Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[11290]

Just got OFFICIAL confirmation, parks will close today at 5 pm and will be closed on Friday. If any CM's on here, call the hotline # for additional info concerning shift reporting times for today as this is a change from the 7 pm closing time we had been given.

 

[2Tiggies]

They say it's going to stay a cat 4! We live 26 mi from Daytona beach to the south west, west of us 27mi from New Smyma beach,and 53 mi from Walt Disney world.... the only way things are going to be good is if the eye of the hurricane stays on the water but if the eye moves on land it's going to be real bad! I just saw
Orlando International Airport to shut down at 8 p.m. Thursday

We're in Seminole. Please take care as much as you possibly can. Keep yourselves safe and let's all hope for the best. I only really started to feel a bit anxious about it this morning. It is looking worse than we had thought. I guess we are so used to these warnings amounting to nil we have got a bit laid back about them :/

 

[Ametista]

You're freaking out way too much - that way you're looking at 70mph winds, nothing like the 140-150 the coastline will feel.

Your house will be fine - the biggest issue may be some wind damage to the roof or landscaping.

I really hope that's all. Thanks you guys. I am going to the gym before I get any more stressed out.

 

[HopperFan]

Orlando International Airport will be closed to commercial flights starting at 8 p.m. Thursday night, officials said.

Officials said the goal is to reopen on Saturday but only after a damage assessment is done.

 

[Irish_Mike]

Orlando International Airport will be closed to commercial flights starting at 8 p.m. Thursday night, officials said.

Officials said the goal is to reopen on Saturday but only after a damage assessment is done.

I'm more concerned for Port Canaveral. I expect they built to hurricane standards, but they're going to take a beating the next day or so.

 

[Tiggerette]

I was calm last night but now I'm starting to freak out

You got this!

You know the drill, do all you can to secure and protect yourselves.

Keep yourself busy until it gets bad; cook and put in fridge, laundry, clean, find all the supplies you might need.

Then just grab a drink and a blanket and watch the news so you are ready.

AND keep talking to us as long as you have power. WE ARE HERE!

May the force be with you!

Right on, Hopper Fan! Yulilin, so many times you've been the voice of wisdom, guidance and temperance…. let us return the favor in small portion. You're strong in the force of common sense. Remember your training, Jedi Master! Don't let the mynocks get ya down. You're not TK421... you're at your post, and ready for the imperials get windy around (but not enter) the base. Yub Nub, Yulilin!

For others that haven't been through it, do you have your:
- Plan B Communication plan with your loved ones if cell phone/tower goes out.
- Plan B Electrical plan if power goes out.
- Plan to keep apprised of storm conditions. (i.e.; know when the storm has passed, not using the appearance of "clearing skies" when wind/rain bands move though)
- Protein-based non-perishables for Friday (if on-site)
- Water stored up for 1) drinking. 2) Washing. 3) optional if greatly concerned: If safe for your situation, bathtub with water for flushing commode.
- Sleeping and eating area away from window. Drapes, other substitute just in case... *snark* to block glass if in the unlikely event a tourists camera goes flying 'cause they just had to video the storm passing. */snark*

- Fun family bonding activities and games to pass the time. (Star Wars Charades, anyone??)
- Plus, Other stuff that locals and experienced folks have said to keep in mind.

hugs and best wishes. May the Force be with all y'all!

 

[magic458]

I agree with the sentiment that the weather channel and other new stations fester up that it is way overblown.

Keep in mind even a roof we put on in Ohio is rated to 130 mile an hour. People on the coast should be in a panic but people in Orlando should not be

 

[2Tiggies]

We are in today and Friday not going anywhere we just need to move the cars up a little more to the garage door... am going to cook a early dinner tonight my husband is sleeping now so he can be up tonight and I'll sleep in the room with our DD's and the dogs and cats...I am going to move a few things out of the "walk in closet" to make room for all of us to go in if the eye is going over us....

Yeah, last week I didn't have moving furniture (beds away from windows) in my schedule for today! We will all do what we can, help where we can and stick close to our families. We've done the best we can do.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I agree with the sentiment that the weather channel and other new stations fester up that it is way overblown.

Keep in mind even a roof we put on in Ohio is rated to 130 mile an hour. People on the coast should be in a panic but people in Orlando should not be

Tom Terry WFTV will never steer anyone wrong!

 

[emacat]

Just got OFFICIAL confirmation, parks will close today at 5pm and will be closed on Friday. If any CM's on here, call the hotline # for additional info concerning shift reporting times for today.

I'm glad to hear this, although for all the parks, if they're closing at 5, that means people will still be on the roads and going to hotels/home later than officials are saying they should??
For all of you there, stock up on some water and snacks, and stay in those rooms! I'm hoping all the guests stay put, and all the CM's are safe. For those of you at home, I know you'll be fine! It sounds like there will be plenty of us here to talk to if you need us.

 

[RescueRanger]

We're here at the moment, staying offsite in a villa in Clermont (about 2 miles outside of Disney). I think the internet fear is far worse than the real life fear. MK is in great spirits, it's like nothing is going on. People are aware but there is no damper on the day. We've had the management from the villa company come over to say to expect strong winds and rain (about 70mph) but nothing to get too worked up about.

