Hurricane issues...

[DisneyRose&Boys]

I just posted this on the Family board, but I meant to post it here... whoops!

Anyway, I understand that Disney puts campers up in hotels, but at who's expense? My budget at Disney is veeeeeeeeeery tight, every blessed penny just about is spoken for, so the thought of having to come up with the money for a room makes me rather frightened. And I'm happily credit card free, so that's not an option, I'm afraid.

That being said, only once in 9 years have we been caught (Bonnie and Clyde... erm, Charlie or whoever it was) and we decided to leave early because it only cut our vacation short by a day.

So should I stash some cash in an envelope just in case?

Thanks,
Rose

[Tri-circle-D]

We did get evacuated from the Fort once for a hurricane.

We were sent to what is now called Port Orleans-Riverside (it was called Dixie Landings then). It seems like that is where they sent everybody that time, but I have heard of other hotels being used as well.

We did have to go to the front desk at Dixie Landings and check in, and get our room keys and such. But, we did not pay anything more. The next day, the hurricane was gone, and the Fort was re-opened. We had one more night left on our ressie. As I recall it, we were given the option of staying at the hotel for no additional charge, returning to the campground, or checking out. We chose to check out, as all of our stuff was soaked, and we had food in coolers and such, and we just decided to get on home.

WDW made the best of the situation.

And, I'm sure they will do the same in the future.

So, no additional room cost. But, you might have to eat meals that you planned on cooking at the campsite at restaurants instead, and that will cost you extra.

TCD

[Dissyblonde]

About 6-7 years ago our friend and her family were there during a hurricane. They were not able to get a flight out so they were moved to one of the larger hotels in a conference/ballroom type area (may have been no room at the inn) and I believe she said they had cots, extra food, water, etc..... Sounded like a fancy evac center.
She and her husband were not thrilled but she said her DD (about 4yrs old then) thought it was great. They had castmembers playing with the kids and extra "inside" games and kept a very "magical" feel to the experience (not sure the parents thought that).


Not a bad idea to have extra money just to be safe (if you can swing it) .
Since Katrina, Rita and Ike, my friends along the gulf coast keep Evacuation Funds now.

[Tri-circle-D]

About 6-7 years ago our friend and her family were there during a hurricane. They were not able to get a flight out so they were moved to one of the larger hotels in a conference/ballroom type area (may have been no room at the inn) and I believe she said they had cots, extra food, water, etc..... Sounded like a fancy evac center.
She and her husband were not thrilled but she said her DD (about 4yrs old then) thought it was great. They had castmembers playing with the kids and extra "inside" games and kept a very "magical" feel to the experience (not sure the parents thought that).


Not a bad idea to have extra money just to be safe (if you can swing it) .
Since Katrina, Rita and Ike, my friends along the gulf coast keep Evacuation Funds now.


I have never heard of folks being evacuated from the Fort and being sent to a ballroom to sleep on cots.

Maybe your friend had already checked out? Or she was staying at a non-Disney property?

There have only been a few times ever that the Fort has had to be evacuated, and from what I have personally experienced and heard, WDW is not going to make you stay on a cot in a ballroom if you are a registered, paying guest. They actually plan for these things, and they do a good job with hurricane issues.

TCD

[Dissyblonde]

I have never heard of folks being evacuated from the Fort and being sent to a ballroom to sleep on cots.

Maybe your friend had already checked out? Or she was staying at a non-Disney property?

There have only been a few times ever that the Fort has had to be evacuated, and from what I have personally experienced and heard, WDW is not going to make you stay on a cot in a ballroom if you are a registered, paying guest. They actually plan for these things, and they do a good job with hurricane issues.

TCD

I know she was definately staying at Disney (not sure if camping) because she said if she had to go through a hurricane that is the place to be.....
I even remember her saying they did not want people in certain areas.....I was a bit surprised myself....
I may give her a call....

[Tri-circle-D]

I know she was definately staying at Disney (not sure if camping) because she said if she had to go through a hurricane that is the place to be.....
I even remember her saying they did not want people in certain areas.....I was a bit surprised myself....
I may give her a call....

The OP was asking about Fort Wilderness.

This friend of yours may have told you that she was "at Disney." But that can mean a lot of things- she may not have been staying at an official WDW resort.

I am confident that no one has ever been evacuated from Ft. Wilderness for a hurricane and been offered a cot in a ballroom. When registered guests have to be evacuated from Ft. Wilderness, they have always been offered accommodations at a WDW resort at no additional charge.

Now, that has got me to thinking. There are a lot more folks with pets at the Fort than there ever used to be. At one time, no pets were allowed, then there were a few pet loops. But now, there are a lot of pet loops. I don't know what guests with pets do if they are evacuated.


