Hurricane Dorian / WDW Theme Parks Discussion

[row]

is anyone still going this weekend? we fly in tomorrow.

Yes, flying in on Sunday.

 

[smallsy]

Has anyone had to cancel and received help from a CM rescheduling FP or reservations? We worked so hard to get the FP we wanted and were even given some anytime FP when Disney cancelled our EMM event for Tuesday that will now be lost. I also have a droid res for DS and Oga’s for Friday that we will miss too.

 

[cwalczak94]

We are flying to Orlando on Friday and have two days near Universal before our Disney stay which starts Sunday. I’m from Chicago so I have never dealt with the aftermath of a hurricane or tropical storm. With how it looks as of right now, does it seem like Friday will be okay to fly out? Or should I look into changing my flight to Saturday?

 

[Jennasis]

The storm will most likely be a TD by then and no serious problem. The real issue is how much damage there will be in central florida.

Thats my concern. Power and gas availability.

 

[AngiTN]

If this is moving at 4-5 miles per hour and is 400-500 miles wide, it looks like tropical storm winds could show up Sunday night and not stop until Thursday or Friday. If it continues to head up the spine of Florida that slow, travel is going to be a nightmare.

If the winds stretched that far we'd be feeling them tonight, based on the distance on the map.

 

[MDM]

Week long golf trip with son is now in jeopardy. We were supposed to fly out tomorrow morning and tee off at 3:00pm. Don’t know what to do. Was at the Boardwalk when Hurricane Charlie came through.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Has anyone had to cancel and received help from a CM rescheduling FP or reservations? We worked so hard to get the FP we wanted and were even given some anytime FP when Disney cancelled our EMM event for Tuesday that will now be lost. I also have a droid res for DS and Oga’s for Friday that we will miss too.

I posted on the prior page on this. They can't get you a reservation or fastpass if none are available, but with many people cancelling their trips due to the storm, it opens up a lot of availability.

 

[ktlm]

Has anyone stayed on Walt Disney World Resort property during a hurricane in the past.

What's Disney's policy on AFTER the hurricane cancellations? Like if MCO is closed so your flight down gets canceled? Any clue what they will do for you, or are you just out the money for whatever days you don't make it?

This is the answer I am looking for as well.

Our reservation is booked for Tuesday-Tuesday, but if flights are cancelled and we don't arrive till wedneday will they still hold our reservation? Am I just out a day?

We were at Yacht Club during hurricane Matthew. WDW did a good job. Here is a little bit about our experience- and my thoughts/recommendations for if you will be there.

1. It is very hard to predict where exactly these are going to go and how hard they are going to hit. You really don't know until they are pretty much there. You should be prepared in advance. We watched it approach for days and watched the models change. Even as the parks were closed early and we sat in the lobby in the evening watching the news coverage of where it would hit overnight-- there was a lot of talk as to whether it would turn, hit direct- skirt the coast etc. I will say though that the models on this one seem a lot tighter than they were on Matthew and it certainly appears most likely to be aimed at Florida rather than turning north. I would not wait at all to get prepared for this one.

2. Everything was crazy in flux-- people were leaving early trying to get out before the storm. People were coming in with truckloads of things from the coast- coming to stay at WDW to get away from the storm. We heard complaints of people who were driving in from the coast-- and people trying to drive out before the storm that the gas station lines were huge and it was hard to find gas. WDW was putting up cast members in resort rooms so they could staff the resorts. The CMs we talked to were happy about this because they felt safer in the resort than at their home or apartment and figured WDW was more likely to get power restored or keep power on than at their homes as WDW has its own crews and would not have to wait for any local power company. As we were talking to people (guests and CMs) we learned that WDW was refunding nights for people leaving early from the storm. They also had a policy that if you could not get there because MCO was closed or flights were cancelled in the 3 or 4 days after the storm that they would refund the nights you missed. People were arriving a day or two late without issue- they were still getting their rooms etc. You also could cancel your whole trip without any penalty if you were within 7 days of the storm either way. People who were stuck there because their flights were cancelled were either getting to stay in their rooms due to cancellations-- or were being moved to other resorts where there were available rooms-- they were getting discounts on their additional nights. . WDW was really working hard to accommodate people with flight issues both ways either coming in- or getting out.

