Hurricane Dorian / WDW Theme Parks Discussion

[Bran Fox]

I'll have an interesting case in trying to get a refund potentially. I bought a ticket for a buddy of mine that live in the FL panhandle. The plan is we're gonna go Thurs 9/5 (he's driving down Wednesday), the storm will be way out of Orlando by then. But, if the some of the models are true and it gets in the gulf and hits FL panhandle, then he is stuck there and we;ll have to cancel. Would be interesting to see if they would give me a refund for that.

If your home has a hurricane warning, Disney policy is to allow a refund.

 

[Bran Fox]

I have been convinced by this thread to be safer rather than sorrier, and not rush down to Lake Buena Vista just to hang at the bar at Shula's for (potentially) days.

Wait until the 11am advisory tomorrow to make any big decisions.

 

[xWilliam]

So I am wondering....how many are coming in and weathering the storm and how many are cancelling and coming after? Cant decide best course of action.

I'd stay the course until airlines/Disney start giving free refunds. They may be doing so already but I haven't checked.

It's to early to count on anything. It is literally a gamble at this point.

 

[a11ie]

We start our drive down Saturday, the 7th. Will arrive in FL sometime on the 8th. I am, selfishly, so glad we're going to miss this hurricane but am also so sad for those of you planning to be there during this! I really hope something changes and you're all able to enjoy your vacations without any major problems!

 

[Lsdolphin]

I have been told that if the MNSSHP is cancelled due to Dorian on Monday nite Disney “will work with guests to try and change their tickets to another night or event” “they want people to be safe and also not to lose their money due to a party being cancelled” however guests will need to initiate contact with Disney in order to change their ticket or request a refund this will not just happen automatically. The CM did mention that a park closure would be possible if weather conditions warrant such. He also said the Gov. has already announced a State of Emergency although they still don’t know the exact path of storm. Finally, I was told I could speak with a CM who could help change or cancel Party right now or I could wait til day of party.

 

[jenga1030]

I was scheduled to be down for a solo F&W trip Monday through Saturday. I was able to change it to next Sunday through Friday! I was surprised I was still able to get a passholder rate. And I made my new FP today easily too. I feel so much better now!

 

[LeiaIsAPrincess2]

I'm scheduled to fly in on Tuesday morning, if Dorian hits on Monday as currently expected how long is the airport usually closed? Wondering if I'll be delayed or canceled. (And I know it's still all up in the air!)

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Can’t even answer that. If there is damage to the airport, it could be days.

 

[matt101980]

I’m thinking I’m going to try to change or cancel. I’m scheduled to arrive Friday. Hoping they let me since it’s a day before.

 

[kynleighsmommy]

We are scheduled to fly in from Dallas at 11pm on Saturday airport hotel it, and then Magic Express it to Disney Sunday morning for the week. Now we are so back and forth on what the heck to do. Last report I saw actually had it across WDW as a CAT 1. Debating if we fly in and hope for the best, postpone till Tuesday and leave out Sunday, or try to rebook for a later date. Originally set to stay in the Bungalows at the Polynesian, but Disney already said they would be changing that because of the winds lol. Friends had me watching Tom Terry and he was saying it may be in the Gulf by Tuesday, and it passed by PR pretty fast today maybe it won't be so bad. Keep in mind Texas is big so when we get stuff it takes forever to leave the state.

 

[kynleighsmommy]

I'd stay the course until airlines/Disney start giving free refunds. They may be doing so already but I haven't checked.

It's to early to count on anything. It is literally a gamble at this point.

Southwest issued free changes this morning, nothing from Disney yet

 

[kynleighsmommy]

Wait for the 11am advisory tomorrow and also to see if any hurricane warnings are issued for the area. If the track takes this storm into land as a Cat 3, and you have the ability to reschedule, you should.

11pm update has it hitting as a 3, but coming in to Orlando as a strong 1. So what is your opinion on that?

