Hurricane Irma?

[ms mouse]

First time Disney family here... five kids 1, 3, 6, 10, and 12, two parents. I have been following this thread closely trying to come to a decision. As of now, we are still going.

We fly in to MCO Friday afternoon. Supposedly, our rental vehicle should have a full tank of gas when we arrive. We shall see about that.
We are staying at WBC. I have three suitcases full of water, non-perishables, flashlights, lanterns, packs of cards, and coloring books. We are prepared to stay in our room Sunday and Monday. We extended the end of our vacation by about 3.5 days in the hope of making up for stormy days lost. Our trip now extends to Wed the 20th.

I hope this is the right call. We would have lost thousands rescheduling, but extended for only about $550. I'm glued to the weather channel.

Instead of traveling with all that water pack gallon or 2 gallon size zip lock bags, fill it with tap water at the resort, it will fit better in the refrigerator also.

 

[MrWonderful]

Disney, along with majority of buildings in Florida can withstand very high winds.

It's not wind you worry about, it's the flooding

I would respectfully disagree with this statement for this specific Hurricane. Harvey was slow moving rain dumper, Irma is a fast moving wind killer.... even being on the clean side (west) of Irma is going to be a doozy for wind damage, and maybe some brief flash flooding, but not biblical flooding like Harvey. There is a bazillion times difference in power between the dirty and clean sides of a Hurricane... going up the east coast as currently projected is a blessing for the state. If it goes up the center or west side, look out for ++weeks of recovery. Be safe and point your fans east!

Dave in Houston

PS: What's the current opinions on Tuesday ?? We are supposed to fly in Tuesday morning and we are sweating buckets not knowing what to do or which way to go with it...

 

[KimBean]

We are heading down on Friday the 15th staying until the 19th. I am hoping that it is mostly cleaned up by then but we understand if everything isn't back up yet. What I am wondering is how much busier will the parks be that weekend now that many people are moving their vacations because of the storm. Will it end up being closer to summer crowds or will it likely still be relatively low. Thanks for any insight.

You had pretty low crowds before. Will you see a bump? Maybe... not enough to give it any thought though in my opinion. Just hope all transportation is good by the 15th and kick up your heels that Irma didn't affect you. Now as long as Jose plays nice and peeters out....

 

[KimBean]

I would respectfully disagree with this statement for this specific Hurricane. Harvey was slow moving rain dumper, Irma is a fast moving wind killer.... even being on the clean side (west) of Irma is going to be a doozy for wind damage, and maybe some brief flash flooding, but not biblical flooding like Harvey. There is a bazillion times difference in power between the dirty and clean sides of a Hurricane... going up the east coast as currently projected is a blessing for the state. If it goes up the center or west side, look out for ++weeks of recovery. Be safe and point your fans east!

Dave in Houston

PS: What's the current opinions on Tuesday ?? We are supposed to fly in Tuesday morning and we are sweating buckets not knowing what to do or which way to go with it...

How long can you wait? I would wait as long as I possibly could to make decision.

 

[LadyLeem000]

My husband just said that he read on a Orlando Local Meteorologist twitter that all flights in Orlando are being grounded by the FAA?? Can't find this anywhere. Has anyone heard that?

 

[KimBean]

It's FL water, not Disney water, that is off tasting, so yeah.
No idea if WBC has the soda machines you can go to and get the water from them. If they do, they are filtered (you know, the one that's usually mixed with the Lemonade dispenser choice
Your choices,
grab a water bottle that is filtered. Bobble's are great, we've used them there and their filters pull out all the bad, or enough at least. I've found them at Old Navy, of all places but it's been a while. Target has several other filtered bottle choices.
Use the flavor add ins, the drops you put in. I add just a couple vs the full amount, just to give it a touch of taste to help hide the sulfur flavor.

Replying to you because same topic not directed at you...

Also you could hold your nose. This is about life sustaining not enjoyment.

 

[KimBean]

My husband just said that he read on a Orlando Local Meteorologist twitter that all flights in Orlando are being grounded by the FAA?? Can't find this anywhere. Has anyone heard that?

Wow this is getting more fun... NOT. Orlando Airport needs a clear message.

 

[fla4fun]

We are heading down on Friday the 15th staying until the 19th. I am hoping that it is mostly cleaned up by then but we understand if everything isn't back up yet. What I am wondering is how much busier will the parks be that weekend now that many people are moving their vacations because of the storm. Will it end up being closer to summer crowds or will it likely still be relatively low. Thanks for any insight.

Keep in mind that most of the people here are staying on property. The off property hotels may drop right back down to typical occupancy. So it may be a little bit busier, but not summer busy.

