Conference koolit::disney

Hopefully someone has more information, but we were there during school
vacation week in 1983 and I recall mid to low 50s at night and low to mid 70s
in the daytime.  See the Birnbaum book for a month by month listing of temps.
When we arrived in Orlando that year, my mother-in-law said it had rained
quite a bit all winter (which was unusual) but we didn't have a drop the
week we were there.  Also, I seem to recall then that River Country was not
open.

Marty

    We've been going in late Feb for the last few years, and have hit every
    kind of weather imaginable.  This year, it got very cold for a few days
    - well below freezing at night (mid 20's), and lucky to hit 50 during
    the day, but that's an extreme.  The week before that it got up to the
    mid 80's during the day, so it's hard to tell what you'll find.  Past
    years have been just as variable.  If I had to pick an average, I'd
    agree with .1, around 70 daytime and 50 at night.  Pretty good chance
    of some rain 1 or 2 days out of the week.
    
    Packing for that time of year is tough - you need summer and spring
    clothing, and just might need those winter jackets, too.  However,
    it sure beats the weather up here in February. 

    My parents were there this past Feb. and they had beautiful weather -
    in the 80's and no rain which is unusual.  I was just wondering if
    Typhoon Lagoon would be open as it sounds like an AWESOME place - It
    would be a shame if it was closed when we were there.

     
    Seeing everyone has been helpfull with the weather in Feb ,can I
    take this chance to ask what the weather is like now, as I will
    be arriving in Florida next Friday 21/7/89. Also is it true that
    you cannot walk the streets at night? On one of the holiday programs
    the message was no one walks out at night not even to the bars,
    surely this is over the top.
    thanks Paul

Well, I can't speak for walking outside of WDW at night, but inside I never had
the hint of any problems.  I don't know whether the program you saw was
referring to Orlando or the Disney complex, but we allowed our teenage
kids out without parents until MK closed at midnight (2:00am on July 4).
This includes around the hotels, the Fort Wilderness area, and the Pleasure
Island nightclubs.

We were there from June 29 - July 5.  The temps were low 70's at night
(quite comfortable and pleasant, if it hadn't just rained)
and low 90's during the day.  We found it quite tolerable except when
standing in the sun for a long time.  During the day there always seemed to
be scattered clouds that gave relief from the sun.  The humidity was high
but did not seem as oppressive as we get in Mass. Generally, there was a
light breeze.  We had rain only one evening for about 2 hours, but they
were predicting thunderstorms each afternoon, but they never seemed to arrive
at least not where we were.  Note that it can rain in one of the parks
and not the others.

    
    We just got back from 2 weeks having been there from 6/28 to 7/11.
    I don't know where -.1 was while we were burning up from the heat,
    BUT... we will never go again in July. HOT-HOT-HOT. I don't think
    it got below 94 at 2 PM on any day. The waiting in lines was brutal
    in this heat, and it was humid.  We left every day by 2 or 3 and
    went back in at 5-6.  From now on, we will go when we always go
    and that is April 20 to May 15 or October 1-15.  
    
    Jim
    

    Thanks for your replies, to answer the question in 121.5 was the
    program I saw on Orlando well yes it was. I believe I am actually
    staying at Kissimmee. Another piece of news picked up from a paper
    confirmed yesterday that there had been isolated problems. Oh well
    the holiday includes a car for the two weeks and I am sure neither
    of us will let anything upset what should be a holiday to remember.
    
    Thanks again
    Paul
    

    RE: WEATHER IN JUNE/AUGUST
    
        I just returned from 6 weeks in south Florida, and have also
    been down there in August before.
       The average temp in the greater Orlando area will be hotter than
    on either coast, and more humid.
    
        Ave daytime temp: 90 degrees Fahrenheit (apx 42 degrees Celsius)
        Ave nightime temp: 72 degrees Fahrenheit (apx 34 Degrees Celsius)
    (sorry if my F to C conversion is off) 
    You can expect a short Thunderstorm each afternoon (apx 15 minutes
    to  30 minutes).  Some of these will only have thunder and lighting.
                                          
       As to walking at night:  The 6 weeks I just spent down there
    were in Ft. Lauderdale.  This area's reputation is much like Miami's
    - a lot of crime... But I did walk at night, on the beach and near
    the hotel I was staying at.  I saw no problems at all.
    Orlando/Kissemee area are supposedly much more safe.  But with any
    place you go there's always areas that are bad.  Just use your "head"
    ask at the Hotel desk, and avoid the "bad" areas and you should
    be fine.  Most hotel clerks in this area are fairly helpful and
    will steer you to the nice areas so that you'll enjoy yourselves.
    
       Have a great trip!!!!!
           
    

    Dir/title=temp
    
    would of  revealed  note 45 with the historical data on temperature and
    rainfall for the Orlando area, based on years passed.
    
    Claude_back_from_vacation(no_not_Disney_;^()

>> I believe I am actually staying at Kissimmee. Another piece of news 
    picked up from a paper confirmed yesterday that there had been
    isolated problems. 
    
    	Kissimmee's crime rate is somewhat high.  Almost every night
    	I turned on the news to find yet another gang fight or a 
    	stabbing or a shooting.
    
    	However, like one of the previous replies mentioned, if you
    	stay toward the tourist attractions, and ask the people in
    	the hotel where it's safe to be, you should be alright.
    
    	In other words, don't go walking alone in a neighborhood
    	you wouldn't go into where you live.  Don't think that the
    	Orlando/Kissimmee area is a safe haven simply because WDW
    	is there...It's a city just like anywhere else.  It has
    	crime.
    
