Hurricane Watch

[drp4video]

Hurricane Charley, August 13, 2004. We were going to skip the parks that day and shop, but with the Hurricane coming, Disney gave everyone a free day in the park until 1:00 p.m. when they closed the parks. Of course this created a massive traffic jam and huge crush at the food courts. We were at Pop that time and so we stocked up on food just in case. Sure enough, the courts closed and were not open for dinner, although free chips, nachos, fredos etc. were handed out to all. Throughout the day, Disney kept us updated about the storm with flyers and phone messages, and advice on what to do. The storm came through about 9 p,m. We were cowering in the bathroom as it was the only enclosed room and as we were on the top floor, the sound was deafening. It did not last long. After it was over we got a call that the food court was now open with a limited menu (we were so exhausted from the excitement that we didn't go down, we also had left over pizza and other things from lunch).

For a few days afterward, Animal Kingdom was closed. We never lost power as I believe that Disney's power wires are underground, in fact, local residence actually came to stay at Disney as we had power. There was some damage, mostly downed trees, downed signs, uprooted plants, but nothing major that we could see on property. Off property we saw blown off roofs, lots of downed trees, and other damage as we went to that other park the following day. On the way to the other park, Traffic on I-4 going back to the Gulf was a parking lot.

It looks like Erika won't be any where near what Charley was, which is a good thing. Probably get a lot of rain, but then that is fine as the parks are less crowded.

We have gone to Disney for many, many years during Hurricane season because were were bound by school breaks and summer vacation, and have always known it was a risk. Charley was scary but Disney kept us informed and handled the situation so well for their guests. And they gave everyone a free half day in the park (well except for people like us who had AP's at the time lol).

 

[DisneyOma]

Who knew? It has been raining so much in Orlando I saw a guy building an Arc last week.

An arc or an ark?

We drove down to FL during Charley, by doing an inland detour around it in the Carolinas. When we got to Florida, we were shocked by the destruction. Billboards blown apart, roofs ripped off, and so many blue tarps over houses. As soon as we got on WDW property, it was like stepping over a threshold into the Twilight Zone - not a downed tree or branch visible on the roadways, although we could see quite a few down in the undeveloped areas. Except for the forementioned trees down at the Studio, the parks were spotless. We had not one issue the entire trip!

 

[baseballnut]

Looks as if SW is offering changes if you are flying through 9/1. We leave 9/2, so hopefully it will have moved on!

Ugh, we leave 9/2 as well, arriving at 10 a.m. Hoping no this thing doesn't slow down and hover! Fingers crossed!

 

[harbin]

We live in celebration.. Bout 15 min from WDW... Got warnings that the school may be closed on Monday if this thing hits... Frankly, I think they are making a bigger deal out of it then it will be, but I will be stocking up on water, non perishable food, and flashlights just I case. I lived in Miami when Wilma hit and we didn't have power for a week! Hope Erika breaks up and doesn't ruin anyone's vacation!

 

[epcotty]

This storm doesn't seem to be much of a concern as it is now anyway

 

[SeilerBird]

An arc or an ark?

It was an Arc. He was welding it up.

 

[andiraye]

The latest reports I'm seeing are that the storm is tracking further west, with the predicted course mostly over the gulf and just skirting Orlando, and may even be downgraded to a depression. Too early to do a happy dance but I'm not hyperventilating anymore.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

The latest reports I'm seeing are that the storm is tracking further west, with the predicted course mostly over the gulf and just skirting Orlando, and may even be downgraded to a depression. Too early to do a happy dance but I'm not hyperventilating anymore.

Can't really predict the path of these things when they slow down like this, but I agree that it is just a rain event now if it comes anywhere near Orlando. I just hope that it doesn't stall out somewhere and spin off torrential train all over the South for a week.

 

[DarkPaw]

and spin off torrential train all over the South

That would be something

 

[Grumpy92]

This is not a hurricane yet. It is a Tropical Storm, which has lower winds then a hurricane and means lots of rain. I was on the WDW hurricane team when I worled there, figured it was safer then home and they would have all the supplies.
One year I had a friend visiting and a catagory 1 came into Orlando, very mild. They opened the parks later around llam. I told her get your old shoes on, here is a rain poncho and off we went to EC. Had a great time and really no lines to deal with.
Dont worry about this one. Good chance it will even change its path this weekend. Go to WDW, bring some shoes you dont care about getting wet, get a rain poncho and enjoy your vacation.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

And rain is exactly what Florida needs right now, they are in a drought.

This has been a very wet season so far with flooding in some areas of Fl. The last thing we need right now is more rain!

Edit: It just started raining here on the Space Coast.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I'm starting to get really nervous now after seeing news reports this morning. We are flying into Tampa Tuesday morning!

 

[KateP85]

Today's pattern shows the storm tracking to the West of Florida, so not coming right over the state. It might also be downgraded to a tropical depression. This means lots of rain but no crazy winds closing the parks. So that's good news! Fingers crossed it all stays that way. My son's day care called to say it may be closed Mon/Tue/Wed, so waiting to see if that happens or not.

 

[CAS239]

"Erika has dissipated as a tropical cyclone. NHC will issue a special advisory shortly. Tropical storm watches/warnings being discontinued"

Looks like everyone should be fine as far as tropical storm wise

 

[Tonyz]

Ding dong, the witch is dead!

 

[GPC0321]

"Erika has dissipated as a tropical cyclone. NHC will issue a special advisory shortly. Tropical storm watches/warnings being discontinued"

Looks like everyone should be fine as far as tropical storm wise

That's good to hear! I'm not going to be anywhere near WDW or Florida, but up here in eastern NC we keep our eyes on these things. Plus, I hate to see anyone's Disney vacation spoiled by a doggone storm. Here's hoping Erika fizzles and stays clear of the Mouse!
It's understandable why they were quick with the warnings and such though. These things are notoriously unpredictable. Plus, she did kill 20 people.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Either way this looks to be a real rain maker ohh I hate the rain when I'm there...

 

[ariane37]

I'm in NY, supposed to fly into Orlando tonight at 10:00 from Hartford, Ct. They just totally cancelled our flight about 20 minutes ago saying a weather pattern had changed........they bumped us to the same flight tomorrow night but luckily we got on an 8:45 pm flight tonight out of Westchester. Crossing my fingers that one isn't cancelled, I really didn't think anything would affect flights today or tonight

 

[CAS239]

I'm in NY, supposed to fly into Orlando tonight at 10:00 from Hartford, Ct. They just totally cancelled our flight about 20 minutes ago saying a weather pattern had changed........they bumped us to the same flight tomorrow night but luckily we got on an 8:45 pm flight tonight out of Westchester. Crossing my fingers that one isn't cancelled, I really didn't think anything would affect flights today or tonight

That's strange that your flight today was cancelled. Maybe it was due to something other than weather because it wouldn't be due to rain in Orlando for anything tonight

 

[KateP85]

I'm in NY, supposed to fly into Orlando tonight at 10:00 from Hartford, Ct. They just totally cancelled our flight about 20 minutes ago saying a weather pattern had changed........they bumped us to the same flight tomorrow night but luckily we got on an 8:45 pm flight tonight out of Westchester. Crossing my fingers that one isn't cancelled, I really didn't think anything would affect flights today or tonight

I don't think that's Erika related, I think that's a different storm system that is supposed to hit here around 6pm and last a few hours. Cause you know, one storm system wasn't enough!