And I’m sure many of us who are CMs are looking to be on the ride out crews, but it’s optional and not really stuck either. Although I would say those with cancelled flights are pretty stuck, sadly.A few local forum members got rooms to ride the storm out, not sure if I'd call that stuck
As a facility with surgery and emergency services, it would considered a Risk Category IV which are “Buildings and other structures designated as essential facilities” (FBC Table 1604.5). Those large windows are supposed to be impacted rated and the structure designed to handle at a minimum wind gusts around 160 mph.One of my closest friends who I went to med school with is a cardiologist working at HCA Florida Largo Hospital. He's sent his family to Orlando but is the "lock in cardiologist" for the next 3 days. Looking at images of the facility it looks like it's primarily glass windows all around. I'm assuming that it's made to withstand hurricane winds? The hospital is only a mile off shore so needless to say I'm concerned about his safety.
The short answer is yes.One of my closest friends who I went to med school with is a cardiologist working at HCA Florida Largo Hospital. He's sent his family to Orlando but is the "lock in cardiologist" for the next 3 days. Looking at images of the facility it looks like it's primarily glass windows all around. I'm assuming that it's made to withstand hurricane winds? The hospital is only a mile off shore so needless to say I'm concerned about his safety.
With the current forecast I don't think MCO will open until late Thursday or maybe Friday.Just an update.
Frontier finally officially cancelled my original flight for Wednesday morning around 10:30pm Monday night.
The rebook options were for Thursday, due to land at MCO ~7pm. There was an earlier flight in the morning, but that looks to be also gone/cancelled, so maybe they think/know MCO will still be closed Thurs morning.
I could've refunded for airline credit, which I wasn't really interested in. Refund back to my CC required a call apparently and up to 2 weeks.
Considering this flight was only ~$55, taking the refund and rebooting with another airline ($300+) isn't as ideal. I also have a separate flight leaving MCO to BOS for a separate work engagement, so I do need to somehow be in Orlando before the following Monday.
Hoping for the best for everyone there!
CM's and the public should have known yesterday what the plan was. Pure incompetence.In magic kingdom and heard a cast member saying there is a meeting at 2pm to let everyone know what the plan will be for opening and closing
A bit of hubris there for sure for UO and WDW.I completely understand the reasoning behind closing, but why not just be upfront and say "Based on current forecast track, we are expecting to close our parks on blank dates."
Worst case scenario, if you are afraid of losing business, you cut staffing that day to reduce operating costs. Nobody in their right mind would enjoy a day at IOA if its raining all day, everything but 3 attractions remain open during torrential rain. No locals will be at F&W dining in the rain. I just don't get it.
Glad you made it out. Safe travels!On a personal note, I’m happy to report I’m writing this from the air. My flight took off and I’m on my way north. I wish all of you stuck down there the best, I suggest if you can you get the heck out of there.
Not really. The storm was originally supposed to make landfall around Tuesday evening, then Wednesday afternoon, and now it's looking like 1am Thursday, and there's potential for that to go later still. Disney is wisely waiting to see if they can have a shortened operating day on Wednesday, or if the track has significant deviation which would spare the area from the worst of the effects, which has happened several times in recent memory.CM's and the public should have known yesterday what the plan was. Pure incompetence.
Why would the public need to know yesterday what WDW's plan was? Is there some out there who was thinking I can see the weather reports, and all the updates, the state of emergency being declared, but if WDW doesn't announce its closed we are showing up on Wed/Thursday we are going? If so then those people need to win the darwin award to help protect the species.CM's and the public should have known yesterday what the plan was. Pure incompetence.
It’s not just the eye. It’s what’s a hundred miles ahead of it.With the current forecast I can see Disney being open until 5 pm on Wednesday. Got to make that money.
A number of cast live in cheaper COL Davenport , Lakeland Winter Haven Haines City as compared to Orlando and consideration hopefully happens if these cast working Tuesday night still have to drive home in very inclement weather.With the current forecast I can see Disney being open until 5 pm on Wednesday. Got to make that money.
My Dad’s flight also left MCO on time this morning. And I’ll be off to the airport to pick him up in about an hour.On a personal note, I’m happy to report I’m writing this from the air. My flight took off and I’m on my way north. I wish all of you stuck down there the best, I suggest if you can you get the heck out of there.
Never mentioned the eye. Have you looked at the forecast? Winds less than 20 mph until after midnight Wednesday.It’s not just the eye. It’s what’s a hundred miles ahead of it.
And getting your staff home safe.
Latest update, still just a Cat 4. Good newsView attachment 819704
The issue is that a lot of non-Floridians don't entirely understand how large a hurricane actually is. Everyone loves to focus on the eye, but its effects are large spread, with most of the rain occurring prior to the eye even reaching land. A tourist who arrives in Orlando this week completely understands bad weather is coming, but don't necessarily understand how it'll impact the area even with the eyes 100 miles away.Not really. The storm was originally supposed to make landfall around Tuesday evening, then Wednesday afternoon, and now it's looking like 1am Thursday, and there's potential for that to go later still. Disney is wisely waiting to see if they can have a shortened operating day on Wednesday, or if the track has significant deviation which would spare the area from the worst of the effects, which has happened several times in recent memory.
I don't think people realize how much money Disney stands to lose from having the parks closed, even for a day. This is a decision which is not taken lightly in the slightest, and can't be made solely for the sake of good vibes and appeasing uninterested parties that allege they're not "doing the right thing" fast enough.
That said, an announcement should be expected late this afternoon.
Storm winds not expected for Disney until late Wednesday early Thursday and may be later if trend continues.A number of cast live in cheaper COL Davenport , Lakeland Winter Haven Haines City as compared to Orlando and consideration hopefully happens if these cast working Tuesday night still have to drive home in very inclement weather.
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