Going to WDW this week with IVAN?

[RoLaren]

my point in setting up this thread was to find out who is going and garner some support for those of us who are continuing with our trips.

Sorry, didn't mean to step on that with my post.

Good luck to everyone who is still going, hope it all works out and your trips are good!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Leaving 6:15am monday morning if jetBlue doesn't cancel us.

I've read Mary's warnings, and I think that it's somewhat premature, and uncalled for. I'm supposed to come in on the 13th and leave on the 23rd. That's plenty of time that I have every confidence that I won't get stuck down there.

The problem is getting down there.

Please Ivan. For the love of god, and all that's holy - go away. We really don't need you.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by stina
i did read the mousesavers post and while i appreciate opinions, and certainly acknowledge her feelings about the situation, i felt that the message was a bit sensationalist. the attitude of the message was "don't come here or you'll die." i'm not trying to be argumentative here, just offer my feelings. i'm not sure what "facts" are presented in her statement. her opinion is "Because of the potential threat presented by Hurricane Ivan, if you have plans to visit Orlando between September 12-16, you should reschedule. This hurricane has the potential to be a killer!" she is suggesting rescheduling based on potential not absolute certainty. i have been reading various weather reports and news reports all day long. there are different and uncertain takes on the hurricane path and none of them ever said, don't travel to florida.

i have felt conflicted these past few days about staying or going.
i have family that live in florida and we have already discussed the situation and they themselves felt i should continue with the trip.

I am really surprised your family feel that you should continue with your trip. Are they in an area that has been hit or damaged by Charley & Frances? My family in NY wants me to leave my home & come up to them..oppiste feelings. Have you gone onto the www.myflorida.com site or the www.FloridaDiaster.org site
They aren't saying not to come but they are giving warnings & they are in a level 1 alert. Here is a copy & paste from the diaster site....
State Emergency Operations Center - Florida EOC
Hurricane Ivan - Current Level of Activation: EOC Level 1

EOC Web CamState Emergency Response Team LOGO
Hurricane Ivan SERT Tracker | Governor's Executive Order | Presidential Disaster Declaration Request
**Today's Message:**
As the relief efforts for Bonnie, Charley and Frances continue, the State of Florida has begun evacuations of the Florida Keys in preparation for Hurricane Ivan. It is too early to accurately predict where Ivan will make landfall, and Governor Bush and State Emergency Management Officials urge Floridians to listen to local authorities and follow their instructions to safety as Ivan approaches. The state has a strong network of experienced local public safety and emergency personnel who have proven their ability to create and implement plans for safe, orderly evacuations. Florida faces this challenge with the help of disaster response workers from 25 states, working with our own emergency team to enhance ongoing relief efforts and prepare the people of our state for Ivan. Governor Jeb Bush and State Emergency Management officials are urging residents to prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Ivan.

CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE IVAN EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN JAMAICA TONIGHT
At 5 PM EDT Friday, Hurricane Ivan was located at latitude 17.0 north and longitude 76.2 west, or approximately 635 miles southeast of Key West . Ivan is currently moving west-northwest near 13 mph. Ivan remains a dangerous category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds measured at 140 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles. Ivan's current forecast track brings the system south of Cuba Sunday, where slight intensification is possible in a region of warm water and weak shear. Then, the storm is forecast to enter the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Monday. After this time period, computer models diverge; therefore, interests in the state of Florida should stay aware of the latest information on Hurricane Ivan. A mandatory evacution of the Florida Keys is in effect. All Floridians should heed the advice of their local officials during the next several days as Ivan possibly approaches the Florida Keys on Sunday. Prepare and stay aware, and be ready to take action to protect life and property.

Mary Warings message isn't way off. She isn't just giving her "opinion", she is stating facts. Ivan has killed many people already. I want to say more than Charley & Frances & it hasn't even hit land in the US yet. Roads are washed out here, they are flooded & bogged down with people trying to get out of her & you are comfortable? I am not being nasty, just in shock. If I weren't here, I wouldn't come... I am here & want out & can't get out.. I will get stuck in traffic & end up running out of gas...then chancing not getting any. You really should rethink what Mary is saying.... watch the weather channel. No one is saying not to come...but they are saying for some to leave.

 

[hannacanna]

thanks for the info, amickeyfan...

i guess if i was driving, i would feel differently about being on the roads and needing gas and what-not. i would feel bad contributing to a traffic problem for people trying to evacuate.

i would DEFINATELY be cancelling my trip if i was going to the coast, the keys, tampa...staying in a house on the shore would be stupid when everyone else is evacuating. but i hear that the hotels are built pretty solid and i won't be travelling in the storm, so for me, i'm still going.

i guess why i keep replying to this thread is just to join in with the people who are not cancelling their trips and who have decided to weather the storm.

