Hurricane Worries!

[MissM08]

Hi guys...

Just wanted to post because I'm leaving for my first WDW vacation ever on Sunday but I'm getting so worried about the weather!

There is a tropical storm Gamma in the Caribbean/Gulf right now and the forecasters have it tracking towards southern Florida right in the beginning/middle of the week!

I'm really worried about how this might affect my family's vacation! Can anyone relieve any of my worries or tell me what Disney does when situations like this occur where there might be very heavy storm conditions for more than a day? I still want the magic to happen!

 

[disnut8]

IF Tropical Storm Gamma develops into a hurricane, it's projected to hit the Miami area which is still reeling from Hurricane Wilma. Not something Florida needs right now. The most Disney World will get is rains and some winds. At the most. It's doubtful that any park activities will be curtailed.

I wouldn't worry about your vacation. Just hope the thing goes a bit south and misses everyone who just got their power back from Wilma.

 

[brack]

Don't worry. There is no way that a tropical storm can ruin a Disney vacation at this time of year.

If it does become a hurricane and wrecks WDW then it's the end of the world and it just won't matter any more!!!

 

[CaipiraBob]

There is a tropical storm Gamma in the Caribbean/Gulf right now and the forecasters have it tracking towards southern Florida right in the beginning/middle of the week!

It's going to miss Orlando by so far South you'll hardly notice it.

We'll get some winds down here in Blue Tarp city, but I'm not going to worry. I used roofing cement for my repairs and will probably spend Thanksgiving weekend helping my neighbors apply my stockpile of it on their roofs if their tarps don't hold.

If it tracks North of the Keys we'll start to worry, but I understand that there's a high pressure cold front moving South that should keep it away from us. Here's to hoping...

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Unless something drastic happens with it, the worstl Orlando is going to see is some rain and higher than normal winds. Nothing too bad though. It will probably be like a summer rainstorm.

 

[disnut8]

It's going to miss Orlando by so far South you'll hardly notice it.

We'll get some winds down here in Blue Tarp city, but I'm not going to worry. I used roofing cement for my repairs and will probably spend Thanksgiving weekend helping my neighbors apply my stockpile of it on their roofs if their tarps don't hold.

If it tracks North of the Keys we'll start to worry, but I understand that there's a high pressure cold front moving South that should keep it away from us. Here's to hoping...

Keep safe! My dad and stepmother as well as my sister and her family just moved to north Florida after living in the Keys for the past eight years. I thought they all were safe and sound now. So where are my wayward parents? In Homestead for the NASCAR race. Worry,worry, worry. My boss is also in Miami this weekend for a wedding. You would think at the end of November, things would be relatively sane. This has been such a strange hurricane year.

 

[MissM08]

Well I think that all I can do now is hope and pray that all we will see is some rain and maybe a little wind.

(It is unfortunate about the rain though - we wanted it to be a nice little winter break with 80 degree weather). But as long as nothing is hurt that's all that matters!

 

[campinggal]

No worries- you'll be at WDW!!!

My daughter and I were at WDW during Hurricaine Wilma this past October.

While it was a bummer to have to check the weather channel morning and night for a 'Wilma Update'- we tried to be flexible based on the news that was always changing. Wilma was slow moving so they kept changing the landfall which was frustrating.

We had arrived on Wed and Wilma ended up arriving on Monday. We had planned to attend MNSSHP on Sunday night by Thurs am when the weekend forecast was looking iffy and Wilma was shifting from Sat to Sun- we quickly changed our tickets and attended the party on a rain free Thursday night.

Disney was great about the communication about the storm. We were staying at the Wilderness Lodge and when we arrived back to the Lodge on Sunday night (in torrential rain but with a very funny bus driver) there was a message saying that the parks might be closed on Monday and we would be updated in the morning.

Sure enough, the parks were closed Monday morning but the Lodge added an extra breakfast buffet and had games in the lobby for kids. Characters also came to visit in the lobby. I really enjoyed hanging out in the lobby- it was nice to have some down time.

