Tropical Storms Bonnie and Charley

[Jeff T]

We are driving from PA to Disney next Friday and I learned today that two potential tropical storms (soon to be hurricanes) may threaten Fl within the next few days and next week. Sure hope they move out of the FL are quickly and don't ruin our vacation!

[2NfinitE&B-ond]

Well..we'll be heading down on the 20th, So I sure hope it is all cleared up by then!!! I used to liv ein NC, usually the hurricanes liked to veer away from Florida and head to NC...at least when I lived there...maybe that'll happen to these too? (Not that I wish any ill will on NC!)

Good luck with the weather!

[Nascfan]

Stay safe, all of you. Whether you be vacationing there or living there, my thoughts and hopes will be that everyone is safe and unharmed from these storms.

[wonders10]

Hi!

I'm a South Floridian so there is lots on the news about these two tropical systems. First of all, both are headed towards the Gulf of Mexico (west, WDW is central or more east coast). Bonnie looks like it will probably stay on path and head more towards Texas. Charley is also headed towards the gulf and will probably be off the coast of the Fl Keys by friday. This one might interfere with your vacation but probably not directly. Probably just some rainy weather if anything. Like our weathermen always say, it's too soon to tell. Hope all goes well...

*Shannon

[wonders10]

Forget everything I just mentioned...the news just said that Bonnie might affect central florida (just a lot of rain) and charley might go over the whole state this weekend! Yikes...

[mike2u]

Well thats not good for me.. I'm driving down saturday evening from pa. I'm leaving at 6:00 pm saturday night and expect to be in Florida by Sunday morning around 8:00 am or so. It's really going to stink driven down in a storm....

[Beast_fanatic]

Moving to Mousellaneous...

[SgtTigger]

As someone who works in Law Enforcement in Louisiana where we deal with storms a lot. Take this advice Watch the Weather. It will change every day. Storms change by the hour and can strengthen or die in hours.
Right now the path for Bonnie is across the pan handle of Florida and on to South Carolina. This is at 9:30 pm central time on 8-10-04.

The first path for Charley is close to Tampa which is not good for Disney. But that is so far out in time, that path will change.

How unpredictable is a storm? We started our preperations for the storm today at the Sheriffs department. We can't wait till it is going to hit us. If it is in the gulf we have to be ready.
Watch the weather and pay attention that is the best advise.
hope you have a great trip and the storms don't affect you.


[img]graemlins/doubleeek.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

[ August 10, 2004, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: SgtTigger ]

[ArtDeco]

An honest-to-goodness chance to experience a hurricane! Batten down and enjoy it, I say, but then my wife thinks I'm a weather idiot.

Seriously, my thought is that Florida and WDW are built to handle rough weather. The roads will drain, you'll find some shelter, it'll pass over, and you'll have a great time! Someone is bound to say that a hurricane closed the parks one of the two times they've ever been closed, but those are pretty good odds for you!

That's more than two cents, but man I love weather. Have a great trip.

[wonders10]

Not to be rude, but a hurricane is much more than a thunderstorm. If you were positive you'd be able to be safe in your hotel by the time the storm hit, I'd say go for it...but I wouldn't try driving through it. Besides the rain, you may encounter other drivers that are evacuating or trying to drive from the storm themselves. It's be a nightmare. When it becomes a hurricane, it'll probably be a weak one but still a powerful storm that is moving quickly. Also, as of 11pm on our local news the path for Charley has it going anywhere from the gulf up to the panhandle/alabama area or going straight over miami/fort lauderdale (me!!). This will all happen around Friday. Hurricanes are ever changing. Keep watching the weather channel or even check the internet for Florida news stations to get the real deal.

*Shannon

[goofygirl67]

Excuse me ArtDeco,
but we've had so much rain this summer that our roads are not draining properly right now. All the retaining ponds are at there limits and are starting to spill over in some areas. We have parking lots that aren't draining at all.
Where I would love to have the storms come near us (we get missed most of the time in Jacksonville) to cool us down, we don't need more water.

[ArtDeco]

Originally posted by goofygirl67:
Excuse me ArtDeco,
but we've had so much rain this summer that our roads are not draining properly right now. All the retaining ponds are at there limits and are starting to spill over in some areas. We have parking lots that aren't draining at all.
Where I would love to have the storms come near us (we get missed most of the time in Jacksonville) to cool us down, we don't need more water.

Then I hope it misses you in JAX and Jeff T has a great time in Orlando. [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

Make no mistake, I respect a hurricane for what it is! They're dangerous, deadly, and costly, but living in the south you must know that a lot of us kind of root for the hurricane, we just don't want it near us.

May your roads and ponds dry soon. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ August 11, 2004, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: ArtDeco ]

[ArtDeco]

Oh dear, you ARE gonna have a wet drive if the forecast is accurate. They sure are moving fast! Drive safely and send us a weather report.

[ August 11, 2004, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: ArtDeco ]

[Timbo]

At this point, I would be concerned if your visit to WDW is anywhere from this Thursday night through the weekend. I have a feeling that flights on Friday and Saturday into Florida will be severly affected.

At best, the weather will be rainy, windy, unsettled. At worst, Orlando could suffer a direct hit from Charley or at least tropical storm force winds and a lot of rain.

It may not be time to cancel your plans, but it will require very close monitoring.

[Donalds Duckie]

Y'all be careful there in Florida and panhandle area. Anyone driving down to WDW PLEASE watch the news to monitor the storms and take care.

I live in South Texas so I know how serious these storms can be. (We thought for a bit we might get one of these storms here.) They can change course in an instant and dump an incredible amount of rain in a very short period of time.

My prayers are with y'all. PLEASE be careful and keep safe.

[Timbo]

I just heard from family members that work at WDW that there are potentially some cutbacks that could be taking place this Friday, August 13 due to Charley. Time will tell whether or not park hours will be affected yet, but I've heard that AK MAY be closed on Friday. Also, E-Ride night has been cancelled for Friday and most outdoor shows have been cancelled or rescheduled.

Call 407WDISNEY for up to the minute info.

[imported_PolyGirl40]

I just got off the phone with Disney;

E-Ride Night is not "officially" cancelled for tomorrow as of yet. However, no more tickets are being sold due to the pending forecast. If weather permits they will start selling them again in the morning - but it doesn't look good.

ALL 4 Parks will be open tomorrow morning for Extra Magic Hour! World Showcase will open at 10AM.

Guests are being advised to visit the parks early - as the weather looks increasingly worse by midday and beyond.

[DisneyHokie]

Our plans are that we'll start driving to Orlando from Virginia tomorrow...I'm not so sure now?

[Bmwdsny]

Just want to wish you all to be safe and sound from any storms going on. I feel so bad for Floridians and guests in Disney now. I just hope it won't cause lots of damage and injuries. I was just thinking that, just 1 year ago, to be exact, i was in WDW!!

[ August 12, 2004, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Bmwdsny ]

[imported_Melanears]

Originally posted by PolyGirl40:
ALL 4 Parks will be open tomorrow morning for Extra Magic Hour! World Showcase will open at 10AM.

Wow, that has to be a first, but certainly understandable.