Pics of MK and MGM and hurricane preparations

[safetymom]

I posted some pictures on my website listed below(IDHAL.com) I know many wished they could be in the parks today.



Hurricane Preparations at MK and MGM day before Hurricane Frances

The family and I went to MK and MGM today. The parking lot was very empty when we got there after 10 AM. I have never seen it that quiet.

Once we got into the park it was evident that they had started to prepare MK for the hurricane. Booths were strapped down, signs and lights were tied up with ropes. The benches were roped or wired tied down.

My kids got a big kick of the fact that you could walk down the sidewalk with your arms out and not touch anyone. The rides were all a walk on. My son loved the fact that you could walk right onto Space Mountain. I had never done Splash Mountain before because I was scared and the line was always so long. I did Space Mountain. I figured since I had gone through Hurricane Charley Splash Mountain couldn't be too bad. I survived and will probably ride it again now.

Buzz Lightyear had no lines also!!! It was strange walking around the Hub with hardly anyone there. There were a few new Hidden Mickey's created in MK. Can you guess where they are?
We then went over to MGM. It was deserted also. They were only parking in one section of the parking lot. The CM's guessed that most people had already left town.

So I have posted the pictures . I will go back after the Hurricane and try and take the same pictures. I am just hoping that WDW doesn't get hit hard.

I will have my family with me during the Hurricane and I hope our house survives.

I hope since the parks have made so many magical moments for Guests throughout the years that it is spared a lot of damage.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Wow, Disney really was empty. Looks like they know how to prepare too. Hard to believe with that brilliant blue sky that Frances is so close.
Stay safe. All of you in FL are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[Janet2k]

Safetymom, thank you so much for posting the photos. I found it fascinating to see the preparations.

My prayers are with everyone who is in the path of the storm. Please be safe.

 

[safetymom]

My kids wondered why I was taking all the pictures of the preparations.

I told them the DIS would want to see them.

 

[PlutoPony]

Thanks for the pics! So now I'm even more curious about hurricane prep..... The number of things in WDW that could become projectiles is truly amazing - and they seem to have a plan for ALL of them - WOW!! Do you think those straps really hold down carts, park benches, etc.? And it looks like they hook into rings (or something like that) sunk into the concrete in the ground - are those rings always there? Or are they just added when a storm approaches (wouldn't we trip over them if they were always there?) Sorry - don't mean to come off as a skeptic or anything, but this stuff's interesting (easy for me to say - I'm 600+ miles away).
Good luck to you all
Beth

 

[safetymom]

I wondered the same thing about those pins. I don't ever remember them before. So of course I will be checking it out after the hurricane. The straps don't look like they would do much but I am sure they are designed to protect the carts.

I will take pictures after the Hurricane.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks for sharing your photos, they are interesting! I like the log Mickey's.

Stay safe Floridians!!

 

[mrsltg]

Thanks for the pictures, Safety Mom. DH and I were just discussing this at dinner. How much work must go into preparing for a hurricane like this!!

Be careful, and stay safe!

Erin

 

[momoftwins]

I got a trick for you! I got it from this board. When you go down the big drop at Splash Mountain, just put your chin down to your chest. I am a big chicken , but my family loves this ride.

So, this past week I tried the tip that was posted and YES! YES! it worked! I didn't feel like I was going to fall out, nor feel like I was going to faint. I actually got off the ride, brushed myself off and said - that wasn't so bad.

Try it. It really works - although your family will forever laugh at the pics at the end of the ride. You will be the only person in pic staring down at your belly button! But that doesn't bother me, I have no ride shame. I will stand up and say I am a chicken!

 

[safetymom]

I think from looking at the picture afterwards that is what I did. I also had my eyes closed but I don't think that was a good idea.

My kids didn't know that I was as scared as I was.

 

[Schmeck]

Thanks for taking and posting all the pictures!

That mesh thing over the lamppost globe in one of your photos - wish they had those on the lamp globes on the overpass between MGM and EPCOT - we got stuck under the overpass during a wicked thunderstorm last month, and one of the globes broke apart and floated down the canal... The sound of that thing cracking and hitting the water was much more startling than the lightning/thunder. (Although that got hairy for a bit, as lightning hit nearby while we were running to the semi-shelter under the overpass)

Hopefully, everything, and more importantly, everyone, will be fine. But I'm definitely sending lots of positive vibes ~~~~~~~, and my thoughts and prayers to all Floridians tonight and for the rest of the weekend!

 

[safetymom]

Wow, that sounds like it was scary.

 

[DMRick]

Oh boo hoo..I shoulda been there right as you were talking those pictures. Instead, here I am, looking at my still packed suitcase : (

Thanks for the pictures..they remind me why we are still home. Francis is coming.
Take care.

 

[TN Traveler]

SafetyMom......thanks for posting the pictures today. My kids enjoyed looking at Disney w/o alot of people. Our first and only
trip was this past Memorial Day week and as you can imagine it was packed!

STAY SAFE!!

 

[safetymom]

I get to the parks quite often and that was the emptiest I have ever seen the parks.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I certainly don't wish hurricanes on anybody, but it would be fun to be there when the parks are so deserted. Even the "low" times are packed compared to that. Lucky you. Be safe this weekend.

 

[KevinFSU]

Seems like those signs would be easier just to take down rather than spend all the time on those rope contraptions.

 

[ceejay13]

Thanks for the update. Was hoping someone had some pictures.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[DisneyDiver]

In response to comments about the anchorage of booths etc.

My friend works in the tool hire trade, and hires out machines that fire metal studs into concrete to provide anchor points for things like scaffolding - these look like they've been done using a similar method, where the loop is simply blasted into the ground using lots of pressure.