What happens at WDW when a hurricane comes to Florida?

[Pluto Region1]

I've never been to Florida and wondering what happens when a hurricane hits Florida. I am assuming that Orlando feels the impact of any hurricanes that hit the state, correct? I'm watching the weather channel and it appears that most of the eastern seaboard is being affected by rain caused by the coming hurricane.

How is WDW affected? I understand that there are some provisions for being able to reschedule your vacation if a hurricane is predicted for the time you are planning to be there, is that correct? How is that handled? What about the people who have paid for a 3 or 4 day vacation and are at the park one day when all the sudden a hurricane comes in... they can't cancel because they are already there.

Also, what goes on at WDW, do they close down? Do the animals get put in shelters, etc? I would think because of the winds driving the rain the park would not be able to have any rides open and that it would be pretty horrible to try and walk around the park in that.

[Fflewduur]

The relevant official disneyworld.com FAQ page doesn't appear to be loading properly this morning, but here's the tropical weather policy lifted from wdwnews.com:

Disney Announces Walt Disney World Resort Peace of Mind Tropical Weather Policy: Fees Waived for Cancellations as well as Re-bookings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Disney Destinations and Walt Disney Travel Co. have announced a new policy providing greater flexibility to modify or cancel Walt Disney World Resort advance reservations in the event of a hurricane warning -- and it represents a bit of financial sunshine.

During the 2006 hurricane season, in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or for the guest's place of residence within 7 days before the scheduled arrival date, the guest may call in advance to reschedule or cancel their Walt Disney Travel Co. Magic Your Way vacation package without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. This policy also applies to most Walt Disney World Resort room-only reservations booked directly with Disney, as well as reservations at Disney's Vero Beach Resort or Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in the event a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations.

When the guest reschedules, all deposited monies for rooms, park tickets, Disney dining plans and other Disney products and services will be applied toward the rescheduled vacation.

Guests who have purchased packages that include products and services provided by third party suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies, will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. Any discounts or free offers applicable to the original vacation will not apply to the rescheduled vacation. Disney cannot guarantee availability of similar accommodations for the new travel dates. This policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.

For a complete description of the policy, visit disneyworld.com.

"If a guest is impacted -- or is likely to be impacted -- by a hurricane, the last thing we want them to be worrying about is a Disney cancellation or change fee," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "With this policy, our guests don't have to worry about that."

In fact, the period from mid-August through September can be one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World Resort. With school bells ringing, it's after the height of the summer vacation season. That means shorter lines. It's also a time of special events, including Magical Beginnings events for families with preschoolers, the Tom Joyner Family Reunion hosted by popular radio and TV host Tom Joyner, the Night of Joy contemporary Christian music extravaganza, and the launch of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates.

StormReady distinction

Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort have been recognized by NOAA National Weather Service as StormReady communities, the only theme parks and resorts in the nation to achieve the distinction.

To be recognized as StormReady, a community must establish an emergency operations center, have multiple means to receive severe weather information, monitor weather conditions and issue alerts, promote the importance of public readiness through education efforts, and develop a formal hazardous weather plan which includes emergency exercises.

I seem to recall that last year the parks were actually closed for a day, but I don't think anyone was evacuated from Disney property...except for guests at the Vero Beach resort, who were bused torooms at WDW and (I think) given park passes.

I'd like to take this opportunity to complain once again about how <i>blowful</i> the official search function is for WDW---sure would be nice if they'd hand that off to Google, or find some way to produce truly relevant results.

[Pluto Region1]

The relevant official disneyworld.com FAQ page doesn't appear to be loading properly this morning, but here's the tropical weather policy lifted from wdwnews.com:

Thanks for posting that Fflewduur, but it looks like they don't have a policy for what happens if your vacation is already in progress and the hurricane comes in while you are there.... I suppose you are just SOL. Considering the fact that hurricane season is largely unpredictable (within say 4 days they can't tell if a pending hurricane is going to hit FLA. or going into the gulf or how strong it will be....) and considering how many people are flying in from all over the world and book way in advance, it does seem to be a bit of a crap shoot. One would never know if the particular week one books the vacation, a hurricane is going to be coming in. I guess one could just avoid hurricane season all together if they were worried.

Still, has anyone here ever been vacationing at the park when this has happened and what operations at the park are kept open or impacted and what about the animals at Animal Kingdom? Are they put into shelters?

I'd tried to do a UD search for this subject before posting, but the results were basically about members here who lived in an area where a hurricane was coming. I felt it best to start a specific thread for this topic so if anyone else is wondering and they did a search, this topic will now come up in the search.

[pinkrenata]

Well, I'll be in WDW a week from today and am starting to get anxious about the storms, if only for selfish reasons such as not wanting to miss firework displays and parades, as well as wanting to get a nice tan. I am hoping for at least a bit of sun. In any case, it will definitely be an experience.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Walt Disney World closed twice because of hurricanes, or at least, according to this.

I actually went to WDW in October 2004. With the exception of some trees, nothing looked damaged.

[Tony]

I was in the Florida Keys in September 1999 when they were expecting "Floyd" to slam into Florida as a monster category 4 hurricane. They closed down Disneyworld and millions of people evacuated Florida. The ones who were staying were cramming the supermarkets and hardware stores. It was really very scary for a tourist who didn't know anyone. The news channels were making it sound like Florida would be wiped off the map and were showing video from the devastating Hurricane Andrew.

Fortunately on the morning it was due to hit the Florida coast, the hurricane weakened before it made landfall and a lot of people and property were saved... (although that was not the case in the states further North!).

We visited Disneyworld just a couple of days after and we heard about the closure of Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground during the emergency, but I believe every other hotel was still open. As it was declared as a civil emergency, Disneyworld was closed down for the first time ever, but was certainly back to normal as soon as the situation cleared!

