Hurricane Irma?

[ellie05]

Has anyone had any success with Universal Orlando with cancelling or know of any experiences with Matthew. They have been pushing back on cancelling, etc and then disconnecting when I ask for clarification about the hurricane policy. Thanks!

They will refund you same as Disney. We end up leaving Disney during Matthew because they wouldn't accommodate us and our hotel in USO was more than happy to accommodate us or help us with anything we needed.

We got our HHN nights refunded as well as our park tickets without and issue at all.

 

[Interpol]

What exactly is your argument?

The employees working at the resorts during the hurricane will be responsible for keeping guests safe. Skeleton crew, management, whoever is working... Are you arguing semantics? I won't lump a resort employee in with firefighters and policeman if that's your issue. But it's still the resort employees' responsibility to keep guests safe. Yes, hurricane or not, but we are specifically discussing the hurricane situation.

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.

 

[DizMagic]

I'll share this again from our local weather guy. NO NEED TO PANIC OR SPREAD PANIC

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1702625443090184

That was a fantastic reporter. I wish our local news people were like that. They are "chicken littles".

 

[Rachel Underwood]

That was a fantastic reporter. I wish our local news people were like that. They are "chicken littles".

Amazing guy!

 

[yulilin3]

That was a fantastic reporter. I wish our local news people were like that. They are "chicken littles".

Amazing guy!

Which is why I keep sharing his posts.
He remains calm, gives you the facts, doesn't judge and doesn't panic. The fact that he is staying and all the other weather people are staying in Orlando, with their families should give you a good indication that although the storm will be strong and some damage and loss of power is expected, with the right preparations we will all be ok.

 

[anniebean]

Has anyone had any success with Universal Orlando with cancelling or know of any experiences with Matthew. They have been pushing back on cancelling, etc and then disconnecting when I ask for clarification about the hurricane policy. Thanks!

I canceled two days. Refunds take almost a month and $200 of it was non refundable. I got a package directly thru Universal and not a TA.

I called around 8:15-8:30pm est, and was only on hold around 10-15 minutes. Call volume seems to be outrageous during the day. Also called the Swalphin around 8pm to extend our Disney stay on same night and was only on hold for about 10-15 minutes.

 

[DisneyMom93]

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.

Well if the employees keep guests safe and prevent them from dying during a hurricane you call it whatever you want...

 

[AdvancedPlacement]

They will refund you same as Disney. We end up leaving Disney during Matthew because they wouldn't accommodate us and our hotel in USO was more than happy to accommodate us or help us with anything we needed.

We got our HHN nights refunded as well as our park tickets without and issue at all.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I got a really straight-shooting rep on the phone. He basically told me that they are holding out until a warning is issued to refund without a penalty. So if you try to call now, you will continue to be told it will be a $200 fee. He also mentioned that they have a stand-by crew that will be coming in in a secured building to take calls once a warning is issued so that the call center will not close. I was a little surprised and taken aback by a couple of the reps who I spoke to as they kind of responded with "How do you know a hurricane warning is going to be issued?" and "It's a beautiful day here and we suspect it will be on Tuesday when we reopen." It was very hard to stay nice on the phone, but I figured nothing would be accomplished to get snippy back. But boy I wanted to respond with "Oh come on, you have closed the part for two days, you don't think a hurricane is coming through?" I think I got spoiled with how easy it was with WDW to cancel (used the online chat function). First time trip for both by the way, so I am learning a lot about the companies. Thanks again!

 

[GOOFY D]

That was a fantastic reporter. I wish our local news people were like that. They are "chicken littles".

I am sure many would rather err on the side of caution. I would not label that as "chicken little." It is very dangerous to take a storm, particularly of this magnitude. lightly and that may be why they may sound overcautious.

 

[FastPasser.]

Employees are there to do the jobs they were hired to do.

Nothing to do with the discussion and it doesn't matter one bit, but just for general knowledge, the CMs that are on the "Ride Out Crew" are for the most part not doing the job they were hired to do. They are there to do anything asked of them.

 

[Rachel Underwood]

Spent over 10 hours on the phone with Disney and airlines. Disney was truly wonderful. I was able to rebook my room, free dining and top 2 FP for Sept 25th. With ever person I spoke with I made sure to empathize and let them know I am praying for their safety.

