Hurricane Watchers--Post Here!

[NJ Sherry Wine]

We're heading down Friday too - and I've been stalking the weather forecast for many days now! I'll probably re-arrange my tentative park schedule to accommodate the weather as time draws near. Having spent the better part of a WDW vacation in the pouring rain a few years ago, I planned ahead for this scenario just in case (seriously...it poured for six out of eight days). Hollywood Studios has a lot of indoor attractions, versus Animal Kingdom where most attractions are outside.

I also purchased Plastex brand clear rain jackets for everyone in the family. They are long jackets with hoods, pockets, and they button up the front. They work well with a brimmed baseball cap under the hood for visibility. Coleman rain suits work well too. You can usually pick them up at Target. I also invested in a couple of pairs of Keen sandals. They are sturdy enough to wear though the parks, yet can be used as water shoes. Last time our sneakers didn't completely dry each day, despite sitting on the air condition units overnight. Our vacation was soggy...but still magical.

The only thing that I can't prepare for is the weather for the flight home Wednesday night! Safe travels everyone. See you in the parks!

 

[khertz]

We were actually planning on doing a long weekend in WDW this upcoming weekend, but decided to switch it out for a DL trip instead. Now that this depression is heading for Florida, I'm happy we made the switch or I would be worried out of my mind about a washed out trip!

 

[sdzman]

This storm should clear Central FL around 9/1 regardless of how it impacts the state.

 

[LPnerd]

Anyone else checking the hurricane forecast several times a day like me? I know there is a thread active right now about hurricanes, but it's more about what happens in Disney IF there is a hurricane. This thread is just for other uber-planners and worry-warts like me who want to know ahead of time if they will be rained out for a day or possibly deal with a flight delay.

I am going to be at WDW Sept 1-8 and I have my eye on those storms churning in the Atlantic.

I went for the same week last year and did the same thing for the two weeks before our trip!

Here is the best website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

On the site I like to look at the 5 day forecast cone: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/144508.shtml?5day#contents

And also the discussion which is updated by the forecasters 3x a day: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT4+shtml/211450.shtml?

(All the links were for TD 9...so they won't work later on I don't think.)

It's too far out to know what to expect for my trip...but I would be on pins and needles if I were visiting WDW late in the weekend. Not that I would be afraid of being in danger...just would not be fun to have it be pouring all day long if a mild hurricane is passing over.

the further you are, the better off you are on accuweather.com... just keep an eye on thigs esp if your driving, besides the high pressure ridge could lift and iassac could be a fish storm... and thats a good thing.

 

[RNicole1]

We are supposed to fly into Orlando at 11:30 next Wednesday (the 29th) and will leave on the 3rd. I have to admit that I am definitely freaking out! I do not want to spend the entire trip locked in my room with our 1 year old and 3 year old. Unfortunately we can't just move our dates around due to work. *fingers crossed!*

 

[North of Mouse]

We leave on Thursday. I am not allowing myself to read too many threads or obsessively watch the storm. Too often the "well remember THIS hurricane or THAT hurricane...it was supposed to do X but it actually did Y...and ruined everyone's Disney dreams FOREVER..." y'all know what I mean. Hurricane Faye was predicted to park over Orlando and not move for the entire time we were to be there. Turns out we had one day of rain. Then ten days of sun.

don't read to much in to hobby meteorologists. My husband and I had the BEST day of our honeymoon when Hurricane Ernesto blew in. The parks were deserted. We were allowed to get on rides and when we'd come to the end the CM would say "You want to go around again?" and off we'd go! We rode Splash mountain 8 times in a row before my husband couldn't stand another round zippidee do dah!!! We ran over the BTMRR and did the same thing. Rode round and round until we asked to get off! It was a BLAST!!!

This year we are all bringing our real rain coats (LLBean Trail Model Rain Coats). We will splash through puddles and have fun no matter what. I DO believe that there will be lots of sun too!!!

Don't read the hype. Just plan ahead and have a great time!!!

Being from the southern coastal area, I do take hurricanes very seriously, as I've been in enough of them.

We were also at Disney during Tropical Storm Faye a few years back, and it DID park itself over Orlando a few days. We were in FW in our MH and every day they would bring an update to us saying they were watching the storm, winds, rains, etc. and if the winds became sustained 35mph or greater they would have us move to one of the hotels and park our RV's in the parking lots, and put us in a room.

Most, or all the soft-sided camping units left (all were encouraged to) and FW was sort of like a ghost campground with lakes all round. After a few days it moved out, and so did we. We would have left sooner, but did not want to be on I-95 in the middle of it (live 600 mi N of Orlando now).

