When guests arrived at Walt Disney World hotels on Wednesday night, Hurricane Ian was somewhere between Category 2 and 3. He was making his way towards Orlando as a Category 3 storm. Some VersionThese are the things you should know message: “For your safety, we ask that you shelter indoors and do not leave your resort building until further notice.”
Deadline understands that the resort’s hotels are at capacity after Disney closed down its Orlando parks for two days and told all hotel guests yesterday that they must be checked in by 3 p.m. today, no exceptions. They were also asked. “to shelter in place at their resort for the duration of the storm.”
WDW advised guests to eat before they hunker down, which was a bit of a warning sign.
“Guests are strongly encouraged to enjoy food and beverage offerings at the parks and Disney Springs before returning to their Resort hotels. Dining options for Guests staying in our Resort hotels will vary, and in some cases may be very limited,” Make a statementYou can read the WDW website.
It was a scene straight out of horror movies, with trapped guests fighting over small crumbs of food and berating tired service workers. This was not true on Day 1 at the most. Castmembers made some Disney magic in the form of a dance party with Country Bears, and a song and dance session for the kids.
A fun dance party with Country Bears during the resort lockdown at Wilderness Lodge for Hurricane Ian. #WaltDisneyWorld #disneyworld #disney #disneyparks #hurricaneian pic.twitter.com/m6LwRsQsDy
— Monorail Supply Co (@MonorailSplyCo) September 28, 2022
Goofy, Mickey, Chip and Dale sat down together to watch a film with the children.
This is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen https://t.co/G5IsYQc5et
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) September 29, 2022
Daisy and Goofy played bingo together with a group.
Daisy and Goofy playing bingo at the Beach Club with guests #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/MslOS8Fp23
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) September 28, 2022
It was a parade of cheerful characters that would be worthy of Main Street parades.
Additionally, lifeguards kept the pools open in the rain this morning at at least two properties so guests and families who didn’t mind getting wet could get outdoors safely.
Disney Castmembers even set up whole days of activities. “Name That Disney Tune,” “Stuffed Animal Parade,”The fascinating-sounding “Indoor Campfire”A screening of The Lion King.
Any parent who’s spend a rainy day indoors with a kid who’s feeling trapped knows how valuable that kind of fan service is.
While there was some hint of scarce food, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offered a full menu along with family-friendly meal kits. In a shocker for anyone who’s purchased food at a theme park lately, sandwiches were just $7. Children could choose from ham, cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for $6.
Flashlights and rain tarps were delivered to some guests’ rooms.
There were issues, however, like the Space Mountain-sized lines at the one food court and Whispering canyon Cafe.
If you wanted to know what a Disneyworld food court looks like during a hurricane… pic.twitter.com/MyH2oGqKU4
— Tyler (@RareFormCLTV) September 28, 2022
The gift shops had to enforce strict purchase limits. Each guest was allowed only two similar items.
Stormwise, the worst is yet ahead. Tonight, the National Weather Service issued Flash Flood Warnings and Tornado Warnings for the area. “catastrophic flooding”Tomorrow and tonight.
Tonight will see conditions worsen. Expect TS to hurricane force winds. The threat of significant to catastrophic flooding is expected to develop tonight-Thu for areas from N Osceola & N Brevard north including metro Orlando. Flooding can be particularly dangerous at night. pic.twitter.com/BZ0R9ilRyr
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) September 28, 2022