Crud-looks like Columbus Day is gonna be a wash-out!

[loveysbydesign]

Yikes, checking out the forecast and it looks like the weather is gonna be pretty nasty this weekend!(8,9 and 10th) Of course we'll be driving down on the 8th and 9th and were planning to hit EPCOT on Columbus Day!

[DoctorK]

Well, it would probably help keep lines at the F&W festival down...

[loveysbydesign]

Well, it would probably help keep lines at the F&W festival down...
One can only hope! although walking around in the rain trying to sample new foods may not work so well----guess I'll have to wait and see. if need be we'll got to DTD Monday to get our YES park tickets, instead of EPCOT and squeeze EPCOT in on Thursday!

[avic77]

Itll be fine... i hope..
Rain rain go away we are going to Disney to play!

[dansamy]

My tentative plan:

10/08 - Drive
10/09 - DTD, RFC
10/10 - Epcot
10/11 - YES class and MNSSHP
10/12 - HS
10/13 - Free day - maybe go see the campfire at the fort.

If we get rained out on the 10th:

10/08 - Drive
10/09 - DTD, RFC
10/10 - Free day - maybe go check out a movie at the IMAX at Universal if it's raining pretty bad
10/11 - YES class and MNSSHP
10/12 - HS
10/13 - Epcot

[blyday]

Hmmmm......looking at Accuweather.com....they are only saying 40% chance of T-storms and on any given day less then a 1/2 inch of rain.....that doesn't sound like a wash out to me?? Could be that you'll get that crazy downpour for a couple of hours that clears out the park and then the rest of the time be able to just enjoy your day.

[DoctorK]

I hope you're right. There's supposed to be a tropical system moving over Florida Monday -it could go further west and more up the gulf and hitting the panhandle, or more to the east and pretty much missing FL, hitting the carolinas instead. Won't know until the weekend probably.

[Eticket]

I think the issue is a possible strange storm forming. But predicting a storm that doesn't yet exist leaves a ton of room for error ... but it does sound like Saturday might be pretty wet.

Wet subtropical storm possible for Florida this weekend
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/article.html

[josh]

Interesting. This last week has been really nice if it makes you feel any better.

[DoctorK]

Ummmmmmmmmm, yeah...

[josh]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is really nice I've heard.

[loveysbydesign]

Interesting. This last week has been really nice if it makes you feel any better.
Ha-we've had record breaking rain here in PA in August and Sept....more rain then has ever been recorded each month since they started recording info.(actually 28 inches over the annual rate so far and we' not even into the end fo the year yet) LOL Of course NOW it's nice and sunny here and will be for the next week. Looks like we'll be back in the rain once we get to Florida-lol! And of course we are DRIVING down from PA Sat. and Sun and will have to drive through this junk!

[DoctorK]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is really nice I've heard.

Someone told me you were good for *occasional* snark.

[RebeccaMcK]

Monday is our Epcot day. I hope the rain won't be TOO bad. I'm okay touring in it but I don't know how the rest of my family will do. I have packed ponchos galore and waterproofing spray.

[DoctorK]

I have debated juggling our schedule because of the rain. Trying to figure out how to take advantage of the crowds/indoor attractions, etc. I'm leaning toward sticking with what I've got, but maybe you'd suggest otherwise?

My plan now:
Sun 10/9 - EP (even though this isn't recommended, we're primarily focusing on FutureWorld. We have a PM EP day later for F&W).
Mon 10/10 - MK
Tue 10/11 - AK
Wed 10/12 - DHS

Alternately:
Sun 10/9 - DHS (Problem is the rain will impact LMA and Indy. Does it cancel BatB? I can't remember if that's completely sheltered)
Mon 10/10 - EP (Should be really rainy, but focusing on FW and should me shorter lines at F&W if we decide to get something)
Tue 10/11 - MK
Wed 10/12 - AK

Thoughts?

[loveysbydesign]

Hmm...guess it depends on which day they are calling for the heavier rains??

These are our plans;
S 10/9-arrive in late afternoon/early evening(depends on rainy weather down I95)
M 10/10-EP
T 10/11 Ak-YES class
W 10/12-MK
TH 10/13-rest/beach
F 10/14-HS
S 10/14-DTD/pack up for cruise

that being said if it rains really bad on 10/10 I think we'll do DTD that day and EP on 10/13

[RebeccaMcK]

Doc if you go to MK on Tuesday that's the same day we'll be there. I'm keeping my plans as is, with crowd level ratings. And I don't want to change any ADRs:

Sat AK
Sun DHS (we have FDP at HBD for lunch....how likely is F! to be canceled when it rains a tiny bit?)
Mon EP (not too worried because we're in and out of bldgs all day, but I hope our F&WF snacks don't get soaked)
Tues MK (dinner at 1900 PF at GF)
Wed Break - (pool, beach, GF Tea, 'Ohana dinner)
Thurs EP

[peachygreen]

Ha-we've had record breaking rain here in PA in August and Sept....more rain then has ever been recorded each month since they started recording info.(actually 28 inches over the annual rate so far and we' not even into the end fo the year yet) LOL Of course NOW it's nice and sunny here and will be for the next week. Looks like we'll be back in the rain once we get to Florida-lol! And of course we are DRIVING down from PA Sat. and Sun and will have to drive through this junk!
Do you want to come visit Texas? If you are bringing the rain with you we'd really, really love to have it.

