Hurricane Season

[DizGirl20]

Trying to squeeze a trip in at the end of August. The only thing that makes me hesitate to book is that I know its hurricane season. What would happen to my points if we had to cancel due to a hurricane? Has this ever happened to anyone?

 

[MoreTravels]

Trying to squeeze a trip in at the end of August. The only thing that makes me hesitate to book is that I know its hurricane season. What would happen to my points if we had to cancel due to a hurricane? Has this ever happened to anyone?

I think you can cancel and redeposit the points penalty free it is within 7 days of warning... but I'm not sure about borrowed points? Do they make an exception to return to the borrowed year? If not, you are stuck with those points pending fast expiration, no?

Then there is also airline ticket to worry about.

 

[DizGirl20]

I think you can cancel and redeposit the points penalty free it is within 7 days of warning... but I'm not sure about borrowed points? Do they make an exception to return to the borrowed year? If not, you are stuck with those points pending fast expiration, no?

Then there is also airline ticket to worry about.

I wouldn't have to borrow points so that wouldn't be an issue... But what if I have to cancel day before or day of? Maybe I will call MS in the morning and ask!

 

[AmyB2006]

I wouldn't have to borrow points so that wouldn't be an issue... But what if I have to cancel day before or day of? Maybe I will call MS in the morning and ask!

I'm interested to know what they say. Because as far as I know, Disney wouldn't really ever be in the area of a warning/watch because they're too far inland. Those are usually only warnings for the coastal areas.

I've never run into this before, so I'm curious to hear what they say. Hurricanes cross over central FL all the time with bad weather. Do update if you call.

 

[VLee]

I believe in 2004 that Disney did have to close parks due to hurricanes that year --maybe on two different occasions. They sent lots of CMs over to the various resorts. That was the year that there was obvious damage to places on property, especially trees around VWL and the top of the arch on the VWL Drive was destroyed.

 

[AmyB2006]

I believe in 2004 that Disney did have to close parks due to hurricanes that year --maybe on two different occasions. They sent lots of CMs over to the various resorts. That was the year that there was obvious damage to places on property, especially trees around VWL and the top of the arch on the VWL Drive was destroyed.

I remember that! I think that was Hurricane Charlie??? Not sure.

 

[Dean]

I remember that! I think that was Hurricane Charlie??? Not sure.

There was no formal rule then I don't believe. It's on the website under Vacation Planning/Modify or Cancel. If there is a Hurricane WARNING for the DVC destination OR the home of the member, you can cancel or reschedule without penalty. It's only for a warning and would not technically apply if it affected connecting flights but did not meet the other criteria. Historically DVC has been very lenient for personal situations, probably far too much so at times, so anyone who is in a similar but slightly different situation should contact DVC to discuss options with them.

 

[BestDadEver]

If you go on DVC website click on vacations planned there will be on the left side of the page an option for travel insurance it's not expensive somewhere around $70 and you would have to look at the details cause I am not sure but I think it covers a few different things . Ok I just wrote this out so ill post it . But I just realized they won't refund the points they give you cash back on your MF for lost points . Didn't seem worth it to me .

Ps I think that's why it's called adventure season on the DVac point charts

 

[DenLo]

Here is the the DVC Hurricane Policy https://dvc.disney.go.com/members/vacation-planning/modify-or-cancel-a-reservation-hurricane-policy

Annually, from June 1 to November 30, 2012, in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence within 7 days before the scheduled arrival date, the Member may call Member Services at (800) *********† or (407) 566-3800† prior to Check-in to cancel or reschedule, based upon availability, their Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation without any cancellation or modification penalty.

Note: This policy pertains to hurricane warnings only. Other weather advisory levels are handled on a case by case basis and Members should contact Member Services.

When does this temporary policy become effective?

The temporary policy is effective in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center no more than 7 days before your scheduled arrival date for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence.

What can I do if a hurricane warning is issued?

If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence no more than 7 days before your scheduled arrival date, you may call Member Services in advance to modify, based on availability, or cancel your Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation without any cancellation or modification penalty.

If you are to be staying on a Member Getaway and a hurricane warning is issued for that destination, please contact Member Services.

Will I be responsible for any cancellation or modification penalties or other amounts?

If you have products and services provided by third party suppliers that were not obtained through Member Services, such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies, you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation penalties or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences (e.g. Member cruise).

What if I prefer to reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning? Will I be able to get my same accommodations?

If you are scheduled to arrive within seven (7) days of the hurricane warning, you may call Member Services prior to check-in to reschedule, based upon availability, without penalty. We cannot guarantee availability of similar accommodations for the new travel dates. The policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.

 

[JimMIA]

Because as far as I know, Disney wouldn't really ever be in the area of a warning/watch because they're too far inland. Those are usually only warnings for the coastal areas.

