WDW during a Hurricane?

[LuluLovesDisney]

I, like many on these boards, will be in WDW during "Hurricane Season", specifically August 16-29. I thought I had taken care of everything until DBF asked me the other day "What will happen if there's a hurricane?"

Now, for a rainy day, I'll just get wet and have fun, but a hurricane is something else. Is there anything we can/should do to prepare in case a hurricane hits during our vacation? Has anyone been during a hurricane and can offer some tips for vacationers who could possibly be in their shoes?

Thank you!!!!

 

[MrShiny]

i had a friend who was a CM during 2 hurricanes at WDW in 2004. Basically, if you are staying on site and they close the parks (which would most likely be just the one day that the hurricane might hit), you stay in the resort. They do all they can to keep folks fed and entertained.

Keep in mind the chances are slim - even ion a really busy season like we've been having recently, there might be only one or two days this happens. orlando is about 90 miles from the coast, so a really destructive storm unlikely, althought there can be lots of rain.

Keep in mind too that a terrible hurricane could hit elsewhere in Florida, and Orlando could have sunny skies. They are very localized. Even when the rain come through, it's likely to be in bands, so chances are even in the worst case, you'll still have a few dry days!

 

[rayelias]

We were there for one of the 04 hurricanes and stayed at POFQ.

If memory serves, the parks closed for about 36 hours and we were confined to our rooms for about 18. They had a skeleton crew on hand.

The rooms are built so well that if you didn't open the shades, you'd have no idea it was even raining. They gave us free Disney movies on TV for the duration, and when it was safe, they re-opened the food court. We DID purchase a bunch of food and snacks to hold us over, just in case.

The morning after the storm, when they reopened the food court (before the parks re-opened) a couple characters were in the lobby for the kids, and they were showing movies.

Other than being stuck in the room, it was a pretty enjoyable experience. It's actually one of the reasons we purchased DVC. That trip was the first time we ever stayed ON-site. THe experience was so great, there was no way I'd ever stay off-site again. The extremely overworked/underpaid staff was wonderful, there was tons of "magic", and it was amazing to see how quickly they came back from a pretty bad storm. I was very impressed.

 

[pafer]

We were there in October when Wilma crossed the area. We are from outside the New Orleans area and have sat through worse at home! We, even after seeing the damage Katrina did were not worried at all about being in Orlando during that storm. We know enough about them to not panic unless the need is really there and the media sometimes makes a small storm seem so much worse than it really is. Orlando is inland enough to not face the worst of the storm as they weaken the longer they are over land. We lost a half a day in the parks but that depends on how quickly the storm is moving and when and where it moves onshore. We had to stay in our room until winds calmed down enough to consider it safe to wander the resort. They reopen the parks only to resort guests as soon as the storm passes and the winds allow the rides to be considered safe. The next day things return to normal as if nothing happened at all.

We did have several days that were interupted by rain and thunder when the outer bands of the storm started to affect the area. Fantasmic was cancelled due to lightning strikes but the park remained open and the rides remained going. We just purchased rain ponchos and put the rain gear on the strollers and away we went. Most ppl left the parks when it started to rain so we got to walk into most attractions with no wait. I rode RnR 3 times in under 15 minutes walked right on each time. That alone kinda of added to the magic for me!!!

Pack rain gear for strollers and take it with you and pack ponchos or be ready to buy them there and go with the flow!!!!

 

[Evil Queen]

I'd rather be at WDW than home during a hurricane, but many hurricanes do cover much of the state of Florida. We were in the south end of the eye of Wilma, but as you have read, some effects were felt 3 hours away, 180 miles at WDW. Same with Jeanne and Frances, but we were south of the eye.

Also, Wilma came from the SW coast and crossed over. It was still a powerful storm when it got to us on the SE coast. Folks are STILL fixing their homes and property now.

Not trying to scare anyone, but can't sugar coat it either.

But I have the upmost confidence with WDW keeping their guests comfortable and safe. We are going in September, regardless. You should be fine, I hear WDW is a wonderful place to be before, during and after any storms.

 

[pigletforever]

A good Friends Husband is a manager at one of the Epcot hotels - can't remember which one. He moves his family to the resort during hurricanes because they are so safe. Plus there are things to entertain the kids and they have electricity. Sounds like the best port in a storm if you ask me.

 

[markey]

We were on vacation at Santibel Island when Charlie came in 2004. We had to leave Thursday morning and headed to DW as we were scheduled to leave on the Magic Saturday. We thought Orlando would be a good choice since it was in the center of Florida. Well that is exactly where Charlie decided to go. We got a room at CSR, a nice first floor room in the corner. The parks closed at 2 on Friday, and the tickets were not charged for that day. We went back to the hotel and everything started happening arount 4:30. At 7 we were told to not leave our rooms and keep the drapes closed, we had stocked up with food from the food court and settled in. I agree with the other poster, we felt very safe in our room. of course we did open the door a couple of times and saw the trees bent over and things blowing around, also saw the nuts out trying to record with their recorders, nothing like following rules. The food court was not expecting so many people and had long lines, also sold food from the store. The next morning the sun was out and our 3 hour dirve to the Port Caniveral started, no street lights and a lot of trees/signs/wires down. The Magic was a ghost ship with the airports closed since Friday am until Saturday noon. We go every year in August and hurricanes do not stop us, even being thru one.

