Do the hotels have generators? Worried about Irma!

[karensi]

Hi, we're scheduled to arrive at the Poly (DVC studio) on Saturday. I was thinking about bringing a candle or 2 in case we lose power due to the possible hurricane. If I knew that the hotel had a generator I won't bring the candles.
Any info?

 

[marauder]

Don't know the answer to the generator question, but I wouldn't suggest candles. The resort may have "issues" with using candles. There are many good LED lanterns and flashlights that will last much longer and be safer.

 

[OKW Lover]

The hotels do not have generators. Disney does have some of its own generation on site, but its a fairly small (~20%) portion of the total electrical load on property.

Candles are not a good idea because of fire concerns.

 

[NS8VN]

WDW resort has a central power emergency generation facility with power lines run underground. They are run underground for two reasons, aesthetics and protection from the elements. The resorts are very unlikely to lose power.

Don't bring candles. If there is a storm bad enough to knock out power to the WDW resort then the last thing first responders need to be dealing with is a false fire alarm. LED flashlights are cheap, sold everywhere, and sip so little power you wouldn't need more than a single set of batteries.

 

[MsThumper]

Yes, please don't bring candles, there are plenty of safer alternatives.

 

[tannerandcatesmom]

Just to ease your mind a bit. We were at the world last October during Matthew. Obviously Irma looks to be more intense. But our experience was as follows:

They announced they were closing the parks at 5pm through text msg, loud speaker announcements, and on MDE at around 11am. We enjoyed the park for a few more hours and then headed back to our resort.

The food court was chaos!! So my suggestion is to stock up prior to the storms arrival. Water, snacks, etc.

The resort did a fabulous job of keeping us informed through the phone msg system. We felt 100% informed and safe. As a matter of fact we slept through the worst of the storm. There was a curfew in place from 8pm until about 11am the next day. They had a shelter in place -our room- that night. We went out around noon and explored our resort, Pop, and AoA, had some lunch and then they announced that Disney Springs would open at 2. We did go but it was so packed we could barely move!!

Disney did a great job keeping us informed and safe! You will be fine! Take rain gear and enjoy the parks as much as possible for as long as you can!! I agree with pp, no candles. Take a flashlight. Our power never flickered.

 

[tink15823]

Hi, we're scheduled to arrive at the Poly (DVC studio) on Saturday. I was thinking about bringing a candle or 2 in case we lose power due to the possible hurricane. If I knew that the hotel had a generator I won't bring the candles.
Any info?

Please don't bring candles . If you have some concerns use a little battery operated lantern .

 

[HopperFan]

Hate to say again .... no candles.

Go to Walmart and grab a handful of their $1 flashlights and a small LED light or windup light. Odds are you will be just fine at Disney so I wouldn't worry about the power there.

 

[G719]

Bring some glowsticks. The ones from the camping section at walmart are brighter and last longer than the ones from the dollar store. These are great to use when the power goes out at home too. I put one in the bathroom and the kids can have one on the nightstand for a nightlight.

 

[karensi]

Thank you all for your replies. Thinking about it and reading your replies I realize that candles are not a good idea and will not be bringing them. Actually, I feel better after reading what PPs had to say and also read some other threads on Irma and I don't think I'll bring anything along those lines. Although I did just order a pair of rain boots for myself from Zappos!
Thanks again!

 

[Aurora0427]

Thank you all for your replies. Thinking about it and reading your replies I realize that candles are not a good idea and will not be bringing them. Actually, I feel better after reading what PPs had to say and also read some other threads on Irma and I don't think I'll bring anything along those lines. Although I did just order a pair of rain boots for myself from Zappos!
Thanks again!

Definitely stock up on food before......

 

[RangerPooh]

We were at WDW in Oct 2004 for Hurricane Jeane. We never lost power, and as a PP said, Disney does a good job about updating guests through the phone system. You might not hear it ring, but watch for the flashing red light to notify you of a message. Also, stock up on snacks. By the time we hit the gift shop at our resort (no car) for food it was practically empty. Pretzels was about the extent that this pregnant woman had to eat until after the storm had passed and guests were allowed access tot he food court-which ran out of food fast!

 

[Polydweller]

Hi, we're scheduled to arrive at the Poly (DVC studio) on Saturday. I was thinking about bringing a candle or 2 in case we lose power due to the possible hurricane. If I knew that the hotel had a generator I won't bring the candles.
Any info?

