Scheduled to arrive at Universal on Monday night (10/24)....

[TheDuffers]

....and spend 5 nights at the Hard Rock before departing on Saturday for the 7 day Eastern Caribbean Disney cruise.....and Wilma has my wife and daughter VERY concerned at this point. Does anyone have any trip planning experience around potential hurricanes?? We've had this trip planned for over a year and we're coming from the state of Washington (Seattle area), so it's not like we can push it back a week. Any thoughts (especially calming ones for my wife and daughter) would be greatly appreciated!

 

[markey]

This year we were at RPH for 5 nights before our DCL Wonder cruise and had no problems. However last year, 2004, we ran into Charley. We arrived on Captiva Island on Monday before our Saturday Magic cruise, exactly where Charley came ashore. Before leaving I had hear nothing about a hurricane. Well Thursday morning we had to leave, with nowhere to go. So we decided to go to Universal, called from the car and no rooms were available, people from the gulf were going North and to the center. We finally got a room at CSR at WDW. Thursday afternoon was great, purchased a ticket for Friday and we got to the parks until 2 pm closing, tickets were never charged. We spent the night going thru the hurricane but were safe, as were the people at Universal Hotels. The next morning we made it to the port, but about half the passengers did not, airports closed at noon on Friday and did not open until Saturday afternoon. We left late, around 7 and a lot of the people were bussed by Disney and boarded at Key West the next day. Monitor when the hurricane is to be in Florida, if at all, keep checking with Disney and plan accordingly. Charley was a large scale hurricane and we were fine. My main concern would be to either beat the hurrican there or stay put and arrive at least 2 days before sailing.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Wilma! Her and Fred used to be characters at Universal. That is the 21st named hurricane this year. When is it going to end? We are getting email warnings to not be apathetic. All you can do is keep an eye on it. The cone of uncertainy includes Orlando. One comforting thought is that since Orlando is so far inland the intensity seems to diminish. That might raise a hair with those that went through Charley but thats usually the case.

 

[rie'smom]

My son lived in Orlando last year during all of the hurricanes. he said it wasn't bad and we live in Louisiana so he would know. Motherfletcher you are right Orlando is far enough inland so that city shouldn't suffer too much.

 

[Figment22]

At this point, Wilma is expected to make landfall somewhere in SW FL on Saturday evening and is expected to be back out in the Atlantic by Sunday morning. So, you will at least know where she came on shore before you leave for FL on Monday night. The NHC should have the cone substantially narrowed by Friday for you to make your decisions. I hope you can still make your trip.

Most importantly, I hope Wilma has no effect on our Floridian forum members who were hard hit by Charley, and Frances, and Ivan, and Jeanne Stay safe, you guys!

 

[Motherfletcher]

At this point, Wilma is expected to make landfall somewhere in SW FL on Saturday evening...

TheDuffers might feel better but now I'm a little queazy. At least I have insurance this time. The trees that are left in my yard already look like Seuss Landing!

 

[Figment22]

TheDuffers might feel better but now I'm a little queazy. At least I have insurance this time. The trees that are left in my yard already look like Seuss Landing!

Actually, I just bit the bullet and purchased flood insurance myself. Katrina was a big wake-up call for many of us even here in coastal SC. My flood insurance goes into effect on Friday following the required 30 day waiting period. Hopefully, I'll just contribute to the insurance companies and won't ever have to use it, but I do feel just a bit better knowing it's in place.

My thoughts and prayers are again with all of you in FL. I hope Wilma fizzles out substantially before making landfill.

 

[Suzyq123]

We arrive at PBH on Sunday 10/23 at about 10 am. Does anyone know if Orlando will be affected by Wilma????

 

[Motherfletcher]

You could be but right now they are saying that the Atlantic basin record setting low pressure, catastrophic, catagory 5 hurricane is headed straight for us in southwest Florida.

 

[markey]

No one knows for sure where it will end up at this point. The latest I heard was almost the same hit as Charley, but instead of turning north going straight thru from West to East Coast. Maybe you would have a flight delay if the airports close, but even after Charely, we were there, the airports opened up the next day and the parks soon after.

 

[Motherfletcher]

The 2 o'clock advisory says that the tropical storm winds extend 160 miles and we are 225 miles south of Orlando. But if you look at NOAA's map through Monday the winds here will only be 70 MPH. There is no gas or bottled water available here. People from my office are leaving in mass. Katrina did away with the apathy.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Ughhh! We are supposed to leave about this time tomorrow night driving to Orlando, it takes us about 12 hours so we would be there before the hurricane arrives (around noon-2pm on Friday). I am so confused about what to do! Any suggestions from Orlando residents would be appreciated.

Not trying to down play the seriousness of the hurricane for those that live in it's path- just really don't know what to do

 

[Motherfletcher]

Wilma slowed down and is still over 600 miles away, has been for 3 days and will be for at least another. I hope she visits Tulum and Cancun for a while. They are saying that Sunday will be the nasty day here. The hurricane force winds only extend out about 15 miles which means all she has to do is miss us to the south a little bit and all will be well. If it hits north of us the storm surge will float my house away. I think Orlando is in pretty good shape but no one knows.