***Riding out the hurricane at a Disney resort? Post your experiences here!***

[StageTek]

I already said my piece about my experience during the storm. Today was another magical day. Groundskeepers were out in force cleaning up the resort (POFQ) and happy to accept some help. I saw little kids picking up handfuls of leaves and dropping them in a bag. Everywhere guests were thanking CM's. People were gathering together to talk about our experiences. I'm glad I came and experienced this bit of magic at WDW.

 

[NYCgrrl]

"Great pic. Was that really from after the storm???"

The photographer got a lot of great shots during and after the storm. I looked at his Facebook and Instagram. I don't see the one with the rainbow though. I wonder if Disney employees asked him to delete his photos too.

The rainbow actually happened.
Have a dear friend who lives within an hour's drive of Orlando that I didn't hear from for several days during the region's kerflooie.
She sent me a picture of her front yard's cleanup day that included the rainbow from a different angle.

 

[TinkELGEE]

Another ATCer?!?! ZBW here, where are you?

Another. Retired from (in reverse) CHS CPC TRACON; SJU LRAC ATCt CPC; SIG non radar Vfr 1 day a week; FPR very busy non dual rys that handles what VRB refused due to "traffic"?????; PMP- direct from OKC after refusing to return to PBIA; PBI as an ATA that really fueled my fire! Pm please b4 we tick off trolls.

 

[Ensusieasm]

The photographer got a lot of great shots during and after the storm. I looked at his Facebook and Instagram. I don't see the one with the rainbow though. I wonder if Disney employees asked him to delete his photos too.

delete his photos "TOO"
What does this part mean? Were you asked by Disney employees to delete your photos?

 

[DisneyMom93]

"Great pic. Was that really from after the storm???"


The rainbow actually happened.
Have a dear friend who lives within an hour's drive of Orlando that I didn't hear from for several days during the region's kerflooie.
She sent me a picture of her front yard's cleanup day that included the rainbow from a different angle.

Very cool. Thanks!

 

[DisneyMom93]

delete his photos "TOO"
What does this part mean? Were you asked by Disney employees to delete your photos?

I wasn't, but two people posted their experiences with Disney CMs asking them to delete pics because supposedly the hurricane damage doesn't coincide with the image Disney wants to portray.

 

[alisonslp]

Please post about your drive down. We're supposed to leave ATL on Friday to go to Ponte Vedra for a conference and truly dreading the drive!

We drove down 95 to 4 today and SC/GA were nightmares, mostly for no reason at all! There was a 2 hour jam, ending just before savannah. What should have taken us 9 hours took 14. Literally, once we drove over the FL line, all the traffic was smoothed out through to Disney.

Anyone coming from 95, be aware!! Exits 1-30 in SC were blockaded by police and national guard on both sides of the highway. There was nothing wrong with the roads or power. People were getting gas but they were not allowing anyone off the highway. There was a notice about the water system but I was not able to get confirmation on this. So, if you are going that way, be sure to stop before you get close to get gas and use the restroom because the traffic jams at each exit (motorist hoping to get off the highway) added at least another hour to the already half speed trip.

Anyone driving down, be sure to have a good traffic tracker. We used google maps, which was fine. Also make sure you know detour routes. Looking at the state of FL on the maps throughout the day, Rte 75 was one big traffic jam. I know it is from evacuees and this will dissipate over the next couple of days but it is helpful to know ahead of time.

 

[smallworldnh]

It was nice seeing all the dogs at wdw resorts. Most of them went home it looks like. I have two babies myself but it seemed special seeing the dogs at wdw. I'm sure the dogs are glad to be back home.

I loved that!! I don't have dogs (cat person here) but I love them and it was so cute seeing those pictures. I'm sure the children got a big kick out that too!!

 

[vinotinto]

We drove down 95 to 4 today and SC/GA were nightmares, mostly for no reason at all! There was a 2 hour jam, ending just before savannah. What should have taken us 9 hours took 14. Literally, once we drove over the FL line, all the traffic was smoothed out through to Disney.

Anyone coming from 95, be aware!! Exits 1-30 in SC were blockaded by police and national guard on both sides of the highway. There was nothing wrong with the roads or power. People were getting gas but they were not allowing anyone off the highway. There was a notice about the water system but I was not able to get confirmation on this. So, if you are going that way, be sure to stop before you get close to get gas and use the restroom because the traffic jams at each exit (motorist hoping to get off the highway) added at least another hour to the already half speed trip.

Anyone driving down, be sure to have a good traffic tracker. We used google maps, which was fine. Also make sure you know detour routes. Looking at the state of FL on the maps throughout the day, Rte 75 was one big traffic jam. I know it is from evacuees and this will dissipate over the next couple of days but it is helpful to know ahead of time.

Ugh! Thanks for reporting back! We've been without power since Monday early afternoon, so I was hoping the roads would clear so we could head down. Also, the resort we're going to is reopening on Friday with "limited amenities." Between that and the traffic, we may just have to stay put!

 

[mowork48]

Can anyone verify that buildings 80's and 90's in Pop Century has been renovated and is opened for reservations now?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Can anyone verify that buildings 80's and 90's in Pop Century has been renovated and is opened for reservations now?

https://www.disboards.com/threads/pop-century-room-renovations.3573071/

 

[DisneyMom93]

Can anyone verify that buildings 80's and 90's in Pop Century has been renovated and is opened for reservations now?

Someone else posted the thread for you, however, there's a lot to wade through, so... Yes, buildings 80s and 90s are all renovated. Not sure what damage there may be from Hurricane Irma though.

