Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[SureAsLiz]

I just had surgery so haven't been able to do much for storm prep. My husband put up sand bags. We have water. All our flashlights seemed to have disappeared. So hopefully can buy some.

If you can't find regular flashlights (they were out in the camping section at every store I stopped at yesterday), try checking out the Halloween section or craft stores.
Many Halloween sections/shops have light up things, including small flashlights for kids.

Anything at a craft store will be more expensive, but in the sewing section there are many forms of light including battery operated ones. I picked up a small light yesterday that is just as bright as or brighter than my camping lantern, can clip onto anything, and is smaller than my hand. (look on the stores site for coupons - many just started 50% off single item coupons today)

The dollar section at my Target in Kissimmee also had a few light up batons yesterday, plus a bunch of $ glow items. Again, Halloween themed, but decently bright for hanging/marking locations

 

[Princesca]

Also, just to remind people that, along with the usual hotels, you can also check websites like airbnb and vrbo.com. You can also try Googling for bed and breakfasts. These are all places that don't tend to show up on crawler sites like Orbitz or Hotwire.

Gotta quote yourself at least once... so for convenience, I made this list of some other places to check for lodging!

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Orlando--FL

https://www.homeaway.com/merch/region/disney-orlando/149

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/orlando-kissimmee-area-florida.html

http://www.hostels.com/orlando/usa

Also - more of a shot in the dark, but here is a Google search page of retreat centers in Orlando that might have facilities:

https://www.google.com/search?q=orl...69i60l3j0l2.3695j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[BudgieMama]

http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/1...disney-world-not-accepting-reservations-week/

Apparently, no new bookings being taken in order to use rooms for guests who need moving.

 

[Jgeauxmo]

I'm thinking about all you guys down there now! Stay safe. If you need help or advice please ask us.

 

[KateP85]

- The person you quoted clearly stated they are an Andrew survivor. Having relatives that were at ground zero, lost everything including years of their lives "trying" to recover - I don't think you have the monopoly on knowing what it was like to be in Andrew.

- This is not Andrew. That is because every single storm is completely different. We have no idea right now where it will land, travel over or end up. NONE of us can presume what damage will or will not occur.

- This is not a competition, my storm was worse than your storm. This has no place here.

- I hope your friend is okay. She willingly entered a major hurricane on an island with no infrastructure, no plan and run in a way that it probably will never have a future of stability. Her choice and no one here should be attacked for her choices.

- Please don't diminish this storm to rain and wind. It is way more than that, hurricanes bring so many other side affects that impact. This storm can be very dangerous to life if people don't follow the procedures, don't stay away if they can, and to write it off to a thunderstorm does not help all of us trying to get folks to make good decisions.

- YOU have no idea if Disney will lose power, sustain damage or anything else. We prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

- Humility is to realize this storm is big and powerful and we are not invisible. We are but small specks in that storms way.

This is a DISNEY forum, this is a thread to help folks plan for what to do in Orlando/Disney World and in this instance how to plan for this storm. Some in Disney right now have no idea how to make good decisions and looking for input, some planning to head down need some information, folks want to know what is open/closed etc. Again, DISNEY/ORLANDO planning and right now that includes Hurricane Matthew that this morning they are saying is Category 3 but Category 4 maybe even 5 coming on land direct for Orlando. We just don't know. THAT is our priority, helping folks now, Friday, Saturday .... at Disney/Orlando.

Exactly. We're here now to help folks with questions they have about this particular storm in this area. No one knows exactly what is going to happen yet, and I don't want folks to dismiss this as 'wind and rain' when it's so much more dangerous than that. I think locals and people with experience have done a good job so far.

This isn't a competition - in almost any circumstance someone has it worse than you or has been through something worse.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

The security guy at HS told me they are planning for a 6:00 closure but it "could change."

 

[SPAM]

If you can't find regular flashlights (they were out in the camping section at every store I stopped at yesterday), try checking out the Halloween section or craft stores.
Many Halloween sections/shops have light up things, including small flashlights for kids.

Anything at a craft store will be more expensive, but in the sewing section there are many forms of light including battery operated ones. I picked up a small light yesterday that is just as bright as or brighter than my camping lantern, can clip onto anything, and is smaller than my hand. (look on the stores site for coupons - many just started 50% off single item coupons today)

The dollar section at my Target in Kissimmee also had a few light up batons yesterday, plus a bunch of $ glow items. Again, Halloween themed, but decently bright for hanging/marking locations

Good idea also to add on I was at the dollar tree near me in Ohio and there were all kinds of different flashlights there so people could always check there too

 

[KateP85]

I'm 25 minutes from WDW so I thought maybe I could update local conditions if that would be helpful?

