Hurricane season; does it figure into when you plan to go?

[HunnyPots]

I know the new fall package with the free dining sounds great, and I have been playing around with the calendar trying to figure if I could change our dates to take advantage of it, but now I'm not so sure. I just got off the phone with my sister who reminded me that sh spent 23 hours last September trying to get out of Houston and what hurricane season was like last year.

What do you think? Will it keep you from planning a trip during that time? Especially those of us that travel through the gulf coast states, along I10. Is the thought of free food enough to make you risk it? Or do you just not worry about it? Curious to see what everybody thinks...

 

[jennyl772003]

We always vacation during hurricane season. That's why that time of the year is cheaper! We have been lucky so far. Last year we were there when Katrina was starting. The year before that we were there right before the hurricane, and so on. So far we have always missed the big stuff.

It just doesn't really bother us.

 

[jonestavern]

No.
trip insurance, very important

we always wonder if we'll be able to get out or in during the winter months~

Jean

 

[gianna2006]

That is what they make travel insurance for, right? I wouldn't let hurricane season stop me from making my plans...unless maybe it was a once in a lifetime trip. I've traveled many times in August and September in the south both the WDW, the Caribbean, and Va Beach and so far (fingers crossed now!) have never had a major problem.

 

[nhpooh]

We always vacation during hurricane season. That's why that time of the year is cheaper! We have been lucky so far. Last year we were there when Katrina was starting. The year before that we were there right before the hurricane, and so on. So far we have always missed the big stuff.

It just doesn't really bother us.

We have traveled at this time also, we were there for Hurricane Charlie and just after Katrina. During Charlie the parks were closed and we had to stay at the resort. The CM's were great, even had charater visits.

One year a while back we were going to have a hurricane hit up here. Called the airline and we got out before the hurricane hit. Stayed off site for the first night because of leaving early.

Some day we will be moving down there too.

 

[texhanddoc]

I thought that when I booked mine. However, I studied the hurricanes and Disney and most times, the parks are closed for a half day to a full day at the most. During that time, the resort restaurants stay open and I kept hearing all of these stories about characters all over the resorts and knocking on room doors and getting the kids out and playing in the halls. I also heard a story about like 8 families at Chef Mickeys and having 2 to 3 characters per table for the whole time they are there.

After hearing all these stories, I almost hope a hurricane comes.

 

[lovedvc]

I was there during an 04 hurricane and I would do it again. We only missed one day at the parks and the Hoop Dee Doo (they closed down the Wilderness Camp Grounds). All the CMs were wonderful. They left flashlights in our room. As soon as we felt it was safe to go out we did. The only thing that happened was that my crazy DH decided he was going to jump in the pool during the hurricane. I have the nutcase on video. He came out perfectly safe.

I would never schedule my vacation around hurricane season. You can't spend your life worrying about what MIGHT happen. Just go and enjoy yourself.

 

[Jen D]

We like going down that time of year for the discounts.

We were there when a hurricane hit two years ago. It hit the night we were supposed to leave so we stayed two extra nights. Not a big deal, as others have stated Disney makes it's resorts magical for guests even when you are shut in. And the parks being closed for a day isn't a huge deal. You need a day off from touring anyway! The two extra nights we had to stay were my fault, really, I probably could have gotten out ahead of the storm but I was having a great time on vacation and was in denial; didn't want to leave early.

While we aren't going this year we will continue to travel to Disney in hurricane season.

 

[LegoMom3]

....Some day we will be moving down there too.

Right behind ya!....Must be these NH winters....Blah!!!

 

[nhpooh]

Right behind ya!....Must be these NH winters....Blah!!!

I know this but, You are right I can't take this anymore. Friends of ours did it two years ago and love it. I have been to Florida twice this year so far.

 

[wdwguide]

I wouldn't worry about it. While the number and strength of hurricanes is likely to be above average for years to come, chances that they will seriously affect central Florida are still pretty low.

 

[Melwood23]

I was at Pop, in Sept 04. I had been watching the weather for weeks, with Orlando getting near hits from Charlie and Frances. When I headed down, Jeanne was heading out to sea. Then a few days later I kept hearing people mention a hurricane, so watched the Weather Channel and saw that Jeanne had done a loop back. Anyways, on Sat, the parks closed early, around 7pm. I had already headed back to Pop and glad I did. It was a madhouse in the food court. Sunday parks were closed, and everyone was had to stay in their hotels. Through most of the roughest part, the food court was closeds as was the desk. I think this was partly so the CM could be home with family, but also to discourage people from getting out into the worst of the storm. By 7pm that night it was pretty much over, the food court was open, there were CM at the desk, and there were characters there to entertain the kids. All in all I had no problem other than I *HAD* to stay an extra day because of the flights being all whacked out. I felty guilty about having to call work to stay,...uh...I am stuck for another day (ok, not that quilty ). I may try to go again some time again, since Sept is my birthday month.

 

[minkydog]

I lived on the Gulf Coast all my life until I got married and I don't think it ever occured to me not to go somewhere because it was hurricane season. That's just a foreign concept to me. Life goes on.

We avoid WDW in summer due to the heat, but never thought about hurricanes.

Cathy--plays her money & takes her chances

 

[pinseeker11]

Didnt affect my decision at all! We also have some vacation days before and after out trip, in case it needs to be extended!!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

We avoid that time of year because of the heat and because our kids are back in school before Labor Day! But in few years, when both are in college (hopefully!), and Disney offers the free dining again (wishful thinking ), I would take my chances with hurricane season. But because I really hate the heat, I wouldn't do it unless it was a GREAT deal. Like Free Dining!

 

[Albertan mom]

We are planning a trip for WDW and ya, can't help thinking about hurricanes.
What is better--going in the spring, paying more, it will be busier, and having no worries, or going in the fall, paying less, smaller crowds and worrying??
Anyone?

 

[YesYourMajesty]

Our last two trips were during hurricane season. In 2004 we arrived the day after Charlie and then a couple days after we left they got hit again. I guess that is just part of visiting Florida that time of year. Once we got there, it never even crossed my mind - either time. Weather was great and trips were awesome!

To answer your question, no it would not stop us from planning and going. We live in Nebraska, in the last two weeks we have had a blizzard and a tornado....we are used to difficult weather situations so we dont really let weather effect our plans.

Plus, think of things you would miss if you didnt go that time of year...MNSSHP, Food and Wine...lots of good times to be had!

 

[DisFlan]

Nope. We've been going during October for years and don't plan to change. It's a great time of year to go. We were at BWV during Wilma last year. Wasn't a problem - our only change was we went a day early.


DisFlan

 

[rajay320]

Never. I live in FL and after awhile you just learn to deal with them. We just deal with them as they come and carry on with plans as usual.

 

[aubriee]

Nope! We were at WDW last Sept 17th-24th. Before we left everyone around here warned us about hurricanes in Florida. We had warm weather, low crowds, free dining, and a great time. The morning before we left to come home my eldest son called me from Texas about 7:00am, asked if we had been watching the weather, then yelled for us to come home, because east Texas was being hit by a hurricane.

Excuse me, you want me to leave warm, sunny Florida to come home to a hurricane? I don't think so! If we hadn't went to Florida we would have been at home in a hurricane. By the way I'll be back at WDW this year Sept 22nd-30th and I'm not worried about a hurricane. The way those resorts are built WDW is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane.