Hurricane, Tropical Storm protocols at WDW

[syrscuba]

We will be staying at WDW at the end of August, which is statistically, the peak period for hurricanes. In genera how has WDW responded to the approach of hurricanes in the past?
- Are the parks closed and a recommendation made to stay indoors for both safety and liability purposes?
- Are communications handled through MDE?

If anyone has experienced first hand and can share their experiences, it would be appreciated.

 

[firecracker725]

We will be staying at WDW at the end of August, which is statistically, the peak period for hurricanes. In genera how has WDW responded to the approach of hurricanes in the past?
- Are the parks closed and a recommendation made to stay indoors for both safety and liability purposes?
- Are communications handled through MDE?

If anyone has experienced first hand and can share their experiences, it would be appreciated.

Every link I'm trying to post is blocked, but a simple Google search (hurricanes walt disney world) would load you up with information (and a fair bit of fear mongering).

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

We were staying at the Poly the night Charlie hit (2004), this was the only time they have ever closed the parks for a hurricane. We arrived back to our room to find a flashlight, a typed letter on headed paper with hurricane tips I.e sleep in the bed furthest from the window and an answer phone message telling us that four our enjoyment, they would be showing Finding Nemo. Kona cafe stopped doing a la carte and instead just did a pay per head buffet so that anyone who needed to eat could, Ohana operated as normal. Disney looked after us superbly x

 

[maxiesmom]

If the weather gets really bad they will tell you to stay indoors. Which can be a challenge if you are staying at a value or moderate resort with outside walkways.

If you are concerned you can always pack a few foods such as granola bars, and cereal to have quick meals if you are stuck in your room. Pick up some milk and other drinks for the fridge. A deck of cards or a board game your family likes could be good to have too.

 

[North of Mouse]

We will be staying at WDW at the end of August, which is statistically, the peak period for hurricanes. In genera how has WDW responded to the approach of hurricanes in the past?
- Are the parks closed and a recommendation made to stay indoors for both safety and liability purposes?
- Are communications handled through MDE?

If anyone has experienced first hand and can share their experiences, it would be appreciated.

We were in a MH at FW when TS Fay came through. It sort of 'settled' there for a few days with lots of rain.

Tents, pop ups were all gone (can't say if they asked them to leave, or what, but with limbs falling + water (new lakes ) they would not have had to 'ask' me to leave.

We were constantly being left updates about the storm and what they would do if it reached 'X proportions'. If the sustained wind got to 35mph they would have us moved to a hotel. It didn't get more than around 30mph sustained, with higher gusts.

Honestly, we would have left, but didn't want to drive the MH while the weather was that bad, plus we would have been going 'its' direction, so toughed it out and made the most of it.

Being from LA I've seen lots of hurricanes/tropical storms and take them very seriously, so it wasn't our 'ideal' to be in a MH under lots of pine trees which can 'snap' very easily but we endured it - hopefully not again!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Parks are closed (or may fail to open in the morning of a storm). If the park is open, decorations may be taken down and other storm preparations made in full view of guests. In this kind of closure rides might close when guests are still in line. Enough time is planned so everyone is gotten back to their resorts before winds become dangerous although some people can be rain soaked waiting for buses.

This writer goes ahead and suggests that those already dining continue to enjoy their meal as if nothing unusual has happened and be among the last to leave the park. Those who have not yet been served should up and leave.

In a resort room, the greatest danger is from wind flung objects, not from the wind itself.

 

[Sheaboys]

We were there in 2012 when Ivan hit. It was no big deal. We poncho'd up and hit the parks.

 

[disnut8]

First of all, a hurricane is usually predicted at least a few days in advance so you will get advanced notice of a storm coming.

We were there during Francis and we had a 24 hour lock down where we were told to stay in our rooms during that time. That was communicated to us with messages in the room and in the public areas of the the resort which for us was Pop Century. There were Styrofoam coolers for sale in the gift shop and plenty were available. The food court was open and had a ton of options for people to take back to their rooms during the lock down. Which, by the way, wasn't really a lock down but a strong advisement to stay in your room for safety reasons. If you wanted to walk around, you could but we didn't see anyone not following the recommendation. After the storm passed, the food court opened up and there was a ton of food ready for us, including full size pizzas that were getting churned out so fast, the boxes were just put out for people to grab.

The parks were closed, all four of them during this time so there really wasn't anywhere to go and Disney transportation was not available.

In the rooms, there were a couple of channels showing Disney movies over and over again. That was the only other option besides the regular channels telling us there was a storm outside. That was the challenge - to keep ourselves entertained for those 24 hours. Take a deck of cards or load your laptop with games to play. During those 24 hours, we didn't lose power, had plenty of water, and the TV stayed on so no concerns there.

The only thing that happened to the negative and wasn't Disney fault at all was the ice machines ran out on some floors. We were on the second floor and I had to go to the fourth to get ice before the storm hit.

Once the storm cleared, characters were out in the lobby area to entertain everyone.

Overall, and having been through hurricanes while I lived in Mississippi (five in one year), I give Disney a huge thumbs up to their care for the guests.

My sister and my dad and stepmother lived in the Florida Keys for a few years and when they evacuated for a hurricane, they went to Disney World because, as the locals say, that's one of the safest places to be during a hurricane.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I wouldn't worry too much. The good thing about hurricanes (versus some other forms of extreme weather events) is you get a lot of warning. Personally, I might reschedule a trip if I saw a hurricane coming through and Disney has a fair policy for that IMO. But it would depend on the exact circumstances and also the concern about getting there and back since I am in a hurricane-prone part of the country too.

 

[PrincessesX3]

we were there for a hurricane in 2012. It was fine. We knew we were going to get wet and prepared for the day at DHS. it was great. We had so much fun. no one in the park and went on everything many, many times.

 

[jco_direwolf]

We will be staying at WDW at the end of August, which is statistically, the peak period for hurricanes. In genera how has WDW responded to the approach of hurricanes in the past?
- Are the parks closed and a recommendation made to stay indoors for both safety and liability purposes?
- Are communications handled through MDE?

If anyone has experienced first hand and can share their experiences, it would be appreciated.

Generally hurricanes don't effect Orlando, it's basically as far from water as you can get get.

Do they close the parks. No not normally, WDW has been open continuously since 1971. I wish I could find the link. I use to have one that listed EVERY DAY that one or more parks where closed. that list had less than 10 days on it and that included the day it was closed for 9/11 (which was an early unplanned closed) So if you work it out you have much less than 1% chance of seeing it. I don't think WDW has closed since then.

MDE is so new, I'm sure they can but it's not something that has happened since MDE was released.

Honestly if you want to worry about something worry about getting into an accident on the way to the airport and missing your flight. Because all told statistically that is much more likely.

 

[PCFriar80]

We were staying at the Poly the night Charlie hit (2004), this was the only time they have ever closed the parks for a hurricane. We arrived back to our room to find a flashlight, a typed letter on headed paper with hurricane tips I.e sleep in the bed furthest from the window and an answer phone message telling us that four our enjoyment, they would be showing Finding Nemo. Kona cafe stopped doing a la carte and instead just did a pay per head buffet so that anyone who needed to eat could, Ohana operated as normal. Disney looked after us superbly x

We were there for Wilma in 2005 [10/24]. No parks were open in the morning. Only Epcot and Magic Kingdom opened around 2:00 PM. It was during F&W so needless to say there were not a lot of booths open when Epcot did come to life, however the Beach Boys still made their appearance for the Eat to the Beat concert series.

 

[asta]

We were there when a hurricane closed the parks for a half day in the mid nineties, I can't remember the name of the hurricane. They knew the storm was coming the previous night. We were staying at the GF and they sent someone around who moved the patio furniture into every room. I remember feeling very sorry for the CMs who were still at work at the GF but were worried about their families at home. I think Disney tried to let as many as possible be home with their families during the worst part of the storm.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We were there for Jeanne in 2004. The parks closed early on Saturday night, around 7, I think, and they were closed on Sunday also. We were told to stay in our room and given updates over the phone. I think we were able to go down to the main building around 5 or so on Sunday.

 

[DisneyWisher]

We were there for Wilma in 2005 [10/24]. No parks were open in the morning. Only Epcot and Magic Kingdom opened around 2:00 PM. It was during F&W so needless to say there were not a lot of booths open when Epcot did come to life, however the Beach Boys still made their appearance for the Eat to the Beat concert series.

I lived in Fort Lauderdale where Wilma's eye came through. As soon as she was gone, I checked on all my family (married pregnant daughter, middle daughter, parents, brothers family) then I was on the phone with Disney and youngest daughter and I got out of Ft Lauderdale for 4 days. Loved the cold front that came through. We had the best time. Plus stores up there were open so I brought extra supplies and food for everyone.

A lot of us for south Florida went there. I say Cheers to Disney, I was able to get AllStars at Florida rate for $49 a night. They could've easily raised those rates. They had canceled Halloween where we were from. We did 2 MNSSHP (they were $35 back then) my 12 yr old shared all the candy with her friends and cousins.

