Hurricane Ian - WDW Resorts Related Updates, Planning & Discussion

[homeboycartel]

The CMs are amazing and in great spirits.

I spoke to one last night about hurricane shifts. He said they are not forced to be here, and sign-ups start long before the season begins. Some can sign-up at the last minute, but are not guaranteed a shift. He was really excited to be here.

Chatted with one guy at GF. His home is in an evac area and got roomed here and is working whatever they need the next 2+ days.

 

[VAtink]

Well this is shocking, stormalong bay just opened. Guess we're going swimming instead!

 

[smile145]

Just to share info. At CR tower club, full food service still happening today so far and housekeeping also still happening.

 

[Lehuaann]

Well this is shocking, stormalong bay just opened. Guess we're going swimming instead!

I wouldn’t have expected that. Not sure if our pools are open. I guess all amenities are open until further notice.

 

[homeboycartel]

Well this is shocking, stormalong bay just opened. Guess we're going swimming instead!

Makes a wee bit of sense. Until lightning is in area

 

[Suz333]

So people with pets would have to stay at a shelter that allows pets? I think there are some but am not certain. I hope there is an option.

When I looked up information for Citrus County earlier this week, they listed 4 shelters: I think 2 general, one special needs, and one pets. I hope most counties have similar choices. Unfortunately, people often make decisions based on something they heard from a friend or neighbor and don’t look up official information for themselves, and maybe the neighbors info was out of date or pure speculation.

Florida has also been emphasizing to try to stay with friends or family for ALL evacuees as the 1st and best choice.

 

[Disney102015]

We are at the Poly now. Mickey and Pluto just visited the GCH. Pool is closed. There’s been zero communication - had to go wait in line at the front desk to find out anything like when the main building is closing, when we need to be in our rooms, etc. Haven’t heard anything about boxed food options but we did stock up from Instacart so we’ll be ok. Heading back to the GCH in a bit til it closes to let the kiddos stretch their legs as much as possible before we hunker down.

Editing to add: I was told the pool wasn’t opening but apparently people are swimming now!

 

[cakebaker]

Well this is shocking, stormalong bay just opened. Guess we're going swimming instead!

I was shocked too but my grandson will insist on swimming now. Note the windmill is strapped down.

 

[Familyof14]

as I was given no impression that they will be able to manage the next few days smoothly.

I feel incredibly lucky that we are not yet at WDW. Feel so bad for those that are, especially those that recently arrived to find the park closed for 2 or more days.

Question: We are scheduled to fly down there on Monday afternoon. I know that no one can predict the extent of what the damage will be to the resort, but for those that may have past experience, or just those that could put themselves in our shoes, would you still plan to go given all the issues already mentioned, above, on this thread?

Food and water being scarce (We have an Amazon Fresh cart ready to order, though there is no water available, and I am sure many items have now sold out. No telling when the grocery stores or Disney will be able to restock after the storm passes )

Fresh water issues in the rooms (We are staying at CSR in a Casita.)

A possibility of long term power issues.

Overpacked hotels and then getting the rooms cleaned for new guest (We were at Animal Kingdom last year at this time and because of Covid, there were already cleaning issue because lack of staff.)

Another thing I am concerned about is that our transportation could be cancelled for lack of gas for their vans.

Again, I know the future cannot be told today, and we will wait to see how bad a hit WDW gets, but just wondering what YOUR thoughts are?

Praying for safety for everyone effected by this storm!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I was shocked too but my grandson will insist on swimming now.

I'm surprised they haven't yet been lowering the levels of the pools at this point with all the rain forecasted. Back in 2004 with Frances, we certainly didn't have access to the pools while waiting it out - pools were emptied by a couple feet before the main storm. Likely they won't be open very long as the storm moves north. Can't imagine they still have chairs out by now.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Be smart and stay safe......

 

[Lehuaann]

CSR boxed lunch menu. Compared to the one posted earlier for GF, I’m guessing this is the moderate resort version.

The line for the boxes at El Mercado wraps around into the convention center.

 

[Kennywood]

• At least 11 Waffle House Stores have closed ahead of the hurricane.

Some hurricane watchers measure the storm with the Waffle House Index



PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Over the last several days, Waffle House, the restaurant famous for breakfast and always being open, has become a hot topic on social media.

Most versions of the reference go like this: “I’ll know Hurricane Ian will be an issue if The Waffle House closes.”

Waffle House officials caution that residents should pay close attention to their local leaders and evacuate based on those recommendations. However, the restaurant really has become shorthand at the highest levels of the American government for predicting how bad a disaster will be, or how much damage a disaster has done to a community.

The Waffle House Index became famous in weather circles after a FEMA administrator described it to the media in 2004.