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks for saying this, because that water IS making me nervous, too! I think empty containers is a fabulous idea. Much lighter, too If we are staying at Bonnet Creek and not officially on property, it should be the same water source, correct? I think that I'll repack.

Water at WBC is very drinkable. Anywhere you travel you notice differences in taste but it's still safe. I would pack a few boxes of crystal light tea/lemonade or the flavor drops you can put in ziploc bags. Maybe pack a big plastic pitcher to mix up drinks in case there isn't one in your unit. If you have a Brita pitcher pack that with fresh filter for plain water. You should be very safe there.

 

[DLM1980]

@MinnieSotaGirl , if space is still a concern, you may also want to read my improvising ideas from what I did last year over here

 

[BigMac3001]

Ok, folks, I know this is getting crazy, but a guy who saw a guy say something on Twitter is not a credible source. A friend who is a CM is not a credible source.

Unless it is on an office website, stop saying things are guaranteed, without a doubt, or confirmed.

 

[crayon3448]

I have a somewhat selfish question. Our trip is Thursday 9/14-9/20. I see a lot of people cancelling, but also people pushing their trip from this weekend to next while we are there. Assuming no major issues with the parks- Should I expect any difference in crowds, one way or the other? I'm not sure what it was like after Matthew last year.

 

[ktlm]

So, we're supposed to fly in on Tuesday morning. Based on the models, Irma will have passed WDW by then, but I'm afraid of the post-hurricane issues (no water, etc).

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO !!!! Cancel? Thoughts? Ugh!!!

Since you are coming in after, I would not cancel now. I would just wait and see. If a worst case scenario turns out to exist and there is significant damage, your decision would be made for you. Coming in after, you have time to cancel after you see what the damage was (if your plans did not get cancelled for you by flights cancelled, airport closed, etc.) If it were to slow down and strong winds were still in the area Tuesday, flights would be cancelled, and your decision would be made for you. If the damage is minimal, then your plans are still in place and you can go as planned. We were there for Matthew last year, WDW had crews ready all over to clean up any damage. Pretty much the minute the storm passed they were out picking up tree limbs and leaves, untying what they had tied down, putting back pool chairs and outdoor seating, cleaning all the leaves out of the pools, repairing shingles, etc. WDW is its own little world with its own crews for just about everything. In my opinion, they were very well prepared last year during Matthew. Last year, everything was closed Friday and then Saturday was a beautiful normal park day. If a worst case scenario were to exist, your decision would be made for you. I don't see any reason to cancel ahead of the storm when you are not flying in until after it passes the area. WDW was really working with people last year who had issues because of closed parks, cancelled flights etc.

 

[LadyLeem000]

Ok, folks, I know this is getting crazy, but a guy who saw a guy say something on Twitter is not a credible source. A friend who is a CM is not a credible source.

Unless it is on an office website, stop say things are guaranteed, without a doubt, or confirmed.

I realize it may not be credible. That's why I was asking here to see if anyone had better info. I'm currently getting ahold of MCO.

 

[OKW Lover]

My husband just said that he read on a Orlando Local Meteorologist twitter that all flights in Orlando are being grounded by the FAA?? Can't find this anywhere. Has anyone heard that?

Nothing on the official FAA website. www.faa.gov

 

[AngiTN]

Replying to you because same topic not directed at you...

Also you could hold your nose. This is about life sustaining not enjoyment.

True. Honestly, I've gotten to where the FL water isn't all that awful to me. Is it good? No, I can't call it good but I can drink it now and it doesn't ruin my coffee now. So if it were me, I wouldn't worry with anything. But others do have major problems with it and if you do have filtered bottles or flavor drops you can toss in the suitcase and bring, then I would, just in case. They can't hurt and don't take up much room.

 

[KimBean]

Ok, folks, I know this is getting crazy, but a guy who saw a guy say something on Twitter is not a credible source. A friend who is a CM is not a credible source.

Unless it is on an office website, stop saying things are guaranteed, without a doubt, or confirmed.

Who is saying guaranteed, without a doubt, confirmed....

 

[danikoski]

Would love to move flight up, but unfortunately nothing available that I can see

Actually call...the airlines don't always show availability this close to take off. Had this happen in July with a work trip and nasty thunderstorms on the East coast.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My husband just said that he read on a Orlando Local Meteorologist twitter that all flights in Orlando are being grounded by the FAA?? Can't find this anywhere. Has anyone heard that?

At least as of 31mins ago here is Orlando's twitter message:



Obviously changes happen within a moment's notice for sure so I expect communication to continue to come in.

 

[BigMac3001]

Who is saying guaranteed, without a doubt, confirmed....

A few pages ago someone said that the parks will be closed "without a doubt" on Sunday.