    	Tigga~~~
    

We were at WDW from June 23 thru July 3rd.

I found the weather quite nice. It was much more comfortable than
a hot, humid summer day in New England. You should take it slow and
easy. It was very hot but, it was not that humid. You need to use sunscreen 
or you will BURN; especially kids. 

It rained one afternoon for a couple of hours. 

    WEATHER phone line for Orlando.
    
    I was just looking in my AT&T Calling On North America book
    and they list the following as a weather number for Orlando.
    
    
                            (407) 857-3180
    
    This might be of help to those of you who want to see what the
    weather is like down there just before you do that final packing.
    
    

    I was there from August 24 through August 29, and it was hotter and
    every bit as humid as New England in the summertime, FWIW. --Susan

    I was in Fla. from July 9th thru July 23rd and recall only one real
    hot, uncomfortable day. Actually it was uncomfortable for only 1 hour
    prior to a big thunderstorm.
    
    I guess the average temp. for those days was about 92-94.
    
    Interestingly enough, I was more uncomfortable with the New England
    heat and humidity when I returned.
    
    Mike

I was also there from June 23rd thru July 2nd. Although it was hot, it
was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. My wife and I both
thought that the hot New England days were much more uncomfortable.

BE SURE to plaster yourselves with plenty of sunblock. You'll
cook real fast if you don't.

    I guess it comes down to the type of weather you like. I think the real
    hot weather hits Fla. in June. July and August are also very warm but I
    think June is usually the hottest month.
    
    Although it's hot you can usually handle it because you're popping in
    and out of air conditioned areas all the time.
    
    Mike_who_will_visit_the_house_the_mouse_built_only_during_the_Summer
    

Just returned.  I spent the HOTTEST week of my life there.  Mid 90's, hot,
humid, every day!  Typhoon Lagoon was hopping!  Florida is painfully
short of rain, too.  It rained once.  One ear-popping thunderstorm with
torrential rain even the Floridians said was unusually severe weather.

See trip report in a day or two for more details...

Bill

    Gee, Bill, I didn't think it was that hot and I was toting my beefy 25
    lb 1 year old around alot, too!!  Not to mention my 2 1/2 year old!
    
    Gee, is it that much cooler in Rochester than in Boston??  I actually
    thought that this past summer was hotter and more humid.  Humphhhh, I
    was expecting worse.
    
    I thought that only Thursday 9/13 was a bit unbearable!!
    
    Maybe the cool frosties from the night before at Pleasure Island kept
    me cool all the next day.....
    
    :-)
    
    Laurel
    
    Laurel   

    Can someone give me an idea of what to expect the week of Octoboer 6th
    to the 13th?  Should I bother to bring a bathing suit?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mel :^)

    re: .19
    
    We were at WDW in late October last year.  It was definitely hot enough
    for a swim suit.  If I remember correctly, it was in the low 90's the
    whole time.  However, I haven't been paying attention to the weather
    reports so I don't know what the weather in Florida is like right now.
    
    I suggest watching the weather reports this week.  We have a nationwide
    weather channel on our cable system so that's usually a good source for
    us since it includes temperature and rainfall information.  If you
    don't have access to a weather channel, try your local news.  Ours
    usually shows a map of the US showing the temperature ranges and any
    major storms.  If you're up to making long distance phone calls, I
    there's a WDW weather phone number you could call - from the 1989
    issue of Birnbaum's book (p.38) TIME AND WEATHER PHONE: In the Orlando
    area, the number is (407) 422-1611.  I recommend watching the reports
    for about a week to get an idea of the overall patterns.
    
    Have a nice trip!
    Ruth

    I was in Orlando last November and one day was spent at Cocoa Beach 
    lying on the beach and catching the rays.  So October is definitely
    swim suit weather.  This time we're going down in January.  Don't
    know how the weather is then.  Anyone?

    <<< Note 121.19 by RANGER::PELHAM "Life NEVER ends, it just changes" >>>
                   -< Anticipating hot or cold for October? >-

    Mel;

	We were in Florida in October 14-27 last year. We were at 
Ormond Beach, just north of Daytona, and had the coolest weather we 
have run into in 8 years of going there in October. When we got there
it was about 90� Sunday and Monday, beautiful for the beach. On 
Thursday we were at Silver Springs in Ocala and during the day the 
temp. dropped from 70� to about 50�, the next morning broke the record 
low with about 40�. We went to MGM one day and wore our windbreakers,
standing in line in front of the theatre for 1 1/2 hours we could have
worn sweaters under them.It was the coolest weather we have ever had on 
our vacations down there. We got a big kick out of seeing some of the 
natives wearingwinter coats, hats, gloves and even boots. It was unusual 
for the weather to be like that. I have always been able to get out of 
bed in the morning, put on a bathing suit, and not gotten dressed until 
we went out to dinner at night, or if we were going someplace during the 
day. Right now the weather has been great with temps. 70-90�. 

	Good luck, and have a great time on your vacation. We are 
leaving Wednesday morning, driving down, 2 1/2 weeks of R & R in
SUNNY, WARM Florida. I know I'm being long winded, but I'm ready for 
it. 

	Dave	

    
    
    We will be at WDW in January, how's the weather then ????
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mike

    
    I have gone to Florida at the end of January/February.  The weather was
    pleasant, temps around 70-75 down to upper 50's low 60's at night.  I
    thought it was great, coming from Mass where it was in the upper *20's*
    and blowing snow when we left!  My mother, though, thought it was too
    chilly for that time of year.  We went to the beach where the temps
    were mid 70's and the *water* temp was *71*!!  My friend and I dove 
    right in, but my mom sat up on the beach huddled in her sweater and 
    wrapped in a big beach towel--she was cold with the wind off the ocean!
    So, for "natives" (retirees) it was on the cool side--for us, perfect!
    
