About Frances...

[AdventurerKat]

I leave on Thursday morning for Orlando. My friend's father passed away earlier this year and this trip is something he has been looking forward to so much.

I hope Frances packs her bags and goes back out to sea, for the sake of all the Floridians, and the sake of my friend who desperately needs a little Disney fun in his life right now.

 

[susy]

I am thinking about cancelling at this point. Ds is also sick now with a cough! A CM I spoke with yesterday said I could use my deposit to reschedule, which I will try to do for next weekend (before another one can get here!)

 

[Uncleromulus]

AS we saw with Charley, predicting the path of hurricanes is nowhere near an exact science.
Hopefully it will turn away from the US and not hit Florida--or anywhere else!!!

 

[n2mm]

According to NOAA's tracking map this morning, Frances should be over central FL by Sunday. Of course she could move to the north or south, but FL sure looks like it's going to get hit. www.NOAA.gov and choose Frances and the map/charts for your own viewing.

 

[pumpkinfish]

I am really good about throwing out these questions for everyone to help me plan:

Let's say that Frances does hit and our hotel (offsite) is affected. Should I spend a little extra money on onsite (say at Pop or one of the All Star) so my DH and I won't have to communte from his grandparents in Ocala?
Also, do you think there would be any rooms available? Should I make ressies now just in case? If I do make ressies and our hotel is fine, are there cancelation fees involved at wdw resorts?

As you can see I am really trying to plan in advance and was speaking to DH about this before bed last night. I just want to have a plan B, know what I mean?

Thanks for the help and keep on praying!

 

[cranbiz]

It figures,

Here I am coming in on Friday and leaving on Sunday (maybe). I'm coming down to house hunt in the Daytona area.

I was hoping to spend a good part of Sunday with the mouse before returning home.

Looks like I'll prepare myself for an extended stay.

Pixie Dust on everyone in Fla at this time. Hopefully Francis will turn away and spare Fla from more storm damage.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On the cruise lines boards there is an "Official Hurricane Frances" thread that we are actively posting with every advisory on there.

My other EVAC tip--

even though parts of your house may be damaged--you can salvage some interior items--
i.e. statues and figurines and such--pack them into a box or cabinet,

take your computer hard drives with you (you may not have room for a monitor--but the hard drive has all your data!).

Video Tape your house in case there is question of contents for insurance reasons.

Elevate beds on blocks (or they sell bed risers at bed bath and beyond and linens in things) in case there is any water into your home.

Pack things for immediate need upon return--tarps (to cover roof damage), flash lights and bottled water.

Anticipate the evac order so that when it comes, you can be first out of dodge and avoid the traffic (we did that for floyd and did not get stuck in any traffic on the way out).

For the return--plan to return as soon as possible to assess damage and prevent further damage--i.e. if you wait several days to return beyond the allowable return time and you have a hole in your roof--postponing return could mean even more damage to your home)


For trips--
Keep in touch with CRO and find out what the change policies are--it is too late to cancel for Fri/Sat arrivals--but you should be able to move your deposit.

If you keep your reservation and are planning for a Saturday arrival--if work and budget allows, see if you can change your flight to Friday--earlier in the day (so you don't get stuck with other travel delays--my hubby came home for Charley on the day of--but had moved his flight a day earlier but in the evening--he missed his connecting flight and was stuck in Atlanta). Flying standby is an option--though not a good one as other travelers will have the same idea.

 

[craziefortigger]

I'm here in West Palm Beach and as of yesterday our local Home Depot went through over 300 generators. My husband already purchased the plywood we needed yesterday and batteries. I ran out to Publix at 9:30pm last night and replenished my hurricane supply boxes.

Home Depot was VERY VERY busy last night, Publix was rather quite. Although there is NO need to panic but it is time to think plan and possibly purchase those batteries and water.

We have 2 homes to get ready, the one we are currently in and the one we are in the middle of building along with a small tree nursery.

PLUS I was suppose to leave Friday afternoon for a Mommy and Son weekend in WDW!

Oh well, I'm still hoping and praying for the best results!

Go AWAY FRANCES !!!

 

[Kay1]

I went ahead and called Disney yesterday to see if we could just reschedule. Unless some absolute miracle happens that subtropical ridge will continue to hem the storm in for the next few days. Even if there is a weakness on the western edge it won't happen until it's way too late to cancel .

The CM said they were still sticking by their usual cancellation policy but that could change later in the week. They had the same resort and FL resident rates for another 3-day weekend, but that Friday is my husband's new boss's first day. I guess we'll just have to go as planned but with all our rain gear.

I have a hard time hoping it will take that last minute turn, because I feel for the people of Georgia and the Carolinas, not to mention the people who have to drive through all that.

 

[LKS]

We live near Savannah, and had scheduled a trip to Orlando for Labor Day weekend. I bought the Netdirect rate at Embassy Suites - where you pay in advance and can't cancel. I have called twice now, though, and they say that in the case of the hurricane coming, they will cancel and refund my money. Thank goodness. If it misses Orlando, we are likely to be sweating it out here at home. We will probably make our final decision tomorrow.

