You guys won't believe this!

[Cass]

We are leaving tomorrow on Air Canada for WDW.

My DD and I have passports, but my friend Louise and her DD are travelling on Birth Certificates.

She can't find hers :crazy:

We've has this booked for 5 months and the night before the trip she looks for her BC :sad2: :sad2:

So she went to the ministry this morning (in Toronto) to get an emergency BC issued - but it takes 2 days, that is the soonest :guilty:

So she has an expired Canadian Passport and she is going to a lawyers to get an affidavit that she is a Canadian citizen and she is going to try that tomorrow morning and see if she gets denied boarding or not.

I need a :grouphug:

Also, I don't even know if I will be allowed to take her DD12 with me, she will do a letter.

We are all devestated and so upset :(

[Disney_Mama]

Good Luck pixiedust:

[pooksma]

Awww man. That's awful. Good luck and best wishes. :wizard: :wizard: Here's your :grouphug:

[disyady]

Hope this all works out for you and that your trip is magical. :wizard:

[Cass]

I don't even feel like going now. :(

[sean-1966]

Talk about leaving it till the last minute.

[Cass]

I know. and I discussed it with her several times that she should get passports.

It's crazy, we have had this booked since July, I am upset and sad and I am also getting angry.

[madonna31]

So she has an expired Canadian Passport and she is going to a lawyers to get an affidavit that she is a Canadian citizen and she is going to try that tomorrow morning and see if she gets denied boarding or not.

Tell her to bring a current drivers licence as well and to KEEP LOOKING FOR THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

This might actually work, here's hoping that it does! :wizard:

[Cass]

Except now she says she can't find her expired passport either. It's probably with her BC.

If I cancel them off the Disney reservation by tonight there is some refund, less penalties - this is the PLATINUM PLAN we are on.

If I wait until tomorrow it will be like a no show and all the $$ will be lost.

The airline tickets are non refundable, so there's 1000++ gone.

[madonna31]

I'm assuming you are on a Magic Your Way package and that you booked directly with Disney?

If so; by cancelling tonight, you will be charged $200 USD. WDTC is open until 10:00PM, so she has until then to find it.

[Cass]

Yes that's right. But she wants to try and get on with the lawyers letter tomorrow and see if she is denied boarding, then the $$ will be gone.

I am still waiting to hear how things are going with the lawyer, etc.

[madonna31]

and see if she is denied boarding, then the $$ will be gone.

Not neccesarily...if she's denied boarding, then she can call WDTC right after to cancel herself and her DD instead of calling the WDW resort directly. By doing so; she should only endure the $200 cancellation fee.

[SandraC]

Cass, I PM'ed you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[robinb]

Can you change her airfare and join you when she gets her birth certificates? It's also not just boarding the plane, but customs in the US that she has to worry about.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh....:(
That's so disappointing...and no fun when a good friend disappoints you...

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Let us know...I'll keep fingers crossed and a few toes too!

[madonna31]

It's also not just boarding the plane, but customs in the US that she has to worry about.

Yes, and getting back INTO Canada.

[sean-1966]

Maybe try driving over to Buffalo and flying out of there, if she gets denied. It's easier to drive across than fly across. Southwest has several flights every day.

[Tantor]

That is frustrating.......please update us. :grouphug:

[iluvdizknee]

Did you try calling the airlines and telling them the situation. They may have a suggestion for you, what to do or what to bring. Good Luck!

[Scratch42]

OMG! How Awful!

Cass I'm Speechless!

I can't believe that she would leave this for the last minute!

Pixie Dust that all goes well!

Please let us know!

:grouphug:

[Cass]

Well this is how it stands.

She went to the lawyers and has the affidavit proof of canadian citizenship. SHe also has her drivers license and various other crap like SIN & OHIP, blah.

She is coming to the airport WAY early tomorrow and we are going to see if she gets denied or not.

If she is denied. I am taking Megan with me, Louise will wait for her BC to come which will take about 3 days. Then we will fly her down one way.

Please, please please keep us in your thoughts, maybe at this time of the year, holiday spirit and christmas miracles some magic will happen for her.

I just can't imagine getting down there and being so sad that she was denied :(

I have so many things planned for the WDW newbies, and I am really crushed over all this. I keep crying here at work.

[damo]

I would be very surprised if they deny her entry, especially because her daughter has her birth certificate. I can see them detaining her for a bit, though. Will you be able to keep us posted?

I hope she is continuing to search!!! Have her look in all her old purses and wallets.

[robinb]

You know ... the Buffalo idea is not a bad one. SWA has wide-open flights down tomorrow for $129 one-way, some of them leaving quite late. She could book the airfare today and then just drive across the border tomorrow. Don't you still just need a driver's license to get across?

BTW: I feel for her. I realized that I lost my DD's Passport two days before my flight to London back in 2000. I had to drive to Chicago the day I was to leave and spend the whole day at the passport office to get an extra-special expedited passport for my 4 month old DD. I drove like a banshee to the airport but still missed my flight. Luckily, they put me on the next one out.

[Cass]

I don't think I will be able to keep you posted, Iam not taking the lap top this trip. I have so much stuff planned and we (hopefully) will be so busy that I won't have time for the internet.

You will have to wait for my trip report!!!!


Yes, she is still looking, infact she is staying up all night, she says, looking.

We are checking in 4 hours prior to departure and her hubby is hanging around to take her home if she is denied.

What drama, I could really live without this crap.