    I think the coldest weather is in December/beginning of January, from 
    talking to my parents, and by the end of January it starts to warm up.
    I would say it would be equivalant to end of April, biginning of May
    in New England.
    
    Does that help???
    
    
    Debbi

    re: .25
    
    Do you know if those temperatures are typical for that time of
    year?
    
    We're going to WDW for Christmas week and are trying to anticipate
    how cold it gets at night.  We would be in heaven if it was about 70
    during the day and about 50 at night.  We've been concerned that it
    might be 70 during the day and closer to 30 at night.  Of course,
    with our luck Orlando will have some really cold weather while we're
    there anyway.  I'm trying to imagine wearing a coat, hat and mittens
    at WDW.  Somehow it just doesn't seem to fit.
    
    Thanks,
    Ruth

    Ruth,
    
    I was there last year on December 22. It was 30 degrees, raining and 
    sleeting. Of course, the entire state of Florida was in a deep freeze
    for the week I was there, warming up the day I left (December 27). On 
    top of it being cold outside, most people in Florida heat with
    electricity. There wasn't enough capacity to handle the load, so we
    were on rolling blackouts. Cooking Christmas dinner at my in-laws 
    in Naples was a unique experience. I found the only way to warm up 
    was to sit in the car outside in the sun.
    
    Three years before that I was in Naples on Christmas Day and went 
    swimming to cool off!
    
    Everyone said last year was unusually cold, but it wouldn't hurt to 
    bring some sweaters and jackets just in case.
    
    Linda

    We too were over during last Christmas. The cold didn't bother us, 
    'cos it was still warmer than the UK, and we had all the winter 
    gear that we had flown out in. You're right though, it looked 
    strange to see everyone waiting for the parades wearing sweaters, 
    anoraks and woolly hats. Disney, as usual, rose to the occasion. 
    Suddenly, all the shops were selling themed sweaters, gloves and 
    knitted hats with mouse ears. 
    	    The weather was the strangest part, though. It was only a 
    couple of degrees above freezing during the day, but the skies 
    were blue and the sun was shining. It's a confusing experience 
    getting a sunburned face and a frostbitten a**.
    	    We were assured by everbody that the cold would not come 
    as low as Florida, but it did. Some friends who are going over 
    this year have been assured that it won't happen two years in a 
    row, so I'd definitely pack some extra sweaters!
    
    Mike in Warrington, UK.

    Thanks!  
    
    We'll be watching the weather reports before we go.  Hopefully
    we won't need those extra sweaters.  We had planned on wearing
    jeans, shirts/sweatshirts and maybe light jackets.  We really
    don't have the luggage space for a lot of sweaters.  We will
    have our coats, hats and mittens with us since we're driving
    to WDW from New Hampshire.  With luck, they'll spend their
    vacation in the car.
    
    Ruth

    Ruth,
    
    Just curious. How long do you anticipate the drive to take you and
    where do you intend to stay overnight (along the way)?
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    Our prior two drives took us 26 and 25 hours of driving (not including
    sleep stops).  We are hoping to leave around 8:00 or 9:00AM on Dec. 21
    and drive for about 14 hours (including meal and other stops) which
    will put us in North Carolina where we will find a hotel to stay at
    for the night.  We then plan to leave around 8:00 or 9:00AM on Dec. 22
    and drive to WDW, arriving at the Caribbean Beach Resort somewhere
    between 7:00 and 10:00PM.
    
    This schedule assumes good weather.  We will be watching the weather
    channel on cable for at least a week before we leave.  If it looks like
    we'll be experiencing rough weather, we will probably leave some time
    Thursday afternoon or evening (Dec. 20).  If it looks like we'll be
    experiencing a catastrophic storm (multi-day blizzard) we'll probably
    cancel the trip.
    
    Ruth

    Ruth,
    
    That sounds about right. It took me about 14 hours to go from North
    Carolina to Merrimack, N.H. when I returned home. I found it best to
    opt for "Express Checkout" for the motels so I could leave real early
    in the morning.
    
    I had left on a Sunday and got to Orlando by mid-day Tuesday but I
    think I would have gotten there early had I used "Express Checkout",
    not spend 3 hours at SOB, and had driven until 8 P.M. instead of 6 or
    7 each night.
    
    The big slowdown for me was D.C. I found that you will hit traffic in
    that area anytime after 6 A.M. except maybe on a Sunday morning.
    
    Hope you have good weather.
    
    Looking forward to reports on the new "Honey I Shrunk the Kids"
    playground in MGM, activity on Splash Mountain, where Switzerland is
    going in EPCOT, and any update on Tomorrowland-to-Alien-Encounter
    timetables.
    
    Mike_who_is_looking_at_587_days_before_returning

	We have driven to Florida for a vacation in October each year
for the past nine years, so I just want to add my 2 cents worth. I 
prefer to get an early start, but getting my wife up and out in the 
car any earlier than 4:30 is impossible.

	We left this year about 4:45 AM from Dracut, MA this took us 
past Hartford before the heavy traffic started, and we stop for a 
second breakfast at Danbury, CT. Traffic isn't too bad, but it starts 
to get heavier as we travel 684, 287 and the Garden State Pkwy. By 
early afternoon we are thru Washington and ahead of the horrendous 
traffic mess that comes later on as eveyone in Washington tries to
head south on 95. We reach the area of Roanoke Rapids, NC about 
6-6:30 PM. For the past 3 or 4 years we have stopped at the Comfort
Inn at Exit 173, and walked across the parking lot to eat at the
Western Sizzling Steak House (Both places reasonably decent, and 
reasonably priced). 

