Disney World prepares for Tropical Storm Fay
As Tropical Storm Fay approached Florida today, Walt Disney World Resort continued to operate normally, but will open its four theme parks an hour early, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, “to ensure our guests have opportunities to enjoy our parks and Downtown Disney offerings.”
The resort also said it would not waive cancellation or change fees for pre-booked vacation packages unless Fay is upgraded to a hurricane.
The storm policy at Walt Disney Travel Co. allows such fees to be waived on “Magic Your Way” vacations only if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area or for a guest’s home within seven days of the scheduled arrival, according to spokeswoman Jacquee Polak.
“We’re not quite at a hurricane warning yet,” Polak said in a phone interview this afternoon. “It’s a tropical storm warning.”
Disney posted details and FAQs on the policy on its website.
By contrast, many airlines are already allowing Florida-bound fliers to change their plans without fees or penalites.
—Jane Engle, assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor
[Photo: Expedition Everest ride at Walt Disney World, by Alan Solomon/Chicago Tribune]
14 Comments on “Disney World prepares for Tropical Storm Fay”
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August 18th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Don’t you mean, “In Contrast,” not, “By Contrast”?
August 18th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Yep, the mouse gets his dollar no matter what. Trust me, I’m paying $10/night for his internet as I write these sentences.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Looks like Disney is more worried about money than childrens saftey.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:24 am
$10/day for Internet at hotels is pretty standard though. And when it’s “free”, isn’t it just built into the rate anyway?
August 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
You know, it really isn’t. Fairfield Inn is always cheaper than regular Marriott hotels, yet the Marriott hotels charge 10 bucks for daily internet pass while at Fairfield Inn it’s free.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Just got home from Disney. The almighty dollar is definitely their number one concern. Seriously, how much fun can one have at the “happiest place on earth” during a tropical storm? Ridiculous. And the $10 internet thing REALLY ticked me off. I wouldn’t pay it. Seriously, every crappy motel in every podunk town gives free internet these days. And Disney can’t? Really? Not to mention the rooms were badly in need of an update. Disney is definitely not the same as it used to be. I doubt we ever return.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
So, “some crappy motels in some podunk towns give free internet” translates into I won’t pay for services I use? You want free internet, go to Star bucks(tm). Oh wait, you have to buy their overpriced coffee first. Sorry S, the internet isn’t free anywhere yet.
K
August 21st, 2008 at 6:28 am
So yeah… Internet CAN be free without purchase even getting a room at some hotels. There’s a couple up in Maine that do it. I stayed at one hotel that was going to chanre $5 an hour. BUT luckily, the next hotel over had TRUE free internet. I was able to connect to thier and use thier internet from my hotel room. It was funny. Worked out well too.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Yeah I usually try to piggy back of someone elses connection it works out for the most part. The Super 8’s have free wireless also. I was peeved also however I thought to myself I’m on vacation so the laptop stayed home.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
I CANNOT BELIEVE SO MANY PEOPLE PUTTING DOWN DISNEY WORLD. JUST LOOK AROUND AT WHAT YOUR GETTING WHILE STAYING AT DISNEY WORLD. ALL OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU SEE AND DO ARE NOT DONATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, THIS IS A BUISNESS LIKE ANY OTHER THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IT MUST SUPPORT ITSELF AND MAKE A PROFIT, SO THIS MY FRIEND IS WHY CHARGES ARE PUT ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. WHERE WOULD WE TAKE OUR FAMILYS ON VACATION IF WE DIDNOT HAVE DISNEY WORLD. JUST ASK YOUR CHILDREN, AND GIVE THEM A CHOSE BETWEEN DISNEY WORLD AND SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. IM 58 YEARS OLD AND LOOK FORWARD EVERY YEAR TAKING MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO DISNEY WORLD, THERES NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. SPENCER A AUCOIN I.
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I love it, would anyone complain if the weather was perfect and people used the internet at 10.00/day. And while the subject is weather why not admit that you threw away the little single page flyer on vacation or trip insurance. An additional 150 to 200 dollars would solve the problem.
We left due to the weather and we are going to get our money back except the first 50.00 dollars. Blame your travel agent or your own ignorance but faulting Walt and Co is a bit strong. BTW we are now in the Hilton Head DVC resort. The weather here is great now but I am glad I spent an extra 100 for travel insurance just in case.
A WDW lifer :)
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I agree about the value at Disney World. The night time shows alone are almost worth the price of admission.
Some people are always negative and always down on people/places who are doing well in the world.
September 13th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I GUESS IM PARTIAL TO VACATIONING AT DISNEY WORLD,ORLANDO. WE LIVE IN LOUISIANA AND TRY TO GET TO DISNEY WORLD AT LEASE ONCE A YEAR.WE ALSO TAKE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WITH US WHEN WE GO TO DISNEY WORLD. DISNEY WORLD IS A PLACE WE CAN VISIT WITH OUR FAMILY AND BE SAFE FROM DIFFERENT CRIMES THAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE. THE COST MAY BE SOMEWHAT HIGHER IN SOME AREAS, BUT WHERE COULD YOU GO IN THIS WORLD TODAY AND BE AS SAFE AS YOU ARE AT DISNEY WORLD,FL.WE HAVE FLIGHTS,& RESERVATIONS FOR SEVEN FAMILY MEMBERS IN DECEMBER AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO EAT AT THE NEW RESTAURANT T REX AT DOWNTOWN DISNEY. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. SPENCER A AUCOIN & FAMILY
August 18th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
seriously people if disney didnt over charge for everything they probally wouldnt be able to oporate much stuff probally not all of it goes to internet things.