Frances! Who is still going this weekend?

[iluvflorida]

As my name says I luv Florida. However, Please do not even think of going this weekend. I know Disney and Florida is Magic but that Magic is not worth risking your lives or even a very mesirable time (no electricity, cancellation, traffic jams, sitting in air ports etc, etc.) Kids may be disapointed but I would rather deal with disappointment at home than disappointment in the misery of trying to survive in Hurricane. Or worse having someone hurt or heaven forbid, killed. If you are flying you are not getting to Orlando past noon Friday as it is closed.

Resedule or cancel. Even if you lose money it is better than being hurt etc. Even if it turns you will be better off.

They don't issue the largest evacuation order in history for Florida if they are not worried

 

[Brenner965]

Originally posted by TiggerStac
I am in the process of rescheduling for 9/23 - 9/26. It won't be our anniversary trip anymore...as our 3 year old will now be joining us

It will still be your anniversary trip!

My wife and I just had our 20th anniversary get-away and our 14 year old daughter ended up joining us at the last minute.

After all, what would our marriage be if we didn't have her?

We cherished every moment.

I'll bet you will too!

 

[Brenner965]

Originally posted by iluvflorida
[BResedule or cancel. Even if you lose money it is better than being hurt etc. Even if it turns you will be better off.

They don't issue the largest evacuation order in history for Florida if they are not worried [/B]

We were scheduled to visit WDW this holiday weekend and I think this is great advice.

I doubt if anyone will any money if they follow the proper cancellation procedures.

We did and now have full refunds from both WDW and Continental airlines.

 

[tigger2on]

These are people who live ther so those even
thinking of going.... think about it.

"If you love yourself and your family... get out while you can!!"

"Anyone who is thinking of riding it out are either off their medication or need to be on some!"

"Are you kidding.... this is my home... my world... but it's not worth my life! I'm getting the hell out of here!"

Though they also say Frances could veer off course at anytime... it could also go inland!!!! No garantees here!!!

Good luck with your choices!!

 

[tifandjim]

well, we have a ressie for sunday night and were supposed to be driving home on Sat....So i called and had Sat night added to the resort stay, and we may not leave until Monday. I have a friend that lives in orlando, and i have been talking to her, on and off, all day. She is somewhat concerned. she and her husband( who is recovering from a brain tumor and in a wheelchair) moved to orlando 3 years ago, and have no family down there with them. They were looking forward to having us there for a week, and I know that they will need some support after the storm blows through. Not to mention, that she may need supplies that i might be able to take to her. her closest family is back in VA with me, over 11 hours away. Hopefully, i will be able to go to help her out, even though I may have to miss any trips to the parks. Please pray for her safety through all of this.

 

[Julia M]

Originally posted by April76



When Charley was upon us, MCO closed the day it hit Florida and then it took about 2 days to catch up with all the folks who were stranded -- many folks were stuck until the airline could find a way to get them out of Florida.

I wish I had more "cheerful" information, but I just wanted to let you all know that the air traffic can be affected over several days once Frances hits Florida.

(Crossing my fingers for all of you that Frances takes a turn away and out to sea -- it would sure save all of us a lot of trouble)

We were scheduled to fly out of Orlando on Saturday August 14.....the day after Charley.

Don't believe it took "about 2 days" to catch up with all the folks who were stranded with Charley. We were told by our airline they couldn't get us out until Wednesday!!

My dh ran around and found an airline that sent us out of Miami on Sunday..........but, we paid $2100 for airline tickets, $85 to rent a car and $110 to spend the night in Miami. Not to mention hanging around the airport Saturday, until it was finally confirmed our flight was a "no go", running around trying to find a rental car and then driving for almost 5 hours.

We had paid almost $600 for our tickets via SWA, which was supposed to be refunded. We have been getting one ticket refunded every 3-4 days........I have already spent hours on the phone, and each time I talk to an agent, they wonder why our refunds have kept stopping, they put through another "order", and one more gets through.

We tried to fly out early, but SWA kept telling us our flight wasn't cancelled, and we would pay the current rate to leave a day early. In retrospect, it would have been cheaper, but we never imagined it would take us 4 days to get a flight!

I'm not trying to complain......it's certainly not anyone's fault that these things happen. I am just trying to point out that it can be very difficult to leave, if your vacation is nearing it's end.

Julia

 

[Suzanne74]

I doubt if anyone will any money if they follow the proper cancellation procedures.

