Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[Lisa F]

Where does Orlando/Disney fall on that map?

i think it falls in that little bumpout of red that bumps into the orange zone, right on the border between the two

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

Does anyone have an update on what the conditions are predicted to be on Saturday? We are supposed to fly home at 5pm..

 

[JerseyJanice]

Does anyone have an update on what the conditions are predicted to be on Saturday? We are supposed to fly home at 5pm..

We are also flying back home from MCO on Saturday. So far, our flight is on schedule and the weather forecast looks beautiful.

 

[allymouse]

We are flying out at 2:30 today - fingers crossed we can. I think we should be ok. We did not cancel our room at BWV tonight just in case we have to come back.

Started feeling a tickle in my throat Monday and now have a full blown cold/sore throat and feel miserable. No pixie dust this trip!

 

[loves to dive]

As a hotel we had contingency plans for every guest.

This is not always the case. We were on a diving trip in Roatan a few years ago and it looked to take a hit from a hurricane. We got in from diving in the afternoon and had a note on our door that there was a meeting in the bar at x that night, nothing about what the meeting was for. The meeting was to tell everyone you have to get off the island and we ain't helping you do so. They did allow us to use the phone in the office to call airlines. I managed to convince Delta to move our flight up a day and not charge me but it meant island hopping to get on the flight. The hotel finally decided to provide a shuttle to the airport the next morning at x, either be on it at that time or tough luck. We are closing down everything and all staff are going home. You can stay but you are on your own. We got off and found out the next day that it was a non-situation, not even a little rain. All other dive resorts on the island even went diving that day. There were a few guests who couldn't get a flight out so stayed but they ended up having to walk to another resort to get something to eat and there was no electricity in their rooms for the day and night because the staff turned it off when they left. Now you would think a resort on an island in the Carribean would have a plan for hurricane's but nope. This was not some fly by night resort, it was the biggest most expensive one on the island.

 

[serenitynow]

We are flying out at 2:30 today - fingers crossed we can. I think we should be ok. We did not cancel our room at BWV tonight just in case we have to come back.

Started feeling a tickle in my throat Monday and now have a full blown cold/sore throat and feel miserable. No pixie dust this trip!

That stinks! I'm sorry, I hope you make it home safely and without being delayed.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

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.

I'd like to think because Disney wants all hands on deck. But that seems foolhardy from a safety standpoint for those CMs, since they already have a Ride It Out team put together. So now all I'm left with is, simply, greed for the profit of keeping the parks open as long as possible no matter how that may impact the personal hurricane preparation of CMs. I never think that about Disney. Universal is being the same way with their Team Members right now, too.

 

[DrunkJam]

I'd like to think because Disney wants all hands on deck. But that seems foolhardy from a safety standpoint for those CMs, since they already have a Ride It Out team put together. So now all I'm left with is, simply, greed for the profit of keeping the parks open as long as possible no matter how that may impact the personal hurricane preparation of CMs.

Yes, this worries me. Those staff members who *have* to come in, risking themselves to create an illusion of normality?
I have always heard bad things about the way Disney treats their staff. I feel bad for them.

 

[HopperFan]

FOR ALL OF YOU IN ORLANDO; the storm has changed and I'm adding some good info here from the ORLANDO meteorologist. If you do twitter, follow him.

It's not to alarm only to be aware of your surroundings.

It is important to be in your hotel room, home etc by 5 pm tonight. Transportation back to where you need to be might not be available.

If you can get there sooner, do - so you can charge up EVERYTHING, phones, computers, battery packs, ipads, ipods ...........

If you can grab some snacks and water etc to keep in your room. It won't be so long that you would starve of course but a snack here and there can keep the cranky down.

Stay away from windows and close your drapes - this much wind = projectiles and you will never move fast enough to avoid. You'll likely never see it coming. STAY INSIDE your room if you have an exterior door.

Disney guests, REMEMBER, when you call the front desk you are getting a call center maybe not even in Orlando. They truly don't know what is going on during a storm.

Turn on your TV and surf to see if hotel will keep updates on one of the channels.

Be very aware once you do go outside ... these storms stir up all the critters and they look for safety as well. You may cross path with wildlife you normally don't see.


---------------------------------------------------------
Brian Shields ‏@BShieldsWFTV 26 minutes ago

Matthew is STRENGTHENING at this time. Finishes preps soon. Be where you need to be by 5pm. #wftv


Brian Shields ‏@BShieldsWFTV 14 minutes ago

One of our models brings the center of Matthew right up I-95 & near Orlando. It's possible. Monitoring. #wftv

 

[seashoreCM]

If the park is going to close for everyone at 7 when Not So Scary Halloween Party is supposed to start yet MNSSHP CMs are required to report then the CMs are needed to help batten down the hatches. Like, being part of a Ride Out Team although not necessarily riding out the whole storm. At any rate not losing a day's pay by not reporting.

If it was needed to batten down the hatches sooner then a yet earlier closing would have been announced, cutting off some public park hours as well.

 

[Shutterbug]

Where does Orlando/Disney fall on that map?

From the looks of the map it looks like edge of red and orange zone. Any wiggle of the hurricane could shift that one way or other.

 

[baxgirl]

So I created an account purely to ask some opinions in here about our upcoming trip next week.

My husband and I are planning to drive down from Indianapolis to Florida on Sunday. We were planning to basically get as close as possible to Disney World, grab a hotel, and get up in the morning to finish the drive to Coronado Springs. We'll be coming down I-75 and the Florida Turnpike. If there are blockages on the highway caused by high winds and and things falling down do you think they will have it cleared by Sunday evening? (Super late, my husband is a nigh shift paramedic so we can't leave until he's off work at 7...if he doesn't get a late run which would delay our departure).

