Hurricane Irma?

[spartankid34]

You'll be on your own.

Does Magical Express still run to at least get guests to the airport where they can stay in terminal? I have a hard time believing they could do nothing for you.

 

[ulcards99]

Well not having much luck reschedule our AKL 9/9-9/16 free dining stay. I am on hold now for guest services. Funny how they have plenty of AKL rooms for 9/23-9/30 but none for the free dining package. I can understand that if I was trying to take advantage of the system but I am obviously not. If we can't get in we may go down a day early (Friday) if it is feasible. Getting a refund isn't a option because I paid with gift cards from Sams.

Did you not keep your gift card that you paid with? If you did, then they should be able to refund it to that gift card.

 

[tmcd1126]

So my personal plan is wait it out. I'm supposed to fly into Orlando around 3pm on Sunday. I have Travelex insurance so if my flight is cancelled I'm 100% covered. I'm assuming and hoping that the airports will be the most cautious in regards to weather and the forecast and use that info for flight cancellations and such so I am going to assume that if I can board
My flight Sunday and take off that the forecast isn't as ominous as predicted. I guess I'm crossing my fingers and leaving it up to the airlines.

 

[ulcards99]

I changed my dates (finally after 3 hours!). The dates have not changed in mydisneyexperience though. However it does show my new balance (which is the amount i expected). Should i be worried?

It will eventually update...just takes some time.

 

[Sleepy425]

For those concerned about not having a room if flights get canceled and you need to extend - during Matthew they stopped making new reservations for exactly this reason. They were holding rooms for cast members, people who needed to extend, and people from Bungalows and the Fort who were evacuated. Enough people canceled altogether that I don't recall any reports of people being without a room (either from the boards or in person - I was at Poly and OKW that week and spent quite a bit of time in the Poly lobby before the storm hit. Nobody was told no to extending from what I saw at least).

 

[Nohal]

We plan to fly in on Sept 8. I'm pretty sure that I can use Disney funds for a future trip. My question is what happens to my flight funds with Southwest? It looks like if I cancel I would have to book travel within 14 days and would need to fly within 14 days.. I found that on their website and not sure I read correctly. For anyone who has cancelled their southwest flight what exactly happens to travel funds. This is so stressful as I'm sure you will agree as we all seem to be in the same boat. I hate to lose my free dining but it doesn't seem like Disney is honoring this at a different time.

 

[wonder whisper]

I know it was unusual, but tell that to people in my state (Texas). A hurricane just sat over Houston for days.

Bingo - Certain people here continue to think everything in Orlando will be business as usual again immediately after Irma, even if Irma goes directly over it.
They live in bubbles with no appreciation whatsoever in terms of the impact of hurricane level winds and tidal surge in flat areas. Maybe this will help them:

 

[DisEliza]

I have been following this thread since the beginning. We were supposed to leave today at 5 and fly back Monday morning. When it looked like we might not be able to cancel our plans without penalties we were considering going and just cutting our trip very short. As soon as Delta announced today though that MCO was included in penalty free rescheduling we rebooked everything for December. It was honestly a relief to have the decision made. If we had gone it would not have felt like much of a vacation waiting to see what the storm was going to do. My sister who is also a huge Disney fan pointed out that anticipating the trip is half the fun, so now we just addded more time to anticipate our trip . Thank you all who have been posting, it really helped to be able to read what others were thinking!

 

[jkh36619]

GFS and EURO 12z in pretty good agreement for a S Florida landing. Storm surge would be catastrophic.

 

[sky13]

For those concerned about not having a room if flights get canceled and you need to extend - during Matthew they stopped making new reservations for exactly this reason. They were holding rooms for cast members, people who needed to extend, and people from Bungalows and the Fort who were evacuated. Enough people canceled altogether that I don't recall any reports of people being without a room (either from the boards or in person - I was at Poly and OKW that week and spent quite a bit of time in the Poly lobby before the storm hit. Nobody was told no to extending from what I saw at least).

Looks like I might need to stop by pop front desk later then (currently staying at pop and planned to leave next Tuesday). Actually did just book a couple more nights extra (to cover next Tuesday to Friday) just in case, trying to figure out I should now cancel that booking...

 

[AngiTN]

There were specific systems in place keeping Harvey where it was for as long as it stayed, and it was forecast do to exactly that at least a couple of days ahead of time (although that fact may have escaped mainstream media coverage beforehand--I don't know because I can't deal with mainstream media anymore). As far as I know there's no similar setup for Irma, but I guess it could change.

Not a meteorologist, just a weather nerd, have no skin in the game.

No, there are not systems in place that would keep Irma stationary like Harvey. It will move up the coast, as has been shown numerous times. Where is not known but it will move.

We are supposed to fly down Sat 9/9. I called to cancel today and because I paid with gift cards the Disney rep didn't know if the amounts that I paid had to go back on each individual gift card or if the total amount would be refunded to one single gift card. She said she would have to transfer me to someone in billing - and when she did it was a recording, they gave me options 1,2 or 3... and I chose 2 for "existing reservation". Then it said sorry that extension is unavailable. So - I waited 45 mins for practically nothing. Still have reservations for the 9th-13th, don't know what I'm going to do. Might give it one more day and call again tomorrow. I doubt we will even be able to fly into Orlando on the 9th.

Reservations paid with gift cards are refunded to the gift cards it was paid with. So you'll need to have saved them. If you didn't you'll need to speak to someone to work out another arrangement, hopefully. Normally, there isn't another arrangement but this is a unique situation so maybe they'll work something out for you.

I changed my dates (finally after 3 hours!). The dates have not changed in mydisneyexperience though. However it does show my new balance (which is the amount i expected). Should i be worried?

Totally normal. It will update eventually.

