Anyone been to a DVC resort for a hurricane??

[Patpat15]

How do they handle it, does it ruin your vacation?

 

[bpmorley]

I haven't, but a friend was about 2 or 3 years ago. He stayed at the Poly. They lost power and had to stay in there room for at least 1 whole day. Everything closed up, I think, around 1pm that day. I'll try to catch up with him and get the details.

 

[Cruelladeville]

My DDs were in Orlando for a cruise, doing a land/sea trip, and stayed at BW. They had to stay in their room, it rained alot, and they had castmembers at all the exits to make sure you stayed inside. There were games and activities for the kids in the lobby, and food in the business center. They found an unmanned door, and walked over to BC for dinner. They said that it was no worse than the winter storms we get in Michigan, they didn't understand what all the fuss was about. The girls said that they reasoned that DVC members had to walk outside at BC, so they walked a little farther, and got a wonderful meal!

 

[MissD]

As a FL resident, I can honestly say that WDW is where I WANT to be when a hurricane hits. I know there will be a lot more creature comforts than I'll have at home

It seems I may get that chance...we'll be checking in to SSR on Saturday.

 

[RobDoc]

Yep- We have been at OKW for Flloyd and Francis and at GF for Charlie. While there was some inconvenience, all were very positive experiences.

Flloyd turned out to be a non-event. It was supposed to hit Daytona and head due east to Orlando from there. WDW prepared for the event, closed the parks and then nothing happened. AK was new at that time (1999) and was the only park not included in the DVC admission program- but WDW did reopen AK that day (the other 3 parks remained closed) and accepted the DVC pass too.

Charlie (2 years ago) hit Boca Raton and rapidly progressed inland to Orlando, arriving as a Cat 2 storm. We were at the GF that day. They closed the parks early and cordoned off everyone in their rooms for the evening and overnight. They had special activities in the resort for children and restaurants were open- staffed by CMs who had moved into the convention center to be safe from the storms themselves. the storm moved thru in about 4 hours and everything reopened the next morning although the storm damage was very evident.

Francis (2 years ago) was a different event. It hit near VB and then progressed inland toward Orlando- also as a Cat 2 storm. However it moved more slowly and the rains lasted much longer than Charlie. Again, Disney closed the parks early that day and had a "quarantine" status from 6pm that evening until 6am the next day. No vehicles were allowed out (including all WDW transportation). They devoted 2 TV channels to Disney movie programming- one with animated shows and the other with more adult type programming (still Disney). The rain and wind was intense and steady thru the night.

In all 3 cases, the preparation made by Disney was impressive. At the parks, EVERYTHING was lashed down, including signs that could sway back and forth. All mobile carts were either moved indoors or securely strapped to bolts fixed into the concrete areas. At the resorts, information was distributed to each guest room with advices about possible loss of power and water. They also provided flashlights to each room. FOr each event, we felt very safe and secure.

Disney was also very generous with cancellation policies- returning points to those unable to get into Orlando due to he storm. They made great effortto keep guests informed and provide a safe environment for all.

I can't think os anyplace I'd feel safer riding out those storms.

 

[JimMIA]

Hurricane Ernesto is coming, and if the forecast track proves correct, it should affect WDW on Thursday, 9/1.

The storm is projected to come across the western tip of Cuba, move up the eastern Gulf and then recurve into the Florida mainland on Thursday. Current projections are for landfall north of Tampa, but that's almost five days out. Recent shifts to the forecast track have all been to the right as controlling weather seems to be drifting off to the west more rapidly than it appeared it would, so it wouldn't be surprising to see that track shift eastward, and landfall shift to the south..

This storm's projected track is virtually identical to that of Hurricane Charley in 2004. Charley was also projected to come ashore north of Tampa, but instead came ashore at Captiva Island/Punta Gorda, just north of Fort Myers.

Projecting strength 5 days out is very difficult, but the current outlook is for a dangerous Category Three hurricane at landfall, with 100 KT (116 MPH) sustained winds and gusts to 120 KT (139 MPH). That is the same category as Katrina was when she hit New Orleans, possibly a little stronger than Katrina at landfall.

If the storm hits just north of Tampa and moves across Florida toward the NE, WDW will get significant wind and rain, because it will be in the right front quadrant of the storm, which is usually the strongest area of a hurricane.

 

[jncvh]

I was in Disney last October when a hurricane came through. They closed all of the parks that morning but once the severe weather cleared, about 14:00, they opened MK for resort guests only till midnight. It was so not busy in the park and no line ups to think of. It was probably the best day at the parks. The hotels kept you very up to date and cleaned up after the storm very quickly. Luckily Disney is in Central FLA and dependent on the strength seems not to get hit very hard. I was told by a CSM that if there was ever a place to be during a hurricane it was Disney as it is self supporting with all avaiable resources. The days after were a nightmare as all evacuees from south FLA came to DW to escape.
__________________

 

[Figment2]

Rode out Wilma at OKW last year. We slept through the worst of it - didn't hear a thing.

