Hi Heather!
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I always believe in having a contingency plan, so it is wise to consider this situation in advance. The good news is that since Walt Disney World is located in the middle of the state, the impact of a hurricane is much less than on the coasts. However, we all know that the weather is unpredictable and rest assured that Disney is prepared and always has Guest safety as their top priority.
First, I recommend you consider the
Travel Protection Plan if traveling during hurricane season. If a hurricane were to occur just before your visit, you may find that getting to the Walt Disney World Resort may be a challenge. Flights are often canceled, or roads may be impassable. The Travel Protection Plan would provide coverage for your trip including airfare.
Disney does make adjustments based on a hurricane, and they do have an official
Hurricane Policy if you need to cancel or reschedule your visit. If necessary the theme parks may close early for Cast Members to prepare, and parks may remain closed until they can be cleared of any debris and attractions can be tested for safety. One of my coworkers was visiting during Hurricane Irma, and she had nothing but praise for how everything was handled. Guests may be asked to remain in their resort rooms until it is safe. Food and box lunches were offered for purchase in advance so Guests could stock up, and assistance was available for those needing to extend their stay due to travel issues. Once it was safe to leave their room, my friend and her family were able to visit their resort lobby and found extra Cast Members on hand to help and entertain the little ones and Guests making changes to their plans. From everything I heard about Hurricane Irma, the real stars of the situation were the Cast Members. Many of them worked extra hours and went above and beyond to offer outstanding service and to ensure Guest safety.
I hope this helps to answer your question, Heather. I’m sending you some extra pixie dust for sunny skies and fabulous weather!
- Kate