3. We prepared a couple of days in advance. We stocked the room with food and I bought games, playing cards, and a couple of learn to draw Disney character books and some drawing supplies from the Disney stores. If the shelves are empty- check again later- Disney was restocking as fast as they could. Expensive- but worth it if we wound up stuck in our room for a couple of days or more if our flight home was cancelled. I also had the foresight to make dining reservations at the resort restaurants-- I hated giving up some of my prized ADRs not knowing if the storm would really hit or if anything would be closed- but I wound up being really glad I did. This was my best decision and really helped us out on the day parks were closed. I made these a couple of days prior to the storm---as we were stuck at the resort- we had reservations when the restaurants re-opened- others who did not have ADRs were being turned away right and left. The restaurants were not fully staffed. If the restaurants are closed, you are out of luck-- but when they re-open, you are set if you have pre-made ADRs. At least for me, the ADRs were very easy to get a couple of days in advance which I believe was due to cancellations right and left of people changing plans. I wound up not needing our food supplies due to us being in club level and having ADRs--- otherwise I would have been VERY glad we had them. Also, if you are in a resort where your building is not connected to the lobby-- this is even more important. I would highly recommend being sure you have something in your room to eat well in advance in case you wind up getting stuck there or in case there are giant box meal lines that you don't want to deal with. Activities are a good idea as well.

4. We were in MK when it was announced they would close all parks at I think 5:00 p.m. and that they would be closed the next day. Within a few hours it was pouring rain. On the bright side- the parks were extremely empty that day because of people who had changed plans- left- not arrived etc. We moved over to DHS so we could be closer to the resort if it got bad- and stayed there until maybe 30 minutes to an hour before the park closed when the radar looked like some really heavy stuff would be moving in soon and we wanted to walk back to the resort before it hit.

5. The biggest issue at the resort for people was food for the day and a half things were shut down. We got very lucky and it did not impact us-- but it impacted a ton of people. All restaurants shut down at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 , but did re-open the next day-- I want to say it was at lunch. The problem was that they had a reduced staff and were not at full capacity and further even if they had been at full capacity could not have serviced everyone at the resort. WDW did boxed meals the night of the closures and all the next day- they did a really good job-- but the lines were HUGE because everyone was stuck at the resort. Also, if you have picky eaters, it was not like there were many choices. It was pre-made sandwiches and chips. Also, I heard a lot of people complaining about how expensive they were for what was in them- I can't remember the price. I'm not sure when the QS at BC re-opened-- but it was servicing 2 resorts (BC and YC) full of people stuck at the resort so you can imagine the food lines-- the boxes remained available. This is why I highly recommend that you stock up with food in advance. There were lots of miserable people in long lines trying to get food. We got EXTREMELY lucky- in part because I had thought to book ADRs at the resort in case things were open, and in part because we had gotten a discount and booked club level. As far as club level-- we did not know what to expect or whether it would be completely shut down-- but it operated mostly as usual-- not as many food options or choices, but enough that you definitely would not go hungry if you did not go stand in the long box meal line.

6. After leaving the parks, we got back to the resort where I had made a Beaches and Cream reservation for either 5:45 or 6:00 p.m. I had heard that all the resort restaurants were closing at I think it was 6:30 so I immediately went and checked to see if we could get in early or if our reservation was still good. I was told my reservation was cancelled for 6:00 p.m. and we could not get in. I can't remember for certain, but it seems like DH had been a bit behind us and asked and they wound up letting us in. We either did that or just ate the club level food that night.

7. We did get a phone message/letter in our room telling us to stay in our room that evening and not come down to the lobby- however, we didn't see that letter/message. After we were lucky enough to eat with no hassles, we walked through the lobby and there were CMs all over (mostly lifeguards) playing games with the kids, and the bar was still open and partly staffed with hurricane reports playing. DD wanted to play games, so we stayed in the lobby all evening. She was playing and we were watching news/weather. There were not that many people down there - I'm sure because of the message and notes we did not know about. She had a great time, and a little later they had Chip and Dale visit and they switched out with Pluto. When we went back to the room to go to bed-- we saw the message to stay in the room- which explains why there weren't that many people in the lobby playing games. The CMs were fantastic and DD had an absolutely wonderful time. Several of them were college kids from other places and I'm sure they were nervous about the storm-- but you couldn't tell and they made the best of it.

