Hurricane Milton - WDW Resorts Related Updates & Planning Thread

[jo-jo]

I haven't seen anything like "disney put out a paper/post on tv. guest should do this or that, be prepared to shelter inplace" type notice. I have seen a few post saying I went through Ian and disney took good care of us.

I'm concern with the resorts separate from the main lobby. There may be people that think Disney will just deliver food to their all star room.

Has there been that information shared? There are really some people that don't have any idea what may happen.

 

[brockash]

I haven't seen anything like "disney put out a paper/post on tv. guest should do this or that, be prepared to shelter inplace" type notice. I have seen a few post saying I went through Ian and disney took good care of us.

I'm concern with the resorts separate from the main lobby. There may be people that think Disney will just deliver food to their all star room.

Has there been that information shared? There are really some people that don't have any idea what may happen.

No...no information at all, which I find so strange. We're at music and I expected we'd have a mssg waiting on our phone last night or something, but absolutely NOTHING has beeen voluntarily shared with guests. I ended up calling the guest services number from the room phone last night when we arrived back late with no info and as I assumed because they're a call center she was. very nice but had no real info just said. we won't lose power and to enjoy some relaxation.

It'd be really helpful to know when the food court is closing etc. I was too lazy to walk down last night and we're at a park today so I guess I'll ask when we return, but it is disappointing that the resort has not communicated AT ALL.

On our way out this morning I looked for any info./postings at the food court/lobby, but nothing other than the qr code which just. leads to disneys official announcement of park closures.

 

[jo-jo]

No...no information at all, which I find so strange. We're at music and I expected we'd have a mssg waiting on our phone last night or something, but absolutely NOTHING has beeen voluntarily shared with guests. I ended up calling the guest services number from the room phone last night when we arrived back late with no info and as I assumed because they're a call center she was. very nice but had no real info just said. we won't lose power and to enjoy some relaxation.

It'd be really helpful to know when the food court is closing etc. I was too lazy to walk down last night and we're at a park today so I guess I'll ask when we return, but it is disappointing that the resort has not communicated AT ALL.

I'm not there, but if it was me, I'd pick up something at the food court before going to the park. In the past , stories of hours long lines to get food.

Unless of course you have some snacks and such in the room already.

I just reread your post , sounds like you're heading to the parks already.

 

[MommaKetch]

Has there been that information shared? There are really some people that don't have any idea what may happen.

No...no information at all, which I find so strange.

In my experience, it was on a need-to-know basis, and emails and texts were sent to the contact person on the resort reservation.

Disney is likely waiting to see if the hurricane keeps turning south before announcing a shelter-in-place, don't leave your room/building; bag meals are needed, etc.... type of situation. I would take comfort in that they have a plan in place with many variables, and they will do their best to keep you safe and fed. Editing to add that alerts went out in a timely manner. As the eye of Ian came close, we were asked to remain in our room at WL and not be in the halls/lobby.

I also would take some initiative to make sure to have snacks, water, and charged phones at the ready. Make sure whoever is getting the alert texts has a charged phone. Have a plan with your traveling party, ie where to go if your room isn't safe during a tornado. Watch the local news stations for the most up-to-date weather info.

 

[MommaKetch]

Transportation

Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating on Wednesday, October 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.

Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.

Adding on to this that Minnie Van service will be closed on October 10th as well. We originally had a reservation for airport pick-up on the eve of the 10th, and they called last night to reschedule or let us cancel. I could hear other another cast member in the background explaining the same to another guest on the phone. They were very polite but busy and to the point.

This was my voicemail:
Hello my name is Sam with an event service at Walt Disney World I'm trying to reach the ******* party. this is a courtesy call in regards to your airport transportation for Thursday, October 10 due to Hurricane Milton Walt Disney Resort has announced the closure and the minivan service will not be operating on Thursday if you would like to modify your travel dates please give us a call back at 407-828-3500 option number three with your updated flight information and dates if you would like to cancel your reservation give us a call back at that same number and we can give you a full refund I will also be sending an email to ********* if you would prefer respond an email form just simply replied to that email thank you…”

Edited translation for clairty

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I agree with @MommaKetch. You see some of these themes occur with each tropical event. Disney will do what it can to a point, but with 30k+ rooms and an endless number of variables, at some point storms often do boil down to the individual taking initiative for what they need to hunker down in their room for a bit. We usually hear great reports from the resorts - but that doesn’t mean Disney has rolled everything perfectly for every individual.

