Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[cloudnut220]

if it gets to the point where the DME buses stop running, it's likely there will be a warning to stay off the roads. although they may get to a point when the wind is just too high for buses. If that occurs, then it does follow that one would have to find alternate transportation.

I've already read on the boards at least two persons who say they got refunds on food & wine events. If you had the dining plan, no, they probably aren't going to refund unused dining credits. Use them for snacks to take with you.

Interesting on Food and Wine events--I thought Disney said they would NEVER refund those, under any circumstance. I had a terrible illness during food and wine one year and was told by a doctor to stay in my room, and they didn't refund me then! Obviously, act of nature is a little bit different!

 

[Skywise]

we are officially under a Hurricane Warning for the next 36 hours

I have this vision of the entire city switching to red lighting like some bridge command center.

 

[HopperFan]

OCPS is notorious for the weagging their feet oon these decisions. A new update is supposed to come at noon.

I hear you. Here in Atlanta, one of our largest school systems (ours) numbers and geographically refused to address the coming Snowmageddon. While other districts cancelled school they didn't. They then spontaneously released almost 100,000 in the middle of the day which created a simultaneous rush of parents trying to get home. This one school district basically locked down the city. Had they followed the weather and used common sense it wouldn't have been as bad as it was.

CM friend is supposed to fly from MCO to Atlanta on Friday for a Disney Store reopening. If the team makes it to Atlanta, is it safe to assume Atlanta and suburbs won't be greatly affected by Matthew?

We are fine. Friday and Saturday 80's and sunny. Coastal takes me 5+ hours but that is not as crow fly. Atlanta is considered very land-locked, no close beach. We could use some rain but there is no prediction we will get any of it. Which store is doing a re-opening?

 

[OnceUponATime15]

From the NOAA iPhone app 5 minutes ago

Still showing Cat 4 north of Miami - also off Daytona.. cat 2 north of Jacksonville

 

[Jgeauxmo]

I am from Louisiana and have been through several storms including Katrina and Isaac. The biggest problem you are going to face traveling in is going to be the lack of gas at most stations and the possibility of an evacuation order. Down here they put some of our interstates on contra flow to get people out faster. I think with Orlando being inland this won't happen, but traffic is going to be a nightmare if it hits. Also please be prepared and bring supplies with you for a few days. The stores always empty out here even when we get a near miss. I wouldn't hesitate being on Disney property during a hurricane. However, I would be extremely concerned about traveling there anytime after noon tomorrow. Finally, the comments about the tornados are very valid concerns.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We are here now. So far, this has been the most unlucky trip I've ever had at Disney: two 911 calls, one emergency pediatrician visit, giant blisters on my foot, a dramatic exit by a local family member and a hurricane threatening to rain out our last two days.

In spite of all this, I am managing to have fun. I got to do Frozen, Soarin' and see the MSEP. Festival of the Lion King and the Safari were amazing.

We are at the Swan (simply fantastic room, resort and cast members). We've gotten a couple of recorded calls from the hotel stating that Disney is operating normally for now and they will update us if that changes.

I'm afraid to wish our flight home on Saturday afternoon gets delayed till Sunday, but I can't help it.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I agree with your recommendation, but for what it's worth even the video report on the link you provided mentioned that the dynamics of the storm significantly changed with NOAA's 11 AM update versus their last update.

I'm on the Fl Space Coast and from Pensacola...the dynamics will change...it's a hurricane.

 

[yulilin3]

OCPS just cancelled school for Orange county tomorrow and Friday

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you are not coming because of Matthew, call WDW-DINE and ask if you can cancel those events and get refunded. Sometimes it depends entirely on what CM you speak to. Doesn't hurt to ask though.

 

[yulilin3]

I have this vision of the entire city switching to red lighting like some bridge command center.

I just have to go fill up the car with gas and get a couple of gallons of water and/or some sort of alcoholic beverage

 

[hiroMYhero]

Which store is doing a re-opening?

The Mall of Georgia store with characters appearing on Saturday if they are able to fly out of MCO on Friday.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

OCPS is notorious for dragging their feet oon these decisions. A new update is supposed to come at noon.

