Disney’s Pop Century Resort is one of 25 different Resort Hotels available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests. It’s one of many value Resorts available to Guests looking for magical Disney theming at a lower cost than moderate or deluxe Resort hotels
This week, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is home to thousands of Guests sheltering from Hurricane Ian. Locals and tourists alike are hunkered down while Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs are closed for the storm, which reached nearly Category Five level winds when it made landfall on Wednesday.
Guests from closed Resort hotels – Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – have evacuated to Pop Century and other nearby Resorts.
Walt Disney World Resort is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane. Disney Cast Members volunteer to work, keeping Guests safe and entertained during storms. Unfortunately, the experience at Disney’s Pop Century Resort hasn’t been so smooth this time.
According to Guests on Twitter, Disney recommended that Resort hotel Guests mobile order pre-prepared meal kits to take back to their Resort hotel rooms. However, Tina (@_tinatuna) said that purchases weren’t being fulfilled in sequential order, and Guests were waiting hours for their meals:
@Disney big fail on mobile ordering. No system staff just picking an order. 2 and half hours and still waiting. Order number 827 picked up before order 320 where’s the sense in that! Disney pop century resort
Lumley was furious that it took more than three hours to receive his breakfast after Disney Cast Members said mobile ordering was the best way to obtain food promptly.
Disney hasn’t responded to Tina or Lumley. Cast Members are doing their best to keep Guests safe, entertained, and fed during Hurricane Ian, and these complaints just seem in the face of what people across the state of Florida are experiencing.
Walt Disney World is located right in hurricane territory. Florida is the number one state impacted by hurricanes in the United States by a large margin, with 102 hurricanes since 1882 (Texas is number two with 64 storms, and North Carolina is number three with 55.)
Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June 1 to November 30. Most hurricanes make landfall in the U.S. in August or September, when the conditions needed- warm water and cooler air temperature are right. However, a June or November hurricane isn’t unheard of.
So what do you do if you happen to be at Disney World when a hurricane hits?
The answer isn’t as simple as “just leave.” Interstates often become parking lots, and flights are often canceled, leaving travelers no choice but to remain where they are and wait for the storm to pass. Luckily Disney is one of the safest places you can be during a hurricane. The best thing for you to do if you’re unable to evacuate is listen to the instructions of all Cast Members. They have been briefed and trained on what to do in these powerful storms. Day-to-day operations may be suspended or altered, but clear instructions will be given.
Will the Parks Remain Open?
Their first priority will always be the safety of Guests and Cast Members. If they make the decision to close the Parks, it’s because experts have deemed it highly unsafe for anyone to be outside in the weather. Disney tries to keep the Parks open for as long as they possibly can. They understand no one wants to be stuck inside their hotel and won’t close Parks until it is absolutely necessary to do so. In fact, since 1971, they have only closed due to weather 8 times. Typically only one operating day is impacted. The longest ever hurricane closure was 3 days for Hurricane Irma.
If they do plan to close, you will be informed at your resort hotel in advance. Sometimes they will close early if a storm is expected to make landfall later in the day. When this happens, you will be told what time the Parks will close when you arrive in the Park that day. There will also be signs throughout the Park as soon as a decision is made.
What Happens at Hotels?
Availability for new room reservations will be paused during a storm that is expected to make a significant impact. This is to keep rooms available for locals who have to evacuate their homes and also for what is known as “The Ride Out Crew.” The Ride Out Crew will be your new best friend in the event of a hurricane. These are Cast Members who have volunteered to weather the storm at work to provide guests with necessities and, in many cases, fun!
Food
Food will be available at your resort. Full operations will likely not occur, but food will be available for every guest. Quick service locations make every effort to remain open during the storm, but often table service restaurants will close, and dining reservations will be canceled. In the event that Quick Service locations close, meal kits will be available. Depending on the resort facilities, sometimes there is a buffet available to guests in lieu of Quick Service restaurants. During Hurricane Irma, snacks were even provided to each guest room.
Activities
Disney does its best to make even a hurricane stay enjoyable. The hotel lobby will become activity central as long as it is safe to do so. Often characters make special appearances in hotel lobbies. It’s not unheard of for a face character to host a story time for kids. Games and special showings of movies usually occur. In many cases, a resort will allow guests to play in the arcade for free. Many bars will remain open under limited hours. Surprisingly, unless the storm is in its worst moments, the pools have been known to stay open, though subject to close at a moment’s notice and completely dependent on ever-changing conditions. Keep in mind none of these special activities are guaranteed. These are just examples of what has happened in the past. Activities will depend on what a resort has available and what their staffing situation is like.
Refunds?
If you’ve already traveled, you’re not guaranteed a refund. Operations This is because of Disney’s generous pre-arrival 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 Disney Resort Hotel Package and most room-only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.” View the full policy here.
Should you cancel?
