Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[goofyintoronto]

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe a storm this powerful ever hit that close to orlando.

The difference between a 2 storm and a 4 to 5 storm are insane

I read somewhere that a cat.5 storm hit about a decade ago...on my way home so i cant pull up the info. But im sure if you google it you'll find it.

 

[Sorrel]

Are you in the main building or are all rooms there in the villas not connected to the community hall/reception area?

The villas are not connected to the main reception and restaurant area.

 

[Tiggerette]

In gentleness, could we please save remarks to Matthew? For folks that survived hurricanes, there is wisdom in the lessons for preparation, sheltering and recovery. I find there is less helpfulness in the comparisons of topology and historical review of storms beyond the applicable lessons for weathering Matthew.
With warm regards, compassion and hugs

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Recent radar/satellite is showing some odd stuff with this storm. Eyewall replacement, a wobble to the NNE of the original track, and some strange shear in the NE quadrant. Most of these would suggest a storm that is not strengthening, but the Hunter aircraft is showing a dropping pressure, which would say otherwise.

Looking forward to the next big update from the NHC, but this storm is changing by the minute, so who knows how good that info will be.

 

[wilkeliza]

The villas are not connected to the main reception and restaurant area.

Yeah then for now don't plan on being able to access Artist Point tomorrow. I know some friends are at Port Orleans and not sure if they were told to do this or just did it on their own but they have a 36 hour plan. Basically enough food and water for 36 hours plus some non-electronic entertainment.

 

[Sorrel]

Info about the storm or Disney's preps? I think because both are so up in the air right now the CMs really don't have any information. Think of the ongoing rush off stage right now - the amount of quick thinking and snap decisions that are being made to take care of thousands of nervous and angry guests.

About the hotel preps. They must know what they are doing, so why not tell us? I am not angry at them, and I appreciate they will be super busy, but surely the guests' safety is important too? They must have an emergency protocol, and it has surprised me how.

 

[sndral]

I bet all hotels will gouge the people who need one

Only if they want to be prosecuted. There's laws prohibiting it and below are some links explaining what to do if you think you are being victimized.
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Price-Gouging-Activated-During-Hurricane-Matthew-396102221.html
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/5D2710E379EAD6BC85256F03006AA2C5?OpenDocument
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/0/308348F71208C29085256EED00604673?OpenDocument

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Does anyone know how AK cares for the animals in these conditions? I know that seems a strange thing to worry about, but I'm a worrier!

I can only imagine how hard and fast the CMs are working, and I imagine there are many hunkering in at work rather than going home to their families.

Thanks CMs for doing what you do.

Stay safe.

 

[rteetz]

Update

 

[Princesca]

In gentleness, could we please save remarks to Matthew? For folks that survived hurricanes, there is wisdom in the lessons for preparation, sheltering and recovery. I find there is less helpfulness in the comparisons of topology and historical review of storms beyond the applicable lessons for weathering Matthew.
With warm regards, compassion and hugs

I agree, generally - I just responded to someone's post about Katrina because there are some panicked people on the thread already, and I wanted to point out that the main thing that made Katrina so particularly awful (beyond just the storm strength) is not a problem in Orlando.

 

[rteetz]

Does anyone know how AK cares for the animals in these conditions? I know that seems a strange thing to worry about, but I'm a worrier!

I can only imagine how hard and fast the CMs are working, and I imagine there are many hunkering in at work rather than going home to their families.

Thanks CMs for doing what you do.

Stay safe.

The animals all have shelters

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I find some of these reports surprising. This isn't WDW's first "goat rodeo" when it comes to hurricanes. It's been a while since WDW has had to scramble, but they should has a good deal of institutional knowledge about the kind of protocols and procedures that need to be executed now with regard to guests.

Sure they do have guidelines, but the majority of the CMs have never actually had to do any of this, including those in charge. All they have is guidelines to follow, no working knowledge. Disney has to change how it operates very quickly. These box lunches, for example, are easy enough to make, but suddenly having to make thousands of them at once could pose some unexpected challenges. Disney also can't make any promises as to what will and won't be available as this unprecedented storm progresses. What if the power goes out and generators fail? Nobody will be able to eat at any restaurant then.

 

[Geoff_M]

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe a storm this powerful ever hit that close to orlando.

The difference between a 2 storm and a 4 to 5 storm are insane

There's two factors, the category of the storm and the proximity to Orlando. It was mentioned "up-thread" that Charley was a lesser storm, but Orlando was in the direct path and the winds that hit WDW then were similar to what is now forecast for tonight.

 

[HopperFan]

Attention FLYERS -

FROM MCO

Here's a full list of contact info for our airlines if you need to contact them for updates:

https://orlandoairports.net/flights/

 

[Irish_Mike]

Does anyone know how AK cares for the animals in these conditions? I know that seems a strange thing to worry about, but I'm a worrier!

There are very safe and sturdy shelters behind the safari. They'll be well cared for.

 

[ElenaJane]

Does anyone know how AK cares for the animals in these conditions? I know that seems a strange thing to worry about, but I'm a worrier!

I can only imagine how hard and fast the CMs are working, and I imagine there are many hunkering in at work rather than going home to their families.

Thanks CMs for doing what you do.

Stay safe.

I was thinking about them too! I hope they are tucked in safe! Of course I worry about the humans, too.

 

[jessicam40]

I'm watching this thread and praying for safety for all of you in the storms path. We fly out October 11 evening. Hugs !

 

[wilkeliza]

About the hotel preps. They must know what they are doing, so why not tell us? I am not angry at them, and I appreciate they will be super busy, but surely the guests' safety is important too? They must have an emergency protocol, and it has surprised me how.

It may not be information they can provide. The best they can tell anyone right now is to grab some food and water and be prepared to have to hunker down and wait for further notice from the hotel. When it becomes 100% clear what they want you to do CMs will begin telling guests and an auto-call will go out to all resort cell phones. If after the storm power goes out but it is safe to leave then someone will be tasked with going door to door to alert people however since the phones are corded to the wall they don't actually require power to work (and thus why it is important to always have an emergency corded phone).

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe a storm this powerful ever hit that close to orlando.

The difference between a 2 storm and a 4 to 5 storm are insane

Floyd was a 4 - it prompted the first closing of WDW in 1999. Let's hope that this one ends as well.

 

[emacat]

Yeah then for now don't plan on being able to access Artist Point tomorrow. I know some friends are at Port Orleans and not sure if they were told to do this or just did it on their own but they have a 36 hour plan. Basically enough food and water for 36 hours plus some non-electronic entertainment.

This is a great plan. I worry that people think that tomorrow they'll be able to go out to food places or spend time out in the resort. If someone is in one of the "motel" rooms where your door opens directly outside, that's not a good plan, and could prove very dangerous to not only the guest, but the Ride It Out cast members the guest will expect to come help them at risk to their own lives. Have supplies for 36 hours, and expect to spend it in the room.