Hurricane Irma?

[DisneyMom93]

October should be fine...that gives Florida almost 3 weeks to return to semi-normal. Just speaking from experience here thanks to Hurricane Harvey and the first week after was HELL. Have a great vacation.

Someone posted this on the Confirmed thread:

I see it says you MAY be confined to your room. I'm guessing that applies to rooms not connected to lobbies, like Pop and Port Orleans, etc.

 

[HappyMommy2]

This is untrue. We stayed at AKL during Matthew and were free to roam about the interior of the hotel at any time. We were even able to take the covered walkway by the pool to the Mara to get food. The lockdown for Deluxe resorts during Matthew applied to staying at the resort, not staying in the room itself.

It was apparently different for Matthew. For Charley, all guests were definitely told to stay in the rooms. I remember clearly because we had young kids and it was very, very hard to keep them occupied and away from the balcony glass door.

 

[Tonyz]

One thing I realize reading all this is if I had to get stuck at DW during a hurricane I'd want to be at a resort that has the lobby attached to the rooms. At least you could leave your room and still be indoors.

So true! I can basically do anything I want here at AKL.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I've been "preaching" that since Tuesday/Wednesday...when there was still time for incoming guests to cancel. We're in the Houston area also, small town to the west, and EVERY word you said was absolutely true. Florida will be under extreme stress for weeks...please, please don't add to the burden.

I agree, I don't think anyone should be willingly traveling into the storm.

I disagree about staying away for weeks. Houston and Disney World are very very different. There is a good chance Disney could be up and running VERY swiftly. Florida LIVES on tourism dollars. Any Floridian should want people to be putting money into the state following the storm.

I have family who live on an island in SC that was devastated by Matthew. They were happy to see tourists returning in the weeks following. Before tourists came back it was an awful, depressing, empty feeling. Cleanup takes a long time, yes. But businesses NEEDED the tourists to come back. There was a hopefulness and light at the end of the tunnel as soon as people started coming back. Any area that lives and breathes on tourism needs to bounce back quickly from an economic perspective. The more money that comes in, the better.

I am not looking to get into an argument, just looking at it from the perspective of someone whose family was directly by last year's hurricane in an area that relies on tourism.

 

[Disneylvr]

One thing I realize reading all this is if I had to get stuck at DW during a hurricane I'd want to be at a resort that has the lobby attached to the rooms. At least you could leave your room and still be indoors.

That's one of the reasons I canceled on Wednesday morning. I was going to potentially be in my room for 48 hours alone at All Star Movies.

 

[Tonyz]

During Matthew we were allowed to leave our room at AKL any time we wanted. The lockdown was to stay at the resort rather than stay in the room.

Yeah every cast member I've talked to has said that. All dining will be open too.

 

[Tonyz]

This is untrue. We stayed at AKL during Matthew and were free to roam about the interior of the hotel at any time. We were even able to take the covered walkway by the pool to the Mara to get food. The lockdown for Deluxe resorts during Matthew applied to staying at the resort, not staying in the room itself.

I was told that I might even be able to go to Sanaa as well with the shuttle.

 

[DisneyMom93]

So true! I can basically do anything I want here at AKL.

Anything?

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one. I forget that overseas visitors usually stay weeks at a time, and I don't know what the international flights were looking like last week. They still had plenty of time to stock on good food and water.

I saw on the news that an Indiana family actually left Thursday night to drive to Disneyworld. Into the storm. I just don't understand the logic on that one, and I'm wondering if they will even be able to get enough gas along the route to finish their trip.

These people live in my city. Not real bright. IMO. We all go on fall break for 2 weeks the beginning of October to boot.

 

[Dismama2boys]

I agree, I don't think anyone should be willingly traveling into the storm.

I disagree about staying away for weeks. Houston and Disney World are very very different. There is a good chance Disney could be up and running VERY swiftly. Florida LIVES on tourism dollars. Any Floridian should want people to be putting money into the state following the storm.

I have family who live on an island in SC that was devastated by Matthew. They were happy to see tourists returning in the weeks following. Before tourists came back it was an awful, depressing, empty feeling. Cleanup takes a long time, yes. But businesses NEEDED the tourists to come back. There was a hopefulness and light at the end of the tunnel as soon as people started coming back. Any area that lives and breathes on tourism needs to bounce back quickly from an economic perspective. The more money that comes in, the better.

I am not looking to get into an argument, just looking at it from the perspective of someone whose family was directly by last year's hurricane in an area that relies on tourism.

Sure, once basic infrastructure is restored. I think that's what the poster you are quoting and I are both saying.... at least, that's what I'm saying.

 

[momof2n2]

I agree, I don't think anyone should be willingly traveling into the storm.

I disagree about staying away for weeks. Houston and Disney World are very very different. There is a good chance Disney could be up and running VERY swiftly. Florida LIVES on tourism dollars. Any Floridian should want people to be putting money into the state following the storm.

I have family who live on an island in SC that was devastated by Matthew. They were happy to see tourists returning in the weeks following. Before tourists came back it was an awful, depressing, empty feeling. Cleanup takes a long time, yes. But businesses NEEDED the tourists to come back. There was a hopefulness and light at the end of the tunnel as soon as people started coming back. Any area that lives and breathes on tourism needs to bounce back quickly from an economic perspective. The more money that comes in, the better.