That answer is as varied as the storms in Orlando are. There is no predicting whether a storm will be a doozy or nothing more than a nasty thunderstorm. Orlando is several hours inland, but that doesn’t mean it’s never hit full force. The best thing to do is watch the weather closely before your trip in order to make an informed decision. Disney resorts are safe, but they are not without risk. No two storms are the same so looking at previous storms is not likely to be helpful. Your best bet is to listen to weather experts and make the choice that is best for your family.
Beginning Oct. 14, 2022, for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings and Nov. 7, 2022 for Disney Magic sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing.
The following SeaMail will be sent to guests who have booked through travel agents on impacted sailings:
Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish – Beginning Oct. 14
Dear [Guest Who Booked Through a Travel Agent],
All of us at Disney Cruise Line look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. We are reaching out with important updates to the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for your sailing.
Beginning October 14, 2022, for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing. Acceptable vaccines and testing information can be found in the Know Before You Go section of our website.
COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings from the U.S. beginning October 14, 2022
Fully Vaccinated Guests
No testing required.
Unvaccinated Guests(ages 5 years and older)
COVID-19 test required 1-2 days before the sail date. The test may be an observed antigen test through a proctored telehealth service with digital results. A rapid or lab-based PCR test, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) is also acceptable.
Unvaccinated Guests (ages 4 years and younger)
No testing required.
Upload Proof of Vaccination and/or COVID-19 Test Results
To be exempt from testing requirements, fully vaccinated Guests must upload their proof of vaccination to the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day. Unvaccinated Guests must upload a negative COVID-19 test result to the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day. Uploading proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 test result is a requirement for adults and children, except for those ages 4 and younger. A parent or legal guardian will need to use their own account to provide this information on behalf of minors. To learn more about how to provide proof of your negative COVID-19 test result, please visit the Know Before You Go section of our website.
After appropriate documents have been uploaded and reviewed by Inspire, Guests should see the words “Clear to Arrive” or “Clear to Sail” in the Pre-Sail Screening section when they log into their Safe Passage account before arriving at the port.
It is also recommended that Guests bring a copy of their proof of vaccination or negative COVID- test result with them to the port. Guests who fail to upload proof of vaccination and/or COVID-19 test results prior to embarkation day will be delayed and may be denied boarding. If you have any questions about your Safe Passage registration or status, please contact Inspire Diagnostics at 877-250-5132.
Back-to-Back Sailings
Fully vaccinated Guests are not required to be tested between back-to-back sailings. Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated and traveling on back-to-back sailings will be required to complete a COVID-19 test between sailings, arranged by Disney Cruise Line.
Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19
In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered,” with the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval. Guests who are not fully vaccinated and are considered “90-Day-Recovered” are not required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result prior to sailing. Details on what documentation is required is available in the Know Before You Go section of our website.
Online Check-in
You must complete Online Check-in beginning 30 days prior to your sailing. You will need to submit the required documents as well as select a Port Arrival Time. All Guests, including our Platinum Castaway Club Guests, will need to select a Port Arrival Time. Please be aware that Guests will not be permitted at the terminal or in parking areas before their scheduled arrival time. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their scheduled arrival time. Online Check-in can be completed or modified up to one day prior to sailing. After completing Online Check-in, you will receive a Port Arrival Form by email. Bring this with you to the port to expedite your arrival.
As our health and safety protocols and operational guidelines are subject to change, please visit the Know Before You Go section of our website for the latest information and answers to many frequently asked questions.
Guests booked on the Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy or Disney Wish October 14, 2022, through January 31, 2023, may modify or cancel their sailing by October 11, 2022 without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees. Please contact your travel agent for details on how to cancel or modify your booking. Please note that change fees and cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, such as airlines and hotels, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after October 12, 2022.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.
Sincerely,
The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Magic – Beginning Nov. 7
Dear [Guest Who Booked Through a Travel Agent],
All of us at Disney Cruise Line look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. We are reaching out with important updates to the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for your sailing.
Beginning November 7, 2022, for Disney Magic sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing. Acceptable vaccines and testing information can be found in the Know Before You Go section of our website.
COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Disney Magic sailings from the U.S. beginning November 7, 2022
Fully Vaccinated Guests
No testing required.
Unvaccinated Guests(ages 5 years and older)
COVID-19 test required 1-2 days before the sail date. The test may be an observed antigen test through a proctored telehealth service with digital results. A rapid or lab-based PCR test, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) is also acceptable.
Unvaccinated Guests (ages 4 years and younger)
No testing required.
Upload Proof of Vaccination and/or COVID-19 Test Results
To be exempt from testing requirements, fully vaccinated Guests, must upload their proof of vaccination to the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day. Unvaccinated Guests must upload a negative COVID-19 test result to the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day. Uploading these documents is a requirement for adults and children, except for those ages 4 and younger. A parent or legal guardian will need to use their own account to provide this information on behalf of minors. To learn more about how to provide proof of your negative COVID-19 test result, please visit the Know Before You Go section of our website.
