Welcome back to another installation in our Sunday Snippet series! I hope you are enjoying the three-day weekend (if you’re in the United States!). Hurricane season is well underway and Florida is expecting a storm! With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge open and Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival in progress, a lot of guests are debating traveling to The World. Thus, today we will discuss hurricanes at Disney World.
In case you missed them, be sure to check out our posts from earlier this week on celebrating a birthday in Disney World as well as what to expect in Disney World this Fall!
Hurricane Season in Florida
Hurricane season runs from June through November with the bulk of the storms hitting in late August to October. One of our favorites times to visit Disney World is in September (lower crowds), but it can be risky! This weekend is no exception as Hurricane Dorian is set to effect Florida and Disney World. When hurricanes can impact Disney World, they do post any closures, schedule alterations, and safety information on their website.
Disney’s Hurricane Policy
If you’re worried about your vacation reservation and losing your downpayment, don’t! Disney World is understanding and has a policy in place. This policy states that if a hurricane warning is in effect within 7 days of your arrival date, either in the Orlando area or your location of origin, then you can call ahead to cancel or reschedule without penalty. This applies to “Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.” If any part of your vacation is provided by a third-party, then you will have to work with those companies regarding a refund or reschedule. You will be responsible for any non-refundable payments or fees. Examples of third-party services include airline tickets or car rentals. You can read their complete policy here.
Cons
For starters, if you booked any part of your vacation through a third-party vendor, you may not receive a refund. Money lost is never a good thing! Additionally, you may experience major travel delays that are never fun. Plus, if the Disney Parks do close due to the weather, you may not be able to experience everything on your vacation bucket list!
Pros
Disney World closed only a handful of times for hurricanes since its opening in the 70s. Thus, it is unlikely the parks will close (or close of a long time) if you decide to visit when a storm is traveling to The World! However, you may experience lower crowds in general as the storm will chase them away. If you decide to go to the Parks, be sure to read up on our expert tips and tricks for surviving Disney World in the rain!
Another major “pro” is that the Disney World Resort is a safe place to be during a hurricane. For instance, the Disney World Resort hotels are build to withstand these powerful storms. Plus, the Reedy Creek Improvement District (the governing city of Disney World) has its own power plant, water treatment facilities, and emergency response teams. If you decide to stay in one of the Disney World Resort hotels, they will likely provide additional, fun entertainment!
Overall, I hope this post allows you to make informed decisions when it comes to your Disney World vacation and hurricanes! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stay safe!
Check back tomorrow for another full length post!
Cheers!!