A Question about Hurricanes

[LadyLuc361]

One of the only possible weeks that we can go to Disney this year is the last full week of August. We are thinking August 20th –August 27th. (Or something like that).

My question is, has anyone ever been during this time when there was a hurricane? What was it like, and how did if affect your vacation?

Of course if we decide it is the only time we can go, we will! But I am so worried that a hurricane will come through and spoil our magic. What do you think the odds are that a hurricane will come during this week!? Any weather people or statistic people. Just Kidding, but I’d love to hear any hurricane experiences!

TIA

Rachel

 

[safetymom]

Last year was an unbelievable year with 4 hurricanes. If you are at a resort when the hurricane comes through you will be kept in your room. Disney is very accomodating if a hurricane is looming and you want to change your vacation.

They are predicting another bad year but who knows what will happen.

 

[debbiedoo]

normally aug/sept is the peak season of hurricanes

the season is from june 1- nov 1

 

[disney junky]

Back in the late 80's we were in the Contemporary when a hurricane went through. Nothing like last years, but it certainly was an adventure. I never felt we were in any danger and the next day the parks were relatively empty. Some of the systems were down but we were all in it together so it was kind of fun. This year was the first year I ever heard of the parks closing for weather and that was with two almost direct hits. I wouldn't worry because really there's nothing you can do.

 

[LAWalz23]

Last August, AK was closed for 2 days. The day the 1st huricane was supposed to hit the rest of the parks closed at 12p but they were offering folks with multiple day tickets an extra day on their tickets. The day after the hurricane all parks except for AK opened on time but the EPCOT monorail was not working for 1/2 the day and some of the rides at the parks were closed due to lack of staff. For us it was not terrible but we go often, others seemed frustrated by all of it.

 

[LadyLuc361]

Thanks for the posts! Keep em coming

Rachel

 

[chiconh]

We were at the WL last year for Francis. We could not leave for 2 days. Now you'd think that 2 extra days at the Magic Kingdom would be great...right? Wrong! We could not leave the hotel, the food was very limited and for several hours we could not even leave the room! It was a very interesting experience. We were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary at the time and it sort of put a damper on that but what can you do? Mother Nature is in charge!

 

[Kimberly815]

The fact that I studied meteorology probably makes my opinion different. I, personally, would like to experience what I have spent so long learning about from books (from a safe location, of course). Unfortunately, there is no accurate way to forecast a hurricane this far out. I hope, for the sake of the state of Florida, that it is an easy season. I would just make you Disney plans, and hope for the best,. Then if a hurricane hits, make due.
If you do experience one, I would hope that you would be thankful that you come out of it safe, and not upset that the parks were not running as they normally would. I was in Port Charlotte, FL right after the hurricanes hit, and it looked like they were bombed. It was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed.
It might be worth your while, if they are forecasting one during your trip, too plan ahead for indoor activities. It might help pass the long hours. That way you won't go completely stir crazy.

 

[TSR6]

I am a CM, and was working during the Hurricanes.

For Charlie, they closed the parks to general guests the day it was supposed to hit. The park was only open to Resort Guests, and it closed mid day ( I don't remember the exact time ). EPCOT was litterally empty, and I took my parents on practically everything they wanted to hit in Epcot that day, just between the morning and mid day. They never actually "used" the tickets for the half day, partly as compensation for their misfortune. Meaning, you still had to have a valid ticket to enter the park, but you didn't lose a day by doing so.

For Frances, I was working Hurricane Ride Out Crew at the Contemporary Resort. I don't know what the parks did as far as closing, but I am guessing it is similar to Charlie. I know when I started my shift the day it was supposed to hit, Magic Kingdom was still open for some time, and the monorail was still running at the point that I clocked in.

Throughout the day, We were going room to room putting a flashlight ( in case of power loss ) and a note giving some background information ( basically: There is a hurricane coming, please stand by for further instructions ). As the hurricane came closer, we distributed more notes and at the same time, a voicemail was left on each room's phone. Guests were asked to close their room blinds once the storm started to hit, and to stay away from the windows, all that jazz. Boxed lunches were availible for guests to buy, and the food court stayed open for as long as it was safe to operate.