 

[seashoreCM]

There are pros and cons both ways. Generally, if you are not here [at WDW] you should cancel, if you are here, you should feel free to stay.

You will almost certainly be safe, although bored, at WDW during the storm.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

"Out of the frying pan into the fire"
... About the family (hopefully this story is totally fictitious) who cut short their WDW vacation before the storm and tried to flee, didn't get far (no gas? flight cancelled?), and had to hunker down in some much more expensive less magical hotel room.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

Hmm..... As I look at the charts and maps on noaa.gov, it seems that it will be well out of the way by the time we're scheduled to get there (9-ish on Wedmesday night).

Should I not be trusting this chart? Do these things usually slow waaaaaaay down when they get into the Gulf?

Seems to me that if Ivan's in/near Orlando, that the airport would be open by Wednesday night....is that unrealistic?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by hannacanna
thanks for the info, amickeyfan...

i guess if i was driving, i would feel differently about being on the roads and needing gas and what-not. i would feel bad contributing to a traffic problem for people trying to evacuate.

i would DEFINATELY be cancelling my trip if i was going to the coast, the keys, tampa...staying in a house on the shore would be stupid when everyone else is evacuating. but i hear that the hotels are built pretty solid and i won't be travelling in the storm, so for me, i'm still going.

i guess why i keep replying to this thread is just to join in with the people who are not cancelling their trips and who have decided to weather the storm.

The hotels in WDW are pretty much safe, but you can get stuck here with airports closed. There will be a shortage of food & supplies. Yes, Disney has bounced back fast each time, I hope if Ivan roams into that area, it bounces back fast again.. I want to get there myself

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by SomeSayImGoofy
Hmm..... As I look at the charts and maps on noaa.gov, it seems that it will be well out of the way by the time we're scheduled to get there (9-ish on Wedmesday night).

Should I not be trusting this chart? Do these things usually slow waaaaaaay down when they get into the Gulf?

Seems to me that if Ivan's in/near Orlando, that the airport would be open by Wednesday night....is that unrealistic?

Thanks,

Kevin

If Ivan stalls, he can be around awhile. If you had tracked Frances, it came much later than first predicted & yes, the parks & airport were closed for more than one day. Frances was a fast moving storm that turned slow. Charley came in fast. It is really hard to say exactly what day & time it will get to where it is heading... Last week Frances was to hit on Friday & the worst didnt' get to Orlando until Sunday.... something to think about...

 

[Feralpeg]

For those of you staying at a Disney hotel, you will most certainly be safe. I stayed at AKL during Frances and was never worried about being safe. Will you be bored? Absolutely! Even though Disney tried their best to provide entertainment, it was a long boring weekend. We checked in on Friday and out on Monday. From Friday night until Monday morning, we were not allowed to leave the hotel. I don't think I'd want to spend a couple of days of my vacation that way if I could possibly reschedule. JMO.

Someone asked if Disney wants you to come or not. When I made the reservation on Wednesday, the only rooms they had left were concierge. On Thursday, I tried to call to confirm our reservation. A recorded message said that there were no rooms available in any of the WDW resorts for the weekend. When we checked in, people were checking out like crazy. I asked the CM about it and she told me that they had rooms but they were not taking any more reservations. They would take care of the guests they had, but they really didn't want additional guests at that time. They were very short staffed during the actual storm. A group of CMs were there as the rideout crew. They took turns sleeping and being on duty. While we were there, there was no housekeeping service. The restaurants were open during certain hours, but did not have their normal menus. The concierge lounge was only open Friday night and part of the day on Saturday.

So, if you plan on riding out the storm in a Disney hotel, be prepared for less service than normal. And, plan on being BORED!

 

[minniegidget]

If Ivan stays on the path that is on now. With the winds at what it is now how would Orlando be affected. Dont get me wrong I am worried about Ivan in Tampa My sisters daughter lives in Tampa. I am due to fly out on Sunday and as long as southwest will take me I will go. From what it looks like now Ivan will be in Cuba Sunday. How would that affect Olando.

 

[Feralpeg]

They just reported the latest from the hurricane center. If it stays on track, Ivan will pass over Cuba as a category 5 with 160+ mph winds. It currently has winds of 155 mph. It would pass over the keys as a category 4. It should make landfall near Tampa with 140+ mph winds at around 2am Tuesday. It would pass to the west of Orlando at around 2pm Tuesday. It would eventually track across Tallahassee with winds of 130+ mph. Orlando would get tropical storm force winds between 50 and 74 mph. Should it track further west, that would be great for central Florida. If it tracks a little to the east, Orlando will get the 100+ mph winds. Still too early to know exactly. Anyway you look at it, it's not going to be fun.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by minniegidget
If Ivan stays on the path that is on now. With the winds at what it is now how would Orlando be affected. Dont get me wrong I am worried about Ivan in Tampa My sisters daughter lives in Tampa. I am due to fly out on Sunday and as long as southwest will take me I will go. From what it looks like now Ivan will be in Cuba Sunday. How would that affect Olando.

