Have you ever wondered what it's like for guests who are stuck at Disney World during a hurricane?
This being the second major hurricane during my career, I had a few more clients impacted this time.
I followed along the entire time to help my client's as best as I could.
Hurricane Ian was estimated to be an unsafe situation for guests late Wednesday night (9/28) into Thursday (9/29).
The first decisions made regarding Disney guests were announced on Monday (9/26). Guests at Fort Wilderness Campground, Polynesian Bungalows, and Saratoga Springs Tree House Villas were being moved to another resort. Most smaller families were moved to Port Orleans Riverside and larger families were moved to Art Of Animation family suites. Campers with rvs were asked to park the vehicle at Magic Kingdom parking lot.
Tuesday (9/27): MCO airport announced they would be closing the airport at 10:30 am on Wednesday (9/28).
Disney announced that the theme parks would be closed on Wednesday (9/28) and Thursday (9/29).
They also announced that they would be taking no new resort reservations to accommodate for guests who were unable to travel home and for Cast Members who would be working throughout the storm and would need a place to sleep.
** ❤️ Shout out to all the Cast Members who were on duty during the storm. They did an amazing job keeping that smile on their faces while keeping guests happy and calm. All the while I'm sure they were worried about their family members at home and if their home and belongings were safe. We love you Cast Members!! ❤️
Wednesday (9/28): Disney announced that they would like guests to shelter in their rooms starting at 9 pm. They started providing box breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for guests to take back to their rooms. Pools were open during the day as Disney monitors the storm and would close if it became too dangerous. There were numerous activities available in resort lobbies as well as character visits to keep guests entertained. Disney announced this evening that quick service offerings would close at 11 pm and would reopen sometime Thursday morning or afternoon.
Pricing for food was (in my opinion) reasonable. The breakfast boxes at around $5, lunch/dinner boxes at around $7. The deluxe resorts that offered table service options reduced their prices, with buffets starting at $20 for adults.
Disney did an amazing job providing activities to keep guests entertained when parks were closed.
Some offerings available were movies, dance parties, games, pajama parties, and special character appearances at the resorts.
Thursday morning (9/29): The worst of the storm was over. With minimal damage the clean up efforts began.
Most quick service restaurants were open by 11 am. Disney announced that parks would be open on 9/30 with a gradual opening. The first two hours would be open for resort guests only, then later be available for off site guests.
Disney announced that new reservations will still be on hold until October 2, 2022 to accommodate for guests to get home.
My top 3 tips for guests riding it out at Disney during a hurricane.
1.Order groceries as soon as you know you will be riding it out. Supplies will run out. Disney will impose a 2 item per person limit.
2. Get to the food court early! The lines will get long in excess to hours long!!!!
3. If you can handle cold pizza/takeout leftovers, order a few pizzas/takeout the day before everything closes down. Sometimes sandwiches aren't enough.
**Not my pictures. A collaboration of pictures shared throughout the Disney community.
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