 

[FoxC63]

Reluctantly, creating a thread on the topic so the mods can update the title and Post #1 if and when needed.

Accurate information and a clear plan can be helpful when faced with the uncertainty and anxiety tropical systems tend to create, particularly when travel plans are involved.

Thanks everyone.

Just to confirm this thread, Post #1 will be updated when the storm rolls in. We're here in Universal and will be checking in WL Sept 1-4th. Party on Aug 30th & Sept 2. Thank you.

 

[Mollymovacca]

Flying in with SW on Saturday night... was able to call this morning and move to the next flight up! Will be arriving two hours earlier now!
We are coming and gonna hope for the best!
Going to take advantage of SW 2 free bags pp and bring an extra suitcase or two with extra snacks, batteries and non park clothes just in case!!
Fingers crossed for all of us coming this weekend!!

 

[FoxC63]

My thoughts are with of you heading this way. Take care.

 

[carolinejax]

We are supposed to be coming in Saturday through Monday from Jacksonville staying at the Boardwalk using DVC points we rented from another owner. They told me that they can’t cancel, that it was too late. When I told them the DVC hurricane policy regarding getting points back or rescheduling they said there was no guarantees we can get another date. I told them we are flexible since we are passholders and live close. Not sure what we should do at this point. I have 3 kids including a baby and hate to throw away all the money we paid for that resort. Has anyone had success postponing a DVC rental? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[one_cat]

We are supposed to be coming in Saturday through Monday from Jacksonville staying at the Boardwalk using DVC points we rented from another owner. They told me that they can’t cancel, that it was too late. When I told them the DVC hurricane policy regarding getting points back or rescheduling they said there was no guarantees we can get another date. I told them we are flexible since we are passholders and live close. Not sure what we should do at this point. I have 3 kids including a baby and hate to throw away all the money we paid for that resort. Has anyone had success postponing a DVC rental? Thanks so much for your help.

The actual owner should be willing to work with you to try to get the reservations changed - working with Disney. I would if I was renting the points. Of course there is no guarantee but at least he could make some phone calls.

 

[carolinejax]

The actual owner should be willing to work with you to try to get the reservations changed - working with Disney. I would if I was renting the points. Of course there is no guarantee but at least he could make some phone calls.

That’s what I was hoping. I am just looking out for the safety of my family. They suggested looking into travel insurance which doesn’t make sense to me. No one would ever give me a policy now and if they did I am sure hurricanes would be am exclusion. We aren’t asking for our money back, just a future date and we are very flexible

 

[xWilliam]

I'm scheduled to fly in on Tuesday morning, if Dorian hits on Monday as currently expected how long is the airport usually closed? Wondering if I'll be delayed or canceled. (And I know it's still all up in the air!)

When Irma hit (and I think Irma was already looking worse by the time it was this close) it was roughly 48 hours. Let's just hypothetically say it get up to the same magnitude, it looks like it will pass most of Florida by sunday/monday then the airport could be closed until mid wednesday at the latest.

Just to reiterate, this is all speculation and educated guesses with past experience and current data, and is by no means definitive.

Dorian looks to be less severe, so closures could be shorter in duration this time around

I just want to put this out there again after seeing so many people looking for hard answers.

YOU WILL NOT GET ONE.

I went through this two years ago with Irma, and was the reason I joined this board, look at my first posts. I was freaking out looking for answers as well. At one point the data had Irma turning out to open ocean and I thought all was relieved.

Stay calm, breathe, and just wait out the next few days. Make changes as you see fit with the data provided. no one here, not even NOAA is going to accurately predict the hurricane until it is basically ontop of them.

 

[xWilliam]

I'll Start posting daily forecast predictions for those who want the information. FYI NOAA uses many forecast models to make their predictions, with GFS and ECMWF being the two most widely respected models. Even then there is major variations in the two models currently, just to emphasize the fact that it is entirely a gamble right now on what is going to happen

Latest NOAA prediction