Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[Tiggerette]

I am flying in sat.... or hope to be?

I have friends that are supposed to fly out of MCO sat evening. Out of an (over)abundance of caution, I've already counseled them to consider a plan C if the airport opening is significantly delayed, planes unable to fly in to take passengers out, and winds still high. I remain hopeful for them. Some folks have reported their airline canceling Saturday morning flight. Additionally, connections might affect flights to MCO, i.e.; connections affected by Matthew.

Again, I don't want to come across as a fear-mongerer. I empathize it can be difficult to wait until the evening before your flight to have enough solid information (as opposed to hypothetical) to make your plans.

hugs and support!

 

[twinklinglights]

Staying in NOFQ and realized we should have eaten at MK before we came back to the hotel. Went over to POR and people were lined up 50 deep waiting for food, nobody there to give instuctions or direct people. They were also lined up out the door of the general store buying basics. Looked like a refugee crisis. Weather was just a drizzle around 6pm so we drove down the road past disney springs to the the hotel corner with the holiday inn. There were several restaurants open including a steakhouse, dennys, and wafflehouse. Several convenience stores open. We got some takeout from the dragon super buffet and went back to eat at the resort.

I'm a little disappointed Disney couldn't be better organized and have sufficient staff to get food distributed to families with tired kids... if all those restaurants were open then disney could have offered a shuttle rather than trapping people in a hotel with no food.

I think safety over tired kids...that is what Disney is working on...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Even underground power distribution systems have vulnerabilities.

• First, the power has to get to the area. The Florida electricity transmission system is mostly above ground. Disney has some generation itself but its only enough to carry 20-25% of their total load.
• Second, while the distribution lines are underground, high water levels could cause outages as things experience very high water levels
• Third, distribution transformers are often at ground level and can be damaged by high water and/or falling debris.

Do people really need extra towels? DVC or not? How many actually refuse to re-use a bath towel more than once? And other supplies like soap, toilet tissue? The units are stocked enough to start with for more than a few days.


They seldom charge for extra towels. Certainly wouldn't do that under these conditions.

Why wouldn't they charge you? A hurricane has nothing to do with the DVC unit policy. If you want extra, they would charge. If there wasn't a hurricane they would charge, so why not during one. But they should have supplied a flashlight

 

[Ellwood970]

Any ideas on when we will know what kind of damage the property has taken post storm? We are supposed to arrive in Orlando around 2pm Saturday but I'm worried about the airport/road conditions... and if the parks/resorts will be badly damaged. We have Halloween party tix for Monday evening... I don't know if those would be refunded either. Any help answering or giving suggestions would be appreciated.

They will be up at running at least at the MK and EPCOT, they have built in tie downs all around the parks for things like this. Everything will be tied down tight. Downed Trees and shrubs can be moved out quickly.

 

[NanaDisney]

I can't believe some of the comments and dangerous hurricane advice being given from those who are not even in Orlando! This is a life threatening category 4, possibly catastrophic 5 hurricane! I live in Orlando, and today the sheriff came into the community I live in and ordered all of us 1100+ homes to evacuate. While he said we couldn't be forced to leave, those of us who won't leave were asked to call the sheriff's office with our name, address and next of kin contact. The worst is yet to come. folks.

 

[momof2n2]

Wondering how Castaway Cay has faired under the storm. Doubt we will know for several days.

I've been wondering this all day.
Hopeful all Bahamians are safe.

 

[Disfan1968]

I can't believe some of the comments and dangerous hurricane advice being given from those who are not even in Orlando! This is a life threatening category 4, possibly catastrophic 5 hurricane! I live in Orlando, and today the sheriff came into the community I live in and ordered all of us 1100+ homes to evacuate. While he said we couldn't be forced to leave, those of us who won't leave were asked to call the sheriff's office with our name, address and next of kin contact. The worst is yet to come. folks.

This will not make it to a Cat 5. In fact will probably come on shore as a Cat 3. BUT that's still a very dangerous storm. All safety measures taken by authorities need to be heeded.

 

[eastendlights]

Yep...and people who haven't been through a major hurricane before are going to be shocked when their cell phones don't work.

Very true. Here in CT after Irene and Sandy we lost cell towers for almost a week.

 

[KateP85]

The wind has picked up here and rain is still heavy. Sleeping on the floor of baby's room. Not comfy.

 

[KateP85]

I can't believe some of the comments and dangerous hurricane advice being given from those who are not even in Orlando! This is a life threatening category 4, possibly catastrophic 5 hurricane! I live in Orlando, and today the sheriff came into the community I live in and ordered all of us 1100+ homes to evacuate. While he said we couldn't be forced to leave, those of us who won't leave were asked to call the sheriff's office with our name, address and next of kin contact. The worst is yet to come. folks.