 

[Lady SnowElla]

Hey we're from the New Orleans also. We left last summer for Disney the day before Cindy decided to breeze through New Orleans. Actually a lovely CM from Chalmette greeted us as were entering MK & she reported that her family had a little damage. (I have often thought of her family since Katrina.) We spent several days at MK & were planning to head towards the Keys when they started evacuating the Keys for Dennis. We started trying to extend our stay at the BCVs that night & were told no but by morning they had so many cancellations & check-outs that we were able to stay where we were. That day Dennis passed to the West off of Tampa & we decided to spend the day at Epcot. We were inside most of the day & as we started to return with the girls the wind & rain was whipping down as the feeder bands passed by. The parks never closed but I'm not sure if they cancelled the evening fireworks.
Ironically, as we drove home later that week we had trouble finding gas due to the damage in the Panhandle. I never knew that I would be waiting in lines for hours for gas & glad to do it!!

 

[Minniedap]

We were also at WDW for hurricane Charley on Friday August 13th. Here are my suggestions if you are told there is an approaching hurricane:

1) Stock up on enough food and water for at least 24hrs. The lines at the food courts were very very long. Even the vending machines sold out!

2) If you have children make sure the have coloring books or something to entertain them. The gift shops were also very busy that day.

3) They only let WDW guest go to the parks that day for 1/2 the day, so go and enjoy the small crowds and free entrance.

4) As I was told when I checked in, don't worry about the hurricane they have plenty of people on staff to do it for you. Just listen to the messages they leave you. They kept us well informed.

 

[Ghost]

Our first full day of the holiday at WDW last year was during the WILMA storm. The parks closed 2 of them in the morning but re-opened for hotel guests later that day.

Hurricane season prediction

 

[mattmommy]

We were in POFQ when Floyd was supposed to hit dead-on. They told us to fill our tubs and sinks with water. They closed the parks early and had half price food at the food court. At the store all the guys were buying chips and beer and the women were buying cakey type things, candy and diet sodas. Quite humorous.

Friend were with us and called their parents back in NJ. The parents begged them to rent a car to come back (since the airports were closed down), but they stayed (good thing because the store didn't hit WDW and went right up the coast to NJ). Our friend told her DM that they gave out flashlights at the front desk. The DM gasped. She thought DD said "last rites at the front desk".

All we got was a little wind and some spritzy rain. They opened only AK for resort guests the next day.

Disney moved all the campground people to our resort to keep them safe and also lowered the water level in the pools.

 

[tmt martins]

WDW was just givin one of the Highest Ratings for readinest and Safetyby the NAOO or NOAA what ever it is .

 

[lillygator]

WDW and their resorts in general have quite a bit more resources than most. You will be fine. It's been pretty rare that hurricanes go through Central Florida. Last season was a rarity - at least in my whole life! (of living here!)

 

[flatline]

don't buy into the fear the news outlets are using now. in 2004 WDW saw mostly downed trees and vegetation. the coasts take the slam - the storm surge. inland loses power and sees flooding. stay in your resort room and you'll be fine.

 

[coffeeandfags]

She thought DD said "last rites at the front desk".

QUOTE]


The best giggle ive had all day.... thanks for that!!

 

[Ted and Holly]

don't buy into the fear the news outlets are using now. in 2004 WDW saw mostly downed trees and vegetation. the coasts take the slam - the storm surge. inland loses power and sees flooding. stay in your resort room and you'll be fine.

While the hype is pretty ridiculous on the news, tell the "mostly downed trees and vegetation" to the people inland in much of Polk County and even Northwest Osceola. We saw severe damage to buildings and infrastructure within 10 or 20 miles of WDW after Charley. A slightly more westerly track OR if Charley had made landfall in Tampa where originally predicted and WDW could have had severe damage.

The point is, because it has not happened, does not mean it can't. As I have said in other threads. If my vacation was coming up and I saw that there was a possibility that a strong hurricane might make it to Central Florida, I might think of putting that trip insurance to good use.

WDW and much of Central Florida IS used as a place for people to evacuate to. But these are people from the immediate coast that have to at least go inland some.

 

[loriandmatt]

i will be visiting WDW during "the" season. (Aug 24 thru Sept 3)

i will be camping in FW in my pop up camper (some of you might be thinking we are nuts at this point!)

i will tune into a local news radio station every morning and/or call the resort front desk and ask for the current daily weather report. if all clear - i will go to the parks without a care. if a low chance, i will go to the parks and check in with the front desk thru-out the day, returning if things get worse. if things are going bad quick and they are advising to evacuate the campgound we will pack up ASAP (we can do this in less than a half hour) - leave the packed up camper where they tell us to and have faith that they will put us up onsite somewhere until it is clear for us to come back to the campground. if something happens to our camper in the storm - that is what we pay for insurance for.

if i were staying closer to the coast(s) i would not be so confident and probably head for someplace farther inland if there were an impending threat.

