Hurrican Wilma - Should I Cancel?

[SnackyStacky]

Once the storm has a clearer path, Disney will determine how they're going to handle guests that may be affected by Wilma.

If they determine that it will be a problem, you will probably be able to cancel without penalty with Disney, your airline, and your rental car companies - right up until the very last moment.

If you cancel now, the storm could veer north, south, or west - and you'd be sitting at home while Orlando enjoyed pristine weather.

I went through the same dilemma last year, as our honeymoon started just as Ivan was predicted to come through Orlando. I kept my reservations and enjoyed a crowd free 10 nights.

 

[WDWguru]

As I posted on page one, watch your AIRLINE web sites. Delta has posted a notification today regarding several airports in Florida and Mexico that COULD be affected. They are offering travellers who are going through those airports a waive of change fees right now. So far, Orlando airport is NOT on that list, so that's good enough for me right now. Until my airline thinks the possibility of an airport closure is likely enough to put it on that list, I'm keeping my plans intact.

 

[lovethattink]

Just watching the new now. Titan is predicting that the storm is going to do a loop around the Yucatan and stall and weaken. Also, it has slowed down it's movement and is 12-18 hours behing schedule now.

 

[Shiftgreen]

I just saw that, its amazing how they can predict that, but here is a link that shows the different computer models, and now 2 are in agreement showing the hurricane looping..
http://hurricanes.wral.com/auto/wral/tropical/tracking/at200524_model.html

so it may miss florida all together

 

[micknpluto]

so it may miss florida all together

YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!! KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED!!

 

[back2disney]

I just saw that, its amazing how they can predict that, but here is a link that shows the different computer models, and now 2 are in agreement showing the hurricane looping..
http://hurricanes.wral.com/auto/wral/tropical/tracking/at200524_model.html

so it may miss florida all together

I wouldn't let my guard down yet. Here's a more recent forecast with models.
http://www.skeetobiteweather.com/picservice.asp?t=m&m=24
The key is when or even if the storm begins to head more north than west before it runs into Central America.

 

[DianeV]

Maxine, did you try the KISS rate on Dollar? I got a decent rate

 

[missincredible]

Hi we wanted to add to this post and tell you all that my wife and I had the best time at Disney last year during hurricane Jeanne. We stayed at AKL and we were not allowed to leave during the storm. The cast members were at their finest. They left the restaurant's open till late at night brought in characters for the kids and 2 different bands for the adults. We were up all night everybody was in there pj's dancing,playing cards and having a blast.They offered pizza delivery and a six pack for ten dollars and bag lunches for five dollars. They also opened Jiko for breakfast all you can eat for ten dollars included drink. So we say go have a good time and let disney take care of you like they always do.

 

[micknpluto]

I dont know how to read those weather maps???

Also, if for some reason there is a "H*******E" (shhhhhhh) I wonder if they will bring characters in and all that fun stuff in a value resort like POP?

 

[byoung]

Going on Friday, not going to let Wilma get to me.

 

[ruttie]

actually at the press comference teh nation weather service guy stated that hey do not have planes in the air today so all teh models are based on radar.. everything could change tomorrow AM when they get the first plane up there. he said that starting tomorrow they would be running planes all day but that today they just needed a break. sooo I stopped watching teh news until tomorrow by then who knows.. I have my shutters up and i will be at disney on friday if i cannot come home (becasue of mandatory eveacs in our area)then they will have to accomodate me...
and the person who asked if orlando ever gets eveacuated.. I hope not since that is where most people who have to evacuate head to!

 

[MNSusan]

We have friends who live in Florida (Destin area) and every time they have to evacuate, they evacuate TO DisneyWorld. According to them, its the best place to be in a storm. The wiring is mostly underground, so even if surrounding areas lose power, WDW doesn't. They've even bought into a timeshare so they have a place to stay during hurricanes. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons....

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I live in Lee County (SW FL) and they have canceled school here, Collier County has canceled as well. Our news is saying that there is a chance that it may not hit us now, but they do not want to say for sure. They cannot say because they are unsure of the speed of the storm. If it continues to go slow, it may not make the turn towards us. If it picks up speed it will. They cannot predict what the speed of the storm will be. They are still telling us to prepare for it. I wouldn't jump to any conclusion with this storm. It is still some distance away... and you never know what will or can happen. If you aren't comfortable going, then you cancel. If you want to take a chance of getting stuck here for a day or so, then go. That is basically what it boils down to as of now. They will know more by tomorrow.

