knowledge please

[msthunder]

Ok veterans ,, help me out here....due to the storm,, I am freaking and have some questions:

1. We are due to check in Friday, Sept 1st,,, are my reservations still gonna be there?? We are paid in full.

2. If Orlando takes a direct hit,, how will it affect Disney?

3. If its raining at the parks,, are the rides still operational?

Should I call Disney?

Thanks.

 

[WDW Monorail]

1. I don't know but Disney never turns away a guest. Disney does have a tropical weather policy. You should do some research for that.
2. It is rare that all of WDW will close entirely. The last time it completly closed was for hurricane Charly in 2004. Before that I believe it was 9/11 and the days following.
3.It depends on how much it is raining. Indoor rides will continue to operate but outdoor rides will be shut down until after the rain has stopped and the ride is inspected.

 

[KnK]

We've been there twice during closings. Once in 1999 (Hurianne) and in 2001 (really just closed early). In both occassions the parks were open in the morning and closed early. The day after they closed early in 1999, the only park open was AK.

In 2001, we had 9/11, as well as a tropical storm. Everything was open that day. We went to AK and had a safari bus all to ourselves, noone. In fact we were one of the few buses that had anyone in it. It was pouring that day, and we could not stand up because of the wind......but they were open.

 

[Lanipie]

Ok veterans ,, help me out here....due to the storm,, I am freaking and have some questions:

1. We are due to check in Friday, Sept 1st,,, are my reservations still gonna be there?? We are paid in full.

2. If Orlando takes a direct hit,, how will it affect Disney?

3. If its raining at the parks,, are the rides still operational?

Should I call Disney?

Thanks.

WDW has only ever closed once in their history of existence for a hurricane and that closure was only for one day. So it is almost impossible that they will close for a tropical storm.

Your reservations will still be right there waiting for you. We're driving down Thursday and are paid in full as well. No worries on that.

Orlando has taken some pretty big hits in the past and damage to WDW has always been pretty minimal. Seeing as this right now is just a tropical storm, I don't think there's tooo tooo much to worry about.

If you want to call Disney for your own peace of mind, go ahead. I'm sure they'll ease your fears, but I think you'll be A-OK.

 

[GatorDi]

According to the latest updates, you should be in the clear on Friday (keep fingers crossed). If the storm has already moved through (like it is supposed to) you should have fantastick weather. The days after a hurricane are usually beautiful (God's way of giving you time to clean up). :lol: Good luck and have a great time.

 

[brkgnews]

And, I might add, the parks should be barren because of everyone freaking out and cancelling their reservations. When I went to WDW the week that Ivan was supposed to be a direct hit (but veered off intstead), there was practically no one there! Even though the hurricane "missed," everyone had already cancelled.

 

[Lanipie]

And, I might add, the parks should be barren because of everyone freaking out and cancelling their reservations. When I went to WDW the week that Ivan was supposed to be a direct hit (but veered off intstead), there was practically no one there! Even though the hurricane "missed," everyone had already cancelled.

That's what someone in my office said too. I'm hoping for that!

 

[Gorjus]

First of all, stop freaking out. It is not going to help your situation. You aren't arriving till Friday. The storm will be long gone by then. Disney World will be fine.

When the three storms hit Orlando in one year, they were Category 3 storms. This is going to hit Ft. Lauderdale/Miami as a Category 1. If it heads near Orlando, it will be a tropical storm and not a hurricane. Also, Orlando will be on the "clean" side of the storm (the left) as opposed to the "dirty" side of the storm (the right).

My favorite times at Disney have been when it is cold and raining. Everyone stays inside and when I go on rides they actually ask if I just want to stay on and ride again since no one is waiting to get on. It won't be cold, but it might be a bit rainy. Bring rain gear (jacket, pants, waterproof shoes) and go to the parks, have a blast. If the parks are open, it is safe.

