like Splash Mtn, Jungle Cruise, Test Track and Everest had almost 3 hour waits. It was insaenly crazy for us but at the end of the day before park closing, rides shortened up in wait and many of our favories had no wait due to the combination of rain and the park about to close
pixargal
Well-Known Member
Is there any way that you could postpone the trip for a couple of days? If not, then keep an eye on the track. My only concern is that you are in a camper. If, and it's a big If, the track puts the hurricane over Orlando then it can get quite windy. Hurricanes can last a long time and they can be scary in the dark. We lived in Tampa when Hurricane Charlie hit Orlando. We got cat 1 winds where we lived and it was a little frightening. Perhaps you could rent a hotel room at the last minute if you see the track heading in that direction. On the other hand, tropical storm winds are not bad and the rain helps to keep attendance down at the parks. Stay vigilant and have a plan B in case things turn ugly.
rsoxguy
Well-Known Member
The latest forecast (11 a.m. advisory) has the storm moving more toward the Southwest coast of Florida. It is very difficult to predict a storm’s path this far out. The “cone of error” currently encompasses all of South Florida. You will have to wait at least another day in order to determine where this is likely to hit. The Orlando area is in mid-Florida, and it is inland, so the impact of a storm coming from the South would be less significant. Again, we must take a “wait and see” attitude for at least another 24 hours.
As to the travel trailer, Hurricane Wilma packed winds of roughly 100mph in my neighborhood. A neighbor across the water from my home had a travel trailer, I would guess 25 feet long, parked alongside their home. It rolled over twice while disintegrating. No tornado, just wind from the storm. I have it on film. If the storm hits with winds above tropical storm force, I would lock the trailer and rent a hotel room until it passed if I were you.
As to the travel trailer, Hurricane Wilma packed winds of roughly 100mph in my neighborhood. A neighbor across the water from my home had a travel trailer, I would guess 25 feet long, parked alongside their home. It rolled over twice while disintegrating. No tornado, just wind from the storm. I have it on film. If the storm hits with winds above tropical storm force, I would lock the trailer and rent a hotel room until it passed if I were you.
ThinkTink721
Well-Known Member
I have been worrying about it too...but, worrying won't help...so, I packed some extra ponchos too!
ThinkTink721
Well-Known Member
Katrina came through where we live, which is about 200 miles from the Gulf Coast, several years ago.
We had strong winds & rain, but we were hit directly as it came in from the water.
There were trees & power lines knocked down, but luckily our power was only out for one day.
The actual storm probably only lasted a day.
Hopefully, the way this storm is forecast now, Orlando will not be in the direct path of the eye of the storm.
Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Lucky
Well-Known Member
We just missed that one. Our flight circled for an hour waiting for MCO to re-open right after Frances went through.
