Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[HopperFan]

Thanks for the info. I've been curious...and hoping the animals stay safe. Thanks for all of your posts...your awesome! Many of us here really appreciate all that you do.

Google Earth you can see them all.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I was looking up info on animals inside the AK park and their shelter when i came across this interesting fact about the Tree of Life!



No, its not real. You’d be surprised how many people ask if it is.


Its a tribute to the imagineers hard work on the 14-story structure. The tree contains over 7,000 branches, many with joints that allow them to sway in the wind. The branches are covered with over 100,000 fake leaves. And yes, it can withstand hurricane force winds.


The core of the structure is actually an off-shore oil rig, turned upside down. It was just the right shape and strength needed to support the tree. But it is just a bit ironic to have the icon of a park with an environmental message built upon an oil rig.


Hard to see on a map, there are several ‘hidden’ trails crisscrossing the area around the Tree of Life. These make for good shortcuts from one side of the park to the other and are lined with animals.

 

[cglaura]

Not only could they be destructive - and it looks like from last video water will likely be entering first floor ........... if something happens to any of them, the owner could be held liable. I would have told the guests be out by 6 am or the police are coming. That was early enough they could have gotten help.

According to this they were not even guests, just people who decided to stay there. I couldn't find the actual CNN report the article refers to though. Or if the owners are even there? This might have been posted already... so much to read on this thread.

Mayor Nancy Shaver told CNN that authorities have spoken to those inside and determined they are not guests of the inn. “Those are actually apparently young people who have chosen to stay there. We have been in contact with them, and they have told us they really don’t wish to have any assistance,” she said.

http://rare.us/story/dramatic-video...-and-breakfast-by-hurricane-matthew-flooding/


...

 

[HopperFan]

I was looking up info on animals inside the AK park and their shelter when i came across this interesting fact about the Tree of Life!



No, its not real. You’d be surprised how many people ask if it is.


Its a tribute to the imagineers hard work on the 14-story structure. The tree contains over 7,000 branches, many with joints that allow them to sway in the wind. The branches are covered with over 100,000 fake leaves. And yes, it can withstand hurricane force winds.


The core of the structure is actually an off-shore oil rig, turned upside down. It was just the right shape and strength needed to support the tree. But it is just a bit ironic to have the icon of a park with an environmental message built upon an oil rig.


Hard to see on a map, there are several ‘hidden’ trails crisscrossing the area around the Tree of Life. These make for good shortcuts from one side of the park to the other and are lined with animals.

YUP, DS was telling DH that story last night.


Now for a fake story, my friend at MK ............. one of the most common questions when wet weather ............. when will Disney put up the dome?

 

[HopperFan]

According to this they were not even guests, just people who decided to stay there. I couldn't find the actual CNN report the article refers to though. Or if the owners are even there? This might have been posted already... so much to read on this thread.

Mayor Nancy Shaver told CNN that authorities have spoken to those inside and determined they are not guests of the inn. “Those are actually apparently young people who have chosen to stay there. We have been in contact with them, and they have told us they really don’t wish to have any assistance,” she said.

http://rare.us/story/dramatic-video...-and-breakfast-by-hurricane-matthew-flooding/

WOW ............. if true I hope they will be able to arrest them.

 

[HopperFan]

YUP. And our team name was "Florida is Closed".

You must KEEP CALM and HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR!

Trivia means no phones. Thought I was golden.
What I didn't plan for was one of the sports events getting the boot on a tv for the weather channel....

When my home is sitting 250 yards from the beach in an area where not only the barrier island but the mainland got evacuated ....
Do whatever you can to not drive yourself crazy on the what ifs.
Right now it's on approach my way ..... hoping for it to keep out where it is and just go north (sorry GA/SC).

WELL ...................... I'm in St. Augustine. This is not looking good. My only hope is we sit on high land .............. SICK.

 

[poompalou]

We are waiting out the hold now. We are in DVC but the DVC offices are closed today. They told us yesterday it would be no problem to cancel the first night of our stay and to call back when we decided. Well, we decided today and they aren't there

We also did online check-in, so we are just supposed to get a text message with our room # when our room is ready. Technically we aren't supposed to even have to go the desk, but we always have in the past. As one of the other posters said, wondering about getting our points back if someone hasn't noted it on our account before tonite. But more so would hate to go through all of this and get there tomorrow and have no room!

Just to update in case anyone else is in a similar situation. We got through and talked to someone who noted it on our account. Since we are DVC she can't actually alter our reservation, but could put a note and suggested we call DVC in the morning when they reopen. Said since we did online checkin there should be no issue because they should just text us this eve with our room info, but the note on the file that we called and told them we couldn't get here tonite should ensure we get our points refunded.