People say they don't mind being there during the wind and downpours, but WE do

Sure hope Isaac decides to go out to sea so it doesn't come up FL's way and they DO take some strange paths sometimes, so the most they know is a few days at a time, sometimes not even that.

The best to all that will be there next week - especially those that have flights in and out of Orlando.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

This storm should clear Central FL around 9/1 regardless of how it impacts the state.

Where are you getting this estimate from? The forecast right now is for Isaac to hit Florida (that is a big IF...) between Mon and Wed next week. 9/1 is the following Saturday.

 

[Danascraps]

We leave on Tuesday 8/28... this darn storm better not mess up the first big vacation we've had in 6 years. Wah.

 

[LPnerd]

We are flying out on Friday! I'm hoping for the best. It's so hard with these storms to actually predict what will happen. I was there for Gordon in 1994 and it really only made for 1 pretty yucky day. I'm trying not to stress too much about it. A rainy day at Disney is still better than no day at Disney!

you'll be fine on friday, it's sunday and on that could have an issue.

 

[LPnerd]

I leave Friday (16 hour drive) to get there Saturday! I have been tracking it. I don't mind rain, but I like to KNOW what to expect, well get a general idea since it is SO far out. Plus, my husband loves to monitor various weather things. We are just hoping for the best.

you'll be fine from Iassac , but there are storms all over the midwest predicted, big thunderstorms... be safe.

 

[lauritagoddess]

you'll be fine on friday, it's sunday and on that could have an issue.

Do you think Saturday will be okay? I'm getting a little nervous, not so much about the actual storm but about flying out.

 

[LPnerd]

Where are you getting this estimate from? The forecast right now is for Isaac to hit Florida (that is a big IF...) between Mon and Wed next week. 9/1 is the following Saturday.

I think confusion comes from the other storm that's out there. Plus, weathernerds like myself, can tell you... do not guess and do not suppose, if you don't understand how different high pressures and fronts and such affect flight path ( lol) of these storms, just ask questions, and save yourself the hassle of trying to precinct... you just confuse folks and look dumb when I'm sure you're not...
listen to the entire forecast, only use NOAA as part of your decision making , and just understand that as much as weather nitwits would love to forecast 5 days out... they are truly accurate about 12 hrs out... and only about 2-3 days out generally speaking...
the weather pattern has changed now, with this storm, and it looks like they will ot be headed to Mexico now. so, we have to wait a little longer for the computer models to get a grip, and for the folks that give them the info to get enough to make a difference, so... because this is the first with new pattern this season, it's not gong to be as easy as subsequent may be... does that make sense???
I have no idea what is gong to happen, and neither does anyone else, here's what we do know... Fl. is in some way going to be affected, from only beach erosion to two days of wind and rain, but something...
No one is going to be able to predict strength with dead on accuracy until we see where he crosses cuba. if he crosses in the skinny flat part it won't affect him at all really, f he crosses over the tall jagged mountains, he could be torn totally apart and come to f as a rain maker..... ITs to soon to tell!
it's certainly not time to be concerned about anything except maybe a night in an airport if you're flying in on 26th -28th. and too soon to tell about that really either...
WDW is set up to weather a cat three storm with no damage except to trees and maybe a few shingles... they are their own city, with their own electric company and employees... pack a couple candles and a rain coat of it makes you feel better and maybe water shoes!

 

[WeCantWait]

I have been watching but not really concerned. Thankfully we fly into Orlando on Thursday the 23rd. We will then head to Vero Beach for a few nights followed by checking in at the Wilderness Lodge on the 27th. The only thing I think may be affected is our Blizzard Beach day. We may have to juggle a few things but I am sure we will find some nice weather during the 8 days we spend at Wilderness Lodge.

As the time gets closer, to any of you flying when the storm is supposed to hit Fl. your airlines may offer to fly you in early. If at all possible, I suggest you take them up on their offer. We didn't when the offer was made to us last year during Irene. We got very lucky when they cancelled our flight and were able to fly standby on earlier flights but we did come very close to losing 4 days of our vacation.

Whatever the weather we plan to have a FABULOUS trip! Can't wait to get there!

 

[LPnerd]

I have been watching but not really concerned. Thankfully we fly into Orlando on Thursday the 23rd. We will then head to Vero Beach for a few nights followed by checking in at the Wilderness Lodge on the 27th. The only thing I think may be affected is our Blizzard Beach day. We may have to juggle a few things but I am sure we will find some nice weather during the 8 days we spend at Wilderness Lodge.

