Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[dawne98]

I'm trying to cancel my room at CSR for Thursday and Friday night. Been on hold FOREVER! I live an hour west so I'm not paying to be closer to this storm. Just FYI they just closed all government buildings for Friday. Like I said I'm an hour from Orlando and just got told I'm off on Friday.

i had to Giggle when I saw you say " I am not paying to be closer to a storm" that's what I don't understand why would anyone try to get in here sooner then later? It's going to be bad! Hope you family stays safe....

 

[CampbellzSoup]

You know the sign when you're driving out of Magic Kingdom that always says rooms available...I do wonder if they ever change it....

Anyway keep positive everyone - I feel like everyone will make it through ok!

 

[Alice777]

Sorry...I'm ignorant when it comes to hurricane since I live in Los Angeles and we have to worry about earthquake if anything.

How often does hurricane happen in WDW/Florida? When was the last time hurricane pass through WDW?

After this hurricane, how likely is it it'll happen again in early November? Knowing my husband (he is not going, just my son and I), he'll bug me to cancel once he hears about the hurricane....when he heard about the riot at the nightclub few month ago, he bugged me to cancel my November trip but I told him it wasn't happening!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I'm watching everybody and I'm really sorry you guys are going through this. I'm a really go with the flow kinda person. And I just hope everybody is safe above all else. I don't have any more vacations till next year and my friend just switched from Contemporary park view to GF. I'm hoping that this next one is better. Had to spend the night in an airport a few weeks ago. Stay safe and try to stay dry.

 

[Doug S]

The 5PM advisory is out and yet another shift west shows basically a landfall somewhere on the space coast. Looking worse and worse for the Orlando metro.

 

[anniemae]

We've decided to cancel and hope we can reschedule for the Christmas party in December. We have very sad kids in this house. And a sad mama too. Everyone heading down - please stay safe! We were totally okay with riding it out until the turn even further west today. It's a nasty storm!

Aw that stinks, but December is incredible at Disney and you can look forward to it for the next 2 months!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

How often does hurricane happen in WDW/Florida? When was the last time hurricane pass through WDW?

A hurricane, as opposed to a tropical storm? October 2005. I'm not sure it actually passed through but they thought it might. Parks closed for a day.

 

[Atilley]

I would like to say we were scheduled to leave Saturday (staying at the cabins). I was back and forth about do we stay or do we leave. I grew up on the coast of NC so I know how to ride out a hurricane. This morning I was told by the front desk that they would try to get us a room else where but that the cruise folks would get room priority and that we may end up with cots in the convention space. I was still willing to wait and see. How ever a couple hours ago ds asthma has started to flare (he is sometimes affected by weather) so that seals the deal for us we are heading out. Please all those who are questioning leaving, coming or staying take into account any medical conditions that may be affected by the barometric changes that happen with large storms.

All this to say there should be 7 cots available now if any one wants to claim them.

 

[ellie05]

Not bad customer service. They can't let you stay in a room if they don't have one available. I am sure if they had a cancellation they would but sounds like they don't yet. Not sure what night you are trying to add but I am sure since this storm was starting to be a problem this weekend, many went ahead and put rooms on hold - even taking those cancellations. It may be guests will release more by time you need it but I probably wouldn't take that chance and have a plan.



I think it depends on where you are. My folks are in Deerfield area beach and they booked hotel further in at Sawgrass. Most the barrier islands are being evacuated over a long stretch of east coast from S FL all the way to Georgia, not just owners but vacation folks too who have no where to go. Our place is on barrier, mandatory by 6 am. I would have been there but decided to not go south as this thing turned north. Most can't get too far with the gas situation so if I were down there I would be heading to Disney and I would have booked it early.

Honestly I don't really care if you agree or not saying to a costumer you are on your own is bad costumer service. We have been at other places when hurricanes might hit. You know what they said? We are sold out but don't worry we will take care of you. Only the dis would consider this acceptable lol. Plus there WILL be cancellations if they are obviously able to accommodate people from the campsites... not only have we been other hotels been accommodating they didn't even charged us for the extra night. I don't expect this but from Disney that is "supposed" to have outstanding costumer service not ok.

The storm isn't slated to really start impacting the Orlando area until later in the afternoon. I would suggest packing tonight and leaving Disney property before noon if you can, just because I expect traffic and the hotels to be quite hectic.

That is great we have plans tonight and Disney is not willing to refund us so no I don't think so.

That's what I was thinking. I know it sucks. But it would equally suck if someone had a room reserved and arrived to find out they let you have their room, by letting you extend your stay. I'm not sure what else they can do. The reservation booked months ago (for instance) shouldn't be the one out of luck any more than you should get their room. I think the problem here is compounded by the fact that they were already pretty dang full even before Matthew showed up. One would hope that maybe the cancellations countered the folks that had to stay but I guess not

They are obviously going to have cancellations as we have seen from a few disers. Of course it is an unfortunate situation for all parties involved. I would have never dream to tell my guest that. As a hotel we had contingency plans for every guest.

AGREE. Head to Universal as soon as you can and get inside the hotel. I would probably even avoid I-4 all together, likely to be crazy parking lot. Go to Disney Springs on past on Hotel Plaza Blvd, turn left on 535, turn right on Palm Parkway, it will run along I-4 and turn in to Turkey Lake. Stay on it. As you approach Universal look for right turn on Hollywood Way right at Calypso Bay and you will be right at hotels. We go this way all the time and it's very fast. And you pass a Walmart if you want to pick up anything.

We were planning leaving really early in the morning but that will obviously depends on what will happened.

