What to Do If You’re Going to Disney World During Tropical Storm Ian
So you have a Disney World trip booked during Tropical Storm Ian. Now what?
Dark clouds over Tower of Terror
Well, first off — don’t panic! Disney World has stayed open throughout many rough hurricane seasons, and they have protocols in place for the most severe weather. So, here is what you should do if you’re going to Disney World during Tropical Storm Ian.
Tropical Storm Ian began as Tropical Depression 9, and was upgraded once the storm was forecasted to strengthen into a major hurricane threat for Florida. In anticipation of the storm, Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for Florida, and Orlando International Airport has shifted operations. So…what about Disney?
©WESH
As of now, Disney World has not made an official statement on the storm. We will let you know if and when they do.
There are several things you should do while preparing to visit the resort during a severe storm. The main thing you should do is pack for the weather! We encourage bringing Ziploc bags for your important items. If the rain picks up, your bag won’t be a safe, dry place for those items. You’ll want to pack your electronics, wallet, cash, and important documents in closed plastic bags. This also makes them easier to find in an emergency.
We Need More Splash Mountain Ziploc Bags
Pack your poncho! You’ll regret not bringing one, and it may be difficult to find one to purchase when everyone else is grabbing them too. Also, ponchos allow you to stay out in the rain while other people are hiding out in dry areas…which means short lines!
Bring those ponchos!
You’ll want to consider bringing extra shoes and socks with you into the parks. Your feet will absolutely get wet, and there’s nothing worse than wet feet. You can pack them in large Ziploc bags and keep them in your park bag, or you can store them in a locker. Either way, this is a huge key to a successful Disney trip in a tropical storm!
Of course, you could always buy a new pair…
Bringing food for your hotel room is also a must! If the parks close (and they have in the past for hurricanes), you’ll be riding out the storm in your hotel, and food options and locations will be limited. You’ll might want to keep your hotel room full of food, just in case. But do not worry if that is not an option, Disney will take care of you, they just might not have your most favorite goodies on hand.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Keep an eye on the weather forecast as you get closer to your trip! Storm predictions can change by the hour, so you’ll want to monitor the weather. Sometimes the storm will decrease in severity before it actually hits the area. Other times, the storm will increase in strength, which may cause you to choose to cancel the trip. The storm has been shifting east and west and a lot can change in the days leading up to this storm.
Dark clouds over Cinderella Castle
Know where you can shelter from the storm! There are plenty of areas around Disney World that are great for riding out a storm — stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. Make sure you keep an eye on what’s around you, just in case you need to hide out from the storm.
Tatooine Traders during a rainstorm
You also may want to consider changing hotels. Some hotels are better for tropical storms and hurricanes — they’re completely enclosed, have in-room kitchens, and have other great features for storms.
Here’s our list of the best hotels for a hurricane or major storm.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
And lastly, you need to be aware of Disney’s cancelation policy. Here’s what Disney says:
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.
If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.
Disney’s cancelation rules are pretty stringent, but they allow for rescheduling and canceling (without any fees imposed by Disney), in the case that the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for Orlando (or your place of residence) within 7 days of your arrival date. We’ll let you know if such a warning is issued.
Hurricane Skies in Disney World’s Epcot
So there you have it — what to do if you’re visiting Disney World during Tropical Storm Ian. Check out the latest on the tropical storm here. Or take a look at the 6 tips for planning a Disney World trip during hurricane season.
Here are a few more hurricane resources if you are interested:
- 6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Trip During Hurricane Season
- The Best Hurricane Ready Hotels During Hurricane Season
- 8 Tips for Riding Out a Hurricane in Disney World
And we’ll continue to bring you the latest regarding this storm, so stay tuned to DFB.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Do you have a trip planned during Tropical Storm Ian? Let us know in the comments.
The post What to Do If You’re Going to Disney World During Tropical Storm Ian first appeared on the disney food blog.
from the disney food blog https://ift.tt/S9uQg86
Post a Comment