VB during hurricane season?

[stacy6552]

Hey gang. We're thinking about stopping at VB after an August trip to Orlando. Can someone help remind me about the feedback of VB guests who were displaced during the hurricanes? How did that all work out?

I remember Disney offering everyone rooms in Orlando.

What if you're on points? Did they adjust the points or just move you, regardless of the point difference? If you turn down the Orlando alternative, did you get your points back? Did they go into holding?

Did you get moved to another DVC?

If we're in Orlando and the hurricane is comming, what would our chances be of just staying where we were?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DisFlan]

I can't help you with VB, but we were at BWV during Wilma last fall. If a storm is imminent, the airports close, so people aren't coming in. And people cancel, so there's usually room if you want to stay put.

Wilma happened during our stay, so nothing changed for us, but I know there are cases where others who couldn't make it in and had their points replaced. I don't know if this always happens, though. You'd have to check with Member Services.

BTW, the resort handled both the guests and the storm very well.

DisFlan

 

[spiceycat]

despite 2 being in that area last year - hurricanes aren't often in that area.

So I would go, and if something happens - go with what they suggest.

one of the things you never to want to do in Florida is be stuck on an Interstate trying to get out of the state - when one of those those monsters strikes....

Disney builds very good!!! so I would feel safe - unless of course (like last time) it was a forced evaculation.

 

[Pootle]

I remember Disney offering everyone rooms in Orlando.

That definitely didn't happen when they closed VB for Frances - which was the first one they closed for.

We checked in on the Wednesday afternoon after flying in from Nashville. We had been following the news and ringing the resort but the advice (understandably) was 'nothing to tell you, come anyway' so we went. By the time we arrived the decision had been taken to evacuate so they offered us to either stay the night and leave by 8 am or leave immediately and have our points refunded. They also offered the advice to 'drive as far north as you can' and gave us free internet access to book elsewhere.

They said that DVC were not taking new bookings at Orlando.

They were very pleasant with this gloomy information, and so were we as recipients - it was a difficult time.

When we thought about it a few days later, by which time we were at OKW (we already had a booking there for the Sunday but they allowed us to check in on the Saturday as it was due to hit on the Sunday) we didn't think the evacuation had been handled well for VB guests.

They offered locals accommodation (as they should) and people from FW campground, but folk at VB were just turned away.

The points for the 2 nights I had booked at VB were returned but I ended up paying a lot of points for the Saturday night in a 1 BRM at OKW which I hadn't budgeted for. It was worth it to feel safe though.

It has put me off ever booking VB during the hurricane season again.