2005 Hurricane Season outlook worsens

[wilsonjen]

Sorry to be the bearer of (potential) bad tidings. I can tell from the boards that there are a lot of people traveling to WDW who may be impacted by this. See the link below for CNN's report on the forecast for the rest of the summer & fall.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/02/hurricanes.reut/index.html

Better to be informed and prepared!

One forecaster predicts most of the upcoming storms will be August 15-October 15 along the east coast, rather than the Gulf Coast.

I know Disney did a great job last year handling the impact of hurricanes, so I'm sure they'll be prepared to help guests weather any possible storms.

Here's hoping the weather forecasters are WRONG!

 

[nhpooh]

Here we go again. We were there last year for Frances. As long as I can get to Orlando, I know I will be safe once I am there.

Lets hope that they will be wrong.

 

[unixadm]

Of course this is why Disney is giving the Free Dining Plan. They KNOW that there will be some impact from storms, but they want to minimze it.

For those who have packages and are flying, I do recommend you spend the extra for the insurance. Disney was very accomodating last year during the hurricane season for people needing to cancel or change their ressies, but they have no control over your airline. Many airlines charge $100 per ticket to change, so if you spend $100 total for insurance, you may be better off.

I didn't get the insurance....I figure we are driving down and if we need to change the dates, we can do that. I don't know if we will still get the free dining plan, but if not, so be it.....we originally planned without knowing about it anyway.

 

[aaronlisar]

But look on the bright side, according to the National Hurricane Centers website there are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic at this time.

 

[gonga]

It's great to be able to be flexible. If I see a hurricane on it's way, I think we will go down earlier than planned. Once you are there, you are ok. The airlines usually waive the fees to change flights during storms. I also insured our September trip...just in case!

 

[dvcgirl]

"The most action will be from August 15 to October 15 along the Eastern Seaboard. I'm targeting the Carolinas for the worst," *******i said. "Also, there will be (landfalls) in New England and the Florida coast."

That doesn't sound that bad for Orlando. Disney is nowhere near the coast. What happened last year, really was a freak occurance. Hurricanes are common along coastal areas, not inland. I wouldn't worry about it.

Well, Orlando isn't near the coast...but three hurricanes impacted us last year. We had 105 mph winds with Charley, so to say that hurricanes are just a coastal affair simply isn't the case. However, even if Orlando *does* get hit by a cane, well at most Disney guests lose 1.5 days of vacation. Not ideal, but not the end of the world either....

 

[wilsonjen]

What happened with Orlando last year, was very unusual. I think one would be hard pressed to find many days Disney has closed on account of a tropical storm.

Good point. However, travelers to WDW will be impacted by a storm if there are poor road/driving conditions and if airports experience delays.

I think you're right, however, that once you're in Orlando, you should be golden.

 

[dvcgirl]

No, I understand that. But like I said, it was a freak occurance. I mean, I live in Massachusetts which is obviously on the coast. So, we see our share of storms here. However, being more inland, we don't get it like the Cape does. If we did, it would be unusual. What happened with Orlando last year, was very unusual. I think one would be hard pressed to find many days Disney has closed on account of a tropical storm.

You're absolutely right....last year was very rare. And for everyone traveling to Disney during hurricane season, don't let it worry you. As long as you can get in and out okay, it really isn't that big of a deal. The media hypes these things way too much. Disney is an incredibly safe place to be. I can't imagine Disney ever getting hit much harder than they did with Charley, and overall they did wonderfully over there.

 

[BluOrchid2]

That doesn't sound that bad for Orlando. Disney is nowhere near the coast. What happened last year, really was a freak occurance. Hurricanes are common along coastal areas, not inland. I wouldn't worry about it.

We were there last year for Charley. Just because the hurricane comes ashore on the coast - obviously, that's what COMING ASHORE means - doesn't mean the storm dies there. If memory serves, it came ashore at a 4 and was still a 3 when the eye hit Orlando dead on.

And Orlando is less than 100 miles from the East coast. As narrow as Florida is, whether it comes ashore on the East coast or on the Gulf Coast, it's going to impact the state pretty much all the way across it unless it's moving due north.

Nonetheless, we also felt totally safe at the WL during Charley's fierce beatings.

 

[nutsforgolf]

I was informed by Disney that travel insurance DOES NOT cover for Hurricans. My plan is if one hits on the route to the airport, then the flight will be canceled and my airline will rebook (no fee) if they cancel the flight. Disney will change my reservation (no fee) if my flight gets canceled. Disney only charges a fee if you want a refund. Since, I would be rebooking the trip, the only issue I would face is the possibility of losing the free dining promotion, but you never know, Disney may still honor that. If the hurricane hits while at Disney, I have heard that they are very good about it. And if my flight home gets canceled, I can always stay a couple extra nights. Not a really bad thing considering the cheap cost of adding an 8th or 9th day, plus I could switch from YC to a cheaper hotel if I need to.

