Hurriane Season

[bigbabyblues]

We were there in 2004 for Hurricane Jeanne. I felt safe the entire time. Disney closed the parks early evening and told us when the food court at the resort would officially close and recommended stocking up on food because we weren't allowed to leave the room until they said it was safe. They kept leaving updates on the room's voice mail. The parks were closed the entire next day. When the food court opened up again, it was a madhouse, we saw people stealing.

This was at CBR. Other than being stuck in the room for 24 hours, you would never had known there was a hurricane. Disney is so quick at cleaning things up.

We were there during Jeanne too, at ASMovies. I was very pleased with the way things were handled.

 

[strmtroopr96]

We were there in 2004 for Hurricane Jeanne. I felt safe the entire time. Disney closed the parks early evening and told us when the food court at the resort would officially close and recommended stocking up on food because we weren't allowed to leave the room until they said it was safe. They kept leaving updates on the room's voice mail. The parks were closed the entire next day. When the food court opened up again, it was a madhouse, we saw people stealing.

This was at CBR. Other than being stuck in the room for 24 hours, you would never had known there was a hurricane. Disney is so quick at cleaning things up.

We were also there for Hurricane Jeanne in September 2004, at Pop Century. We were actually scheduled to fly home that Saturday when we learned that the airport was closing down and our flight was cancelled. There was a mad scramble to secure a room for 2 extra nights (luckily we were able to keep our same room) and then we spent the rest of the day in the parks. My mom took my DD to Blizzard Beach and said it was deserted there. I think I ended up at Downtown Disney and bought some sandwiches and snacks.

All the parks closed early and by the time I made it back to Pop, the food court was a zoo because that also would be closing down soon. Guests just emptied the place right out! We were then stuck in our room until the next afternoon when some ventured out into the pool. Later in the evening, the food court reopened with limited offerings. There were also characters doing meet and greets in the lobby which was very nice.

Monday morning, we checked out and headed to the airport which was another madhouse with everyone trying to get a flight and no real direction. Our room was in the Baloo/60's building, overlooking the kiddie pool. There was a small tree uprooted there. Also, the 1970's totem pole thingy by the busses was also partially knocked over.

We also received 4 one day Ultimate Park Hopper passes that I still have sitting here. LOL Always do the Free Dining as a package since so haven't needed to use them. Maybe one day!

 

[dwfanatic]

We were there for Hurricane Charlie. We were staying off property, though at a vacation home. The parks closed early the morning the hurricane was going to hit- I think it was 1 pm. They didn't take away a day from our tickets- basically we got that day free- Animal Kingdom was closed the day after the hurricane. Of course, flights were cancelled that day, but since our flight was at 5:30ish PM, ours wasn't We had breakfast PS's (or ARD'S) at Cape May that morning, but the computers were down-we only waited for 20 minutes or so anyway. THe actual hurricane did do minor damage around WDW- lots of trees down, etc. Driving to the airport we saw a hotel (far from property) that had no roof, signs blown down and other structural damage.

 

[Schmeck]

We arrived at WDW the day after Charlie hit - while Orlando was a mess (lots of debris on the roadsides, many roofs torn off of homes, etc), WDW seemed less damaged. We were told that it had been a mess too, but the cleaning crews were amazing and had most of the resorts and parks cleaned up before re-opening. There were a few small trees uprooted at MGM Studios when we went there the next day.

The main concern was that there were tons of people staying at the resorts during the hurricane - many people were forced to stay an extra night as many flights were cancelled and it was impossible to get a flight out for most of them, even the next day. The food courts were overcrowded, the buses were packed, the parks were very crowded. Not a real problem though, as long as people were safe during the hurricane!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Oct 05 we had a trip to WDW planned but added 3 extra nights because Hurricane Wilma was hitting our hometown (Naples/Marco Island). The day the storm came through they resort (POR) left messages on our room phones giving us an update on the storm, advising us that the parks would be closed etc.

That morning the storm was terrible but by 12 we left the room and went to the main dining hall for food, it was packed but the CMs were great and they brought in characters to entertain the kids.

The parks opened later that afternoon.

 

[mirmartinez]

what about those at FW

 

[Aliceacc]

Good question.

I would imagine they're evacuated to other Disney properties.

Anyone know for sure??

 

[SpaceGirl]

Yes all of Fort Wilderness was evacuated to the other resorts. I seem to remember POFQ and POR were used for most FWC guest.

The biggest difference between the Deluxe resorts and the Moderates and Values are the interior hallways with the Moderates and Values they don't want guest out in the elements. At the deluxe resorts guest can move about more.

I agree as a Floridian I would evacuate to WDW whenever possible during a Hurricane, I have been on property during several storms and Disney knows what they are doing. They also have their own power which is underground and water supply if you have these two items you are in good shape.

 

[Feralpeg]

Actually, by the time Wilma hit the Orlando area, it was only a tropical storm. I know this because I flew into OIA that morning. They stopped all flights just after mine landed. Rough landing!!!!! I drove home in that mess.

The only hurricanes to hit the Orlando area in recent years were Charlie, Frances and Jeanne. During a hurricane, all vehicles other than emergency vehicles are prohibited from being on the roads. That was not the case during Wilma.

I stayed at AKL during Frances. Disney did a wonderful job keeping guests safe and happy.