Disney World Trip During Hurricane Milton Evac: Our Story of Chaos and Magic
Okay, so you've been planning your dream Disney World trip for ages, right? You've got your park tickets, your FastPasses, your Mickey Mouse ears, the whole shebang. Then BAM! Hurricane Milton throws a wrench in your plans, and you're faced with the daunting prospect of evacuating.
It's a pretty stressful situation, but we're here to tell you: it doesn't have to be a complete disaster! We recently had a Disney World trip interrupted by Hurricane Milton and, while it definitely wasn't what we expected, it turned out to be a wild, memorable adventure.
From Magic Kingdom to Hurricane Panic
We were in the middle of a magical day at the Magic Kingdom, riding Space Mountain and munching on Mickey Pretzels, when the park announcements started talking about the approaching storm. It was like someone flipped a switch! The atmosphere changed from pure Disney joy to a panicked scramble for safety. We were told to evacuate the park and head for shelter, but the crowd was moving so slowly it was almost impossible to get out of there.
The Hurricane Shelter: Not So Magical
After what felt like forever, we found our way to a designated hurricane shelter. We were packed in with hundreds of other guests, a mix of families, couples, and even some lone travelers. There were plenty of snacks and water, but the air conditioning was broken (talk about a hot mess!) and there wasn't much room to stretch out. It was an experience we'll never forget, but not exactly the fairytale we imagined.
Waiting it Out: Time to Relax?
Stuck in the shelter, we had a whole lot of time on our hands. We ended up bonding with other families, sharing stories and playing card games. We also had plenty of time to reflect on our trip and just enjoy the fact that we were safe. We even managed to catch a couple of movies on the park's TV screens.
Back to the Magic: A Sense of Relief
After 24 hours, the storm passed, and we were finally allowed back into the Magic Kingdom. There was a palpable sense of relief among everyone. The park was closed for the next few days, so we got to spend some time exploring Disney Springs and even enjoyed a delicious meal at the Boardwalk.
Taking the Unexpected in Stride
We were bummed about missing out on some of the activities we had planned, but we learned that even when things don't go according to plan, there's still magic to be found. We made the best of a bad situation and created memories we'll never forget.
Here are a few tips if you find yourself facing a similar situation:
- Stay calm and follow instructions from park staff.
- Pack a "hurricane kit" with essentials like snacks, water, medications, and entertainment.
- Take advantage of the time to explore other areas of the resort.
- Remember, your safety is the priority.
While a hurricane is definitely not the ideal way to experience Disney World, it can also be a chance to embrace the unexpected and discover new sides of yourself and the people you're with. Just like that, you'll be creating a whole new set of memories that are uniquely your own.
