Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[A Mickeyfan]

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!

You may have issues finding a room due to all the evacuations in SC.

 

[nikapluto]

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!!

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

Oh yeaaaa? Well I asked THREE CM and a manager! lol I'm only kidding but the staff is all doing the best they can to keep everyone updated and do their best for us. Either way, our butts will be downstairs before 5!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

https://orlandoairports.net/flights/

Not everyone in FL unfortunately. The NE coast is getting hit with some pretty bad storm surge. There will be plenty of flood damage and have a feeling possibly loss of lives because people refused to adhere to evacuate when told.
Disney on the other hand escaped any real damage

 

[Tiggerette]

First, mega-hugs to HopperFan while waiting for the storm to pass. Thank you for keeping the information and pictures coming.

Congrats to folks that made it through! Here's hoping folks don't have to go through Matthew part 2, the soggy sequel!

Gentle hugs during the recovery phase for those rebuilding and for those visiting.

 

[DLM1980]

People are swimming in all quiet pools here at CBR but I overheard a CM conversation with a guest and it makes sense

It's swim at your own risk and the waters have not been treated yet

Having my own pool the PH level can really swing after a rain storm. I can only imagine after what happened today

 

[DaisyD]

You may have issues finding a room due to all the evacuations in SC.

I booked the room a few days ago and called today to make sure I still have it. Lol

 

[Geoff_M]

I don't think the price to charge for things is a "unit" decision though. I think that comes down from corporate. How else do you explain that the vastly different box lunch options are $13 everywhere?

Fair enough on that point.

This is going to cost them money, no matter how $13 box lunches they sell and even keeping CM's home for most of today... though I am sure many are going to be called into work when the curfew is lifted so all hands can get the park ship-shape and they will be working through the night to make sure it is guest ready tomorrow. All of that is money going out without a lot coming in.

The point of my query wasn't directly related to the cost of the "box lunches", but more of an afterthought about the comments about how much money Disney is losing. While I agree that it's going out on a large limb to say that they're actually money ahead by closing the parks today, I DO think that the actual loses are probably much less than it first might appear. I know that there's a lot of debate about whether WDW's main business is operating theme parks or operating resort hotels (and using the theme parks as a means to fill them). The resorts are doing just fine today. The theme park tickets are still sold, regardless of if the park is open or not. I have no doubt they've lost some revenue from food and merchandise operations, but they may be partly offset by food purchases at the resorts or merchandise sales when things open back up.

As for labor costs, I'm sure that some more CMs were called in today to perform damage assessments, repairs, and cleanup. But with the relatively minor punch the storm had I don't think the workload would be that great. Additionally, it sounds like bus drivers will start reporting to work this evening. My son, as far as I know, is still sitting miles from work. In our last conversation he said that he would next report to work tomorrow morning. This assumes that he calls in today to state that he is able to work tomorrow. He works full-time. If he doesn't call in, he won't be scheduled for tomorrow. The work force may also be reduced tomorrow, avoiding more payroll costs if so, if people cannot work tomorrow... or in the case of a few of his co-workers, he thinks they may opt to take another day off work. With thousands of hourly CMs idled today, and perhaps some tomorrow, that's still a BIG cost savings for WDW regardless of how you slice it that will offset a lot(?) of the losses.

 

[cel_disney]

I asked what would be open at DS and it's going to be Disney based places - focused primarily on entertainment. They are hoping to get movie theatre and splitsville open first. Not all stores / restaurants will be open.

Also - the CM I was talking with had just come to work just before 3 when curfew lifted. She said that the roads were still eary and there was storm debris in them so drive slow and be very careful if you opt to drive there!!!

We are not in any shape to drive (I mentioned the drinks were strong right?!) - so we are going to eat at Kona and try to get to up early to go to EPCOT tomorrow to make up for the rides we didn't get on today!!

 

[thepicklebee]

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!

We are driving down from MD today but plan to cut over on 20 to 75 instead of chancing it down 95.

 

[magic458]

We are staying through Monday and getting in to full part days.

However it is predicted to be very high crowd levels all weekend in all parks

 

[Nutsforchipanddale]

We are at Saratoga Springs they said they will have food till it runs out.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

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?

That's no joke! My parents get this question a few times a year, lol. Some people get downright irate when they're told there is no dome. Others insist there is and my parents are obviously clueless.

 

[cbonebt]

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!!

I have Ohana ressie at 9 do you know if it will be regular skewer menu??? Someone said just a buffet??

 

[Geoff_M]

View attachment 199654

Looks like there's still a few bugs in the communications process.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I have Ohana ressie at 9 do you know if it will be regular skewer menu??? Someone said just a buffet??

They told us at 2:00 today no skewers. They also said they were still working out the menu though.

 

[Tiggerette]

That's no joke! My parents get this question a few times a year, lol. Some people get downright irate when they're told there is no dome. Others insist there is and my parents are obviously clueless.

I guess they took the "Disney bubble" quite literally?

 

[Accident]

Springs is opening at 6? Of course, why have fun when you can spend money with nothing else to do. It wouldn't be disney if the expensive part of property didn't open first.

 

[cbonebt]

They told us at 2:00 today no skewers. They also said they were still working out the menu though.

Uggg we were so excited That they were honoring the ressie

 

[need2travel]

So glad everyone made it thru the storm & that Disney is slowly getting back to business as usual. Those of you on vacation will have some memories to take home that's for sure. And to all the CM's who worked so hard thru the storm-I hope you get some sleep when you're finally off, you deserve it!!

 

[otten]

Springs is opening at 6? Of course, why have fun when you can spend money with nothing else to do. It wouldn't be disney if the expensive part of property didn't open first.

The official update on the app is opening at 5 and bus transportation starts then too. The restaurants I called were opening at 6 though.