Right now it's the calm before the storm. Overcast but dry and no wind yet. Warm and really humid. All of the local Publix stores are out of water. I went out last night and the local store was a zoo - no crackers, baby food, canned goods, granola bars. Police were stationed at the gas stations to control lines, but I went to three different stations before I found one that had gas!

 

[Leia's Mom]

So, almost done rebooking for next weekend. After many, many hours, here is what I discovered.

1. Southwest rocks. Three of our flights were on SW. They answered the phone in 15 minutes and fixed everything (with a price decrease).
2. Orbitz does not. I got a refund on one of the one way flights. I did not on the other. Orbitz had a very long hold in order to say "you really need to call the airline". In fact, they said "the flight isn't cancelled so we can't do anything" when it had been cancelled for 6 hours.
3. American was pleasant, but long calling lines. Fortunately, they had a call back. They are processing a refund easily.
4. United gets an F. They would only rebook for 3 days after the flight. I am hoping that flight gets cancelled ultimately so that I can get a refund.
5. My travel agent was great. She sat on the phone for hours to rebook.
6. Disney was great. They gave refunds on the MNSHHP and helped me buy tickets for next week.
7. Next weekend is going to be VERY BUSY. There are very few hotels available.

Ultimately, we were very lucky. My older daughter at college was meeting us for the weekend at Disney for her sister's fall break. Her fall break is the next weekend. So, ultimately, I pull the young one out of school for 1.25 days, and the older one gets more time at Disney (assuming the hurricane doesn't come back). My husband cannot go now because of work; however, he's ok as he goes back with me for the marathon in January. Fortunately, my work travel schedule let me be flexible this time. Overall, while we lost about $350 on one flight, because we downgraded hotels and got a refund on MNSSHP for DH and won't be renting a car probably, we'll save money.

Stay safe everybody!

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'm 25 minutes from WDW so I thought maybe I could update local conditions if that would be helpful?

Right now it's the calm before the storm. Overcast but dry and no wind yet. Warm and really humid. All of the local Publix stores are out of water. I went out last night and the local store was a zoo - no crackers, baby food, canned goods, granola bars. Police were stationed at the gas stations to control lines, but I went to three different stations before I found one that had gas!

Yes, very helpful! Are you in the Clermont area?

 

[JConklin]

So my husband and I are planned to arrive this Saturday, and stay until next Saturday on our disneymoon. We have been planning this trip for over 2 years and have been really looking forward to it (we haven't gone on a trip in that time to save up for this one). But now I don't know what to do. I don't know if we should cancel and try to reschedule or if we should just try to go . If we cancel , we will lose all of our special event tickets (mnsshp, hhn and the star wars dessert party), and we couldn't go for at least 4 or 5 months, but if we don't cancel is the trip going to be mostly washed out and not as enjoyable? Any advice would be appreciated!

(And I apologize if I seem insensitive to those that are down there now and the people of Haiti and anyone in the storms path, because i am truly sorry for them and they are in my thoughts and prayers, I just need advice from the fellow Disney goers).

 

[nancipants]

To everyone who is visiting the area:

The news is telling everyone to be off the roads by 5. Please be aware that the people who are working at the theme parks and the resorts have to go home to prepare for the storm and be safe. So if they close the parks early but the weather doesn't look "bad" yet, that's why.

 

[Smarra17]

On your way back to your rooms today, stop and pick up some last minute snacks, muffins and baked goods stay well as well as an extra cup of coffee or two. If you have a microwave you can nuke it and have hot coffee if the lights do not go out. Try to have your phone fully charged and laptops or iPads as well. Glow sticks in a pinch work well to at least let you know where the bathroom is. Fill your ice bucket and if you have any empty zip lock bags fill them with Ice as well. Get everything as cold as you can before hand. Those little snack packs work well too. Lunchables or cheese and crackers, fruit and nuts, veggies. Chips and snacks too. Popcorn can be a nice treat and lasts a while so if you can get your hands on a microwave pack make it early and you can snack while watching movies. Get more snacks than you think you will need because you do not know how long the storm will go on. Make sure you have water, mio or any other water flavor enhancer work well to change it up. Matthew has had a mind of its own since it formed. Most importantly is to follow the directions you are receiving. Stay safe and be careful.

 

[TwoMisfits]

So my husband and I are planned to arrive this Saturday, and stay until next Saturday on our disneymoon. We have been planning this trip for over 2 years and have been really looking forward to it (we haven't gone on a trip in that time to save up for this one). But now I don't know what to do. I don't know if we should cancel and try to reschedule or if we should just try to go . If we cancel , we will lose all of our special event tickets (mnsshp, hhn and the star wars dessert party), and we couldn't go for at least 4 or 5 months, but if we don't cancel is the trip going to be mostly washed out and not as enjoyable? Any advice would be appreciated!

