Hurricane Irma?

[DLM1980]

all this Day 1 talk makes me wish that the DIS had a "Charter Member" badge like the Disney Visa, but sadly I wouldn't have that, just like my Disney Visa. I wanna be Charter Member for something darn it!

 

[peteykirch]

Planes landing and taking off are way different than walking around a theme park. There is going to be wind as the storm moves in and they are going to want to give themselves as much time as reasonably possible to get planes off the ground and secure anything on the ground.

I feel bad for the people who got screwed for having a 5:05pm flight. GF and I tried to get an earlier flight than ours at 5:55pm but couldn't. Even to any of the 3 major airports in the NJ/NY area

 

[winniepoohthe]

Edited to remove. Sorry. Realized I was responding to a Day 1 account. Don't feed the trolls.

Everyone starts as a Day 1 account; I'm just suggesting people need to think about this critically. I had to cancel my trip due to Irma like many other people.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

all this Day 1 talk makes me wish that the DIS had a "Charter Member" badge like the Disney Visa, but sadly I wouldn't have that, just like my Disney Visa. I wanna be Charter Member for something darn it!

I was for D23! Then my membership lapsed (during the 12 mo period when my mother was diagnosed with dementia and then both of my parents passed away), and Disney refused to renew WITH charter member status.

I've chosen not to renew. I thought that stunk, under the circumstances.

 

[winniepoohthe]

I still think MCO was to quick to say they'll close at 5pm. Storm won't be over Central Florida until 9am Sunday. They could've kept it open until 8pm Saturday. Using rough math that's nearly 150 more flights they could've gotten out of Orlando.

If Disney thinks it'll be safe enough to walk around the parks until 9pm Saturday, MCO could've kept operations running until 8.

Saturday hours will be modified. This is from the Disney website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

"September 8, 2017
In anticipation of inclement weather, Walt Disney World Parks and Disney Springs will be closed Sunday, September 10 and Monday, September 11. We will be operating as planned Friday, September 8 and will have modified hours on Saturday, September 9."

Flying is far different, and subject to more turbulence, than walking on the ground.

 

[dreamseeker9]

Several have mentioned storing water. One thing I would be doing is figuring out how to store as much ice as possible. Ice will melt to drinking water and if the power goes out it's hot in Orlando and will be hot in those rooms. Refreshing ice and cold water will be a good thing.

How likely is it that the resorts would lose water? If not likely, you won't need a bathtub of water necessarily. I would buy bottled if I could and fill the tub with ice and drinks or water.

Civil engineer here who works on water and sewer systems... I did a bit of research. WDW utilities are run by the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It looks like WDW has separate storm and sanitary sewers - this is good because if there is flooding, the storm water will be draining in a separate pipe from the toilets. However, I recommend filling up bathtubs still because if utilities lose power or pump stations are flooded (which happened during Superstorm Sandy in NY/NJ), the drinking water may lose pressure or not be able to be treated. Granted, much of the Sandy flooding was due to storm surge, but it still could happen with a sudden intense amount of precipitation. Same with the wastewater treatment plants, even the sanitary sewers can become backed up if the plant is overloaded or the plant loses power. Most plants and pump stations do have backup generators, but not all, or something can go wrong with those as well.

The bathtub water isn't to drink, it's to flush the toilet if you can't manually flush it, or to wash yourselves or wash dishes.

Sorry it's such a long post, and I'm not trying to scare anyone, just presenting the facts of what could happen from a sanitary and water standpoint. Everyone in the path of this hurricane is in my thoughts and prayers, including my friends in Tampa and Orlando, and my parents who drove north but live in SW Florida.

 

[DLM1980]

I was for D23! Then my membership lapsed (during the 12 mo period when my mother was diagnosed with dementia and then both of my parents passed away), and Disney refused to renew WITH charter member status.

I've chosen not to renew. I thought that stunk, under the circumstances.

I did have the charter membership for that, but when it came time for renewal I thought the value wasn't there so I let it go, I always thumbed through the magazine and set it down to read it later, and when later came around 3 other issues were on top of it.

I did get a gift membership for xmas and asked if I could renew the charter membership but was told no too, so when the gift membership was done so was I

 

[peteykirch]

Saturday hours will be modified. This is from the Disney website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

"September 8, 2017
In anticipation of inclement weather, Walt Disney World Parks and Disney Springs will be closed Sunday, September 10 and Monday, September 11. We will be operating as planned Friday, September 8 and will have modified hours on Saturday, September 9."

