Please Stay Home!

[STEPHILL]

Please stay home if you are still planning on going to Disney this weekend. I live in coastal Louisiana and have had to deal with evacuating from previous hurricanes. People who have not experienced these things do not know what they are in for. While trying to evacuate out of New Orleans a few years ago it took us 12 hours to get 30 miles. There is nothing more upsetting than trying to find a hotel room for your family when you have to evacuate and there are none available. I urge you to reconsider your trip, this storm is dangerous. Your life is much more important than a Disney trip. Your trip can be rescheduled, your life cannot. The people who have to evacuate will be desperate, I have been there, they will need the hotel rooms. Also, if you go, keep in mind it could take days before you are able to get out with downed power lines, flooding, etc. Take Disney's advice, RESCHEDULE your vacation.

 

[dpic]

As of now, Frances is a cat 4. Below is from the National Weather Service describing a Cat 4 Hurricane

Category Four Hurricane:
Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).

And there is a chance of it reaching Cat 5.

Category Five Hurricane:
Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.

 

[4greatboys]

STEPHILL--good advice. As a Houston resident we have been though the evacuations and the Hurricanes before. Once before it took us 6 hours to make a trip up I-45 north that normally only takes 2.5 hours.

 

[chyam]

Originally posted by 4greatboys
STEPHILL--good advice. As a Houston resident we have been though the evacuations and the Hurricanes before. Once before it took us 6 hours to make a trip up I-45 north that normally only takes 2.5 hours.

I really do hope people reading these boards heed that advice......I was in Bradenton yesterday which isn't even on the direct hit path and could not believe the plywood flying off the shelf........nothing was left and the associate said they were not getting any more since all trucks were headed to the east coast with their loads........since Charley was so recent many people are still scared. There is another thread on the theme park strategy boad saying how long people were waiting to get through on the Disney line to make PS's for 90 days out!! Please people that are trying to get a room or people with ressies for this weekend need to get through and get info............They need to get through and they are not worried about where they are going to eat 90 days from now!! This hurricane is huge and is expected to affect most of the state...........my prayers are for it to take a turn right and head out to sea but I am also intelligent to know that those people that are on the east coast are in for a rough ride...........please stay home and get off those phone lines!

 

[KristiKelly]

Good luck to all you down there, we'll all be praying for you. I have to agree with the OP as far as staying home. Take into consideration that those CMs also have homes & families that need them. The more visitors @ WDW, means that many more CMs that can't be with their families or trying to evacuate. I for one, would not want to be down there, stuck in a hotel room for hours on end with DD4 & DS7. No fun for anyone. Let's hope folks take this serious & will consider rescheduling for the safety of their families & others.

 

[harlock_jds]

i just hope florada is still around when i visit the week of the 19'th

 

[sweet maxine]

Almost all of my resort accomodations are prepaid, and one cannot be changed at all or risk losing about 2/3 of the amt. I paid. I'm due to arrive on the 8th, and I'm wondering how Orlando would be at that time. I'm feeling guilty for even considering going at all, as that would be one more person using the food/shelter/water that the residents of Orlando could benefit from. I feel that the aftermath of the storm will not be a pleasant place for anyone to be. I'm really in a catch-22 situation here, and just not sure which way to go with my plans.

 

[laceemouse]

Maxine, if I were you I would just wait and see how it goes. Now, if you were leaving for Florida today or tomorrow I would say "STAY HOME." Let's just all pray for the best. My DHs family lives in Florida (we did for many years.) One sister in Winter Park just got power back following Charley and now this ......we are scheduled to go down in early October.

 

[seashoreCM]

800-421-3732
877-939-3732
800-828-0228

Try the above numbers for cancelling your WDW room instead of waiting on hold long distance.

So long as the resort refuses to refund your money, you have every right to come (if you can) although theme parks do not have the obligation to open for you.

Meanwhile there are other Floridians already saying that the tourist dollars are needed and trips should not be cancelled.

(copied from another post)

If you are already here and really want out, hustle yourself to the airport and stand by. But don't wait in traffic and airport security lines full of first departers just because Governor Jeb Bush wants you out.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

"Thank you for not coming to Boston during the Democratic National Convention thus keeping the roads reasonably open for those who absolutely positively needed to go to work."

"Considering that some evacuees will be sleeping on cots in various WDW facilities, it is fair that those non-CM evacuees who get WDW rooms pay at least the value season Florida resident annual pass rate."

 

[chyam]

.
quote.......seashoreCM
So long as the resort refuses to refund your money, you have every right to come (if you can) although theme parks do not have the obligation to open for you.


If you are already here and really want out, hustle yourself to the airport and stand by. But don't wait in traffic and airport security lines full of first departers just because Governor Jeb Bush wants you out."

Why would anyone head to an area that could be in great danger? I don't understand that thinking........Govenor Jeb Bush wants you to stay away simply because if the worst does happen it's hard enough taking care of the people who could not escape the state...........there are still a great number of people who are without electricity and basic needs from the last hurricane, resources will be stretched if Frances is half of what they think it will be.
Those people who head this way not only put themselves in danger but are taking resources from the residents they may need them desperately..............I can see the complaints now........It was so hot, no electricity, no hot meals.........oh my pitiful me! What a Terrible vacation!! I truly hope that Orlando does not get any damage, but with a storm this big no one knows exactly what will happen except God!
So come on down!

