Hurricane Irma Updates September 2017
Twitter Accounts to Follow
Weather – Central Florida Websites
Tolls have been suspended across Florida
VERY IMPORTANT WDW RESORT GUESTS
For folks staying at Walt Disney World during this time, PLEASE BE KIND to the Cast Members working. They are on call 24 hours! Remember they have to stay at the hotels to keep things operating and not be home or with their loved ones.
Perhaps you encounter a frustrating situation,
but please remember the Cast Members are doing their best!
Do not expect full Housekeeping services with a limited crew at the resorts.
September 12, 2017 5pm
Hurricane Irma went through the Walt Disney World area on September 10 as a strong Category 2 hurricane. All theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and some resorts were closed on September 10 and 11. All theme parks and Disney Springs re-opened on Tuesday, September 12, though not all attractions and entertainment may be available. Big shout out to the First Responders and Utility works. Huge shout out to the cast members who worked during the Hurricane Irma ride-out and for making the resort guests as comfortable and entertained as possible. These are the official Disney links for Hurricane Irma updates: Disney's IRMA Updates | Disney Vacation Club IRMA Updates | Disney Cruise Line Updates
Anecdotal reports on Twitter indicate overall the resorts fared well but did sustain fallen trees and some flooding. Reports this morning indicate some rides are closed while any potential damage is assessed.
Walt Disney World/MyDisneyExperience/Park and Resort Notices are reporting the status of other areas as follows:
— The Jungle Cruise, in the Magic Kingdom, is closed until further notice.
— Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids, in Animal Kingdom, are temporarily closed.
— Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will reopen later this week.
— Fort Wilderness Campground remains closed until further notice. With this extended closure, Hoop-de-Doo Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ remain closed.
— Epcot Resort Friendship boats are currently not operating. There is bus or foot transportation.
— All September 12 shows at The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ will be canceled. Existing reservations will be automatically canceled and refunded.
— The Treehouse Villas are scheduled to re-open on Thursday, September 14.
— Disney's Vero Beach Resort is expected to open on Thursday, September 14.
— Disney's Hilton Head Resort remains closed.
— In addition, our friend Jeremiah from LaughingPlace.com walked around Epcot today and observed the following:
— The Epcot parking lot is still a staging area for relief support vehicles.
— Park security are hand wanding guests until the metal detectors are brought back.
— Epcot crowds were very light today, even Frozen only had a 40 minute stand by wait.
— Lots of tree cut back or removed, fountains are not running and the tarps at Test Track were removed.
BLAZE PIZZA (Disney Springs and other Florida locations) is offering all First Responders and Utility Workers assisting in Hurricane Irma relief efforts a free pizza and drink now through Sunday, September 17th. Valid ID is required.
September 10, 2017 9:30 am
September 10, 2017 9am – DEB CHECKS IN: Light rain and light winds in Davenport, FL. Figure it will be sometime this afternoon and we will be in our bug out room (with no windows but there is a door and a way out 🙂 Silly Haunted Mansion humor.
WDW Prep from September 9th evening
September 10, 2017 8am
September 10, 2017 6:00am
September 10, 2017 5:00am
September 10, 2017 3:00am
September 9, 2017 8:30pm For guests staying at a Disney resort, breakfast will be available on Sunday, September 10th.
September 9, 2017 8:00pm
September 9, 2017 8:00pm
September 9, 2017 5:00pm Orlando International Airport ceased flight operations at 5:00pm Saturday.
September 9, 2017 3:00pm Friendship boats at Epcot resorts stopped running at 3pm.
September 9, 2017 2:00pm
September 9, 2017 8:00am
September 9, 2017 7:30am Click on image to enlarge
September 8, 2017 3:00pm – Click on images to enlarge
September 8, 2017 2:00pm
September 8, 2017 1:30pm
September 8, 2017 11am
September 8, 2017 7am
September 8, 2017 5am
Florida Gov. Rick Scott ordered all state colleges and universities closed through Monday to support shelter and emergency relief efforts.