The storm can change paths without warning... When Charley was headed up to Tampa, it was suppose to be going to Tampa... not Lee/Charlotte. It was suppose to exit out by north FL, not go thru Arcadia, Orlando & out Daytona... that is how it can affect Orlando once again. the eye of Frances was suppose to pass over Orlando, but it went south of it... and Orlando was spared the damage they expected... so one really never knows. It just isn't worth the gamble in my opinion. I wouldn't want to spend $1000's to sit in a 14x20 room for 2 days with limited supplies & things to do.... This debate will go on as long as WDW & Hurricanes exist... there are those who will chance & those who won't... I won't. If you had to sit thru a hurricane, your thougths would be different too. My sister thought I was crazy when I told her to board up for Frances, she kept saying ..it won't be bad etc.. well, part of her town was under mantatory evac. Her house came thru with minor damage, the street my mom lives on... my mom's house was one of the few that didn't have a tree thru it. She was without phones & electric for (just) 2 days. She is experiencing the food & gas shortage that I have been....her thoughts have changed on hurricanes now... like I said, you need to really experience it to see what some of us are saying...:space:

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

We're torn. At this point we're planning on going. We've got reservations at the POP for Tuesday night through Sunday. At this point we are planning on going through with the ressies - just maybe arriving later than planned - we live in middle Georgia. It appears that the storm would be headed this way after it makes landfall, so we'll get it either way. By the time it gets here, it will be much weaker. We're waiting until Monday - or even Tuesday to make a decision. I called Disney last week and we could take a day off our reservation without penalty. If we stay here another day then leave, we'll make sure we don't have any damage. But we're in wait and see mode. My 2 1/2 year old son is going to be way disapponted. He can't wait to "see Mickey!" That doesn't compare to all the folks in Florida though. We were only planning on being in the parks for 2 days - Thursday and Friday. We're hoping to be okay. I'll just say this - we are praying this it doesn't effect anyone. I'm a United Methodist Minister and people say I have a greater connection to God. I don't believe I have any greater connection than anyone else. So, I would just encourage everyone to pray. Florida has had enough! God, send this thing out in the Atlantic and don't effect anyone.

God bless & Go Noles - always a fan - even if we lose to Miami!
Mark

 

[Uncleromulus]

Look what happened in Jamaica--the hurricane took an "unexpected wobble" and briefly went SOUTH west!! The Weather Channel lady this AM pronounced herself "amazed" how that could have happened.
Indeed.
They really can't be sure of anything with these storms, unfortunately--

 

[Mymatisse]

My husband and I are flying in on Monday for our honeymoon. I've been keeping up with the boards and saw the Mousavers warning and I understand that a hurricane is indeed a scary thing and cause for alarm. What is really bothering me is that no reputible weather/ news source has stated anywhere that Orlando could potentially be in the path of the storm. The Keys are already evacuated, and those in Miami are on alert but right now it's going towards the Grand Cayman and west.

I understand that hurricanes are unpredictible and can change direction but again there have been no idication from a weather organization that Orlando is in any real danger yet. As much as I enjoy reading the Disney info sites I would highly suggest basing a decision to travel or not on the information that the weather channel and other weather/news outlets provide. At least that's what we are going to do.

 

[jiggerj]

Originally posted by Mymatisse
My husband and I are flying in on Monday for our honeymoon.

Just wanted to say congrats! My dh and I honeymooned at Disney too! Good luck!

 

[Mish]

We were supposed to leave today and I changed our plans, We will be leaving next Saturday instead.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

http://a.www.orlandoweather.com/index.html#

When clicking on this site, go to the storm tracker site & click on Ivan, When looking at the path of Ivan, it is still following in Charley's steps. Once it shows Ivan's, then click to Charley's & you will see what I am saying & why I am freaking out saying what I am saying. I know anything can happen & what are the chances of lighting striking twice in the same place... (fyi at my house lighting has struck it twice causing a major appliance each time to blow, so it can happen)

I would also like to take this time to say in just a few minutes or so, it will be 3 years that our country was attacked. My heart still goes out to all the friends, family's & victims involved, as well as all the heros who risked their lives to save others. NY is where I was born & lived for 33 years (most of my life). I may be living in FL now, but my heart is in NY.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

For those who believe in this process...I believe we should start a pray chain! For Everyone!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Originally posted by Carrie Ellis
For those who believe in this process...I believe we should start a pray chain! For Everyone!

Carrie, count me in on that prayer chain. Feels like I have been doing heavy-duty praying since Bonnie...and now pray for us as we are finally OFF to the THE MOUSE!!!!