Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[tink2020]

First, Orlando got lucky that Matthew decided to get caught up and not wobble west. This is not to say there are not some issues on the roads, at homes and businesses. One reason you won't see much damage at Disney is their top level of maintenance. Most folks are not trimming trees on a daily basis. There is a reason folks evacuate to Disney, including Orlando residents, the safety there if often better than their home. So what guests are seeing out their window ........ is not a real snapshot of the real world.




I think one reason for this is the lack of communication within the ranks. When CMs have to find out because another CM heard a manager who's friend works in communication ...... it's a game of telephone and a joke. THEY made a decision to do this very early yesterday potentially on Wednesday as many had already shared it with the exact message they got about closing time and Friday - but told on Wednesday. There was no official word until the afternoon. And many CMs will stick to the script, they will only tell you what they are told to tell you - so if it wasn't officially given to them, they wouldn't share it with you. SO it is HIGHLY possible that guests got a wide range of updates, answers etc. No one should assume just because someone told them, that everyone would have been told that same information .............. I mean call the Disney phone center............



I agree. And unless that curfew gets lifted tonight so that all those scheduled to work Saturday are ready to go ......... or Disney has made a deal with the law enforcement that a CM badge lets them through ......... they will need extra time to get ready to open.

At home, snow and ice emergencies can change, decrease in level, etc pretty quickly (and often). Here - and I'll admit, I am just assuming you live here or have - is it the same? Might they (meaning law endorcement/government) at 2pm say, essentially, "never mind!" ?

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I would say in ordinary circumstances, you are might be right. When a guest is thinking about a lot of things related to severe weather situation, they may not immediately think about doing that. I get why they may not have inspected the box.

Exactly. I had bags, kids, mugs, food....I was just trying to get everything back to the room in one piece as quickly as possible.

 

[DrunkJam]

I don't budget for extra night's accommodation. I can see it might be a problem.
I guess, given the emergency, I could put it on my card and claim it back on the insurance.
I imagine a lot of people don't have that option, and it can be a huge stress.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I will bet that Starbucks at Disney Springs sold out of Bistro Boxes quite early. They're quite tasty and only $5.99.

Disney gouged their guests on the emergency boxes, but nowadays..not surprised. It's what Disney does.

 

[tink2020]

Why did you not look in your box when your purchased? That would have been the first thing I would do.

Hindsight is 20/20, at least in our case. Having had countless box lunches at conventions, etc, I assume they're going to be like every other box lunch - which is to say, decent.

At least at SSR, a CM got the box from behind the register and bagged it as you checked out. I am not sure it was intuitive to check, though I wish we would have! I could've bought PB, jelly, and bread in arms reach while checking out.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Food court open at POFQ! (Despite what voicemail said..) no regular menu, but we got this breakfast box for $4.50.

All that for $4.50?? Im impressed actually! Thats a fair price for a meal like that. Good job POFQ. And i really do feel for those CM's. They work so hard to put those meals together.

 

[acciobrain]

We are at ASMu right now. It took my husband over 2 hours to get us boxed lunches last night. I have to say that we lucked out with them. They included ham and cheese sandwiches that were pretty thick (although like another poster, one was missing its sandwich and we didn't know until he got back to the room), large bags of kettle chips, a banana, AND the big surprise, Mickey rice crispie treats! In other news, I have been trying on and off for 2 hours to reach the front desk to ensure a reservation situation worked itself out in their system. We also got the message to not leave the room and that there will be no Mousekeeping but there may come a point where we need to go ask for more TP and tissues. I'll worry about it when it becomes a problem.

 

[jamieann]

Any news on resort offerings today? Fingers crossed for our 4:50 'Ohana reservation.

 

[dznygrl70]

I think this storm was a no win situation for Disney. Hurricanes are unpredictable. Disney was at the mercy of the experts, who didn't quite have it right. Going into this week most resorts were at capacity before the storm approached. They had to rehome Fort Wilderness, Treehouse guests, etc. They needed rooms. Then you had guests who had cancelled flights. They needed rooms. Then you had a bunch of locals who evacuated and wanted rooms.

Resorts are jammed. The storm has been talked about for days. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? The hurricane could have been horrible. Who would ever depend on a boxed lunch for their family in the first place? How could anyone complain about long waits on the phone, etc? CMs have families and homes as well.

Funny thing...Disney didn't have to waive anything! These guests booked during hurricane season. Tell me one business that people would be so demanding?

Now comes they real gouging...from the first world problem guests demanding for freebies. I hope Disney keeps a naughty list of these complainers so when they really have something to complain about it falls on deaf ears.

Well said! I am of a positive nature and I think it's best to try and make the best of every situation. These constant complainers are probably like that in EVERY aspect of their lives and there ARE WAY too many entitled people running around this world. And, hey, if a person doesn't like Disney World, DON'T GO! Simple as that. And I agree, we are responsible for our own safety. Wasn't Disney's problem. They handled it well by being proactive.

 

[DLM1980]

Time for French toast from yesterday's bounty platter

 

[ChipnDale79]

I think this storm was a no win situation for Disney. Hurricanes are unpredictable. Disney was at the mercy of the experts, who didn't quite have it right. Going into this week most resorts were at capacity before the storm approached. They had to rehome Fort Wilderness, Treehouse guests, etc. They needed rooms. Then you had guests who had cancelled flights. They needed rooms. Then you had a bunch of locals who evacuated and wanted rooms.

