Am I the only newbie getting a bit nervous?

[Farmer-Dis]

Hi guys.

This will be our first holiday to Orlando, or to America for that matter! We're both really looking forward to it and have read some good books on WDW and Orlando which, along with these great forums, have helped us plan out our 2 weeks of fun.
I think I've built this holiday up so much in my mind since we booked in Jan that I'm starting to get a bit nervous/depressed now with all the talk of 100 degrees+ heat, huricanes, tornadoes... I knew it would be hot and I knew their was a good chance of some bad weather... But now we are only 3 weeks away and reality is setting in.

Anyone got any pearls of Disney wisdom that'll cheer us up?

 

[Frances999]

No pearls of wisdom from me I'm afraid, but I feel the same. I've been waiting for this holiday since Christmas and the talk of hurricanes and 100+ degree temps is worrying me a little bit too.

Oh well, look at this way. Hot temperatures and some hurricane effects but being in Disney or staying at home? Disney for me

 

[wicket2005]

Hurricanes, rain, hot weather are just part and parcel of Florida's summer. If you book in the summer they are to be expected.

Personally I have waited 5 long years to get back to Orlando and regardless of what Mother Nature can throw at me, I am going to have 'another holiday of a lifetime'.

 

[allie5]

Oh, absolutely, be very afraid, be very very afraid. You dont want to be going to Florida at this time of year AT ALL.

Now, I will PM you my address and you just pop your tickets in the post to me and you will never have to suffer that hideous Florida holiday

...........only kidding! You will have a great time! If it rains put a poncho on, if its hot, go inside! The weather wont spoil it if you are prepared. Watch the Weather Channel and if it looks like you are in for a whole day of rain (unlikely) then pick a park like Epcot where there are lost of indoor attractions. Or do Disney Quest or a mall.

On really hot days, make early starts then in the heat of the afternoon, head back for a nap or swim. Evenings will be cooler so head back to the parks then!

HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME!

Allie

 

[minkydog]

Hurricanes, rain, hot weather are just part and parcel of Florida's summer. If you book in the summer they are to be expected.

Personally I have waited 5 long years to get back to Orlando and regardless of what Mother Nature can throw at me, I am going to have 'another holiday of a lifetime'.

This is a great attitude. I have lived in the southern U.S. all my life, almost 49 yrs. During that time I have actually been in 3 tornados and lived through 6 hurricanes--in 49 years The news media makes it sound like the sky is falling, but somehow life goes on here.

Yes, Florida is hot, they have a lot of thunder storms, and they have the occasional hurricane(Actually, here in Atlanta, we have gone through 4 hurricanes in the last 10 yrs ourselves ). Still, Florida is a great place to vacation and I wouldn't let it keep me home. Even in the rain, WDW is fantastic! And the chances of you being there during a hurricane is very small--last year's record was pretty unusual. So bring your rain poncho and some extra (dry )shoes with you. And some 30 SPF sunscreen.

Cathy--Southern born and bred

 

[Disneyrsh]

Having lived through the same 4 hurricanes that hit florida as they went north to Georgia last year , I can say with authority that I WISHED I got to weather them in Disney rather than here.

Seriously, don't worry about it, the hotels are built like bunkers, and Disney's probably one of the best prepared places to deal with Nature that I know of.

As for the heat, don't worry about it, it's the humidity that'll get ya!

Kidding!

Stop watching the news, the weather, etc. You'll be fine and you'll have a great time .

 

[Carolinagirl1063]

Just grin and bear it! It will be HOT you will be OK. Just drink extra water bring at least 2 pair of comfy shoes,bathing suits for cooling off and pace yourself. You are gonna have a good time no matter what in WDW. I'd rather be in the hot Florida sun than sitting on my couch any day!

 

[wicket2005]

This is a great attitude. ]

Thanks. I have to agree with your thoughts on the media. We were in Orlando when a tornado struck it in Feb 1998, the news here had the area flattened which resulted in my parents ringing to check that we were okay. Areas of Orlando had been flattened but the news made it look like Orlando had gone.

Florida is used to coping with hurricanes, I would be more worried being in this country where we wouldn't know where to begin to protect ourselves than being in Orlando.

 

[sheluvsflorida]

Be afraid...be very, very afraid, afraid that you will have a fantastic time and will never want to go anywhere else on holiday ever again. I went for the first time four years ago and have been every year since. Was apprehensive about the heat, driving, hurricanes you name it. I love the heat though (also from London)

We were caught in one of the hurricane's last year. America copes really well

Try not to worry and have a great time

 

[Farmer-Dis]

Thanks alot guys, you've cheered me and dg up!

Yay! Three weeks to go!

 

[gadb1]

You WILL have a fantastic time. It is impossible to have a bad time at WDW.

Sometimes the thunderstorms are quite 'impressive' but we always think it adds to the fun.

If the weather gets really bad (ie hurricanes) the WDW Cast Members will tell you what to do and all WDW property is built to withstand hurricanes.

It is highly unlikely it will come to this any way

Remember, everywhere is air conditioned so go inside if hot, take an afternoon nap or swim and break the day up.

I wish I didn't ahve to wait until December !

Enhoy your holiday

 

[arieliwish]

Don't worry, we went for the first time last sept, 10 months after my husband had suffered a stroke and was left with disabilities, so everything was down to me: plans, driving, directions, money, etc. and it was fine (and I hadn't discovere the DIS then!). The people are so helpful, everything is so efficient, everywhere so clean. On top of that food and purchases are so cheap.

Yes its hot but everywhere's air conditioned, yes it rains and thunders but you can shelter/don a fetching poncho til it passes, just remember - you're in the middle of disney magic.

We were there for hurricane Frances and the hotel staff were great (Clarion Universal) and kept us well informed and fed, and orlando coped so well, we counted 14 electricity trucks pulling out onto the highway the morning after the storm (Labour Day!). All returned to normal swiftly.

We LOVED it, and are returning in the middle of hurricane season again this year!

Relax, it will exceed everything you've ever imagined.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

This will be my first trip in August - but it's the only time we are able to go for three weeks, so it's then or never! We've been in October, May and June before - each time was different and this trip will be different again.

All have been amazing "holidays of lifetimes" as everyone says

I know I will struggle in the heat - anything about 27 degrees and I'm moaning , but we're expecting it to be REALLY HOT, my DH loves the heat so at least he'll be happy and not moaning

The difference is you can get into a lovely cool airconditioned room most places over there - and we're down the beach for our first 10 nights, so expecting that to be really warm. But it's Florida, and that's why we love it. We also love a good old thunder storm, we've seen a few crackers in our times over there, spectacular viewing.

And like everyone says, they are SO prepared for all weathers over there. They get you out of the water rides, swimming pools when there are storms around for safety, some of the outside rides shut during a storm - it's all done for safety.

You will have a great time - when is your departure date, where abouts are you staying?