Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[mickeyfino]

For those who have canceled their WDW onsite hotel reservations due to the storm, could you advise if a full refund was offered, or is it only an option to reschedule to a late date? I tried calling WDW to inquire, but the lines are jammed up.

 

[Gorechick]

WDW is the best place to be. We were there for Charley in 2004. We were one of the last flights in to MCO before it closed. WDW had power and enough food and supplies for everyone who was stranded on property and even offered discounted hotel rooms to their employees as the rest of the Orlando area was without power for days.

 

[aniroc192]

I work at UNC and one of our Marine Scientists has been keeping data on this storm. Here is a link to their path, circulation, and storm surge model http://nc-cera.renci.org/. It is updated frequently. It looked at lot different yesterday before I left work.

My friends and I were planning to drive down from NC on Saturday, now we're leaving Friday, stopping half way, and then driving the rest of the way on Saturday. We're gonna bring some games, and order a pizza and just hunker down and ride it out til it's safe the next day. Then, we won't have to rush to get out to make it to Florida at a "decent" time. We aren't worried about being at Disney while it's raining/storming, we were more concerned for the trip down.

Everyone stay safe!

 

[Jennasis]

I heard about the "loop" this morning. Al Roker mentioned that it might loop back around to Florida after it grazes the Carolinas. We'll see. Just be prepared. All we can do.

 

[iceternal]

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 ?

 

[csgsu]

I work at UNC and one of our Marine Scientists has been keeping data on this storm. Here is a link to their path, circulation, and storm surge model http://nc-cera.renci.org/. It is updated frequently. It looked at lot different yesterday before I left work.

My friends and I were planning to drive down from NC on Saturday, now we're leaving Friday, stopping half way, and then driving the rest of the way on Saturday. We're gonna bring some games, and order a pizza and just hunker down and ride it out til it's safe the next day. Then, we won't have to rush to get out to make it to Florida at a "decent" time. We aren't worried about being at Disney while it's raining/storming, we were more concerned for the trip down.

Everyone stay safe!

Do you know if they are seeing a loop around now?

 

[ErinsMommy]

I heard about the "loop" this morning. Al Roker mentioned that it might loop back around to Florida after it grazes the Carolinas. We'll see. Just be prepared. All we can do.

We now have Dylan Dryer reporting the same here this morning - I guess they sent Al elsewhere to cover the story since Dylan is way pregnant.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Disney is waiving most cancellation penalties. The resorts are jammed packed the next week or so. I'm sure finding safe places for FW guests will push the occupancy to the limits. Add the need for employee housing...sounds like a big mess that I wouldn't want to experience.

 

[aniroc192]

Do you know if they are seeing a loop around now?

They aren't predicting it as of right now. but it does stay in off the coast of Florida near Jacksonville for a while. Like many have stated, expect a lot of rain and wind in Orlando until about Saturday. I do not think it'll touch down in Florida (fingers crossed). For drivers, slow and steady wins the race, and you can't enjoy Disney world if you're hurt from travel. For flights, cancellations suck, but except them and when they're not cancelled, you'll be even happier heading to the happiest place on earth.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's no way anybody can accurately project anything beyond what NOAA is showing now, so I don't think it's any use worrying about Matthew coming back on Tuesday at this point.

If there is going to be the possibility of severe damage projected to the WDW area, that area may be evacuated also. Hasn't happened but there is always a first time. The impact will likely be devastating on the coast but they don't know about Orlando yet for sure.

Evacuees from the coast often move inland and some of them go to WDW, so there's that with the resorts as well.

 

[csgsu]

They aren't predicting it as of right now. but it does stay in off the coast of Florida near Jacksonville for a while. Like many have stated, expect a lot of rain and wind in Orlando until about Saturday. I do not think it'll touch down in Florida (fingers crossed). For drivers, slow and steady wins the race, and you can't enjoy Disney world if you're hurt from travel. For flights, cancellations suck, but except them and when they're not cancelled, you'll be even happier heading to the happiest place on earth.

originally im supposed to come from atlanta down 75 to turnpike on fri....dont know if thats going to happen....how do you guys plan on going?

 

[Accident]

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 ?

I wouldn't.. disney is one of the best places to be in a hurricane and it'll be mostly out of the area by saturday and disney cleaned up the place really quick (but surrounding areas may not). your airline i'm sure will delay or cancel the flight if it's going to be a problem to land. Disney is good with refunds even on the day you were to arrive for weather impacted travel problems. They also reschedule it (as should the airline) for no fee which comes out wonderful if your shifting a hard to get discount like free dining.

 

[iceternal]

I wouldn't.. disney is one of the best places to be in a hurricane and it'll be mostly out of the area by saturday and disney cleaned up the place really quick (but surrounding areas may not). your airline i'm sure will delay or cancel the flight if it's going to be a problem to land. Disney is good with refunds even on the day you were to arrive for weather impacted travel problems. They also reschedule it (as should the airline) for no fee which comes out wonderful if your shifting a hard to get discount like free dining.

Indeed I had the whole package, free dining plan, 50% off tickets etc ...

But I don't want to risk anything.

I also don't want to spend a full week in horrible weather ... I'm not paying a fortune all the way from France for that...

 

[flatlandcycle]

Do you know if they are seeing a loop around now?

So far nothing looks to be a "head on" hit for Central Florida. The 2AM runs from "weather underground tropical" (google it) show a loop. I wouldn't expect the second hit to occur for like a week later. Right now the loop (second pass) looks headed for the Miami/keys area. On that first pass I would prepare for 60 mph winds in Orlando/Kissimmee and hope for 30 mph. The east coast of Florida will likely see Cat 3 hurricane winds the first pass of Matthew.

 

[DisAuntie]

Im no weather person but it seems to me if it can slow down a little more maybe it will get pushed of shore a little more....that just from the latest projections....im probably just hoping allot right now

There is a low pressure system to the east, pushing Matthew further west than initially thought. That is why the track has shifted further to the west, with Central Florida as a possibility of sustaining a direct hit.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

There were no free dining discounts for October. (Domestic)

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Nobody can even say that there WILL be a loop right now. It's a possibility.

New
There were no free dining discounts for October.

Not for US customers. the poster is from Europe. Could be different there.

 

[Geoff_M]

Nevermind.

 

[Accident]

Indeed I had the whole package, free dining plan, 50% off tickets etc ...

But I don't want to risk anything.

I also don't want to spend a full week in horrible weather ... I'm not paying a fortune all the way from France for that...

I would still come, but if your concerned and have the option to reschedule, right now airline and disney should be able to reschedule you to come next week instead if that works out for you.. Do what you feel safe with, I personally would come.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Indeed I had the whole package, free dining plan, 50% off tickets etc ...

But I don't want to risk anything.

I also don't want to spend a full week in horrible weather ... I'm not paying a fortune all the way from France for that...

If you can get full refunds, I'd cancel...you can always rebook in the future...