Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[SkiTeton]

For those that have rescheduled, when have you rescheduled to? Just a few days past your normal arrival? Or weeks/months?

 

[yulilin3]

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).

As of right now Disney is issuing refund on stays and tickets including MNSSHP. The SW dessert party has a 1 day cancellation policy so you could get a refund on that if you cancel a day before. HHN is Universal as of right now they haven't even said they are cancelling tonights event (which seems strange since it'll be dangerous all night)
I know it's a hard decision but if you decide to come try and make the best of it. This weekend is supposed to be great and it's just a matter to see if Matthew wants to come back for round 2 but that's still days away

 

[magic458]

MNSSH cancelled for tomorrow night.

We have been working the employees and they really don't know anything. Historically a couple have been here and said a 6:00 close is likely.

We are at Epcot and the crowds are fairly thin for the early opening we're doing test track for the second time it is practically a walk on both times.

 

[Geoff_M]

Turned on the news this morning. They said Orange County can expect 80-90 mph winds. They are telling everyone to be "in place" by 5 today. Still have heard no word from Disney with regards to closures.

It's a good idea to be prepared for such winds, but per the latest NOAA discussion and 48-hour outlook "Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km)." Yesterday, even with the same maximum winds, NOAA said to expect winds >75 MPH up to 45 miles away from the center.

My son said that so far it's all "situation normal" with regard to the parks. He's reporting to work as normal today at AK, but the unofficial CM consensus is they expect an early closure with no work tomorrow.

 

[randumb0]

looks like it may loop around and could ruin next weekend also

 

[flatlandcycle]

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

I like your plan for staying busy at the studios until forced to hunker down. Get a good radar app watch the weather bands as they come through. The bands tend to pack the punch of the storm. I don't see any models with the eye of Matthew going over Orlando/Kissemmee. There could be a storm band on the east side of Orange county with 80-90 mph wind while at the same time the west side only has 45 mph wind. These things can be quite beautiful, with rain that falls like velvet. It's good advice to work out the ya-ya's before curfew sets in.

 

[hiroMYhero]

MNSSH cancelled for tomorrow night.

We have been working the employees and they really don't know anything. Historically a couple have been here and said a 6:00 close is likely.

But, sadly, all CMs with shifts scheduled for tonight are being told they are "required" to show up for work. This even includes the MNSSHP CMs - why do they need to arrive to a park that will close at 7:00p?

Will keep updating as I hear more.

 

[skuttle]

We ended up canceling our quick weekend trip. We will rebook for Thanksgiving since that's the soonest we can make it (my DH is a teacher and oldest is in 8th grade so don't want to miss school). Our MNSSHP for tonight was cancelled. Got an email yesterday evening giving us the option to transfer to another day, get a MVMCP ticket, a 1 day park hopper good for 2 years, or refund.

 

[ErinsMommy]

But, sadly, all CMs with shifts scheduled for tonight are being told they are "required" to show up for work. This even includes the MNSSHP CMs - why do they need to arrive to a park that will close at 7:00p?

Will keep updating as I hear more.

Maybe they need staff to help keep calm and order?

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you for articulating what I was clearly not able to do. I have often wondered what I would do if my circumstances were the same as the guests who are now staying within WDW, and know I would be looking to those who have weathered these storms for guidance. If I had questions, concerns or frustrations, I would not find it helpful to be treated to a lecture. WE all know how to prep for a storm in our own areas, but if we have never been through a hurricane or a blizzard, how can we learn if we are afraid to ask for help? And I guarantee that previous post will send some folks away, and for no reason other than one persons need to feel superior to others.

I hate extreme weather and it always makes me nervous (I live on Martha's Vineyard so we get our share of nasty winter storms with high winds and we're trapped here when ferries don't run, which adds to the anxiety) but I really get both sides. I think the people on the coast should be a lot more worried than the people inland, who are going to be getting 50-60mph gusts... to put it in perspective, that is typical winter storm gusting here and the ferries here stop running with about 50mph gusts (or sustained winds over about 30). I'm sure there will be a lot of rain and flooding but if you are sitting in your hotel room, it should not affect you. Sure, anything can happen, but it is not terribly likely that it will given the conditions forecast in Orlando. It doesn't matter if MK or HS flood if you are safe in your room.