 

[loves to dive]

We drove down 95 to 4 today and SC/GA were nightmares, mostly for no reason at all! There was a 2 hour jam, ending just before savannah. What should have taken us 9 hours took 14. Literally, once we drove over the FL line, all the traffic was smoothed out through to Disney.

Anyone coming from 95, be aware!! Exits 1-30 in SC were blockaded by police and national guard on both sides of the highway. There was nothing wrong with the roads or power. People were getting gas but they were not allowing anyone off the highway. There was a notice about the water system but I was not able to get confirmation on this. So, if you are going that way, be sure to stop before you get close to get gas and use the restroom because the traffic jams at each exit (motorist hoping to get off the highway) added at least another hour to the already half speed trip.

Anyone driving down, be sure to have a good traffic tracker. We used google maps, which was fine. Also make sure you know detour routes. Looking at the state of FL on the maps throughout the day, Rte 75 was one big traffic jam. I know it is from evacuees and this will dissipate over the next couple of days but it is helpful to know ahead of time.

SC got hit pretty bad with storm surges when it left Florida and made it's way up the coast. They may have had flooded roads blocked or even had roads closed for evacuations.

 

[mowork48]

I knew what you meant. I don't think you misspoke at all. Maybe my reply wasn't clear? LOL.

Pop 80s and 90s sections ARE fully renovated now.

They are working on 70s now. I was just mentioning that I don't know how the newly renovated rooms at Pop fared during Irma.

Thx...so much for your reply. I ask our TA a while back and she never replied. Our TA had earlier requested 2 connecting rooms in Section 90, and said if they finished Section 80 she could add that as a request too because it is closer to dining and transportation, I think anyways by looking at map. So I will email this morning and ask if she can add Section 80 as the first choice and Section 90 as second choice. I am currenting in a walking boot and having back issues..that's what happens when you get older! We have been planning this trip for a couple of years to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary..meeting our kids and 2 grand daughters there Sept 16- Sept 23. Really been planning last year and obsessing last 6 months. I even got a TA. She has been great..got us free dining, great adr's for 7 at Cinderella's Castle, BOG, Tusker's for River Light pkg, Mama's Melroses for Fantasmic tickets and so on, Great Fastpasses, and lastly biddidty boddidty bootique ressies for 5 and 8 year old grand daughters before Cinderella's Castle meal. Really would like the updated rooms. Did not think it would be too hard until the hurricane hit. I think a lot of people have moved their reservations so might be more crowded. Just glad we get to go because i am not sure we could ever get to rebook. It was hard to get everyone's vacation at same time and my husband is in first/mid-stage alzheimer's. At the same time I feel so bad for the state of Florida and its people. Hope the State and federal government get them help quickly.

 

[DVC4US]

For those traveling to Disney or South FL from the panhandle area might want to consider the US 19/98 route down the west coast of FL. My daughter left Panama City Beach, FL headed to Tampa at 5:30am this morning and said she is making good time with no traffic on the road. She is finding gas but I warned her it will get harder as she gets further south.

Last Wednesday when they evacuated she took the I75/I10 route (due to not having a good operating phone) and her friends took the US19/98 route - it took her 3 1/2 hours longer to get to PCB then it took her friends.

 

[Tonyz]

I got home last night. I might do a longer write up of the whole thing but for now all I'll say is... this trip was without a doubt the best experience of my life.

 

[DisneyMom93]

I got home last night. I might do a longer write up of the whole thing but for now all I'll say is... this trip was without a doubt the best experience of my life.

Wow.

 

[DisneyMom93]

Thx...so much for your reply. I ask our TA a while back and she never replied. Our TA had earlier requested 2 connecting rooms in Section 90, and said if they finished Section 80 she could add that as a request too because it is closer to dining and transportation, I think anyways by looking at map. So I will email this morning and ask if she can add Section 80 as the first choice and Section 90 as second choice. I am currenting in a walking boot and having back issues..that's what happens when you get older! We have been planning this trip for a couple of years to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary..meeting our kids and 2 grand daughters there Sept 16- Sept 23. Really been planning last year and obsessing last 6 months. I even got a TA. She has been great..got us free dining, great adr's for 7 at Cinderella's Castle, BOG, Tusker's for River Light pkg, Mama's Melroses for Fantasmic tickets and so on, Great Fastpasses, and lastly biddidty boddidty bootique ressies for 5 and 8 year old grand daughters before Cinderella's Castle meal. Really would like the updated rooms. Did not think it would be too hard until the hurricane hit. I think a lot of people have moved their reservations so might be more crowded. Just glad we get to go because i am not sure we could ever get to rebook. It was hard to get everyone's vacation at same time and my husband is in first/mid-stage alzheimer's. At the same time I feel so bad for the state of Florida and its people. Hope the State and federal government get them help quickly.

Wow. I'm so sorry about your husband and your health issues. I recommend one of those scooters (?) for the parks if you feel you need it. My husband had ankle surgery right before our Disneyland trip and it was great! I thought I would feel like we weren't "together" walking around the park but not at all!

Sounds like you got a great TA and will have a memorable trip! ENJOY!!!

Happy Anniversary! 50 years! Awesome.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I got home last night. I might do a longer write up of the whole thing but for now all I'll say is... this trip was without a doubt the best experience of my life.

Write a "Just Back!" on here

 

[lindsayjs]

I'll say it again. I'm just so happy that all of you had such good experiences! You hear stories about the magic of Disney being on the decline lately. This event has proved to me the magic is alive and well. I'm glad everyone came away from what could've been a nightmare, safely and some even having made great memories.