	The second morning we leave about 7 AM and reach the Daytona 
area by about 6 PM. Two years ago we went thru to Orlando, and were
at Church St. Station by 6 and signing in at the Ramada Inn on 192
by 8:30.

	We stop to stretch our legs, change driver,and potty stops as
needed. Two years our daughter rode down with us and complained about 
us stopping too much as if on a schedule. The past two years we have 
carried sandwiches for lunch the first day to enable us to get past 
Washington a little earlier. I have had people say you must be speeding
to do this. I will admit that between here and Washington the cruise 
control is set between 55 and 60. From Virginia south where 65 is the 
limit I set it at 65. My wife does the same.

	Ruth, since you are leaving on Friday, Dec. 21 the traffic is
going to be much heavier. By leaving as early as you can, you may be
able to avoid some of it. If the weather is bad you can't expect to
get as far each day.

	Have a great trip, and I hope you have good weather.

Dave

    Dave,
    
    I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Roanoke Rapids on the way down and
    second your comments on Sizzler Steak House.
    
    I agree that the earlier you leave the better off you'll be. Heck if
    the driver is awake everyone can sleep.
    
    At the end of day 1 you should be in Roanoke Rapids.
    
    At the end of day 2 you should be in Jacksonville, Fla. or beyond.
    
    Hey Dave any Sizzler Steak House Restaurants up here?
    
    Mike

	Mike,

		When we stopped there last year I asked for the 
corporate discount, and got it. I requested the same at one in
Edgewood, MD and was told I had to have a discount card, the 
difference in the two bills including taxes was about $9.00.
I got the same discount this year. I ask the same thing now when
I walk into a motel "AAA, AARP or Corporate Discount?" 

	In addition when you check in there they tell you to show
your key at the steakhouse and you get 10% knocked off your meal check.

	I believe that the Western Sizzlers are strictly a southern
chain. I don't know of any north of the Mason-Dixon line.

	Dave	 

    Dave,
    
    I think it's a good idea to mention the AAA discounts. I used them and
    saved more money than the actual cost of my AAA membership.
    
    I got a great deal in the new Best Western Hotel in Jacksonville. I
    paid $29.00 for the four of us in a non-smoking room. Best deal of the     
    trip. 
    
    Mike

    For those heading to WDW soon:
    
    Talked to my in-laws last night, and they said that today's high
    temperature was expected to be in the 50's. The electric company
    has already warned that, if it gets as cold as it did last year, 
    they still do not have the capacity to handle the demand for the 
    electric heating, so to again expect rolling blackouts. I suggested
    she cook Christmas dinner several days in advance. It's hard to
    roast a turkey when you only get 20 minutes of electricity every 
    hour. 
    
    Linda 

    I find that hard to believe.
    
    I was in Typhoon Lagoon on Tuesday and it was in the 80's.
    
    High/Low for Orlando: Wed (act.) 84/63, Thu (pred.) 82/65, Fri 83/66.

    My husband and I are thing of taking a trip to Disneyworld in
    Florida this summer and had a question about weather.
    
    Due to my husband's work schedule, our vacation time is
    planned for the 2nd week in August.  What is the weather like
    this time of year?  I mean I know it will be hot, but how hot?
    And is it a "muggy" type of hot?  We plan of doing disney/epcot
    for 2 days, seaworld, and maybe Busch Gardens again.
    
    If the weather is gonna be schorching hot, maybe we'll stay 
    somewhere near water and just drive to Orlando and stay over
    for a couple of days.
    
    Thanks for any help you can provide.
    
    Linda

I was there this past summer during week 2-3 of August.  It was HOT every day,
usually reaching 100+.  Expect late afternoon/early evening showers lasting
an hour or two.  Humidity was high but not overbearing.  Parks were crowded
during the afternoon, so was Typhoon Lagoon.

	-pb

    Since the parks are open late that time of year, you should plan on 
    visiting twice a day, with a break during the afternoon.  Maybe visit
    epcot in the am, then go back to hotel and take a nap, then stay up
    late at another park.  I did this, even with small children and it
    worked out fine.

    I was in Fla. from July 9th to July 23rd and can recall only one
    uncomfortable day.
    
    The weather in Fla. during the Summer is the same up here except that
    you're prbably guaranteed warmth and humidity every day.
    
    It's been noted in this conference that if you go to WDW in the Summer
    (the only time to go in this moderator's eyes) that you should plan on
    getting an early start to beat the heat and the crowds. Right around
    Noon or 1 P.M. you should duck out of the theme parks and cool off.
    Maybe do some shopping in the village or relax in your hotel's pool.
    
    We preferred Typhoon Lagoon between 12-5 before returning to one of the
    theme parks.
    
    When you return at 5 the parks may have dropped some of the crowd which
    had toddlers. The young ones are usually cranky by 5 or 6.
    
    Then stay til closing.
    
    If you do it right you'll never have to fight the crowds or the sun and
    you'll spend an easy 8 hours a day in the theme parks.
    
    Mike

    I'm just starting my packing for my trip to WDW next week. Can someone
    advise me about what it will be like in the early evening. Will need
    some warm clothing to cater for a drop in temperature late? Also what
    time will sunset be?
    