If it were me I'd be hitting the supermarket for basic supplies, charging all of my electronics fully (including my backup battery for my cell phone), maybe picking up a game or two and some books and staying out today as long as it is safe before hunkering down for the storm in my hotel room... and I'd advise anyone else to do the same. When Disney calls it a day for their parks and staff, you should stay inside, keep yourself safe and KEEP YOURSELF OUT OF THE WAY. Remember, anything stupid that you do will not just impact you but may impact the lives of anyone who has to help you out of your bad decision. If I had to be in Florida, Disney is the place to be. I'm more concerned with the people and homes closer to the coast and who do not have redundant systems and backup generators and the like. To me this is a "stay inside and stay safe" situation and not a "pray for your butt" situation. JMHO of course

 

[DLM1980]

At CBR they are moving the movables

 

[lovethattink]

I want to take this opportunity to tell you that your neighbor's to the north are praying for the safety and well being of our Southern friends! Stay safe.

Thanks!

I have a question. Why would people who live in Orlando, book a room at Disney or Universal to ride out the storm?

Many retirement communities are all modular homes or trailers. They are unsafe in high winds.

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

Great ideas. Read that to dh and he found some Chewie flashlights in his closet. Glow necklaces would be fun for ds.

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

Thanks, wouldn't have thought of there.

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!

Wow! Saw on friend's fb status that many Polk County stores replenished during the night. They posted pictures of full shelves early this morning.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I like your plan for staying busy at the studios until forced to hunker down. Get a good radar app watch the weather bands as they come through. The bands tend to pack the punch of the storm. I don't see any models with the eye of Matthew going over Orlando/Kissemmee. There could be a storm band on the east side of Orange county with 80-90 mph wind while at the same time the west side only has 45 mph wind. These things can be quite beautiful, with rain that falls like velvet. It's good advice to work out the ya-ya's before curfew sets in.

Thank you. The sun is out, and it is beautiful right now.

We have a 12:45 ADR at 50's Primetime, then we will let the boys build their light sabers and then head back to Pop.

 

[jv3cv1]

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 think I would just wait and see what the storm does you may lose one or 2 days Not sure where you are traveling from may change that if you have a long ways to go to get there.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I wonder if everyone is at least trying to enjoy their day there today or is it just a look and feeling of stress all around?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Maybe they need staff to help keep calm and order?

Hundreds of MNSSHP entertainment CMs will arrive wearing t-shirts and shorts. They won't be any help at all onstage.

I think it's just to give the perception that all operations are normal until Disney makes an official announcement regarding any type of closure.

 

[Shutterbug]

This graphic from FLhurricane. Stay safe all

 

[ErinsMommy]

This graphic from FLhurricane. Stay safe all

Where does Orlando/Disney fall on that map?

 

[meaganmusing]

So here's what we first-timers who were set to be there today - Thursday thru Tuesday - ended up doing:

On Monday we added Wednesday night to our trip and changed our flights to get in a day early and beat the storm. Both SW and WDW were great - my TA was able to add a room at Contemporary for Wednesday night, no problem. The rest of our stay was CL at Poly. I figured we'd be perfectly safe and we'd probably get the chance to have an extra meal or two at 'Ohana.

At that point we thought we were set and planned to fly out Wednesday at 6PM. Then the storm turned, we got scared and decided it was unwise to fly INTO a disaster area. We decided to cancel yesterday at 2PM, an hour before our check-in at CR and four hours before our SW flight left. My TA got on the phone with Disney and was able to get:

-A full refund for the added night at CR
-A full refund for our MNSSHP tickets for Friday
-A full refund on our room and 5 day hoppers

AND

We've rebooked for December. Staying CL at GF early December and will now go to MVMCP! The rooms were roughly the same price as our Poly rooms and we have our SW flight credits we will use. I think it all ended up costing us about $200 total.

We were spending a fortune on this trip to take our 5 & 7 year olds for the first time and we decided it just wasn't worth it to spend 2 of our 5 days hunkered down and be worried about safety issues and timing in the parks. I think we would have stayed if our trip had already started, but I'm happy with the way it all turned out.

If you bought directly from Disney they will refund your money. It'll take a while to get through, but they will.

Be safe if you're there today! I wouldn't mess around with this one!

 

[NGavush]

Fwiw we were able to cancel our Hotwire booked 4 night stay at a nearby condo for the cost of one night. DW is on the phone trying to cancel airfare or transfer credits to use for our trip the week of Christmas.