Wilma ended up moving quickly once hit hit Florida (south of Orlando)- we did have high winds and lots of rain on Monday morning. By 11 am the skys had started to get lighter gray and the rain had stopped. At 12:45 we received a message from the desk that Disney was opening the MK and Epcot and the hours would be extended in the MK to midnight. We hopped the first bus to the MK and were treated with a very empty park. We rode BTMRR twice without getting out, we were the only ones on the carousel, rode Goofy's Barnstormer three times without getting out. You get the picture- it was awesome and by 3 pm- the skies were blue.

Long winded to say that Disney handled the situation great. Be flexible and you'll still have lots of magic!

Have fun!

 

[civileng68]

It's not supposed to strengthen to begin with and even the hardest hit area, which is our area down here (not Orlando) is only expected to experience 40 mph winds and rain. Orlando is likely to not even know a storm is hitting.

 

[DisFlan]

Don't worry about a storm to the south, and Gamma probably won't be a biggie. We were at BWV during Wilma and it was barely a blip on our trip. People from the Keys and Miami area were evacuating TO Orlando and WDW. Disney's structures are "over-engineered" for storms, and they are some of the sturdiest and safest in Florida.

We had some strong winds and rain the night before Wilma hit southern Florida, and we had heavy rain the next morning as the very northern edge of the storm bands went over, but nothing major at all. No loss of power or cable or anything like that. In fact, we couldn't hear a thing inside the resort. BC lost some shingles and the parks were closed for a day to the general public. They made up for this by opening the MK and Epcot from 2 pm until midnight (!) for resort guests. It was great! Rides were a walk-on.

The first couple of days after the storm were great as well - the parks had extremely light crowds and the weather was crystal clear. (I hesitate to use the word "crowds".) There were very few people there. We couldn't have picked a better time to be there. I have pictures of Epcot in the afternoon - during F&W - with NO ONE in the shots. Not a single person. No kidding, but everything was up and running. We had the place almost to ourselves.

The resort was wonderful about keeping us updated before, during and just after the storm, and we had constant park and activity updates on the resort's WDW channel. (My husband was bummed out because he lost a day of golf - the courses were closed for a day.) During the morning of the storm we were asked to stay inside the resort. The BW lobby was filled with characters, crafts, musicians and kid activities. The resort provided a buffet lunch in the conference center for $16, and it was definately worth the money. TONS of good food. And helpful CMs were everywhere around the resort. They couldn't have treated us better. It sounds odd, but it was a very good time to be there.

DisFlan

 

[MissM08]

Many of you have very reassuring thoughts! Thanks so much - I think I feel a little better now.

Disney is supposed to be the happiest place on earth...and I think they must strive to keep it that way...even in torrential downpour!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Here is the latest for NOAA. Gamma moved way south overnight and should go well south of Florida as you can see by the projection below. As far as this becomming a Hurricane, the following came from NOAA 12 cst advisory:

"SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS THAT GAMMA HAS BECOME LESS ORGANIZED DURING THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS...AND ONLY SOME SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS"

 

[MagicKingdom05]

New 3 pm update. TS Gamma will completely miss Florida and won't come anywhere close to it.

 

[laura001]

Wow! Everyone here is great! Just ask for reassurance and you get it ten fold! It wasn't even me asking and I feel great reading these responses and the updates. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We rode out 2 hurricains on our trip last year and Disney was wonderful, although Orlando didn't get a direct impact they kept us updated on everything, the front desk at POP went over emergency procedures with us when we checked in, made sure we knew they were there for any issues, and anytime we called down to check on anything hurricain related they were wonderful. The only place that was evacuated was Ft Wilderness Campgrounds and they did that b/c of flooding/etc. Disney service was excellent for the whole situation and I wouldn't hesitate to go again during h-season.

 

[DizChick05]

It's all gonna be ok!! Dont worry about it. We were there during Wilma, and if Disney is wooried about ANYTHING at all they would inform you. Now, I was worried during Wilma, and itg didn't make my trip or family any happier. So, just do the dance!!