Room services were suspended ( turn down service, and room service during the actual storm ) as it wasn't safe for the Cast Members to come in to work during the storm, but extra bath towels, soaps, and toilet paper were delivered to every room by the Ride Out Crew just to make sure the guests had enough supplies, "just in case" it went longer than projected. This was done just hours before the storm hit to tie them over until it passed. Once the storm itself hits, everyone is asked to stay in their rooms, and all operations are suspended unless it is an emergency. Even the Cast Members on the ride out crew are asked to stay in their rooms until the storm passes.

The minute it was safe to go outside, we got the call and started operations again. The next morning, Guests with "length of stay" passes were compensated one day for the time missed during the storm.

Overall, I feel that WDW is probably the best place in FL to be during a hurricane. Not only is it inland ( safer than a coastal region, obviously ) but you know that WDW will do everything within their ability to turn such an unfortunate weather problem into something that the guests can still enjoy. Several charactors were brought into the hotel's main lobby to interact with the guests while the parks were closed before the storm.

 

[Lisa AF]

We were there during Charlie last August and were incovienced for less then 24 hours. We vacationed in (i think) 2000 in mid October and Florida was having a hurricane. This one didn't cause the damage that Charlie did but Disney was on the edge and it didn't move along quickly. It rained and was windy constantly for a couple days. Really miserable.

 

[erinch]

we're going the first week of august, because hubby is worried about hurricanes. I would rather chance it at the end of august, because the crowds are better. I do think the meterologists are predicting activity because the ocean has not sufficiently cooled.

The best tip I read was to arrive prepared--bottled water and some minimal food supplies, extra flashlights, batteries and books or gameboys to see the family through.

 

[kilee]

You can do a search on the specific hurricanes from last season-- there were many posts at the time from diser's who were there.

I wouldn't avoid booking at that time, because you just have no way of knowing this far out what will happen. I'd have a back up plan though. Your plans could get changed at the last minute, so I'd have a back-up set of dates ready to go just in case.

 

[Feralpeg]

We stayed home during Charlie. It went through so fast. When they predicted that Frances would last so long, we decided to check into AKL. We were new to Florida and really didn't know what to expect.

The CMs at AKL were wonderful. There was never a moment that I felt unsafe. They did everything in their power to keep the guests amused. Not only did characters appear in the lobby on a regular basis, but the CMs performed as well. They did have to close Mara (the food court) since you have to go outside to access it. During the heigth of the storm, we were asked to stay in our rooms, but box lunches were available. At other times, they took turns opening Boma and Jinko. The available menu items were less than normal, but there was plenty of food. We were staying on the concierge level. Just prior to the storm, we were told that they would be suspending concierge operations until the storm passed. They gave us a large sack with cans of soda, containers of snack, etc. to take back to our room. We had a fridge in the room, so it was great. The lodge never lost power.

Other than being a little bored, it wasn't bad at all.

 

[mjmcca]

I was there for the first Hurricane.It wasnt too bad.

 

[skoba-nelson]

With Frances looming we still decided to drive straight through to arrive earlier rather than later and have to possibly drive in some of the effects of the storm. There were stretches on I-95 south we didn't see another car SB for 30+ miles, NB was bumper to bumper. Kind of eeire. Upon checking in they were surprised at check in, for the airport had already been closed so they weren't expecting anyone. We packed the car to the gills. With normal vacation stuff, plus some xtra stuff like we were camping. PB & J, cereal bars, candy, milk (cooler), DVD player with battery-pack, flashlights, 3 umbrellas. Like other replies said, Disney treated us well as they could. But with Frances we didn't get any freebies on admission like I read some folks did with Charlie. Arrived Friday-storm still off shore but things were starting to close (airport). Went to 'Ohana and us and 6 or 7 other tables was it. But still beautiful weather-weird. Saturday woke up to great weather, but everything closed -MK, AK, Epcot, DtD, DS. THey packed up the chairs at PC and people were sitting on the ground. At noon, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM still nice weather. We were considering driving to Busch Gardens-heard on the news they were open-we could've had a nice day but were trapped. CM even told me they wouldn't let us leave the parking lot if we tried. Rain didn't come until dinnertime. Up to that point the weather was the nicest we would have the rest of the week. (Not a big fan of humidity and daily thunderstorms.) Sunday was storm day. Everything closed. Food court closed but many guests were out and about. Not much different than a midwest thunderstorm in intensity but it lasted for 2/3 of a day. Monday comes and only Epcot and MK are open. Rain stopped before lunch. We won't chance this season again.

