About Frances...

[safetymom]

I live about 15 mins from MK and there was lots of damage in the parks. It may not be in Orlando but if the hurricane comes anywhere near this area WDW will have damage.

 

[Barbday62]

Please please please dont ever think I was minimizing what happend or happens to you there. In my reading of this thread I see a lot of people with no hurricane experience asking what to expect. I know what it felt like to be so clueless and know you have a vacation your probably paying thousands of dollars to go on and not know what to do.

My advise was given in that spirit. I hope I didnt step on any toes and if i did please forgive me before it starts. Hurricanes are nothing to mess around with Im sure. I know there was damage everywhere. I cant begin to explain what I saw with my own two eyes. One think I noted the poorest areas seems to be hit hard too. We followed the signs to the airport and it took us to a lot of back roads so we saw a lot on the way to the airport.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I just wanted to say my prayers are with all the folks who are in central Florida and may potentially be hit with a "double whammy". Sounds like flooding may be a great problem, along with whatever the wind tears up. Maybe this thing will suddenly turn ot to sea or something. Meanwhile hold on, batten down the hatches, and know that lots of us will be praying for you and some of us will be down there ASAP to help with clean-up crews.

Also, for those with vacation plans, I really hate that the storm may cancel, postpone, or change some of your plans. . As one who has had to change vacation plans because of tropical weather, I remember that is a uniquely rotten feeling. May things turn out in the best possible way for you.

 

[3for Me]

Barbday62 -

I am sure you did not mean to minimize the effects of the hurricanes, but can I just say that having lived and vacationed along the Gulf Coast my entire life and having lived and vacationed through many hurricanes I would say the following...

DO NOT go near glass sliding doors or outside to videotape -there could be flying debris everywhere, and tornados spawn in a matter of minutes or seconds during these storms

It is also NOT advisable for two young girls (or old men or anyone for that matter) to go out in this weather and find something to eat. They may not have thought they were in danger, but believe me - they were!!!

This is not meant to flame you in any way, I just don't want people to think it is safe or advisable to do any of those things.

Prepare ahead of time with food and water and stay away from the windows and glass doors - even the CM's at Disney will tell you that this is what they advised their guests - in writing - during this storm.

Just food for thought!

 

[tn_disney_addict]

Well, we changed our flights and are going to try to beat the storm down there. Once we are on property, I am hoping that everything will be ok.

I haven't seen the latest predictions, but have heard several people say that Disney is a pretty safe place to be during the storm. Hope they are right! We started to postpone instead of move up, but were afraid that if the airport was damaged, the delays may be a day or two.

I didn't hear that Disney sustained alot of damage last time, mostly just trees, etc that needed cleaned up, did the Parks get damage as far as rides and such?

 

[arizonacolbys]

Hello all - just wanted to wish everyone the best that might be affected by this newest hurricane. I was wondering what the latest is on this hurricane. Can anyone give me an update?

My MIL, FIL & little SIL are vacationing in Tampa Bay today & will be at Disney Fri - Sun. They are due to fly home Sunday - early afternoon. My other SIL is currently working on the Disney Wonder, but will also be flying home Sunday afternoon. Is this when they are "estimating" the hurricane will hit?

Would love any feedback anyone might have - just wondering if they should look into staying an extra day if flights, etc will be delayed. Thanks!!

 

[safetymom]

www.wftv.com
www.orlandosentinel.com

Both of these sites have lots of information about the Hurricane.

I don't think they will be visiting WDW on Sunday.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Thanks for those websites - they're very helpful. They weren't planning on visiting the parks on Sunday, but are supposed to fly home on Sunday - I'm wondering if they shouldn't try to postphone their flight until Monday now & book an extra night at the resort. Thanks!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by safetymom
www.wftv.com
www.orlandosentinel.com

Both of these sites have lots of information about the Hurricane.

I don't think they will be visiting WDW on Sunday.

Safteymom - after planning my honeymoon for a YEAR, I'm on pins and needles, so forgive my question.

I'm wondering if you mean you think the HURRICANE won't pass through Orlando based on the information you linked to? I've read and re-read, and it seems like it's too early to tell.

But my psyche is so freaked out right now, and glimmer of hope - even if just supposition makes me feel better!!!

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
Safteymom - after planning my honeymoon for a YEAR, I'm on pins and needles, so forgive my question.

I'm wondering if you mean you think the HURRICANE won't pass through Orlando based on the information you linked to? I've read and re-read, and it seems like it's too early to tell.

But my psyche is so freaked out right now, and glimmer of hope - even if just supposition makes me feel better!!!

It keeps changing - if you look at the first link Saftey Mom listed you will see a place to click projected path - 3 day or 5 day focus. An hour ago Sunday at 8A was dead center to Orlando now it's well above.