 

[bkh4124]

My biggest hurricane-related fear is being trapped somewhere away from home. But from all I've read here, being stranded at a Disney resort would not be a bad thing at all! I suspect the resorts are very well-constructed and would withstand hurricane winds. And, they are going to take care of you, as everyone else has pointed out. Disney has an entire infrastructure of its own, and could probably withstand a bad hurricane with minimal impact. I think I read somewhere that it's never been shut down more than one day because of a hurricane. They have a veritable army of people ready to tidy up and get things going again after a storm.

So I think I'd go on and go if my flight wasn't cancelled, and make the best of it. It may turn out that the crowds are lighter and you have a wonderful time! We were at Magic Kingdom last Saturday and had to leave around 2PM due to the large crowds and the heat. Our little ones just couldn't hang any longer. So any chance for smaller crowds would be appealing to me, even if it's because of a hurricane. I'll be crossing my fingers and wishing for good luck for those of you facing this decision

 

[cdpa4d]

Hey all, check this out. I hope this Orlando TV station is right. Apparently, Wilma is slowing down and weakening; which MAY cause it to take a more southerly track. One computer model has Wilma missing Florida completely.

Let's hope they are right.

Here's the article.

http://www.local6.com/news/5126982/detail.html

 

[sweet maxine]

That would be great! After an exhausting day of rescheduling everything, I'm glad to hear some good news!

 

[cdpa4d]

Phew! I know what you mean. I spent a lot of the day changing my flight, adding a night to my hotel accomodations, and another day to my rental car.
We were going to arrive at MCO on Saturday AM, but I thought Friday would be a better bet to get there, so we are going down early.

By the way, Southwest has lifted the change fee so if you want to change your flights you can without the fee. The only requirement is that seats need to be open on the flights you are changing to.

 

[ruttie]

Phew! I know what you mean. I spent a lot of the day changing my flight, adding a night to my hotel accomodations, and another day to my rental car.
We were going to arrive at MCO on Saturday AM, but I thought Friday would be a better bet to get there, so we are going down early.

By the way, Southwest has lifted the change fee so if you want to change your flights you can without the fee. The only requirement is that seats need to be open on the flights you are changing to.

Okay i am very supportive of everyone coming down and enjoying disney.. and i am hopeful that this is not gonna have any effect on Central Florida.. and i really don;t see any reason to change anything yet.. but i haveto say that the reason they are allowing flights to be chnaged is becasue this is a dangerous situation and could be potentially really bad so if a person wants to cancel and or reschedule they should... I dont; thinkit is intended so that people can change flights to come into an area a few days earlier so that they can ensure that that get the vacation they paid for... I mean yes disney is relatively safe (heck i would not evacuate to them with my kids if i did not think so) but I just never could understand why someone would willingly come into an area where teh potential is there for a serious danger. and on top of that iheaven for help us that it does not happen but if we did have a serious problem our much needed emergency supplies that we would need to use to deal with the lose of power/ homes etc.. would be taxed by those who chose to stay!..
sorry i am venting this has been a great thread and I really do not think anyone should do anything yet as things will be more definitive tomorrow and I am hoping that we have a great weekend! espicially friday night since that is when i will be there with my boys....

 

[Brendita]

I would rather be @ WDW with Wilma.
Than @ work or home right now.
I leave Sat. 10/22/5.
WDW or Bust.

 

[cdpa4d]

Okay i am very supportive of everyone coming down and enjoying disney.. and i am hopeful that this is not gonna have any effect on Central Florida.. and i really don;t see any reason to change anything yet.. but i haveto say that the reason they are allowing flights to be chnaged is becasue this is a dangerous situation and could be potentially really bad so if a person wants to cancel and or reschedule they should... I dont; thinkit is intended so that people can change flights to come into an area a few days earlier so that they can ensure that that get the vacation they paid for... I mean yes disney is relatively safe (heck i would not evacuate to them with my kids if i did not think so) but I just never could understand why someone would willingly come into an area where teh potential is there for a serious danger. and on top of that iheaven for help us that it does not happen but if we did have a serious problem our much needed emergency supplies that we would need to use to deal with the lose of power/ homes etc.. would be taxed by those who chose to stay!..
sorry i am venting this has been a great thread and I really do not think anyone should do anything yet as things will be more definitive tomorrow and I am hoping that we have a great weekend! espicially friday night since that is when i will be there with my boys....

Totally agree.
I've said in the past that if and when the Govenor Bush issues a state of emergency Florida residents take priority over tourists. In fact, about 5 years ago we ran into a situation like this. When we called down to the resort we were scheduled to stay at, they told us they might cancel our reservation to allow Florida residents to occupy the space. This was during a state of emergency. I felt bad about it, but also wanted
the Florida residents (southern Floridians specifically) to be safe.

As you say it is to early to tell, but I figure better safe than sorry.