Tag: Hurricanes

  • 7-year-old boy Who Used Money to Help Hurricane Evacuees Gets His Disney World Trip

    7-year-old boy Who Used Money to Help Hurricane Evacuees Gets His Disney World Trip

    Jermaine Bell and his family were rewarded a VIP getaway to Walt Disney World after Bell used the money he was saving for a trip to help Dorian victims and over the weekend the 7-year-old finally made it to Disney World.

    Millions were moved by the story of this child’s generous spirit, and just a few days later, Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance at Jermaine’s birthday party to personally invite him to visit Walt Disney World.

    Over the weekend, Walt Disney World Resort rolled out the red carpet for Jermaine and his family, as they visited all four Walt Disney World theme parks and even took in a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park.

    For Jermaine, a highlight of his trip was visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where he experienced Kilimanjaro Safaris, received a private tour lead by Disney Animal Programs, watched “Festival of the Lion King” (and was surprised with a private meet and greet with the cast after the show), and also attended “Rivers of Light.”

    According to Jermaine’s mother, Lauren Creech, her son’s generosity came as no surprise – but the reaction to it did. 

    “In our family, we are givers and it just makes me overjoyed to see that at such an early age that he has grasped those values,” she said.

    A few park guests even recognized Jermaine during his visit, a fact that his mother said was a true highlight for her.

    “I think that’s the biggest thing,” Lauren said. “There’s no way we could’ve known that something as simple as him being generous would’ve blown up and affected so many people.” 

  • Disney World Parks Closing Early Tuesday Due to Hurricane Dorian

    Disney World Parks Closing Early Tuesday Due to Hurricane Dorian

    Although it has happened before, Disney World closing is rare and now due to possible affects from Hurricane Dorian Disney will be closing it’s Florida parks early on Tuesday.

    Disney World will remain open for part of Tuesday, however the hours will be cut short because of the storm.

    Take a look below for the various parks’ hours for Tuesday:

    • Magic Kingdom Park: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (opening at 7 a.m. for Extra Magic Hours)
    • EPCOT: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Opening at 6 a.m. for Extra Magic Hours)
    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (opening at 7 a.m. for Extra Magic Hours)
    • Disney Springs: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • ESPN Wide World of Sports: closed
    • Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: closed
    • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Winter Summerland Miniature Golf: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Disney Resort hotels remain open, but the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will be closed starting September 3 at 3 p.m. and will reopen after the storm when it is safe.

    Hurricane Irma shut down Disney World for two days in 2017. That was only the sixth time in the resort’s 45-year history that severe weather has forced the theme park to close.

    Hurricanes Floyd and Charley prompted closures in 1999 and 2004, respectively. Hurricane Matthew forced a closure in October of 2016. Disney was also closed on September 11, 2001.

  • Disney World Prepares For Hurricane Dorian as it Strengthens to Category Five

    Disney World Prepares For Hurricane Dorian as it Strengthens to Category Five

    Ahead of Hurricane Dorian, Walt Disney World is operating as normal for now, but they are monitoring the storm closely as it approaches the state.

    Disney said they are taking precautions by canceling weekend sporting events and closing Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park on Sunday.

    The path for Hurricane Dorian has shifted several times this week and had Orlando in its crosshairs on Friday, but the latest path may see the hurricane skirt Florida’s coast, although Central Florida isn’t out of harm’s way.

    The storm grew into a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane Sunday with 180 mph wind and gusts of 200 mph as it’s set to slam into the northwestern Bahamas today and through Monday. It will then head closer to Florida and be parked off West Palm Beach by Monday night.

    Guests at the following resorts have been contacted to plan for anticipated weather: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

    Hurricane Irma shut down Disney World for two days in 2017. That was only the sixth time in the resort’s 45-year history that severe weather has forced the theme park to close.

    Hurricanes Floyd and Charley prompted closures in 1999 and 2004, respectively. Hurricane Matthew forced a closure in October of 2016. Disney was also closed on September 11, 2001.