Refund for tropical storm/hurricane?

[westie55]

I am getting worried about potential storm Isaias. On top of everything else going on to limit our vacation, we didn't need this Has anyone ever departed early due to a tropical storm or hurricane? I know official policy is Disney is not obligated to refund, but have they in the past? We are supposed to arrive tomorrow so would need to make the decision to cancel today in order to get a full refund. I don't want to throw in the towel yet because hopefully it could end up being not too bad. Any advice?

 

[osufeth24]

not 100% on this, but I think the policy is only if a hurricane warning is issued (which there won't be)

It's only projected to be a tropical storm, be just rainy and a little wind (which still wouldn't make it ideal park conditions though)

 

[Dis_Millennial]

I'm not sure how long your trip is but as long as things don't shift, its supposed to be in the middle of Florida by 2am Monday. I have grown up in FL my entire life and I can tell you if it's a tropical storm it isn't going to be any worse than the normal daily monsoons you see during the summer with the heavy rain lasting about an hour or 2. The website nhc.noaa.gov is one of the best ways to judge the storm and look at the plots for what it might do. Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy the magic!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It is very rare for Disney to close due to the weather (hurricane). It's only happened a handful of times, and for very short periods. We've been there once for a hurricane, and the parks closed 1 1/2 days and the hotels were open the whole time. I think we got an additional 1-day ticket for the stay. They are not likely to make a decision to do anything until a hurricane is imminent (those things are so unpredictable where they are going), and since the hotels will stay open - it's not likely you can depend on any kind of refund due to the weather. If you are not comfortable, you should cancel while you can. But chances are good the park will be open this weekend and early next week.

 

[dreynolds1982]

On the bright side, the forecast track for it keeps shifting west and now it's looking more and more like a gulf storm, and staying very weak, maybe even no longer being a tropical system at all by the time it gets to the Florida area.

I'm watching it super closely myself bc Monday we drive part-way to Jacksonville then Tuesday we're at CR. So here's hoping it keeps weakening and moving west!

 

[osufeth24]

On the bright side, the forecast track for it keeps shifting west and now it's looking more and more like a gulf storm, and staying very weak, maybe even no longer being a tropical system at all by the time it gets to the Florida area.

I'm watching it super closely myself bc Monday we drive part-way to Jacksonville then Tuesday we're at CR. So here's hoping it keeps weakening and moving west!

Ya, there's a chance this thing just never develops and it's just a massive rain blob

 

[lanejudy]

WDW has historically been very good about working with guests whose travel plans are impacted by weather events - be that weather at WDW or your home area. If you feel you need to cancel, contact them; if you feel you need to leave early, stop by the front desk to discuss it.

Note that if you booked airfare through WDW, they may not be able to waive any change or cancellation fees for air travel.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It seems to be tracking towards the west instead of staying in the state. So it will just probably just be a nice rainstorm with a bit of a breeze.

 

[Tigger's ally]

So it will just probably just be a nice rainstorm with a bit of a breeze.

That sounds like the exact weather my 10 year old twin sons and I had on our best ever day at Typhoon Lagoon. Was like 50 people in the park, road crush and gusher so many times I called every single step by name. When it started raining real hard we went to the wave pool and had a blast. Cool memories. Rained all day with a bit of a breeze and 90 degrees.

 

[Dismrk155]

That sounds like the exact weather my 10 year old twin sons and I had on our best ever day at Typhoon Lagoon. Was like 50 people in the park, road crush and gusher so many times I called every single step by name. When it started raining real hard we went to the wave pool and had a blast. Cool memories. Rained all day with a bit of a breeze and 90 degrees.

I like that. Glad you made a great time of it. Wish you had a pic of that storm. So happy you stayed.

 

[Engineman02]

Going on Friday, and not concerned. Track keeps moving, will barely be a tropical storm by the time it is in the central Florida area (if it even goes there), will be passing over a bit of land before it gets there (between Dom Republic, Cuba, bottom half of Florida peninsula) losing energy. May get some rain, little breeze, and maybe will hold the crowds down a bit (and maybe the temps, but definitely not the humidity).

 

[Dismrk155]

Going on Friday, and not concerned. Track keeps moving, will barely be a tropical storm by the time it is in the central Florida area (if it even goes there), will be passing over a bit of land before it gets there (between Dom Republic, Cuba, bottom half of Florida peninsula) losing energy. May get some rain, little breeze, and maybe will hold the crowds down a bit (and maybe the temps, but definitely not the humidity).

Very cool. Stay safe. Hope the humidity isn't bad.

 

[Engineman02]

Very cool. Stay safe. Hope the humidity isn't bad.

I love the feel of Florida humidity in the morning.

 

[Dismrk155]

I love the feel of Florida humidity in the morning.

Now that's funny. Be safe and stay cool my friend. God Bless

 

[Wiltony]

I remember when we were there once, it rained so hard it was coming under the doors at Bay Lake Tower. They had sandbags and towels against the north elevator lobby doors to the pool. Later, there was water coming into the bus through the light fixtures. It really can drop massive amounts of water sometimes. This was not even during a tropical storm or anything, it was just one of the summer monsoons.

(We still had a great time.)

 

[Dismrk155]

I remember when we were there once, it rained so hard it was coming under the doors at Bay Lake Tower. They had sandbags and towels against the north elevator lobby doors to the pool. Later, there was water coming into the bus through the light fixtures. It really can drop massive amounts of water sometimes. This was not even during a tropical storm or anything, it was just one of the summer monsoons.

(We still had a great time.)

Holy Toledo. I had no idea it ever got that bad. Not even a tropical storm is a little scary. Glad your vacation was great.

 

[shoegal9]

I arrived in WDW 4 days before Dorian was scheduled to hit Orlando last September. When we arrived there were dozens of people checking out at the resort and panicking to change flights and leave. It emptied out, we stayed, and walked onto nearly everything for days. The day it "hit" Orlando, 78 degrees and sunny, and rained a bit at night. It was glorious. Sign me up for the next hurricane.

 

[Dismrk155]

I arrived in WDW 4 days before Dorian was scheduled to hit Orlando last September. When we arrived there were dozens of people checking out at the resort and panicking to change flights and leave. It emptied out, we stayed, and walked onto nearly everything for days. The day it "hit" Orlando, 78 degrees and sunny, and rained a bit at night. It was glorious. Sign me up for the next hurricane.

Simply put...wow

 

[buzznina]

I arrived in WDW 4 days before Dorian was scheduled to hit Orlando last September. When we arrived there were dozens of people checking out at the resort and panicking to change flights and leave. It emptied out, we stayed, and walked onto nearly everything for days. The day it "hit" Orlando, 78 degrees and sunny, and rained a bit at night. It was glorious. Sign me up for the next hurricane.

Spoken by someone who has not been in a hurricane, watch what you wish for.

 

[shoegal9]

Spoken by someone who has not been in a hurricane, watch what you wish for.

I grew up in Southwest Florida. So, I actually have. Many.
Orlando is another story.