As the time gets closer, to any of you flying when the storm is supposed to hit Fl. your airlines may offer to fly you in early. If at all possible, I suggest you take them up on their offer. We didn't when the offer was made to us last year during Irene. We got very lucky when they cancelled our flight and were able to fly standby on earlier flights but we did come very close to losing 4 days of our vacation.

Whatever the weather we plan to have a FABULOUS trip! Can't wait to get there!

fyi... if issac comes up the east coast, they will evac Ver Beach. I'd get the number to the resort and give them a call around 5pm day before you leave to see what the contingecy plan is and what they are preparing for. could be nothing by then, could be alot of different senerio's and believe me, Disney will have a plan! jusyt make sure The resort has your number and e-mail and stuff and do it now,before everyone starts calling...

 

[WeCantWait]

fyi... if issac comes up the east coast, they will evac Ver Beach. I'd get the number to the resort and give them a call around 5pm day before you leave to see what the contingecy plan is and what they are preparing for. could be nothing by then, could be alot of different senerio's and believe me, Disney will have a plan! jusyt make sure The resort has your number and e-mail and stuff and do it now,before everyone starts calling...

Thanks. I think if it does come up the east coast, it will be after we leave. I'm not worried, my Mom lives in Vero Beach, quite a bit inland, if need be we will stay with her.

 

[Kate and Family]

WDW is probably one of the better places to be from what I understand.

Two pieces of advise in case there are power failures OUTSIDE of WDW about the time you plan to leave.

1) Make sure you have cash on you. At WDW you would be fine using plastic, but once you leave WDW, you may find ATM's down and businesses unable to take plastic.
2) For those of you who are driving. Fill up as soon as you get near WDW. Again, if there is a general loss of power, gas stations may not be able to pump gas.

If I had a chance to go to WDW within the next week or so, I would not hesitate to go. I live on the east coast, and WDW seems like a terrific place to evacuate to. Have fun all of you.

 

[Dwheels]

We leave on Thursday. I am not allowing myself to read too many threads or obsessively watch the storm. Too often the "well remember THIS hurricane or THAT hurricane...it was supposed to do X but it actually did Y...and ruined everyone's Disney dreams FOREVER..." y'all know what I mean. Hurricane Faye was predicted to park over Orlando and not move for the entire time we were to be there. Turns out we had one day of rain. Then ten days of sun.

don't read to much in to hobby meteorologists. My husband and I had the BEST day of our honeymoon when Hurricane Ernesto blew in. The parks were deserted. We were allowed to get on rides and when we'd come to the end the CM would say "You want to go around again?" and off we'd go! We rode Splash mountain 8 times in a row before my husband couldn't stand another round zippidee do dah!!! We ran over the BTMRR and did the same thing. Rode round and round until we asked to get off! It was a BLAST!!!

This year we are all bringing our real rain coats (LLBean Trail Model Rain Coats). We will splash through puddles and have fun no matter what. I DO believe that there will be lots of sun too!!!

Don't read the hype. Just plan ahead and have a great time!!!

I am so glad I read your post! I always get so upset about these storms running my trip! We have always been lucky the last week of August! Hoping it stays that way! We arrive the 24th and aren't going home til the 1st. So travel wise we should be fine. Your post made me realize who cares we will have fun no matter what!!

 

[LPnerd]

WDW is probably one of the better places to be from what I understand.

Two pieces of advise in case there are power failures OUTSIDE of WDW about the time you plan to leave.

1) Make sure you have cash on you. At WDW you would be fine using plastic, but once you leave WDW, you may find ATM's down and businesses unable to take plastic.
2) For those of you who are driving. Fill up as soon as you get near WDW. Again, if there is a general loss of power, gas stations may not be able to pump gas.

If I had a chance to go to WDW within the next week or so, I would not hesitate to go. I live on the east coast, and WDW seems like a terrific place to evacuate to. Have fun all of you.

excellent and factual advice. all of Fl.'s residents evac to WDW. as did we, several times, LOL, it was always yahoo, it's a storm, we're going to DISNEY... right up until 2004... that year kinda changed things for everone.

 

[LPnerd]

Thanks. I think if it does come up the east coast, it will be after we leave. I'm not worried, my Mom lives in Vero Beach, quite a bit inland, if need be we will stay with her.

If in fact , it does go up the east coast, it will be Mon Tuesday or maybe wed... 27-28th.

 

[123SA]

Hmmm...not flying, but drving from NJ to FL Sat 25, planning to arrive around
9am on Sunday 26. Will the storm be a problem for drivers?