so how hard is it to find gas in orlando?

[spacemtn1971]

reading the orlando sentinel, it sounds pretty bad all around the orlando area.

is this a case of the media hyping reality or is gasoline simply not to be found in the area?

my thoughts are with all of the residents. i am just wondering what advice to give my friends who are supposed to head down the end of the week.

what do you think? any first hand accounts from nonlocals trying to find the bare necessities?

thanks,

jwb

 

[Ishy]

I found gas. Supreme gas - but it was gas. Regular was sold out before charley hit. The gas stations in the areas where the electricity was out had gas just no way to sell it. I would imagine that it will soon be on almost everywhere and all will be fine. I did see two 7-11s that will not be reopening (Yes - that much damage).

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm not there, but I'm not at all surprised. This ALWAYS happens in the wake of a severe hurricane. It's a combination of three issues: gas supply, power outages, and water contamination.

Smart people who live in these areas know that if a hurricane is tracking your way, the very first thing you do is go out and fill your tanks, and also fill any portable containers you have. This means that by the time the storm hits, supplies are low anyway.
Tankers cannot drive in a storm, the danger if they flip is too high, so they don't leave the depot until it is over. By that time, they end up endlessly sitting in traffic trying to get to the stations. Then once they get to the stations, odds are fairly high that one of two possibilities will mean the delivery is useless anyway. Either the station will not have electricity to run it's pumps, or the underground tanks will have taken on water from flood conditions. If that has happened, the tanks have to be completely pumped dry to remove all traces of water, then refilled from nothing. It usually takes about a week after the end of the storm to get the gasoline supply system fully restored.

 

[dzneelvr]

I have a friend who lives in Celebration and he says it is extremely hard to find gasoline at this time. They're still in the midst of extensive clean up efforts, and the gas stations that did "survive" structurally are disconnected and/or in areas you can't get to. The pipeline from Tampa has apparently been shut off until they can confirm there's no structural damage that would cause leaking.

Best bet is to fill up before entering the damaged area and then be prepared to drive only if you have to. In most areas it is still dangerous to drive anyway, with the downed power lines, trees, debris, and non-existant traffic signals and signs.

This is not a good time to head into the area. He says it resembles a war zone.

 

[safetymom]

Gas is still in short supply. Frozen food and deli areas in grocery stores were hard hit. Several of the Super Wal-Marts that we went to the deli was empty and so was the frozen food section.

Publix had meats and quite a bit of frozen foods.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I haven't seen the Pleasure Island station, but the Hess stations by the Studios and Magic Kingdom have gas, and somewhat decent prices. $1.779 for 87. Lines have typically been 6 cars deep for each pump every time I drive by. Hopefully they will recieve deliveries before they run out.

I've heard of prices as low as $1.659 and as high as $2.319 for 87.

 

[AnnaS]

First - and I will say it again and again - we hope for the best for everyone affected by the hurricane. I do hope help is coming fast enough. We are driving down this week-end for the first time. We feel guilty about keeping our plans - but it is the only way to go on. We don't want the economy again (in WDW and like here in NY) the way it was after 9/11.

Thank you to all and all the CMs who have to smile, keep order and keep the guests happy while we know what is happening all around you.

It is safe to say, we shall fill up before coming close to Orlando and perhaps now my dh will use Disney transportation especially after driving two days. If you have any suggestions, please post.

 

[inkkognito]

We are flying in this weekend and heading to Celebration for the weekend. Normally we fill up at the Circle K on Boggy Creek before we drop off our rental car. Would it be best to just pre-pay a tank this time? Usually we don't use a whole tank, but I don't want to waste a lot of time before our flight driving around searching for a station.
Barb

 

[safetymom]

I think by this weekend you should be OK.

 

[AllyBri]

We had to make a last minute trip this past weekend to Celebration and there was no gas to be had along 192 - OBT or Boggy Creek. I figured National would charge us, I explained that we had tried to fill up and we were told not to worry about it.
Hats off to National.

 

[classicpooh]

We had no problem getting gas @ the Hess by DTD yesterday... Further into metro Orlando there are more problems...