This is another great organization that is providing relief for folks affected by Hurricane Ian. They’ve provided meals for many other areas that have needed relief also. If you wish to donate, click the link below.
World Central Kitchen
Category: States
Universal Orlando phased reopening for resort guests
Here is the latest update I’ve seen from Universal Orlando.
Update as of 2pm ET on Sept 30th.
Update as of 9pm ET on Sept 29th.
We continue to conduct assessment and recovery efforts across our entire destination with the safety of our guests and team members being our top priority. We expect to begin a phased reopen of portions of our destination for Universal Orlando Resort hotel guests only beginning Friday, Sept. 30.
We look forward to sharing additional operational updates regarding our reopen, including updates around Halloween Horror Nights and when our destination will be available to all guests. These updates will be shared as soon as possible on our website, social media and via email.
To update travel plans:
Our Guest Contact Center is experiencing high call volume and wait times. The easiest way to modify or cancel Universal Orlando travel plans, including theme park tickets and Halloween Horror Nights event tickets, is to email reservations@universalorlando.com. A Team Member will respond as soon as possible.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming all guests as soon as it is safe to do so.
©Universal Orlando
*Pic credit to original post online.
Orlando International Airport reopening Friday
Orlando International Airport will resume passenger flights after 12:00pm Friday, September 30. Please check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on your flight status.
Cruises impacted by Hurricane Ian
Disney Cruise Lines has confirmed that the Disney Wish sailing currently out at sea will be delayed returning to Port Canaveral. Instead of returning this Friday as scheduled, it will now likely return on Saturday or Sunday, depending on when Port Canaveral reopens.
Unfortunately, that means the Wish sailing scheduled to start sailing on Friday will now be cancelled. If you were booked on that sailing, you should’ve gotten an email from DCL today with details on refunds and credits.
Norwegian Cruise Lines has also cancelled it’s Thursday sailing on the Norwegian Getaway.
Carnival Cruise Line cancelled its sailings out of Tampa and Jacksonville scheduled for Thursday on the Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation.
The sailings of those ships that are out at sea now are going to be extended until their ports reopen as well.
Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Celebrity Cruises have announced route and port changes to several of their ships currently out at sea. I imagine most cruise lines with sailings thru the Caribbean will have route and port changes as well.
Chances are, if you have a sailing into or out of ports in Tampa, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville this week, you will be impacted. Check with your cruise line for the latest changes.
Florida theme parks announce closures
In light of the impending landfall of Hurricane Ian thru central Florida, most major theme parks have announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday. So far, Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Legoland have confirmed closures of all of their Florida parks, as well as Disney Springs and CityWalk.
I expect that all other area attractions will be closing soon as well. Depending on the results of the hurricane, the closures may be extended. Double check before you go, if you still plan on going this week.
Stay safe!
Orlando international airport closures
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), working in conjunction with more than 40 airlines that service Orlando International Airport (MCO), has decided that out of an abundance of caution in anticipation of Hurricane Ian, the final commercial flight at MCO will depart tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m.
If you have a flight scheduled after this time, you’ll have to work with your booking source to reschedule. Orlando is currently under a Hurricane Watch status.
Other Florida airports are due to close or have altered operations as well. Double check if you’re due to fly this week.
For more details on Orlando:
© Orlando International Airport
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Disney World has announced the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! It will begin this year on November 25, 2022 with additional holiday foods, activities, and merch.
One of the most popular events of the festival is the Candlelight Processional. You can see “a celebrity narrator tell the story of Christmas, recounting the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem. Woven into the production are stirring songs of hope and joy performed by the orchestra and massed choir.”
Shows take place at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM or 8:30 PM at the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT at no additional cost besides your park ticket. It is a very beautiful production!
The schedule of celebrity narrators is subject to change, but here are the ones that have been revealed so far. Certain ones can get very popular so plan to line up very early or book a dining package that includes tickets to the show.
- 11/25 – 11/26: Simu Liu
- 11/27 – 11/29: Chita Rivera
- 11/30 – 12/1: Raul Esparza (NEW)
- 12/2 – 12/3: Whoopi Goldberg
- 12/4 – 12/6: Isabella Rossellini
- 12/7 – 12/9: Daymond John
- 12/10 – 12/12: Josh Gad (NEW)
- 12/13 – 12/14: Gloria Estefan (NEW)
- 12/15 – 12/18: Neil Patrick Harris
- 12/19 – 12/20: Mariska Hargitay (NEW)
- 12/21 – 12/23: Cal Ripken Jr.
- 12/24 – 12/26: Marie Osmond
- 12/27 – 12/28: Courtney Vance
- 12/29 – 12/30: Angela Bassett
Note: narrators can change. Check the official Disney festival page for the most recent updates on the schedule and additional details about the festival.
This is another fun EPCOT festival that we love. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat more about this or if you want me to help plan your trip.
Happy Holidays!
©Disney
Universal Orlando weather updates
Universal Orlando has also announced their change and cancellation fee waivers in light of the impending hurricane.
Follow their weather updates page for the specific details:
Be safe!
Disney waiving change fees due to Hurricane Ian
Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Ian on the Orlando area, Disney World has announced that they are waiving all change and cancellation fees for dining and resort reservations between Sept 26 – Oct 3, 2022.
Some resorts and the water parks have already been announced with closures as well.
For the latest updates on Disney World weather related events, go to:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/weather-updates/
I hope you’ll be safe if you’re within the path of the hurricane!
End dates announced!
The “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” fireworks will be ending their limited-time runs on Sept. 1, 2022 over at Disneyland in California. Catch them before they end!
Adventures By Anne 