Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[A Mickeyfan]

https://weather.com/storms/hurrican...ew-bahamas-florida-georgia-carolinas-forecast

While those of you who think this storm is nothing because Orlando has been spared, the news reports have not been totally off on this. Above is a link to the weather channel where you can follow it. They are still expecting a storm surge in NE FL. The worst of the storm hasn't gotten there yet. So while some of you are concerned about a $13 boxed lunch, which if you were in the park you would have paid that much for lunch anyway, remember the people who are in the path of the storm surge and say a prayer for them. So far there has been one confirmed death on the East Coast due to the storm. Count your blessings that you are safe and just inconvenienced.

 

[rteetz]

WOW...

So reports from Orlando that its not bad at all, never lost power, etc. The worst has passed and now WDW is confining people to their rooms and there is no food or water available? All of the restaurants are closed and some of the resort main buildings. Cant wait to see how this goes! Sounds like a nightmare and people are going to lose their mind...

False.

Water and food is available and has been. Disney is saying people should remain in their rooms though until given the all clear.

 

[dburg30]

Maybe you aren't getting the fact that not everyone knows what a hurricane is all about. Not sure where your from but I'm from Canada and hurricanes are pretty much unheard of. To most of us, we would think its a big wind storm with heavy rain. Buck up, its only water. I know that is what I was thinking when I was caught in Hurricane Kenna way back when in Mexico. I was very surprised at what a hurricane actually was. Also, to think that everyone on vacation is plugged in is wrong. We don't even watch tv when we are away so I would not only be unprepared but out in la la land with a hurricane warning.

As a pp said, if its a snow storm I'm ready. I know what to do and how to prepare. I would guess that there would be lots of people from down south who would think, 'Its just snow. Not going to stop me from going out to dinner'. I had more than a few guests who had that mind set.
Don't think badly of those of us who don't have the knowledge you do. It could be reversed.

I'm from Ohio, dont have to worry about too many hurricanes, but I've seen what they can do, I've seen what blizzards can do, just like I would guess you have. Why someone from the north would not think of a hurricane as a summer snow storm baffles me. Maybe in Canada they dont report things like Katrina or other hurricanes and the damage they inflict. If that's the case, then I guess I could see where you would think it was just a little wind and a lotta rain..

 

[#1hoosierfan]

People out walking around at Pop. Food court is open. It's barely raining and not that windy.

 

[ryansstitch]

That's absolutely shameful that they're selling that for $12.99. How awful to be taking advantage of their stranded guests like that. I expected better of Disney than that.

Yes! I really can't believe it. And no drink at that. First people don't get their vacation (understandable, storms happen), but that would leave a nasty taste in my mouth about staying at a Disney resort again. I've got 2 stays coming up in the next 5 months, and this gives me pause...

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

Really? I mean, I am urging people to stay safe, take it seriously etc. But, I have a son who is fascinated by weather phenomena. Is this really the case? (I just want to telll him accurate stuff)

sorry for the late reply but yes its amazing the sheer amount of energy that gets released during these storms, here's a link for some interesting facts you can tell your son .

 

[Disneygrl71]

Wow, why not until Tuesday? Are all the flights already sold out, or are they only accommodating people starting Tuesday?

All the other flights are booked and when one opens up, by the time they go through rebooking 3 different reservation numbers (really wish SW would re-evaluate this and give ppl one reservation number, such a pain) they are gone. This has happened 4 times since last night to us! Really aggravating

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I haven't seen one model predict a direct hit on Orlando, 60 miles inland. Everything has been up along the coast, with the eye maybe barely touching land. Watching threads like this is better than Jerry Springer sometimes, I think I've found my entertainment for today while I ride this out in NE Florida.

Orlando will never have a direct, the storm has to travel through other Counties to get there. Yep, no news reports ever said direct hit for Orlando. They did say possible hurricane force winds of 80-100 mph. Thankfully that didn't happen. Totally agree with you

 

[dburg30]

https://weather.com/storms/hurrican...ew-bahamas-florida-georgia-carolinas-forecast

While those of you who think this storm is nothing because Orlando has been spared, the news reports have not been totally off on this. Above is a link to the weather channel where you can follow it. They are still expecting a storm surge in NE FL. The worst of the storm hasn't gotten there yet. So while some of you are concerned about a $13 boxed lunch, which if you were in the park you would have paid that much for lunch anyway, remember the people who are in the path of the storm surge and say a prayer for them. So far there has been one confirmed death on the East Coast due to the storm. Count your blessings that you are safe and just inconvenienced.

Yea, looks like Jacksonville is getting clobbered.. and north of there will probably be really bad too.

 

[joelkfla]

I have also heard that Disney might try and open at least one park today. Disney has had teams in the parks all night long and I haven't seen or heard of any damage. If there was it was likely taken care of very quickly with the teams in the parks. Disney of course isn't going to open a park until they can guarantee safety. The storm isn't gone yet.

I believe that has a historical precedent. I don't remember which storm, but I seem to remember Disney opening 1 park to resort Guests only after a storm had passed.