TCD

[Disney John]

We have been through 4 hurricanes at the Fort (including Charley). We were evacuated twice. Both times to PO. Once to Riverside and once to French Quarter. We had to check in like normal, buy they never charged us extra for the room. During hurricane Charley, we stayed at PO for 4 days and we were never charged for the room.

The first time we had to put our MH in a Disney overflow parking lot. All of the motorhomes were parked right next to each other for protection. Then they shuttled us to PO.

The second time (Charley) they just had us park our motorhome in PO parking lot, next to all of the other cars. Way less protection, than the first time. I only saw one MH damaged badly, when a tree branch went through his coach and made a small hole in it.

I was very impressed each time at how organized and efficient the moves were (considering the circumstances).

[des1954]

In 2001 we were evacuated to Dixie Landings, now Port Orleans Riverside. Like TCD said, we had to "check in" but were charged nothing. At check-in, they gave us vouchers for 1 dinner meal & 1 breakfast meal. Unbeknownst to Disney - I snuck my cats into the hotel room! :rolleyes1

In the 90's (I can't remember what year), my in-law's were evacuated twice during a 3 week stay. Both times they were sent to the Contemporary & given vouchers for meals.

It doesn't happen that often that FtW is evacuated. I have never heard of guests being furrowed into a banquet room and given cots, either. During the 4 hurricanes of 2004, guests were disbursed between PORS, POFQ, and ASM.

Don't worry about hurricanes. Aside from the strange events of 2004, hurricane strikes in Florida are not that common. If hurricanes occur in the Gulf of Mexico, the prevailing currents usually take them to the panhandle, along LA, AL, or MS coast or into Texas. Atlantic hurricanes normally end up hitting NC or SC.

The more pressing worry would be if you've packed enough beer to keep the otters at bay. :thumbsup2

ETA: The time I was evacuated & both times my in-laws were evacuated were for tropical storms, and not hurricanes.

[BradyBz12]

There are a lot more folks with pets at the Fort than there ever used to be. At one time, no pets were allowed, then there were a few pet loops. But now, there are a lot of pet loops. I don't know what guests with pets do if they are evacuated.

Yikes - that IS a good question! I certainly wouldn't want to cram our dogs into the kennel indefinitely and leave them there during a storm. :eek:

I guess if this ever happened while we were there, we'd probably just leave the camper, pack the truck with the dogs and supplies, and head out of the storm's path - even if it meant sleeping in the car for a night or 2.

Or depending on the storm, we could always go to my uncle's in Plant City (about 45 mins away). They've only had to evacuate once years ago. Although they have had storms with so much water they've canoed around their yard.

[DisneyRose&Boys]

This board is awesome.:grouphug: The other people, not so nice. They made me feel stooooopid. :guilty:

But yous goiys? Awesome, awesome, awesome.

I'm going to stick some cash in an envelope marked (ahem...) "WDW EMERGENCIES".

Smart, or what?

And other than that, I'm not going to worry. Like I said, in the past 9 years, it only sorta happened once.

THANK YOU!

Rosey

[BradyBz12]

This board is awesome.:grouphug: The other people, not so nice. They made me feel stooooopid.

Yeah, it can be pretty rough out there on the "other" boards. :scared:


I'm going to stick some cash in an envelope marked (ahem...) "WDW EMERGENCIES".

Good thinkin! And here's hoping you don't have to use it. :thumbsup2

[AuburnJen92]

We actually used FW as a safe haven between Frances and Jeanne because we were out of power for 29 days. Anyway, take the posters to heart, WDW does take care of their peeps if a hurricane does come around. Just pay attention to the weather before you come and don't panic. You can prepare for a hurricane. The people that live in tornado country are the ones I feel for. You can't prepare for those things. (used to live in AL, been there, done that too)

[fla4fun]

I have never heard of folks being evacuated from the Fort and being sent to a ballroom to sleep on cots.

Maybe your friend had already checked out? Or she was staying at a non-Disney property?

There have only been a few times ever that the Fort has had to be evacuated, and from what I have personally experienced and heard, WDW is not going to make you stay on a cot in a ballroom if you are a registered, paying guest. They actually plan for these things, and they do a good job with hurricane issues.

TCD

I remember being at CR one year when they evacuated FW guests to the CR convention center - so it can happen. It probably depends on when the hurricane hits. In September, occupancy is low enough to absorb the FW guests at the other resorts, but at the height of summer, or in October or November, the occupancy is higher, so I guess they just work with what they have. Granted, this was a few years ago as well - they may have decided it wasn't as efficient as just letting people have the rooms. But it really did happen.

