Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[11290]

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?

If a CM was not designated to be on "ride out" by Tuesday the 4th, they will NOT be on "ride out". Those are designated in advance.

 

[uagirl]

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.

It's going to be bad inland as well. I live almost 200 miles inland in Alabama and have had hurricane force winds and damage come through here from bad storms (namely Opal and Ivan). Tornadoes can spin off, drainage systems can become overburdened and cause flooding. This is not as nonchalant a situation as your rental company is making it. Please grab supplies and make plans to shelter in place for at least 2-3 days in a worst-case scenario.

 

[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

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

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.

My parents have been working in the MK when the power has gone out on several occasions, even at night. In a matter of minutes the generators have kicked in and it was business as usual, all lights back on, all rides operational.

 

[patrickpiteo]

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.

WOW

 

[yulilin3]

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, get cozy 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!

Time to break open that bottle.

@yulilin3 Sending good thoughts and a hug your way.
You've got a great source of info here, as well as local news.
PS..Your thread really helped me with planning my last trip, much appreciated!

Thank you all. I've actually stopped watching news for now. My kids and I are binge watching Luke Cage on Netflix So happy my son doesn't have to go into work tomorrow at Universal.

 

[2Tiggies]

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

Thank you! Yes, load four of laundry is in the machine and third load in the drier! Can't be caught without our pants in a hurricane lol.

As for supplies, I have wine, Twizzlers and ice cream. I think we can survive with pizza on the outside grill (temporarily taking up a rude amount of space in the kitchen!) when the winds die down.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

Another CM here. Parks are closing at 5pm, but they're trying to send all non-essential CM's home by 3pm. I had a shift in an office today, and our office was closed all day. Parks will be closed tomorrow.

 

[Irish_Mike]

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

That image only gives you information up until 6 - Matthew is expected to continue lashing out until well into the afternoon on Friday. I believe it was WESH 2 that said the worst of the winds would come mid to late Friday morning.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

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.

Hi ResuceRanger, even not being there I can understand the situation you are in, I think what this user was saying is that they will be ok and be safe and they are not freaking out or panicking. I think he understands the enormity of the situation, but that the manager is trying to keep everybody under his care calm. I think in these situations a steady head is a good one. They have obviously been reading this site so they know what they need to do to prepare, but they are doing what they can do to make the best of the situation. I too hope everybody stays calm and nobody is injured during the storm.

 

[lugnut33]

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.

The most current forecast for Magic Kingdom area from the NWS:

Friday: Tropical storm conditions expected, with hurricane conditions possible. Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 83. West northwest wind 35 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Man, I really feel for those near the shore, it's going to be devastated. Look at the forecast for Friday in Cocoa Beach:

Friday: Hurricane conditions expected. Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 83. North wind 105 to 125 mph becoming west southwest 55 to 65 mph. Winds could gust as high as 145 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

 

[book_junkie]

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

That's the gusts on Thursday night from the previous update. Look for the sustained winds being predicted for Friday- that's what they're worried about with damage to homes on the news. WESH gives up to 100mph possible as of this post, and Matthew isn't close yet.

 

[tizzant]

While I am far from reveling in the fact that people are going to be suffering because of this, I am deeply intrigued to see how this hurricane tracks. It's moved so much further west than they originally thought and I've always been interested in meteorology. This is an odd little storm. I'm kinda disappointed that they aren't releasing cm's earlier too.

 

[11290]

If you were to watch "some" of the local weathercasters (using that term loosely) on tv here, you would think that Orlando will cease to exist as a city on Friday morning. Not trying to minimize the situation but they are a bit over the top at times
.

 

[OKW Lover]

My parents have been working in the MK when the power has gone out on several occasions, even at night. In a matter of minutes the generators have kicked in and it was business as usual, all lights back on, all rides operational.

I don't doubt they they have experienced that. However, that wasn't a major power outage affecting the entire parks. That was simply a failure of one piece of equipment and power was re-routed through other circuits. The only generation at WDW is the co-genfacility behind the MK and two last turbine units near Epcot. These are all owned/operated by Reedy Creek.

 

[uagirl]

While I am far from reveling in the fact that people are going to be suffering because of this, I am deeply intrigued to see how this hurricane tracks. It's moved so much further west than they originally thought and I've always been interested in meteorology. This is an odd little storm. I'm kinda disappointed that they aren't releasing cm's earlier too.

I've always been fascinated by weather and meteorology. My coworkers think I'm nuts because I'm tracking this storm. We are also scheduled to go to Atlanta this weekend. While I know the weather won't be bad there, I'm watching to see how many people are being evacuated out of GA and will be heading that way.

 

[Skywise]

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.

Not misinformed - offering an app to keep up to date on road conditions (including closed ones) for people who are going to attempt to drive in the area regardless.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

All Disney World theme parks to close at 5p today (Thu Oct 7) and remain closed until Saturday.

Update October 7, 12:26p Eastern: Here is the a complete list of Walt Disney World scheduled closures as of now:

• Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, miniature golf courses and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will all be closed today by 5 p.m. and will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 7.
• Kate Spade at Disney Springs is closed and Tumi will be closed at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Characters in Flight is closed now through Sunday.
• Select weekend events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex have been canceled, including the 2016 Disney Cross Country Classic and Baseball Canada’s Friday and Saturday games/practices. The Baseball Canada game scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. the same day.
• Typhoon Lagoon is open today but the learn to surf experience has been cancelled

Update October 7, 12:01p Eastern: Walt Disney World will be closing all of its theme parks at 5p today and they will remain closed until Saturday. They will all be closed on Friday. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are closed all day today and tomorrow. The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween parties scheduled for Thursday and Friday have also been cancelled.

https://t.co/TSNkSgpRVz https://t.co/VlFTHXcazC


http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news...affect-walt-disney-world-disney-cruise-lines/

 

[HopperFan]

Just heard report that MK loud speakers told guests closing at 5.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

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

False. The Weather Channel forecast for Orlando for Friday 76 mph WNW winds, gusting to 90. See here.