Questions for those in the know and CMs

[cblodg]

With all this chatter about Hurricanes and such, I got to thinking what are the preparations that WDW CMs have to go through to get ready for this kind of storm?

I'm always interested as ALL the resorts must have different needs as do the parks.

So how does WDW go about preparing for a storm like this?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Watch the video, you'll see some of the hurricane prep in the opening minutes.

 

[cblodg]

Watch the video, you'll see some of the hurricane prep in the opening minutes.

I did watch your vid, but I'm asking more of a procedural things. Boarding up/ covering ride openings. Securing carts and what not. Additional CMs on site.

That kind of stuff.

Freaky video by the way (we need a scared emoticon)

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well there are hurricane ride out crews on property. Things are tied down. Entertainment goes to hotels to entertain the guests. Property gets locked down and you have to show ID to go anywhere. 4 Monorails get parked in the contemporary and the doors are shut.

 

[cblodg]

I had heard about the monorails, but I didn't know about the entertainment going to the resorts or the property being "locked down."

How do they handle guest arrivals and departures?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Dunno. I forget that. I *THINK* you could come but I'm not sure they would let you leave. Bear in mind, usually a storm (like Charley) was a one-day event where everything reopened the next morning. Frances was an epic 3 day event that kept the place locked down for the duration. It all varies from storm to storm.

Check in to AS Sports that day was a NIGHTMARE. Hour long line, during which the storm blossomed.

Three days before Frances, it was near impossible to get a room on property. All that was left was Deluxe.... so i stayed at the high life and checked in the day before.

Jean, i stopped giving a F and stayed in the apartment. The weatherstripping finally failed and water came in through the doors on the patio.

 

[cblodg]

Not to mention being cooped up inside a small room at the All Stars.:hammer: Not that rooms at any of the other resorts are any better.


Now, when you were there, were there power/ TV issues. Do Disney resorts have generators for each building of rooms?

I know these sound like really stupid questions, but I'm interrested in this kind of stuff:lookaroun

 

[Elonwy]

From what I understand - from threads on here and from talking to CM's - there is a Hurricane Task Force made up of volunteer Cast members who are on call during hurricane warnings.

I'm not sure of the entire procedure but I guess some of the outdoor carts actually can be moved (IE the carts outside Canada get taken through the garden path and stuck in the exit of the theatre.)

There are also certain buildings used as shelters should the storm hit too quickly to evacuate...I know the Canadian pavilion uses the chateau as a shelter if need be (though I don't know if it has ever been needed before)

Can you tell I spend a lot of time asking the Canadians questions :lol: At least I usually smuggle in some Hostess chips (Ketchup, Dill Pickle and Salt & Pepper) Smarties and Orange crush when I can to keep them happy

 

[Rob562]

There were pictures online from when the hurricanes went through last time. I'm sure a search would bring those threads up.

Benches are secured to railings or other sturdy places. All of the free-hanging signs are either taken down or secured in place with rope. Same with hanging lights.

Part of the problem is that ALL of the Central Florida hotels fill up with people evacuating the coastal areas. Throw in cancelled flights and you get people who are on vacation who can't leave, and more people arriving and no place to put them...

-Rob

 

[Syntho_Magnetic]

4 Monorails get parked in the contemporary and the doors are shut.

Does it help block airflow through the A-frame?

 

[TrojanUSC]

I remember being in the Contemporary (as a guest) during a business trip there in 2004. It was amazing that the mood was so good when there was a hurricane outside. Characters interacting with kids, the bar was open all day/night (parents need a stiff one after a night of being trapped in a small room with kids), Chef Mickey's was open til like 1am. It was kind of fun in a "we're totally stranded in a deluxe hotel" sorta way.

 

[SleepingMonk]

I've been thru more hurricanes than I can remember in my 30+ years as a native Floridian.

If I have to be "trapped" somewhere to ride one out.....WDW is the place I would choose.

 

[cblodg]

I've been thru more hurricanes than I can remember in my 30+ years as a native Floridian.

If I have to be "trapped" somewhere to ride one out.....WDW is the place I would choose.

Amen to that!!

 

[goofntink]

We send 2 employees as a part of the "ride out crew".They are on call,on property to do any boardups if necessary.They work with the "ride out crew" from Disney

 

[RiversideBunny]

The new DVC Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary is being built with an open round section in the middle so they can store the top of Cinderella's castle there if a hurricane approaches.

:animwink::animwink:

 

[cindy'smom]

The new DVC Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary is being built with an open round section in the middle so they can store the top of Cinderella's castle there if a hurricane approaches.

:animwink::animwink:

:ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::lol:

 

[Phonedave]

The new DVC Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary is being built with an open round section in the middle so they can store the top of Cinderella's castle there if a hurricane approaches.

:animwink::animwink:

How can they do that ?















If they take the top of the castle off, then the missles will show


-dave

 

[cblodg]

The new DVC Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary is being built with an open round section in the middle so they can store the top of Cinderella's castle there if a hurricane approaches.

:animwink::animwink:

Oh no.................What have I done!!!:lookaroun