 

[skywaywaver]

We were there for Wilma in 2005 [10/24]. No parks were open in the morning. Only Epcot and Magic Kingdom opened around 2:00 PM. It was during F&W so needless to say there were not a lot of booths open when Epcot did come to life, however the Beach Boys still made their appearance for the Eat to the Beat concert series.

We are at the Wilderness Lodge for this storm. No kids yet (I was pregnant with our first). I was really glad we were at an enclosed hotel that time. They had characters greeting in the lobby. I don't really remember the food situation but they were constantly pushing out updates via messages. We had closed out MK with the MNSSHP the night before in the rain and came back to a printed notice about their procedures for the next day under our door.

Parks opened up around noon, but DTD opened up first. We went there, where it was packed, then went to Epcot. We had been planning on doing our Food & Wine touring that day so that didn't really happen unfortunately, hence my current campaign for a 2016 or 2017 late September visit. LOL The next day we did HS and it was CHILLY! I was glad we had light jackets and sweatshirts since we had driven down from NY.

The hurricane issues is exactly why we are visiting in earlier August this year but I think we may switch back to later August for lower prices and crowds. We have never gotten one while in Disney at that time but have had to come back home to big messes to clean up.

 

[cgattis]

Wow, we've been lucky (knock on wood!!) that we've never encountered any really bad weather on any of our trips. I was sure Disney had safety plans in place, but it sounds like they plan extensively for guests' comfort too. Really makes me feel good knowing even if we "lose" days of a trip, they care enough to keep us somewhat entertained. Cool

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We will be staying at WDW at the end of August, which is statistically, the peak period for hurricanes. In genera how has WDW responded to the approach of hurricanes in the past?
- Are the parks closed and a recommendation made to stay indoors for both safety and liability purposes?
- Are communications handled through MDE?

If anyone has experienced first hand and can share their experiences, it would be appreciated.

We were there in 2004. We actually evacuated TO Disney from our barrier island home. We found last minute reservations at Florida resident rates at Wilderness Lodge. (Later we had to extend our stay and extending the rate wasn't an issue). This tells me they has a bunch of cancellations. I do not know now all that was handled--but as with any circumstance, monitor and stay in communication with Disney. Hotels did NOT shut down.

Parks closed down once hurricane weather was imminent. I don't recap the timeline. 9/11 was the first closure they ever had. And this hurricane was their 2nd.

We chose Wilderness Lodge because it had interior corridors. On the days the park was closed, park entertainment was brought in. They had the candy lady from Japan, Mickey and Minnie, and the performers from Africa--not sure if from EPCOT outpost or Animal Kindgom. This was all in the lobby. Not quite a sub for a lost park day, but for the circumstance, it was handled well. They also had the activities crew doing what they could to keep children entertained. Whispering Canyon dropped their antics and simplified their menu to keep folks fed efficiently. No drop in prices, though. ;-)

At one point in the daytime, we had to stay in our rooms until they cleared things. This was in the afternoon. An auto message came by phone, I think. In the early morning hours, the roof began leaking in the lobby and they were shooing guests back to their rooms.

The pool was obviously closed--but an idiot or two still tried to swim.

From a hurricane perspective, while still active, guests are advised to need warnings to stay inside. I don't recall them locking doors or anything. At one point my husband sent me to the gym to burn off nervous energy. It was open and as it was in the villas, it wasn't a problem to get to. The day was blustery, so that short journey wasn't a problem nor was it prohibited.

All that said--this is quite rare. I wouldn't fret. I would consider trip insurance that covers this type of thing. But in my experience, when hurricanes are imminent, the travel industry becomes very flexible. 2 weeks later, I was flying to Hawaii for my sister's wedding. I was able to change my departure time AND city for no charge. I flew out of Tampa instead of Orlando.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We were staying at the Poly the night Charlie hit (2004), this was the only time they have ever closed the parks for a hurricane. We arrived back to our room to find a flashlight, a typed letter on headed paper with hurricane tips I.e sleep in the bed furthest from the window and an answer phone message telling us that four our enjoyment, they would be showing Finding Nemo. Kona cafe stopped doing a la carte and instead just did a pay per head buffet so that anyone who needed to eat could, Ohana operated as normal. Disney looked after us superbly x

They also closed for Francis. Not sure about Jeanne.

 

[Otter49]

Floyd in '99 was the first ever WDW closure according to what I've read.

There would have been no need to close for Andrew in '92 as that storm made landfall just south of Miami and proceeded due west to exit into the Gulf and head for Louisiana.