After appropriate documents have been uploaded and reviewed by Inspire, Guests should see the words “Clear to Arrive” or “Clear to Sail” in the Pre-Sail Screening section when they log into their Safe Passage account before arriving at the port.
It is also recommended that Guests bring a copy of their proof of vaccination or negative COVID- test result with them to the port. Guests who fail to upload proof of vaccination and/or COVID-19 test results prior to embarkation day will be delayed and may be denied boarding. If you have any questions about your Safe Passage registration or status, please contact Inspire Diagnostics at 877-250-5132.
Back-to-Back Sailings
Fully vaccinated Guests are not required to be tested between back-to-back sailings. Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated and traveling on back-to-back sailings will be required to complete a COVID-19 test between sailings, arranged by Disney Cruise Line.
Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19
In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered,” with the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval. Guests who are not fully vaccinated and are considered “90-Day-Recovered” are not required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result prior to sailing. Details on what documentation is required is available in the Know Before You Go section of our website.
Online Check-in
You must complete Online Check-in beginning 30 days prior to your sailing. You will need to submit the required documents as well as select a Port Arrival Time. All Guests, including our Platinum Castaway Club Guests, will need to select a Port Arrival Time. Please be aware that Guests will not be permitted at the terminal or in parking areas before their scheduled arrival time. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their scheduled arrival time. Online Check-in can be completed or modified up to one day prior to sailing. After completing Online Check-in, you will receive a Port Arrival Form by email. Bring this with you to the port to expedite your arrival.
As our health and safety protocols and operational guidelines are subject to change, please visit the Know Before You Go section of our website for the latest information and answers to many frequently asked questions.
Guests booked on the Disney Magic November 7, 2022, through January 31, 2023, may modify or cancel their sailing by October 11, 2022, without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees. contact your travel agent for details on how to cancel or modify your booking. Please note that change fees and cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, such as airlines and hotels, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after October 12, 2022.
Walt Disney World has informed Cast Members that all theme parks and water parks will close ahead of Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, September 28, and Thursday, September 29, 2022. Disney Springs will be closed on Wednesday, with a decision to be made for Thursday later today. At this time, there is no information on whether the Parks will remain closed longer than Wednesday and Thursday. Many factors go into the decision to close and the duration of the close. This announcement comes out of an abundance of safety for Cast Members and Guests. The Parks will remain closed until conditions are safe to resume normal operations. Find out what happens when the Parks are closed here.
To date, the longest Walt Disney World has kept Parks closed due to a hurricane is 2.5 days, which occurred due to Hurricane Irma in 2017. That hurricane made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Florida Keys and plowed north directly through Orlando. Disney escaped the storm with minimal damage.
Disney’s first ever Hurricane closure was in 1985 for Hurricane Elena. Since then 7 other hurricanes have forced the Parks to close, for at least part of the day: Hurricane Floyd on 1999, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricane Francis in 2004, Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, Hurricane Mathew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017, and Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando has never been hit with stronger than a Category 1 storm. Since Orlando is several hours inland, the storms typically have weakened by the time they reach the Orlando area. Don’t let the name fool you though, a Category 1 hurricane is still dangerous and capable of causing harm and property damage.
Hurricane Ian struck landfall in Cuba early today as a Category 3. It is expected to gain steam in the Gulf of Mexico and strengthen to a Category 4 storm before making landfall in Florida. On Monday the storm experienced rapid intensification with winds increasing from 57mph to 125 mph in 24 hours. Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a direct warning that Floridians should evacuate if at all possible saying, “Our recommendation is to heed evacuation orders. The storm surge can be life threatening…that is not something that you want to be a part of.”
Florida National Guard Adjutant Gen. James Eifert said, “We are assessing constantly the location and path of the storm, and repositioning and prepositioning our resources and our people to be able to most immediately and effectively respond once the landfall has passed. We are here. and we are ready.”
Orlando’s MCO airport closed on Tuesday to all but emergency flight traffic.
Hurricane Ian is projected to impact operations at Walt Disney World this week. While it’s still uncertain whether the storm will greatly impact Central Florida, out of caution, Disney has announced a few closures and is lifting certain cancellation penalties.
Here is the statement from Disney from September 26:
Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions as we prepare to make necessary adjustments based on the latest information from the National Weather Service. We continue to put the safety of our Cast Members and Guests first and will share updates as we monitor Hurricane Ian.
Current Updates:
Disney Resort Hotels: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort since these locations will temporarily close Wednesday, Sept. 28 through Friday, Sept. 30 due to the weather. We are contacting Guests with current and upcoming reservations.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will close temporarily Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29. (Disney’s Blizzard Beach is currently closed).
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will also temporarily close Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29.
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences: Effective immediately, we will not enforce cancelation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences like Savi’s Workshop and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
We are currently monitoring weather conditions and will communicate any changes to park operating hours or special events at a later time.
The most up-to-date information about temporary closures and impacts will be available via the My Disney Experience app, DisneyWorld.com/Weather.
Please note that all reopening timelines are tentative, and subject to safety conditions.
