Hurricane Dorian / WDW Theme Parks Discussion

[Haley R]

I find it interesting that they are saying they don't expect a turn until Tues morn. At the 5 mph rate it is moving now - it will hit Florida before it turns. Glad @Haley R is safe at AKL. Hopefully if anyone else is on coast they headed to WDW too.

We had a great day today. I am SO glad we left. Epcot was actually really busy tonight. We were so happy to make our stomachs full from the booths and not worry at all about the storm. Tomorrow morning we’re going to magic kingdom. I’m thinking we’ll start feeling some effects sometime tomorrow

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Packing tonight for an early morning flight for our Disney Vacation.

We made the decision on Friday to cancel our WDW trip, was able to get reasonable airfare to LAX and a stay at the Disneyland Hotel for 7 nights. It was a tough decision after the 6+ months planning where we got all our dining, Fast Pass+ and other reservations we wanted plus having to give up free dining.

Disney was great about cancelations and refunds, Amtrak also canceled the Auto-train our day of transportation. Only money I'll be out is the tickets I got for MNSSHP, unless they cancel tomorrow night, from undercover tourist. (Pro-Tip never get e-tickets as they are non refundable, always get paper tickets as they can be returned for 95% face value or better yet don't use under cover tourist, I know I won't anymore if I don't get a refund as if I had gone through Disney I would have gotten those refunded as well).

Good luck to everyone down in Orlando, I wish you nothing but luck and hope the storm turns way out to sea and doesn't affect you, though I won't be upset if the do wind up cancelling MNSSHP for Labor Day.

Did you call Disney to try to get a refund of the MNSSHP tickets? Given what’s going on I would think at a minimum they’re likely to give you a credit if not a refund. They are usually really good about working with people in situations like this.

 

[cdoc29]

Did you call Disney to try to get a refund of the MNSSHP tickets? Given what’s going on I would think at a minimum they’re likely to give you a credit if not a refund. They are usually really good about working with people in situations like this.

I purchased the tickets through Undercover Tourist. They have not been as gracious as Disney. I am waiting to hear on whether they will issue a refund or if the party has to be cancelled first. That will be the price I pay for not buying through Disney. If they (UC) come through with a refund I will be willing to use them in the future, if it only because the party is cancelled or not at all needless to say it will be the last time I use Undercover Tourist. Their loss of my future business.

 

[LSUmiss]

185 mph winds now, now the second strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic.

What was the strongest?

 

[TwoMisfits]

My sister in Melbourne is evacuating tomorrow morning to Tampa...and she's got a house that's supposed to withstand a Cat 5, but who ever wants to test that...still hoping the hurricane turns to sea for her sake, but I echo those that say, don't stress Florida resources if you don't have to do so...

 

[Haley R]

My sister in Melbourne is evacuating tomorrow morning to Tampa...and she's got a house that's supposed to withstand a Cat 5, but who ever wants to test that...still hoping the hurricane turns to sea for her sake, but I echo those that say, don't stress Florida resources if you don't have to do so...

Dh was saying the same thing. Our house should be safe but I didn’t want to stay and find out.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

What was the strongest?

1935 Labor Day Hurricane

 

[Searc]

Per CNN, 5 mins ago:

"As Hurricane Dorian crawls toward the US, Orlando Melbourne International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport both announced they will suspend commercial flights and close their terminals at noon tomorrow."

This is not MCO.

 

[Crystal_Marie]

My worries here are twofold. One, I am scheduled to fly in to Myers on Saturday, 9/7 for my trip from Boston. Everything I am seeing says that Dorian will be here in Boston on Sat 9/7. Not nearly as bad as it is now, but bad enough with enough wind to seriously mess up flights. Two, I am scheduled to leave Sat, 9/14 which also has me worried about that African coast disturbance that the others are speaking about. Never never will I plan to visit WDW in September again. The only reason I am doing this now is because I have never experienced MNSSHP and really want to. Say the storm is at Disney right as I am scheduled to leave. Will they force us out in it? Or will they let us ride it out?