(And I apologize if I seem insensitive to those that are down there now and the people of Haiti and anyone in the storms path, because i am truly sorry for them and they are in my thoughts and prayers, I just need advice from the fellow Disney goers).

I wouldn't assume all the events are non-refundable - it seems if you want refunds, this is the time to ask. I would delay because then you have no worries about aftermath and can focus on enjoyment.

 

[Princesca]

So my husband and I are planned to arrive this Saturday, and stay until next Saturday on our disneymoon. We have been planning this trip for over 2 years and have been really looking forward to it (we haven't gone on a trip in that time to save up for this one). But now I don't know what to do. I don't know if we should cancel and try to reschedule or if we should just try to go . If we cancel , we will lose all of our special event tickets (mnsshp, hhn and the star wars dessert party), and we couldn't go for at least 4 or 5 months, but if we don't cancel is the trip going to be mostly washed out and not as enjoyable? Any advice would be appreciated!

(And I apologize if I seem insensitive to those that are down there now and the people of Haiti and anyone in the storms path, because i am truly sorry for them and they are in my thoughts and prayers, I just need advice from the fellow Disney goers).

I am pretty sure people are saying that everything can be cancelled at Disney if the hurricane is the issue for no penalty...

 

[KateP85]

Yes, very helpful! Are you in the Clermont area?

Windermere. The sun has just come out actually! I'm sure there are people at the parks right now thinking that this is all a big overreaction, I really hope everyone takes it seriously. Even my mom in England said the news over there was saying the hurricane would miss us and just cause "a few showers!"

 

[Allison]

(And I apologize if I seem insensitive to those that are down there now and the people of Haiti and anyone in the storms path, because i am truly sorry for them and they are in my thoughts and prayers, I just need advice from the fellow Disney goers).

Please don't feel the need to apologize. This is the kind of thing this thread is about.

 

[HarleenQ]

Until you've walked out of a center-building bathroom, after spending 20-plus hours stuck under a mattress in a bathtub, only to find that it's the only room with standing studs (but no roof), please do not talk about Hurricane Andrew.

This is NOT Andrew. Andrew was a tighter storm that actually crossed a narrower portion of Florida - Matthew is a larger wind-based system that is just "cruising" up the coast. Also, Andrew destroyed everything with a perfect storm highlighted by tornadoes, high winds and a massive storm surge.

---------

I'm sorry if I'm being a real d*ck about all of this, but my best friend is in Haiti right now on a medical mission - right outside Port-Au-Prince. She arrived on Sunday (knowing that there was potential for trouble) and is still there helping people save their children from flood waters, helping people just survive - and today, she actually got to work her job as a physical therapist to help people missing limbs, or with injuries, so they can potentially walk down the street (barefoot, by the way, unless the clinic had a used pair of shoes in their size) to go see that the shanty they lived in gone. OH - that's right, there's probably not a bridge anymore.

It's going to be rainy. It's going to be windy. I'm sorry people have to sleep on a cot in a convention center. But Disney is NOT going to lose power. Orlando is going to be fine. It's not a third-world country.

Worry about people on islands, people on the coast. I think everybody needs a real dose of reality right now, and can maybe find it within themselves for a little humility too.

My mom's job is disaster relief and their main work is in Haiti.

You can be worried about 3rd world countries in conjunction while planning/worrying/being upset/etc for yourself. This whole forum is a big, giant 1st world problem. Someone's always got it worse. That doesn't make anyone a bad person for being concerned with actively being concerned with themselves.

I think you're taking out your concern for your friend in the wrong places.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I woke up this morning and turned on the news hoping for a miracle that this storm somehow took a turn and shifted away from Florida not closer to it. For all of you either there or with family there, may you all stay safe, continue to have power and sustain no or minimal damage. Our thoughts are with you!

 

[LindaOwl1]

So my husband and I are planned to arrive this Saturday, and stay until next Saturday on our disneymoon. We have been planning this trip for over 2 years and have been really looking forward to it (we haven't gone on a trip in that time to save up for this one). But now I don't know what to do. I don't know if we should cancel and try to reschedule or if we should just try to go . If we cancel , we will lose all of our special event tickets (mnsshp, hhn and the star wars dessert party), and we couldn't go for at least 4 or 5 months, but if we don't cancel is the trip going to be mostly washed out and not as enjoyable? Any advice would be appreciated!

Since you are not going until Saturday I would not cancel unless your flight gets cancelled. It seems things should be calmed down by then. You can wait another day to see if the storm turns back for a second hit. If not you should be OK. For me there are plenty of things to do in WDW even if it is raining - as long as it is not a safety issue by then I would go.