    Dave

    Rep to <<< Note 121.43 by AYOV27::DBEGG "David Begg @AYO" >>>


>    I'm just starting my packing for my trip to WDW next week. Can someone
>    advise me about what it will be like in the early evening. Will need
>    some warm clothing to cater for a drop in temperature late? Also what
>    time will sunset be?

    Dave,
    
    Since I've  done  three trips that coincided with late April Early May,
    you'll need to  have  a  sweatshirt/sweater  handy  for evenings.  I've
    experience a couple of evenings that dropped  to  about 60 degrees (per
    trip), and a sweater of Mickey sweatshirt will  do  just fine.  For the
    most part I wore shorts/tshirts during the day, only  one or two days I
    had to wear longpants and my Epcot sweatshirt at night  ;^).    If your
    staying on sight, Disney provides a good cable setup and there  is  not
    problem getting the days weather report prior to leaving your room.
    
    also  the  above is based on a northeners experience (NH), someone from
    the south  may  like  to pack a parka, since if it gets below 75 degree
    the locals dress warm and don't go swimming ;^).
    
    Claude

    I've read of some disadvantages to buying the rain ponchos in WDW.
    (expensive; can't find your kids in the sea of yellow ponchos, etc)
    
    Can anyone recommend a store in the Marlboro or Framingham, MA area where
    one can buy ponchos for the family at a decent price? (i.e. cheap!)
    
    Thanks 

    If there's a Kmart nearby I'd give that a try.  The ponchos are usually
    located in the sporting goods section, by the fishing or camping stuff.
    
    Moe

    Hi,
    
    I don't seem to be able to find a note on what the weather's like in
    Disneyland...so, Mr Moderator, is it okay to ask here...? 
    
    Could anyone tell me what the weather is like in California, and if
    there are particular months to avoid because of extensive heat or rain
    or whatever?
    
    Thanks very much for your help.
    
    Best regards,
    
    Karen
                                   

    re: -.1 (the weather)
    
    California has relatively mild weathers all year round.  Typically, the
    warmest month of the year is September (just after school starts).
    During heat-waves (and all weather here comes in waves), the
    temperature may get up to 100� (but without a lot of humidity), and
    during cold snaps, the temperature may be down to about 55.
    
    As far as excessive rain, I wish!  We are currently in the sixth year
    of a drought!
    
    hope this helps,
    
    tom
    (who has to renew his annual pass in about a week)

    re: -.1
    
    Thanks Tom!
    
    Regards,
    
    Karen

    I'm off to Orlando this Friday for Xmas, and to take my mind of the
    fact that I have a 6am flight, I called the Orlando Weather Service
    number last night - the gentleman said:
    
    
    Monday's high in Orlando was 79 degrees (broad smile)
    
    Outlook for the weekend is mid 70's on Thursday (smile not-so-broad,
    but still there).
    
    Friday low temps in the high 40's - low 50's ... highs in the mid
    to upper 60's (smile fading fast)
    
    Saturday turning cold with a North wind, low's in the high 30's -
    low 40's ... highs in the upper 50's (smile gone, replaced by
    whimpering sound and head-banging on wall)
    
    
    PLEASE would any locals and/or moderators use their considerable
    influence to rectify this situation immediately and return the weather
    to Monday's situation?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Worried-of-Basingstoke. 
                         

RE -.1                     <<< Note 121.50 by UBOHUB::WHITAKER >>>
                         -< Whos controlling the weather?? >-

>>    Saturday turning cold with a North wind, low's in the high 30's -
>>    low 40's ... highs in the upper 50's (smile gone, replaced by
>>    whimpering sound and head-banging on wall)

Hey, at least it's December.  Last time I went to Orlando (1987) that was
exactly the weather WE had...and that was the FIRST WEEK IN APRIL!
    
� �ori �

     Can someone please tell me what kind of weather I can expect in 
     L.A. in April and also inland at Pheonix and Vegas.
     
     Thanks

    The weather in all three are likely to be mild, but I have been in all
    three in April and found it cold (50) and rainy, or sunny and warm
    (85).  
    
    Please feel free to contact me off-notes for more details.
    
    tom

    Did you hear about the weather at WDW this weekend? Temperatures in
    Orlando yesterday were in the LOW 30's!!!  Brrrrrrr!!! So much for 
    Typhoon Lagoon!
     
    Linda

    On the other hand, temperatures in Anaheim were in the low 80's when I
    went on Friday, but quickly cooled off to 65 when the sun went down.

Well if low temperatures were the only effect of the large storm that
passed up the Eastern seaboard, then I'd say that WDW came off quite
well.

I spent some time anxiously watching the news to see if any of the tornadoes
and/or gale-force-winds had stirerd up Disneyworld.

				N

    Does anyone have information on how Disney World/Orlando was affected
    by the big storm??
    We have a trip planned for spring break at the end of the month.
    
    Thanks
    
    ses
    

    A co-worker of my husband's was stranded in Tampa with his wife and two
    kids. Since they couldn't get a flight out until Tuesday, they decided
    to go over to Orlando to WDW. Getting a room was as difficult as 
    getting a flight, but they found one off-site. I will try to speak with 
    him directly on Wednesday to get more details and post them in here. 
    
    Linda

    I was at  Disneyworld during the storm, and am glad to report that it
    came through just fine.  A couple of smaller trees at the hotel
    (Carribean Beach Resort) fell over, but that was about it.  It's almost
    as if the storm hit bad all around the park, but not the part itself! 
    Miracles do happen!
    
    Barb

    Thanks for the direct report. My source was stuck in Newark last night,
    so I couldn't speak with him today. 
    
