Disney World--a great place to be in a hurricane in more ways than you may know - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Most interesting to me is that Disney World is the only resort in Florida rated "Storm Ready" by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They're the official weather guys in part, although they do a good deal more than that, which makes this a significant rating.
That label means that CMs are specially trained to assist guests and assure their safety as much as possible when they're confined to resorts. Disney has special safety procedures which vary according to the storm's category. Guests receive an instruction sheet detailing how to stay safe and comfortable while confined. A complex food service rolls out three meals daily and even special snacks at each resort. There are scheduled activities such as lobby games and singalongs, additional movie showings, even special character meet 'n' greets right there in the resorts.
Parks are closed when forecasts warrant. They will close a day or two before the storm rolls in to give CMs time to remove or secure outdoor furniture, signs, lamps, planters and other objects not bolted in place that could become projectiles in a hurricane.
Finally, buildings have been reinforced and specially built to withstand most hurricanes. If you've heard that the Castle is taken apart and moved to storage during hurricanes, sorry, that's fiction. Portions such as some turret roofs can be removed if a particularly bad hurricane is anticipated, but otherwise only objects not firmly attached are removed to storage.
In short, WDW is a much better place to be during a hurricane than most anywhere else in Florida. Its farsighted creator, Walt Disney, deliberately planned it that way.
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Last edited by Her Dotness; 09-08-2017 at 08:23 PM..
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I knew they were very prepared, but I didn't realise it was to this extent. Good for Disney to be ready for this and to have safety at the forefront for everyone.
I can attest to their preparedness. My family was staying there in 2004 when Hurricane Charley came through. We were at AKL, and the way the staff took care of us and kept us up to date was outstanding. They have volunteers who basically stayed on duty for over 24 hours so that the rest of the staff can go home and can take care of their families, property, etc.
Very interesting to be prepared and on top of things as always!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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I was beyond excited to see on FB that the Disney resorts were welcoming evacuees with pets! There's adorable pictures at the Poly and All Stars Music with characters interacting with pets and their owners. Kuddos to Disney for not forgetting about furry family members during a super stressful time.
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Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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Don't know whether anyone heard about Kristen Bell, star of "Frozen," and what she did while holed up at the Swan/Dolphin. It's actually a very cute story. She is in Florida filming another movie, and was in Fort Lauderdale; she evacuated from there but got stuck in Orlando. So she holed up at the Swan/Dolphin. Then she heard that her Frozen co-star Josh Gad was in Miami trying to get out, so she got him and his family rooms at the Swan/Dolphin (him, his parents, his brother & sister-in-law, niece & nephew). Then she learned that Jennifer Carpenter's mother and grandmother were preparing to just ride it out, and did the same.
then, while at the hotel during the storm, she helped entertain her fellow guests -- calling out senior bingo games organized by the hotel, organizing midnight wheelchair races, singing, etc. See http://www.shape.com/celebrities/new...hurricane-irma for the whole story.
What a nice young lady, helping to reverse the general public impression of young actors/actresses as being self-centered airheads, eh?
Don't know whether anyone heard about Kristen Bell, star of "Frozen," and what she did while holed up at the Swan/Dolphin. It's actually a very cute story. She is in Florida filming another movie, and was in Fort Lauderdale; she evacuated from there but got stuck in Orlando. So she holed up at the Swan/Dolphin. Then she heard that her Frozen co-star Josh Gad was in Miami trying to get out, so she got him and his family rooms at the Swan/Dolphin (him, his parents, his brother & sister-in-law, niece & nephew). Then she learned that Jennifer Carpenter's mother and grandmother were preparing to just ride it out, and did the same.
then, while at the hotel during the storm, she helped entertain her fellow guests -- calling out senior bingo games organized by the hotel, organizing midnight wheelchair races, singing, etc. See http://www.shape.com/celebrities/new...hurricane-irma for the whole story.
What a nice young lady, helping to reverse the general public impression of young actors/actresses as being self-centered airheads, eh?
Nice story and thanks for sharing that with us. There are probably a number of these stories with some celebrities who got stuck in Florida during Irma's wrath as it encompassed the entire state. Even better as she picked the right hotel as I'll be staying at the Dolphin commencing October 8th.
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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We evacuated from our home in Naples FL to WDW during hurricane Irma.
I can tell you that WDW is very prepared for hurricanes!
We saw many characters at the resort we were staying at.
The cast members were all very helpful, kind, and informative.
They did an excellent job taking care of the guests!
The building we stayed in felt very safe!
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We evacuated from our home in Naples FL to WDW during hurricane Irma.
I can tell you that WDW is very prepared for hurricanes!
We saw many characters at the resort we were staying at.
The cast members were all very helpful, kind, and informative.
They did an excellent job taking care of the guests!
The building we stayed in felt very safe!
Great to hear that you were safe and you picked the perfect place to evacuate to!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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There are probably a number of these stories with some celebrities who got stuck in Florida during Irma's wrath as it encompassed the entire state. 
Even better as she picked the right hotel as I'll be staying at the Dolphin commencing October 8th.
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