We originally planned to find a hotel along 75 without a reservation. Will people from the coast and staying in hotels from mobile homes and such probably still be in these hotels Sunday night? Should we try to book somewhere? (We really wanted to avoid it since we don't have a definite leave time). Sounds like nothing is currently available and I'm wondering how long people tend to stay when hurricanes happen (I'm used to tornados, not hurricanes which I know last a lot longer).

As of this morning weather next week (we're staying through Saturday morning) looks pretty gross (thunderstorms most days) which I assume is because most of the forecasts show Matthew on Tuesday sitting out off the coast of Florida in the ocean. We have our fingers crossed that it doesn't boomerang back to Florida (or anywhere for that matter). Some rain and thunderstorms won't bother me (we're going mostly to attend Food & Wine) but obviously another hurricane (or the same one againe) is a completely different story from some thunderstorms.

Stay safe everybody who is in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas right now! You're in my thoughts!

 

[HopperFan]

One business after another in Orlando is posting closings, most starting around 2 pm on. Many restaurants will be closing.

WonderWorks Orlando ‏@WonderWorksORL 3 seconds ago
For the safety of our Team Members, WonderWorks Orlando will be closing at 2:30PM today, Thurs Oct 6th.

FunSpotAmerica ‏@FunSpotAmerica 13 minutes ago
Our parks will be closed today and tomorrow (10/6 & 10/7) due to #HurricaneMatthew. We will reopen Saturday, 10/8 at 10am. Stay safe!

 

[JerseyJanice]

We are flying out at 2:30 today - fingers crossed we can. I think we should be ok. We did not cancel our room at BWV tonight just in case we have to come back.

Started feeling a tickle in my throat Monday and now have a full blown cold/sore throat and feel miserable. No pixie dust this trip!

Yeah, this has not been my most pixie dust filled trip.

First night, my sister-in-law fainted while we were on line for Test Track. 911 was called. She was dehydrated and her blood pressure dropped seriously.

Third morning, another 911 call. My 2 year old niece fell and got a huge gash on her forehead. A day spent at the hospital for her and her parents.

That night, my sister lost a dental crown.

Lots of rain all week, and now we're facing a hurricane.

Boy, do we feel hexed!

 

[dsnygirl2006]

Just saw this posted about the storm and possible loop next week!!!

TO THE WEST: The impact will drop off on the “good” west side of the circulation center as you go farther inland. Orlando will deal with winds of 30-50 mph tomorrow (higher gusts are likely, however), with lots of rain, but probably not enough rain for widespread flooding. Disney World officials have advised those at the Fort Wilderness campground that they must leave by 11 a.m. ET today; camping is not a good idea in these conditions. There has been no word from Disney about whether its theme parks will close tomorrow. But the good news is that the weekend will be beautiful as the hurricane moves away. Tampa will see generally under 1/2 inch of rain, with winds under 30 mph.

LOOP DE LOOP: Models are now in good agreement about the loop scenario off the coast; Matthew could make a second landfall in South Florida early next week as a much weaker tropical storm, then emerging into the Gulf of Mexico. It remains to be seen if strengthening is possible after that happens; there is little to no skill in forecasting placement and intensity of a tropical cyclone beyond five days.

 

[KateP85]

Light rain just started here, but no wind or anything. I'm headed out to Starbucks because coffee will be necessary today...

I have CM friends all over. So far the consensus seems to be that the parks will close early today and close all day tomorrow. The local news is telling people to be indoors by 5pm and plan to stay there at least 24 hours. At some point Disney will have to acknowledge that warning, and I assume then they'll announce an early closing.

 

[michelb]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know of a good resource to check I95 status in NC / SC / GA? We'll be driving south on the I95 and should be crossing NC / SC border around 2PM on Saturday afternoon. I think we might not be too bad as Matthew will probably be offshore by the time we "reach" it but I'd like to find out about traffic / flooding / evacuation routes / etc.

We can probably cut to the I75 but it's quite a detour (adds 2 or 3 hours to the drive and we'd have to get off the interstate to get to the 75) so we'd prefer staying on the I95 if we can.

Let us know. Thanks,
Mike

 

[HopperFan]

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

Yes I saw someone saying they used glow sticks (battery free) and hung from lamps, doorknobs etc - especially helpful if you are in a hotel room. If power goes out it will be very dark. I always take glow stuff to Orlando with me and prob would not have thought to use them. So all those Disney light up souvenirs may have just got more valuable ... maybe pick one up.

 

[magic458]

Saturday should. Be glorious.

We may push flight back to Sunday and enjoy Saturday.

Flashlights? Really? Are we aware that a cellphone on airplane mode has an led flashlight that lasts forever.

TIP. Put one next to your gallon of water and it lights up the room.

 

[yulilin3]

Light rain just started here, but no wind or anything. I'm headed out to Starbucks because coffee will be necessary today...

I have CM friends all over. So far the consensus seems to be that the parks will close early today and close all day tomorrow. The local news is telling people to be indoors by 5pm and plan to stay there at least 24 hours. At some point Disney will have to acknowledge that warning, and I assume then they'll announce an early closing.

seriously, I can't believe Universal still hasn't given an update on HHN for tonight. The HUB stated that MNSSHP is cancelled but CM working the event should still report to work, wth?!?!