Departing for Orlando 9th Sept, HELP WHAT IS THE REAL SITUATION THERE?

[john storey]

Can anyone out there help, we are due to travel to Orlando on 9th Sept (this Thursday) for a 14 day vacation. If we are led to beleive the UK media, Florida is almost entirely closed down. All parks are shut down, no petrol, no electricity,no hotel rooms, pretty much like a war zone. I realise that the British media is well known for panic/scare mongering, lets face it doom & gloom is a much better seller than "everything is fine", IS THE SITUATION IN ORLANDO REALLY AS BAD AS THIS? Do we try & cancel or travel as booked? Any helpful input would really be usefull.

 

[BounceyOne]

I wouldn't cancel my trip if it were me. We were there this past weekend for Frances. The parks closed on the day of potential hurricane but are open again. There is gas available, it was scarse for a minute though. The media loves to send people into panic mode.
My family in NY also got scary information from the news.

 

[safetymom]

There is gas. The parks are open. You may encounter some problems because of the Hurricane but no reason to cancel your trip. Come on over to beautiful Orlando.

 

[drusso]

John,

We are arriving on the 10th for 2wks. A little concerned - but hoping for the best. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Denise

 

[RoLaren]

Safetymom, can I ask a question please? Have there been any water safety issues on WDW property, boil water orders, etc? Or any sewage issues?

I just want to know for sure that there is clean running water and working pottys! lol

Thanks for any info you can offer!

 

[laceemouse]

Disney is like its own little city with its own utilities. Any problems should be handled promptly, I don't know if they have ever really lost power as they have no above ground lines to get knocked down. As long as the planes are flying I would go, unless of course there was another storm very close and a high probabilty of it hitting during my stay. Hope all of this is over by our early October trip!

 

[safetymom]

No water or sewer issues at WDW.

 

[Lewisc]

Some of the offsite hotels may have taken a hit. I thought I saw the Marriott by MCO had a lot of damage.

If you're staying offsite you might check and see what kind of shape your hotel is in.

It sounds like the Disney resort fared OK.

 

[zipDdoodah]

John,

We are flying to Orlando from California on Thursday too. From what I've heard, everything should be fine at WDW for the trip. We are watching hurricane Ivan closely and will make our final decision tomorrow morning. I would definitely not cancel if I were you unless it becomes evident that another storm will hit, and we are praying that it won't not only for ourselves but especially for the people of Florida who have already endured way too much.

I say go for it!

 

[ReneeDisney]

Hello. My suggestion would be to call your Disney Resort directly and ask them what them of status of the resort accomodations, food and parks! That will be the best way to ease your mind. Enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[RoLaren]

Originally posted by safetymom
No water or sewer issues at WDW.

Thank you Safetymom! We'll keep watching and waiting.
No doubt if they say they're closing the airport like last weekend, we won't even attempt to come down.

 

[safetymom]

It's a beautiful sunny day in Orlando right now. Just keep an eye on your news for airport closing or visit your airlines website.

 

[Kimberle]

Here is a link to the local newspaper:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/

If you are staying on-site, you should have no problem. Off site, I'd call your hotel to inquire of any damages. Call the local number, not the 800 reservations number.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[RoLaren]

Thank you for the link Kimberle! I have Orlando Sentinal, WESH and other local Orlando TV stations in my favorites!

Still hoping...still hoping...

 

[deba]

Don't cancel your trip. I'm leaving tomorrow Ivan or not.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Kimberle
Here is a link to the local newspaper:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/

If you are staying on-site, you should have no problem. Off site, I'd call your hotel to inquire of any damages. Call the local number, not the 800 reservations number.

Have a wonderful trip!

This is excellent advice. During Charley, Disney resorts took minimal damage to windows and such, all repaired very quickly. The Doubletree Suites in Downtown Disney lost the entire end of the building.

I would definitely call the hotel directly if not staying on Disney property.

If you are staying off property and need to access local markets and such then yes you could be affected.

 

[arizonacolbys]

I would also vote for going on your upcoming trip. Although, it's a little further off - we leave a week from tomorrow for a 12 day Disney Trip. We are very excited to go - it would take a lot to keep us away. Go & have fun!

 

[mousebrat]

We just got back from WDW last night. On property, you will notice that a lot of trees are down. This isn't likely to be an issue at the parks or resorts, but the "undeveloped" areas of the Disney property have taken a beating. It doesn't like like a war zone by any means.

Our families were back here in Texas worried because of the news reports. As you mention, the news stations go for high drama. I don't mean to minimize anybody's situation, but you got lots of shots of reporters standing in the worst winds right on the coast, reporters standing in water on parking lots (they were always in waders like the place was flooded - actually, they would stand at the low point of a parking lot next to the drainage area when the rest of the parking lot was not covered in water), and pictures of battered sheet-metal car ports.

I would not change your plans unless Ivan changes them for you. As for us, though, we will not be planning another trip during hurricane season.

 

[FoodLover]

Originally posted by Sammie
The Doubletree Suites in Downtown Disney lost the entire end of the building.

Actually the damage at the DoubleTree Guest Suites is superficial/non-structural -- the exterior stucco fell off, exposing girders on the back side of the hotel. Looks dramatic from the highway, but it isn't actually a big deal. They only have about 12 suites that are located against the back wall of the hotel closed down. The damage didn't extend into those rooms, but they closed them down so repairs could be done on the outside without disturbing the guests.

Just FYI...

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by FoodLover
Actually the damage at the DoubleTree Guest Suites is superficial/non-structural -- the exterior stucco fell off, exposing girders on the back side of the hotel. Looks dramatic from the highway, but it isn't actually a big deal. They only have about 12 suites that are located against the back wall of the hotel closed down. The damage didn't extend into those rooms, but they closed them down so repairs could be done on the outside without disturbing the guests.

Just FYI...

Mary
MouseSavers.com

Yes it looks very dramatic, and certainly does not look like anything I saw at a Disney resort. We were glad we were at Disney during the storm.