I am not looking to get into an argument, just looking at it from the perspective of someone whose family was directly by last year's hurricane in an area that relies on tourism.

Interesting perspective. We have a cruise booked for 2018 stopping in SXM and Puerto Rico. Right now I can't imagine going to SXM but I'm sure they will make prepping for tourism a focal point in rebuilding.

 

[jo-jo]

I see it says you MAY be confined to your room. I'm guessing that applies to rooms not connected to lobbies, like Pop and Port Orleans, etc.

I wonder if they did anything for resorts like Poly or GF, where you have a bunch of building with hallways, but not a lobby like AKL.

 

[Lehuaann]

I wonder if they did anything for resorts like Poly or GF, where you have a bunch of building with hallways, but not a lobby like AKL.

We were told to stay in our rooms.

 

[Farro]

Interesting perspective. We have a cruise booked for 2018 stopping in SXM and Puerto Rico. Right now I can't imagine going to SXM but I'm sure they will make prepping for tourism a focal point in rebuilding.

A cruise ship won't stop in the ports if they aren't ready. Some ports were out of commission for months after being hit by previous hurricanes.

Or, the cruise ship will stop and bring water, supplies, etc. - along with tourist dollars.

 

[dclpluto]

We are coming in October 1-7 and you or anyone on this board cannot tell me what to or not do. THIS IS MY VACATION...

Totally agree with you. I'm here now came in three days early because of the hurricane. Only disney can tell me not to come.

 

[ClareH37]

They're from the UK and have been in Orlando for a week now, they did not intentionally travel to Orlando knowing about Irma. Frequent UK travellers know the horror a hurricane can bring but some, mainly infrequent travellers, underestimate what may happen. I hope for everyone's sake this isn't as bad as the officials fear. Stay safe everyone.

 

[HappyMommy2]

During Matthew, people were not confined to their rooms in hotels with lobbies. The worst of Matthew came through overnight, which is what it looks like this one is going to do. I think we actually found a message on our voicemail to stay in our rooms for Thurs evening, but we only heard it after we had been in the lobby all evening with DD playing games with cast members and seeing characters. On Friday we roamed around between the YC and BC lobbies for a good part of the day, they had games and characters in both. If the worst of a storm came through during the daytime hours, I could see them having people stay in their rooms at least for a time. They would likely post CMs at the elevators. I think for a time in the morning we saw a CM by the elevator on our floor who was telling people as they got on to please stay inside the resort and not go outdoors. I think they had CMs stationed by the outside doors for part of the time. We could walk in the outdoor breezeway during YC and BC in the morning while the storm was still going on, but after the eye had passed and the winds were strong, but

Yeah every cast member I've talked to has said that. All dining will be open too.

This is just so surprising to me, that people want to walk around. Maybe Matthew wasn't so bad. It is darn scary in a real hurricane. We stayed at a nice hotel (not WDW) in a different hurricane and no one in their right mind wanted to leave their room at the height of it. The window in the lobby blew in, throwing glass everywhere. The power went out and someone foolish enough to use the elevator was stuck in it for a very long time. This was a cat 1 hurricane 30 miles inland. I just can't imagine cooking or dining in a restaurant or meeting characters during a hurricane.

 

[smallworldnh]

I agree, I don't think anyone should be willingly traveling into the storm.

I disagree about staying away for weeks. Houston and Disney World are very very different. There is a good chance Disney could be up and running VERY swiftly. Florida LIVES on tourism dollars. Any Floridian should want people to be putting money into the state following the storm.

I have family who live on an island in SC that was devastated by Matthew. They were happy to see tourists returning in the weeks following. Before tourists came back it was an awful, depressing, empty feeling. Cleanup takes a long time, yes. But businesses NEEDED the tourists to come back. There was a hopefulness and light at the end of the tunnel as soon as people started coming back. Any area that lives and breathes on tourism needs to bounce back quickly from an economic perspective. The more money that comes in, the better.

I am not looking to get into an argument, just looking at it from the perspective of someone whose family was directly by last year's hurricane in an area that relies on tourism.

I'm one of those who is worried about my upcoming trip on the the 24th. I have to say it's been on my mind if we should even bother going. I've considered rescheduling this trip but I guess I'll wait and see what, if any damage has incurred and what the cleanup will be like. I hope I don't sound selfish, I truly care about all of you who are there (along with everyone in Irma's path, of course) and hope that by some miracle, it changes for the better - even by a little bit. My managers mom lives in Tampa and she already flew her up here to get her out of harms way. The forecast for that area is getting worse by the hour! Prayers that you all stay safe and that this thing blows over quickly.

 

[2golftoday]

Our trip is booked for September 17-22 with the military discount. We also have the military salute tickets. We're now trying to decide whether to cancel and try to rebook or just hope for the best and carry on with our trip. I've spoken with several CMs and now there are no resorts available with the military discount from October thru December 19 when the offer ends.

Praying for everyone in Florida.

 

[Rachel Underwood]

If by "dirty side" you mean dangerous side, then the answer would normally be yes. the dangerous side is there the rotation has wind that is augmented by the forward motion of the storm. That is east side of a north moving hurricane. BUT, in this case the storm's energy is being slightly depleted over land while the west side is benefiting from the warm water. I would say both side roughly equal in impact with all things considered. Tornado threat will be greater over land on the SE side as it moves north away from Orlando.

What does Disney do with guests during tornado warnings?