WDW Policy on THUNDERSTORMS during MK hard-ticket party?

[cinderlexa's mom]

I understand that Disney cannot control the weather. I can tolerate rain, no problem.

BUT...There's a good chance of thunderstorms (80%) with high wind gusts (15-20mph) during the MK MNSSHP this Friday, 10/24.

* Will the party be cancelled in the event of this type of thunderstorm?

* If it is cancelled, will we be issued tickets for another night?

* If it's still a go, even with the thunderstorm, will certain rides close due to a bad thunderstorm with high wind?

I had a bad feeling about purchasing our tix in advance.

Any CM responses or personal experience would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[disneynutz]

We were caught in a storm last year. Depending upon the severity of the weather, Disney will modify the programs. Parades and fireworks may be canceled or postponed. Last year we were offered a one day pass to the Magic Kingdom because the weather was so bad.

 

[JoAnnPan]

Not sure about high winds but my sister & I attended the P&Princess party this past April and Orlando had record fall rain that day and night...it poured from 2pm til past midnight..parade and fireworks went on as scheduled; the Pirate tutorial was cancelled. We made the best of it . We were two drowned rats.

 

[lala3291]

We had experience with this at MNSSHP in October '07. It was pouring, and I mean POURING!!! Yet, the fireworks still went off, as well as the parade. Some outside rides had to close like BTMRR. We still had a blast!
Good Luck!

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Thanks for the replies!

We braved a heavy down-pour during an '06 MVMCP. No problem. But there wasn't any lightening nor high winds...

Any personal experience with high winds/thunder/lightening?

 

[Mom2twinboys]

Not sure about high winds but my sister & I attended the P&Princess party this past April and Orlando had record fall rain that day and night...it poured from 2pm til past midnight..parade and fireworks went on as scheduled; the Pirate tutorial was cancelled. We made the best of it . We were two drowned rats.

Was this Sunday April 6th? DH and I were there with our 5 yo twins and had a blast!! We were soaked. I have a picture of the boys in front of the castle and there is nobody else in the shot. My husband and I were looking at it last night!

Op I don't know about the wind but if if rains you can still go and have a great time. Here's hoping it doesn't get too bad were planning on going to Epcot friday.

 

[Joanna71985]

For the most part, Disney will not refund tickets (even if there is bad weather). I have been to parties where the parade and shows were canceled, it was storming so bad.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

I understand that Disney probably will not refund everyone's tickets...but if the weather is really bad, I wonder if they'd switch out our 10/24 tix for 10/26 MNSSHP tix?

 

[JoAnnPan]

Was this Sunday April 6th? DH and I were there with our 5 yo twins and had a blast!! We were soaked. I have a picture of the boys in front of the castle and there is nobody else in the shot. My husband and I were looking at it last night!

Op I don't know about the wind but if if rains you can still go and have a great time. Here's hoping it doesn't get too bad were planning on going to Epcot friday.

Yep that was the day!!! It started out sooo nice . It did make for a different kind of experience..and we learned to invest in some good rain jackets, we hated our poncho's by the end of that trip.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Last year, we went to the Pirate/Princess party on Aug. 24th. There were severe storms all around the WDW area including tornadoes. Schools had to be closed that afternoon just to give you all an idea of how bad it was.

We literally had to stay inside Pinocchios village haus to avoid getting struck by lightning that was touching the ground in fantasyland. It was very very scary.

We tried to salvage the night by trying some rides, but it was a disaster. You really couldn't be outside. Several times, I wondered if I should just try to get a refund on our tickets and drive back home, but a lady behind me on line at Winnih the pooh was on the phone with a CM and told her no refunds. I also asked a CM who told me the same thing so we tried to tough it out.

It was really dissappointing because many of the special Pirate/Princess events were cancelled and I felt like I wasted my money on the tickets when we couldn't do any of those events. Disney also handled it poorly not giving us any info on whether the parade or fireworks would take place and every CM I spoke to, gave me different answers.

We finally gave up and decided to leave around 10pm when the fireworks didn't start. We were drenched and cold and I was terrified poor DD would get sick. We also heard there was a fire behind the castle where they keep the fireworks because lightning struck the fireworks.

The next day, I went onto the disboards and found out that if you stayed until closing that night, the CM's were handing out free admission to MK on any regular day that you could use for up to a year. I wrote to WDW and they granted me these free tickets so it turned out okay.

I really hope no one has to go through this so I'm wishing you the best. Good luck.

 

[disneynutz]

I understand that Disney probably will not refund everyone's tickets...but if the weather is really bad, I wonder if they'd switch out our 10/24 tix for 10/26 MNSSHP tix?

Not likely. They already sold you the 10/24 ticket so they have their money. They want the 10/26 tickets for other Guests.

You did notice that the tickets are none refundable and non transferable!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We were caught in a storm last year. Depending upon the severity of the weather, Disney will modify the programs. Parades and fireworks may be canceled or postponed. Last year we were offered a one day pass to the Magic Kingdom because the weather was so bad.

