Waterparks and Thunderstorms

[Buttercup Roberts]

We have been at Typhoon Lagoon twice this summer and both times there was weather that closed down the park for a significant amount of time.

The first time, it poured and there was lightning for about 90 minutes and then they just closed the park for the day, half an hour early, because it was never going to stop.

Went back a month later with my "rain check" and we got into our suits, walked to the snack bar to get lunch, and they close the park because there's thunder audible about a mile or more away -- but there's no rain and blue sky over our heads.

They kept it closed for about an hour, and we were ready to just give up, had already changed back into our clothes, when they reopened.

My bf was really put out that their lightning policy seems overzealous, as the storm this last time never came overhead or really anywhere near us.

I just wonder, when DOESN'T it storm in the summer? They must close the water parks every day!

Anyone else get rained out?

 

[dbanzai]

Such a lightening policy is not unusual. I've been to sporting events which have had to been postponed at least 30 minutes because of lightening sighted in the area.

 

[seashoreCM]

Lightning can hit an area that is not under the clouds.

I am guessing that an area as far away as the clouds are tall is vulnerable. If you extend your arm upward at a 45 degree angle and can point at the cloud tops or below, you are within that area.

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

If you see a fire in a high rise, get away as far as the building is tall as fas as you can before gawking. If everyone who could did that on 9/11/01 there would have been far fewer ground fatalities.

 

[minnie61650]

Florida has more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the US.
If you are in an area where you can see lightning or hear the thunder than it is a danger zone.
Thank Disney for trying to keep you safe.
Linda
Only 67 more days

 

[safetymom]

Better that Disney is strict than have someone be injured or killed. I think people also need to know what to do when lightening is around. I have seen too many people at the water parks take cover under trees. CM's have to go around and warn people about it.

 

[RenaissanceChef]

Lightening + Water = bad, bad, bad!!!!!
Just because you cant see it doesnt mean it wont hit you.
Disney uses lightening meters on their Golf Courses, Water Parks etc like the ones we use at Sebring International Raceway. 5 miles is considered the Minimum "safe" distance ( basically all that means is it gives a little time to seek cover ) Most Floridians ( like me ) dont play with Lightening, cause it can hit you from a clear blue sky ( actually came from a storm thats 5 or miles from you! ) I know its a pain and understand what your saying, BUT in the long run better safe than sorry!

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

Disney uses lightening meters on their Golf Courses, Water Parks etc like the ones we use at Sebring International Raceway

This is kind of what I was wondering about... how they monitor the situation and make their decisions.

I've heard before that lightening can strike out diagonally from a distant cloud, but I thought it was limited to about a mile away.

My bf said that he thought all the areas out of the water and away from the beaches were still totally unsafe, so we kind of wondered what the difference was. There was one roofed shelter for a snack bar with lightening rods on top that he thought would be moderately safer than being out in the open, but still questionable.

I wonder how often the waterparks temporarily close in the summer, it's got to be almost daily.