5 days away and can't get it together...

[tekmom]

This is our first trip to Disney and I have been planning for a year...We leave to drive down on saturday and I'm having a breakdown. TS Emily is making me very nervous. Because we are driving from NY, I worry about the weather down almost as much as the weather when we're there. It seems selfish to say,"well, we're going anyway" but at this point we are. Anyone else in the same boat? Please feel free to join my pity party.

 

[Skylarr29]

I wouldnt let it bum you out too much. I live in florida and deal with these things all the time. Also last year I did get stuck at Disney during a hurricane. Dinsey handled it great and we only lost one day of touring time and the wether was perfect the entire trip exceot the day of the hurricane. You would never ever know that there was a hurricane that just came through with the way Disney handles everything.Chances are it will just pass by.Also we wont even know about Emily until about another week from now. I know it is hard not to worry but try to relax and know that you and your family will have a great trip no matter what.It is the most magical place in the world after all!

 

[MiniMe]

I wouldn't worry too much either...Disney only closed 1 day that I know of becase of bad weather from a hurricane since there were high winds. The next day it opened like nothing happened...also Emily is so far off the coast to really determine where it's going. Relax and don't worry - I'm sure you will end up having a great time.

 

[vettechick99]

Don't worry yourself...last year when they shut things down it was only temporarily and right afterwards the parks were in great shape and void of people! I would love to stomp parks with no crowds.

Have positive thoughts!

 

[tekmom]

Thanks everyone, I feel somewhat better now. It seems as though I have planned more for this trip than any other and although I am aware of when hurricane season is, I wasn't expecting these storms. I'm sure we will have fun anyway. At least the husband and kids are excited!

 

[melanie03ok]

We're going down during the same time frame, and I am a bit worried about Emily. I'm fine with Emily hitting while we're actually at WDW, but what worries me is the drive home and possible flooded roads and severe weather while driving. But, its not enough of a worry to keep me from going.

I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that Emily and whatever else may come after her, will not take aim for Florida or any other state or country.

 

[disnut8]

We drove from Georgia to Disney World last Labor Day while everyone else was going the opposite way of Frances. Still had a great time even with a 24 hour lockdown.

If you are concerned, here's some advice. Take bottled water with you. Also, take an extra cooler. You can get a cheapo styrofoam one. Pack clothes in it on the way down. IF there's any threat of bad weather (and Disney will let you know), get your ice ASAP. Our machines ran out - we did have enough ice but had to wait a little.

Take diversions. Board games, cards, whatever. IF you get into a lockdown, you will have Disney movies (over and over and over again), ESPN, and panicked local newscasters. Gets extremely boring.

Since you are driving, you can easily prepare a "hurricane" bag. Just in case. Hope you never need it but have it for your peace of mind. Oh - and IF there's any threat of a storm, make sure you have a full tank of gas before it hits. We did all that and even though our weekend getaway was mostly spent in the room at Pop Century, we had a wonderful time with each other. My entire family had to evacuate from the Florida Keys just the weekend after this due to Hurricane Ivan. They all went to Disney World because they felt it was the safest place to be. I didn't have to worry about them at all.

 

[tekmom]

Thanks, disnut8! Your suggestions are great! I'm looking forward to the trip now, weather and all.

 

[Pryncess'mom]

tekmom, if you want to stop by South Jersey on the way down, I'll drive for you!! Anyway, I'm sure you will have a great trip. I actually prefer to drive down to Disney than to fly. I love driving down I95!! When you cross the little bridge into FL, think of me!!

have a great time,

deb

 

[ricktib]

I looks like this morning's update on emily has the projected track adjusted further to the south, as in below Cuba, so good news for now.

 

[bhoffman]

We are heading out tomorrow for Disney as well and are in the same boat....We are actually supposed to go on the Disney cruise on Sun. so I am just hoping THAT part is okay. Looks like from the weather forecast today that Disneyworld shouldn't have any problem at all from Emily....just hope the same is true for our cruise!! Hope everything goes as they say it should!!

 

[java]

OK for those of you driving 2 GREAT food stops along the way... In Ashland, VA there is a place called Homemades by Suzanne(I think it is exit 92 heading south- right after Paramounts Kings Dominion)DELICIOUS homemade salads, breads, sandwiches, pies and cakes... It is right across from the train tracks and it has little tables outside if you want to stop- we just grabbed and drove on(it is only 5 minutes from the exit straight off it) so yummy. Then further down in Georgia we stopped at Sonny's BBQ(there is a sign for it on I95) so yummy We had pulled pork sandwiches that were fantastic. For some reason we enjoyed the drive more with real food in our stomaches instead of fast food. And they were both quick stops. Just an idea.... Have fun.

 

[tekmom]

Sorry Pryncess'mom, I'm gonna let the husband do the drivin, but we'll shout a big hello when we pass through Jersey! Thanks for the food selections Java, we do Sonny's bbq everytime we go to my mom's in Mississippi, I do love the pulled pork sandwiches! Thanks again!

 

[grimley1968]

I looked at the latest track and it looks like Emily is WELL south of any part of Florida, even as late as Monday of next week. It looks like the projected track takes a bead on the Yucatan peninula of Mexico. I don't know if that would wear the storm out, but the storm would just about have to go fully 90 degrees in a different direction of the projected path to come anywhere near Florida. Also, the storm looks really ragged and unorganized, compared to the monster Dennis was. Heck, Dennis is still over my neck of the woods, spinning its wheel of rain over us. Not that I'm complaining: it's putting an end to our drought here.

 

[Feralpeg]

Don't worry about Emily. You're in more danger from the heat at this time of year than from a hurricane!

 

[disneyfamilyof5]

We leave TX on Saturday morning by plane and I'm scared to death of TS Emily. I keep asking myself if I'm being a good mom by putting my kids in harm's way? Or am I over-thinking myself to death? I am watching that storm closely and hoping for the best. By reading these boards I know that we will be safe.

 

[grimley1968]

We leave TX on Saturday morning by plane and I'm scared to death of TS Emily. I keep asking myself if I'm being a good mom by putting my kids in harm's way? Or am I over-thinking myself to death? I am watching that storm closely and hoping for the best. By reading these boards I know that we will be safe.

Unfortunately, from the track I saw, if it holds true and the storm keeps going after it hits the Yucatan in Mexico, Texas looks to be at risk. I don't know if it would turn more northerly or keep going west/northwest as it looks now, but it looks as though Texas is more at risk than Florida, at least from the "projected path" as shown on weather.com.