Hurricane Charley Updates August 13-20, 2004

Transportation will begin providing service to Downtown Disney at 4 pm until closing. Only the Pleasure Island bus stop will be utilized, no Marketplace stop.

Expect transportation service delays especially at the following resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts.

Hoop dee Do shows are cancelled for tonight

The Electrical Water Pageant will not be operating through August 16th

Monorail service between the Ticket and Transportation Center and Epcot – BACK TO OPERATION!
is not operating. Buses are available.

No FASTPASS in the parks today

No Marina or Fishing Excursions Today

It is hoped resort swimming pools will be open by noon or early afternoon

Blizzard Beach 11:00am – 7:30pm

Magic Kingdom 9am – 11pm
Epcot Future World 9:00am – 7:00pm; World Showcase 11:00am – 9:00pm
Disney MGM Studios – NO Extra Magic Hour: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Animal Kingdom – CLOSED
Typhoon Lagoon – CLOSED
Downtown Disney – no bus transportation til late afternoon. Some areas open. Cirque du Soleil will open for today's performances.
Golf Courses – CLOSED
Wide World of Sports – Open for Events

You are encouraged to drive your own vehicles to the parks.

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First Hand Reports and Orlando Area Updates

"Orange County residents are also being urged to avoid using cell phones, so emergency officials can use them for critical communications, and to minimize water use because more than 400 pump stations that treat sewage are without power."

It's raining again. She said there are some trees down in Epcot but nothing major. Also most of the places to eat in the park are closed. Lots of trees down in wooded areas between Saratoga Springs and Epcot, again, nothing major.

Bus service is not operating. They were told it should be back this afternoon. They took the monorail from the Polynesian to the MK.

The MK is crowded today. A number of attractions not open, like Railroad and Jungle Cruise. Since there is no FastPass that means the lines everywhere are long. The hub had a tree that was down, otherwise, no damage (other than lots of debris).

At the Polynesian, dinner last night and this morning's breakfast at Kona Cafe was served buffet style… no menu ordering. Lots of tree branches and debris at the resort, but nothing major that that could tell. Sand bags were placed at the doors yesterday to help protect from flooding.

"It was pretty scary (last night) – high winds, trees uprooted. Went for a walk this morning and found many trees on the ground. One of the OKW buildings on the canal had a tree laying (lying, looing) across the roof! Also walked over by Saratoga Springs and there were trees on the ground in parking lots, but luckily not on top of cars." Please keep in mind this is a guest report, not official WDW report…

The airfield suffered serious damage during Charley, with roofs torn off from three of the four airsides and rubble covering the surrounding tarmacs and taxiways.

The first flights were not likely to depart until late afternoon at the earliest.

Airport director William Jennings said flights wouldn't depart until debris was cleared and electronic security equipment tested. He urged travelers to check with airlines before heading to OIA.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/weather/orl-bk-oia081404,0,1176054.story?coll=orl-home-specialbreaking

OIA Flights Remain Grounded http://a.www.orlandoweather.com/hurricanes/3654192/detail.html
"There are still no flights going in and out of Orlando International Airport. Hurricane Charley damaged all of the major buildings at the suburban airport. Officials report broken glass, water damage, downed trees and scattered debris. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority advised travelers to check airlines on the status of their flights before coming to the airport. At Orlando Executive Airport, half of the aircraft have been damaged. Access to the air field is restricted. Owners are asked to check with hangars before trying to get to the airport. "

"The three large glass doors across the back of the house flexed quite visibly, over and over. They looked rather like sails on a boat. It was very eerie, and we are still stunned that they did not break, nor did we ever lose power for more than (literally) a second."

"The eye of Charley went directly over us. It was really something. There's a wood fence that runs along the whole length of the street we're on….behind the houses… it's gone. We had the radio on and heard that the eye would pass directly over Kissimmee/St. Cloud. We continued to watch out the window. When the pool screen buckled and the house shook we went into the closet."