- lori

 

[Barbday62]

We was at Shades of Green for Hurricane Charley and everything was good there too. we wish we would have had a small flash light just in case but then we realized our lap top can become a flash light if needed, The power never went out. We was there with our kids and grand kids and the youngest was 5 months old so thats why light was important to us. He still had to get up at night to eat.

Some things I did to make it better:
We was told the night before it was coming. And the parks opened half day. So we went to MGM (It was our last day in Florida and we never found Jo Jo for our 3 year old granddaughter yet.) A lot of MGM wasnt even open when we got there but we did find JoJo and got his autograph. Then after we did a few more things we went to fill the rental car with gas. Turns out to be a good idea because the power at most stations on the way to the airport was out the next day. I also bought a super large pizza and water.

we waited the storm in our room. The entire family was together in two connecting rooms. they gave minute by minute reports about where the hurricane was on TV. I think we turned on disney cartoons for my grand daughter in the other room so she would not sit there watching news all the time. It came in two waves the first was about 6Pm and the second about 8PM then nothing more.

My husband did fill the bath tub just in case because he said at least we would have water.

The airport did not fare so well. Lucky our flight was to leave at 6PM. The airport didnt even open until about 4PM I think. we was one of the few flights that got out and it was delayed about 3 hours. We had to sit in the middle of a wet floor and watch tiles falling in the roped off area. The power was out until about 6ish so they had emergency generators. (That meant no air conditioner in the bathrooms!! in August) and the light was dim until the rela power came up. They had little communication adn didnt let anyone through security until your flight was allowed to go through. Later they let us go a little earlier than our flight becuase my husband is in a wheel chair and they pulled wheelchair riders and families aside to go through a seperate line.. The Airport mess was terrible and made impressions in me I never want to repeat.


I say go to Disney. Chances of getting a hurricane will always be there but so will chances of not . Bring a small flash light, and get water and food as others have mentioned. Its really a safe place to be if you are in the state during a hurricane.

 

[flatline]

While the hype is pretty ridiculous on the news, tell the "mostly downed trees and vegetation" to the people inland in much of Polk County and even Northwest Osceola. We saw severe damage to buildings and infrastructure within 10 or 20 miles of WDW after Charley. A slightly more westerly track OR if Charley had made landfall in Tampa where originally predicted and WDW could have had severe damage.

The point is, because it has not happened, does not mean it can't. As I have said in other threads. If my vacation was coming up and I saw that there was a possibility that a strong hurricane might make it to Central Florida, I might think of putting that trip insurance to good use.

WDW and much of Central Florida IS used as a place for people to evacuate to. But these are people from the immediate coast that have to at least go inland some.

my wife works in Lakeland, so we spent plent of time in Polk County after all three in '04 helping clean up.

trip insurance might be a good idea, but I'd go with the odds if I were planning a trip to Orlando during the season.

 

[dizneykid]

My DH just sent this to me, interesting.

06/03/2006 06:21:24 AM EDT
US Fed News
NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DECLARES WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT STORMREADY
WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration issued the following press release:

Officials from NOAA's National Weather Service have declared Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., as a StormReady® community. As the first theme park and resort in the nation to achieve this recognition, Walt Disney World joins more than 1,050 StormReady communities throughout the United States.

"More than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 2,500 floods and 1,000 tornadoes affect the United States annually, and hurricanes pose a significant threat - especially to the coastal regions of the Gulf and southeastern states," said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of the National Weather Service. "The National Weather Service developed the StormReady program to help protect every American from such hazardous weather."

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The program is voluntary and provides communities with clear-cut advice from the local National Weather Service forecast office and state and local emergency managers. The StormReady program began in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Okla., area.

"StormReady encourages communities to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness in partnership with their local National Weather Service office," said Bill Proenza, director of the National Weather Service southern region. "StormReady helps communities improve communication and safety skills needed to save lives -- before, during and after the event."

Located on 28,000 acres of land near Orlando and one of the most frequented vacation destinations in the world, Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971 with the Magic Kingdom theme park, hotels, campgrounds, golf courses, and shopping villages.

Walt Disney World Resort has its own emergency operations center, 24-hour warning capabilities, and an amateur radio club. Its emergency management staff is highly regarded by the National Weather Service and other federal, state and local government agencies.

"We appreciate this acknowledgement of our continuous efforts to ensure the year-round safety of our guests and cast members," said Lee A. Cockerell, executive vice president of operations for Walt Disney World. "Our partnerships with local, state and federal emergency management agencies are part of our overall safety strategy that enables us to provide our guests with the highest level of security and comfort possible."

To be recognized as StormReady, a community must:

* Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center

* Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public

* Create a system that monitors local weather conditions

* Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars

* Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

Walt Disney World Resort is one of 70 StormReady designations in Florida. In a special ceremony at the resort, officials were presented with a formal recognition letter and StormReady signs. The StormReady recognition will be in effect for three years as resort conducts the renewal process.

The National Weather Service is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department. NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and more than 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

HTS afaf 060603-463102 AANSARI

Copyright © 2006 US Fed News (HT Syndication)
© 2006 Business Intelligence Services, a Thomson business. All rights reserved.