That said, I suspect we start seeing some more reports today of things like notes in the room with instructions on patio furniture, box meals available, extra towels and supplies, flashlight kits, etc.

One thing that comes up frequently in the past - blowing rain against exterior or patio doors for hours will often cause water intrusion for even the most robust modern construction. Highly variable on the structure and wind direction of course, but have some extra towels on hand to put along the floor just in case.

 

[MommaKetch]

Highly variable on the structure and wind direction of course, but have some extra towels on hand to put along the floor just in case.

Very good advice! When we arrived at our room at WL pre-Ian, our sliding porch door was leaking. Maintenance quickly came to fix it.
During the storm, Mousekeeping placed the large rolling teal-colored towel bins by each elevator on every floor. Luckily after the door was fixed the leaking stopped, and we didn't need them, but we stocked up anyway. Mousekeeping also brought a flashlight, trash bags, and extra towels to our room.

 

[Best Aunt]

Adding on to this that Minnie Van service will be closed on October 10th as well. We originally had a reservation for airport pick-up on the eve of the 10th, and they called last night to reschedule or let us cancel. I could hear other another cast member in the background explaining the same to another guest on the phone. They were very polite but busy and to the point.

This was my voicemail:
Hello my name is Sam with an event service at Walt Disney World I'm trying to reach the ******* party. this is a courtesy call in regards to your airport transportation for Thursday, October 10 due to Hurricane Milton Walt Disney Resort has announced the closure and the minivan service will not be operating on Thursday if you would like to modify your travel dates please give us a call back at 407-828-3500 option number three with your updated flight information and dates if you would like to cancel your reservation give us a call back at that same number and we can give you a full refund I will also be sending an email to ********* if you would prefer respond an email form just simply replied to that email thank you…”

Edited translation for clairty

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but my interpretation is:

OP had arranged to have a Minnie Van take them to MCO on Thursday 10/10. The Minnie Van ride to the airport on 10/10 was cancelled.

I think OP was notified because the Orlando airport (MCO) is already closed to commercial flights in anticipation of the hurricane. There's no point in a Minnie Van taking them to the airport on Thursday when there are no flights on Thursday. I don't think it was a "no Minnie Van service" general notification. I think it was a "no point in taking you to the airport when the airport is closed" notification.

But as to Minnie Van service in general:
I believe the announcement is that Walt Disney World's transportation will stop operating after the parks and Disney Springs close, which is 2:00 pm for some of them on 09/09 (earlier for others). I don't know if Minnie Vans fall within "Walt Disney World Transportation" or have their own rules. I also wondered how long Disney transportation will keep operating after each park closes. Maybe that was specified somewhere and I missed it. I know there's a regular rule, but I don't know if the Hurricane rule is different.

 

[MommaKetch]

OP had arranged to have a Minnie Van take them to MCO on Thursday 10/10.

No, we were to be picked up at MCO on Thursday.

The voicemail stated that "Minnie Van service will not be operating on Thursday" so I took that to mean that they are closed on Thursday, regardless of pick-up destination.

 

[lanejudy]

That doesn't necessarily mean that there will be no Minnie Van service on Disney property itself.

According to the WDW weather updates page, there is limited Minnie Van service available. It doesn't specify a "stop" date/time.

Transportation

Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating on Wednesday, October 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.​

​

Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.​

 

[Dave006]

The Orlando airport (MCO) is already closed to commercial flights in anticipation of the hurricane.

Yes MCO stopped Commercial flights as of 8 AM this morning and no restart has been announced.

That doesn't necessarily mean that there will be no Minnie Van service on Disney property itself.

