Did you go out there, beachyorlando? What was the beach like at lot 13?Plenty of sand left?
Beaches are in good shape. I think the park is just taking it slow to reopen everythingThanks so much for the update, hope they are able to get it all opened back up...
Yesterday, Wednesday, 10/19/2016,I arrived just after astronomical high tide (+5.4 feet at 10:57 am with 4-5 foot waves). Parking lots 12 & 13 were open and crews had alreadyrepairedthose walkways over the dunes and the one in front of the observatory (they even added new steps straight off the landing of #13 walkway). Work was continuing on the walkways of the other lots. A good-sized crowd of people were there, but all were up on the dunes because of the water level. As the tide receded during the afternoon, it appeared there is sufficient sand remaining, not as much as before the hurricane but not as if it had been stripped down to bedrock. There is even a newly deposited palm tree laying at the base of the #13 walkway thathadn't been there 2-3 days prior, according to a couple I met. Overall, I think the beach is in great shape. As usual, it was a lovely beach day. I even spotted 5 alligatorsalong the roadon the way out.
I was at Playalinda Tuesday. Had no trouble parking in lot 13, getting there around 11:00. No back country passes are being given out, and the ranger at the gate said it will be some time until they are. The surf was very rough, but as the tide went out, the beach was very pleasant, although there is a great deal of trash strewn around the now-diminished dunes.