    Linda

    What's the number for the Orlando Weather Service?  I'm leaving for WDW
    on Saturday and need to feel some hope that I'm actually leaving crappy
    weather for NICE weather ...
    
    Leslie

    re: .61
    
    Last I heard, the weather for the next week in Orlando calls for hail,
    roughly the size of canned hams...  :-)
    
    - Skip, who's stuck with this crappy weather... :-P

    ArrrrggggggghhhhhhHH!!!!!  Everyone is doing the same thing to me ...
    predicting ham hailing, tornadoes, and snowstorms ... in ORLANDO!!!
    
    Now, don't be jealous, guys ... just tell me the forecast!
    
    Leslie

    
      Whats the weather like at the moment... hot I hope!!!!!

    re: -.1
    Which coast?  Yesterday, Disneyland was dry and in the mid-80's.
    Don't know what Florida was.
    
    tom

We spent eight days from April 23 - May 1 in Orlando and the temps were....

83
84
84
84
85
84
81 (brrrrrr)
84
86

The 5-day forecast when we left was for sunny and temps of 84,84,84,86,84!

Saw maybe three clouds in eight days.

bl

Were were in Orlando from August 22 thru Aug 28.

It was hot but for some reason it was much more comfortable there 
than up here in the humid weather.

It was in the high 90's yet we could move around quite nicely.

Doug

    We just got back yesterday from WDW.  We were there from Sep 13 thru
    Sep 19.  The weather was sunny all days with highs hovering right
    around 90. 
    
    Kristen

    This morning the weatherman said it was 37 degrees F in Orlando. 
    
    Linda

    And 85� at Disneyland, Anaheim.  
    
    Course you have to put up with the hot winds and smokey air.
    
    Yuk. Cough. Sneeze.
    
    Jodi- 
    
    

    I can't stand it..... 3 days and a few hours (4 hours and 49 minutes to
    be exact.. but who's counting)
    
    I called the weather service, and they only went up to Friday... low in
    the low to mid 60's, high in the low 80's.... I think I can handle
    that!!!!!!  Come on warm weather!!!!!!
    
    M-L

    With only two weeks to go to our hols in Orlando, I wondered if anyone
    knows how the weather is shaping up?  The English newspapers are
    showing Miami in the 80s.  Just wondered what the difference was in
    Orlando...
    
    Thanks!
    
    Karen

    Last week (11/8-11/13) the weather was great...about 70 around
    8:00 am...increasing to 75-85 by about 11:00...holding to about 5:00 pm
    before dropping back to 65-70 overnight.  Monday & Tuesday the highs
    were closer to 75...Wed-Sat were closer to 85. 
    

    Sounds good.  Just hope it lasts!
    
    Thanks,
    
    Karen

    Weather alert to anyone going to Orlando in the near future. Last week
    the pollen count went from negligable to 400 in less than 24 hours. If 
    you have allergies bring your heaviest duty medication. Even prednisone
    didn't completely control it for me. 
    
    Linda

    What are evenings like in Orlando in late April (23-30), usually?
    
    I'm assuming we'll be in shorts all day, but will the evenings call for
    warmer clothes?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jane

    No quarantee but my experience being at WDW in late April 3 times
    was the evenings were normally very mild, most cases you could leave
    shorts on if you wanted. I do not remember ever putting on a sweater
    or anything. Days were in 80's or low 90's. Nights are mild.
    
    					Harold
    

    Coming from a colder climate, we packed sweatshirts for last weeks
    trip, but never needed them (except the one time I did Splash Mtn and
    got wet enough that I was chilled after that).  My kids swam every
    morning (before 9:00), every afternoon (between 3 and 6) and just about
    every night (after 10:00).
    
    -sandy

    
    What sort of weather can i expect to find when visiting WDW over
    Christmas..
    
    Andy..

    Given the weather in Florida the past couple of weeks (lots of rain!),
    I'd like to have some ideas of what to do if it rains while we are
    there.  We will be there August 22 through September 3rd, and we
    will NOT have a rental car.  What suggestions do you have for things
    to do in the rain?  Thanks.

Buy a poncho and go to the MK, EC, or studio.  

Three years ago, I was there in October and it was still raining alot.
My husband and I happened to pick a rainy day to go to Typhoon Lagoon.
It was great because there were no lines.  It was great.  Be careful tho,
because if there's lightning the water parks are closed.

We have been down in the summer 3 times. When it rains we don't get the
poncho's anymore. It's hot enough that you dry off quickly and there
is enough cover so that you can be out of the rain for the duration.
The poncho's make for a steam bath after a few minutes and they are
a pain to carry.

Of ocourse if it is an all day rain or it is in the cool season you may
want to go for the poncho's anyway.

Doug

    Gail,
    
    If you're in Epcot when it rains head to Innoventions.
    
    If you're in TMK then go to Main Street USA and browse.
    
    In MGM I'd probablyget in line for VOTLM.
    
    Mike

    Rain in summer is usually different from fall in Florida. IT is 
    usually short intense showers followed by sunny weather in Summer. 
    In October it can sometimes
    rain all day for days. You can also get very good weather also.
    Because the crowds are much less you should be able to enjoy
    yourself a lot with some protection. I would take a rainy day
    with small crowds in October over any hot sunny jam packed summer
    day. We went to WDW our first time in 83 in October. We had fantastic
    weather and very small crowds with very short waits even for popular
    items. A friend of my wife went down about 1 week after us and it
    rained the whole week.
    
