Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[Huff]

Yesterday tons of people were all upset that Disney hadn't officially closed yet and they were putting cast members in harm's way..and today I'm seeing complaints that a park isn't opening back up for the resort guests?

I had no trouble with parks closing at 5pm yesterday (Thursday) as the best reports were forecasting heavy rain and winds in the area. Good to be safe. However, as of early AM this morning the winds were moderate, rains light and forecast for day is not bad at all. Storm has moved to the north. So why keep the curfew in place keeping all guests confined to their resorts? If parks cannot be opened at least allow guests to move around WDW for other activities, dining etc. Weather isn't bad and the worst for this area is long gone according to national weather service.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Category 4 Hurricane Floyd (Sept. 15, 1999) closed WDW but turned out to be a non-event as it never made the expected landfall near Daytona (it did strike NC as a Cat 2). WDW had already announced closure of all parks, instructed hotel guests to fill the tub with water, issued flashlights and box lunches to guests, provided Disney movies for kids (and Touchstone movies for adults) on room TVs. Many CMs were unable to get in for their park positions, but Disney did open, provide transportation and free admission for all WDW Hotel guests to AK while leaving the other parks closed for that day.

AK opened in April, 1998 and we had not yet been to AK and were happy for the opportunity to enjoy the park after weathering out the storm the evening before.

17 years ago and a lot less rooms equal to a lot less guests too

 

[DLM1980]

I had no trouble with parks closing at 5pm yesterday (Thursday) as the best reports were forecasting heavy rain and winds in the area. Good to be safe. However, as of early AM this morning the winds were moderate, rains light and forecast for day is not bad at all. Storm has moved to the north. So why keep the curfew in place keeping all guests confined to their resorts? If parks cannot be opened at least allow guests to move around WDW for other activities, dining etc. Weather isn't bad and the worst for this area is long gone according to national weather service.

I'm sorry but as I type this it's pouring outside my room and the tree is still being gusted at and bent over. While the food court may be open to those that are stupid and wandering around I do not expect mousekeeping or any other cm to be out in is yet

 

[HopperFan]

I had no trouble with parks closing at 5pm yesterday (Thursday) as the best reports were forecasting heavy rain and winds in the area. Good to be safe. However, as of early AM this morning the winds were moderate, rains light and forecast for day is not bad at all. Storm has moved to the north. So why keep the curfew in place keeping all guests confined to their resorts? If parks cannot be opened at least allow guests to move around WDW for other activities, dining etc. Weather isn't bad and the worst for this area is long gone according to national weather service.

One reason is that the COUNTY is under a curfew and that includes the guests. CMs are being allowed to go to work, but if they are pulled over they would have to show their ID. CMs need to relieve others, they are trying to gear up all the resorts with dining and what amenities they can for the guests. Plus any extra fun they can come up with.

Nothing is impossible but I don't see them calling in CMs for the purpose of parks or going to other resorts until the CURFEW is lifted since the travel is against curfew. At 11 am they stated it is still in place. You have to remember while Disney looks good there are lots of trees and downed lines out there, some street flooding etc. Area is also receiving bands of wind/rain. You have to keep it safe for the whole. Since Disney is in the jurisdiction for curfew, I imagine it has to stay in play for now.

 

[Irish_Mike]

So why keep the curfew in place keeping all guests confined to their resorts? If parks cannot be opened at least allow guests to move around WDW for other activities, dining etc.

Because opening up that can of worms poses a logistical nightmare for the resorts - primarily the deluxes that have characters in the common areas.

 

[Amy7979]

This isn't a surprise - the teams of cast members left remaining at the resorts aren't equipped to cook and serve meals at that level. The last thing Disney needs is guests going to their ADRs at Ohana/Jiko/etc, and then complaining that the meal isn't what they were told it'd be/why did Disney make them pay for it, and any other complaint under the sun.

Totally agree - posted without judgement. They're obviously looking to feed as many Poly guests as quickly as they can and the typical 'Ohana experience would not provide for that. I just saw a poster wondering a few times about her ADR for tonight and thought I would give her the info.

 

[aanderson5]

We are at Pop. Breakfast was not so great ( we got this just before 12, there was no signs of lunch so we took what was available). Note this was 2 meal and 2 snack credits. The brown/black bits are potatoes. Also no characters in the lobby. Lots of people in line but I didn't stick around to see what they were waiting for.
Our bag lunch wasn't bad though. This plus drink was a meal credit.

 

[MKMK]

Thanks to everyone for all the information on this thread - especially from those on property. It is extremely helpful.

We are APs that planned a long Columbus Day weekend. We were supposed to leave today, Friday, and take the first flight home Tuesday. Our flight to Orlando was rescheduled to Sunday. As of right now, we are still planning on coming -- crazy, we know, but we really wanted to see the last MSEP Sunday night and MNSSHP on Monday night.

Here is the question ... it feels like the parks will be reopening Saturday -- but if they are just limping along, we will bag the trip and suck up airline cancelation fees. Any words of advice from those on property (probably more applicable Saturday) would be helpful.

