Call me stupid about hurricanes but?

[TraceyDisney2008]

I know everyone is worried about the hurricanes but can you explain to me what is going on. We are flying in from Canada on September 10th-17th any information would be good because I can't make heads or tails of the radar they are showing.

 

[nessz79]

I take it you're specifically wondering about Gustav and Hannah. I don't know much about Hannah and neither do the meteorologists, I think. However, neither storm should interfere with when you're coming down. However, that's not to say that there won't be something else out there at that time.

If you have specific questions, I can better answer them

 

[Nie0214]

I wouldn't start worrying until 5-7 days before your trip. I am coming in at 10:20am on Friday, so Hanna concerns me a bit.

If you go here http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml they will show you projected paths (it updates every few hours and is not set in stone).

Hanna:

 

[Luhts]

Just bring your ponchos and hope for the best, unless you are planning a shore excursion! I had a friend there during Fay, and she said they still had a very Magical time despite the rain. And what good will it do to sit and look at "projected" weather forecasts anyway?

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Nie,

My dd and I come in on Sunday so Hanna worries me as well. Thanks for the link.

 

[Nie0214]

Yeah don't worry about it being rainy at the parks. The last time I went to Disney, Hurricane Charley hit Orlando on Fri 13th, and I flew in on Saturday morning. I had to fly to Tampa airport instead of Orlando (which is why I'm worried about Hanna, I don't want that aggravation again). The parks however, were really clean and safe. They had Animal Kingdom closed one day, but other than that it was a fun-filled trip!

 

[mommytoone]

I leave on the 12th, and Hanna worries me. But what really worries me are the 2 storms behind her. They have no info on them. I will know about Hanna before we go, but not about the other 2. I am scared to death, and my DD7 is worried, they were learning about them in school, thanks school. I was not going to share that info with us leaving so soon. All she does now is tracks the storms and informs us.

Anyone else considering cancelling their trip because of the storms? I am seriously considering, but don't know what to do.

 

[8ofus]

We are in southern Indiana and are leaving by car on the 5th. I have one son flying from here and another from west virginia. While we have reservations for Sat. the 6 through the 14th . I don't know where we'll be staying Fri. And with all the evacuations, who knows if we can get a room around Atlanta or south of there that first night. That is all I'm worried about for us really for now. I am worried on behave of thos who live in all the storms path. We have friends in Alabama, Orange Beach and New orleans as well as relatives in Florida and North Carolina. I'm not really woried about my family being safe. I guess I feel like they watch the storms and if it looks that bad we'll reap the benifits of our trip insurance. for those who don't have that I am sorry. It must be nerve racking to have all your plans made and not know what to do. But as far as safety I think it's a little premature to worry right now.

 

[mommytoone]

We are in southern Indiana and are leaving by car on the 5th. I have one son flying from here and another from west virginia. While we have reservations for Sat. the 6 through the 14th . I don't know where we'll be staying Fri. And with all the evacuations, who knows if we can get a room around Atlanta or south of there that first night. That is all I'm worried about for us really for now. I am worried on behave of thos who live in all the storms path. We have friends in Alabama, Orange Beach and New orleans as well as relatives in Florida and North Carolina. I'm not really woried about my family being safe. I guess I feel like they watch the storms and if it looks that bad we'll reap the benifits of our trip insurance. for those who don't have that I am sorry. It must be nerve racking to have all your plans made and not know what to do. But as far as safety I think it's a little premature to worry right now.

I agree!! Thats what I told my DD. We will wait it out and see. Good luck to you, and hopefully the storms will be long gone before we go. If you do get to go have a great time.

 

[intownfarm]

This was listed at the top of the page. It makes me not worry..

Disney's hurricane policy applies as follows:

If the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for Orlando or your place of residence no more than 7 days prior to your arrival date, you can change your Magic Your Way Package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without cancellation or change fees. This policy also is in effect for Disney's Hilton Head and Vero Beach Resorts


If you have booked elements of your vacation through a third party supplier, such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies, Disney is not responsible for any change/cancellation fees imposed by these outside entities. This policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.
When changing your travel dates, all monies paid to Disney will be transferred to your new reservation. Any free offers or discounts associated with your original reservation will not be applicable to the rescheduled package/room. There is no guarantee of availability for the same accommodations for the new dates. This policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.
If you have air travel as part of your Disney vacation package, Disney will try to reschedule it but you will be responsible if the airline imposes change/cancellation fees.
The above policies only apply to Walt Disney Travel Co. Magic Your Way Packages. It is not in effect for youth, sports or other group or special event rooms/packages or for meetings/conventions.

 

[Nie0214]

This was listed at the top of the page. It makes me not worry..