    
    

When it rains for longer than a couple of hours we

- buy ponchos or umbrellas

- Go shopping

- Tour hotels

- Head for indoor attractions with covered waiting areas/lines

- Have a long, self-indulgent meal at Narcoosee's (where you can
  watch the rain and lightning all over the "world")

bill
 

So, who among us is in WDW today?  Erin's 60mph winds and 6" of rain
is passing right through central Florida.  I'm not sure the yellow
mickey ponchos will keep anyone sufficiently dry...

Seriously, anyone who hears anything about WDW preparations and reactions
to the hurricane, and, expeiences of people there, please post!

I will watch rec.arts.disney as well.

bill a.

	Re: .86 "Yellow Mickey Ponchos"

	We were in WDW last week, and there was
	strong rainstorms almost everyday.
	Overheard on Disney Bus.....
	From father to little boy....
	NOW if you get lost, look for our yellow
	ponchos...

		Got a big laugh form rest of bus.

			Roger

    Bill,
    
    Ruth Lowell is still there. She'll be heading home this Friday. We all
    need to work on her to make sure she gets he trip report done. Did she
    ever do her '92 trip?
    
    Mike

    
>    Ruth Lowell is still there. She'll be heading home this Friday. We all
>    need to work on her to make sure she gets he trip report done. Did she
>    ever do her '92 trip?
    
Welllll, let's see.  Here's what I found... in 334.43

>>    Ruth
    
>>    PS - I'll enter a trip report as soon as I can.


...and that was it.  Okay, Ruth, we forgive you.  But for THIS trip,
well, Enquiring Minds want to know (c)...

bill a.

>Seriously, anyone who hears anything about WDW preparations and reactions
>to the hurricane, and, expeiences of people there, please post!

>I will watch rec.arts.disney as well.

I've been watching rec.arts.disney.parks and haven't seen much worth reporting.

Waiting for Ruth to get back.

I saw a newspaper report on hurricane Erin's effects on central Florida.
It said that many people fled southern Florida for central, filling all
the hotel rooms... but the effects were minimal.  Just heavy rain and
30-50mph winds.  

It said Disney World delayed opening about 2 hours the day it came 
through. 

Bill A.

    I'm not officially back yet.  I took most of the summer off and will
    return Monday.  Here are a few items about Erin.
    
    - Erin was initially projected to go through closer to Miami.  The
      folks down there, remembering Hurricane Andrew, paid close attention
      to the weather people and evacuated to central Florida.
    
    - Erin changed course and was now projected to land further north,
      near Melbourne.  Those people again listened and tried to evacuate
      the coastal areas but all the rooms were taken by the previous
      evacuees even though many of those people had decided to return to
      their homes.  Shelters were full.
    
    - Orlando (and WDW) would be north of the eye so we would get high
      winds and a lot of rain.  This was devastating news for some areas
      because they were already flooded from heavy rains in the previous
      weeks.
    
    - Erin was expected to do it's worst work in WDW between 4:00 AM and
      8:00 AM on Wednesday.

    WDW preparations we know of:
    
    We saw no evidence of preparations at Epcot even as we left after the
    10:00 PM closing.
    
    The preparations for the MK had started before the 3:00 parade.  They were
    securing the small, free-standing shops (popcorn wagons, etc.) to the
    concrete using eye-bolts and rope.  It looked like they might have been
    emptying out the ones that sold merchandise.  They still hadn't removed
    any of the hanging plants, bunting, banners, etc. when we left at 4:15.
    I assume those things were removed at some point.
    
    Epcot and MGM stayed open until their normal 10:00 closing time but we
    received a voicemail message stating the MK had closed at 11:00 instead
    of midnight.  The message also said the next morning's early opening of
    MGM was cancelled.
    
    The Vacation Club preparations were going on by 6:00.  They were
    securing the garbage cans and newspaper vending machines to the posts
    at the bus stops with rope.  Flashlights were delivered to our rooms
    and we received a voicemail message telling us to move the patio
    furniture inside.

    Erin came through as planned.  We slept through most of it.  The winds
    were strong and there was a lot of rain in the morning but we received
    much less rain in the afternoon and evening than I expected.  We didn't
    notice any damage at the Vacation Club.
    
    The local stations carried hurricane news all day.  Some areas received
    a lot of damage but nothing like Hurricane Andrew had caused.  There
    were around 200,000 customers without electricity in Brevard County and
    they didn't expect to have them all back on line for three to four
    days.  It sounded as though some areas received a lot of damage but I
    didn't see much in my travels.
    
    Some minor theme parks didn't open the day after but the major ones
    did.  WDW delayed opening of all parks until 11:00 AM, Sea World was
    planning to open at 1:00 PM and Universal Studios opened but no time
    was listed on the tv reports.  Some minor attractions like Cypress
    Gardens didn't open.  The newsdroids said Disney had told their
    employees to report to work when they felt comfortable doing so even
    though they would be opening for the day.
    
    We received a bunch of voicemail messages at the Vacation Club.  There
    would be no housekeeping services that day.  We were also asked to use
    our own transportation if possible.  Their buses were running as usual
    but had been taxed during the night due to the evacuation of "The Fort
    Wilderness Lodge."  More on that later.
    
    Disney seemed to clean up quickly after the storm.  I didn't see any
    major messes, mostly lots of leaves on the ground and puddles.  The one
    small article in the Orlando Sentinel said Disney had cleaned up by the
    11:00 opening.  I did see some trees with obviously new support
    systems.
    
    The main damage I saw was on the backstage tour at MGM.  The tram guide
    was talking about the house facades, "These shells are built to
    withstand 100 MPH winds which we tested last night.  However our New
    York Street was not."  The upper end of New York Street was closed off
    as of August 4th and the canvas has been removed from the steel
    supports.