 

[elcmum]

Every CM has been very nice at ASMo. Loved the $6 breakfast and they were starting to prep lunch as we arrived. Free games in the arcade and lifeguards are manning the area and keeping everything in order.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks to everyone for all the information on this thread - especially from those on property. It is extremely helpful.

We are APs that planned a long Columbus Day weekend. We were supposed to leave today, Friday, and take the first flight home Tuesday. Our flight to Orlando was rescheduled to Sunday. As of right now, we are still planning on coming -- crazy, we know, but we really wanted to see the last MSEP Sunday night and MNSSHP on Monday night.

Here is the question ... it feels like the parks will be reopening Saturday -- but if they are just limping along, we will bag the trip and suck up airline cancelation fees. Any words of advice from those on property (probably more applicable Saturday) would be helpful.

Do you really think MSEP will still go on as planned on Sunday night? I honestly have my doubts, but I guess we'll wait and see.

 

[otten]

View attachment 199547 We are at Pop. Breakfast was not so great ( we got this just before 12, there was no signs of lunch so we took what was available). Note this was 2 meal and 2 snack credits. The brown/black bits are potatoes. Also no characters in the lobby. Lots of people in line but I didn't stick around to see what they were waiting for.View attachment 199546
Our bag lunch wasn't bad though. This plus drink was a meal credit.

Given that no one is actually supposed to be leaving their rooms at the values yet as well all have exterior doors, I'd just be glad the cafeteria was open at all.

 

[KateP85]

I had no trouble with parks closing at 5pm yesterday (Thursday) as the best reports were forecasting heavy rain and winds in the area. Good to be safe. However, as of early AM this morning the winds were moderate, rains light and forecast for day is not bad at all. Storm has moved to the north. So why keep the curfew in place keeping all guests confined to their resorts? If parks cannot be opened at least allow guests to move around WDW for other activities, dining etc. Weather isn't bad and the worst for this area is long gone according to national weather service.

I'm 25 minutes away and we still have wind and rain. There are still bands from this hurricane making an impact on the area, and there is still a mandatory curfew for Orange County so guests should not be on the roads.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Given that no one is actually supposed to be leaving their rooms at the values yet as well all have exterior doors, I'd just be glad the cafeteria was open at all.

My thoughts exactly! Considering what they're equipped with, i'd say thats not bad. At least there's food.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

You are correct on this statement, but by definition "goodwill" is something that is earned by doing something that you are not obligated to do, but decide to do otherwise for the good of your customers. They were not "obligated" to bring characters to the resorts, but they did. They were not obligated to give people flashlights, but they did. I'm not suggesting that Disney should have given away any food for free, but charging enough to cover their costs would have been more palatable.

I never stated that Disney was "obligated" to give any food discounts... I think it was a dumb move not to in the specific case of those "lunches."

Flashlights were for safety, indoor characters were to replace the parks being closed, it was entertainment. Like I said, storm or no storm, guests were going to spend money on food, and probably more than $13 for dinner. ...no need for futher goodwill deeds. It seems when Disney gives an inch, some guests think a mile would be nicer. The resorts along the coast told their guests to get out, they all had to evacuate. Imagine being there.

 

[SureAsLiz]

I'm sure this would be nice, but I'm guessing it is more to get the parks and resorts ready to function tomorrow. And to bring back full services at the resorts (mousekeeping and food service).

People I'm seeing reports from are not in mousekeeping or food service. And they were specifically asked for a 'possibly maybe' opening today

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Thanks to everyone for all the information on this thread - especially from those on property. It is extremely helpful.

We are APs that planned a long Columbus Day weekend. We were supposed to leave today, Friday, and take the first flight home Tuesday. Our flight to Orlando was rescheduled to Sunday. As of right now, we are still planning on coming -- crazy, we know, but we really wanted to see the last MSEP Sunday night and MNSSHP on Monday night.

Here is the question ... it feels like the parks will be reopening Saturday -- but if they are just limping along, we will bag the trip and suck up airline cancelation fees. Any words of advice from those on property (probably more applicable Saturday) would be helpful.

Speaking only from our resort.... there are only very small limbs down and puddled water, and the worst is past us.

 

[sotoalf]

Are any of the bars or lounges open? More than food, I'd need injections of gin every hour.

 

[aanderson5]

Given that no one is actually supposed to be leaving their rooms at the values yet as well all have exterior doors, I'd just be glad the cafeteria was open at all.

I wasn't complaining, just reporting. And I would have never left the room if I hadn't read on here that stuff was open. If they don't want guest to leave their rooms they shouldn't open.

We actually have enough snacks in our room but since we paid for dining and it was going to go to waste I though I may as well get something. My daughter actually ate more of the breakfast that anything else we got last night.

 

[uagirl]

A GIS coworker turned me onto this site. Pretty fun to see the wind speeds across the country.

http://hint.fm/wind/index.html

 

[AngiTN]

Just saw a notice on the MDE app that the parks open at 8:00 am tomorrow