Now, being in South Florida, excuse me while I go pull the outside furniture in, fill my freezer with water bottles, and wash off my hurricane shutters so I can put them up. Hurricanes are just a pain in the....oh, hi Mickey!

 

[Lanipie]

Awwwww they're entitled to a little bit of a freakout. Especially if they aren't from the land of hurricanes. But, it will be all good for their trip I believe.

I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and we sometimes forget that hurrricanes aren't "old hat" to everyone else like they can be for us.

 

[wild01ride]

WDW has only ever closed once in their history of existence for a hurricane and that closure was only for one day. So it is almost impossible that they will close for a tropical storm.

That is not exactly true. As someone above mentioned, they closed for Hurricane Charley. That same year (while I was there), they closed for Hurricane Jeanne (and I believe that there was another time in recent history in which they've closed due to weather).

I can vouch that they did, indeed close ALL four parks and other factions, including, to name a few, the restaurants and stores on the Boardwalk. We were quarantined to the hotel and everything closed early on Saturday night, was closed Sunday and opened late on Monday morning (with phased openings that did not include AK opening until Tuesday).

So yes, it is possible that they would close if Orlando was "directly hit", but judging by the outlook of this tropical storm, it looks like it should be a fairly insignificant impact on the actual operation of the parks.

One thing's for sure though: expect a LOT of rain!

 

[Lanipie]

That is not exactly true. As someone above mentioned, they closed for Hurricane Charley. That same year (while I was there), they closed for Hurricane Jeanne (and I believe that there was another time in recent history in which they've closed due to weather).

I can vouch that they did, indeed close ALL four parks and other factions, including, to name a few, the restaurants and stores on the Boardwalk. We were quarantined to the hotel and everything closed early on Saturday night, was closed Sunday and opened late on Monday morning (with phased openings that did not include AK opening until Tuesday).

So yes, it is possible that they would close if Orlando was "directly hit", but judging by the outlook of this tropical storm, it looks like it should be a fairly insignificant impact on the actual operation of the parks.

One thing's for sure though: expect a LOT of rain!

OK *sigh*

I was talking about closing all the parks for an entire day. All the other closings have been late openings or early closings. For a hurricane, they have only ever closed the parks completely for the entire day...ONCE. I got the info from WDW employees. So unless they are wrong, or lying, then I stand by it. Either way, it's so far from the point of the post it's ridiculous. MOST likely they will not close for a tropical storm.

Why do people have to try to turn things into pointless arguments????

If this person is visiting at the end of the week. Friday for example. I would not necessarily expect ALOT of rain, either. The major part of the storm will have passed by that point if it stays on course and timing. There may be some lingering bands of rain for the first day, but the rest of the week should be normal weather. That's not to say there won't be any rain at all, but I wouldn't expect any squalls or anything after Friday.

 

[drei]

The parks also closed for Hurricane Frances. I worked the Beach Club front desk the summer of '04 and can completely confirm the parks were closed for Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. But don't worry too much about this one, Orlando should be ok.

 

[celticdog]

That is not exactly true. As someone above mentioned, they closed for Hurricane Charley. That same year (while I was there), they closed for Hurricane Jeanne (and I believe that there was another time in recent history in which they've closed due to weather).

The other storm you're thinking of was hurricane Floyd back in September of 1999. Which was the first time WDW had closed for a storm.

 

[celticdog]

Why do people have to try to turn things into pointless arguments????

No one trying to turn this into a pointless arguement. We are trying to provide Msthunder with accurate and correct information.