Well - there is a good chance we are losing money - we rented points thru a DVC member via travel company and that company has been closed due to Frances (stationed in Miami) and I have left messages for the renterawaiting call back. DVC and Disney can't do anything for me even though the reservation # is in their system and in my name. So right now, I might be losing a lot of hard earned money.

With that said, we did have a chance to take a flight out tonight but we knew not to. I saw the news w/ everyone trying to get OUT of Florida and I thought - how dumb would I feel walking into MCO with my 3 yr old to get INTO Florida. I couldn't do it no matter how much money we spent. My childs safety is first and formost in my life.

I would like to add that for all the times I have talked to Disney today - no one encouraged me not to come and when I talked about my Cinderella ressie for 9/9 - one CM said - ah, you gotta be here for that, things will be fine by then. Another said - well we will hold tight and keep things status quo. Status quo may make people think - well one day in the hotel and then off to the parks again. So I do understand some people may not be informed correctly.

WEll, I do have a flight back into Orlando on Monday via SWA. Now obvously if it hits directly and it is a mess, we aren't going to bother but I wanted to reserve a flight just in case things are up and running again and Frances didn't impact the area. Maybe I can get most of my Sat to Sat vacation in.

Who knows - it is a waiting game and I do agree that everyones tensions are high. People are on different wavelengths all over the country. I cried a few times today about my trip only to stop and think - well at least I am safe and then feeling guilty when I thought about Floridians and what they could go thru.

It is down to a Cat 3 and I am praying it just keeps going down - for everyones sake. Florida - I am praying for you and will keep you in my thoughts.

 

[HauntedMansionFreak]

We arrived in sunny, beautiful Kissimmee/Orlando about 6 hours before Charley hit. Didn't think it was going to be bad at all. Although there were some scary moments in the storm, we were staying in a house that I felt was good and sturdy. It ended up with minimal damage. Trees blowed down in the yard - big ones (caught them on video tape!) but no major damage to the home.

Now........

When the storm was 'over' we, as tourists, thought that was it. HA!!!!!!!

We had no electricity, very little food, couldn't drink (or boil) the water, no gas was anywhere within a 50 mile radius.........

We went to get a few supplies once we arrived, but of course the shelves were empty. We were without power from Friday until early Monday morning - it was HOT and MUGGY, especially trying to sleep. Couldnt swim because there was no power to filter the pool which was trashed from debris anyway.

We ran out of food by Saturday night. The food in the fridge spoiled (no power and no where to get ice) and there was NOTHING open. It was a deserted ghost town down there. And (forgive me FL residents) the people were driving like maniacs. The traffic lights were not working and although you are supposed to treat them like a 4-way stop, people were speeding straight through them - it was crazy.......and the ones we saw mostly had FL tags! You would think they would KNOW the procedure! There were constantly sirens of emergency vehicles from daily crashes at these intersections. To me, those people were far more dangerous than the storm.

We drove over 30 miles to find a Waffle House that was open - they were out of food - people had been stealing it....we drove to another one (WH was the only thing open) and they only had hash browns left so that was our supper. There was NO FOOD anywhere. I felt like I was in a 3rd world country. We saw lines of people driving from one restaurant to another.....looking for some place to eat. It was so, so sad.

When gas stations finally did open they were lined up for over a mile with people trying to get gas.....after hours of waiting, some had to be turned away when the gas ran out.

So....if any of you want to go - don't just think about the storm - consider its after effects too. Honestly, unless I wanted to starve - I'd rent a U-Haul and fill it with food and supplies for my stay because I guarantee you're gonna need it.

Despite it all, we still managed to pull our vacation off as best we could......but there is NO WAY IN H3LL I'd go there this weekend with them still recovering from the 1st hurricane and an even BIGGER one on the way.

Sure, you can probably make it through the storm ok...........it's the surviving part that comes afterwards thats the hard part. Why not just camp in your back yard.......it would be just as fun.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFreak
We arrived in sunny, beautiful Kissimmee/Orlando about 6 hours before Charley hit. Didn't think it was going to be bad at all. Although there were some scary moments in the storm, we were staying in a house that I felt was good and sturdy. It ended up with minimal damage. Trees blowed down in the yard - big ones (caught them on video tape!) but no major damage to the home.

Now........

When the storm was 'over' we, as tourists, thought that was it. HA!!!!!!!

We had no electricity, very little food, couldn't drink (or boil) the water, no gas was anywhere within a 50 mile radius.........

