We’re waving the white flag. We have cancelled our Sept trip. And we’ve sworn we will never go to WDW in hurricane season again. You see, in 2016 we rode out Hurricane Matthew at Animal Kingdom Lodge. While we were very impressed with how Disney handled the situation, it certainly wasn’t enjoyable. Then in 2017 we went through this same agonizing process with Irma. Watching it near, trying to shift the trip and eventually deciding it isn’t a good idea to travel into an area that will likely be impacted by a hurricane. This past week we’ve experienced déjà vu as we’ve tracked Dorian.
We also were at AKL during Matthew in October 2016 (Columbus Day weekend), and we we left Orlando in September 2017 (right after Labor Day) as people were evacuating because of Irma. We were stuck in quite the traffic driving from FL to GA. Took us much longer to ge home than normal. We would also have been going this weekend, if it wasn't for the AP previews which made me do a trip in August and so, I never booked Labor Day this year.
My experience at AKL during Matthew was that I appreciated what Disney did to keep everyone safe and comfortable. But, it wasn't the vacation we had wanted to take and I left that year feeling like I needed a vacation "do-over." Matthew was a completely different beast than Dorian. It moved very fast and the original path did not have it going to Central Florida at all - it seemed like it was going to the Yucatan. Then, it made this crazy turn north, squeezing by Cuba. It caught not only travelers by surprise, but I got the feeling it also caught Disney by surprise. The advantage of Matthew arriving quickly was that it also left quickly. It didn't linger in the area dumping water and parks and Disney Springs re-opened after a day and a half.
Park Closings:
Parks closed for about a day and a half. We were at the parks on October 6. The first sign that something was wrong was that the FP system went down. No FPs were suddenly available starting around noonish and the afternoon FPs all disappeared. Then, they announced the park would close early (I think closing at 5 pm?) and they were directing people back to return to their resorts. I think we went back around 3 pm. Two
MNSSHP were cancelled (on Oct 6 and 7).
Parks reopened on October 8th. Parks were pretty empty when they reopened. The hurricane had disrupted a lot of travel plans.
Food
There was a curfew in place from the evening of October 6th (7pm?) through October 7th (3 pm?). The curfew came from Orange County. During that time, you could not be outside. We were lucky to be at AKL, so at least we could reach the lobby. Mara closed at 6 pm and reopened the next day in the late afternoon/early evening. The only food option available was the Boma buffet. Jiko closed so that people could sit with their Boma buffet food. We were charged full price for the Boma buffet ($40+ per adult) and that was the only food option. My understanding is that they were better prepared for Irma, with additional reduced cost food options. Disney Springs also closed at around 5 pm on October 6th and stayed closed until I think, 5 or 6 pm on October 7th.
October 7th - Boma buffet was open for breakfast. Again full price, although I think there was an option to fill a box for $15, but that was not advertised.
The next evening (evening of October 7th), Sanaa opened and we were able to walk there. They had a limited menu - 3 basic entrees (a tandoori sandwich and other basic options). Jiko remained closed, only seating for Boma buffet.
October 8th restaurants reopened, although not all menu items were available.