    More on the "Fort Wilderness Lodge" evacuation.  I met up with some
    women who received the same message at the Swan.  They were confused
    too.  I assume the Fort Wilderness Campground was evacuated - makes
    sense if you think about it.  Could one of you who is in touch with
    cast members look into this?
    
    I overheard a couple of tourists commenting that the Grand Floridian
    must not be very busy if they could move all those people there but
    didn't get to hear anything else.
    
    Here's another thing I'd like more info on which may or may not be
    hurricane related.
    
    We were at the character breakfast in The Land on Tuesday morning.  The
    breakfast is held in the restaurant that turns.  We had rotated so that
    we were looking over the farm house scene of the ride below.  Suddenly
    all the lights went out.  It was obvious to us that it was more than
    the restaurant because the ride wasn't doing anything either.  The
    power was out for at least five minutes and we could see cast members
    walking around the ride area with flashlights.  We assume they
    evacuated the ride because only one boat went by after the lights came
    on and it was empty.  Our waiter at first said it was the entire
    pavilion but later said it was all of Epcot.  Much of Future World was
    not up when we left breakfast.  They were still having trouble with
    their phones and computers much later in the day.
    
    I later found out all of WDW lost power at that time!  I was told the
    MK only had a glitch (registers stayed up and only the three mountain
    rides went down) but MGM had been hit as hard as Epcot.  The clocks
    were flashing when we got to the Vacation Club so power had gone out
    there too.  We did notice later on that some of the non-digital clocks
    had not be reset in the parks.  One in MGM was ten minutes behind which
    seems to match the length of the outage.
    
    I'd love to find out what happened!

    I've booked a vacation to Orlando in mid September and would like
     someone to give me some information about what weather I can expect.
    I usually go in May, will it be alot hoter and more humid in September.
    I'm interested because my parents are thinking of comming as well but
    my father has trouble in very hot weather as he's got heart problems.
    I've looked through the notes and most people seem to be talking 90+
    for september is this accurate any comparisons with May would be
    very helpful.
                thanks Steve

    Hi Steve,
    
    I was down at WDW in September of 1994.  For us the weather was in the 
    80's, but comfortable.  We had some heavy rains, but they were during
    the evening hours after the park was closed and we were back in our
    room.  The only day rain we had was on our next to the last day, when
    we were at Universal.  While it was hot, the humidity was not bad.
    The one advantage to September is that except for weekends the parks
    are not crowded and you get on/off rides very easily.  

    We were also in WDW in September of 1994.  The temps averaged in the
    mid to high 80's and a few of the days were pretty humid. I don't think
    we had any 90+ days though.    
    
    It really is a good time to go crowd-wise though.  If I had my choice,
    I would always pick either September or October.
    
    Kristen                      
    

    We are going to WDW in April (week after Easter). Can anyone
    tell me what the weather is normally like at this time of the
    year.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Gordon.

    
    Gordon,
    
    We were in WDW last April (about the 3rd week), and it was HOT!  It was
    about 80-90 degrees everyday.
    
    Of course, you never know when a cold front could come in.
    
    - Gary

    Any thoughts on the weather the week beginning Thanksgiving weekend?
    
    Thanks!
    tl
    

    We are coming to Florida next week, could somebody tell me what is the
    weather these days ?
    
    Thanks,
    Pascale.

    The weather is going to be bad, horrid, terrible.  You don't want to be
    there.  You should immediately give me your tickets and reservations so
    that I can go in your place and take the terrible weather and spare you
    the grief.
    ;_)
    
    bad case of the -itis!  I need a vacation.
    have fun.  be prepared to adapt to whatever mr weather gives you.
    
    ed
    

RE .103 - I believe the temperature has been generally in the 80s 
(Farenheit) recently and probably will continue to be so.  Someone
in my group just got back from Walt Disney World and said the weather
was beautiful (last week); it rained only once in the evening, he
said.

If you have access to the World Wide Web, there's a pretty neat U.S.
weather site at http://www.wunderground.com (The Weather Underground).
You can get current weather conditions and forecasts for all the states 
(and for cities in the states, such as Orlando, Florida :-) ).

-- Nina

    
    I have been in Orlando the past couple of days.  It is beautiful!
    
    The weather has been 85-90 each day with quite a bit of sun.
    
    The rest of the week (thru Sunday) is going to be about the same.  High
    of 85 and mostly sunny.
    
    - Gary

    RE: weather the week of the 22-26
    
    Well, this is late, but since I was there last week I thought I'd
    throw my $.02 in - it was fabulous all week.  Sunny and in the 80's
    to near 90 all week.  ONly a few passing clouds late weds/early thurs,
    otherwise it was fabulous.  We drove down, and had great weather 
    going down (except for nighttime T-storms in SC on 4/20), and great
    weather on the way back this past weekend.
    
    This week, on the other hand, the weather is warm but showery.
    
    Unfortunately, this is Florida in the springtime - sometimes you hit,
    sometimes you miss.....
    
    andy
    

I was down at WDW last week and the weather was beautiful, but HOT!  Sunny and in the low 90s every day.  
We had our ponchos, but didn't get a bit of rain!  This made touring early and hitting the pool and water
parks in the afternoon really important. 

Trip report to follow later this week.

Julie

    Well it's nice to see Orlando struggling to get into the 80s today.
    
    I was hoping that our own weather would warm up in June with the last
    two weeks being in the high 80s and low 90s. It's best to get the blood
    thinner before going to FLA in the Summer.
    
    Current temp in Orlando is 83 degrees.
    
    I wish I could say the same for New England.
    
    Mike