This was actually my third hurricane at WDW and I've never felt in danger.
Now the other two times (non-WDW), are another story.

Cyn

 

[JimMIA]

Charlie (2 years ago) hit Boca Raton and rapidly progressed inland to Orlando, arriving as a Cat 2 storm.

As noted above Charley actually hit on the Gulf Coast of Florida at Punta Gorda, not at Boca Raton, which is just south of West Palm Beach on the Atlantic coast.

Also in 2004, Francis and Jeanne both hit in the general area of Vero Beach -- actually a little south, but Vero took heavy hits from both -- and both made their way toward WDW.

The worst damage from all three storms was in coastal areas, as is normal.

 

[littlestar]

We were at the VWL for Hurricane Jeanne. Disney had Mickey and Minnie in the main lobby for the kids with games, etc., ( and even a live band). We went on lock-down the evening it rolled through. We had booked a night in the main lodge before switching over to points on Sunday. I slept through most of Hurricane Jeanne. I got up about 3:00 a.m., and looked out a window of the main lodge (that faces the villas) and saw the trees blowing at an angle sideways. Then I went back to bed and got up at 7:00. Lots of debris, branches, one tall skinny tree fell over on the VWL entrance (quiet pool side) and dented the gutter (but missed all the windows - ). The sun was shining and Disney was cleaning up. I think a couple of parks were back open that afternoon and the next day I believe all of them were open. And the weather was beautiful the rest of the week.

 

[JimMIA]

IF you've experienced a hurricane at WDW, don't think you've experienced a hurricane! WDW is 100+ miles inland, and you will only get a mild taste of the storm in WDW. You'll be able to sleep through it (we slept through direct hits from both Katrina and Wilma last year), but your activities will be curtailed by the storm itself and possibly by cleanup the next day.

But you won't have buildings blown down, people killed, and be without power for weeks. There were a few people killed in the central Florida area with Charley, but they were mostly people who decided to go for a ride (and one guy who decided to go outside for a cigarette) during the peak of the storm.

If you stay inside in any substantial building, you'll be fine.

 

[littlestar]

No way would I want to be any where near the coast during a hurricane. Inland at WDW was close enough for me.

 

[NHmouse]

We were at the Wilderness Lodge for Charlie. WDW closed all of the parks as of 4PM. Transportation was shut down. By 6PM all guests were confined to their rooms. There were cast members randomly patroling the hall ways enforcing this. WDW communicated with guests via the phone message system. Power stayed on throughout the storm. Many guests had issues with having no dinner as the restaurants closed and we had to stay in our rooms. We had been among the last guests to get our dinner at roaring forks and had to take it to our room to eat. Disney had 2 channels on TV devoted to childrens programing. We watched the local TV to get storm coverage. Disney cast members came to our room with a flashlight for"just in case". Overall WDW was fantastic. We felt safe and up to date. Having water and snacks in the room was a good thing we were glad that we planned ahead!

 

[vonpluto]

We were at SSR during Wilma last year. One thing Disney did was to flood the Carriage House/Artist Palette area with characters. Them critters were everywhere!

A couple of pics:

 

[vonpluto]

IF you've experienced a hurricane at WDW, don't think you've experienced a hurricane! WDW is 100+ miles inland, and you will only get a mild taste of the storm in WDW.

We sat thru Wilma last year and it wasn't much, so I claim no "Hurricane Vet" status from that one.

But I did weather a cat one typhoon just south of Quang Tri in the fall of 1969. In a tent. Can I have my camo Mickey Ears embroidered "Hurricane Survivor" for that one?

 

[zalansky]

As a FL resident, I can honestly say that WDW is where I WANT to be when a hurricane hits. I know there will be a lot more creature comforts than I'll have at home

It seems I may get that chance...we'll be checking in to SSR on Saturday.

We'll be right behind you, checking in to Boardwalk on Sunday!

 

[MissD]

We'll be right behind you, checking in to Boardwalk on Sunday!

We're actually going down for a wedding-DS12 is a member of the bridal party.
The loud crazy people at Atlantic Dance on Sunday night will be us, as the reception is being held there.

My apologies in advance

 

[byoung]

There last Oct during Wilma, but we really did'nt get much at all.

 

[bpmorley]

We sat thru Wilma last year and it wasn't much, so I claim no "Hurricane Vet" status from that one.

But I did weather a cat one typhoon just south of Quang Tri in the fall of 1969. In a tent. Can I have my camo Mickey Ears embroidered "Hurricane Survivor" for that one?

As far as I'm concerned they should give you anything you want. Thank you

 

[MissD]

As far as I'm concerned they should give you anything you want. Thank you

Amen to that