OCPS has 190,000 students - that is a lot of logistics to manage. They released the statement to the media yesterday that the policy is sustained winds over 35 will result in a cancellation due to school bus safety, so i am sure that they are waiting to see if the Thursday release times will be in the window of TS winds, or if they don't come until early evening to only cancel Friday. They may be contemplating closures in the eastern portion of the county only based upon wind projections.....

 

[Jgeauxmo]

Also I forgot to mention if you have ATT your cell service will probably be nonexistent during this thing. Do not panic. The only way were able to communicate in Louisiana after the floods and recent hurricanes was through wifi connections and Facebook messenger. The hotels will have land lines that will be fine. But if you are on the road and something happens just be aware you service may cut out.

 

[flatlandcycle]

It's starting to look like Matthew's second hit could loop in a tighter circle and re-hit Florida much further north and sooner. I'm starting to lean toward "stay away", or "last moment cancellation." That second strike could have brown ocean effect on its side, that would mean that it could cut east to west across Florida and maintain much higher strength.

 

[andyman8]

Ahh hurricanes. Growing up and spending the majority of my life in FL, I do not miss them at all, but that said, if you're going to be at Disney, you should be fine, even if this storm takes the westernmost track. Speaking as someone who rode out one of the '04 hurricanes at WDW, I can tell you will be completely fine. It is possible your park time might be limited or cut short, but in terms of actual safety, you'll be fine. It's up to you of course if you think it's still worth your time and money to go down there. I'd be more worried for the folks along the coasts honestly. Keep in mind, their homes are at risk, while for many of us here, it's just a vacation. Not to sound snarky or whatever, but just remember that as you interact with CMs who have family in the area.

I've been following it closely as I have family and friends in PBC, and it seems like people aren't quite sure what this storm's gonna do. As far as the looping around theory, it wouldn't be unprecedented (Jeanne in '04), but it still looks unlikely to me (but I'm not weatherman).

 

[Mr. Drauer]

funny - while typing that post I got the email from DW who works at OCPS that schools are closed both days.

 

[kwdw]

CM friend is supposed to fly from MCO to Atlanta on Friday for a Disney Store reopening. If the team makes it to Atlanta, is it safe to assume Atlanta and suburbs won't be greatly affected by Matthew?

CM friend is supposed to fly from MCO to Atlanta on Friday for a Disney Store reopening. If the team makes it to Atlanta, is it safe to assume Atlanta and suburbs won't be greatly affected by Matthew?

I'm visiting in Atlanta right now - scheduled to fly out Saturday. There's not much talk about it given how far inland Atlanta is and the current path projections. I think the main issue to going to be all the messed up flights! That tends to cause widespread disruptions.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm visiting in Atlanta right now - scheduled to fly out Saturday. There's not much talk about it given how far inland Atlanta is and the current path projections. I think the main issue to going to be all the messed up flights! That tends to cause widespread disruptions.

THIS^ With ATL being a major hub and transfer point, for many going to MCO could be issue. I would think flights will be leaving MCO as long as they have planes. They will probably want to leave MCO empty of planes at some point until it passes to avoid wind damage.

 

[Ametista]

I'm flying all the way from France to Orlando on Saturday ... I don't know what to do ... Should I cancel my two-week trip ?

Would Disney refund it all ?

No! The hurricane should have passed by then!

 

[Gastonecrosse]

Too bad Nash Roberts isn't still around. He was the only source I felt I could trust with hurricane predictions. He got Katrina right with his dry erase marker and white board while all the fancy computers failed.

I agree with most posters; If I was there I would just stay and see what happens but I would definitely not want to be traveling before or right after the storm. I have to drive through storm affected areas for work in the Louisiana/Texas gulf coast areas and the amount of crap everywhere after a storm is pain to deal with at best and quite dangerous at worst.

If you are riding out the storm, keep in mind that Disney does have the ability to generate power so if you are stuck there will most likely electricity in areas. I was at LSU during Katrina and the campus had power long before the surrounding Baton Rouge did due to their localized generation.