[DoctorK]

And I don't want to change any ADRs

This is our first trip with no ADRs, so the complete freedom to change plans without worrying about where we'll be eating is a double-edged sword.

[loveysbydesign]

Only ADR we have is for Via Napoli---dying to try their pizza!

[avic77]

I am bummed :RpS_sad: I hope they are short lived Isolated showers. I still have not bought my MNSSHP tickets and now i am not sure what night to try. Tuesday looks like the lowest % chance of rain.

Accuweather is showing more of a 2 hour rain session on Sunday around 2-3 pm then an all day downpour.

Just have to hope for the best and plan to be flexable. I'll just keep telling myself this is a budget trip (we are not out the cost of a normal Disney Vacation), this is our 4th trip, We can always come back.

[RebeccaMcK]

The forecast could always change, too, for the better. JOSH, with the lovely weather you witnessed recently, do you recall if the original forecast for those days were for rain (and then the rain chances disappeared or diminished)? Orlando weather changes all the time. I'm okay with off and on rain showers, just hopefully not all day.

Yahoo weather, which gets its data from weather.com, says this (I only included my trip dates):
Friday high of 86, rain
Saturday high of 80, thunderstorms and wind (might feel nice at AK)
Sunday high of 78, thunderstorms/showers
Monday high of 84, thunder-showers
Tuesday high of 88, thunderstorms
Wednesday high of 88, thunderstorms
Thursday high of 85, thunderstorms
I didn't jot down the percentage/chance of rain for each day, but it varies between 30 and 60 percent and I don't remember which days. I just figure rain, rain, rain, rain (for however many days). 78 degrees to me might feel nice at DHS on Sunday. I just hope we still get Fantasmic that night. It's our only day at DHS and so far I haven't bought Park Hoppers.

[DoctorK]

Not to rain on anyones parade (har har) but I think the biggest difference between this forecast and the typical "there's always rain in the extended forecast" forecast is the tropical system that's involved. It may end up being a tropical storm as it moves further up the coast - it won't be a TS while it's over FL. The 5-day rain projections from the national weather service aren't so bad though. They're talking a total of about 7.5 inches of rain on the atlantic coast (Daytona) and closer to 1-2 inches in Orlando (that's a total over the next 5 days).

http://icons.wxug.com/hurricane/2011/oct6_rain.gif

It's possible the storm could track further East, which would be a little better for us. I've also been checking the WESH forecasts (http://www.wesh.com/video-cast/29407506/detail.html), which often differ a little from Weather Channel. I know our local forecast on TV is more accurate than Weather Channel, so I assume that's the case everywhere.

[RebeccaMcK]

Stay positive! Just keep swimming! I have a feeling it'll all be okay. Up to two inches of rain over a 5 day period sounds okay to me. Like we said elsewhere today, we'll see more of those indoor movies about countries in Epcot. And maybe I'll have to ride Figment after all, darn it.

[loveysbydesign]

I think I;m getting more worried about driving through it on I95 on Sunday then about it raining when we're at the parks!

[DoctorK]

Parks! parks! lol

I think it'll slow you down a bit. We did the I-95 drive from upstate NY in Feb 2010 and weather slowed us down a bit (it was a blizzard and ice storm more specifically) and we were driving straight through, so we weren't able to wait it out at the hotel or anything like that. You'll be fine!

I'm also not concerned about the parks. 1-2 inches over 5 days is nothing.

[RebeccaMcK]

Sending Pixie Dust your way, Loveys. You'll be fine. All you need is Faith and Trust....and a little bit of....well, you know, I already sent it.

[Tam]

Not to rain on anyones parade (har har) but I think the biggest difference between this forecast and the typical "there's always rain in the extended forecast" forecast is the tropical system that's involved. It may end up being a tropical storm as it moves further up the coast - it won't be a TS while it's over FL. The 5-day rain projections from the national weather service aren't so bad though. They're talking a total of about 7.5 inches of rain on the atlantic coast (Daytona) and closer to 1-2 inches in Orlando (that's a total over the next 5 days).

http://icons.wxug.com/hurricane/2011/oct6_rain.gif

It's possible the storm could track further East, which would be a little better for us. I've also been checking the WESH forecasts (http://www.wesh.com/video-cast/29407506/detail.html), which often differ a little from Weather Channel. I know our local forecast on TV is more accurate than Weather Channel, so I assume that's the case everywhere.

Thanks for being optimistic & giving good info. Makes me feel better. Trying to decide now if we all have two pairs of tennis shoes to bring with us.

