Water Park - Closes for Thunder? Refund?

[PolyHereWeCome]

Just wondering what happens if you are at a Disney waterpark and it starts to thunder.

Do they close like pools do (for fear of lightening)? If they close, do people leave (with or without a refund??) or wait it out?

 

[Metro West]

Just wondering what happens if you are at a Disney waterpark and it starts to thunder.

Do they close like pools do (for fear of lightening)? If they close, do people leave (with or without a refund??) or wait it out?

I'm not exactly sure but it's been my experience that if lightening is reported within a 5 mile radius of the park, they will suspend operation. I don't think you get a refund since lightening would be considered an "act of God".

But, I could be wrong. It's best to wait it out.

 

[WDSearcher]

If a water park closes due to weather, it's up to the park whether it wants to issue "rainchecks." Generally, they won't, because thunderstorms don't usually last all day long in Florida. Also, it's not like it's the park's fault that there's lightning or rain -- there's only so much they can control.

You can always ask, and if you do so nicely, you may find that you get a ticket that is good for a visit in the future. Generally, you'll receive your refund in the form of another ticket -- it's very very rare for a theme or water park to refund actual cash.

 

[Feralpeg]

If you don't want to miss out due to lightening, go in the mornings. Most of the storms here occur late afternoon into early evening.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Thanks, everyone.

And, Feralpeg, have seen various lovely Disney arrangements in your posts over the months. They really look nice! Did you make them or receive them from a special someone (I just love them!)?

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I've been during a big storm - if they know its going to last ages (the weather station is inside Mount Gushmore, they also have their own weather station building in the world) they shut the park and that is that. If they think it will pass, usually all the wimps go home - nice empty park, you sit it out under a lightning shelter, they are strict on that and whent he storm stops you go and play in the nice empty waterpark. Yay!! As far as I know they do not refund for inclement weather. The only time I was there and they shut the park, it was 3pm anyway and we had been there since 9am, so it wasn't a big deal to us. Hope this helps.

 

[idofabric]

On a trip 4 or 5 years ago we had Park Hoppers and used one at TL. They had bad thunder and lightening all morning, and we did get a 1 day ticket for good only for TL, since it was before noon, and the park was closing. It took over an hour+ in line to get the tickets, since they only had 1 window open for questions, and they could have had at least 3 open. I do not know if they still do this. And not everyone got a refund/new ticket. Do not know why we did, except we had been in line for a loooooong time, and they knew it, and we were nice about it. Come to think of it a family a few folks in fromt were NOT nice and did not get any thing... We had got there late and had only been in the park for under 3 hours. So I don't know if it was the due to the length of time in park/ niceness of us, or what. Sorry if this didn't help any! If and when this happens hope someone will let us know.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

don't knwo about a refund but most places if lightening egets within 1 mile they will have everyone out of the water - the way florida is they will probably get everyone out of the water - wait for the storm to pass and then let everyone back in

 

[seashoreCM]

A few years ago I saw a notice posted at a water park stating that rainchecks would be given to guests who had been in the park for less than two hours. Not sure whether that policy has changed.

Annual passholders would not get rainchecks.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm
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