We went to get a few supplies once we arrived, but of course the shelves were empty. We were without power from Friday until early Monday morning - it was HOT and MUGGY, especially trying to sleep. Couldnt swim because there was no power to filter the pool which was trashed from debris anyway.

We ran out of food by Saturday night. The food in the fridge spoiled (no power and no where to get ice) and there was NOTHING open. It was a deserted ghost town down there. And (forgive me FL residents) the people were driving like maniacs. The traffic lights were not working and although you are supposed to treat them like a 4-way stop, people were speeding straight through them - it was crazy.......and the ones we saw mostly had FL tags! You would think they would KNOW the procedure! There were constantly sirens of emergency vehicles from daily crashes at these intersections. To me, those people were far more dangerous than the storm.

We drove over 30 miles to find a Waffle House that was open - they were out of food - people had been stealing it....we drove to another one (WH was the only thing open) and they only had hash browns left so that was our supper. There was NO FOOD anywhere. I felt like I was in a 3rd world country. We saw lines of people driving from one restaurant to another.....looking for some place to eat. It was so, so sad.

When gas stations finally did open they were lined up for over a mile with people trying to get gas.....after hours of waiting, some had to be turned away when the gas ran out.

So....if any of you want to go - don't just think about the storm - consider its after effects too. Honestly, unless I wanted to starve - I'd rent a U-Haul and fill it with food and supplies for my stay because I guarantee you're gonna need it.

Despite it all, we still managed to pull our vacation off as best we could......but there is NO WAY IN H3LL I'd go there this weekend with them still recovering from the 1st hurricane and an even BIGGER one on the way.

Sure, you can probably make it through the storm ok...........it's the surviving part that comes afterwards thats the hard part. Why not just camp in your back yard.......it would be just as fun.

Very well said.

 

[PAFamily]

Call me crazy, but we canceled everything and booked a last minute trip to Disneyland! It actually is going to cost us less then our trip to the World, even though its cross county.

This trip was for my daughter's 5th birthday and she was so upset about missing out on Disney that we had to try to find an alternative. Its not the Poly Conceirge, but there is always next year (or in my case, I have already starting planning a trip in December...)







Disneyland (1980)
Disneyworld many trips (1976-1994) Contemporary Hotel and off site
2002 Old Key West
2003 WL
2004 Supposed to be the Poly Conceirge- thanks a lot Frances!!!!
2004 Poly or AKL?

 

[Magickndm]

And (forgive me FL residents) the people were driving like maniacs. The traffic lights were not working and although you are supposed to treat them like a 4-way stop, people were speeding straight through them - it was crazy.......and the ones we saw mostly had FL tags!

No offense taken since these were probably tourists, rental cars have FL tags.

 

[SherGoof]

I agree with HAUNTED/MANSION FREAK - We were also there during Charley and you don't want to be there during the after effects.

We were very lucky and our hotel only lost electricity for a few hours (Liki Tiki in Kissimmee). Gas stations will most likely have no gas and if they do no electric to run the pumps. Everything shuts down (it's like our blizzards in the Northeast). If you don't have it now, your not going to get it. So anyone thinking they'll beat the storm, mayble they will, but they will not be prepared once they get there. Alot of restaurants two days after Charley were still closed, whether it was because of electricity or down trees blocking the way. Traffic will be horrendous also (we sat over an hour to go one mile on the day of Charley (and on a lighter note that was with a dh who had just quit smoking!)).

It's not a vacation - plan for another and spend the time looking forward to hopefully Safe/Sunny Florida. Give the rooms to the residents of Florida, who will need cover.

A friend of mine cancelled - they were set to fly out Wednesday 8/31 - she cancelled and recouped everything but a 100.00 per ticket on her airline tickets - she felt it was a small price to pay for keeping her family safe. They've made plans to go the end of October and are looking forward to being there at a different time of year instead (note: all discounts still applied).

Be safe!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Originally posted by tifandjim
well, we have a ressie for sunday night and were supposed to be driving home on Sat....So i called and had Sat night added to the resort stay, and we may not leave until Monday. I have a friend that lives in orlando, and i have been talking to her, on and off, all day. She is somewhat concerned. she and her husband( who is recovering from a brain tumor and in a wheelchair) moved to orlando 3 years ago, and have no family down there with them. They were looking forward to having us there for a week, and I know that they will need some support after the storm blows through. Not to mention, that she may need supplies that i might be able to take to her. her closest family is back in VA with me, over 11 hours away. Hopefully, i will be able to go to help her out, even though I may have to miss any trips to the parks. Please pray for her safety through all of this.

