Hurricane Irma?

[BigMac3001]

A model is a prediction, not a fact. It provides an educated guess of what might happen. People here keep confusing the term "model" with tracking. As for the latter, the latest tracking from the NHS still has Irma moving north/northwest, it has not been moving east.

This is flat out false. The storm is turning towards the east coast.

 

[HarperLeigh]

If you will be on the move-Plan to shelter in place-whether it is an airport or a hotel. Hurricanes are very fickle and can make course changes at any time. While we can give a very good, science based estimate of where they will go, it is still just that--a very good but still best guess. If you are driving, keep in mind that FL might turn some southbound lanes on major interstates to Northbound lanes in the event of a mass evacuation. If you are driving, consider stopping somewhere along your route for the night. It puts you closer to Disney in the morning. But keep in mind-evacuees are booking hotels close to Florida in both GA and SC. Here in GA even Atlanta hotels are filling. Keep an ear out/google weather reports along your route. Even areas not in the direct path may experience rain.

My best advice (from experience): 1) if you are on the border about whether to go or not go, call and see if you can add/buy travel insurance. 2) keep an eye on your airline policy for rebooking 3) switch to a deluxe resort/DVC for 1 or 2 nights. Make reservations at their onsite restaurants. While they might not offer a full menu it beats small sandwich, boxed meal they had last time. It also means you do not have to go outside to reach food courts or restaurants. 4) I believe Disney does not allow for any wiggle room UNLESS there is a specific warning for Orlando. 5) If you are still traveling-pack as if you will be sheltering in place. 6) Bring indoor activities for the kids. 7) Do not plan on hitting any grocery store/Wal-Mart when you arrive unless absolutely necessary. The lines will be hours long (if they even have any stock left).

Keep calm--your kids will be taking their cues from you.

No one will be allowed to shelter in place at any of the airports. MCO and MIA have made that explicitly clear.

 

[yulilin3]

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
This thread will be used only as discussion on impacts from this storm (Irma) on WDW.
As of right now the storm is expected to impact Central Florida as a Cat 3 on Sunday night into Monday.
Sustained winds forecasted for the WDW area are anywhere between 65mph to about 120mph
People that are not familiar with hurricanes need to know that these storms wobble and change trajectory but as we get closer to land fall the forecast will be much more reliable
I will continue to update this page and this newly formed page https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...d-info-wdw-theme-parks-open-mco-open.3632370/ with confirmed information and cite sources
Please visit local and government websites for confirmed information.
Posters that continue to post snarky/sarcastic/confrontational/panicky responses will have their post deleted and points might be given

ALL IN ALL WE ARE HERE TO HELP PEOPLE PLAN FOR THEIR TRIP. THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION FOR MANY, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NEVER GONE THROUGH A STORM OF THIS NATURE. LETS NOT INSTILL MORE FEAR AND JUST RELY ON FACTS
Thank You

 

[Mrs. Magic]

I have 3 friends who are CM. All 3 have said that Disney will definitely take care of all of its guests to help them remain safe during the storm. They are even trained for this, since Florida is known as a state that frequently is in a hurricane's path.

All 3 of them did say, however, that bringing extra bottles of water and snacks will definitely be a plus, especially if they close food courts, restaurants, and gift shops. They also said that external battery chargers for phone may not be a bad idea. Even though Disney has its own power grid, it is not out of the realm of possibility that some power could be lost if there is enough damage.

If you are driving to Disney, all 3 said to be sure your tank is full when you arrive on property. The drive home may be tricky and long.

The CM who are staying will be staying because they want to stay, not because they feel as if they are forced to stay. So, the CM who are dealing with the customers actually WANT to be there to provide as magical of an experience as possible, given the situation.

But they all 3 said that taking care of the guests is their priority.

Hope that helps some...

 

[yulilin3]

Something to consider if you are coming. Pack some earplugs. The sound of winds against your door/window for hours can be scary, so especially for little ones it might be a good idea

 

[Nayan]

The 'cone' is large, so still no concrete track. One thing to remember is that these things wobble and just a couple of miles could make a difference between a breeze and getting blown away. Matthew was 20 miles off the coast and wobbles east. Had it wobbled west, it could have been a disaster. The storm is huge, Florida is around 100 miles wide so everyone is going to get some of it.

For those who try to compare storms, you can't. People ask about how bad Donna was here on the coast, how bad Andrew really was, etc. Each storm is different. Just because you went through one last time don't expect the same conditions this time. I've been through plenty of them and I can speak from experience that David, Andrew, Erin, Charlie, Francis, Jeanne, Wilma, etc. have been all different. This one will be too.

 

[Jasten]

Just added two nights to our trip to make up for park closures. The airline thought I was nuts...still undecided but now i have options. Barring a direct hit on Orlando and widespread damage, we can afford to hunker in place for a day or two and still have plenty of fun in the parks. Its a tough call. Im going to go and start buying supplies to pack!