[Tri-circle-D]

I remember being at CR one year when they evacuated FW guests to the CR convention center - so it can happen. It probably depends on when the hurricane hits. In September, occupancy is low enough to absorb the FW guests at the other resorts, but at the height of summer, or in October or November, the occupancy is higher, so I guess they just work with what they have. Granted, this was a few years ago as well - they may have decided it wasn't as efficient as just letting people have the rooms. But it really did happen.


Please tell me when this was- what month/year? I don't know of any hurricane in the last 20 years that would have caused an evacuation at WDW in June or July (the height of the summer). I don't think that the Fort has been evacuated since 2005, and then it was only of couple of times before then. I have never heard of this happening, and I have a very hard time believing that they would or could evacuate what could easily be over a thousand people into a convention center.

TCD

[rosanafamily]

We were there for Charley, we were evacuated to Port Orleans, we were given 2 rooms since there were 6 of us!! We parked right outside our rooms pretty much. Everything was fine. Campground was closed due to damage but we had been told we could finish our stay in the hotel or go back to the campground if it opened. They also gave us flashlights. There was no extra charges for anything!

[Tri-circle-D]

We were there for Charley, we were evacuated to Port Orleans, we were given 2 rooms since there were 6 of us!! We parked right outside our rooms pretty much. Everything was fine. Campground was closed due to damage but we had been told we could finish our stay in the hotel or go back to the campground if it opened. They also gave us flashlights. There was no extra charges for anything!

Thank you for sharing your experience.

So, we now have several first hand accounts that confirm that when the Fort is evacuated for a hurricane, Disney graciously offers Fort guests rooms in a resort- not cots in a convention center.

If someone has first hand knowledge of a registered Fort Wilderness guest being sent to a cot in a convention center, please give us the details.

TCD

[BradyBz12]

Love to know if anyone has experience of being at FW with pets and being evacuated, and what your options were as far as your pets were concerned (aside from smuggling your cats into your room ;))

[rapriebe]

Love to know if anyone has experience of being at FW with pets and being evacuated, and what your options were as far as your pets were concerned (aside from smuggling your cats into your room ;))

I was searching for info on FW procedures during a hurricane and stumbled across this thread. Since we will be going down in September, which is earlier than usual for us, I was wondering about storms and evacuations with pets also. I would hate to have to put my 2 little girls in a Disney kennel especially during a storm. Since more people are traveling with pets, you wonder if Disney even has the facilities to handle all of the pets that would need to be boarded. Anybody have any experience with this??

[ftwildernessguy]

Love to know if anyone has experience of being at FW with pets and being evacuated, and what your options were as far as your pets were concerned (aside from smuggling your cats into your room ;))

I was searching for info on FW procedures during a hurricane and stumbled across this thread. Since we will be going down in September, which is earlier than usual for us, I was wondering about storms and evacuations with pets also. I would hate to have to put by 2 little girls in a Disney kennel especially during a storm. Since more people are traveling with pets, you wonder if Disney even has the facilities to handle all of the pets that would need to be boarded. Anybody have any experience with this??

A few years ago we left FW one day before it was evacuated for Wilma. Since we boarded Mickey as a day guest, I talked at length with the staff about this. I am not sure what Best Friends policy is since they took over the kennel, but this was Disney's. NO pets can stay in the FW kennels during a hurricane mainly due to the large oak trees around the building. The pets are sent to the other kennels on property, which are as safe as any building on property in a hurricane. Priority is given to pets under contract for boarding at the Disney kennels. Other pets can stay at the kennels on a spacce available basis. Disney also has an agreement with a nearby Veterinarian who has a kennel to take care of the overflow. Under these circumstances, I believe pets would be safest in the Disney kennels rather than left in RV's, or caught on 95 in the mess that could ensue in an evacuation.

[des1954]

Unless something has changed since "Best Friends" has taken over the kennels, WDW recommended Sand Lake Animal Clinic on Apopka-Vineland Rd to me when I needed a vet one trip. They were "A-1", and I would recommend them to anyone needing a vet while at the Fort. I am VERY particular about my babies, and the vet who is treating them. Sand Lake Animal Clinic will board your animals, and is not that far from FtW. However, if you are at FtW when a storm is approaching, you should call SLAC & make a reservation for your pet. All animal clinics in Florida book up quickly when a major storm approaches.

Sand Lake Animal Clinice
8932 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd
Tel no: 407-876-4461

24 hour emergency vet care is located at:

Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida
2080 Principal Row Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 438-4449

This is about 23 miles north of FtW.


If you take your pets camping with you, I recommend you retrieve veterinary information near-by your campground & print a map from the C.G to the vet clinic before you need it. Keep it handy just in case of a pet emergency.

