Thunder Storms and Park Touring

[JohnD]

AK is probably the only park I don't like to be in during storms. All of the others have a good handful of things that can be done inside that won't shut down due to inclement weather.

You're also under more trees.

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

As has been said, the outdoor rides will close but the indoor ones are still operational. Just look at as your best chance to wander around mostly empty paths as those who are scared of the rain huddle in doorways. You may be mistaken as being from Scotland but see that as the honour that it truly is.

Wha's like us? Damn few and they're a' died.

 

[Sweet Thing]

I'm from Orlando so maybe I don't have the natural fear of lightening I should, but I want to point out that while it's probably a good idea not to stand next to any tall trees or metal objects, your odds of actually getting hit by lightening are very low. Sure, best not to tempt fate but it's not like its incredibly dangerous to go outside and just cross the street, walk to your car, etc

Actually, odds aren't that low. Central Florida is in "Lightning Alley" and because of the frequency of electrical storms, our state leads the nation in fatalities and injuries caused by lightning. Even if you combine all other types of storms in Florida, lightning -- which is three times hotter than the sun -- remains the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths. I'm a native Floridian and I know to stay safe in thunderstorms. If it can be heard, you can be struck.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

One of my fondest memories of WDW is going to MK during a rain storm in 2000. Back then the ponchos were yellow with a big Mickey on the back and of course everyone had one, the park was a sea of yellow.

 

[kap91]

Actually, odds aren't that low. Central Florida is in "Lightning Alley" and because of the frequency of electrical storms, our state leads the nation in fatalities and injuries caused by lightning. Even if you combine all other types of storms in Florida, lightning -- which is three times hotter than the sun -- remains the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths. I'm a native Floridian and I know to stay safe in thunderstorms. If it can be heard, you can be struck.

I'm not saying be stupid, but there are a lot of people (that I've met at least - usually from nowhere near Florida or storm prone states) that seem to have an intense irrational fear of thunderstorms That are so afraid of lightening as to cross from the emporium to the confectionary. This attitude is what mainly was trying to address- I mean I feel for these people, I have my own irrational fears, but for goodness sake between the hours of 2-8 in the summer there's gonna be lightening somewhere in a 40 mile radius.

 

[acishere]

I usually look to rush into an attraction where we know we will be indoors for a while when the thunder storms start to roll through. A few times I've encounter severe storms where I didn't feel safe or comfortable running through them. It depends on the intensity and how close the thunder and lightning strikes seem to be. I honestly hate wearing ponchos in the Florida humidity so I try to spend as little time as possible in one.

 

[mebucko]

Walking to your car is actually risky - being in an open area, like a parking lot, increases your chances. The fact that you're in FL increases your chances. People have been struck walking to their cars - but most (not all) were also carrying umbrellas. Not a good idea to use an umbrella in a storm unless you have the non-metal ones (available in golf stores.)

The chances might be very low, but I know of two people who have died (one a neighbor sitting in a boat fishing, one someone my husband knew who was at the beach) so I might have more fear of lightning than most. A realtor who was helping us find a house many years ago had her kitchen struck by lightning (came in through an open window!) - blew out her appliances. My next door neighbor has had upstairs phones, etc destroyed by lightning.

We were stuck on the tarmac once because the ground crew would not come out - the lightning was all around us.

A friend works for NOAA, and he starts to go inside as soon as he hears thunder - even if he doesn't see lightning. The lightning can precede the actual storm by miles, which explains the "bolt out of the blue." Which has happened locally. I have a lot of "respect" for lightning storms.

Hiya!
A LONG time ago, I was a Weather Observer in the USAF. We were mandated to report a thunderstorm whenever we heard thunder - no other "symptoms" were needed - rain, lightning, etc.
Ch-Ears!
Bill

 

[seahawk7]

As far as I can remember or know, as long as it's inside, it stays open. Unless it's a rainy day all together, storms are brief. Throw on that poncho and "just keep swimming"!

I agree! Walking through the parks in the rain is a wonderful way to enjoy them. The crowds also thin out since many people fail to carry ponchos to put on in a moments notice.

 

[seahawk7]

AK is probably the only park I don't like to be in during storms. All of the others have a good handful of things that can be done inside that won't shut down due to inclement weather.

try riding KS at AK in the rain. The animals are more active.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I'm from Syracuse, NY and we seem to have different weather about every 5 to 15 minutes.