Disney World prepares for Tropical Storm Fay

ltldeb

As Tropical Storm Fay approached Florida today, Walt Disney World Resort continued to operate normally, but will open its four theme parks an hour early, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, â€œto ensure our guests have opportunities to enjoy our parks and Downtown Disney offerings.â€

The resort also said it would not waive cancellation or change fees for pre-booked vacation packages unless Fay is upgraded to a hurricane.

The storm policy at Walt Disney Travel Co. allows such fees to be waived on â€œMagic Your Wayâ€ vacations only if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area or for a guestâ€™s home within seven days of the scheduled arrival, according to spokeswoman Jacquee Polak.

â€œWeâ€™re not quite at a hurricane warning yet,â€ Polak said in a phone interview this afternoon. â€œItâ€™s a tropical storm warning.â€

Disney posted details and FAQs on the policy on its website.

By contrast, many airlines are already allowing Florida-bound fliers to change their plans without fees or penalites.

â€”Jane Engle, assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor

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I hope all our members that live in FL and all our members that are visiting WDW right now stay safe.
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onecutemoose · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

Ah...a little rain and a nice breeze...always add to the vacation experience!

Honestly...a Disney Park always seems like one of the safest places to be in a weather event.

: )

Figmentathm · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:23 am Post subject:

GrumpDaddy is there this week and maybe can give us a report when he gets back.

My youngest son lives in Naples, FL and was planning a trip to the Keys today. I think that's on hold.
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WDWFan · Pilot Joined: Mar 01, 2006 Posts: 10863

Seems to me like the policy is clear enough, and that they are being nice enough opening early for the folks that might be impacted.

I can't see any fault with this...

jahosifatz · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:29 am Post subject:

I've worked at the parks during a few hurricanes. I remember the Utilidor near Fantasyland filling with water and the rats running out.

I think it was Hurricane Erin where they closed the park and the day was beautiful. They tried to call some of us into work, but no go. So there I was in my gangster costume (GMR) walking down Mickey Ave. with no one in sight.

GrumpyDaddy · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:48 am Post subject:

I was at WDW the week Fay came to town.

If Fay would have just come and left it wouldn't had been so bad. But she was like that
visiting relative that came and just wouldn't leave. Wink

The first day Fay was near Orlando there was a tornado watch out but we didn't
get one.

The first two days Fay did keep people away so if you were like us it worked out
with nice short lines. Very Happy

But after it appeared that Fay was there to stay people just came out then it was normal to long lines and you were standing in the rain. Rolling Eyes

All in all a good trip, even with Fay!!

Only thng I'm sure of is that Disney made a fortune selling ponchos that week.

ericpabear · Airport Utility Worker Joined: Nov 14, 2005 Posts: 200

http:Tropical Storm Fay and Disney World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN3wULf3UOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52k9nMGsBm0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGSPt3locdE

Figmentathm · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:34 am Post subject:

Crazy. I have to hand it to the cast members for sticking it out. The ones in the parade and the ones maintaining the route.

The show must go on...I guess.
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club33az · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

I'm going to WDW in October. I'm crossing everything I have two of that a hurricane won't come thru. I'm from the desert so I don't mind rain at all or a nice stiff wind.

But a hurricane is just not my bag, baby, yeah.

onecutemoose · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject:

We're doing a Septober trip...sort of placing bets on whether we'll get hit or not. Like you az, I'm from the desert--a little rain is welcome! Plus, even when it rains...it's still HOT down there!

: )

club33az · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:16 am Post subject:

Yeah, I'm really hoping it will cool down a little in October. But that's one thing I'm dreading. Confused

onecutemoose · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:

Therewasatime · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:16 am Post subject:

Either there is a massive lag from when that post was initially made or someone's new to the forums Very Happy

. If it's the later you could make your own topic somewhere, but I think you've got a little while to choose a Halloween costume.

I only noticed the post on this thread because I'm going to FL next week and saw "WDW preps for tropical storm" on the main page. Talk about a scare.

Ellory · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:47 pm Post subject:

The Halloween post has been removed.....spammers, don't ya know! Evil or Very Mad