[castleinthesky]

I remember in 2004 that WDW was closed for Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. I'm not too sure about Hurricane Wilma, last year, though.

[Pluto Region1]

Walt Disney World closed twice because of hurricanes, or at least, according to this.

I actually went to WDW in October 2004. With the exception of some trees, nothing looked damaged.

Thanks for posting this link! The article DOES explain quite a lot about hotel comping etc if you read down towards the bottom of the page, although it is not clear if this is a "what if" or the actual policy. I hope they make some provisions for the animals, as many are not from hurricane-prone areas.

There is a Disney Podcast Network member named "Greg" who does the "Imagineering My Way" Podcast (and "Micecast"), who went to WDW on vacation this past week (and may still be there). I will post at his DPN page. If I get any additional information, I will post it here.

Have a good trip pinkrenata! Hopefully your trip is scheduled late enough to miss the rain from Ernesto.

[Disney-Fan]

Well, I'll be in WDW a week from today and am starting to get anxious about the storms, if only for selfish reasons such as not wanting to miss firework displays and parades, as well as wanting to get a nice tan. I am hoping for at least a bit of sun. In any case, it will definitely be an experience.

It was the same for me when I was there. You can't help avoiding those selfish reasons. I mean, imagine going to Disney World and not experiencing Fantasmic! or Illuminations. It's tragic! That's why that was the only time I didn't care that I worried for my own petty and stupid reasons.

[Pluto Region1]

It was the same for me when I was there. You can't help avoiding those selfish reasons. I mean, imagine going to Disney World and not experiencing Fantasmic! or Illuminations. It's tragic! That's why that was the only time I didn't care that I worried for my own petty and stupid reasons.

Some people might only get to go there once or twice in their entire life; and for some people having to fly in with a whole family, pay for a hotel, food etc. even if it is not the only time they've gone, its a very expensive trip. So when you think about it on that level, this doesn't seem all that selfish!

[MichaeLeah]

You have to remember that WDW is a long way from either cost. Therefore, it won't ever experience the worst potential effects of a hurricane. Furthermore, the WDW area isn't that big so there isn't a great probability it will get hit. They won't close the park unless they are absolutely certain they will get hit by the 'cane. I think there have been times when the park was closed a half-day because of a storm.

[bennyb98]

Thanks for the info, I too have wondered what would happen in the event of a Hurricane at WDW.

[Edge]

This is going back a bit, but generally I don't think WDW gets the hurricanes too badly.

If anything it's probably one of the safest places to be, but I was there in 1996 and there was a Hurricane coming in.

I don't think the park was closed or anything.

The park, was a whole, was designed for the wings, hard downfall and other acts of nature.

If a hurricane does hit, most likely the park probably wouldn't be closed for more than a day.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I mean, imagine going to Disney World and not experiencing Fantasmic! or Illuminations. It's tragic!

And some people would rather just ride Tower of Terror again or leave Epcot instead of wasting time on those bore-fests.

[castleinthesky]

You have to remember that WDW is a long way from either cost. Therefore, it won't ever experience the worst potential effects of a hurricane. Furthermore, the WDW area isn't that big so there isn't a great probability it will get hit. They won't close the park unless they are absolutely certain they will get hit by the 'cane. I think there have been times when the park was closed a half-day because of a storm.

I would have to disagree with that statement. A level 2 hurricane or more could cause MAJOR damage to WDW. Just because there is land between WDW and the ocean, dosn't add a huge buffer. A level 2 hurricane cane make it inland still as a level 2 hurricane. Imagine what a 3,4, or 5 could do if they came it at Tampa and when straight to WDW. It would cause catostrophic damage. Last year I got hit by Hurricane Wilma, which came in on the Eastern Side of Florida. I live on the Western Side, and we had plenty of damage. The year before I got hit by the eyes of both Frances and Jeanne, category threes. We had tons of damage, but there was still major damage inland, threw Okechobee to Bartow.

[Pluto Region1]

I would have to disagree with that statement. A level 2 hurricane or more could cause MAJOR damage to WDW. Just because there is land between WDW and the ocean, dosn't add a huge buffer. A level 2 hurricane cane make it inland still as a level 2 hurricane. Imagine what a 3,4, or 5 could do if they came it at Tampa and when straight to WDW. It would cause catostrophic damage.

I would think you would be right but what do I know, being a California native and never having lived anywhere else? I have a friend in S. Carolina who I talked to about Ernesto and he says most of the info about hurricanes coming in (at least where he is) is over-blown. He visits WDW about twice a year and went in between hurricanes last year but says he never seen any damage. On the other hand, I was listening to an older episode of Meandering Mouse podcast and the guy who does that Podcast, "Jeff from Houston" was visiting the park earlier this year and saw hurricane damage to the trees. I would imagine that the park's buildings were built to sustain a certain amount of wind damage but I think you would be right, there is only so much they can do and mature trees can't really be replace everytime a hurricane comes through. also they can't do anything about driving rains or if a hurricane is a slow-mover and hovers over the park, which could really create a lot of damage. I think basically it is a matter of what are the odds that WDW is going to sustain a direct hit from a hurricane? It is probably slim - after a hurricane hits FLA we rarely hear anything on the news about WDW, it leads me to think that they are not getting any damage, but who knows. This question best left to Floridians like yourself.

[musicradio77]

I was in the Florida Keys in September 1999 when they were expecting "Floyd" to slam into Florida as a monster category 4 hurricane. They closed down Disneyworld and millions of people evacuated Florida.

I remember Hurricane Floyd 7 years ago where they tried to hit florida. All theme parks are closed due to the hurricane. But I do remember Floyd where they were heading northwhere they tried to hit parts of New York City. I remember that time.