Does Magical Express still run to at least get guests to the airport where they can stay in terminal? I have a hard time believing they could do nothing for you.

Not if MCO is closed.

 

[Hootiss]

Stay safe everyone. Please remember once winds are sustained at 40 most bridges close(Skyway etc.) for all my fellow Tampa area neighbors

 

[AngiTN]

We plan to fly in on Sept 8. I'm pretty sure that I can use Disney funds for a future trip. My question is what happens to my flight funds with Southwest? It looks like if I cancel I would have to book travel within 14 days and would need to fly within 14 days.. I found that on their website and not sure I read correctly. For anyone who has cancelled their southwest flight what exactly happens to travel funds. This is so stressful as I'm sure you will agree as we all seem to be in the same boat. I hate to lose my free dining but it doesn't seem like Disney is honoring this at a different time.

I've cancelled flights with SW several times, unrelated to weather. They issue you a voucher that must be used within 1 year from your original booking date. By the original person the ticket was issued to.

 

[Jasten]

Some additional info for anyone flying JetBlue. I called and asked when is the latest I could cancel. They said right up until the plane was about to depart. Hopefully that gives people some relief if they want to keep waiting for more weather data!

I'll second the need for everyone to be calm and stop attacking each-other. People are just trying to make the right decision based on the current information. So much planning goes into these trips and while no one wants to put their family or staff at risk by coming in, we do have the right to wait to get all of the information before we make a decision. Its very possible we wake up and the models agree that it will not be a direct hit, and riding out the storm for a day in the hotels will be a feasible risk for some to take. Its also possible the models are wrong and Orlando takes a direct hit. In all honesty, this is something people have to make a calculated decision about for themselves. If it were 100% certain to be a disaster, then Disney and airlines wouldn't even be allowing the option to stay. Instead they are all waiting to get more information like us to make the best decision. I will say this, if you go, just listen to staff and ride it out and you will likely be fine. Usually its the people who don't listen and go out in the storm that sadly get taken by it.

It is perfectly ok to keep gathering information before you decide if you can. I for one hope that those that cancel are able to find their way back to the magic and those that stay have a wonderful vacation!

 

[luvsJack]

Who cares if it is gathering strength if it is OUT AT SEA? Obviously we would all hope that it weakened again before hitting further up the coast, but regardless it wouldn't affect Orlando which is what this thread is supposed to be about.

I don't think the pp meant miles "out at sea". As long as she is mostly over water she will be gaining strength. I appreciate the fact that you don't want to panic or to make people panic but pretending like this is nothing is dangerous.

 

[Mad and Mel]

So my personal plan is wait it out. I'm supposed to fly into Orlando around 3pm on Sunday. I have Travelex insurance so if my flight is cancelled I'm 100% covered. I'm assuming and hoping that the airports will be the most cautious in regards to weather and the forecast and use that info for flight cancellations and such so I am going to assume that if I can board
My flight Sunday and take off that the forecast isn't as ominous as predicted. I guess I'm crossing my fingers and leaving it up to the airlines.[/QUOT

My flight is also scheduled for Sunday - with arrival in MCO at 2 p.m. I am also keeping my plans. I have the most concern about my grocery order from Garden Grocer. They haven't been able to confirm that they will deliver on Sunday. From what I've read, Disney's food service during hurricanes is abysmal. Thus, I'm planning to bring a big bag of food with me.

 

[JoeP78]

Did you not keep your gift card that you paid with? If you did, then they should be able to refund it to that gift card.

I'd have to look for them. Problem is even if I have them, that means I just have a bunch of money on gift cards and I would have to wait to next year to use them. I don't think I can return them to the store.

 

[Brer Kevin]

Have a free dining package at the Pop Century, but it's just reserved for two of us. I have family in the Fort Meyers area that are planning to ride out the storm in Orlando. If Disney puts all guests in the mode where they must remain in their rooms at all time, would there be any way that they could spend that time with us inside the hotel room? Would definitely prefer to be with the extra family if possible.

 

[BigMac3001]

Bingo - Certain people here continue to think everything in Orlando will be business as usual again immediately after Irma, even if Irma goes directly over it.
They live in bubbles with no appreciation whatsoever in terms of the impact of hurricane level winds and tidal surge in flat areas. Maybe this will help them:

You really are a troll, aren't you? Nothing but fear mongering.

 

[luvsJack]

Some additional info for anyone flying JetBlue. I called and asked when is the latest I could cancel. They said right up until the plane was about to depart. Hopefully that gives people some relief if they want to keep waiting for more weather data!

I'll second the need for everyone to be calm and stop attacking each-other. People are just trying to make the right decision based on the current information. So much planning goes into these trips and while no one wants to put their family or staff at risk by coming in, we do have the right to wait to get all of the information before we make a decision. Its very possible we wake up and the models agree that it will not be a direct hit, and riding out the storm for a day in the hotels will be a feasible risk for some to take. Its also possible the models are wrong and Orlando takes a direct hit. In all honesty, this is something people have to make a calculated decision about for themselves. If it were 100% certain to be a disaster, then Disney and airlines wouldn't even be allowing the option to stay. Instead they are all waiting to get more information like us to make the best decision. I will say this, if you go, just listen to staff and ride it out and you will likely be fine. Usually its the people who don't listen and go out in the storm that sadly get taken by it.

It is perfectly ok to keep gathering information before you decide if you can. I for one hope that those that cancel are able to find their way back to the magic and those that stay have a wonderful vacation!

You are right, everyone needs to gather the information you can before you have to make the decision on what to do. But honestly, you are going to have to look at what is predicted and what the experts says could happen in Orlando. Not what anyone here says. Some of us are speaking from experience with similar storms. Some from somewhere else. Either/or could be right, or neither/nor.