[mouseketeer_mom]

according to this first hand account that I stumbled across when I was planning our first Disney trip, the Hurricane that had people bunked in the Contempoary Conference area occurred in 1995.

the link...

https://family.go.com/travel/family-travelers/vacation-moments/florida/walt--disney--world/4969-hurricane-/

[mouseketeer_mom]

It appears to be the same hurricane but it seems some were routed to the ballroom in the Grand Floridian...

http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Stories.html

I would imagine that since that time, Disney has been simply using vacant rooms to house FW guests as I can't find any other first hand accounts of this since the 1995 Hurricane Erin.

[SandrA9810]

I wouldn't mind being stuck in a convention center... no windows to worry about.

Pets are kept at the kennels, and they bring out rolling kennels in an overflow situation like that. I don't know how they're going to operate with the OP there now. Carol, one of the ladies that used to work at the kennels has told me about that. She now works in the little window to the left for Trail Riding check in.

There's actually quite a lot of floridians that evacuate to Disney World because they feel safer there. So Disney is trying to get as many families out, as there are many families coming in... I don't know how Disney handles that, if they just cut off all reservations for the expected hit date or something. But it happens a lot to for any one in south florida, they'll spend the time at Disney and go home after the storm.

Disney also creates a ride out crew for every area of Disney. So CM's will volunteer to ride the storm out in a safe area of where they work and then after the storm has cleared, they head out to clean up so the parks can reopen as soon as possible. Apparently it's been changed this year, but I've heard in years previous that they would allow the CM's family to stay at the resort as well for free and put up any pets in the kennel. But it's only about a half dozen per area that get chosen for this, and not all areas are part of it.
I've heard the parks after the 3 hurricanes, were quite dead the following day. So it would be totally worth it to ride the storm out. The weather is usually beautiful after a storm.

[FlaFortCampster]

Another interesting thread!
One word of caution, most of the storms people are referring to where they were moved for one night and the next day there was a little damage, but everything else was fine were NOT hurricanes, but tropical storms and depressions, thankfully. Please don't be lulled into a false sense of security. If you're headed to the Fort during our hurricane season, particularly Aug. and Sept., pay close attention to the forecasted track and intensity. There is no tent, PUP or RV built that can stand up to falling trees or tornados. Central Florida is a great place to be during a storm as they usually lose their punch by the time they reach the middle of the state, but not always. Charley proved that. Evacuating isn't always the answer. Most folks wait to see what is going to happen and wait too long. Then you run into many problems, gas shortages, accidents, massive traffic jams, no hotels rooms, etc.
Just be smart, plan accordingly, have backup plans and above all, BE SAFE.:thumbsup2

[SandrA9810]

Wanna talk about gas shortage??

Not only have I waited in line to fill up my 2 gallon can. I've paid horrible prices because of a hurricane 4 states away.

Last year in Sept, we headed to north Georgia for a week vacation at Kari's parent's house. We only pay for food and gas to get there and back home, they do the driving and treating the entire time we are there. Well we ended up getting a late start around 11am on the turnpike. About an hour outside of Blairsville is a very nice and brand new Race Trac (that's our favorite station to stop at). Well it was already dark out and probably around 9pm on our way there. Gas was less than 3$ a gallon, I wasn't worried about paying an extra 10cents or so to wait till the end of the week. I really just wanted to get to her parent's house since it was getting late, and we had enough to get there.
Well you can tell what happened 2 days prior to leaving for home, a hurricane hits texas, blows out refineries, and we ended up spending 4$ a gallon to get back home. And it took, like 2-3 weeks for prices to go back down.

Word of advice, if you think a hurricane is coming, fill up your tank and keep it full as much as possible before a storm hits, because who know how much you're going to pay afterwards. My gut told me to fill up on the way there, my eyes were seeing a bed.

[3gr8kids]

We have been through 4 hurricanes at the Fort (including Charley). We were evacuated twice.

FOUR hurricanes??? Ummm, would you please release a list of future dates that you will be at Disney? I'd like to plan my vacation around them, as apparently you, my friend, are a hurricane magnet, lol.

(Note to self. Do NOT visit the fort when Disney John is there). lol :goodvibes

[Jiminey]

It was 1995, I was one of the "evacuees" and we were staying in a cabin. - It was Hurricane Erin (my daughter's name is Erin)!.. first we were taken by bus to the GF (allowed to take only one pillow each and medications in a small bag - everything else was left at the cabin) and then asked (when it got crowded) if we wanted to go to the Contemporary. We went and it was a very nice experience! They provided cots, large TVs, Hoopde Doo food (the last performance was cancelled and they brought us the food), large carts with toiletries, and for breakfast they had a large buffet of danish, bagels, cereal and fruits... and to top it all off - they deducted that nights lodging from our bill! Of course, we had to wait half a day for them to clear the path back into the Fort of trees, but all in all was yet another Disney experience! The kids still at 30 and 26 talk about it!