1st Family Vacation

[Ritse]

Hi everyone,

We are disney novices and booked a trip for the week of Sept 11th through the 18th of this year.

I thought I had done sufficient research before booking this trip but now upon more research, I am learning we couldn't be going at a worse time since it is the peak of the hurricane season. I now want to change our dates but that is going to cost an additional $600+ which is a fortune for me.

We did purchase trip insurance but I am now very weary of this vacation and not as excited.

I am not sure what I am asking for here...maybe advice from those that have been during that time. Can it still be a nice vacation?

Thank you!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've done many trips in September and into October and WDW is in the center of the state........never had any impact (only once though after a beautiful 9 night stay...Wilma came near....couldn't tell ) Some wind and rain one night and by morning.....palm fronds all cleaned up....little drop in temperature but the parks were open like nothing ever blew through.....no big deal. If I had to ride out a hurricane or storm, WDW is the place to be....they were built to withstand just about anything and are geared with many plans to cope.....I'd never cancel a trip and we've done 44 trips mostly at the end of hurricane season and never purchased insurance for any......thought never crosses my mind.....go and enjoy.....only worry about things you can control...mother nature is mother nature...

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Don't worry about hurricanes. Odds are definately in your favor. Some rain, maybe, but not worth spending the $600.

Have a great time! First trip...so exciting! And to the boards!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We've been during hurricane season 3 times and we've never had an issue. And as the pp said, even if by the slightest chance there is a hurricane, it's going to hit the coast, not the middle of Florida. WDW would get some heavy wind and rain off of a hurricane, but not the impact that the coast gets. Worst case senario, you might be out of the parks for one day. You've got trip insurance, I wouldn't give it another thought.

 

[Metro West]

 

[WDW 2011]

My family and I will be in WDW from Sept 4 thru Sept 16. This is our visit family vacation to WDW too! Maybe we'll see you there!

I hadn't considered hurricane season because of WDW being in the center of FL. I figured we might have to deal with rain but I assume that's all. So I really don't know, but we are keeping to our plans.

I wanted to mention that I don't know what trip insurance is, could someone explain this to me, is it expensive and I should I get it too? Thanks!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

My family and I will be in WDW from Sept 4 thru Sept 16. This is our visit family vacation to WDW too! Maybe we'll see you there!

I hadn't considered hurricane season because of WDW being in the center of FL. I figured we might have to deal with rain but I assume that's all. So I really don't know, but we are keeping to our plans.

I wanted to mention that I don't know what trip insurance is, could someone explain this to me, is it expensive and I should I get it too? Thanks!

If you booked through Disney then the CM should have offered it to you when you booked or sometimes they just add it automatically. I think it's $160.00. It covers things like natural disasters and medical emergencies. If you are not staying with Disney you would have to buy the insurance from an outside company.

 

[Ritse]

Thank you all so much for the reassurances!! I really appreciate it and am excited all over again!!!

BTW I found a thread for September planning and I am the only loony that is concerned about the weather that we can't control!

Again, thanks all!

 

[lettiedwestlake]

Hallo, friends. I went Switzerland in my 1st family vacation.

 

[skier_pete]

We've done a couple trips in August/September (2007 and 2008), and one of them we JUST missed out on a hurricane (it rained for 3 days straight before we got there). First off, the odds of a hurricane hitting Florida/Orlando hard enough to affect you during your trip are very small, less than 100 to 1 against. Just accept that this is part of the risk of saving that money, and as long as you have trip insurance you'll be fine. There's no point in spending the next five months living in worry.

Regardless of hurricanes or not, be prepared for lousy weather. In August/September it is HOT and HUMID and it rains a LOT. (That whole "It rains once a day for 15 minutes is complete BS from my experience.) But, with Disney you spend a lot of time inside, and just come prepared. ($1 store ponchos are a must as are shoes that will not stay wet in the rain - i.e. crocs)

Being a Northerner that has absolutely hates heat and humidity as much as anyone, I was surprised that it was fairly bearable and worth the money savings. Both were great (if sweaty) trips and we would go back again at that time of year in the future. (Though admittedly the last two years paid more to avoid it.)

 

[Erinmc3]

We were there October 2005 and had a hurricane come through (Wilma I think). Rain/some wind came in during the evening and lasted through the night. News was reporting that the parks were closed the next day, however when we called directly we were told that they would open at 1pm. BEST DAY at Magic Kingdom. Nobody was there and it ended up being a beautiful day.

BTW...we're going during hurricane season as well.

 

[Cherinva]

I wouldn't worry about the hurricane season...WDW is in the center of the state, and rarely do hurricanes go over that area....mainly on the coasts...since you have insurance, you're covered....go and have a great time.

 

[MHSweb79]

We went that exact same week in 2009- it was a great time to go. Very low crowds but it was hot. We had a few thunderstorms but they passed by very quickly.

Anyway, Florida has weather to worry about pretty much year round, so what are you going to do?

If you do decide to purchase trip insurance, please make sure you understand what is or isn't covered. Our trip insurance from AAA did NOT cover weather cancellations, only things like illness or death in the family, loss of job, etc. So just be aware of exactly what you are purchasing.