[loveysbydesign]

Thanks for being optimistic & giving good info. Makes me feel better. Trying to decide now if we all have two pairs of tennis shoes to bring with us.
You can always hit the Crocs outlet down there and buy a few pairs for $10-lol!

[RebeccaMcK]

I talked Hubby out of bringing his sandals. Even though they're comfortable for walking in, I reminded him they're "open" and he doesn't want wet feet. At least with sneakers, he can wear plastic baggies over his feet (it worked well for him on a very rainy day in Disneyland last year). Get waterproofing spray from a shoe store and spray your shoes (regular shoes, not Crocs or anything open-toed) the night before each park day (or any day you'll be outdoors). I think the can I got at Famous Footwear was around $6 or $7. Sprayed the suitcases with it, too. I might pack a second pair of sneakers for DD6 but I only have one pair for myself (they're leather/vinyl, not cloth).

[RebeccaMcK]

But seriously, how much does it have to rain before they cancel a Fantasmic show? If it's just sprinkling will they still do it?

[DoctorK]

Thanks for being optimistic & giving good info. Makes me feel better. Trying to decide now if we all have two pairs of tennis shoes to bring with us.

I always bring a backup pair anyway, in case of rain, or even a bad Splash/Kali experience. I read a tip somewhere which seemed to work well for quickly drying out sneakers. Ball up some newspaper loosely, and place them into your sneakers. It should be loose, so air can kind of get in there, you're not looking to pack them solid. Loosen up the laces, etc. But the newspaper will help draw the moisture out out the sneakers.

[RebeccaMcK]

Sounds good. That might even draw odors out of the shoes, too.

[loveysbydesign]

Ugh...not looking good for our drive at all! http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/poor-florida-weather-watching-tropics_2011-10-05

[avic77]

I am still hopeing it will clear out quickly. Maybe this weather will speed up and move into the Gulf or push south, or else just split in half and go AROUND Disney!

[DoctorK]

I'll take "All of the Above," Alex.

[josh]

If it's really bad, you can just come over and we can sit and watch television.

[loveysbydesign]

If it's really bad, you can just come over and we can sit and watch television.
My dh would probably take you up on that offer, especially if the Phillies make the World Series :RpS_rolleyes:

[loveysbydesign]

NM..looks like the WS will start while we're on our Disney cruise! Wonder if they'll be showing it on the megatron pool movie screen?

[jilly7896]

My dh would probably take you up on that offer, especially if the Phillies make the World Series :RpS_rolleyes:

Go Phillies!!! Today is my birthday and all I want is a win tonight :)

[avic77]

If it's really bad, you can just come over and we can sit and watch television.

Sounds fun :RpS_razz: Do you supply the booze?

[DoctorK]

Well, I ended up changing things around a little. I figure there are enough shows and stuff at DHS that will keep us inside for extended periods of time, and since it looks like the most rain will be on Sunday, that's when we'll go there. I don't know if LMA will be cancelled, but between Indy, BatB, multiple Star Tours rides, TSM, MuppetVision and RnRR we should be dry "enough."

Epcot on Columbus Day should be OK with a little rain. Rides in FW all morning, and hopefully any rain will keep the F&W festival from getting too crazy. If you're a local I'm guessing you'd go another day, right? So lines for the food should be a little shorter (hopefully).

That leaves MK for Tuesday (most recommended) and AK for Wednesday (2nd recommended) when the rain is supposed to be less of a factor.

[avic77]

Looks like I am going to play it all by ear. Months of planning turns into ... "is that rainy spot over AK or Epcot today?":RpS_lol:
I am thinking
Sunday looks like DHS... we can hit ST, RNR, and TOT over and over and over. Drop into the animation studio and maybe watch the little mermaid.
Monday MK morning and Epcot that night (hopeing rain in moving AWAY at this point)
Tuesday is our YES! class and we are supposed to do MNSSHP but since I have not bought the tickets yet maybe i will push it back to Thursday... gotta watch the weather and see what it says Monday. I'll pay the $30 for not haveing bought them early if it means we wont be rained out. If we dont go to MNSSHP I think we will spend the evening in Epcot
Wednesday we can try to get AK in then maybe MK
Thursday will still be IOA for Harry Potter and the rest of that are with the backup MNSSHP if Tuesday is a washout!

[RebeccaMcK]

In Dallas airport now. Doc, I think you have almost all my park days now. AK tomorrow, dhs Sunday, Epcot Monday, Mk Tuesday. I didn't change any of my plans.

[Tam]

In Dallas airport now.

Yay! Just as you get up in the air & level off, you'll be flying over me. I'll be sure to wave to you!!! Hope the rain disappears, we'll be there on Sunday. Have fun!

[josh]

It's raining. Hope that helps. And yes, I supply the booze if you like boxed wine and cheap scotch. Otherwise, there's a Sam's Club right across the street.

[RebeccaMcK]

Tam, can you point and yell De Plane! De Plane! I'll give you a quarter. Nice big plane, too. We have the center three seats, with pillows and blankets.