Tropical Storm Emily?!

[CampbellScot]

Of COURSE this would happen...

Currently the forecast is saying Sunday is supposed to be just that...a SUNNY day...of course it's a bit far out to predict the weather that day...but with the new models of Tropical Storm Emily, it's looking like Sunday could end up being very very rainy.

How does Universal deal with hurricane like weather? I've been to Disney during a number of hurricanes and it's pretty much business as usual, but Disney doesn't have coasters like Hulk etc. We have one day to experience WWOHP. I am going to be so incredibly bummed out if our one day is CLOSED!

that being said, we have our LLbean super rain coats packed and ready to go. Rain has never stopped us at Disney. I don't imagine it will stop us at Universal either!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

US/IOA handles hurricanes the same way that WDW does -- the parks only close when ABSOLUTELY necessary. Some coasters may not operate when lightning is in the area, but there are plenty of other rides that do, some of which are indoors. Last year the rain was pelting down and my daughters and I were in the single rider line for RRR. We figured that they'd stop the ride because of the rain, but they didn't so we went up dry and came down drenched. It was still a lot of fun! If you have only one day to go, go and have fun and hope for the best!

 

[CampbellScot]

thanks for the info!! I only allow myself to mope for about five minutes before my "We're on vacation and moping is not allowed" mode kicks in!! Last time I was hysterical about a hurricane it turned out to be a lot of blustering about NOTHING!!

My Llbean raincoat is long and keeps me dry so I'll be good to go! wet feet don't bug me!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I've lived in FL my entire life, and I can tell you it is rare when a tropical system sticks to it's 5-day track. When it's 2-3 days out and has Orlando in its sights, then it's time to spike the worry needle a bit. Even then, the chances the track will change are high. Most tropical systems' winds don't extend that far from the eye, so even a near-miss might not close the parks. It would still be rainy, of course. Since Orlando is inland some 60 miles or so from either coast, serious damage is unlikely.

Best advice I can give is to just stay tuned.

 

[RAPstar]

Don't fre too much, just keep your eye on the weather. My trip in 08 was when hurrican Ike was threatening to hit Florida, but then it pretty much skipped over. Of course it then hit where my dad lives in Houston, lol.

 

[Metro West]

It's waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early in the week to be concerned about the storm possibly hitting FL or the Orlando area. Don't start worrying until Thursday or Friday.

 

[Bluer101]

It's waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early in the week to be concerned about the storm possibly hitting FL or the Orlando area. Don't start worrying until Thursday or Friday.

I live in South Florida and this is not even a problem yet. I will tell you better Friday.

The latest models show it being more off the coast but you still can never tell. Still go and have fun.

 

[mesaboy2]

Tropical systems on Emily's current path miss mainland Florida about 75-80% of the time IMO. They will either head on into the Gulf or be swept by the Gulf Stream into the Carolinas or beyond.

 

[musicma]

We plan to be at US Monday, the 8th for a week. Do you think Emily will bring huge amounts of rain that week?

 

[mesaboy2]

We plan to be at US Monday, the 8th for a week. Do you think Emily will bring huge amounts of rain that week?

See prior posts. No way to tell.

Even if she were to hit Orlando, Emily would probably sweep by and be completely gone by early next week.

 

[dimimi]

We are supposed to land in Fort Myers Friday(we are visiting a relative) and be at Portofino on Friday evening. We have a cabana rented for Saturday! I just talked to a worker at Hard Rock and she said they are all getting ready for a possible Hurricane! She is guessing rain all day Saturday...but of course I realize noone knows what will happen with Emily! Still...it is frustrating to plan!

The worker said the 3 hotels all have back up power and "should a hurricane hit" they are prepared and the Air conditioning stays on...etc.

She also said that if there are hurricane warnings or watches (I can't remember what she said) that they close the park. She said with high winds they won't run the roller coasters.

Since we booked our flights with frequent flyer miles, I'm not sure we would be able to rebook. Also, we have all of our tickets for Universal purchased and we have tickets for Blue Man Group!

I guess we will see what the weather is forecasting on Thursday! I am hoping Emily heads off to sea!

 

[dimimi]

Tropical systems on Emily's current path miss mainland Florida about 75-80% of the time IMO. They will either head on into the Gulf or be swept by the Gulf Stream into the Carolinas or beyond.

This is what I'm hoping happens!

 

[CampbellScot]

Now that I have an idea how Universal handles hurricanes, I'm good to go.

Having been at Disney during two different hurricanes I know that the best thing you can do is have a good attitude, put on your poncho and take advantage of the smaller crowds!

(I'm still going to say a prayer to St. Jude that Sunday will be sunny!)

 

[macraven]

i did one hhn at a time of a hurricane.

it rained, it poured, but i stayed and had really no lines to wait in.
nothing closed down that saturday night.




i agree with the locals.
don't even give a second thought to the effects of a hurricane.

it might not be an issue for orlando except for rain.

 

[dimimi]

i did one hhn at a time of a hurricane.

it rained, it poured, but i stayed and had really no lines to wait in.
nothing closed down that saturday night.




i agree with the locals.
don't even give a second thought to the effects of a hurricane.

it might not be an issue for orlando except for rain.

This is good to hear! So is it true, the A/C keeps going....restaurants/bars stay open, etc.???

 

[macraven]

This is good to hear! So is it true, the A/C keeps going....restaurants/bars stay open, etc.???

yes it does.

and if you are soaking wet, it will make you chilly.............

 

[Eclpz314]

yes it does.

and if you are soaking wet, it will make you chilly.............

My definition of chilly: Going to US in 50 degree weather and being on Dr. Suess elevated trolley when sudden February rainstorm kicks in and you are stuck there as cold beating rain is coming down sideways, and you're ducking. Then the trolley is a a hairpin turn and rain is beating you from the other side.......and I'm talking hard rain that's actually forming puddles at the knees of your jeans as you sit. You're trying to hang on until the trolley car gets back to the station.......and it stops. No, not the rain. The trolley car comes to a dead stop and your's is the only trolley out there. Cold? You betcha! We had to scream at people ducked in doorways under us and finally someone must've gone to the trolley station to tell what was going on. Finally our trolley started moving again. I swear all the attendants were looking away as we got off.....except for the one who actually motioned us off. Poor girl looked like she'd seen a ghost. I'd tell you how uncomfortable we were walking through City Walk to the parking garage, but just suffice it to say we had to purchase beach towels to dry off before getting into the car.......and turning the heat on!

 

[CampbellScot]

we carry shammie towels with us at all times. They soak all the water off so you don't FREEZE in the air conditioning!! This a trick I learned from competitive swimming!

 

[sray563]

I'll be at US/IOA on Friday. I'm hoping the threatening weather stalls a little and maybe keeps crowds lower.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'll be at US/IOA on Friday. I'm hoping the threatening weather stalls a little and maybe keeps crowds lower.

The predicted track is already trending further east and therefore further from Florida.