We are traveling Sunday morning so I'm just waiting today but it will change again I'm sure. Anyone fliying JetBlue - I was told by the rep that they are waiving change fee for Fri-Mon changes due to this hurricane.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by Bella2000
It keeps changing - if you look at the first link Saftey Mom listed you will see a place to click projected path - 3 day or 5 day focus. An hour ago Sunday at 8A was dead center to Orlando now it's well above.

We are traveling Sunday morning so I'm just waiting today but it will change again I'm sure. Anyone fliying JetBlue - I was told by the rep that they are waiving change fee for Fri-Mon changes due to this hurricane.

Kind of figured! Like I said, any glimmer of hope makes me feel better.

Although no matter what happens, I still feel like a heel. I don't want to wish this on ANYBODY! It needs to take itself RIGHT back out to sea.

 

[whjoyjr]

KSC issued an e-mail shortly after Noon EDT today announcing that they are closing the facility Thursday and Friday. Final site preparations should complete today (securing the numerous ground antennas).

 

[safetymom]

Orlando is still in the path of the hurricane for this weekend. At least that is what I am seeing on the TV here.

 

[mishoe01]

I have a flight scheduled at 230p on Friday from Dulles (VA). Just called United Airlines to see if they are allowing changes to an earlier flight w/o any additional $....was told they're in the process of adding info and to call back. I figure it's better to get to Orlando early and get settled, than risk the airport getting closed.

Does anyone know if there would be a problem w/ security if I take my own flashlight down?? I don't want anyone to think that it's some thing else . Figured I'd take some food stuff just in case (I'm staying at the Marriott Grande Vista for 6 nights before checking into POFQ). Not sure how MC staff will compare to the DW cast members.....

 

[NotUrsula]

A regular flashlight won't be a problem. You *could* get some extra attention if you try to carryon one of those 2-ft. long steel flashlights that double as billy clubs.

One thing that folks should be noting about Frances as opposed to Charley: Charley was a very compact and fast-moving storm, unusually so, and that was a good thing for those in Charley's path, even though the Cat4 winds were very violent. Frances appears to be a very different species of storm. Remember that the Cat rating references the speed of wind rotation, NOT the speed of lateral movement. Nor does it reference the actual size of the storm in terms of how wide an area is covered by the sustained wind pattern. A big, slow storm is much more dangerous than a small, swift one, even when the rotation speed is very similar.

People who live for long periods in hurricane-prone areas come to understand that although the power of the wind is very frightening, it is not as dangerous as the power of the water. It is the water that is most likely to kill. The larger the area and the slower the lateral movement, the more water a hurricane will hold, the more water it will drop, and the more water it will push before it. Right now, the prediction for the overland lateral speed of Frances is about 10 mph; which combined with the sheer size of the storm system (a 165-mile-wide swath of hurricane-force winds) means that if it sustains this formation, when it hits, the eyewall will appear to sit over a given area for up to 10-12 hours. Anyone who experienced Charley and decided that a Cat4 wasn't that bad b/c the worst of the intense wind and rain only lasted for an hour or so will be getting an ugly shock if they find themselves in the path of Frances as a Cat4, even if it is a glancing blow instead of a direct hit. Unless a miracle happens and she breaks up &/or turns back to sea, I believe that Frances is going to be much worse than Charley.

 

[3for Me]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but even the forecasters in New Orleans are advising people that going to the Orlando area for Labor Day might not be such a good idea - of course this holds true for the southeastern portion of the state as well, but it is interesting that they mentioned WDW specifically.

 

[daisylove]

Max Mayfeild the head guy at the hurricane center just came on and said for everyone to stay put unless you have to evacuate. he made a point of saying how everyone fromCharley went to Orlando and that in his opinion no one should leave so. fla to go to orlando. I wish I was going to orlando!

 

[FLgirl1203]

This storm is enormous in size....I've heard reports that hurricane strength winds are anywhere from 60-80 miles from the eye...that means that even if you are 60-80 miles from the exact center you will be experiencing major wind and most likely damage. Yes, Orlando is in the center of the projected path but even if it's off by 30-50 miles it will still sustain damage.

I'm not an expert but if I had a trip planned this weekend I would try to postpone it. This is a scary feeling being involved in these storms. Hopefully most of you will be able to postpone your trip to WDW so that you can really enjoy yourselves when the time comes.

Best of luck to all of you!
God Bless.

 

[Gabrielle]

NotUrsuala

Interesting post!! Thanks for that info.

-Gabrielle

 

[daisylove]

They just compared Francis in size to Andrew. It is much bigger 300 miles wide. wow.