Planning DVC during hurricane weather...

[lenshanem]

I'm curious if some of you are taking note NOT to plan DVC vacations during hurricane season next year. Gosh, originally we were looking at this weekend, but ended up with the first weekend in October instead. Geez, now I'm wondering about that even!

 

[Chuck S]

Hurricane season peaks in mid-September Although there is still a chance for storms in October, chances are diminished. All we can do is plan our vacation and take what nature gives us from year to year. Remember, these are the first major hurricanes to severly impact Orlando in the 30+ years that WDW has been operating.

 

[Laurabearz]

This wont change when we go to WDW, but we are thinking about a cruise for this time of year in the next year or two.

What this has taught me, is we should make ressies for a WDW resort via CRO incase our cruise is canceled, since they have a 5 day cancelation policy.

That way our vacation isnt a total bust. Riding out a hurricane at WDW is better than canceling altogether.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Hurricane season runs from June - November. That's a pretty big chunk of the year to not plan a vacation anywhere a hurricane may hit. We always go in the summer and will continue to do so. I figure odds are on my side that a hurricane won't hit either HH or WDW during the week that I am there.

 

[gjw007]

I am still looking to go in late August/ early September. I can always cancel if there is a hurricane.

 

[lenshanem]

I am still looking to go in late August/ early September. I can always cancel if there is a hurricane.

I think it is a little more complicated with DVC than it would be CRO. Even with them giving you back your points, DVC requires a little bit of planning on the most part.

 

[colleen costello]

Shan, I have been packing all weekend so I have had the Weather Channel on to keep me company. I have been thinking along your lines. I guess perhaps if you DO go at "peak" hurricane time, it might be worth it to buy the travel insurance that DVC offers when you recieve your confirmation. I have talked to member services about this plan and it reimburses you some money for points lost. It also appears that they are being very flexible about reservations right now.

I say this a lot, but you are lucky to live close. If weather was bad you could jiggle your schedule a bit as your drive is less than a day. Also, you don't risk losing airline ticket costs. So I think your odds of a trip ever being a complete disaster are small. I have a friend who is a regular cruiser (non-Disney) and she says for these trips, the insurance is a MUST. Too many things can affect you getting on the boat.

My Mom has told me this weekend that all this weather has made her think a bit about retiring in Florida. As she is considering the area around Ocala, however, I don't think the impact of hurricanes will be so bad. Not like beachfront property on the ocean, anyhow.

Rarely am I thankful for the weather in Indiana, but this week I am. And rarely is it that I say "Boy I am glad I am not in Florida," but today I am thinking just that!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

We are also looking at late August / early September for next year!
You know , the hurricane issue did bother us, that`s why we made our ressies for the FIRST week in August THIS YEAR., and guess what, we left WDW 2 days before Charley!!!
Hopefully, mother nature won`t be giving us too many gray hairs next year! , and we sure hope that everyone`s ok in fla. as we speak

 

[johde]

I don't know. The last time we planned a September trip was 1999 and Floyd came in. Our next three trips were in December and Including a Cold trip in 2001. This year Frances is causing problems. I may go back to early December for my trips.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

This hurricane season seems to be more active than most and the central part of the state is suffering more than it usually does. Don't let these storms affect your future plans. The chances of having great weather for your trips during hurricane season are much better than having bad weather. September and October are excellent months to come to Florida.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--it's one of those "you never know" things. We've been going to WDW routinely in September since 1975 and only once been impacted by a hurricane. And that was up here in PA!!
This year we're going on 10/1--but only due to Mrs. Uncleromulus' work scehdule. We may get bad weather--we may not. Who knows??
BUt we'll continue to plan our WDW trips in Sept as always--next year, most likely the week after Labor day.

 

[twotoohappy]

I'm already planning for next year. Same time, same place. End of Aug./1st week Sept. at the VWL!

 

[kathleena]

Won't change any of my plans at all. Still going at the end of August next year and again in Oct!

can't predict anything - weather, health, family issue etc - that could interfere with a vacation. I just plan for the best and deal with whatever comes up.

 

[DiznEeyore]

We're planning our first end-of-August trip (to accommodate ds' middle school schedule) for next year. I admit I'm a little bit nervous about the timing, but I also figure the law of averages might be on our side ... hopefully after a terrible year this year, next year will be better!

 

[AFMom]

Well - at least it isn't like planning vacations to Disneyland in CA when I was growing up..... My parents wouls think they were being funny and would joke about the 'big one'(earthquake) hitting LA while we were there! HAhaha.... had nightmares in the hotel..... scarred me for life.... (just kidding...)

 

[JimC]

Wow. If you avoid hurricane season that is six months (June 1 to Nov 30 -- 97% of hurricanes in the Atlantic occur then). Peak is early to mid September, but many advise to avoid August through October -- 78% of the tropical storms, 87% of the minor cat 1 and 2 hurricanes, and 96% of the major cat 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes occur during those three months.

 

[Gdoody]

We almost always try to schedule during late August or early Sept. We love that time of the year - most kids in Florida are back in school, and everything quiets down. The one thing I have learned over the years is be wary, and be flexible. I always monitor the long range weather via 2 or 3 of my favorite sites, and we are always ready to pack up and go elsewhere if necessary. mind you that is easier for us, namely because during our Aug/Sept trips we almost always drive to Florida.

All of that being said - we were very lucky this year. We re-located overseas, and decided not to go to Florida this year. We certainly picked a good year to do that.

We have been doing this for 10 years, and only once were met with a hurricane, in 1999 with Floyd. We were at Vero Beach at the time, packed our bags and moved back to OKW. MS were very good at doing the transfer. In fact I remember that the evacuation order was not even in order when we decided we wnated to leave, and MS quickly made the arrangements for us, and refunded the additional points. There was a woman at the desk who was also makign the same arrangements, but decided to put off leaving until 2:00 PM. We left at 10 AM, and took 2 hours to get there. When I went to the store at OKW later that night, (11:00 PM) she was just arriving after a 9 hour drive from VB. Apparently just before 2 - they put up a mandatory evacuation order.

 

[Tooneric]

To quote Jimmy Buffet, I guess we're all "trying to reason with hurricane season", eh Parrotheads?

Now if Ivan bypasses Orlando and heads for New Orleans, it's batten down the hatches and WDW here I come!

 

[Lora]

We seem to be going in late Sept. and early October now mostly. The hurricane possibility is always in the back of my mind, but I don't plan to change my pattern. Since we usually drive, I think we can be flexible with our plans and Disney seems to be accomodating in these situations for rescheduling.

 

[jarestel]

It'seen an unusal hurricane season for Florida. Normally, Orlando isn't bothered by 2 hurricanes in the space of a few weeks time. I wouldn't let this year's storms spook me. It could be 10 years before another one affects WDW.