Hurricane - possible very very very last minute trip to WDW

[kermit116]

Not really sure where to post this since it covers issues related to hotels, ADRs, and general planning, so thought I'd post here & see what advice/tips I can get.

We are scheduled to take our summer vacation starting in a couple of days, going to the Caribbean. It looks like our trip may be interrupted by the tropical storm/hurricane brewing in the Atlantic right now. We did buy trip insurance that covers hurricanes (thank goodness). We will be connecting through Miami for our flights, and it looks like based on the projected path of the storm, we may get stuck in Miami and not be able to go on the rest of our trip. If the storm is not a big deal, then hopefully we'd only miss one day and then go on to the Caribbean.

But, if we do get stuck in Miami and cannot get to the Caribbean, we are thinking about renting a car and trying to drive up to WDW to salvage what's left of our summer vacation. Of course all of this will depend on the weather and if it's even safe/feasible to get to WDW.

Since I'm a big planner, the idea of a last minute, impromptu trip to WDW sounds fun but a bit daunting. I usually plan our trips 3-6 months in advance, and work very hard to find the best hotel & transportation deals for our budget. My main questions are these:

1. For a last minute hotel reservation on WDW property, would it be better to try to reserve online or by phone? What about for Swan/Dolphin or one of the other non-Disney resorts in the Bonnet Creek area? Any ideas for getting a rate that isn't insanely expensive?

2. If we want to try to make some ADRs, is there any advantage to calling over booking online? I generally prefer online, but I'm not sure if the CMs have more flexibility in booking things over the phone.

3. Any other tips for last minute visits?

We obviously would not be expecting to get our first choices on hotel, ADRs, etc. But if our Caribbean trip falls through, I'm hoping to at least make some quick plans so we can salvage our much needed vacation and visit some of our favorite restaurants and attractions at WDW.

Any advice or tips would be great. It's been a really crazy year, and we just really need a fun vacation.

 

[disprincessatheart]

First, I hope your trip goes off just fine! If it were me, I'd be pricing out some Disney hotels now just so I'd know what is open and possible pricing. I don't really t hink there's an advantage to booking anything over the phone vs online.

 

[kermit116]

Good idea. I've already put in a car reservation (which we can of course cancel if we end up getting to the Caribbean).

 

[safetymom]

Just be aware you may have a reservation for a rental car but if there is a hurricane headed to the area you may have a hard time finding a rental car. People will be renting to leave the area.

No advantage to booking dining online over calling. Same with making room reservations. Just don't show up at WDW look for a room.

Just keep an eye on the weather, things can change quickly if there is a storm predicted for the area.

 

[kermit116]

Just be aware you may have a reservation for a rental car but if there is a hurricane headed to the area you may have a hard time finding a rental car. People will be renting to leave the area.

No advantage to booking dining online over calling. Same with making room reservations. Just don't show up at WDW look for a room.

Just keep an eye on the weather, things can change quickly if there is a storm predicted for the area.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Joshua_me]

Just keep an eye on the weather, things can change quickly if there is a storm predicted for the area.

^ This is the best possible advice regarding all tropical storms/hurricanes threatening our area.

Living in Sarasota, we got a HUGE "wake-up call" a couple of months ago with tropical "storm", Debbie.

From Gainesville, south, FL is pretty much saturated with water already, meaning it only takes less than a foot of rain to grind things to a screeching halt.

(Trees uproot and fall on power lines - meaning NO a/c and no ice and no lights - which can make things surprisingly miserable surprisingly quickly..)

(Traffic become a nightmare, tempers flare in the heat...)

And if the worst timing occurs, this will happen right at the start of the RNC convention.

We're 60 miles South of Tampa, but our nicer hotels are booked solid, and in the best of conditions, traffic would be a real problem as well as trying to secure a ressie at a nice restaurant.

It's still a couple of days too early to see what Issac is going to do, but the thought of a "worst case scenario" is alarming, to say the least.

Suffice it to say we have enough supplies and friends that we wouldn't dream of leaving our house for at least a few days.

Your decision, of course, is entirely up to you.

 

[lts862]

Going to Vero on Friday for six days. What would you do? Should we look at Disney as an alternative? any help is appreciated! thank you!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

If it were me, I would call WDWressies to see if a live person can help. Call me old fashioned, but I like the idea of talking something through with a live person with the info at his/her fingertips. Sometimes you get a great CM and they can research the options for you. But getting a great CM is iffy these days - I remember the good old days when pixie dust was thrown up your tush on those calls. Aaah, the good old days ...

 

[Euphscott]

If I were a betting man, I'd expect your odds are better at getting out into the open waters. Cruise lines won't cancel unless there is a direct hit - and if there is - you will simply be delayed. It's way too expensive for those ships to not be cruising and making money!

 

[Spaceace5150]

Just be aware you may have a reservation for a rental car but if there is a hurricane headed to the area you may have a hard time finding a rental car. People will be renting to leave the area.


.

Isnt this an episode of Seinfeld!

 

[safetymom]

Yes it was. I have also experienced it in person.

 

[Brit_Jude]

I've booked quite a few last minute trips to Disney and have accomplished it both over the phone and on-line. I don't think it makes much difference at all. For an impromptu trip we just wing as far as ADR's and I book something on the day using the phone app or we just eat counter service and maybe try a few walks ups. It's actually quite liberating not being tied down to a reservation and it has forced us to try new options. Sometimes we have been suprised at where we have been able to get in due to last minute cancellations by other folks.

As another poster stated it's highly unlikely that a cruise ship will cancel completely. Especailly as this is predicted to be a lower grade hurricane. However, be prepared for a change in itinerary, delay and take some sea sickness medication. Make sure you know what is covered if the ship is delayed as far as extra hotel accomodations and potential flight changes.

 

[Aliceacc]

When the warnings come in, they're by county.

Here's a map:http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...J6wOMTa0QHHooG4Ag&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQ9QEwAQ&dur=0

WDW covers the border of Orange and Osceola counties.