UPDATE: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Has Finally Reopened Following Hurricane Irma

WDWNT on September 27, 2017

Since even before Hurricane Irma struck, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort has been closed for the safety of guests and then for the clean up of the area. Despite many “fake news” articles claiming it would remain closed, Fort Wilderness and many of its offerings have reopened today, Wednesday, September 20th, 2017.

Fort Wilderness sign

While Disney was trying to get the resort back open for Monday, the tree damage was far more extensive than they had originally estimated. Regardless, guests may now return to the resort for reservations, dining, and recreation.

 

 

Hurricane Irma to Possibly Affect Walt Disney World Operations, What to Know If You’re Visiting WDW

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Hurricane Irma, a dangerous Category 5 hurricane, could impact Central Florida and operations at Walt Disney World in the coming days.

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While it is still too soon to narrow down specifics on the exact path of Irma’s center and eyewall, there is an increasing chance of a major hurricane strike on at least part of South Florida, including the Florida Keys, this weekend. According to the latest NHC forecast, the center of Irma may be very close to South Florida by Saturday night, with conditions going downhill already during the day on Saturday.

While the event is still too far out for projections to be absolutely correct, there is a possibility of impact to the Walt Disney World Resort.

In preparation for the storm, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 Florida counties ahead of Hurricane Irma.

The number one question we received last year as Hurricane Matthew threatened Orlando was in regards to Walt Disney World’s cancellation and refund policies during these types of events. For this unfamiliar with Walt Disney World’s hurricane policy:

If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way vacation package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.

This policy also applies to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in the event a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations.

If you have questions or you wish to reschedule your vacation due to a hurricane warning, please call (407) 939-7675. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Of course, WDWNT.com will continue to provide updates as we get closer to the storm and its projected arrival.

SOURCE: Weather.com

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UPDATE: Disney World Closing Water Parks, Aerophile Balloon Ahead of Hurricane Irma

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Disney is already making some operational modifications in response to Hurricane Irma and some nasty weather that will arrive ahead of it.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park will be closed due to inclement weather on September 8th and 9th, 2017. Typhoon Lagoon has not announced a closure as of yet.

Meanwhile, at Disney Springs, the Aerophile balloon has already closed so it can be deflated ahead of the storm.

Stay tuned for further updates.

HURRICANE UPDATE: Night of Joy and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Cancelled for This Weekend

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

In addition to the previous news we brought you yesterday regarding Blizzard Beach and the Aerophile balloon, Disney has now cancelled the Night of Joy event for Saturday, September 9th and the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for Sunday, September 10th at the Magic Kingdom.

Stay tuned to WDWNT for more updates as we receive them.

 

UPDATE: Disney is providing the following information for ticket holders:

Guests with tickets for Saturday’s Night of Joy Event are welcome to attend tonight’s event instead by exchanging their ticket at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Box Office starting at 4:00pm Friday. Requests for a full refund will be honored by calling Ticket Services at 407-566-4985, Option 5.

Guests are with tickets for Sunday’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets have the following options:
• Ticket to attend another Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• Ticket to attend an upcoming Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
• 1 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper Option, to be used within the next two years.
• Receive a full refund for the event ticket.

Call 407-939-7818 or email Ticket.Inquiries@DisneyWorld.com to process your choice.

 

UPDATE: Disney World Closing Fort Wilderness & More, Cancelling More Special Events Ahead of Hurricane Irma

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Disney has cancelled and scheduled more closings for several offerings this weekend in anticipation of Hurricane Irma:

  • Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will close beginning Saturday afternoon 9/9 at 2PM.
  • Performances of Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ have been cancelled for Saturday 9/9, Sunday, 9/10, and Monday 9/11.
  • The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been cancelled for Saturday evening, 9/9.
  • Highway in the Sky Dine Around is cancelled for Saturday evening, 9/9.
  • Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close Friday 9/8 at 2PM.
  • Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will close on Saturday 9/9 at 10AM.

These closures and cancellations are in addition to the special events cancellations and water park closings announced earlier.

Stay tuned to WDWNT.com for continued updates.

Disney Cruise Line Sailings Affected by Hurricane Irma, and Jose is Not Far Behind

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Cruising during hurricane season is always risky, but the cruise lines always do their best to take care of their guests should a hurricane affect your voyage. Disney Cruise Line has announced a number of changes to current and upcoming itineraries for its Port Canaveral-based ships.

Disney Dream:

  • Monday, September 4 departure (4-night voyage) – Shortened to 3 nights, returned Thursday, September 7.
  • Friday, September 8 departure (3-night voyage) – Cancelled
  • Monday, September 11 departure (4-night voyage) – Cancelled

Disney Fantasy:

  • Saturday, September 2 departure (7-night voyage) – Shortened to 5 nights, returned Thursday, September 7.
  • Saturday, September 9 (7-night voyage) – Cancelled

The next scheduled departure for the Disney Dream is Friday, September 15, and for the Disney Fantasy is Saturday, September 16. Updates for these future itineraries will be posted on Tuesday, September 12. It is quite possible that Hurricane Jose may affect these itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line guests booked on cancelled itineraries will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. Guests traveling on the shortened itineraries will be refunded a pro-rated amount of their fare (two-sevenths, or 28.6%, for those on the Fantasy, and one-fourth, or 25%, for those on the Dream). For guests in either situation, DCL is providing a 25% discount on a future cruise, but you must call between September 18, 2017 and October 18, 2017 to take advantage of this discount.

Stay tuned to WDWNT for updates!

BREAKING UPDATE: Walt Disney World Will Close for Two Days for Hurricane Irma

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Due to the projected track of Hurricane Irma directly through central Florida, Walt Disney World has announced that all theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs will be closed on Sunday, September 10 and Monday, September 11.

Disney has also announced early closure times for Saturday, September 9. Magic Kingdom closes at 9pm, Epcot at 9pm, Hollywood Studios at 7pm, Animal Kingdom at 7pm, and Disney Springs at 9pm.

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Almost all of the projected tracks of Hurricane Irma include Central Florida!

More details on this breaking news to come, stay tuned!

 

 

VIDEO: See How Epcot at Walt Disney World Is Getting Prepared for Hurricane Irma

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Yesterday, we took a trip to Epcot to enjoy a lightly-attended day at the Food and Wine Festival 2017, and while we were there, we found that the park was already well-underway into preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irma. The following video shows all the changes the park had made up until yesterday to get ready for the storm. Enjoy:

PHOTOS: Disney Distributing Safety and Information Pamphlets to Resort Guests Prior to Hurricane Irma

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Disney World is distributing important “Resort Impacts” pamphlets to all guests staying at their resort hotels during Hurricane Irma.

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The first paper lists the park and Disney Springs closure information for today, Saturday, September 9th, as well as the information on the closures for the next two days. There is then some helpful information on food and provisions. We have been advised that all resort restaurants will likely only be serving “limited boxed lunch menus” starting Sunday, even if they usually offer table service dining.

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The other pamphlet repeats most of the information from the first.

Stay tuned to WDWNT.com for additional updates.