Resorts are jammed. The storm has been talked about for days. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? The hurricane could have been horrible. Who would ever depend on a boxed lunch for their family in the first place? How could anyone complain about long waits on the phone, etc? CMs have families and homes as well.

Funny thing...Disney didn't have to waive anything! These guests booked during hurricane season. Tell me one business that people would be so demanding?

Now comes they real gouging...from the first world problem guests demanding for freebies. I hope Disney keeps a naughty list of these complainers so when they really have something to complain about it falls on deaf ears.

I think overall Disney has done a great job in handling everything, of course I'm saying that from almost 600 miles away in NC, but it appears that way.

 

[HopperFan]

Curfews enacted in Orange, Seminole and Volsuia counties

Orange, Seminole and volusia are in effect until 7 am tomorrow

Flagler County curfews are 7 pm to 7 am AND all sales of alcohol have been suspended

St. Johns County curfew 8 pm to 6 am

 

[DebbieB]

I agree that Disney doesn't need to provide discounts for this sort of thing. Their "weather rate" I paid for the next 2 nights is far more than I paid for my previous 6 nights (discounted through TA) but I'm okay with that. Happy to have a room and not have to move. There was a woman next to me at concierge upset that she had to pay for her room for the next 2 nights...don't understand why anyone would think they could stay for free?!?

That's why you buy insurance. People think of insurance is for canceling the whole trip. It also covers if you have to stay longer, which could be an issue during hurricane season. It can also help if you get sick and have to stay longer.

 

[SaintsManiac]

You simply HAVE to make things the worst case scenario to get people to LISTEN. I was not going to leave New Orleans for Katrina until the weather man I respect the most said LEAVE OR YOU WILL DIE.

Hurricanes are unpredictable and no 2 are alike.

 

[robfamily]

Thanks for your post! Can you tell me how things are there now? My daughter is at there and I haven't reached her yet.

I actually just woke up. My kids are still asleep. Everything is pretty quiet. I can here wind, but nothing impressive. I have heard some foolish people walking around outside. Looks like we got very lucky.

 

[dburg30]

I think this storm was a no win situation for Disney. Hurricanes are unpredictable. Disney was at the mercy of the experts, who didn't quite have it right. Going into this week most resorts were at capacity before the storm approached. They had to rehome Fort Wilderness, Treehouse guests, etc. They needed rooms. Then you had guests who had cancelled flights. They needed rooms. Then you had a bunch of locals who evacuated and wanted rooms.

Resorts are jammed. The storm has been talked about for days. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? The hurricane could have been horrible. Who would ever depend on a boxed lunch for their family in the first place? How could anyone complain about long waits on the phone, etc? CMs have families and homes as well.

Funny thing...Disney didn't have to waive anything! These guests booked during hurricane season. Tell me one business that people would be so demanding?

Now comes they real gouging...from the first world problem guests demanding for freebies. I hope Disney keeps a naughty list of these complainers so when they really have something to complain about it falls on deaf ears.

For the last 3 or 4 days, they have had it skirting the coast.. The only real major path change has been that it is probably going to turn right and spare much of the NC coast.. So as far as the path and the strength, IMO they got it pretty darn good for an unpredictable storm.

I don't budget for extra night's accommodation. I can see it might be a problem.
I guess, given the emergency, I could put it on my card and claim it back on the insurance.
I imagine a lot of people don't have that option, and it can be a huge stress.

This is going to sound harsh, but if those people didnt have a plan b in place for unseen events, perhaps a vacation at WDW wasn't the wisest use of their finances? If they dont have a credit card for emergencies or dont have room on one for something unexpected?

 

[NanaDisney]

Yeah, kind of like when they said that the storm was going to loop!!!

The National Hurricane Service is still reporting that as a possibility. It's too early to tell.

 

[graciedad]

Why did you not look in your box when your purchased? That would have been the first thing I would do.

So unnecessary

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Any news on resort offerings today? Fingers crossed for our 4:50 'Ohana reservation.

We are at the Poly. I know yesterday, they were only honoring reservations from guests who were staying at that Resort (same for the contemporary and Chef Mickey's, etc..). They didn't want people traveling with the lock down/curfew. Maybe that will change today? As of now, none of the dining here at the Poly is open. Concierge did tell us last night they would feed all Poly guests wishing to eat when they opened back up today but it may be a limited menu.

 

[tinkerone]

However, I watched a food court that is used to being a relative ghost town churn out high quality food for 3 solid hours at a rate that they never see or have ever seen. I went late and they had run out of nothing.

I'm not there so I can only go on what I have seen posted and I have yet to see a picture of any food box that I would classify as high quality food. Two slices of plain white bread with a single slice of meat and a piece of processed cheese (no butter, mayo that I could see) is anything but quality. I would be super pissed if I was charged 12.99 for that when there are no other options available. I'm being told 'this is it', there are no choices. I get that the resorts are overwhelmed but saying people should have had the insight to be prepared with food could be turned around to WDW having the insight to be prepared with food. That to me makes more sense.
As to knowing and being prepared, well, its hard to stock up when you don't have a car and need to depend on WDW transportation. Not everyone drives in or rents.
You think its silly that people were not prepared, I think its silly that those meals are classified as high quality.
JMO, not right, not wrong.