 

[xiphoid76]

This thread has been amazing to read. Thanks to everyone who has been posting from inside Disney.
It sounds like things are going to be OK, and maybe even up to somewhat normal operations by tomorrow - that would be fantastic!

I can't get my head around the complaining about the 12.99 box lunch. I order box lunches for my office once a month and they are 12.50 each and do not include a cookie. I think 12.99 is a very reasonable price. Of course, I always buy food at the parks so I am used to the prices. I think it was maybe more a sticker shock for those who prepare their own food while at Disney. A set lunch like that at our theme park by us - Valley Fair near Minneapolis cost 15.99 without a drink as well (and is nasty).

Sounds like Disney did the best they could in a no-win situation. Kudos to them and the cast members!

 

[KimBean]

I have been reading about the crazy box lunch prices.... Just to put it in preservative. I order catering box lunches often from places like Panera Bread, Jimmy Johns etc and there box lunches are $8-$13 too and they only have a sandwich/salad, chips and cookie.

So I don't think that is an over the top prices. At a quick service a "meal" which is the sandwhich and Chips are about the same prices and you have to purchase a drink.

To the person that said it should (could) be alike a FP and Disney give each guest a box per person in the room. Disney isn't required to give anything free out to people. Now if this storm ended up being way worse and power was lost and people couldn't leave because it was dangerous for multiple days then it a difference story and Disney would do things differently.

Apples and oranges. I would not complain about $13 for a panera sandwich. I would complain about $13 for 2 cheap pieces of white bread with one piece of lunch meat.

 

[DM Minnie]

I'm from Ohio, dont have to worry about too many hurricanes, but I've seen what they can do, I've seen what blizzards can do, just like I would guess you have. Why someone from the north would not think of a hurricane as a summer snow storm baffles me. Maybe in Canada they dont report things like Katrina or other hurricanes and the damage they inflict. If that's the case, then I guess I could see where you would think it was just a little wind and a lotta rain..

I'm canadian and live right at the border in windsor. Everything is reported and we know what a hurricane is. That's the risk you take traveling during hurricane season. We have been watching nonstop and hope everyone in its path further north is safe.

 

[Number Six]

Yea, looks like Jacksonville is getting clobbered.. and north of there will probably be really bad too.

Not too bad yet, I'm 10 miles inland. This afternoon will be a little rough but not a direct hit even here.

 

[Huff]

Here now. Only moderate winds, light rain. Never got bad during the night and the storm has moved on to the north. All table service restaurants remain closed as far as I can tell, no ADR's accepted for anywhere today. It rained much worse earlier in the week. Heard a rumor they may open up World Showcase area of Epcot including restaurants later today but thats only a rumor.

 

[The Sasquatch]

False.

Water and food is available and has been. Disney is saying people should remain in their rooms though until given the all clear.

So its not false. I have heard from people there that they have been told to stay in their room. Staying in your room equals no food or water. From what I am reading, food courts and restaurants are open for business but the message you left in the room of the parents and 3 kids who are afraid to go out tells them to stay put. Kind of a mixed message dont you think?

I do not fall into that camp but I am sure there are alot of people staying at Disney resorts who take the instructions very literally and are afraid to open the door at this point. Lets hope they didnt listen to Shep Smith because everyone outside is dead...

 

[sotoalf]

Yes! I really can't believe it. And no drink at that. First people don't get their vacation (understandable, storms happen), but that would leave a nasty taste in my mouth about staying at a Disney resort again. I've got 2 stays coming up in the next 5 months, and this gives me pause...

A Panera box lunch is about $9. Why is this a surprise?

However, the nasty taste in your mouth might be thinking of that cookie packed in the box.

As for your upcoming trips, "five months" is well past the end of hurricane season.

 

[ryansstitch]

$12.99 for THAT? That meal cost Disney $4 max.

Only if you include labor! I would bet $1.50 max

 

[CookieGVB]

Yeah, so the restaurant has TVs full of sports .... and one in front of me with the Weather Channel.
So I kept seeing that green swirling...

But hey, we won - 1st Place.

Looks like 3 pm will be the worst for us but won't know anything until probably Sunday or so,
when folks are let back on the island. Surge predictor shows we are sitting on a sliver of high land,
so hoping we get really lucky with surge but wind and rain .............. well it's out of my control.

I haven't read forward through the thread...but I'm snickering that you were trying to forget about Matthew by going to play Trivia at a place with HURRICANE in its name...

 

[sotoalf]

So its not false. I have heard from people there that they have been told to stay in their room. Staying in your room equals no food or water. From what I am reading, food courts and restaurants are open for business but the message you left in the room of the family and 3 kids who are afraid to go out tells them to stay put. Kind of a mixed message dont you think?

I do not fall into that camp but I am sure there are alot of people staying at Disney resorts who take the instructions very literally and are afraid to open the door at this point. Lets hope they didnt listen to Shep Smith because everyone outside is dead...

WOW...

So reports from Orlando that its not bad at all, never lost power, etc. The worst has passed and now WDW is confining people to their rooms and there is no food or water available? All of the restaurants are closed and some of the resort main buildings. Cant wait to see how this goes! Sounds like a nightmare and people are going to lose their mind...

Can you post links from reputable news sources about guests running out of water?