 

[KayKayJS]

Sorry...I'm ignorant when it comes to hurricane since I live in Los Angeles and we have to worry about earthquake if anything.

How often does hurricane happen in WDW/Florida? When was the last time hurricane pass through WDW?

After this hurricane, how likely is it it'll happen again in early November? Knowing my husband (he is not going, just my son and I), he'll bug me to cancel once he hears about the hurricane....when he heard about the riot at the nightclub few month ago, he bugged me to cancel my November trip but I told him it wasn't happening!

The riot at the nightclub? Do you mean Pulse? The deadliest mass shooting in US history?

Sorry - that just extremely upset me as an Orlando resident.

 

[TwoMisfits]

The 5PM advisory is out and yet another shift west shows basically a landfall somewhere on the space coast. Looking worse and worse for the Orlando metro.

And now the loop looks even more likely - looks like that one model all week and Fox news were the dead on storm callers - wonder who they had working there that was calling it...

 

[HopperFan]

FOX 13 Tampa Bay t@FOX13News

BREAKING: Tampa Bay area now under a tropical storm watch. More to come... #HurricaneMatthew

This makes the Orlando area look more vulnerable if storm is expected to cross over.

 

[Alice777]

A hurricane, as opposed to a tropical storm? October 2005. I'm not sure it actually passed through but they thought it might. Parks closed for a day.

So it's not common happening (hurricane).

How bad does tropical storm get? Do they evacuate in very bad tropical storm?

 

[Irish_Mike]

That is great we have plans tonight and Disney is not willing to refund us so no I don't think so.

Obviously go about your plans tonight, enjoy your night, etc. But just know that you will want to have things ready.

Disney is, ultimately, in a lose-lose situation here. They need to clear people out of the resorts that are most likely to be impacted, have to deal with incoming arrivals, and also coordinate cancellations that are ongoing. I'm sorry that you feel it's bad customer service on their part, but we're talking about hundreds (at the very least) of guests are who being displaced From Wilderness. Getting them to safety and into rooms is ultimately going to be first priority.

 

[ckb_nc]

Sorry...I'm ignorant when it comes to hurricane since I live in Los Angeles and we have to worry about earthquake if anything.

How often does hurricane happen in WDW/Florida? When was the last time hurricane pass through WDW?

After this hurricane, how likely is it it'll happen again in early November? Knowing my husband (he is not going, just my son and I), he'll bug me to cancel once he hears about the hurricane....when he heard about the riot at the nightclub few month ago, he bugged me to cancel my November trip but I told him it wasn't happening!

Hurricane season actually can last into November but the reality is this rather late for a storm. Been a good stretch of years since WDW took a direct hit.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Our disney trip in 2004 was delayed due to a hurricane. We delayed our trip by a few days and arrived after the storm had left. One bonus- the parks were empty!

 

[ellie05]

Obviously go about your plans tonight, enjoy your night, etc. But just know that you will want to have things ready.

Disney is, ultimately, in a lose-lose situation here. They need to clear people out of the resorts that are most likely to be impacted, have to deal with incoming arrivals, and also coordinate cancellations that are ongoing. I'm sorry that you feel it's bad customer service on their part, but we're talking about hundreds (at the very least) of guests are who being displaced From Wilderness. Getting them to safety and into rooms is ultimately going to be first priority.

I live how it is not bad costumer service when they accommodate people in the campsites but people on hotel room too bad app sad that makes sense ...

 

[cel_disney]

We flew in from Manchester this morning and have had a really good day so far. BUT - it's REALLY hard to get information about what to expect the next two days from in the park! Thanks for all on this thread!!

Around 6:30 this morning just before take off, I read about dining reservations popping up. We are staying at Poly so I grabbed an Ohana breakfast on Friday just in case!

They told us at the front desk that they would keep us posted by text, flyer, and hotel room phone.

We brought glow sticks and bingo and will have fully charged electronics to keep us occupied for a few hours inside on Friday and a bunch of cereal...fingers crossed it doesn't come to much more than that!

 

[sabrecmc]

Not directly related to the parks, but here is the update from DCL...

Tropical Weather Update
October 5, 2016 – 4:30 p.m.

Based on the projected path of Hurricane Matthew, as well as its expected impact on the Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line is making the following adjustments to itineraries:

Disney Dream

• The October 3 sailing of the Disney Dream is being extended by one day, as Port Canaveral will not be available for the ship’s scheduled arrival on Friday, October 7. We are now planning to disembark in Port Canaveral on Saturday, October 8, once the Coast Guard has determined that the port is safe for cruise ship operations. We are working with the guests onboard to assist them with their travel arrangements.
• The October 7 sailing of the Disney Dream from Port Canaveral is being cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for cruise bookings. Guests are invited to call us at 1-866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032 beginning Monday, Oct. 10, to book a future cruise at a discount.

Disney Magic

• The October 7 sailing of the Disney Magic from New York is being changed to a Canadian itinerary, with plans to visit Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. Guests who remain on this revised itinerary will receive an onboard credit. Guests who would like to rebook a future sailing at a discount OR cancel their sailing for a full refund are invited to call us at 1-866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032.

Disney Fantasy

• The October 8 Disney Fantasy sailing from Port Canaveral to the eastern Caribbean is expected to sail as scheduled. We will continue to monitor the weather and make any necessary adjustments.

 

[HopperFan]

Angela Taylor WESH ‏@AngelaWESH 5 minutes ago

New model has #HurricaneMatthew making landfall along Brevard/Volusia co. coasts as Cat 4. Winds from 130 to 156 mph @WESH

If you look on a map that is about due east of Orlando.