 

[CelticRose]

I found the following info on MousePlanet:

The storm shows only a 6 percent chance of hitting Orlando with hurricane-force winds, but a 43 percent chance of hitting with tropical storm-force winds, most likely on Wednesday.
If widespread evacuations are announced for areas of Florida, look for crowds to increase at Walt Disney World, as it is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane. Its utilities are all underground, meaning that winds cannot knock out power, phones or other services, and downed trees cannot hurt the utilities, either. There is a sufficiently large staff to care for guests, and plenty of food. While it may be a concern to you if you are planning to fly in on Wednesday, you should be fine otherwise. As always, you can obtain up-to-date information from several online weather sources, including the National Hurricane Center

Don't worry MsThunder, throw in your rain gear (I am married to a weather man and I don't leave home without my rain gear), everything will be fine....Have a great time. Say hello to Mickey and the gang
By the way where are you in Mississippi?

 

[Lanipie]

No one trying to turn this into a pointless arguement. We are trying to provide Msthunder with accurate and correct information.

I'm not talking about people who are trying to provide accurate information, and since you hadn't even posted yet, I obviously wasn't talking about you! Sheesh!

i was just talking about the people who seem to argue for the point of arguing. The number of times the park has closed or not closed was not the point of the thread or the point of my post. the point was no matter how many times it has happened, it hasn't been many so there's probably not too much to worry about. People take everything so #$^()^$ literally and personally and feel the need to argue over the one point that made no difference whatsoever.

I'm just trying to be helpful to Msthunder and ease their mind about their trip. not debate pointlessly how many time WDW has or has not closed. that is NOT the point.

 

[Lanipie]

I found the following info on MousePlanet:

The storm shows only a 6 percent chance of hitting Orlando with hurricane-force winds, but a 43 percent chance of hitting with tropical storm-force winds, most likely on Wednesday.
If widespread evacuations are announced for areas of Florida, look for crowds to increase at Walt Disney World, as it is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane. Its utilities are all underground, meaning that winds cannot knock out power, phones or other services, and downed trees cannot hurt the utilities, either. There is a sufficiently large staff to care for guests, and plenty of food. While it may be a concern to you if you are planning to fly in on Wednesday, you should be fine otherwise. As always, you can obtain up-to-date information from several online weather sources, including the National Hurricane Center

Don't worry MsThunder, throw in your rain gear (I am married to a weather man and I don't leave home without my rain gear), everything will be fine....Have a great time. Say hello to Mickey and the gang
By the way where are you in Mississippi?

Yes. that was the point of my post. Not an endless argument about park closings. *sigh*

Msthunder, it's looks like you're gonna be A-ok, so just pack your ponchos and try not to worry. You may get a little wet, but you will still have a blast!

And with that, I am done with this thread.

 

[msthunder]

Celtic,, I am in Vicksburg.

Since I can't do it in my office, I am making an announcement:

To my fellow co-workers,,,,, YES, I know there is a tropical storm hitting Florida. NO, I am not planning on changing my travel plans. NO,, I do not know where the storm will exactly hit,, I lost Jim Cantore's cell phone number when I was packing.:lookaroun

*whew* now that I have that off of my chest,, carry on.......

 

[Lanipie]

Celtic,, I am in Vicksburg.

Since I can't do it in my office, I am making an announcement:

To my fellow co-workers,,,,, YES, I know there is a tropical storm hitting Florida. NO, I am not planning on changing my travel plans. NO,, I do not know where the storm will exactly hit,, I lost Jim Cantore's cell phone number when I was packing.:lookaroun

*whew* now that I have that off of my chest,, carry on.......

OK I said I was done with the thread but this cracks me up!

I feel your pain! I have had to face those questions ALL morning!!! I keep telling everyone that we are not changing our plans, everything will be fine. I think I need to tape a bulletin to my door! LOL!!!

 

[msthunder]

oh yeah,,, thanks for the replies too from ya'll. You know usually I am a pretty level-headed person,, nothing much gets to me,,,, but this DW vacation has led me on a roller coaster of emotions. Really, I am not a Lunatic, well sometimes.......

I can walk around parks all day in the rain,,, thats fine with me.

THe next co-worker that comes in here and "informs" me of the tropical storm will probably get a staple in his/her tongue.:fork: