What are YOUR hurricane thoughts & strategies?

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Ok, heres what I am looking for from this thread... How bad does it have to get before you cancel?

Do you cancel if they merely mention the word hurricane, or do you try it anyways?

How do you determine if its too bad to go to WDW?

Are there any signs you look for in a storm?

Is there anything special you bring along if a hurricane is "lurking" close by?

I'm hoping to hear from some disney veterans on this one too.

If nothing else, maybe this thread will remind you to pre-consider your strategy in case the unthinkable happens. .

 

[hismattjesty]

I was there during a hurricane in 1994. My family and I still did the parks, yet the day the eye arrived and hit, we were pretty much holed up at the Polynesian for the day. The next day, it was business as usual.

A hurricane will NEVER make me change my travel plans! It is my vacation, and I will make the best of it, regardless of the circumstances. I might be a little late getting in if I hit the worst of the storm, but oh well, such is life. Plus, I always allow multiple days at the end of my vacation to be free, in case I can't return home and be back to work on time.

I am sure I am the oddball here, but I value my vacations to no end. Even the attacks of 9/11/01 did not stop my cruise plans (1st port was diverted because of, you guessed it, a hurricane), my honeymoon, or my Disney trip that year! That said, I guess I have opened myself up pretty wide for flaming.

 

[Amity 3]

we went to Busch Garden's Howl-O-Scream the night Jeanne hit in 2004. she took out a great haunted house, but the beer was flowing.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Actually, I cant agree more, so I guess we'll both get flamed!

Ive talked to others who cancel if they even mention "storm". They figure if they only get one vacation a year, it had better be perfect weather, or they will cancel and pick a latter time when chances are better for great weather. I can understand that point of view too, because vacations arent cheap, and hard to plan, but I have to agree with you on this one.

I'm actually most interested in the decision making process, like is there a "certain sign" they look for.

 

[MariDisney]

I can't answer from experience because it hasn't ever happened (yet!). But, I would think that as long as the plane was going to take off in Philadelphia pointed in the general direction of Orlando, I'd be on it. I would only cancel if it were literally impossible for me to get there.

 

[HaleyB]

I was there during a hurricane in 1994. My family and I still did the parks, yet the day the eye arrived and hit, we were pretty much holed up at the Polynesian for the day. The next day, it was business as usual.

A hurricane will NEVER make me change my travel plans! It is my vacation, and I will make the best of it, regardless of the circumstances. ... That said, I guess I have opened myself up pretty wide for flaming.

No flames here, I agree with you 100%.

Life is uncertian, vacation first.

 

[Msslaydbug]

I have told my family if our plane from Denver takes off - we will be one it !!

So no cancelling here !!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am with all of you. For one thing, Orlando is not on the coast so its not like it will have storm surges. If anything, it seems as though people are flowing into the Orlando area evacuating from coastal areas. Secondly, Disney has well constructed resorts that can withstand hurricanes and tropical storms. They work very hard at successfully maintaining status quo during hurricanes. Parks might close but from what I have read here on the dis, not for more than one day. And last of all, we flew into Orlando on August 30, two weeks ago when Ernesto was passing over. It was so downgraded very few flights were cancelled and we had a smooth landing in heavy rain. If I had freaked out and cancelled, think how I would have felt. My feeling is if the planes are landing so will I!

P.S. I forgot to add that we were in WDW last October when Wilma was approaching. My cell phone continued to ring from friends and family who kept urging us to leave early (this was when it was in Mexico I believe) to avoid being killed by hurricane force winds and flooding. I knew that even if wanted to leave early, it was doubtful our airline could or would accomodate us to do so since this thing was still far away. We continued our vacation and you would have thought I was putting my whole family in huge jeopardy by the way people were wigging out back home. We got out of MCO, one of the last flights that night before Wilma passed over Orlando. Again, I am glad we didn't panic. I kept telling everyone, if our flight is cancelled, they'll get us on a later one and we'll find someplace to stay in Orlando if we need to. So two years in a row we have been fine and I have learned that when you go during hurricane season anything is possible but you have to take a wait and see attitude and not assume you automatically need to change plans just because one is approaching.

 

[rlovew]

We make reservations if a hurricane is coming- being from South Fl we had no power for a week after Wilma- spending time up at Disney with hot water and food was a blessing.

 

[chrissybear]

In 2004 I changed my plans for our 10th anniversary trip, DH and I, no kids. It was huricane Ivan. It was schedualed to hit WDW the day we were supposed to arrive, so we left NJ a day early. My thoughts were that I would rather be in WDW in a huricane than diverted to another airport in another state because MCO was closed. As it turned out, Ivan turned and didn't come near WDW, but the parks were empty. I love when the parks are empty! Would I do it again, you bet! In 2005 we were on the DVC member cruise and we had to be diverted from Port Canaveral to Port Everglades because of huricane Ophelia (I think). It was a huge inconvience, because our car was at Port Canaveral. It was a 3 hour bus ride, and the airconditioning unit was leaking on a few passengers. It did not ruin my vacation, I will take any port in a storm. Again the parks were empty. If it weren't for the kids being in school, I would go every Sept.

 

[laceemouse]

Hurricanes are too unpredictable. Even if it is headed for Florida it may turn. Even if it is cat 5 it may downgrade and just be rain. I think folks just over-panic about EVERYTHING.....Should I cancel my trip if it's....
too hot!
too cold!
too crowded!
there may be bugs!
there are aligators on property!
someone else had a bad experience!

It is all so crazy to me !!!

 

[TiggerAllie]

We were scheduled to leave for MCO when Wilma was pounding Cancun. My biggest concern was the airplane--that our flights (at least in) would get cancelled. We arrived no problem. Wilma was just a "bad thunderstorm" by the time it reached Disney-- it arrived around 7PM and the parks were closed until 1 PM the following day (though they only opened for resort guests that day).

Disney does a really good job during hurricanes, and I think they are really prepared (esp with keeping power). Hurricanes are so unpredictable; it's hard to know enough in advance to cancel your trip. We were staying at CSR during the storm--in retrospect, I would have preferred something that had a interior hallways and a single building (WL, AKL, or a room in the main area of CR/GF), because then we could have walked over for food and characters even when it was still raining/windy. Otherwise, you get a bit of the holed-up-in-the room issues. Fortunately, we just slept in, and it was all over. And the parks were totally empty (if a bit filled with debris) the next day. But the weather turned COLD after the storm passed (30 degree swing)--be prepared for that!

 

[shyjade]

A day stranded in a Disney hotel because of a hurricane is still better than a day here in Wisconsin at work! So as long as our (direct) flight can leave Milwaukee, we'll be on it - regardless of the forecast.

Now if I were flying to some remote tropical island and a hurricane was headed towards it, I'd definately rethink my plans. But for Disney, which isn't even on the coast? No way!!!

 

[Tinkerchele]

I can't answer from experience because it hasn't ever happened (yet!). But, I would think that as long as the plane was going to take off in Philadelphia pointed in the general direction of Orlando, I'd be on it. I would only cancel if it were literally impossible for me to get there.

Ditto here!

We were there during Wilma last year. And my rule was if there was absolutely no way for me to get there from Philly, then I guess I would cancel. I just wanted to get there. Wilma hit the 2nd day we were there and I couldn't have felt safer. Once the storm was over, the weather was beautiful (actually a little chilly!) and we had the best time ever! I would have been kicking myself if I decided not to go.

 

[Gabkatt]

Over the years we've been through several hurricanes around Florida and in Disney. We heard all the people saying we were crazy for going on vacation when a hurricane was expected to hit. I know hurricanes are very dangerous and should not be taken lightly, however, every hurricane that hit while we have been in Disney have lasted one day. We never lost power, CM's checked on everyone, food was available...and the biggest thing was the parks were open the next day and were empty the rest of the week!