Disney's hurricane policy applies as follows:

If the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for Orlando or your place of residence no more than 7 days prior to your arrival date, you can change your Magic Your Way Package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without cancellation or change fees. This policy also is in effect for Disney's Hilton Head and Vero Beach Resorts


If you have booked elements of your vacation through a third party supplier, such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies, Disney is not responsible for any change/cancellation fees imposed by these outside entities. This policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.
When changing your travel dates, all monies paid to Disney will be transferred to your new reservation. Any free offers or discounts associated with your original reservation will not be applicable to the rescheduled package/room. There is no guarantee of availability for the same accommodations for the new dates. This policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.
If you have air travel as part of your Disney vacation package, Disney will try to reschedule it but you will be responsible if the airline imposes change/cancellation fees.
The above policies only apply to Walt Disney Travel Co. Magic Your Way Packages. It is not in effect for youth, sports or other group or special event rooms/packages or for meetings/conventions.

Oh nice. Do you have to have their trip insurance for this though?

I wouldn't mind upgrading to AKL and going in November instead.

 

[all4fun]

this image is from weather.com

We were at WDW a few years ago when Hurricane Jeanne (a Cat-2) hit. The parks were closed for the day and everyone had to stay indoors. There was some damage so the next day a few attractions were closed. We never felt we were in danger while the storm was occurring since we were in a Disney resort, and they were built with hurricanes in mind (as I would hope that most hotels in Florida would be!). We had AP's so I don't know if they compensated any one with regular passes for the "lost" day. Having had this experience, I don't think we would allow a incoming hurricane to stop of us from taking our trip, unless of course, it was going to hit on our arrival day. We have been advised that it is always a good idea to buy travel insurance when planning on going to Florida during hurricane season.

 

[CastleChick]

these hurricanes are starting to worry me also. I am just hoping that after Hanna they take a break we are arriving sept 20th for our first visit.

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I know everyone is worried about the hurricanes but can you explain to me what is going on. We are flying in from Canada on September 10th-17th any information would be good because I can't make heads or tails of the radar they are showing.

I'm flying in on the 10th as well... leaving the 16th... I can't stop watching the weather!

 

[luvsJack]

OP, I live in the area that has to deal with watching these things constantly and I still am not always sure of what I am seeing on the radar or with projected paths. Keep this in mind though, the "projected path" is the path they expect the eye of the storm to take. The "landfall" is the pinpointed spot the eye will cross when it comes across land. A hurricane is usually quite large, so even if landfall is in another area Orlando could be effected by a storm. Gustav is coming ashore in Houma La. which is west of NOLA, I am in Hattiesburg MS which is 2 hours or so NE of NOLA; and I am watching hard rains and some strong winds from the storm out my window.

I don't say this to scare you or discourage your trip; I would just hate for you to be expecting clear skies only to get there and it be bad weather. If possible, try to get a Orlando local weather report (maybe finding a local Orlando station's website) rather than a national forecast of the storm. That way you can get some information on what Orlando expects from the storm. Even that may change as the storm turns or chooses another path but at least you can be somewhat prepared. With Orlando being inland sometimes the national forecasts aren't very accurate in saying what they can expect.

I wouldn't cancel, WDW seems to have their stuff pretty together when dealing with these things.

All that said and even with me saying I wouldn't cancel: Hurricane season is why we always go at Thanksgiving, free dining was soo tempting but DH didn't want to take a chance of having that extra worry. Of course that's why free dining is offered when it is, right?

Oh and we checked the hurricane policy when we were trying to decide the dates of our trip. It was our understanding that this policy is seperate from the vacation insurance that is offered and that the policy would be take effect whether you have the insurance or not.

 

[momma of 2]

We leave michigan on the 8th and then leave orlando the 12th. I am extremly nervous about flying. I, for some reason, am not worried at all about the rain once we get there. I do not like flying to begin with and to fly into a storm that worries me. I could just be stupid about this whole thing. We never have to deal with hurricanes where we leave so I really do not know what to expect.

 

[Nie0214]

They would fly around the storm gusts, it will probably just make your flight longer.

 

[momma of 2]

Does that make me silly for worrying more about the flight then the trip itself.

 

[shane&jakesmom]

Either way hurricanes or not bring a poncho, this time of year it rains everyday anyway. As for hurricanes It looks like WDW wont be too affected by Hannah until she makes a turn into central Fl. Yes you will be getting a lot of rain from it probably but nothing severe like wind damage. Good Luck
Hannah will be gone by 9/10

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

I am not considering cancelling my trip and the rain won't stop us from going into the parks, I am sure we will all have a great time in our poncho's. lol