 

[CarolynFH]

My sister in Melbourne is evacuating tomorrow morning to Tampa...and she's got a house that's supposed to withstand a Cat 5, but who ever wants to test that...still hoping the hurricane turns to sea for her sake, but I echo those that say, don't stress Florida resources if you don't have to do so...

Dh was saying the same thing. Our house should be safe but I didn’t want to stay and find out.

Keep in mind that the hurricane category refers only to wind speed. It doesn’t have anything to do with storm surge or rainfall, both of which can cause serious destruction no matter how strong a wind the house can withstand.

 

[seashoreCM]

Disney will not throw you out into the storm. Some off site hotels might because they are not strong enough to sustain the wind.

If you have not checked in yet or already checked out then you may either book an on-site room for another night (possible hurricane discount rate) or go to a public storm shelter (some on Disney property, no choice).

If you end up at a public shelter then it can be tricky getting transportation back to your resort in time to take Magical Express to the airport.

 

[Chisoxcollector]

We live in Titusville, which is on the east coast. I'm currently scheduled to drive to Lockheed Martin in Ocala Tuesday morning to install some equipment. I have no idea if I'll be able to drive there, or if it's even going to be open. My wife works in Palm Bay, and has no clue if her employer will be open.

We debated heading to Disney, and even stayed at the Swan last night, but decided to head back home due to the uncertainty with our jobs, and the possibility the storm will move further east.

 

[sanibellife]

crystalmarie,
Disney would not throw you out into the storm. 6 days from now I don't think the storm will be near orlando. And please remember 6 days from now is like a lifetime when talking about this storm. A week ago there were dozens of scenarios of what was going to happen. I recall it was supposed to hit florida go across the state into the the gulf pick up speed and possibly hit the pan handle. 6 days from now is a long time.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

Dh was saying the same thing. Our house should be safe but I didn’t want to stay and find out.

Haley, Glad you decided not to test it out. Praying that everyone stays safe!

 

[hamilkm]

Packing tonight for an early morning flight for our Disney Vacation.

We made the decision on Friday to cancel our WDW trip, was able to get reasonable airfare to LAX and a stay at the Disneyland Hotel for 7 nights. It was a tough decision after the 6+ months planning where we got all our dining, Fast Pass+ and other reservations we wanted plus having to give up free dining.

Disney was great about cancelations and refunds, Amtrak also canceled the Auto-train our day of transportation. Only money I'll be out is the tickets I got for MNSSHP, unless they cancel tomorrow night, from undercover tourist. (Pro-Tip never get e-tickets as they are non refundable, always get paper tickets as they can be returned for 95% face value or better yet don't use under cover tourist, I know I won't anymore if I don't get a refund as if I had gone through Disney I would have gotten those refunded as well).

Good luck to everyone down in Orlando, I wish you nothing but luck and hope the storm turns way out to sea and doesn't affect you, though I won't be upset if the do wind up cancelling MNSSHP for Labor Day.

We did this same thing when Irma came through. Our vacation dates were set in stone, so we headed to Disneyland instead. It ended up being one of our top Disney vacations ever! That unplanned trip was wonderful and relaxing! Have an amazing time!

 

[Crystal_Marie]

crystalmarie,
Disney would not throw you out into the storm. 6 days from now I don't think the storm will be near orlando. And please remember 6 days from now is like a lifetime when talking about this storm. A week ago there were dozens of scenarios of what was going to happen. I recall it was supposed to hit florida go across the state into the the gulf pick up speed and possibly hit the pan handle. 6 days from now is a long time.

Thank you. I was worried about this. We stay onsite at POP.

 

[dachsie]

What was the strongest?

In 1980 Hurricane Allen reached 190mph

 

[dachsie]

1935 Labor Day Hurricane

I was reading up on that and that one had the lowest pressure but not the winds. I am not sure what they use t determine the strongest.

 

[ksdave]

I was reading up on that and that one had the lowest pressure but not the winds. I am not sure what they use t determine the strongest.

Hurricane Allen had the highest winds of any north Atlantic storm. 190 mph in 1980. The highest ever was a Pacific storm named Patricia at 215 mph.

 

[fbarker]

We are supposed fly in Friday evening. We were only staying for the weekend. Thinking of cancelling.

So what did you do??