Scrambling for a "Frances" plan

[klcason]

We are supposed to fly into orlando around 1pm on Saturday Sept 4. I am wondering if anyone else is running around trying to figure out what to do. I have called the airline a couple of times and there are no provisions out for orlando "yet".

Not trying to be a gloom and doomer but I am freaking out. I am trying to get a plan b and c and probably even a d. But thinking of changing things now that I am 6 days away.

I wish it would just churn on out into the atlantic and stay away from everyone!!!!!!!! Lord knows those folks in Florida are still trying to get things together from Charley.

So lots of Pixie dust please to keep Frances at bay!!

Kayla

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I wouldn't worry about it.Florida is so far inland and its so far out still. Just enjoy the feeling of your upcoming trip.

 

[All Aboard]

Florida is so far inland

 

[twalton]

Unfortunately, it will probably be late Tuesday at the earliest before we'll be able to know if this storm will affect us here on the Space Coast (and, if it does, Orlando would feel it, as well). Best thing to do is keep a close eye/ear on the weather and hope for the best...but maybe start thinking about the worst. I can tell you that more than a few of us here in Florida are already very warily eyeing this hurricane, as it could easily be one of the most powerful ever to hit us by the time it got here. Went to buy some plywood today and found that not one, but two stores were sold out. I guess because it's been so little time since Charley that awarness is very heightened at this point...which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Anyway, as I said, do what we are doing here...keep watching, praying and hoping. Later on in the week is the time to start planning for a possible detour for your trip. For your sake (but mostly ours!), I hope you will have no problems and have a wonderful time!!

 

[AdventurerKat]

I leave for Orlando on Thursday and while I dont expect problems then, getting home could be trouble if this one goes anywhere near Orlando.

I too hope it churns and heads back out to sea. Florida has seen enough damage.

 

[tifandjim]

We are driving from Va to WDW on Sat or Sun (not sure yet). I am trying to see what is going to happen... I have been so excited about this vacation (we have had a rough year), I hate to think that I will have to cancel....

 

[ILPHIL]

We are scheduled to fly into Orlando on Friday night. Not panicking...yet. But will definitely be watching the forecasts and crossing our fingers.

 

[cnids00]

We're flying in Thursday too..I'm not worried yet but have this uneasy feeling..hoping it will stay at sea and not hit land.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Sorry meant Orland. See what happen when you Dis and watch the VMAs.

 

[klcason]

Thanks for all the well wishes. Guess we will just have to wait and see.....I am so impatient!! I hate all that unknown business.

While I am concerned about my trip, my first thought and prayers are for those of you whose families and homes may come into harms way. Well I guess you can all guess what will be at the top of my prayer list this week!!

Kayla

 

[All Aboard]

Sorry meant Orland. See what happen when you Dis and watch the VMAs.

I know you did. I couldn't resist, it was just one of those funny mistakes. Especially from my vantage here in Miami (where the VMA's are taking place this weekend.)

 

[Ted and Holly]

Originally posted by Jasminesmommy
I wouldn't worry about it.Florida is so far inland and its so far out still. Just enjoy the feeling of your upcoming trip.

Orlando was the place where the coastal residents flew to during Hurricane Charley. But it is extremely important to note that NOWHERE in Florida is far enough inland not to be vulnerable to large hurricanes.

I think the army of workers and the years of planning at WDW disguised the fact that extensive damage was done to much of Central Florida.

It would be irresponsible, in my opinion, to completely not worry about it.

Sure, it is still very far out. But more than one computer model has it "aiming" at Florida.

Keep in mind that Charley made landfall about 3 hours (give or take) south west of WDW. When the eye passed 30 miles south of WDW winds were still estimated at 140MPH. That is no joke.

Being a Central Florida resident and Charley being our first hurricane as residents, you bet I am going to have a plan.

I just hope Francis decides to blow up the Gulf Stream and miss everyone.

Ted

 

[Uncleromulus]

AS we saw with Charley ,they had no real idea as to it's actual landfall site until it was a few hours away. THis thing is still FAR away.
THose computer "models" are something erratic too--when Isabelle hit here (in Pa.) last year, one of the earlier computer models had it going over Florida and into the Gulf!! Not even close!!!
But because they cannot accurately predict the path of these storms, its always a good idea to "expect the best but prepare for the worst".
Here's hoping it dosen't make landfall anywhere!

 

[PlutoPony]

We flew into Orlando the Sunday after Charley hit on Friday night. There wdidn't seem to be one "standard" policy the airlines used to handle the storm. We didn't know until that morining if our flight would go, and "Ted" wouldn't let us rebook a flight until ours was actually cancelled, but other airlines were letting passengers rebook before their flights were cancelled. Several people here on the boards had flights booked for late Friday/Saturday and got on earlier flights (like Thursday night) - so you might want to consider getting your things together early, just in case. But again not all airlines operated in the same way. It's way too early to be able to make alternative arrangements and I certainly wouldn't freak out yet, just be as flexible as you can...
Good luck !
Beth

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Jasminesmommy
Sorry meant Orland. See what happen when you Dis and watch the VMAs.

Not to dump cold (rain)water on your theory, but were a hurricane to brush or make landfall on the east coast of Central Florida, it stands to affect Orlando a lot more than one making landfall on the west coast. I know that seems an odd thing to say after what Charley just did, but Orlando, while being somewhat centralized, is a more direct path for a hurricane hitting the space coast than it usually is for one hitting in a gulf area. In the gulf, they generally hit well south of us or farther north, near Panama City Beach. It's incredibly rare for a major storm to go inland near Tampa and travel up I-4 to visit Orlando.

If Frances' path brings her inland at Daytona or Cocoa, Orlando will definitely feel it.

 

[castawayfan]

We have the same concerns. We are supposed to fly in Thursday. I am concerned about getting home and how wet it could get. A few years ago a hurricane hit while we were at WDW and we were brushed by the Tropical Storm effects. It was a pretty miserable couple of days. We will try to wait until late Tuesday, early Wednesday to decide what to do but its hard not to be in a bit of a panic over the "what to do"!

 

[n2mm]

No matter where in FL or on the coast the storm hits, it will have a major impact on air travel. Stay up-to-date with the weather channel and your airline. Sometimes airlines will make exceptions at the last minute and you must be ready to move.

Last year as Isabel was fast approaching, it changed and started heading to our home. Because of it coming to the Wash. DC area, the airlines offered us the opportunity to fly out one day early. WE did major rearranging (with 3 families) and all managed to get a room earlier (actually 2), changed the rental car with no additional increase and hopped on the plane and got out of town before the storm hit. It was stressful, but we know we would not have gotten out of town had we not done this. The airport was closed for 2 days. (and we came home to only minor damage).

 

[SnackyStacky]

Storms that develop in the Atlantic (as opposed to the Gulf) have a lot more room to pan out. There was a hurricane threatening to hit Florida in Sept of 2002. I don't remember the name. It wasn't nearly as intense as Charley or Frances, but it came, and just blew north of Florida, and ended up hitting the Carolinas.

I believe there's nothing wrong with preparedness, but I also believe that it's too early to be concerned about this.

Hurricanes can alter course in a matter of minutes.

 

[craziefortigger]

We too have a trip planned to WDW for this weekend. We are closely watching the storm, this one more than others. We are in South Florida and are currently in the middle of building our home so a storm like this gets us a bit un-nerved. Besides I want to, no I NEED to go to WDW, I need a pixie-dust fix!

Crossing my fingers, toes, eyes and doing a "Go AWAY Frances" dance. I'm calling in all favors that this one GOES AWAY, FAR FAR AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hope to see everyone at WDW this weekend

Patty