at POFQ -- for hurricane Frances. Overall - there were no problems at the resort ... just a couple of minor hitches.
First off - relax -- WDW is built to Hurricane Code. I was in Bldg. # 6 - we did see an edge soffit on Bldg 7 land in our square -- but after they made sure the winds were picking up too much more - they sent 7 or 8 CM's out to retrieve it. ALL lamp posts were wrapped in plastic (ie. no flying glass).
Second - during the duration of the storm they DO close the food court. However this is announced with plenty of warning. Now with the fridges in the room - you can keep food cold. (We called for one Thurs. nite - and had one during the storm). We had a car until Friday morning (storm started on Sat.) and stopped by a local market and picked up food. But don't panic if you don't have a car -- they sell stuff at the food court - emergency supplies too.
Third - rather than keeping your bored on the 3 channels that showcase the park events - they run movies. Once in a while you do have to call the front desk to get them to start the DVD again
One side effect -- I don't ever need to see; Brother Bear & Ella Enchanted again for a least another year
Now for the negative. I was on this trip with my sister & two friends and had connecting rooms. We were originally spending 7 nites at POFQ - then going to a hotel by the Port and leaving on the Disney Magic on 9/4. The hotel by the port - notified us they were evacuating on Wedns. nite - so we went to the front desk to explain our problem. They had just locked down the entire WDW reservation system - and could not guarantee us a room in the resort past our original reservation - and even though we heard another CM telling a guest who had a flight out early Friday to just come back and they would find space for him -- our CM didn't reassure us one bit! Now almost a year later - I think that some the CM's were in shock over getting another hurricane so fast. In the morning after breakfast we went back over to the reservation desk -- and it was cleared up -- in fact when we called for the fridge - housekeeping already knew we were in the room even though we couldn't formal change our reservation.
Now back to the positive. We checked back in on Friday morning - at they were even nice enough to give us the evacuee rate of $ 80.00 at night. Also on Sat morning all the parks were closed (but the storm hadn't started) they had the characters in lobby & food court area to entertain everyone.
Overall -- I wouldn't want to be in a hurricane - but if you are stuck - POFQ is a good place to be.
Can anyone tell me what it was like when the hurricanes hit orlando last year (that) stayed on property? We left last year the day before the first hurricane hit land and orlando. we are going about the same time this year 7/19-7/27 and with all the reports of a more active hurricane season in the atlantic. I was curious as to how everyone was treated that got stuck there last year was treated?
Hey thank you all for reassuring me. The info you just gave is sure putting my worries to rest. This is the 3rd trip for us and it may be a while till the next one, I just want it to go smoothly. I live about an hour from Disneyland and we go at least once a month, but it just can't compare with the size of WDW and the feeling of total imersion to the disney atmosphere that is prevalent in Orlando. Maybe it has something to do with the size of the location and the disney buses. Once again thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.
