Camping during hurricane season

[bunny]

We just bought a new travel trailer and would love our first long trip to be to FW. The only time we can go, though, is either the last week in August or the week of Thanksgiving. I would love to go the last week in August but I am afraid of encountering a hurricane. My husband's friend lives in Melbourne and he said this year is supposed to be worst than last year. We have been at both times (not camping) and I actually preferred the end of summer. We like to swim and be outside. Also at Thanksgiving it was very crowded and got dark really early. Any insight into the end of August and/or hurricanes is appreciated.

 

[DisneyElf]

I was down at POFQ - during Frances. They brought the campers out of Fort Wilderness and parked them in the lots and the people were put in Riverside or French Quarter (not sure if Disney charged for that).

They will not let you stay there during a hurricane.

 

[Lizziemom]

We arrived the day after the hurricane last August. We went to Fort Wilderness and they gave us a room at Port Orleans - Riverside for 2 days. We did not pay anymore than we had already paid for our campsite. During the entire time we were at POR, they did a great job of keeping us up to date on when the campground would reopen.

When the campground did reopen, we were all lined up in the parking lot, and the staff came to us with 2 way radios back to the office. We did not have to re-register, or even get out of the motorhome. It was very fast and efficient.

I would go again in August, in a minute. I can not time my trip around a hurricane that may never come. The crowds were down at that time of year as many schools are just back in session. People do not pull their kids out of school the first month or so.

Lizzie

 

[auntie]

Sounds like they are pretty well prepared for these things. That's good to know, as we too are considering a late summer trip. Although we love May..my son has already missed too much school this year(apendicitis)..and we are looking at August..but were concerned abou the heat and the possiblity of hurricanes. Thanks for the info.

 

[kparc]

We were at the campgrounds during hurricane Charley last summer. We were in the cabins. The days prior to the hurricane we we kept updated on the potential for one. When Charley was predicted to hit everyone was evacuated to Port Orleans and that was were we stayed until the campground reopened. The trailers were parked in the lot there. We didn't have to pay anything except if we wanted to remain at PO after the campgrounds reopened-- I don't know about those people in trailers or tents. All in all it was very organized and I wouldn't let the fact that it is hurricane season stop me from going during that time. In fact we plan to go back to WDW mid August again this year. The hurricane hardly affected our vacation! ( Unfortuanely you can't say that about the residents of Orlando)

 

[TurnR@TheMouseHouse]

I would say it you have the luxury of waiting things out at FW after a hurricane than it would probably be fine. What everyone has posted about going to FW is true. I experienced Charly 10 miles South of Disney, went to Naples for Francis, was camped at FW during Ivan and Jeanne. Ivan had no effect on Central FL. But with the other three one of the biggest problems was the power outages and getting fuel. The few grocery's that were open were only selling dry goods. No meats, milk, cheese, ice, et. When places started opening to sell fuel the lines were long and sometimes you could wait your turn only to have the pumps empt by the time you made it to one.

It is true that Disney does not loose power due to their underground system. If you have the luxury of staying a FW until things return to normal than it would be no problem, but if you had to leave and there were events like last year it could get difficult if you needed fuel or needed to leave on a schedule.

Disney was fine but anything outside of Disney was a mess. I'm not sure how it was north of Ocala, but I can tell you after Charly, Francis and Jeanne it was like this from Naples to North of Orlando through the entire Central part of the state. When Charly passed it took the people who evacuated to Orlando for Charly 6 to 8 hours to travel 50 to 60 miles back to St Pete and Tampa because Charly decided to hit Orlando instead of it's predicted path to St Pete.

I'm not trying to scare any one. I am a FL Native and have never seen anything like last year. I just want anyone who has never been through a hurricane be aware of the big picture and plan accordingly.

Please don't shoot the messenger. I am just passing on what I know through experience.