I'm from Charleston and my parents are there and just went without power for 24 hours from Gaston this past weekend. This is certainly turning out to be an unusually active hurricane season.

 

[Uncleromulus]

craziefortigger:
A generator is always nice to have around--. BUT--let's hope those who bought them have plenty of gas. Because when the electricity goes, the gas pumps at all the gas stations don't work. SO whatever fuel one has on hand has got to do the job.
Found all about this when Isabelle hit last year. On our trip down (thru Va that got hammered) we read in a local paper about all the folks who had generators that were absolutely useless because they couldn't get gas or deisel fuel.

 

[Belle1962]

I called CRO yesterday also and got the same response--they are sticking to their cancellation policy.

IMHO: After reading some trip reports and postings on these boards and other boards, I am glad we are staying onsite. I've read horror stories of offsite hotels that didn't supply anything to the guests--not even flashlights which Disney did, didn't keep their guests informed, etc. Also--most restaurants, etc were closed and finding food and gas was a major issue. I just feel Disney will take MUCH better care of their guests than most offsite hotels.

Our plan: we have a bug out bag in the car (flashlights, batteries, battery operated radio, food, water, cards, lighters, change of clothes, etc.) and will bring that in if needed, will keep "topping off" the car daily, and if necessary will stay an extra night at WDW.

 

[Nickunited]

My advice to you all would be GO! As the storm gets closer - most airlines will let you change the flights. If you can - go earlier. That is what I did for Charley. Instead of my normal plan of landing Friday evening - I changed my flight (Free - because of the weather) to Thursday and I just sat through the storm. If you are driving- Leave a day earlier.

The day of the storm - the resort was so good to us - the storm lasted about 1 hour - the worst of it lasted about 20 minutes and the parks were open again by Sat morning. If you guys can change your schedule at work etc... - I say do it and go earlier! I could not miss out on Disney - I would have been miserable!

 

[jajuan]

Nickunited,
What airline did you fly? That is what I am worried about. Is getting there. I may be a fool, but I hope not. I am flying Delta and hope that they will let me go a day early for my trip if things are looking bad for my flight day. Thanks.

 

[jwfla422]

When there are hurricane watches and warnings posted for the area then they (WDW) will probably change their cancellation policy for the weekend as will the airlines.

This happened to us a few years back when we were flying to GA, a hurricane was on it's way and they had just put up a "watch" and the agent for Delta told me they were lifting any ticket change fees, etc. WDW will probably do the same.

Time to go clean up my house and start gathering the "the supplies" and put all of those important things in ziplocks. Hopefully we have what we'll need. I just went out and bought the last battery operated TV at Target.

Keeping fingers crossed for everyone! FL just can't afford another one of these CAT 4+ hurricanes!

 

[jwfla422]

 

[Nickunited]

I flew American and basically they had announced that if you are flying on certain dates to certain cities you can change your flight with no charge. I would think Delta did the same thing. It was a last minute thing. As it gets closer keep calling them and ask them what their plans are. They might not be able to do this for you until the last day.

It was Thursday - I was leaving Friday - I called American 6 times Thursday morning and only at 1PM was Olrando added to their list. So at 130 I found out that I was taking off at 645 that night. Just listen to the reports and if it is going hit FLA - Call your airline!

Good luck to you all and to those who live in FLA!

 

[avaughan]

Like everyone else, I, too, am worried about everyone in Florida as Frances approaches. We have friends and family scattered across the state. I lived in Miami - just north of where the eye made land fall - when Hurrincan Andrew came through and know the destruction the hurricanes can cause. Everyone there is in my prayers.

Wanted to share our plans - we are leaving Friday evening, arriving in Saturday late morning. We come home sometime Thursday. We are still planning to go as so much of our trip is non-refundable. We rented points through a DVC member. Therefore, our "housing' cost is non-refundable. I know the tickets can be used anytime, but I don't know when we would be able to get back. We have lined up care for our 4 month old DS and would have to rearrange that. Also, our 5 year old DD would be so disappointed if we did not go - she is very excited about meeting the princesses. We are driving so I am just going to put in some extra water and rain gear. We will already have lots of things to keep the kids entertained. We are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst. Maybe we can get early check-in because everyone will be leaving early?! Good luck to everyone traveling this weekend. Be safe.

 

[safetymom]

I wouldn't count on getting in your room early. There will be lots of people that won't be leaving because of the storm.

 

[KelNottAt]

We fly out of BWI bright and early Friday morn, then return even earlier Tuesday morn. I have faith that we'll be able have a great, normal vacation on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Sunday will be iffy, but we'll make the best of it. Thankfully, we'll have a Boardwalk Villa, so food won't be an issue.

Based on the Charley reports, I have faith that WDW will be well-prepared and accommodating. Meanwhile, I'm also praying Frances steers clear of all land so Florida can be spared another disaster.

Kelley