 

[GalDisney]

Well, supposidly the 'Bermuda High" which steered the hurricanes to Fl last yr, is still in position to do the same this yr...SO>>> hopefuuly Fl wont be affected but if that steering system Is still in place...all we can do is hope!!

 

[gigi1313]

I am a CM, and was working during the Hurricanes.

For Frances, I was working Hurricane Ride Out Crew at the Contemporary Resort. I don't know what the parks did as far as closing, but I am guessing it is similar to Charlie. I know when I started my shift the day it was supposed to hit, Magic Kingdom was still open for some time, and the monorail was still running at the point that I clocked in.

Throughout the day, We were going room to room putting a flashlight ( in case of power loss ) and a note giving some background information ( basically: There is a hurricane coming, please stand by for further instructions ). As the hurricane came closer, we distributed more notes and at the same time, a voicemail was left on each room's phone. Guests were asked to close their room blinds once the storm started to hit, and to stay away from the windows, all that jazz. Boxed lunches were availible for guests to buy, and the food court stayed open for as long as it was safe to operate.

The minute it was safe to go outside, we got the call and started operations again. The next morning, Guests with "length of stay" passes were compensated one day for the time missed during the storm.

actually, your recollection of HFrances is incorrect... the parks were open all day (and evening) friday but closed both saturday and sunday, thereby giving guests w/length of stay passes two additional days each to come back w/in the next twenty years...

we were guests at pop century during HFrances and had a blast... it was a tad inconvenient and messed up my touring schedule a bit (LOL) but disney was amazing in the way they cared for their guests... the prepared us to the best of their ability... the days the parks were closed but it was safe to venture around the resort they had all kinds of activities for the kids, arts/crafts/games/etc... there were characters in the lobby for two days straight... they offered free 5lb bags of ice and sold coolers to guests that needed them... provided a discount on "box lunches" for the 24 hour period we were asked to be confined to our rooms (although it was less than 24 but predicted to be 24)... left regular voice mail messages and notes on or under doors (for those not glued to the weather channel!)... provided room discounts to those that were 'stranded' and had to stay an extra night or two due to flight cancellations... had full length movies on three different stations 24 hours a day... handed out fridges 'til there were none left... gave tons of extra towels and big garbage bags to help keep the guests comfortable... and even set some of the dryers in the laundry rooms to run for free!

we truly felt the magic even though mother nature is out of disney control!

EDITED TO ADD: we'll be back late august/early september again this year... a little hurricane is not enough to keep us away (and it wasn't our first hurricane in wdw either... we were there for the beginnings of floyd in '99!)

 

[LadyLuc361]

I'm glad to hear that Disney is so accomidating during hurricanes. Disney is such a great place Thanks for your posts everyone!

Rachel

 

[arizonacolbys]

We were there during Hurricane Jeanne late September last year & it wouldn't stop me from planning another trip during that timeframe. The hurricane was scheduled to hit late Saturday/early Sunday. All parks were open Saturday - I think the MK ended up closing by about 7 pm or so. The weather wasn't bad Sat - slightly sunny early in the morning, then cloudy & a little windy & drizzly. Once back at POP we heard that the parks would likely be closed the following day.

We stocked up on lots of junk food for the room & some extra bottles of water & Powerade. The resort was handing out bags of ice at the food court because all of the machines around the resort had run out & couldn't make it fast enough.

I believe the worst of the hurricane hit while most were sleeping - probably between 5-7 am or so. We were supposed to remain in our rooms until further notice, but many people were out walking around. After lunchtime, there were even people swimming in the pools!

The resorts played different Disney movies on several tv channels throughout the day to keep everyone entertained. By about 5 pm, the food court opened back up & they were serving limited foods. We were very happy to get a hot cheese pizza after having nothing but junk all day. The other fun thing the resort did - we got our pics with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy & Pluto right in POP's lobby. They were there Sat & Sun nights for guests.

We were supposed to fly out that Sunday, so we bumped our flight a day. The parks were all open the next morning & everything appeared fine - just some leaves & tree debris around. I think BTMRR & Splash Mtn were closed for the morning. We also saw the 1970's sign at POP demolished. As of January, they still haven't replaced it.

Overall, it wasn't too bad for us. The resort really took care of everyone & I wouldn't hesitate to book another trip during hurricane season.

 

[Harambe]

There will be NO HURRICANES during your stay! Absolutely none!

(Did I mention we will be there Aug. 21-29? I've been praying to the hurricane gods ever since . . .)