We have a lot of family that live in Florida including my mom & step dad who live in Palm Beach. So on one hand I feel like we take advantage of the hurricane season. We go every Sept. and will be there next week, now I may get flamed for this, but the media hypes up the weather so much the parks will have less people next week because there is a hurricane in the Atlantic. Now most of us who watch the weather can clearly see it will not hit land, but people will change plans on just the possibility of bad weather. That works to our advantage.

I want to clarify, I AM NOT SAYING I HOPE FOR HURRICANES SO MY FAMILY CAN HAVE DISNEY TO OURSELVES!!! I pray the current hurricane weakens and I pray for the people in Bermuda, this will be the 3rd hurricane of the season that will make a direct hit.

Two things I am saying:
1.) The media hypes these hurricanes in many instances way out of proportion. People need to be warned and kept up on the tracking and evacuation alerts in the areas that are truely in danger, but that last tropical storm a few weeks ago, it was like the weather channel needed something sensational to make people watch. My mom in Palm Beach said listening to the news you would have thought it was going to be a 'category 5' storm and nearly started a panic.
2.) Because of the fear of the unknown, people wont hear that the hurricane will not hit the U.S., but just that there is a hurricane. Some, not many, but some will change plans. I have to say we have noticed a difference in the crowds when a hurricane is in the Atlantic.

So IMHO, go and enjoy! In central Florida I would only be concerned with a direct hit by a category 3 or higher. Sorry for all the rambling... I just know this can be touchy because many people have lost family, property and economic hardship because of the increased hurricane activity over the last few years.

 

[HopperFan]

We are driving, so no cancel for me. My So FL friends actually evacuate to WDW. It is inland, so you are pretty safe, just the heavy storm issues. But I am taking flashlights, some extra beach towels (heard sometimes doors can leak, snacks and bottled water, battery charger for DVD player and ipods making sure they are charging all the time, phone card in case cell doesn't work...umbrella and heavy poncho that I wouldn't normally use...maybe my rechargable lamp. I can always leave in car, and if one is coming...bring it in.

My DBro actually has packed his family up and headed down when he hears one is coming close - he says the parks are always empty and they have a great time. We are not nuts, and do understand the power of the storm. My DM is out of her So FL condo for 18 mos waiting for the Wilma damage to be repaired. But she is on the ocean.......WDW is in the center of the State.......and regardless of weather report, we are heading south to the Mouse.

 

[KennySC]

My only concern is my arrival day. Normally we drive but this year we're arriving on Sept 30 via Delta. If Delta files I'll be there and not worry about any other day.

Not that i'd ever want to be a Disney during at storm but i read trip reports of people that were and they have memories that will last a life time. There can be a sliver lining...

 

[Quinn222]

I board up the house, pack the car and head for Disney. It's our evacuation location.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

If we have a resort stay scheduled, we have to cancel. Chances are DH will be required to work (and I might be required to work). Ahhh the life of a public servant.

 

[northie]

I am not canceling unless I can't get there because the airport is closed. Disney is one of the safest places to be during a storm...they have their own generators, they are inland, their phone and electric lines are underground so they won't blow down, and if the storm will be bad enough, they will close the parks, and I know we will be safe at the resort. Rescheduling he trip would be a real problem and we would probably not get to go at all that year, and I'd rather lose a day or so in the parks than lose my whole vacation. But then, we are two adults....our kids are grown and very nearly grown...my youngest is 17...so we don't have to worry about taking small children out in inclement weather either; we are hardy adults. If I had small children in tow I might feel differently!

However, knowing Wilma was on the way last year we did take a couple flashlights just in case and bought heavy duty rain ponchos (as opposed to the $1 store variety we usually take and throw away rather than try to fold up after using!) which we were very glad we had. The flashlights we didn't need, but it was nice to know if the lights went out we could at least see enough to find our way around.

Sara