Out of curiosity how does DW prepare for a hurricane?

[analise]

How do they prepare the guests? I
Don’t think this hurricane is hitting Orlando but I’m sure y’all gonna get rain.

 

[DisneyJoe]

They only notify resort guests if a hurricane is imminent and definitely going to hit the resort soon. They receive notifications to stay in their room, and a notification about available food at their resort. I believe messages can be sent on the room phones and sometimes they will put paper under your room door.

They will secure any loose things such as pool chairs or anything in the parks that could fly around in the wind.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It really depends on the severity of the storm. It has only been in a few instances where the parks have been closed. Orlando is not even getting much rain from Hurricane Michael.

You can find old threads with pictures from Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma. They bring in what they can and tie down things they cannot. You'll see photos of trash cans secured to light poles. Guests are mostly responsible for themselves. They are told to stay inside and get supplies. Prepackaged meals (a sandwich, chips and a something like an apple) are typically given out as well.

 

[LeighM]

I was there when they prepped for Hurricane Matthew. They closed all parks early one day so they could put away all loose, flying objects, they put saran wrap type material around the lightposts to protect from glass, moved people out of Fort Wilderness into other resorts and the RVs into safe parking lots, they put the resorts in lock down, they provided each room with a flash light, and sent messages to the voicemail in every room. Resorts offer limited services - they do offer hot foods but it differs from the regular menu, bring costumed characters to the lobby, make the arcades free, and get working on clean up as soon as they are safely able to. I would much rather be in a WDW resort during a hurricane than anywhere else. We felt perfectly safe.

 

[marni1971]

Cast members are designated to be ride out crews in each park / area (by volunteering if I recall). They basically stay on site in designated shelters, ready to go outside should the need arise but only if it’s safe to do so.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

You know they put the Big Disney Bubble up. Don't forget they bring all the cranes in to dismantle the castle for hurricanes. They pump happy gas into the rooms to keep the guests amused. They then call NOAA to pay up on the weather control service so they don't get hit so hard.

 

[danyoung56]

They only notify resort guests if a hurricane is imminent and definitely going to hit the resort soon. They receive notifications to stay in their room, and a notification about available food at their resort. I believe messages can be sent on the room phones and sometimes they will put paper under your room door.

They will secure any loose things such as pool chairs or anything in the parks that could fly around in the wind.

THIS. I was staying at the CBR when Floyd was headed in towards Orlando. They kept us pretty well informed, and told us that all the hotels are certified to withstand hurricane force winds. Of course, Floyd took a last minute turn north, and mostly missed Orlando.

 

[Astro_Digital]

Is it quieter than usual?
The people are driving from the north or flying it can mess with travel plans.

 

[analise]

You know they put the Big Disney Bubble up. Don't forget they bring all the cranes in to dismantle the castle for hurricanes. They pump happy gas into the rooms to keep the guests amused. They then call NOAA to pay up on the weather control service so they don't get hit so hard.

Are you in need of attention?
Hope my reply helps.

 

[Maeryk]

There were some pictures from the last one that are still searchable on the internet. They also show things like awnings removed, scrims down, and in some cases, facades that are designed to fold away in inclement weather folded away. It's pretty impressive how far ahead they thought when designing the stuff, realizing they would likely end up with a "storm of the century" scenario at least once, and designing for it.

 

[dieboy]

Shutter it all up. Hurricanes typically give a good sized window to prep, which is a plus. Being they are dead center of FL, any hurricane that rolls over them, in theory, the strength of it will be greatly reduced at landfall. So .. short of as someone mentioned, the 'storm of the century' hits, they are sitting pretty good through most of them.

 

[macefamily]

My daughter was doing the College Program when the hurricane hit last September. She was a lifeguard at the Contemporary Resort. Most of the full time employees were excused to go home with family and Disney used the college kids in 12 hour shifts to assist the guests. They handed out food and did basic cleaning. Friends of mine who live in Florida told me that some of their neighbors actually book rooms at Disney resorts when a hurricane is imminent. They said the Disney buildings are safer than most residences.