Real hurricane risks

[AnitaCB]

I am going to Florida for the first time next October (half term) with my family. Does Orlando/Kissimmee often have hurricane trouble or is this an exceptional year? The coverage on the news of places such as Mexico and the Keys looks pretty bad and I wondered does it get like this around the main holiday areas often? Being a first timer (!) I haven't got any idea about the weather conditions in late October and would love to hear of other peoples experiences. Do you think it will be much of a problem for us? Do the airlines often cancel flights into Orlando (we're flying VA) or do they try to fly around the winds (is that possible!?!). Sorry it's lots of questions - just looking for a bit of reassurance really! I'm so excited and hope we don't have such a bad hurricane season next year!
PS Just noticed my tickers gone below 12 months

 

[disneyholic family]

according to the hurricane center, hurricane season lasts for 6 month of the year (ending on November 30th)...
it's hard to say whether last year and this year were exceptional seasons in Florida or whether this is going to be the norm..
hurricanes are unpredictable...

however as far as orlando goes, the strength of the storms is typically much less than what happens on the coasts (or the keys)....hurricanes tend to lose some power as they go overland....

but orlando can be hit as has happened in the past and apparently is happening today....however, if you're staying at a place like WDW, where they are unbelievably well organized and the buildings are very well built, the chances of anything happening to you are quite small (assuming you follow instructions)...we were there one year for a hurricane and it was very impressive how organized disney is...

yes orlando airport is closed when a hurricane hits orlando....but pretty soon after the storm passes it re-opens....so usually it's only closed for a day or two....of course that can take a good chunk out of your vacation...

i don't really know what to tell you....we went to orlando 3 times this year...in July, in August and then again in September....all three times there were hurricanes threatening florida....all three times we heard that lots of people cancelled....we didn't.....and all three times the hurricanes ended up going away without hitting florida and we had spectacular weather..
on the other hand, Wilma's hitting florida and orlando today...so...

anywhere you go, you could have bad weather....or bad events...
geez...i could cancel our trip to london because of fears of terrorism.....
as someone on another board wrote, you could avoid a trip to california because of earthquakes...or to thailand because of tsunamis.....or to anywhere in the middle of the US, because of tornadoes....do you really decide where you're going to go on vacation based on stuff like that?...
something could always happen........

 

[AnitaCB]

I wouldn't cancel my holiday over bad weather and I feel the same as you about worrying about events in other places. It's just more out of curiosity than anything else - I don't worry so much but my husband does!

 

[disneyholic family]

I wouldn't cancel my holiday over bad weather and I feel the same as you about worrying about events in other places. It's just more out of curiosity than anything else - I don't worry so much but my husband does!

then me put it for you this way....we've been to WDW over 40 times....most of those were during the 6 month long hurricane season...
in all of those trips to WDW (most of them lasting 3 weeks each) we've only experienced one hurricane that affected us for one day...

so let's see....40 trips, averaging 20 days each is how many days?...that's 800 days in Orlando.....of those about 700 have been during hurricane season...and out of 700 days, one day was directly affected by a hurricane...

 

[dixipixi]

Although hurricane season lasts from June 1st - November 30th, the worst part of the season is August and September (at least for really strong storms). The season is actually at its peak around the 9th of September.

We had to cut our trip this June short by one day not because of a hurricane headed toward Florida, but one headed toward Louisiana. The storm actually made landfall east of us, but we didn't want to have to drive through it (or not be able to get gas on the way home). That's the only reason, and it's not anything you would have to worry about.

While I wouldn't cancel my trip, there are many things to consider. If the storm is as strong as Katrina then you get serious wind damage many miles inland. (We are 80 miles north of New Orleans and we lost over a dozen 100-200 yr. old oak trees in our yard). If you're inland in places like Orlando, that's the worst you would have to contend with. I think Disney would be a very safe place to be. They do a good job of keeping the power on and the buildings are pretty sound.

After what we've been through the last couple of years, you are right to be concerned. I have lived here my entire life and hurricane season has never scared me until recently. Just be prepared in the event a hurricane heads your way and do everything you are told to do.

In all likelihood, you'll have wonderful weather. I know it seems like hurricanes are a constant part of the forecast now, but it's not like we're having one everyday. Don't worry about it until you have reason to worry. There's no reason to ruin your excitement and fun in preparing for your trip by thinking of all the things that could happen.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[mark&sue]

We are off to Orlando next year during October half term too and taking my friends who are really worried about hurricanes. We were going to spend some days at Vero Beach but they have asked me not to book these as they were worried about being too near the coast. I have been at October half term many times before and had no problem. They keep asking me about hurricanes and have started to get me nervous about plane cancellations!!!

I have just come back from Disnelyand Paris where I could not catch any news and wondered if the airport had been closed in Orlando this week?

Many thanks.




Susan

 

[jns]

we have booked for next Oct also
And there is No way I will cancall because of the weather
Disney will look after us I am sure

 

[athurstance]

We've been here for 2 weeks - saw hurricane Wilma. The effect in Orlando wasn't really that great at all. It was windy and it rained for most of one day but nothing we haven't seen before many a time in the UK.
Its very unusual for Orlando to be affected by hurricanes at all as it is so far inland. We are booked again for October half-term next year. I certainly wouldn't be put off by it.

 

[Shooby doo]

Our experience from last year,Hurricane Jeanne,they close the parks early the day before it's due to hit.The last flight in was about 7.00pm & there was a state wide curfew imposed from 9.00pm -Basically you have to stay in your accomodation until the Hurricane passes. Up until last year we had always missed the Hurricanes but we have been during plenty of Tropical Storms,of our 6 trips in Sept/Oct,4 the weather has been fine but 2 were complete washouts -! rained 10 out of 14 days & I'm not talking about the standard 1/2 hour each day,we have a pic of me at Sea World with a river running out of the front of my trainers!! But then that's why Sept/oct isn't Peak season
SD aw:

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I spoke to someone tonight who was at WDW during Wilma - they said - and I quote - 'It was no worse than a wet, windy day in the UK'. Unless the hurricane goes right overhead, the likelyhood of any serious problems are fairly remote!

 

[orlando novice]

We got back yesterday and as a few people have said the effects of Wilma on Orlando were no worse than we get here. All the Disney parks shut for the day but all the shops were open and everyone was out and about.

 

[Kerryc]

We've been to Florida 3 times in Oct/Nov and never been affected by hurricanes. It all seems to be over by then. Just relax and look forward to your holiday