 

[cel_disney]

Ok! Front desk confirms Disney Springs to open at 5 with buses also running at 5. I won't need the buggy after all

I was just told by a CM that busses were NOT going to be running at 5. A definite delay on busses - likely 6:30 would get things worked out.

Operating hours for tomorrow are longer which is also great!

Things here at the Poly are quickly returning to 'normal'. The activity staff is in full swing - setting up the Volcano Pool now with tons of inside and outside activities!!

 

[Aurora0427]

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.

I got my information from people staying at resorts other than the Poly... no food other than a boxed lunch after they closed the food courts and restaurants. It sounds like it depends on which resort you're staying at.

Nothing brings out the stupid like a natural disaster. I can only imagine!!

I read they're opening up Disney Springs and several restaurants there for resort guests only and everything seems back to normal. Have fun!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Hmmmmmm......do a Google search on Hurricane Opal from 1995. Opal went through Alabama as a hurricane after it came ashore from the panhandle and didnt get classified as a tropical storm until it got to Tennessee.
Also, I believe there was a similar circumstance with Joaquin when it came ashore in South Carolina.

Opal remained a hurricane for nearly 12 hours after landfall, its rapid forward speed propelling it the entire length of Alabama before being downgraded to a tropical storm as it crossed into Tennessee. Over the following 12 hours, it was not downgraded to a tropical depression until it reached Ohio, and not declared extratropical until reaching Canada, where it still managed to bring squally conditions.

Never said inland can't get a hurricane?

 

[DLM1980]

Cast member I just asked said springs opens at 6 but transportation to starts at 5

 

[mousefan73]

I wonder how they're planning on enforcing that little condition?

Wonder if they also want to get cars out first that were parked there for the storm. Read alot left cars there and maybe security wants all cars counted for before more come in

 

[Tinkerbell8956]

At the grand we just got a call that Disney Springs opens at 5 but no buses until 6:30.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Well, we were out and about at SSR a lot (last night and this morning) and dance parties definitely didn't happen as they've been described. this morning, even as of 11:50, they were stopping guests going into the carriage house making sure they were going in and out for something specific.

And to speak for someone else on the thread, they were under the impression (because it's what the message said) that they shouldn't leave their room.

But that's just my experience.

And it was also dependent on resort management. Some characters asked if they could be out in the lobby playing games with the kids and were told meet/greets only by resort management. Sad - the ride out entertainment is there for the guests as that is what they do best.

 

[ellie05]

I haven't been keeping up with the thread and it is moving way to fast. I had too many quotes to go back to read and respond, so I just didn't. We end up coming home yesterday morning.

For the people planning on driving I just wanted you to consider it will take you more time to drive down. Yesterday leaving Florida we had constant traffic all those people need to drive back. It took us an extra hour and a half to get home and gas was a hit or miss. Thankfully we didn't really need gas and filled up the tank once we were out of the crazy traffic and the state. Also water and certain stuff was gone at thall gas stations.

 

[SplashMom]

I live in Canada and as stated earlier, we definitely know about all weather situations in the US. In fact, as a resident of Nova Scotia, it isn't uncommon for us to be affected by hurricanes every year. I lost a car that was crushed by a tree a few years back during Hurricane Arthur. We have hurricanes...even have fatalities. Please don't consider all Canadians to be unaware of hurricanes.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

I live in Louisiana and if Florida's curfew is the same, it is not in effect during daylight or unposted hours. So those people out and about aren't breaking curfew.

I thought that's what my friend said too. I know when we had ours after Charlie, it was evening till morning also. You had to get outside during the day to clean up debris around your home. We had curfew a few days

 

[Skywise]

WELL ...................... I'm in St. Augustine. This is not looking good. My only hope is we sit on high land .............. SICK.

Hang in there man - I've got family just south of Jacksonville (about 10 miles inland) but I've been hearing reports that the surge is NOT good at the moment (And looking really bad for Georgia)

 

[KimBean]

We are driving down to WDW tomorrow and now I'm a little worried. Lol. We are leaving MD at 1pm and stopping at Florence SC I would guess around 8pm. Now I'm seeing SC might get hit straight on. I know Florence isn't near the coast but I'm wondering if the storm will still be in SC at 8pm tomorrow. Anyone have any clue as to what I may be in for? Thanks!

I think you are good to start driving down but I would pick a different path away from the coast.

 

[DLM1980]