Florida Parks with Hurricane on way

Has anyone heard if the parks in Florida are closing because it looks like Frances will impact most of Florida, from the weather channel's point of view. If they are When?

I would assume after today since that's when the storm's supposed to hit. Charley was more of a direct hit threat to the parks than this one is.

What I'm curious about is how far this is going to push the new BGT coaster or to a lesser extent, Expedition Everest back as far as schedule goes? All this rain and wind can't be too good to a tight construction schedule ...

I dont think there was really any damage to Expedition Everest aside from trees down in the area...

"I would assume after today since that's when the storm's supposed to hit. Charley was more of a direct hit threat to the parks than this one is."

Charley went through Orlando at 80+ mph. It was not too wide, hence a narrower damage path.

Frances is expected to make landfall less than 100 miles from Orlando and pass right over it with 100+ mph winds. It is a huge storm with a wide path. I would suspect that damage could be much greater this time. As for BGT, we are expecting some 60mph winds and about 20 inches of rain, but no hurricane, yet.

Cypress Gardens seems to be the most vulnerable.

Of course things change every hour.

For any of you that live down there or are visiting, I pray that you stay safe.

I was down in Sarasota, Fl. visiting relatives when Hurricane Charley hit and I was nervous as heck.

As far as parks go, wouldn't Boomers with the Dania Beach Hurricane (how fitting) wooden coaster be the most vulnerable at this point?

On a humorous note, check out this pic. Notice the serial number of the Dania Beach Hurricane and how it spells out. :)

Universal is closing early friday and is closed alll day sat according to this article.

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2004/08/30/daily45.html

"wouldn't ... (the) Dania Beach Hurricane (how fitting) wooden coaster be the most vulnerable at this point? "

Right now the path has the storm hitting about 100 miles North of Dania Beach near Melbourne/Vero Beach. The stongest winds are on the North side of the storm. The ride is definitely in harm's way, but it was alos built to withstand the wind - so "they" say.

Call me crazy, but I'm actually supposed to be at Wild Adventures on Monday when the storm is predicted to pass through. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's passed by the time I get there or has really lost a lot of steam and taken a different course by then. I hope it doesn't affect the last night at Miracle Strip too. Rain rain go away!

Forget the coasters...forget the rides...forget the parks...

I hope those of you in this storm's path come out of this unharmed. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers (again).

I'm more worried about KSC than any of the parks.

The article I read on Discovery News's website today about canning the entire shuttle program if the orbiters are damaged in the (under built) VAB was a bit... unnerving.

Thanks for all the safe-wishes, guys. I'm going to be hanging out in my aparmtent here in Orlando. I might make the trip to nearby Leesburg where my grandparents live.

I was talking to a guy in my Contemporary Issues in the Theme Park Business class who works at the Magic Kingdom about what happened during Charley: as far as preperations and damage. He said the only real things that are dismantled are benches, which are disconnected from the ground and put into storage. He said the parks faired very well. I'll update you guys on what happens this time.

no, this is going to be alot worse than charley. Class was cancelled today (at least I hope so). We boarded up our windows with plywood today-after paying $25 dollars a sheet of 3/4 in. Rip off. but we would rather be safe than sorry.

Jack, stay safe bro, I am in chitown now,take care guys

Stay safe Gator and whoever else lives in Florida!

-Tina

Really, Peoples safety should be the main concern, Not the parks.

I do think parks like Disney/Universal are more able to take the brunt financially than say the still unopened and as yet not a dime made on it. Cypress Gardens.

Chuck, who wishes everyone well and safety.

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Michael Darling said:
The article I read on Discovery News's website today about canning the entire shuttle program if the orbiters are damaged in the (under built) VAB was a bit... unnerving.

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If anyone's interested, here's the link to the said Discovery News article.

Good luck to anybody in Frances' path...

Right now we're all in waiting mode - Frances has slowed down and has lost some of its steam but hasn't hit the Gulf Stream yet which provides great conditions for it to restrengthen.

I think most people are boarded up and prepared or have left the area. Most everyone I know is totally bored at this point since everything is closed and with a critical gas shortage here (none of the stations within a 10 mi radius from my house have any gas available and that's a lot of stations) driving around isn't an option.

So we are all watching and waiting.

Frances is a totally different type of storm than Charley - intense and WET, even with the decrease speed (down to 115mph right now) the storm surge at the beach will be from 8-20 ft. The Bahamas reported 52' waves. Plus the rain is intense, anywhere from 8-20" of rain since its moving so slowly.

BTW, the parks close at 6pm tonight with Frances anticipated to hit the coast on Saturday evening and last thru Sunday evening.

Thanks for the well wishes,
George

A co worker emailed me this.

Anheuser-Busch-owned Sea World Orlando and Discovery Cove, and Universal Orlando's two theme parks and Citywalk entertainment complex, planned to close Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Walt Disney World planned to close its four theme parks an hour or two early on Friday. No decision had been made whether the Disney parks would open on Saturday.

Disney's crowds were unusually light. At the Magic Kingdom, rides like Space Mountain that can have waits up to two hours were only 10 minutes long. The short waits were a boon for visitors like Barb Delaney and her children, of Springfield, Va., who still found Pinochio signing autographs, Cinderella performing in her "Surprise Celebration" show and "Zippidity Doo Dah" blaring from loud speakers.

"We're going to look at it as one more adventure," said Delaney, a civilian Department of Defense worker whose 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son saved three years worth of pocket change totaling $600 for the trip. "We saved up three years to come here and a hurricane isn't going to stop us."

Edgar Martinez, and his new wife, Brenda, whose Mickey Mouse ears were attached with a white wedding veil, worried the hurricane would dampen their honeymoon.

"Bad luck for us," said Edgar Martinez, 28, a math teacher in Tijuana, Mexico.

Lion Country Safari, west of West Palm Beach, closed Thursday afternoon. Its lions, chimps, rhinos and elephants were going to ride the storm out in their night shelters, built of steel and concrete.