I was in Disney with DH and sister, and would like to clear up a few things which occurred during FLoyd. It came out of now where. We arrived on Sunday - and they were talking about it as we picked up our rental car. By Sunday night FLoyd was so large that Florida went into prep mode. It was due within two days.
Parks closed early as did Markeyplace etc on the 'day of arrival. It was due to make landfall around midnight. Tuesday night if I recall. McDonalds was the last place to close and the line ups were long for lunch. It closed at 2pm.
We were at DVM returning back to hotels, us the ASMusic and sister at ASMovie and we were hit with bands of rain and wind while waiting for buses. Yellow pnchos were all the rage.
The stores at Crossroads were packed two days prior with everyone preparing.
The hotels all had notices on your bed at least 3 times a day before its due date, with warnings, actions to take etc.
Pools were drained - not completely but drained, anything which could be a projectile was moved. Sand bags were placed by the doors into the lobby. Food in the food courts at AS resorts was limited as they made sandwiches etc for guests to have in their rooms as they expected few staff the 'day after'. We volunterred at the desk to help, we are both trained CPR, and first aid and travel with our own first aid stuff, flashlights and are very calm people. The hotel noted that and we were the 'block' parents for our room building if an emergenciy arose. Luckily we didn''t need to use it - but Disney did thank us with dinner and a free night.
It rained so hard, people in the block of rooms at the back of ASMusic were evactuated about 9pm to the Cora. Springs conference room.
No incoming calls could get thru as most of the staff were gone - our son called for 4 hours attempting to get through to us and finally went though some back door numbers to reach us in our room - he worked for Disney so pulled every string he had to check on us. Even called on our cell phones - he couldn't get through - cell towers or storm problems - we'll never know.
About midnight - Floyd had turned north and was pounding Daytona and we watched the piers getting destroyed on TV about 3am.
Disney closed the parks the following morning which I think was a Wednesday or Thursday, except for AK and only resort guests were allowed in and they didn't validate your pass - they let you in 'free'. AK was packed and by lunch the sun came out... The damage was minimal but with everyone from the coast coming in - if it had hit Orlando, it would have been the same as when Charlie hit. Hotels packed with people, pets and neighbours.
Yes it rained, yes it was windy and yes Disney got the outer bands of the massive hurricane Floyd. We bought the newspapers and even back home in Canada the front page was ' Disney forced to close for the first time ever'.
Last year where we live got hit with Juan another Cat 2 and some people spent 3 weeks without power and we suffered massive damage - the weather people are just now telling us we had tornados and that it might have been a cat 3 when it made landfall 30 miles form my home.. What fun that was..
One thing my sisiter and I have said as we watched CHarlie, Disney is prepared, did learn alot, and no matter what - would take care of its staff and ensure guests remain inside the 'happy bubble'
Hope everyone recovers soon - remember patience is a virtue and power and water are vital.
