My Concerns... Are They Valid?

[TNKBELL]

I have a trip scheduled to leave(driving from Kansas)on Sept 25th for my family of 6. I'm not worried about gas shortages, but I am worried that if there is a threat of a new hurricane while we are there, that everyone will freak out (rightly so) and there will be a mass exodus and we will be trapped. I would really like to go but between feeling very sad for the victims and not being able to justify a vacation for ourselves and safety concerns for my own family, I'm very torn about what to do. I would love some feedback!! TIA!!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Due to last year's hurricanes, Disney has had plenty of opportunity to polish up its hurricane handling skills. They did a great job with the hurricanes last year (we were there for one of them) and I really think that if you were "trapped" there for awhile you would be fine (I'm assuming you're staying onsite). Keep in mind that New Orleans is a unique place--Orlando would not be subject to the extreme events that have caused so much trouble there.
I would be worried about getting caught in traffic if there was a mass "panic" evacuation and I joined in, but as for just staying at Disney even in a big hurricane I think it would be okay.
Whenever we travel we take along some basic supplies just in case--energy bars, flashlights, bottled water, small radio--notice my tag!
Don't be scared to take your trip! If it looks like a Cat 5 is bearing down on Florida right before your trip you can cancel then; I wouldn't worry now.
Have fun!

 

[Colinsmom]

We're going about the same time. I'll keep an eye on the forecasts, and if it looks dire for Orlando, we'll cancel. But Disney weathered last year's hurricanes VERY well and was only out of business for a short amount of time (when it was unsafe to be outside) so I'm not too concerned.

Orlando is pretty far inland so doesn't have the same flooding risks of a location like New Orleans, plus these storms tend to slow down when they hit land. My ILs are in Marco Island (higher risk of more serious hurricanes) and have done fine over the last several years, even the one time they ignored a mandatory evacuation (grrrr).

We did consider downgrading to a moderate but decided to stick with a deluxe just to have the full hotel access in case of a hurricane, rather than being confined to our room for that period of time.

 

[DISLOVE]

My husband and I weathered Hurricane Jeanne last September while on a quick romantic weekend. Disney handled the whole ordeal very well and although we were forced to stay inside for a day, it wasn't bad. We were at the Wilderness Lodge and it turned out to be quite a unique experience, no negatives.

We are headed back next week with our soon to be 3 yr old (Happy Birthday trip) and my only concern is that if a hurricane hits, we will be stuck at the AS Movies. With a child. Not my idea of a fun experience, but, hey! what can you do??

The situation at Disney is much different than what we saw from Katrina's devasatation. The central location of WDW tends to protect it from most high powered hurricanes. I would watch the weather as you get closer and make a judgement call.

Good luck!
Kristy

 

[Amyality]

We will be there from Sept. 28 through Oct. 5 and will be keeping a keen eye on the weather. I'm really not worried because, I called to Disney to ask about purchasing trip insurance and found out that either way it will cost me about $100 to reschedule the trip and $200 to reshcedule the airfare. I'd hate to lose $300 but, it's really not that big of a deal. Also, I have heard that Disney is not such a bad place to be trapped during a huricane in FL. Do, I want to be in a huricane during vacation, no. This is why we are getting the great deals to travel during huricance season...its a gamble. But, I'm willing to take a $300 gamble this time. Hopefully, things will be great for everyone. Hakuna Metata.

 

[crisi]

Disney is pretty far inland for hurricanes to be "evacuation" or "panic" time. They do hit, and there is damage, and they are really big storms. They've closed the parks for them and kept everyone indoors. But they don't need to evacuate.

 

[KPeterso]

I was there last year during Hurricane Jeanne, and I am still going back again this September! If I am going to be in a hurricane, it will be at Disney. We were at Pop and talked to some other people who were from coastal areas such as Vero who had evacuated inland to Disney. Disney does everything they can to make you feel safe. The worst part was the food court the night before was insane the way people were buying up food. Disney keeps you up to date with what is going on, shows Disney movies (both for adults and children) on some of their extra channels, we never lost power or a/c. I am not really worrying about another one (what are the chances 2 years in a row?), but even if it happens again, I am not worried, because Disney will keep me safe!

 

[TNKBELL]

We are staying offsite due to cost, but I guess if there were a threat of a hurricane, I could probably get a room at one of the resorts?

 

[all4fun]

We are staying offsite due to cost, but I guess if there were a threat of a hurricane, I could probably get a room at one of the resorts?

I don't know. I have heard they offer empty rooms to CM's and also people staying at Fort Wilderness, since it would definitely NOT be safe to camp during a hurricane.

We were there during Jeanne last year and felt perfectly safe in our room, btw. We were at BWV.

 

[Mrsduck101]

We are driving from NW Ohio on Sept 23/24 and I am having some weird feelings about it also. It's looking like we shouldn't run into any gas shortage problems. We are just going to keep watching the weather and if we have to decide to stay home at the last minute we will.

 

[TNKBELL]

We are driving from NW Ohio on Sept 23/24 and I am having some weird feelings about it also. It's looking like we shouldn't run into any gas shortage problems. We are just going to keep watching the weather and if we have to decide to stay home at the last minute we will.

That's my plan of action too! If not Disney then probably Kansas City's World's of Fun, definately not Disney. Also Great Wolf Lodge, I told the kids about the backup plan and my 8 yr old says " YAY, Great Wolf Lodge has Nintendo 64!!" Ya, just my idea of a perfect family vacation, watching the boys play Nintendo!! I'm praying for beautiful weather, or maybe just no hurricanes!!

 

[rae662000]

I don't quite remember which hurricane it was but we were there last Sept around that same timeframe and felt very safe. As a matter of fact we were told that Disney is often used as an evacuation place for many Floridians that come more inland. Disney is very self-reliant, with their own power generators and so forth, we never lost power and I think the cable was out maybe an hour. They played classic disney movies on TV and keep you well informed of what was happening. We felt it was really one of the safest places we could be.

 

[Msslaydbug]

I am in a diffrent situation since we are flying but I have been on these boards a number of years and the other posters a re right I have always heard Disney is a safe place to be. Good luck and hope no Hurricanes form between now and then. We are leaving in a week and a half so I am watching the weather as well

 

[Julia M]

We were offsite during hurricane Charley (at Vistana).

I felt like things were pretty well organized. Our problem was in leaving, but that's because we were flying. I woulnd't worry if I were driving.

julia

 

[Steph H]

We are going the first week of October, and even my friend who lives in Orlando said to me, "You SURE you want to go during Hurricane Season?" I believe it was right after Hurricane Jeanne hit that she said that.

I had friends who were off-site for Hurricane Jeanne last year and they said they only lost one day. I've also heard that Disney has underground utility wires (not sure if that's true) to help keep them running.

At any rate--I want this vacation too much to back out! (Unless a Cat 5 comes calling the last week of September; then I might rethink it. )

Try to stay positive--what are the chances, right??