HURRICANE INFORMATION (AUGUST 15, 2004): All parks except TL are OPEN

[MouseClubMom]

Walt Disney World does have its own power plant but it can only provide a certain percentage of power. Not sure HOW much exactly NOW but when I worked there as a CM in 1993 our spiel on the Innovations in Action seminar was that WDW was capable of producing 50% of their own power. Now that was long before the addition of Animal Kingdom and several resorts so I am not sure what the percentage is now.

The power they can produce will of course be used for emergency issues only - lighting, food refrigeration, etc...

I was on the hurricane rideout crew as a CM and I can assure you that Disney has very specific and direct plans in place just in case something like this happens.

Hugs to everyone down there! Stay safe! We will be seeing Charley here on the SC coast sometime tomorrow!

 

[Miniefan]

I just wanted to say prayers are out for the Orlando/Tampa and South central fl area. I hope that everyone there can remain safe I too am from Fl and we just missed a tropical storm yesterday. I live in NW Fl and I know what it's like to have to sit and wait for the storm to come or go or whatever it is going to do, thankfully the last big storms we had were Erin and Opal, however they were both in the same year, and ERin left my family without electricity for 2 weeks in a very hott part of the year. I am a little upset that too many of the other posters previously made comments on things not being open, If you've never been in a hurricane then I guess you don't know what it is like, so please everyone take it a little more seriously. I hope everyone is safe.
Kim

 

[Carrieberry]

Everyone stay safe..TWC just said the eye should be in Orlando 8-11pm with hurricane strength winds and isolated tornados?? Sounds awful. I guess if you have be somewhere during a hurricane, Disney s as nice as anywhere! Blessings to all and you are in our thoughts!

 

[EEyorelover22]

We heard from friends that live in Kissimmee. First, he didn't seem too worried, but now he is. They are expecting 100 mph winds to hit there this evening. His words, "we are a bit more concerned".

 

[Disney-Kim]

We were staying at the Beach Club during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and we felt very safe. They put notices under our door a few times during the day to keep us updated.
Stay safe everyone.

 

[Blueberry]

Been at WDW during a hurricane, not this strong..but you all are in my thoughts and prayers right now, both the residents and the and visitors to Orlando...Stay safe inside, being bored is better than being injured or worse....stay safe everyone and if anyone there can check in her on the DIS it would be appreciated....let us know you are ok...

 

[hulabird]

I remember one year when they moved people from some of the resorts to the GF due to very high winds and bad conditions like this...we were staying at WL and I remember a CM telling us that they had to move some people, I think from the values and some of the moderates-anyone else remember this?

 

[jizroc]

Just remember that rides, buildings, etc. are replaceable. Human lives are not. Lets keep the people in our thoughts and prayers more than the parks.

 

[Miranda Danda]

jizroc- i know that people are not replaceable but neither is my $700 i paid for my trip. that may sound insensitive, but i don't mean it that way. i hope everyone there is okay, but i also do hope to go on my vacation. i have been going to college for 3 years staright now (summers too) and this is the first vacation i have been able to have. it wont be very long, but i have saved and saved and saved my money. believe me, i have been through my fair share of hurricanes and i know how it is to be in one, but i do want to be able to enjoy my one week break before scholl starts back aug. 23........... i hope someone understands me.

 

[Disney-Kim]

When we were there and WDW closed for Floyd they evacuated some people from the CBR to the convention center at the Yacht club. I guess CBR was in a low area and could have possible flooding.
They made a fantastic effort at keeping people safe.

It looks like Charley is hitting WDW directly and more severly than when Floyd his us in 1999.

 

[jizroc]

Miranda- I am not saying your insensitive. I have lived in South Lousiana all of my life(which is close to forty years). I have been through quite a lot of hurricanes. I too know what it is like. I am just saying we should focus our prayers on the people that are there right now(tourists and residents). And hope they can return to their normal lives quickly as possible after this ordeal is over. So in my mind the parks are of secondary concern at this time. Do not get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan. I hope they fair well through the storm, but people are my primary concern right now.

 

[Miranda Danda]

Jizroc- i understand that, but why can't i pray both for the people in the storm and that the hurricane doesn't mess up my long-awaited disney trip? believe me, i hope everyone fairs well in the storm. i have friends and family that are in it right now. but i also hope disney holds up and is open for me next week

 

[smittys_girl]

Now it seems like the hurricane is going to pass rigth over Orlando as a Cat. 3, which is a major hurricane for all you non-Floridian weather ignorers. But I'm not worried about WDW. All of the structures are strong and there is no real major water bodies nearby to create storm surge. I'm going in September and I'm not at all concerned there will be major damage. Disney is NOT going to be a copy of Homestead after Andrew. I'm more concerned about the west coast. I was just at Sarasota and saw a dolphin hospital that I'm concerned about. I'm also worried about the animals at AK and Sea World. As well as the people that chose to leave the parks at the last minute. Im' praying for all of you in the storm's direct path. As a hurricane survivor, i know how it feels, even though I'm just missing this one (I live in Palm Beach County). God bless

 

[bjakmom]

Well, at the time we thought it sounded like a good idea for my sister and her boys to change her flight and fly in to MCO @ 7 AM this morning instead of their scheduled flight at 7 PM - and all went well - their room at the Airport Hyatt was even ready for them at 10AM, so they decided to stay there to keep out of the way of Charley! Now they are sitting in it's direct path in a 9th floor room on the outside of the building - one solid wall of glass and windows - the only thing the hotel has told them was to refrain from using cell phones and to expect a power outage. They went out themselves and brought in the balcony furniture - a glass table and metal chairs - sounds like WDW hotels are being more informative ! Not to worry - we live on the coast and she knows well enough to sit out in the hallway if it gets too rough! Prayers to you all !

 

[Miranda Danda]

smittys_girl~ i am also worried about all the animals in the area. they cannot look out for themselves or evacuate. i hope they are all ok.

 

[hulabird]

Miranda Danda

I understand what you are saying 100% as I have tons of money tied up in our trip as well and I am hoping that next week we will be able to go and be able to do things. That is not being insensitive. Maybe if others had trips scheduled as we do at this horrible time they would be worried as well. I am sure of it.

I care about people too, I am a Christian, of course I have been praying for the safety of human beings as well as animals. I also pray about WDW because it is an important place for families, it brings families together and represents goodness and for that reason I truly believe God will protect it.

 

[Disney-Kim]

bjakmom....at least they can go downstairs into the airport if they get scared.

 

[Miranda Danda]

Hulabird- Thank you so much for your post. It made me feel a lot better. I am Christian also and that's why I don't want people to think I am insensitive. I hope God keeps it safe as well as everyone else in Florida and the animals. I hope you have a great trip and I hope everything works out for you! Thanks again for your encouraging words

 

[hulabird]

Ok, now I am worried, my web cam for S&D is showing it so dark that it looks like night. I can still make out buildings though, but that was a quick turn.

 

[Disney-Kim]

if you look at the instacam it looks like the power is out at WDW.