Flying is far different, and subject to more turbulence, than walking on the ground.

Well duh, but every flight would be flying north away from the storm. If the hurricane tops out at 20mph a plane will quickly escape it.

 

[danikoski]

I feel bad for the people who got screwed for having a 5:05pm flight. GF and I tried to get an earlier flight than ours at 5:55pm but couldn't. Even to any of the 3 major airports in the NJ/NY area

That does suck. But it'd also suck to be on a plane trying to take off and getting hit with wind gusts. I was on a plane landing in a blizzard once and it was dicey and not an experience I'd care to go through again. Although, to be fair, I'm not sure I'd want to be stuck in a hurricane either, even at WDW. Lived through several tornadoes now, and they are never pleasant...can't imagine a hurricane.
Hopefully you and your GF can hunker down and stay safe. And here's hoping Irma loses her steam before hitting Orlando.

 

[Clockwork]

I wonder if things got really bad, would Disney email/call to tell us not to come in a week?

No I doubt it, the property would have to be severely damaged and if the storm does drop to a cat 2, while still a very dangerous storm, that is highly unlikely.

 

[Honeybee0317]

Again for a few hours to run errands and come back to skim through and catch up. Wow people, you'd think on a Disney forum people would be nicer to each other. Nasty is the theme here. Last year we had a Matthew thread that was such a big help, so much positive energy, people really supporting each other. My have things changed. My opinion is better than your opinion ... it's like children fighting. This thread is totally pointless, zero value, because most with the strongest opinions do not seem to be in Florida, are not going to Florida and have no interests in Florida so .......

... to those are are in Florida whether living or visiting, and those like myself who are not in Florida but left a home and family in harms way ... positive thoughts, good luck, take no risks and avoid negativity.






Obviously it is very hard for people to mind their own business, not judge or be insulting and stay focused on helping folks navigate their DISNEY reservations, what to expect in hotels etc. I don't blame you.

Take care of you and the kids, be safe.



This was what our Matthew thread was ALL about. Positive advice, what to expect, where there was food, what was happening on the ground. Clearly this thread is a dumpster fire created by folks not there or going there. Maybe start a new thread with a clear title and explanation of what kind of info to post. Drama not needed.






WOW ......... sorry but Irma and Harvey are completely different, FL and Houston are completely different and preparation by States are completely different. They absolutely can not be compared. Over 50" of rain in a place that had no where to drain compared to 10-18" (your numbers) of rain where there are places for it to drain are completely different.

Folks reading, get your info from the professionals on the ground, the Governor, the local authorities ...



ATL too. Just went for big grocery shop because my kitchen has been torn up a month and finally getting cooking hooked up tomorrow. I was shocked at the crowds, the empty water shelves and every register open. We were inquiring what in the world is wrong with people as our water should be fine. They said most were saying they had evacuated up to ATL to stay with people and were stocking up with as much water as they could carry for when they went back. They were also filling their gas tanks and extra gas containers to take back. Our stations have lines and some types of gas are gone.

We are having the same issues in Upstate, SC. So many evacuees up here stocking up. I went last night just to get a couple everyday things and it was crazy. Also, the news said local hotels are booked up.

 

[KateP85]

I am done with prep, and very anxious to put this behind me. It feels like I am waiting for surgery that keeps getting put off. Potentially deadly, potentially life changing, and guaranteed to be unpleasant at best. The fact that the track is supposedly going almost right over us now is just increasing the anxiety. Perhaps I will feel better when my evacuees get settled in so there are more of us facing it together.

I keep thinking about how I hope this time next week to be enjoying WDW. . .

I feel the same way; all the prep is done, and now we wait.

At one point I zoomed in on the NHC map, and that black line that predicts the hurricanes path literally went over my house. I was very happy when that shifted! The path looks like it will fall just to the west of us, which won't be any fun.

 

[KimBean]

Again for a few hours to run errands and come back to skim through and catch up. Wow people, you'd think on a Disney forum people would be nicer to each other. Nasty is the theme here. Last year we had a Matthew thread that was such a big help, so much positive energy, people really supporting each other. My have things changed. My opinion is better than your opinion ... it's like children fighting. This thread is totally pointless, zero value, because most with the strongest opinions do not seem to be in Florida, are not going to Florida and have no interests in Florida so .......

... to those are are in Florida whether living or visiting, and those like myself who are not in Florida but left a home and family in harms way ... positive thoughts, good luck, take no risks and avoid negativity.