8. We heard from others that if you were not at a resort where the lobby was connected to your room-- you were required to stay in your room that evening and all the next morning and that if you were found outside your room you were told to return to your room. Had I been in one of those resorts, I would have been very happy that I had bought some games, cards, drawing supplies etc. We were told the tvs played Disney movies all night and the next day. We experienced none of that first, hand so I can't say how accurate that was.

9. The storm luckily turned north and skirted the coast with the worst part of the storm hitting overnight while we were asleep. The next morning there were branches all over outside and still strong winds. We could see from our room where some shingles had pulled off the YC roof. All in all, the damage was not bad at all. By late morning/early afternoon we saw those same wonderful lifeguards that DD had played with all evening before all out in carts picking up branches, cleaning stuff out of the pool etc. trying to get it ready to reopen the next day.

10. We were not allowed to go outside at all the next morning. The winds were still pretty high. We had breakfast in club level and met some people that only live a few miles from us at home in Oklahoma. WDW does not understand that in Oklahoma, unless, you basically see a tornado moving straight towards you---people go stand outside to "watch" the weather. Our new friend had tried to escape a couple of times to just walk a little outside and see how bad the winds were and had been rounded up and sent back in the building. There were sustained winds still occurring, but nothing that was dangerous, and aside from the fact they continued for hours, nothing that we weren't used to at home. Although WDW kept saying it was dangerous winds (which we can have stronger winds that that at home when there isn't even a storm) I suspect WDW might have been more concerned with branches, shingles and other things that may have been on the ground creating a tripping hazard---- this could be a big problem if Dorian hits Florida hard and could result in people being cooped up in the resort longer than we were.

11. There were games and characters in the lobby all day for the kids. DH and I were incredibly bored, but DD had a great time. She preferred to be with the other kids instead of playing the games I had bought with us. We had ADRs for both lunch and dinner at the resort and the restaurants were open--- again not fully staffed and turning away everyone without ADRs. By afternoon they were letting people venture outside-- we went to Boardwalk to see what was going on for something to do since DH and I were bored and while the wind didn't seem that bad at first--- we were surprised at how the forces impacted us while we walked since it was sustained instead of gusts. Definitely would not have walked farther than we did. It was still a really strong wind. It made it kind of hard to walk. They had a couple of characters out over there and the gift shop was reopened. We had a wonderful dinner at Yachtsman and as we were there heard that DTD had re-opened for the evening. Not all the stores would be open, but some would. We went over there and found that Disney Quest was not only open (only to enter and play the games- no food; special activities etc), but all play on the video games was free. Again--- WDW did a really good job of trying to take care of the guests in a not so great situation. DD, once again, had a great time.

12. The next day it was beautiful weather, the parks were open, and the lines were short because so many people had left early or cancelled their trips. This storm may pack a significantly bigger punch-- but WDW will work really heard to clean things up and get operational again. You could pick up ADRs and FPs because so many people had cancelled. If yours get cancelled because things close down and you are wanting to try to rebook them for other days when you are still there, I would recommend trying to do that as soon as you find out they are cancelled and if you can't get them then, to just keep trying. Things were in in flux and changing all the time as peoples plans were basically all upended.

13. WDW will cancel all your dining reservations; MNSSHP etc. for the time the parks/restaurants are closed. You will not be charged no-show fees. CRT and MNSSHP were automatically credited back to my card. You can call and change your MNSSHP if you will be there long enough to catch another party. I did call a week after we got back (when the phone lines were shorter) just to make sure MNSSHP and CRT ere being refunded and it had already been taken care of- just told it might take a couple of weeks to show up because there were so many refunds being processed. We heard from others that if you were going to MNSSHP within a week either way of the storm and had to cancel your trip that you could call and get a refund.


Hope this helps give you an idea of what it was like and what you might be able to expect from WDW. They did their best for their guests and I'm sure they are well into preparations now since they have a lot of notice the storm is on its way. Everyone stay safe!!!!!

 

[Cluelyss]

is anyone still going this weekend? we fly in tomorrow.

Sadly, no, have been cancelling flights, room, dining, FPs all morning

 

[disneycountrygirl]

Has anyone had to cancel and received help from a CM rescheduling FP or reservations? We worked so hard to get the FP we wanted and were even given some anytime FP when Disney cancelled our EMM event for Tuesday that will now be lost. I also have a droid res for DS and Oga’s for Friday that we will miss too.