“If you get there and the Waffle House is closed? That’s really bad,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

According to several media reports the index ranges from green, to yellow, to red. Yellow means the restaurants are on a limited menu and lack resources. Red means restaurants are closed.

Because Waffle House has a reputation for staying open through most serious weather events or reopening quickly, a closed restaurant is a sure sign that FEMA, The National Guard, and other responders need to get to the area as soon as possible.

While noting that it was Fugate and not Waffle House itself that created the index, officials with the company have embraced the situation.

“We’re pretty proud of the fact that it is something that is used,” said Njeri Boss, vice president of public relations, Waffle House, Inc. “More so because it is an outward showing of our commitment to the communities we serve.”

Anytime a hurricane heads to a location Waffle House serves, the company’s crisis response team springs into action, working with employees before the storm and helping them get back to work, if they can, after the disaster.

“We want to be there to support the community,” Boss said. That means feeding residents and first responders something more than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Boss added.

She added that when a Waffle House reopens it helps an area return to a “sense of normalcy.”

“It’s all about our community,” Boss said.

Source: https://wgno.com/news/nmw/some-hurricane-watchers-measure-the-storm-with-the-waffle-house-index-2/

 

[aggieamp]

Just spoke with the front desk about extending our room (for the 3rd time). We’re in a BCV 1BR. They said we could have a 1BR or Studio, but we couldn’t stay in our current room (doesn’t completely make sense to me, but ok). We decided to switch to a Studio to save money and thought, no big deal since we have breakfast/lunch/dinner reservations for the next 2 days at BC restaurants. The CM agreed, we’d be fine food wise, so no need to worry….

She just called me directly on my cell phone to apologize and say that the BCV building is locking down at 3 and we won’t be able to get to the restaurants or Market after that. So, I guess we will live on the Halloween candy, muffin, and half a sandwich we have left…this will be an interesting adventure!

*Update to this is that they didn’t close our building off until 9:00pm (understandably). So we were able to make our BnC for lunch and they had a to go buffet at Cape May for dinner. Now we have a fridge full of leftovers. With things changing so rapidly, what may have been a frustration earlier can be quickly resolved. Just a reminder to me to have my patient pants and not freak out right away.

 

[iona]

Well this is shocking, stormalong bay just opened. Guess we're going swimming instead!

Meanwhile at the BCV quiet pool they’ve just stacked up all the furniture. There are a few people (one family?) in the pool though.

 

[iona]

Just spoke with the front desk about extending our room (for the 3rd time). We’re in a BCV 1BR. They said we could have a 1BR or Studio, but we couldn’t stay in our current room (doesn’t completely make sense to me, but ok). We decided to switch to a Studio to save money and thought, no big deal since we have breakfast/lunch/dinner reservations for the next 2 days at BC restaurants. The CM agreed, we’d be fine food wise, so no need to worry….

She just called me directly on my cell phone to apologize and say that the BCV building is locking down at 3 and we won’t be able to get to the restaurants or Market after that. So, I guess we will live on the Halloween candy, muffin, and half a sandwich we have left…this will be an interesting adventure!

Hopefully you’ll be able to pick some bits up before 3

 

[cakebaker]

Meanwhile at the BCV quiet pool they’ve just stacked up all the furniture. There are a few people (one family?) in the pool though.

Chairs are stacked on the YC side, not the BC though. While it seems crazy, im
Glad they’re leaving it open as long as possible. There’s no danger right now, just light rain and wind.


Activities at the BC begin at noon/ they have not specified what those activities will be. I assume characters and games for the kids,

 

[aggieamp]

Hopefully you’ll be able to pick some bits up before 3

We’re going to switch to our new room and then go see what we can scavenge for. The Market was pretty wiped out this morning. Sure wish we could keep all of our A&C and Cape May reservations!

*Update to this is that they didn’t close our building off until 9:00pm (understandably). So we were able to make our BnC for lunch and they had a to go buffet at Cape May for dinner. Now we have a fridge full of leftovers. With things changing so rapidly, what may have been a frustration earlier can be quickly resolved. Just a reminder to me to have my patient pants and not freak out right away.

 

[flipper32]

Stores and resturants:

• At least 11 Waffle House Stores have closed ahead of the hurricane.
• Publix said it will close stores in 11 counties today.

You know it's not going to be an easy hurricane when the Waffle Houses close. At least that's the old wives predictor I've heard from people that are in Florida.

 

[cakebaker]

We’re going to switch to our new room and then go see what we can scavenge for. The Market was pretty wiped out this morning. Sure wish we could keep all of our A&C and Cape May reservations!

Just walked by the market and it looks like it’s been restocked. Cms say they’ll restock throughout the day,