I'm surprised, I didn't know anyone in Orlando was being asked to evacuate. Whereabouts are you, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[hiroMYhero]

The wind has picked up here and rain is still heavy. Sleeping on the floor of baby's room. Not comfy.

Thanks, Kate, for the updates. Stay safe!!

 

[gwynne]

I'm surprised, I didn't know anyone in Orlando was being asked to evacuate. Whereabouts are you, if you don't mind me asking?

Maybe the request to evacuate was due to the structure of the residence.

 

[ElsieAstronaut]

It's starting to look pretty ugly over here in Tampa, so I can't imagine farther east or south. Even out here, pretty much as far west as you can get in FL, people are prepping. My store ran out of bottled water, and there was a major run on batteries, candles, etc. I know it's not really supposed to do much here, but it's my first one and I'm a little nervous.

That said, we're still planning on heading to the parks bright and early Sunday for two days. Hope everyone there now stays safe, and can still try to have some fun.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Note to self...Reminder why I always rent a car.

Not for nothing but the "fight" for a boxed lunch started at 4pm, well before any severe weather has made any impact to Orlando. Plenty of time to get food and not just sit there helpless, but that's just the state of the general public. Oh wait there is a two hour line for boxed lunches and mayhem, let me get in the middle of it! And yes, I have been through hurricane. Sandy in fact, 10 days without power. You know what I did, I took my family and drove 45 min to where they had plenty of power and food.

Tampa is an hour away and business as usual...Take control, don't be helpless. I could be there and back (or the 1000 placed in between) before you get to through the line for your boxed rations!

 

[gja360]

I can't believe some of the comments and dangerous hurricane advice being given from those who are not even in Orlando! This is a life threatening category 4, possibly catastrophic 5 hurricane! I live in Orlando, and today the sheriff came into the community I live in and ordered all of us 1100+ homes to evacuate. While he said we couldn't be forced to leave, those of us who won't leave were asked to call the sheriff's office with our name, address and next of kin contact. The worst is yet to come. folks.

Everything I am seeing and reading this in not going to be a Cat 5 hurricane. A lot of people are now saying that FL might get lucky and not get a direct hit.

No one is saying that Matthew is not a powerful and dangerous storm, but I don't think the damage is going to be as bad as it would be with a FL landfall.

 

[DLM1980]

So I just got back from one last trip to OPR to refill my mug and see if there was a snack left. Lines crazy long still back to the door by shutters then back to the snack room

Snack room empty of most snacks a few yogurts and apple slices and grapes the bakery cabinet empty

In the gift shop just ritz and nutter butters left on the shelves no bagged family size lays chips. Bottles of water replaces most shelfs.

Some cheeze-it's left

Kids were being entertained with the tvs and coloring pages as well as bingo

 

[gwynne]

Here is the link to the National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
The public advisory updates are about halfway down the page. The new update will go active about 11pm eastern

 

[gja360]

Here is the link to the National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
The public advisory updates are about halfway down the page. The new update will go active about 11pm eastern

I'm very interested in what the 11 PM update has to say.

 

[cristen72]

Anyone else here worried about projectiles coming through the windows in their rooms? I'm really scared about that.

 

[Viu Manent]

Staying in NOFQ and realized we should have eaten at MK before we came back to the hotel. Went over to POR and people were lined up 50 deep waiting for food, nobody there to give instuctions or direct people. They were also lined up out the door of the general store buying basics. Looked like a refugee crisis. Weather was just a drizzle around 6pm so we drove down the road past disney springs to the the hotel corner with the holiday inn. There were several restaurants open including a steakhouse, dennys, and wafflehouse. Several convenience stores open. We got some takeout from the dragon super buffet and went back to eat at the resort.

I'm a little disappointed Disney couldn't be better organized and have sufficient staff to get food distributed to families with tired kids... if all those restaurants were open then disney could have offered a shuttle rather than trapping people in a hotel with no food.

We arrived at Disney today as planned. Totally crazy but we were really trying to salvage this vacation. We arrived at Pop. It was total chaos. Huge long lines for everything. We had a complicated reservation that I was unable to fix prior to arrival. We had our first night at Pop and then were moving to the YC. Obviously, we aren't driving tomorrow. I tried multiple times to book the YC to no avail. When I arrived at Pop I encountered the most pleasant CM. I explained my situation. Indeed YC is full. She called the Boardwalk and Beachclub. We are here at the Boardwalk. It is lovely and the room fits our needs as a family of 5. My DH would have lost it if we had to shelter in place at Pop with all of us in one room. Everyone we have encountered has been amazing. We had ADR at Chef Mickey but there were no characters. That was a bit of a bummer. However, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale arrived at the hotel this evening. Super fun!
Trying to stay positive that the parks will open in some way Saturday.