When Irma hit the day we were to land in Orlando for our WDW trip, we rescheduled for Dec. Disney honored our same price, same free dining, and then let us keep all our FPs as anytime FPs (and make new ones so we got 6 each day).

 

[rlk]

Has anyone had to cancel and received help from a CM rescheduling FP or reservations? We worked so hard to get the FP we wanted and were even given some anytime FP when Disney cancelled our EMM event for Tuesday that will now be lost. I also have a droid res for DS and Oga’s for Friday that we will miss too.

I don't think they can do anything about replacing your fast passes or reservations if there is no availability. I do think you might be able to have the anytime fast passes moved to your new reservation.

 

[smallsy]

I posted on the prior page on this. They can't get you a reservation or fastpass if none are available, but with many people cancelling their trips due to the storm, it opens up a lot of availability.

It opens up other dates in September sure but we can’t change our current dates due to work, so the next time we can take odd isn’t until end of October which is a much busier time.

 

[smallsy]

When Irma hit the day we were to land in Orlando for our WDW trip, we rescheduled for Dec. Disney honored our same price, same free dining, and then let us keep all our FPs (and make new ones so we got 6 each day).

That’s amazing!!! I’m sure as with all things Disney it depends on the CM and we should just consider it extra magic if it happens.

 

[Jesh]

I'm supposed to be flying in on September 4th (Wednesday) and leaving that Sunday. I was looking to change it to Setpember 11-15 but the Grand Floridian is showing almost no availability!! I am going to assume a lot of people are bumping up their trip by a week? I guess I'll decide what to do by Monday... anyone offer any insight into what most people are probably doing?

 

[disneycountrygirl]

FWIW, when we were sitting in your guys' exact shoes 2 years ago with Irma, going back and forth for days agonizing over, "Do we go or do we cancel?", we held ground with GOING (we didn't want to end up cancelling for what could have turned out to be nothing) until the last second when the hurricane was absolutely confirmed as heading right for Orlando barring some magical trick turn, and THEN we cancelled. Retrospectively, I was very glad we did.....not because of our safety. We would have been fine - everyone at the Disney hotels was just fine. I saw lots of video footage of the hurricane from people at the Disney hotels as it was happening. It was loud and rain came up under some people's exterior doors, but they were safe. They had food. They had water. It was fine. But it was the footage after that made me glad we rescheduled...….there was debris everywhere, and that just isn't magical. Parks and rides were closed so that would have been an interruption. MCO was closed. Our flight ended up ultimately being cxld so we wouldn't have been able to get into Orlando anyway. And the December trip we ended up rescheduling to was so much better in so many ways. It was truly one of our most special trips ever. I was glad we rescheduled, even though initially it was such a disappointment.

 

[dburg30]

Heck I'm getting concerned about Next Saturday arrival.. Hoping MCO is still / back up and running. REALLY worried about getting groceries delivered / available.. Of course, WDW I would expect wont have a huge issue.. Was just wanting groceries.. But we'll work around all that!

 

[gwynne]

I'm supposed to be flying in on September 4th (Wednesday) and leaving that Sunday. I was looking to change it to Setpember 11-15 but the Grand Floridian is showing almost no availability!! I am going to assume a lot of people are bumping up their trip by a week? I guess I'll decide what to do by Monday... anyone offer any insight into what most people are probably doing?

If it were me, I'd rebook sooner rather than later.
It looks like there are quite a few resorts available for your dates. If my dates were firm and my first choice wasn't available, I'd change resorts.

 

[one_cat]

Damn this brings it closer to Orlando.

Few days out.

Let’s get this thing curving before it even gets to florida and out to sea

It’s not out of the possibility.

Hoping for the best. We don’t want it getting closer to the coast though as that is the worst case scenario for people living up there. We want it to completely curve before it hits Florida

Everybody who is in Orlando right now turn east and blow.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

If it hits right in line with Lake Okoochobee does it cause bad flooding surrounding the lake or is it to inland? Lots of models seem to have it right in line with it.

 

[Tink10]

Received a call from House of Blues this morning. We had tickets to the Gospel Brunch this Sunday and it's been canceled