Last year at the Poly during Matthew every room was given a flashlight just in case. They will take care of you. Even at home you should not use candles. They are a fire hazard that is unnecessary with today's led lanterns.

But, don't worry about having to take care of yourself. Disney will have 'ride out' staff during the storm and you will be well taken care of. Just add some extra food into your room a 24 hrs in advance and you'll be fine.

 

[Aurora0427]

We were at WDW in Oct 2004 for Hurricane Jeane. We never lost power, and as a PP said, Disney does a good job about updating guests through the phone system. You might not hear it ring, but watch for the flashing red light to notify you of a message. Also, stock up on snacks. By the time we hit the gift shop at our resort (no car) for food it was practically empty. Pretzels was about the extent that this pregnant woman had to eat until after the storm had passed and guests were allowed access tot he food court-which ran out of food fast!

Oh goodness. Pretzels and pregnant. I would've been sick. Eating was the only thing that made me feel better pregnant!

 

[Tess]

Just to ease your mind a bit. We were at the world last October during Matthew. Obviously Irma looks to be more intense. But our experience was as follows:

They announced they were closing the parks at 5pm through text msg, loud speaker announcements, and on MDE at around 11am. We enjoyed the park for a few more hours and then headed back to our resort.

The food court was chaos!! So my suggestion is to stock up prior to the storms arrival. Water, snacks, etc.

The resort did a fabulous job of keeping us informed through the phone msg system. We felt 100% informed and safe. As a matter of fact we slept through the worst of the storm. There was a curfew in place from 8pm until about 11am the next day. They had a shelter in place -our room- that night. We went out around noon and explored our resort, Pop, and AoA, had some lunch and then they announced that Disney Springs would open at 2. We did go but it was so packed we could barely move!!

Disney did a great job keeping us informed and safe! You will be fine! Take rain gear and enjoy the parks as much as possible for as long as you can!! I agree with pp, no candles. Take a flashlight. Our power never flickered.

Another Matthew visitor. I felt totally safe in Disney's capable hands. I agree with all @tannerandcatesmom has written.

As I just told someone on another thread--get food items in place BEFORE you need them. We loaded up on sandwiches and goodies from Les Halles prior to EPCOT's closure the day Matthew was to arrive. We really wanted to get a pizza too, but sadly, we ran out of time. The sundries stores will be sold out of everything and it will take a couple days to restock.

If Disney is forced to close as was the case with Matthew, the parks will reopen as quickly as it is safe to do so.

We were in awe at the efficiency with which Disney battened down the hatches pre-hurricane and how quickly the parks were emptied. Then when the parks reopened that there was no evidence that anything untoward had ever occurred.

Agree with everyone else--no candles! I have seen the power fail at Disney in the past. It began at the Contemporary, followed by Polynesian, GF and ultimately MK where you could hear a collective sigh of disbelief, but within seconds--the power was restored. It was a sight to behold though as it was occurring. Power was not lost during Matthew--not even a flicker and through the other hurricanes and tropical storms we have weathered, the power was constant.

Wishing you good luck!

 

[Colleen27]

If you're looking for a cheap alternative to candles, the Dollar Tree has hanging LED lights for a buck each. They aren't camping-grade or anything but they'll do in a pinch and being able to hang them from curtain rods is nice for getting around a room in the dark. We had a multi-day outage here and got by using those hung from curtain rods and from the bathroom light fixtures. But be sure to pick up extra batteries - the ones that come in Dollar Tree electronics are notoriously weak.

 

[karensi]

Thanks again all. Lots of good suggestions. As far as food goes we have a delivery scheduled from WeGoShop for Saturday afternoon but now wondering if/when they will be able to come to us and also if they will even be able to get the food that we've ordered. Thanks for the suggestions to buy from the gift shop or wherever, I'll definitely look into doing that. But again, we're not arriving till Saturday afternoon so we may not be too lucky in that department either.

 

[Best Aunt]

Can I suggest testing whatever flashlights or lanterns you get, particularly if you are getting cheap ones?

I bought a "tap light" at the local Dollar Store, which I had planned to take to Disney with me. (Not for hurricane purposes; I just like to have it on the night stand in case I get up in the middle of the light and can't find the light switch.) I tried it at home and it did not work.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

No hotels allow you to use candles, due to the fire hazard. Bring some battery operated lanterns.

 

[s.r.disney nut]

We were at OKW in 2004 for Hurricane Charley I believe it was. We never lost power, TV signal etc. We felt pretty safe actually. If I remember correctly, they came around and gave flashlights out but we never had to use them.