Weather conditions & what do you do?

[kim826]

We are leaving next Wednesday for three days at Disney, one at Universal and one at Sea World. Now I see Ophelia is threatening to return to land. For all you veterans out there, what do you do (can you do) when the weather is bad. I've checked the extended forecast and there are thunderstorms (plus the threat of Ophelia) scheduled so far for the first three days we are there (60%). Any advice -- other than rain ponchos ?

 

[mello]

I'm more concerned about TD Whateverhisnameis behind Ophelia, since we're leaving in 11 days, but never having experienced a tropical storm, we're curious what people do during one as well. I've been reading all the threads here about folks going to parks anyway in the rain, and about folks weathering the hurricanes last year in their hotel rooms, so I'm thinking we'll just be prepared with ponchos for the parks and snacks for the room, and make the best of whatever happens. Dh, on the other hand, is majorly freaked out by the possibility of a storm while we're there, so I'm interested in any and all info that anybody has, if only to help put his mind at ease...

 

[Bob P]

We are leaving next Wednesday for three days at Disney, one at Universal and one at Sea World. Now I see Ophelia is threatening to return to land. For all you veterans out there, what do you do (can you do) when the weather is bad. I've checked the extended forecast and there are thunderstorms (plus the threat of Ophelia) scheduled so far for the first three days we are there (60%). Any advice -- other than rain ponchos ?

Rain and thunderstorms are a fact of life in Florida from June through September. It will rain almost every day, sometimes for 15 minutes and sometimes for a few hours.

I don't want to sound flip, but just bring ponchos and you'll be fine.

Bob

 

[Skroops]

Since we often go this time of year, we usually have thunderstorms. We have been fortunate to not have been there during a hurricane hit. It is rather unusual for a full blown hurricane to hit Orlando, usually it is the remnants...the rain.
We bring ponchos, umbrellas, a stroller cover, and extra shoes and then a light sweater for inside attractions while we are soaking wet. The umbrellas and ponchos keep us dry on top, but our legs and feet have been completely drenched. Sometimes the tennies aren't dried by morning and wet tennies are gross to put on.
I have quite a few photos of rainy days. There were times when it was raining so hard that we didn't want to get off the WDW bus and go to the park! We thought about riding it all the way around back to the resort, but we braved it and got soaking wet right away! LOL!
rain,schmain, WDW still beats a good day at work or at home!

 

[palmtreegirl]

They're now projecting Ophelia to turn and move north towards the Carolina's so I don't think you should worry too much(unless you live there of course).

 

[disnut8]

We take ponchos whether it's sunny or not. You never know when a storm will move in. We don't let the weather affect our trip to the parks unless it's really, really lightening. Then we'll move inside somewhere. But that has only happened a couple of times in our many visits.

We make sure we have an extra pair of shoes in case one pair gets soaked during the day. We also carry extra socks with us.

And if a hurricane does force the parks to close, well, you can't be at a better place than Disney World. We rode out Francis at Pop Century last year. Not a fun time but we always felt safe and secure. Disney doesn't like locking guests in their rooms but if it gets to that point, you'll be safe.

One tip with the ponchos - take a ball cap to put over the poncho hood. Those hoods fly off very easily. Also, a small binder clip to hold the hood under your chin works well.

With a 60% chance of thunderstorms, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think it's a standard policy to always quote a 60% chance of thunderstorms in central Florida in September. I think it's a state law or something.