 

[gonga]

We were at WDW for Jeanne. It was no way as strong as Charley, but strong enough to make our bed "roll". We were in a turret room at the GF, and it felt like we were on a cruise ship!

We live on Long Island, NY, and our WDW trip is right smack dab in the middle of Hurricane season. I figure if there is one on the way the only way to avoid airport delays is to get outta here maybe 2 days earlier.

Last year a CM told us that every day WDW is closed they lose over 60 million dollars. Since they do "comp" you lost days on your tickets, they have no choice but to get everything back to normal ASAP.

 

[gonga]

That's exactly my attitude. That's one of the reasons I chose to leave on a Sunday. Just in case something like that comes up, I have a 2 day window before to get out of Dodge.

Us too...

We always leave on a Sunday, no matter where we are flying to.

Alos another hint: Take the earliest flight that makes sense..the later flights always get delayed.

2 weeks ago we went to Vegas (we had to leave on a wed) our flight was at 11am or supposed to be. We sat in the airport for 3 hours then sat on the ruin way for another 3. It was horrible and we missed David Copperfield too

 

[TinkerTracy]

Here we go again. We were there last year for Frances. As long as I can get to Orlando, I know I will be safe once I am there.

Lets hope that they will be wrong.

i was down there for frances too!
Wow...

 

[turbo594]

"

That doesn't sound that bad for Orlando. Disney is nowhere near the coast. What happened last year, really was a freak occurance. Hurricanes are common along coastal areas, not inland. I wouldn't worry about it.

I live in Tampa. Florida is about 300 miles wide. Orlando is about 75 miles from Daytona.
Most hurricanes are about 400 miles wide. Frances was around 550 miles wide (I think), hurricane winds extending 110 miles from the center(radius only). True, the MOST damaging winds are near the center and the heavy, heavy damage occurs on the coast (because of storm surge). I must disagree with you concerning what I think is an irresponsible statement. If a Hurricane was to hit the east coast between Daytona and Vero Beach; Orlando would experience at least hurricane force (74mph+) winds.
Now this is not meant to scare anybody but to say that Orlando won't be affected is nonsense. Look at all the damage from Charley which came in on the west coast 350 miles south. Or Frances which went in on the east coast below Orlando etc...
Just wanted to make clear how large these things are. On that note, you can't run from things that MAY happen. So in that sense I agree with you. I have 2 trips scheduled during hurricane season. So not only do I have to worry about Orlando I have to worry about my house and the bay(across the street) rising and white breakers lapping at my front door like last year 3 times. But I'm still going!

 

[Blueberry]

We are driving this year, got delayed going down by Frances last year and we want our own transport this year.

This is our fourth September trip and we are very mindful of weather, but I think for most of us it will be fine. Disney handles these things well, we know we are taking a chance..but willing to take it in September.

Best of luck to all you of you in Florida and on the Eastern Coast in this hurricane season....

 

[DisneyDar]

For those that think that inland Florida is not affected by hurricanes, you are dead wrong. Orlando and points inland suffered some very serious damage during the hurricanes. Disney World did not, but thousands of houses did. One of the hurricanes, if you looked at the satellite pictures, covered the ENTIRE STATE. So, be prepared, just in case.

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I too was down there for Jeanne last year and got stuck in Orlando for an extra 2 nites. I say Orlando cause I was was due to fly out the day she same and they said he had no rooms avail for that Sat nite on site. I found a room at I believe was a Motel 6 and yuck, worst room I ever had. It had 3 leaks in the room and as they allowed pets, the room reeked of amonia and carpet freshener. I am going down again the same exact dates, Sept 20th till the 25th so hopefully I don't have the same luck lol. I am hoping to at least be able to stay onsite if a hurricane does come lol.

 

[Belle♪♪♪]

Rain ♪♪ Rain♪.. Go Away ♪♪ Please !!

 

[TnTsParty]

Like the others that have posted that are from Florida a hurricane is not something that should be taken lightly. WDW would be the last thing on my mind if a hurricane was aimed at Florida. I would have to postpone my trip and hope for the best - but with that said I just know that isn't going to happen this year - we had enough storms last year to last for a long long time. Not that I would wish a hurricane on anyone. I just hate them. Funny - I used to like them when I was a kid - seems growing up and having responsibilities can change your point of view.

 

[aaronlisar]

Well, I guess I jinxed myself when I pointed out that there were no storms in the atlantic at the time because now there is TS Harvey (Heading away from land). Also, if you go to the National Hurricane Centers website, click on 1-2-3 rule under TS Harvey and it shows a possible cyclone that might be forming to the north of South America.