It's going to be bad as hell for the people on the shoreline, but inland here it seems as though it'll be an extremely heavy tropical storm which makes it unsafe for crowds to wander around the park or travel due to the rain. But no one is fearing for lives or anything like that.

I don't know where you are from but you are misinformed. First of all, That area is suppose to be getting 80+ mph sustained with higher gusts. However, a slight deviation west by the eye and you could be looking at 100+ sustained. Also, hurricanes spawn tornadoes and usually lots of them. Your rental company may be downplaying this storm, but please be prepared. As someone who works in law enforcement in a hurricane area, I can see you are not taking this threat serious enough. It is not internet hype, but instead could be life or death for some.

 

[gwynne]

Yeah, last week I didn't have moving furniture (beds away from windows) in my schedule for today! We will all do what we can, help where we can and stick close to our families. We've done the best we can do.

Very true. And..maybe be sure the laundry is caught up.
Having a good thought for you and yours.

 

[OKW Lover]

They'll be able to run what's important. Barring malfunction, guests should still have power.

Well, "what's important" is a vastly different equation from running all the parks and resorts. And again, that further depends on the distribution system being undamaged.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I just overheard two CM talking the one trying to calm down the other one "what more can you do. You already secured your home down"

If I was a cast member already there I would volunteer to go to one of the hotels for that crew to try and help out where I can. I would rather hunker down then try and get home during those winds. Is that an option for cast members?

 

[Irish_Mike]

If I was a cast member already there I would volunteer to go to one of the hotels for that crew to try and help out where I can. I would rather hunker down then try and get home during those winds. Is that an option for cast members?

Disney does have ride-out crews that are sent to the various places on property (Primarily the hotels) to assist with any guest needs during the storm, clean up, etc. It's comprised of all volunteer cast members who remain at that location, on the clock, until the storm passes.

Whether or not one can still volunteer for that is up the air, I don't have that info

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

We're here at the moment, staying offsite in a villa in Clermont (about 2 miles outside of Disney). I think the internet fear is far worse than the real life fear. MK is in great spirits, it's like nothing is going on. People are aware but there is no damper on the day. We've had the management from the villa company come over to say to expect strong winds and rain (about 70mph) but nothing to get too worked up about.

It's going to be bad as hell for the people on the shoreline, but inland here it seems as though it'll be an extremely heavy tropical storm which makes it unsafe for crowds to wander around the park or travel due to the rain. But no one is fearing for lives or anything like that.

That's exactly the problem. Disney--and I suppose your villa manager--is downplaying the storm to keep guests happy and spending money as long as possible. You will experience tropical storm conditions in Clermont, where you will be on the border with the hurricane-warned area. Orlando and the rest of Orange, including WDW, will experience hurricane conditions.

 

[Grumpy92]

We're here at the moment, staying offsite in a villa in Clermont (about 2 miles outside of Disney). I think the internet fear is far worse than the real life fear. MK is in great spirits, it's like nothing is going on. People are aware but there is no damper on the day. We've had the management from the villa company come over to say to expect strong winds and rain (about 70mph) but nothing to get too worked up about.

It's going to be bad as hell for the people on the shoreline, but inland here it seems as though it'll be an extremely heavy tropical storm which makes it unsafe for crowds to wander around the park or travel due to the rain. But no one is fearing for lives or anything like that.

RescueRanger is giving you some good advice.

I can tell you from experience that Homestead is over 30 miles from the beach and Andrew destroyed that place. Tallahassee is a good ways from the coast and with category 1 Hermaine they lost electricity for days. It was a mess with trees down and roofs damaged.

Please be safe, hunker down. The worst thing you can do is take this casually. Stock up on food, batteries, water and charge up your phones. You will probably loose electricity. Better to be cautious rather then not.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm more concerned for Port Canaveral. I expect they built to hurricane standards, but they're going to take a beating the next day or so.

If you look at the storm surge models they are showing 9+ feet for the Cape Canaveral area up to Daytona Beach. Add in the wave heights and this is going to horrendous for those areas.

 

[SureAsLiz]

I'm glad to hear this, although for all the parks, if they're closing at 5, that means people will still be on the roads and going to hotels/home later than officials are saying they should??

Operations are being adjusted now, with phased releases of non-operational and operational cast. While the official best practice for the area is to be home by 5, it's recommended to be off the roads by 6. Other businesses will also be operating later.

At this point, it's up to local leadership to decide when to release their cast, and trust that they will be released appropriately according to individual situations

 

[sam_justice]

I don't know where you are from but you are misinformed. First of all, That area is suppose to be getting 80+ mph sustained with higher gusts. However, a slight deviation west by the eye and you could be looking at 100+ sustained. Also, hurricanes spawn tornadoes and usually lots of them. Your rental company may be downplaying this storm, but please be prepared. As someone who works in law enforcement in a hurricane area, I can see you are not taking this threat serious enough. It is not internet hype, but instead could be life or death for some.

That's untrue about the wind speeds, just go on the Weather Channels website https://s.w-x.co/staticmaps/DCT_SPECIAL29_1280x720.jpg