 

[AngiTN]

Somethings, rather obvious but I'll mention anyway, we brought for Matthew last year
Nice rain coats, not ponchos, not umbrellas. I sprung for Marmont rain coats that have been really nice to have. Not too heavy for use in FL either.
Small, yet high lumen flash lights along with enough batteries for each of them to be replaced several times. I got new ones so we had new bulbs. We now leave these in our suitcases for just in case.
Deck of cards (also now left in our suit case)
We always have spare batteries/chargers for our phones

 

[Lesley Wake]

At LAX right now, flight leaving in 2 hrs. Ended up checking a 4th bag filled entirely with water bottles! Also grabbed extra food supplies just in case. The entire time I was packing last night I was having momentary freak outs and wondering if this was going to be a horrible decision. But once my mom dropped me and my sister off at the airport I knew, can't go back now. For good or bad, this trip is happening!

 

[LiveYourLife]

Here is the current FHP incident map. For those of you driving in/out.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Somethings, rather obvious but I'll mention anyway, we brought for Matthew last year
Nice rain coats, not ponchos, not umbrellas. I sprung for Marmont rain coats that have been really nice to have. Not too heavy for use in FL either.
Small, yet high lumen flash lights along with enough batteries for each of them to be replaced several times. I got new ones so we had new bulbs. We now leave these in our suitcases for just in case.
Deck of cards (also now left in our suit case)
We always have spare batteries for our phones

Good information

Only downside to newer phones...no removable batteries--having multiple portable battery chargers (charged up of course) would be helpful for those with phones without removable batteries.

 

[AngiTN]

Something to consider if you are coming. Pack some earplugs. The sound of winds against your door/window for hours can be scary, so especially for little ones it might be a good idea

Along this line, if you have one, bring along one of those portable speakers so you can play music. This is also one of our normal items we bring. Though for some reason, DH loves to listen to the music that Disney runs on the schedule channel (though if someone could explain to me my they play Nutcracker music I'd love to know) so we often listen to that instead of our speaker

 

[ITALIANNYC]

I am curious about this question.

If this wasn't Disney. Lets say you were going to Cancun or something.

Would you still be going on the trip or would you be canceling?

I personally would cancel for another trip, but Disney would deff have me considering going.

That question is something to think about

Also, bring those anker portable chargers with you to have incase power is lost while there. Good for your cell phones to let others know you are ok

 

[AngiTN]

Good information

Only downside to newer phones...no removable batteries--having multiple portable battery chargers (charged up of course) would be helpful for those with phones without removable batteries.

Good point. I meant portable charger, I can't remove the battery on my phone either. My brain knew what I meant even if my fingers didn't (common disconnect in my old age )

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Good point. I meant portable charger, I can't remove the battery on my phone either. My brain knew what I meant even if my fingers didn't (common disconnect in my old age )

Uh..that's been my brain the whole week

 

[DizMagic]

A couple of questions. 1) we have moved up our arrival by a day but are staying at AKL. Scheduled to move to WL on Sunday. Will we be allowed to move over there? 2) any reports of success having Amazon supplies shipped down for Friday/Saturday arrival?

 

[AngiTN]

I am curious about this question.

If this wasn't Disney. Lets say you were going to Cancun or something.

Would you still be going on the trip or would you be canceling?

I personally would cancel for another trip, but Disney would deff have me considering going.

That question is something to think about

For us it would pretty much be the same. Depends on length of trip and potential length of loss of what we are going to do.
For Cancun, the question would be, how long would the beach be unavailable/weather be too bad to enjoy it in comparison to length of the trip?
With Disney, the question is, how long will the parks be unavailable in comparison to the length of the trip? Since you can still go to the parks, provided they are open, even in rain, etc. Where you really aren't going to go to the beach in the rain. If that makes sense.

 

[b1234]

Our resort stay was scheduled for Sept 10-16. We don't really have a choice of rescheduling, so instead of canceling, our current plan is try drive down and try to check in Saturday instead of Sunday, ahead of the storm. We are planning to pack gas, food, water, etc.. and being stuck in a room for 1-2 days. My bigger concern is just being safe. It seems the general consensus is that Disney is safe at this point, correct? We are hoping we could still salvage 3 days at the park as long as there is not catastrophic damage. Also worst case scenario if it shifts west on Saturday, we could turn around and drive home.. Thoughts?

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I am curious about this question.

If this wasn't Disney. Lets say you were going to Cancun or something.

Would you still be going on the trip or would you be canceling?

I personally would cancel for another trip, but Disney would deff have me considering going.

That question is something to think about

Also, bring those anker portable chargers with you to have incase power is lost while there. Good for your cell phones to let others know you are ok

Definitely an interesting question. I can't speak for anyone else but I was there during Matthew and I felt incredibly safe. Many people from coastal regions evacuate into Orlando. I think that Cancun being on the coast and Orlando being further inland also make it a little difficult to compare. And I would also think that Disney has better building standards and infrastructure than most areas in Cancun. Those are just my two cents

 

[AngiTN]

Uh..that's been my brain the whole week

Psh, I wish it was just a week for me, I'm going on years and it's not gonna be getting better LOL