Correct. As of now Disney has only announced that when bus, boat, Monorail, and Skyliner services stops this afternoon there will only be Limited Minnie Van and Mears Taxi service available.

Dave

 

[danikoski]

For past hurricanes, the box lunch notification came about the same time as the shelter in place instructions. I would expect to see those notifications to show up this afternoon once they have a better idea of timing and path of the storm. But as others have said, be proactive and go get water and snacks/food that are non perishable.

 

[TinkAgainU]

I'm not there, but if it was me, I'd pick up something at the food court before going to the park. In the past , stories of hours long lines to get food.

Unless of course you have some snacks and such in the room already.

I just reread your post , sounds like you're heading to the parks already.

I would grab some snacks, drinks, and if you see playing cards or coloring books for example for the room. Get them in the parks before you leave in case there is a line at the resort for stuff like that. Grab towels if you see them, even Disney only has X number of towels. Hint: $8 chips seem like a bargain when you're hungry lol. Note, even adults seem to like coloring when things get loud, has a calming effect on the mind I think Meanwhile - enjoy the parks today - calm before the storm is always amazing.

 

[MommaKetch]

Currently, on the LYFT app, you cannot schedule a Minnie Van ride for tomorrow. I just tried and toggled the times, with pick-up being CR lobby and drop-off the GF lobby. You can still schedule other types of cars for pick-up. But, if a hurricane is actively passing over, the roads will be closed to non-emergency vehicles.

FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit www.FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated.

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't grab sandwiches from the food court in the morning to bring back at park closing a 1 or 2. They will spoil and be unsafe to eat come afternoon.

I am guessing that the food courts will be open for limited service (sandwiches) throughout the hurricane but they will not deliver to rooms in separate buildings such as Caribbean Beach.

Talk show host Jesse Kelly told of a time he was on rest and relaxation (I forget where) from the Marines and was locked down in his room (with some buddies) during a big storm. He chanced it to the food court (where some other buddies and other guests were huddled) and got a plateful of nachos. He almost got back to his room door when a gust of wind snatched the plate sending the nachos all over the rain covered parking lot.

I assume that limited Minnie Van service means within WDW or to critical locations such as hospitals and pharmacies outside WDW.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Try to grab food in the parks this morning if you are there. We did this during Nicole (nothing compared to this). We were at Epcot in the morning and grabbed tons of snacks and leftover VN (we like cold pizza). I knew the food court at CSR would be mobbed from reading on these boards over the years.

The next day when we were on our way to the parks (2-4pm when parks reopened) I overheard people saying how they waited hours for food that morning and afternoon. DD was thankful I thought of grabbing food for the room and didn’t have to deal with that.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

My fam loves all those Mickey snacks you can get in the theme park shops - pretzels, goldfish, chocolate caramel balls, nut mix, etc. I’d be loading up on those.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Currently, on the LYFT app, you cannot schedule a Minnie Van ride for tomorrow.

You can never schedule a MV.

 

[brockash]

I'm not there, but if it was me, I'd pick up something at the food court before going to the park. In the past , stories of hours long lines to get food.

Unless of course you have some snacks and such in the room already.

I just reread your post , sounds like you're heading to the parks already.

Thx...yeah we have some snacks already in the room, but it would've just been nice to have some info. I'm assuming/hoping we can still get food when we return this afternoon - I checked mobile ordering and it was still letting pick times into the evening, but I'm not sure that means anything.

 

[brockash]

Try to grab food in the parks this morning if you are there. We did this during Nicole (nothing compared to this). We were at Epcot in the morning and grabbed tons of snacks and leftover VN (we like cold pizza). I knew the food court at CSR would be mobbed from reading on these boards over the years.

The next day when we were on our way to the parks (2-4pm when parks reopened) I overheard people saying how they waited hours for food that morning and afternoon. DD was thankful I thought of grabbing food for the room and didn’t have to deal with that.

Good to know...headed to Epcot now and will try to grab some extras. Thx everyone!