Obviously it is very hard for people to mind their own business, not judge or be insulting and stay focused on helping folks navigate their DISNEY reservations, what to expect in hotels etc. I don't blame you.

Take care of you and the kids, be safe.



This was what our Matthew thread was ALL about. Positive advice, what to expect, where there was food, what was happening on the ground. Clearly this thread is a dumpster fire created by folks not there or going there. Maybe start a new thread with a clear title and explanation of what kind of info to post. Drama not needed.






WOW ......... sorry but Irma and Harvey are completely different, FL and Houston are completely different and preparation by States are completely different. They absolutely can not be compared. Over 50" of rain in a place that had no where to drain compared to 10-18" (your numbers) of rain where there are places for it to drain are completely different.

Folks reading, get your info from the professionals on the ground, the Governor, the local authorities ...



ATL too. Just went for big grocery shop because my kitchen has been torn up a month and finally getting cooking hooked up tomorrow. I was shocked at the crowds, the empty water shelves and every register open. We were inquiring what in the world is wrong with people as our water should be fine. They said most were saying they had evacuated up to ATL to stay with people and were stocking up with as much water as they could carry for when they went back. They were also filling their gas tanks and extra gas containers to take back. Our stations have lines and some types of gas are gone.

I think some people remember Opal in 95. I was here don't remember it. We were out of power for 5 days don't know about water. Local news is saying prep for 3 days no power no water. I think that is really worst case scenario. But I don't have anything so if I stock up now I'll be ready for whatever winter storm we get.

 

[ulcards99]

I thought I read no refunds on F&W events did the policy change?

Guest Services refunded my 3 Beverage Seminars yesterday. We were supposed to be there 9/9-9/16.

 

[sky13]

Where did you see that?

It's on the United website
https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx?Mobile=1#ExceptionPolicies

 

[1GoldenSun]

I live in Tampa. My family has done all we can to prepare, and now it feels strange just to sit and wait. I moved all my husband's stuff into my closet so we can turn his closet into a hurricane room if necessary, since it's the only downstairs, inner, windowless room in the house. I've got tons of water, and enough Spaghettios, Cliff bars, and fruit cups to feed an army. The freezer is full of gallon jugs of water and I've got my biggest cooler clean and ready. I've made a video of the house and all our possessions for insurance purposes. We brought the pool furniture and the plants into the garage. All the laundry is done. Valuables and sentimental items are protected. I'll fill all the sinks and tubs with water Sunday evening. The cars are full of gas. I have an emergency bag packed and in the car in case we have to leave for the local shelter. Irma is not supposed to be coming for two more days and I don't know what else to do! If you think of something I forgot let me know!

Of course I'm concerned for my family and my friends and neighbors, but I also feel bad for all whose Disney plans have been messed up. I know how much I treasure my vacations and I would be very upset if this happened to me. Of course people's lives and homes are more important than people's vacations, but vacations are important too.

I wish everyone at or coming to Disney the best (and safest) possible vacation under the circumstances, and for those who have had to postpone your trips, I hope it all works out for you and you eventually go and have a wonderful time. Disney is always worth the wait!

 

[Honeybee0317]

Are any of you guys still seeing your reservations for your resorts even after you or your TA canceled on MDE? Opened to cancel ADRs, and my resort/tickets are still there.

 

[DLM1980]

Are any of you guys still seeing your reservations for your resorts even after you or your TA canceled on MDE? Opened to cancel ADRs, and my resort/tickets are still there.

Disneys website is flakey at its best day. If a CM or TA told u it was cancelled it may still show up but will eventually fall off.

 

[Clockwork]

Yep, semantics was kind of the entire point. Employees are there to do the jobs they were hired to do. Equating that to "preventing loss of life" as if CMs are disaster response specialists is a bit overblown.

Actually they are not there to do the jobs they were hired to do many of them are working outside of their hired areas and are doing the best they can to help when they could simply stay home. Are they Dr.,firefighters or police, no but if there is a issue they will be the first person you go too. These employees will be stressed and tired, but the majority of them will smile,put aside their own issues to help with even the most trivial things that guests bring them. So no they aren't Dr.,fireman or police but if you need them, they will help. Remember if they decide to go home it's game over.

 

[MuppetFan418]

Civil engineer here who works on water and sewer systems...

Wow, it sounds like your job really STINKS...Sorry--I had to say it...