First of all, a Hurricane Watch is irrelevant because DVC doesn't do anything for Watches. A watch only means that hurricane force winds are possible.

A Hurricane Warning is issued when hurricane force winds (>74 MPH) are expected in a particular area. A Hurricane Warning is issued about 36 hours before tropical storm force winds (39 MPH) are expected in the affected area. That's because most hurricane preparations have to be completed prior to the arrival of tropical storm force winds. Depending on the size and speed of the storm, that can be a LONG time prior to actual hurricane conditions.

Hurricane warnings are very common inland across Florida. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma was a huge storm with a very wide eye. Although that usually means a poorly organized storm, Wilma was not. Hurricane force winds usually occur just outside the eye, but because Wilma's eye was so huge, we had >74 MPH winds across the entire southern half of Florida. Where I work, west of Miami and well south of the center of the storm's eye, a weather station recorded 134 MPH winds...virtually in the dead center of the state.

So, you are right that Orlando does not often experience hurricane force winds. Even with some of the storms people talk about here on the DIS, the damage in the WDW area would be laughable to people who have been through a real hurricane. But it could happen, and has happened.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I'm interested to know what they say. Because as far as I know, Disney wouldn't really ever be in the area of a warning/watch because they're too far inland. Those are usually only warnings for the coastal areas.

I've never run into this before, so I'm curious to hear what they say. Hurricanes cross over central FL all the time with bad weather. Do update if you call.

And you're in FL? We've been under 100+ watches and warnings on my lifetime and we're 60 miles inland in NC. WDW most certainly DOES get hurricane watches AND warnings.

Go down and hunker down at WDW the next time a cat 3+ comes in at Tampa from the Gulf and watch why.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I believe in 2004 that Disney did have to close parks due to hurricanes that year --maybe on two different occasions. They sent lots of CMs over to the various resorts. That was the year that there was obvious damage to places on property, especially trees around VWL and the top of the arch on the VWL Drive was destroyed.

We were there the week after. It was a mess all over property even though most of the apparent stuff had been mostly cleaned up.

 

[com_op_2000]

Back in '04 we had a DVC scheduled to start the day "Francis" was to arrive in Fla. DW had checked-in, gotten the room key, started to unpack, I was at work, and once she found out that "she" was actual coming through the area DW decided she wanted to go home. Went back to the front desk, cancelled the stay, and DVC returned all the points - no questions asked.
Turns out I had to work 40 hours straight that work day, so a good thing everything got cancelled.

 

[MinnieLee]

Trying to squeeze a trip in at the end of August. The only thing that makes me hesitate to book is that I know its hurricane season. What would happen to my points if we had to cancel due to a hurricane? Has this ever happened to anyone?

DS & DIL were surprising us this past October and had booked BWV. Hurricane Sandy hit and he could not get a flight out (he was leaving the day after the hurricane hit). He had no problem from Disney and no penalty. He said Disney was more than understanding but I guess it might depend on the size of the hurricane.

 

[iluveeyore]

We were there in Oct. 2005 I think for Wilma - I just remember it was Halloween, and my Grandma came with us, so I'm pretty sure that's the one - we heard the forecast for our arrival day, so we changed our flights to the day before our scheduled flight without penalty, got a room at POP for the night, then checked into OKW the morning that it was forecast to hit that night - we had a lovely day with a strong wind, then it got nasty overnight. The resort kept us posted with phone calls/messages. The parks were closed the next morning, and they played Disney movies on certain channels for the kids after leaving a memo under our door about staying in our villa until the storm passed. By noon, the skies had cleared, and the front desk left a message stating only MK was open, and only for resort guests, so off we went to a practically empty park for a lovely afternoon while workers were busy, busy cleaning up the messes left behind. We have pictures of us with Grandma out on our deck for an instant in our ponchos to show how windy it was in the protection of the building, so it was a very strong storm. We even lost power for a bit, but we had food, games to play, and we were quite safe and comfortable, and very happy we had chosen to fly in a day early to avoid any delays at the airport.

 

[Sammie]

We were there during Charley at the Grand Floridian. The parks did close early the day of, we were restricted to our rooms during the main time frame of the storm, patio furniture was put in each room. They opened late the next day and Animal Kingdom did not open at all.

There was roof and window damage at several resorts, lots of trees, etc down and significant damage to the airport and the hotels of Downtown Disney area, especially the Doubletree.

We were in Club level and during the storm the mini bar, excluding alcohol was free to guests. We gorged ourselves on candy,

We have been at Disney for several hurricanes and Charley was the worst.

 

[VLee]

Yes, it was Charley and Frances that I remember in 2004. My husband was working near Okeechobee on a pipeline and they finally evacuated them to a town northward. His windshield was blown out on his truck by the winds and he was without power for a while. It was the next year that Katrina hit Louisiana where we live-- so we do know the real damage that hurricanes can do.