Port Canaveral is closed as of 3:00pm Friday, September 8th until further notice.
September 7, 2017 3pm
September 7, 2017: Walt Disney World Resort is operating under normal conditions and continues to monitor the path of Hurricane Irma. In an effort to focus on guests calling about Hurricane Iram, we ask if you have an arrival date after September 13 to please use the online Help Center or online chat.
September 7, 2017 8am- Local news in Orlando is telling everyone to be where they will ride out the storm by 5pm on Saturday. The forecast shows the cone will reach south Florida early Sunday morning. Central Florida is still uncertain at this time.
September 6, 2017 11:00am — Local Update: If you are coming into the Orlando area, be aware that many gas stations have long lines and stores have limited food and water. Trucks are still coming in with gas and food so there should be replenishment.
September 6, 2017 11:00am – Click on the photo for a larger image.
September 6, 2017 11:00am: Irma is nearing the Virgin Islands as a Category 5. Its Southeast US impacts are likely to begin this weekend in Florida. Storm tracking continues along the east coast of Florida.
September 6, 2017 5:00am
All Osceola district public schools will be closed on Friday, September 8, and on Monday, September 11, due to Hurricane Irma.
September 5, 2017 5:00pm
The National Weather Service (NWS) predictions for Hurricane Irma and Florida are not yet certain, but there is an increasing chance the storm will impact Florida. Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency throughout Florida in response to the storm. As of Tuesday, NWS says Irma poses the great danger to South Florida from Friday night through Monday.
As always, Disney is monitoring the weather situation but has not yet announced any operational changes.
If you have questions or you wish to reschedule your WDW vacation due to the hurricane, please call 407-939-7675.
September 5, 2017 7:30pm
Based on the projected path of Hurricane Irma, DCL is making the following adjustments to itineraires:
Disney Fantasy – The September 2 cruise of the Disney Fantasy is currently sailing a modified Western Caribbean itinerary and is expected to return to Port Canaveral two days earlier than planned on Thursday, September 7. Guests on this sailing will be refunded two nights of their voyage fare and provided a 25 percent discount on a future cruise, which may be booked by calling 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
The September 9 sailing of the Disney Fantasy is cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for the cruise booking. Guests are invited to book a future cruise at a 25 percent discount by calling us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
While we always strive to deliver magical cruise vacations, nothing is more important to us than providing a safe experience for our guests and crew. We will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Irma and provide updates as necessary.
Disney Dream – The September 4 cruise of the Disney Dream is sailing a modified Bahamian cruise itinerary and will return to Port Canaveral one day earlier than planned on Thursday, September 7. Guests on this sailing will be refunded one night of their voyage fare and provided a 25 percent discount on a future cruise, which may be booked by calling 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
The September 8 and September 11 sailings of the Disney Dream are cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for the cruise booking. Guests are invited to book a future cruise at a 25 percent discount by calling us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
ANNOUNCED WALT DISNEY WORLD CLOSURES – DELAYS
September 8, 2017 3pm:
September 8, 2017 7am – Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will be closed beginning September 9 at 2:00pm
September 7, 2017 3:00pm The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Saturday Night of Joy Event has been cancelled. If you have a saturday ticket, you may attend on Friday.
Also cancelled is the Sunday Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. You may opt to attend one of the upcoming parties, obtain a one-day Magc Your Way Ticket (with Parkhopper Option) that must be used within 2 yeras, or receive a full refund.
Contact Walt Disney World for options.
September 7, 2017 – Sammy Duvall will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
September 7, 2017 – According to the WDW website, Blizzard Beach is closed Friday and Saturday, September 8-9.
September 7, 2017 Characters in Flight Disney Springs – closed through Sunday
WEATHER AND CENTRAL FLORIDA WEBSITES
@NWS – National Weather Service
@FphOrlando – Florida Highway Patrol
@BShieldsWFTV – Local Meteorologist WFTV
@MCO Orlando International Airport
@fl_511_i4 – Traffic Information for I-4 in Florida
