Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[Pawpsicle]

All that for $4.50?? Im impressed actually! Thats a fair price for a meal like that. Good job POFQ. And i really do feel for those CM's. They work so hard to put those meals together.

Yeah tasted pretty good! They were originally $8.99, but they gave everyone 50% off. Apparently the arcade was free last night too. My parents were down there playing games and didn't bother to call us!

 

[BeerMe]

We are in a condo near Clermont, maybe 10 miles west of WDW. It's basically a bad rain storm now.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't think that $13 is gouging, BUT it was a stupid PR move to do so. These meal were not proffered as part of the normal fare of the food service establishments. There were produced in response to a event that generated a lot of worry in the eyes of their guests and also screwed most of the families out of a day in the parks that they had planned on. Disney certainly did a lot of other things that they normally don't do in the resorts in an honest effort to try and make the guests feel better about the situation. They brought in extra CMs, handed out flashlights, offered games, arcades were "no cost", they brought in characters, etc. They easily could have opted to "gone easy" on the pricing of the "box lunches" that they offered as another goodwill gesture. But alas, the management of the local food courts saw an option to ramp up their unit's bottom line, and they went for it.

Grocery stores didn't drop prices in lieu of storm when people were clearing off shelves in preparation for storm. Home Depot & Lowes didn't go easy on the price of Lumber that was needed for some to board up. Gas stations and hotels didn't drop prices for those needing to be evacuated. What makes Disney any different, they are a business too. They charged their usual prices if you break it down. Yes, the did try to make guests comfortable but comfortable and dropping pricing are different things

 

[Number Six]

I haven't seen one model predict a direct hit on Orlando, 60 miles inland. Everything has been up along the coast, with the eye maybe barely touching land. Watching threads like this is better than Jerry Springer sometimes, I think I've found my entertainment for today while I ride this out in NE Florida.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well said! I am of a positive nature and I think it's best to try and make the best of every situation. These constant complainers are probably like that in EVERY aspect of their lives and there ARE WAY too many entitled people running around this world. And, hey, if a person doesn't like Disney World, DON'T GO! Simple as that. And I agree, we are responsible for our own safety. Wasn't Disney's problem. They handled it well by being proactive.

They were being proactive. We had a message from them waiting on our room phone a few days ago. Basically saying they were keeping an eye on the storm, but I thought it was good they let people know what was going on.

We had debated staying, and I told my nephew if that is what we were going to do (and this was Tuesday early) we were going to go stock up on food. No way would we have waited until the last minute. Maybe it is from growing up someplace where every time a snow storm is predicted people clear the shelves, but it seems insane to wait until the day before a predicted storm hits to realize you need food.

 

[maxiesmom]

I haven't seen one model predict a direct hit on Orlando, 60 miles inland. Everything has been up along the coast, with the eye maybe barely touching land. Watching threads like this is better than Jerry Springer sometimes, I think I've found my entertainment for today while I ride this out in NW Florida.

Not a direct hit, but the wind bands could have gotten very bad. That is the problem with trying to predict the path, just a few miles one way or the other makes a huge difference. And I am not one to gamble on my or my family's well being.

 

[SplashMom]

I'm not sure what people expect. There have been tons of warnings. I can't imagine not being prepared in your room when so much has been said about the hurricane. Don't wait until the last minute and have food that may not require refrigeration. If you can afford a Disney vacation, you should be able to take a cab to a local store and buy a few provisions. What do these people do at home when emergency situations are possible? Does no one pay attention to the warnings and preparations? Disney doesn't have to do anything. People constantly complain that food is too expensive anyway so why are they surprised at the price of lunch? You really can't please everyone. If people would look out for themselves and stop blaming everyone else for their misfortune, maybe things could change.

 

[jamieann]

We are at the Poly. I know yesterday, they were only honoring reservations from guests who were staying at that Resort (same for the contemporary and Chef Mickey's, etc..). They didn't want people traveling with the lock down/curfew. Maybe that will change today? As of now, none of the dining here at the Poly is open. Concierge did tell us last night they would feed all Poly guests wishing to eat when they opened back up today but it may be a limited menu.

Thanks for the info! Still holding out hope that they'll open for dinner since the worst will have passed by then!

 

[cel_disney]

After reading all the posts about food shortages, and Disney only offering a boxed lunch to get guests through 24 hours of hurricane, if we ever go to WDW during hurricane season, I'm adding extra provisions to our advance Garden Grocer order. Although being from SE Texas, I would've been the first person at the food court stocking up. I'm that person.

Disney offered waaaay more than boxed lunches! There restaurants had full menus last night with to go boxes! (*they didn't run out at Poly but not sure of other resorts*). We have pizza, noodles, and sandwiches for today! And expect that our Kona ressie will be good for tonight.

Btw - even all of the things Disney did well are not stopping the idiots I see out my window here! They have passed flyers under every door to tell us that messages will be sent via phone service, watch for the blinky light for updates and stay in our rooms until then. Looking out our window I just saw a dad and daughter walking about. The people below us talked to them and asked where they were going and the guy said 'I'm from XYZ, this is nothing we are fine to walk around'. Idiots.

And 10 minutes after that (now) there are about a dozen people walking around (entire families?!?!?!)...BTW - I am in Tokelua with a view of Pago Pago.

 

[bellrae]

Hurricanes are unpredictable and no 2 are alike.

And they love to change direction with no notice and sneak up on you. I've lived through many - you really need to ensure it is far enough away that it can't sneak back up on you before you give the all clear to try to get life back to normal.

 

[dznygrl70]

They were being proactive. We had a message from them waiting on our room phone a few days ago. Basically saying they were keeping an eye on the storm, but I thought it was good they let people know what was going on.

