Keeping an eye on Tropical Weather 2024

[Lehuaann]

 

[MICKIMINI]

If you are riding out the storm at WDW and have a rental car, don't forget to park it in a safe a place as possible. Hopefully, higher ground if possible and not under a tree or light pole. Pull out your travel insurance policy if you bought one.

We'll be there in a couple weeks and are watching things carefully. Fingers crossed all stay safe during Milton!

 

[disneybirds]

Disney refunded LLs without any issues for the last storm.

Would you suggest we call this number to get LLs refunded? (407) 939-2273 Just cancelled our reservation.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Would you suggest we call this number to get LLs refunded? (407) 939-2273 Just cancelled our reservation.

I’d start with Chat because I’m lazy, and if they can’t do it then I’d call that number.

 

[neverlandsky]

If you are riding out the storm at WDW and have a rental car, don't forget to park it in a safe a place as possible. Hopefully, higher ground if possible and not under a tree or light pole. Pull out your travel insurance policy if you bought one.

We'll be there in a couple weeks and are watching things carefully. Fingers crossed all stay safe during Milton!

Parking garages at Disney Springs and bus back to resort is also an option.

 

[VAtink]

Charging q- were Disney payment systems still running for room charging, cc’s for things like the hurricane buffet?

Not the original poster, but we were there for Ian and were able to charge back to the room throughout the two day closure. They did have some issues with the system though, they had to physically write down the number on the back of our magic bands in order to charge back to the room, they weren't able to just scan them like normal.

 

[Dave006]

Would you suggest we call this number to get LLs refunded? (407) 939-2273 Just cancelled our reservation.

Yes that should work it is the non-reservation Support line.

I’d start with Chat because I’m lazy, and if they can’t do it then I’d call that number.

I would second @gottalovepluto on trying the Chat feature in the MDE app. Start on the Main Menu. It is the right most button on the bottom of most screens (3 horizontal lines) aka the Hamburger menu button.

Scroll down to the Chat With Us link, the CMs are available 6 AM ET - Midnight 7 days a week.

Dave

 

[2vets]

Yeah this has the potential to be a historic storm. The fact that it has increased to almost a category 5 already is scary. The models keep changing and I wouldn't be surprised if it hit as a Cat 4. This is going to do a lot of damage. Do not risk your life for a vacation.

Just upgraded to a 5. Omg. My sister is in Tampa, mandatory evacuation.

 

[Selket]

Parking garages at Disney Springs and bus back to resort is also an option.

Double check that they won't tow cars left there if you do that. I've seen information on the Disney college program parents' boards saying they may tow cars left there (because a lot of parents are worried about their kids keeping a car in the Flamingo parking lots).

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I am not indicating that WDW should be evacuated. I am indicating that people who have the ability to leave WDW should leave WDW. There is a difference between a local from Tampa who is staying at WDW, and someone from New York who is able to get an earlier flight and get out. If your home is not in the path of a hurricane, you should go home. People are basing their advice that it is fine to be at Disney based on what has happened in the past. There is a chance that this could be historically bad and people who have the ability to go somewhere else (out of the path of the hurricane entirely in a different state) should definitely do so. A vacation is not worth this level of risk.

The time to leave is now. It will be too late to leave soon.

It is now a category 5 storm with 160mph max sustained winds and 200 mph gusts. Further strengthening is forecast.

 

[Lehuaann]

Parking garages at Disney Springs and bus back to resort is also an option.

Overnight parking not allowed at DS.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Would you suggest we call this number to get LLs refunded? (407) 939-2273 Just cancelled our reservation.

Wait times are very high right now. You're probably better off waiting and calling in a week instead of battling the wait times. WDW will make good and refund you.

 

[neverlandsky]

Overnight parking not allowed at DS.

Definitely can offer a lot shelter for vehicles during this historical storm. Bet if enough pressure is applied, they'll temporary suspend it for resort guests and CMs.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My heart goes out to everyone locally affected by this storm as well as everyone who has travel plans that will be impacted.