I have read this on other threads too. In the event of extreme weather, people were given a ticket to MK.

I hope the weather cooperates and you have a great party. We went in September. It was fantastic!

Have a magical trip!

Jennifer

 

[seadd67]

Not sure about high winds but my sister & I attended the P&Princess party this past April and Orlando had record fall rain that day and night...it poured from 2pm til past midnight..parade and fireworks went on as scheduled; the Pirate tutorial was cancelled. We made the best of it . We were two drowned rats.

we went around then to and we had the same thing happen , it quit raining that night right before the parade but ya they only shut things down if there is lighhting, or the exterm winds. as for the fireworks they went off as normal so i would imagine as long as its not to bad it will go off.

 

[3darlings]

They refunded that price of our MVMCP tickets because the night we went the weather was too bad for the parade and fireworks and most of the shows. There was not lightening/fireworks but it was pouring buckets! We stayed most of the time (got absolutely soaked) and on the way out we were walking down Main Street when some of the other guests told us you could get your money back if you went to the Town Hall. We did this and, sure enough, they gave us the option of getting our money back or getting a ticket for another party (which we didn't want.) We filled out the paperwork and our money was refunded on our credit card a few weeks later. So maybe you could try that if the weather doesn't cooperate. All in all, it turned out pretty good since we rode most of the rides. We also got great pictures with tons of characters who were hanging out in the picture place across from town hall (can't remember the name at the moment) staying out of the rain.

 

[WDSearcher]

Not likely. They already sold you the 10/24 ticket so they have their money. They want the 10/26 tickets for other Guests.

You did notice that the tickets are none refundable and non transferable!

Actually ... not necessarily true. It depends on two things ... how bad the weather actually is, and how many tickets they have left for the 10/26 party. Remember that Disney wants you to have a good time. They want you to enjoy the party and recommend it to others. It serves no purpose if you walk out soggy and unhappy.

If the party you're at is a total wash-out and they have tickets available for another night, they'll likely exchange your tickets. They did this for us for a P&PP one year that literally had a deluge of rain! There was no parade, no fireworks, and the party was a true, literal wash-out. Even though we'd spent an hour or two there (with ponchos, umbrellas and a lot of wet footwear), they still offered us our choice of a one-day MK ticket or a ticket to another P&PP. We had to go to Guest Relations and ask, though. It's not like they were handing out tickets at the exit.

This is only AFTER the fact, though. You can't exchange the tickets prior to the event because you're afraid of bad weather. If you just THINK the weather MIGHT be bad and you want to exchange your tickets for a night that you THINK the weather MIGHT be better, that's not likely to happen.

 

[savannahjean85]

I have been wondering the same thing, DF and I are to go on the 24 too. I would hate for it to be a wash out. We're driving down from Auburn, Al from school just for the party then coming back because we have classes on Monday. We have been looking forward to this since May. I hope this works out.

 

[LooityLoo]

There are chances of thunderstorms that high for 10/24? Oh no... that's when I'm going. Pleeeeeeease let the weather be nice!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Before our WDW trip in September, I checked the weather forecast online. It said thunderstorms for the whole week while we were at WDW. Know how many days it stormed while we were there . . . ZERO! It didn't rain or storm once. I hope you have the same experience.

Jennifer

From MSN Weather for Friday, October 24th:
Slight chance of thunder with likely moderate rain. High 81F and low 72F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 2

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

* Will the party be cancelled in the event of this type of thunderstorm?

No. The parade and fireworks might, though.

* If it is cancelled, will we be issued tickets for another night?

It won't be, so no.

* If it's still a go, even with the thunderstorm, will certain rides close due to a bad thunderstorm with high wind?

Yes. Outdoor attractions (i.e. BTMR, Splash Mountain, Dumbo) will close. Indoor attractions (like the Haunted Mansion) will remain open.

I had a bad feeling about purchasing our tix in advance.

Any CM responses or personal experience would be greatly appreciated!!!

The last time I attended a MNSSHP as a guest it was a washout -- heavy rain, high winds, thunder, lightning, and a canceled parade. When I went to Guest Relations I was told in no uncertain terms that I would not be given a refund or replacement tickets of any sort. That was, not surprisingly, the last MNSSHP I ever attended -- or ever will attend.

It could be that I was given such poor guest service because I'm a CM (although I should mention that CMs must pay for their party tickets. We don't get in free, and gate-crashing is a terminable offense). As a Guest you might have better luck... but I honestly can't give you a positive report here.

 

[cvjw]

I attended the Halloween party Oct 5, 2007. It was raining so hard, the first parade was cancelled. The outdoor rides, Astro-orbitor, driving cars, Splash Mtn. were all closed. We stuck it out as long as we could, but the kids with us got pretty miserable. On the way out, they were handing out cards for free passes to the MK for another day within one year. You did have to save your original party tickets. We used the free day last April with no problems.