 

[AngiTN]

I do think that seeing Disney (and Universal) make their announcements regarding closings this far out shows that they learned something from Matthew. I'm hoping that bodes well for those in the resorts this weekend and they will have a better plan in place for food distribution, etc.

 

[mab2012]

I don't think anyone is judging those who are already there. If I was in your situation (leaving earlier in the week) I might have done exactly as you, because there was a lot less certainty in the forecast earlier in the week.

Have you been reading this thread from the start? Even earlier in the week, there was plenty of judgement going on. Granted, it's gotten worse. If I had made a choice two days ago to get on a plane into Orlando, I'm pretty sure I would feel as though all the "you're an idiot for flying towards a hurricane" and "you're so selfish for consuming local resources and forcing local employees to work" comments were directed squarely at me, whether that's how they were intended or not.

That's the problem with generalized judgements. They leave no space for individual circumstances or informed choices.

 

[kbelz78]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I got a really straight-shooting rep on the phone. He basically told me that they are holding out until a warning is issued to refund without a penalty. So if you try to call now, you will continue to be told it will be a $200 fee. He also mentioned that they have a stand-by crew that will be coming in in a secured building to take calls once a warning is issued so that the call center will not close. I was a little surprised and taken aback by a couple of the reps who I spoke to as they kind of responded with "How do you know a hurricane warning is going to be issued?" and "It's a beautiful day here and we suspect it will be on Tuesday when we reopen." It was very hard to stay nice on the phone, but I figured nothing would be accomplished to get snippy back. But boy I wanted to respond with "Oh come on, you have closed the part for two days, you don't think a hurricane is coming through?" I think I got spoiled with how easy it was with WDW to cancel (used the online chat function). First time trip for both by the way, so I am learning a lot about the companies. Thanks again!

Must depend on who you get. We were to be at WDW TODAY (MK specifically) - we made the call on TUESDAY to cancel our trip 9/7-9/12. We were 100% refunded with NO CANCELLATION FEE. I was shocked because that's not what their policies state. I thought maybe they were just waiving the fees without advertising that the were.

 

[AngiTN]

Nothing to do with the discussion and it doesn't matter one bit, but just for general knowledge, the CMs that are on the "Ride Out Crew" are for the most part not doing the job they were hired to do. They are there to do anything asked of them.

Which is why I saw life guards helping housekeeping. I think I saw more smiling faces on the staff during Matthew than I did during my trip 2 weeks ago. They were truly doing everything possible emulate the Disney way.

 

[bwifan]

Whatever cast member role is, they've been great this past week. Calm and competent. I'm stuck here for the duration and I'm sure everything will run like clockwork; even if the sandwiches are bad.

 

[SimonSez]

Will add them to my prayers!

Thanks spartankid34 and likewise

 

[goopysolelady]

Heard an interview a few moments ago on the Weather Channel with the mayor or Orlando. At this late date, he's asking tourist to just stay put. He referenced the sturdiness of the Disney resorts and the abilities of the CM's to entertain as long as possible and prepare their guests for the next 48-72 hours. Just a personal observation from me...if you're scheduled to arrive at DW Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday of next week, please consider re-scheduling. Florida's resources will be stretched to the limits and beyond...don't add to their burden.

 

[SL6827]

Just got back from Walmart. Had a few families, couples in front of me checking out from Tampa.

 

[HarperLeigh]

If you are going to be unhappy because I ask you to stay away don't read any further. I am providing hotel information for those who are or have family stuck on 75. If you are not stuck coming North and decide to come South please do not. Do not take a hotel room from someone who has had to leave everything behind and been on the road for several several several hours.

For those who are coming North and looking for a hotel. Using check in date of today and leaving Monday. I used Kennesaw State University and points North for my reference.

Beginning in Kennesaw there are hotels from there up to Rome on the Choice hotels website and most rooms are around $130-150.

Nothing for Hilton hotels.

Marriott had one in Kennesaw.

If you plan on leaving GA altogether head into VA. For right now they are outside the cone of possibility. You can take 40 East from 75 and then 81 north. You can even take 81 into WV. Avoid inland SC and NC as any of their evacuees will be headed that way.

Hope this helps someone.

Again-watch the National Hurricane Center website for any changes or wobbles. Your children will take their cues from you so stay calm.

Gov Scott recommended people looking for a hotel room use expedia.com/Florida. They are supposed to be updating in real time and should show available rooms.