We had debated staying, and I told my nephew if that is what we were going to do (and this was Tuesday early) we were going to go stock up on food. No way would we have waited until the last minute. Maybe it is from growing up someplace where every time a snow storm is predicted people clear the shelves, but it seems insane to wait until the day before a predicted storm hits to realize you need food.

You did well to do so, and by doing so, I bet you avoided the madness. I hope the rest of your vacation is wonderful and now you can look back and say "we were there when. ...." And I am from one of those snow storm areas too. Milk, bread, and toilet paper always disappear first. Lol

 

[Geoff_M]

The National Hurricane Service is still reporting that as a possibility. It's too early to tell.

Sorry, that was a bit of snark on my part because people said "Bah! It's FOX, you cannot trust them" when in fact projections were suggesting such a loop... and now it's accepted. As for Smith's comments, they certainly contain hyperbole, but there were made earlier before the storm weakened and moved further off shore than projected. He also qualified his comments on "if" the storm moved further on-shore. The intent was the same as other officials were saying: In the name of caution, get the **** away from the coast.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Exactly my thought. That's the reason so many people stayed for Katrina. Year after year, storm after storm, people in charge would panic and yell at everyone to leave because the world was going to end. Then, when a really bad storm was actually coming, lots of people figured it was another sky is falling situation and didn't leave. There can definitely be a detrimental effect to stir up panic too often.

In the end people will do what they want to do. My brother refuses to leave for another hurricane and he lives in one of the worst hit areas of New Orleans. You can't change stubborn no matter how much you try to warn people.

 

[dancermommy1]

Has anyone currently at the resorts heard anything about those arriving later this weekend... i.e., will reservations still be honored on Sunday? I'm concerned that rooms will be full of Hurricane waiter-outers? I'm not complaining, I'm very thankful it didn't hit as hard as expected and that you all are ok. Just trying to mentally plan. We are currently scheduled to arrive Sunday, and our flights are currently still on track, though I expect there to be delays. Thoughts?

 

[NanaDisney]

We'll see how many dead people there are who didn't heed the warnings when the storm actually went 10 miles east instead of 20 miles west from the time of the broadcast.

Personally, I'm giving all those meteorologists, news anchors and government officials a lot of slack. They have been working very hard on little to no sleep.

I agree..... it's a no-win situation.

 

[Praying Colonel]

DS is a CP who got called in to his resort yesterday for the duration. I'm thrilled it wasn't as bad as expected.

When I was in the Navy stationed in the Caribbean, there was a hurricane that was heading straight for us in Puerto Rico. They had elevated the preparedness to Hurricane Condition 1, which meant hurricane force winds were imminent in 6 hours or less. Everybody boarded their windows, filled every possible vessel with water and got food stores ready.

We never got a drop. It took a jog north and missed us entirely.

4 months later we went through the same process, this time with Hugo. No one said, "Well, they were wrong about the last one, so they're probably wrong about this one, too." And thank goodness, because that one was catastrophic--we were without water for a week and without power for 5 weeks, with widespread damage.

It's just crazy to blame the forecasters for a slight jog that lessened the severity. And if anyone wants to slack on preparedness next time because this one wasn't as bad...well, they get what they get.

 

[HopperFan]

Any news on resort offerings today? Fingers crossed for our 4:50 'Ohana reservation.

We are at the Poly. I know yesterday, they were only honoring reservations from guests who were staying at that Resort (same for the contemporary and Chef Mickey's, etc..). They didn't want people traveling with the lock down/curfew. Maybe that will change today? As of now, none of the dining here at the Poly is open. Concierge did tell us last night they would feed all Poly guests wishing to eat when they opened back up today but it may be a limited menu.

I would factor in (1) Is Disney Transportation up and operating? If it is not then my take is that Disney does not want you traveling anywhere on property. (2) Is the curfew still invoked? By technical law (and Orange County Police do service Disney property and parks) that means you are not to get on the road and leave where you are staying.

If either of these two things change then they may BUT remember for Ohana to be open fully, they need all CMs to operate it. If CMs are having a problem with getting to work due to the curfew they won't have the full staff.

If curfew is in place I could see all hotel restaurants being just for those hotel guests. It's a watch and see.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Disney did have to provide affordable food in some way b/c it's a safety issue. People who are scared and hungry do stupid things. If they did no boxes, and 75% of the hotel guests (as a rough non-prepared # looking at those lines) had no food for over 24 hours, what do you think they would do? Stay in their room starving? Not likely. Start causing issues? - likely, whether that would be leaving rooms, roaming grounds, trying to get into restaurants, calling customer service nonstop, etc. I'm betting after the prices and quality of those boxes, there are still some people with no food today and that should never have happened. If you are going to have paying guests, you have to provide their needs and explain when and where you can't WAY in advance. Food and water are safety needs, not just shelter.

Yes, food and water are safety needs, but they are under no obligation to lower their standard prices. Breaking down boxed meal is equal to their standard pricing

 

[mjallemand]

So that was a legit broadcast and not something someone cooked up themselves? If that was real, someone needs a talking to :/

Why? If this storm ended up being a massive disaster and led to loss of life comparable to Katrina but nobody warned anyone, people would be just as upset.

It's better to be prepared for the worst and have the worst not happen than to treat it as just an average thunderstorm and then end up getting killed because of your arrogance and laziness.

 

[Eoywin]

We've had good communication at AoA. Lots of voice mails giving us updates yesterday and we were told about the park closings on the bus to AK yesterday morning.

People are walking outside in AoA, we are personally staying put in our room. We are watching the Disney movies on TV.