Keep in mind that Monday will still be a very bad day to travel, especially drive!

And to drive NORTH, into the very slow moving storm may be a bad idea.

I understand the concern for people with health issues, but also know that depending on where this hits and what is affected, you may have a hard time driving around Central Florida for a couple days after the winds die down.

I am glad to see that people are realizing the gravity of this situation and putting their lives and the lives of their loved ones before their love of Disney or the worry of their kids' disappointment.

I'd rather have a disappointed kid, than a dead one. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is what we are dealing with. And yes, the hurricane will still be quite deadly when it passes almost directly over WDW.

Ted

 

[MrsJWB]

We were scheduled to check in today at 3 . . . my dh forced me to call Weds and reschedule (I was going to try and hold out to the last minute, ever the optimist) . . . good thing he did. We're now sched to check in 9/9 . . . got all my PS rescheduled except CRT, OF COURSE. I just hope there's no damage . . . the WDW people were very, very nice and very accomodating. Ooops, just realized I need to re-do my timer . . . LOL My prayers are with all in Florida

 

[sters]

WHY would anyone go, you ask? For the ADVENTURE of it, to be part of history! Even if I wouldn't choose to experience it, I can certainly understand why some people would WANT to see the force of nature's fury, especially if you originate from parts of the world that don't have hurricaines. Sort of a vacation "bonus," if you will. I'm sure any lost days at the theme parks would be compensated, as with Charley. As long as there is no mandatory evacuations one is violating and getting home is not an issue, why NOT? Let the flames begin!

 

[LglBlonde]

Okay Sters - we know you are just "sterring" up trouble.

Funny - well, to respond - it's quite obvious - but why risk your life and your family's life? Hurricanes are deadly.

It's not much fun to be stuck w/ no AC, no Food, no Gas, and no where to get those things either.

 

[Moosysmom]

For those thinking of driving, check first please.
The last I heard about 45 minutes ago is they are going to be closing the borders into Florida for people driving in.
The newest track of the storm has it going over Orlando and into Tallahassee.
I'm about 45 minutes west of Orlando of WDW and we are preparing down here as well, especially after Charley.
Anyone here, please stay safe.

 

[HauntedMansionFreak]

<b>WHY would anyone go, you ask? For the ADVENTURE of it, to be part of history! Even if I wouldn't choose to experience it, I can certainly understand why some people would WANT to see the force of nature's fury, especially if you originate from parts of the world that don't have hurricaines. Sort of a vacation "bonus," if you will.</b>


I can understand this to a point. I will admit that Charley was the highlight of our trip. I got video footage like you wouldn't believe. However, when we left for the trip Charley was just a category 1 hurricane and we knew once it hit land it would slow down some. Charley did upgrade to a category 3 (?) by the time it hit. Had it of been that big when we left - well, we never would have left. Frances is just so much more fierce. If you want to go experience a hurricane - wait for a smaller one.

Also, even if you do go - and get through safely......as I posted before.........you have no idea how bad the after effects can be. It's just not worth it.

Also, after going through one myself now - I will refrain from the beautiful state of FL before, during, and after a hurricane in the future even if it means cancelling a trip. I feel I owe that respect to the FL residents. They have enough going on.

That actually reminds me how we felt the day after hurricane Charley - we were driving around looking at the damage (on our way to MK actually) and realized........we get to go home to a nice, clean, cool house when this is over - these people will be cleaning this up for months.

Even though I was there I know I still cant fully understand the effect of it because I dont 'own' property there (or live there). We saw it a vacation bonus that made us say 'wow' a hundred times. They saw it as their life and belongings- blown away.

It's just best to stay away until these folks can get some sort of organization going again....IMO.

 

[Suzanne74]

We're now sched to check in 9/9 . . . got all my PS rescheduled except CRT, OF COURSE.

keep trying to get ressies for CRT. We actually have them on 9/9 and are hoping to be there by then but I would guess that a lot of people will reschedule. Check 24 hr in advance for sure - you may get an opening. Good Luck!

 

[jwfla422]

I thought they closed MCO? I'm sure Monday will be a major problem there. This storm slowed down A LOT, by an entire day. We've been sitting in our house all day, dd is going Looney Tunes!! At least we have electricity...for now.

The storm is not expected to start into FL until tomorrow afternoon and if it keeps crawling along it will not get through the whole state until Monday at the earliest...so anyone still having thoughts and you're not here yet, you won't be until next week because there won't be any flights coming in nor will you find any gas for your car!