We are due to arrive Thurs 10/10 at MCO at 11 am. I am so conflicted on the best course of action. We can keep flight as is and hope for the best, move to a later Thursday flight, or just cancel the trip completely. We are returning home early on 10/14, so it was a short trip to begin with. But also an expensive trip - deluxe resort, 4 day park hoppers with LLMP and LLSP booked, MNSSHP on 10/11. My kids are in high school, and we unfortunately don't have much flexibility to reschedule.

In the grand scheme of things, I know this is just a vacation compared to people's lives being potentially upended. We live in Houston, so we understand the complexity of hurricanes. If impacts are minimal, we know that life can largely go on the next day. If impacts are bad, the last thing Orlando will need is a bunch of tourists arriving in the aftermath competing for resources.

Ironically we're also due to arrive Thursday-we're coming from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, DS and family are coming from the Fort Worth area. Like you, we know the complexities of hurricanes, including last minute shifts in paths. I remember one year, DH had a flight planned, but a hurricane was aimed right for us. So a day or two beforehand the airline called, suggested he drive to Corpus Christi (125 miles) and they'd fly him from there. Well, the hurricane shifted, and Corpus got hit hard, and we got....sun. So we just don't know what to do. Like you, we planned this trip around school schedules.

 

[chazas]

Wait times are very high right now. You're probably better off waiting and calling in a week instead of battling the wait times. WDW will make good and refund you.

I had no problem correcting a mistake on a LL purchase via chat this morning for a trip next week, just had to wait about 15 minutes for a rep to be available.

 

[lovethattink]

Milton is a cat 5 now

Whether to leave the area or not is a personal decision.

Things to consider. How would you feel where you are if you lose electricity? What it you lose electricity for days? Do your windows open? Do you have food and water? Do you have flashlights and batteries? What if the ground floods? Are you on a first floor? What if the wind pushes rain under your door.

As for driving, gas is hard to find. Additional flood zone evacuation orders went out today on the coast. Those ppl are either going to head north or south. So traffic will get congested. You don’t want to be stuck on the road during a hurricane.

In 2004, I was “lucky” enough to have the eye of those 4 hurricanes. The sounds of the wind and windows rattling is unnerving. I now wear ear plugs and sit or sleep in my walk in closet.

 

[asc]

Definitely can offer a lot shelter for vehicles during this historical storm. Bet if enough pressure is applied, they'll temporary suspend it for resort guests and CMs.

If I had to take a risk with putting a note on my car and saying I'm parking due to the hurricane or leave in an area with higher risk, I would probably take it.

Irma was pretty damaging to Disney and was around cat 2 when it hit Orlando. 2004 also had some damage from Charley and Francis after. I know it took years to see the trees around Epcot to not notice how they had their leaves and branches stripped off.

Lots of good advice here if you plan to stay. Stay safe. Load up on snacks and food especially if your resort does not have internal access. Prepare for longer lines at resort food options.

 

[Lehuaann]

Definitely can offer a lot shelter for vehicles during this historical storm. Bet if enough pressure is applied, they'll temporary suspend it for resort guests and CMs.

We asked. DS garage security told our resort the garages are closed, no overnight parking, vehicles subject to being towed.

RCID built the garages, and the parking spaces have sensors. I do not know if the spaces send alerts after 2 am, but do know that tow companies are scum. To the point of towing vehicles in the middle of a hurricane.

 

[asc]

We asked. DS garage security told our resort the garages are closed, no overnight parking, vehicles subject to being towed.

RCID built the garages, and the parking spaces have sensors. I do not know if the spaces send alerts after 2 am, but I do know that tow companies are scum. To the point of towing vehicles in the middle of a hurricane.

Ugh. That's terrible to hear.

 

[holyrita]

As of right now, MCO will close Wednesday morning:

Operational Update/3 – Hurricane MiltonOur airport will cease commercial operations on Wednesday morning, in advance of Hurricane Milton. This move was made in coordination with our partners. We will resume commercial operations as soon as it is safe.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843338689000419517