 

[ksc37]

I just postponed my arrival from tomorrow until Tuesday (9/7). We were going to spend the first 4 days of our trip in Venice, FL (on the gulf... not in the projected direct path of the hurricane). We decided to play it safe and just stay here (where the weather is supposed to be nice).

Due to work issues, we could not reschedule to another week anytime soon, so we've decided to keep our plans to arrive in Disney on Tuesday.

I'm very depressed to be missing the beach portion of my vacation, but I'd rather keep my kids safe.

Here's hoping that everyone in Frances' path is safe!

 

[STEPHILL]

I live in Lafayette Louisiana and two years ago we had Hurricane Lili and had a mandatory evacuation. We went to Shreveport, Louisiana. This is somewhere we would not have otherwise visited, we ended up having a decent time, considering the circumstances. Hurrican Lili too was a Category 4 Hurricane. As it approached land it slowed to a Category 2. Thank God. As Governor Foster put it "divine intervention". There were trees down, we did not have electricity for 4-5 days, some more than that. There was also a kerfew at night to prevent looting. Grocery stores were without power, so they were not open for business. I cannot stress enough to stay home. We took the advice for the mandatory evacuation. Some of my friends did not and they were miserable. The hotels were booked for weeks because of people losing their homes and the traveling rescue workers have to stay somewhere. If this sounds like a fun vacation to you, then by all means go, don't say you weren't warned.

 

[YCFAN]

I've spent the last 46 years on the coast of North Carolina. Sometimes the hurricanes come and go and it's no big deal, but if you ever live through one that is a big deal you never take ANY of them for granted again. I can't believe anyone would willingly place their families in harm's way when a CAT 4 or maybe even 5 is being predicted in the area. This is not a storm that will be over in a few minutes and is one that could cause catastrophic damage. Even after the storm, supplies will be limited and people without electricity, etc. get very testy. I say stay home. Flame me all you want.......you don't know unless you've been through one. And yes, I've been through tornadoes too.

 

[JJsmama]

I don't understand some people's reasoning either. I have been puzzling over this for days. People who KNOW the hurricane may directly impact their destination area are not canceling their trips or postponing their trips, but moving their plans forward in order to reach FL the day before the hurricane arrives. WHY?? Why would you knowing bring your family to a place which will most likely be devastated by a storm? Power will be out for days, water will be out, roads will be closed, buildings may collapse. Does that sound like a vacation? I don't mean to judge people's decisions, but I have to wonder if they have ANY idea what they are getting into.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by JJsmama
I don't understand some people's reasoning either. I have been puzzling over this for days. People who KNOW the hurricane may directly impact their destination area are not canceling their trips or postponing their trips, but moving their plans forward in order to reach FL the day before the hurricane arrives. WHY?? Why would you knowing bring your family to a place which will most likely be devastated by a storm? Power will be out for days, water will be out, roads will be closed, buildings may collapse. Does that sound like a vacation? I don't mean to judge people's decisions, but I have to wonder if they have ANY idea what they are getting into.

-----------------------------------

It could be due to the fact that people ON the coast are "evacuating" TO Orlando and therefore non-floridians are assuming it's going to be safe there.. The only flaw in that thinking is that while it may be "safer " than being directly ON the coast, I've yet to hear any report that says it's "safe" - as in "no threat"..

All we can do now - in terms of fellow DISer's who have chosen to go ahead with their plans - is pray that the projections are wrong and Orlando/WDW is spared completely..

 

[lightningcoach]

I also can not fathom why someone would come to Florida during a storm this size. It's slow moving with rains and winds expected for 24 hours! That would make for a very soggy and scary vacation.

 

[mamalle]

the road are a mess right now. we have a 30 mile backup going north on the fla turnpike at vero beach. I cant imagine what the interstate looks like. Please think wisely and be safe all. its going to be one long weekend and alot of praying.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by mamalle
the road are a mess right now. we have a 30 mile backup going north on the fla turnpike at vero beach. I cant imagine what the interstate looks like. Please think wisely and be safe all. its going to be one long weekend and alot of praying.

we also need to mention that there are many, many gas stations that are out of gas already, so if you are heading here, you need to remember that as well. Just 3 weeks ago when Charley hit by me, there was no gas to be found from the night before it hit until about 3-4 days later & even then the lines were an hours wait. As of tonight, I went by 4 gas stations & 3 of them were out of gas & I am on the Gulf Coast side of the state. We aren't telling you these things because we don't want you here, we are telling you because we care about you all & don't want you to end up in arms way of the storm. It isn't that we think you are clogging up the roads or taking the rooms as some of you may be thinking. If I were to visit your state & you knew that a blizzard was heading in your direction, I would want you to warn me

 

[mamalle]

thanks sharon for mentioning that also. we have many gas stations here in palm beach county with no more gas. they showed a pic of the exit off yeehaw junction with a huge line of people waiting for gas. Im sure that many waiting in that 30 mile backup need gas and may not get it in time.

 

[currycook]

We are Floridians that just now canceled our trip this Labor day weekend to the WL. Very sorry, but we can go again. Good advice from the original post.