[motherof4]

Do you not pre clear customs in Toronto? She will be able to know in the am if they will let her go, then when her BC comes in the next few days, someone here can express post to her at the resort, so she has it to clear customs on the way back! We leave Jan 4th, and I made sure back in September that I had all passports, and that they were valid and put them with all my disney stuff! Lesson to be learned! Hope all go's well! :wizard:

[Cass]

Yes, US Customs is in Toronto, they will be the ones to decide if she gets on the plane or not.

[madonna31]

Fingers and toes crossed. I'll be thinking of you and sending warm wishes and pixie dust your way!!! http://*******************************/images/infinityandbeyond/smileys/hug.gif

I'm tempted to meet you at the airport tomorrow morning to find out if she gets on or not!! http://*******************************/images/infinityandbeyond/smileys/pray2.gif

[Cass]

Look for the 2 depressed women crying in Terminal II

[motherof4]

Good luck! You are living my greatest fear!!! Lot's of pixie dust coming your way!!! pixiedust: pixiedust: pixiedust:

[RoyalCanadian]

Yes, US Customs is in Toronto, they will be the ones to decide if she gets on the plane or not.

The airline will have to make a decision before US Homeland Security even gets to look at her. They are not allowed to process a passenger without proper identification.

[RoyalCanadian]

Look for the 2 depressed women crying in Terminal II

Since that Terminal is practically empty these days it will be quite easy to spot you. Best of luck!!

[Cass]

I did the online check in/bording passes tonight for my DD and I. I noticed it gave 3 choices for documentation

- passports (which we have)
- birth certificates
- certificate of citizenship

I am hopeful the lawyer's papers will be okay, but I severely doubt it. The lawyer says he has done this before with success. My ex hubby/travel agent has also had clients travel on this type of letter in cases of emergency.

Bottom line, my prediction is she will not be allowed to fly tomorrow and will have to come down in a couple of days once she gets her BC.

[Diamondintheruff]

Gosh what Drama! I'm not leaving until August next year but after reading this thread I left my computer and touched mine and mine families identification just to make sure. And it turns out my hubby had taken his out of the "safe place" to use for Hockey registration. He is searching the house now for it. At least I have lots of time to replace it if indeed he did lose it. I'm hoping it all works out for you tomorrow!

[Cass]

Thanks very much :)

I hope hubby finds it, but as you said, you can get it replaced by then.

I think though, after January you need passports for the US?

[dangler]

Good luck! I'm sure everything will work out just fine and you will all have a blast on your vacation! :grouphug:

[Cass]

Thanks dangler :)

[Scratch42]

Good Luck! and Lot's of PIXIE DUST!

Fingers, Toes, Eyes and whatever else I can cross!

Will send Pixie Dust as driving by airport this morning on my way to work!

:grouphug:

[mbb]

Oh no!!!!!:(

Sitting here, hoping, pixie dust wishing that you're all safely on the plane!!!

:sunny:

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

good luck and i hope the letter works out for you!!! it will depend on who you speak with thats for sure, and if she has any problems traveling into out of the us in the past (ie naughty things that she may have done) the lawyer letter with everything else may just work! good luck1

[TimNDansMom]

Oh no Cass!!! :( I just saw this post and I hope all went well this morning!!!

[madonna31]

I really hope that Cass and her friend Louise are now sitting in their WDW resort chuckling at all of this. :wizard:

[twinmum]

Cass: Oh I do hope that Madonna31 was right and you are all sitting down there at WDW enjoying a relaxing evening and preapring for a big day at the parks together!

Once I got those passports for our twin DS8's I held on to them for dear life! If this had happened to me I would have been so upset!

Has Cass told enyone where she's staying? Maybe we should call down to their resort and find out if she made it?!?

[SuAnne]

Hi...Cass is staying at AKL. I am going to try to get in touch with her on her cell later today and I'll let everyone know how she made out. :lovestruc

[MouseGirl]

Cass - I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening - can't imagine how stressful this is for you! Best of luck with your friend's id situation, and I really hope everything works out and that you have a great trip. Lots of good wishes and pixie dust coming your way, and please let us know what happens.

All the best,
MouseGirl

[mbb]

Hi...Cass is staying at AKL. I am going to try to get in touch with her on her cell later today and I'll let everyone know how she made out. :lovestruc


That would be great if you would :goodvibes

Here's hoping everything went well!!

:sunny:

[Fabooliss]

They let my Dad across the border with out any ID other than his driver's licence. He wasn't flying though. For some reason, he figured since he wasn't flying he didn't need ID.... They might let her go...
:grouphug: Good luck!

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks SuAnne! I knew Cass was staying at AKL but not her full name.

Hope she's having a wonderful time! :goodvibes

[nosnobunny2006]

Revised my post.

[PhotobearSam]

OMG...I hope all went well. We wish you all a good trip and a magical Christmas.

[cdnmickeylover]

Fingers crossed that all went well.

Fiona

[Scratch42]

Hi...Cass is staying at AKL. I am going to try to get in touch with her on her cell later today and I'll let everyone know how she made out. :lovestruc


Thanks SuAnne!

j

[SuAnne]

They made it! They searched out a "doe eyed" customs agent at Pearson who took pity on Louise when she heard they were going to Disney.

So all is well other than their sleigh ride tonight was cancelled due to the rain , but when I spoke to her they were in the lobby of Wilderness Lodge listening to a choir. Oh I so wish I could be there.

[robinb]

Whoo hooo! I'm glad they made it across the border!

[Wazzo]

Hoorah!!

I missed the start of the posting, so I was very glad to find a happy ending!

I hope your trip is super duper fantastic!

I can't wait to hear all about the Platinum Package upon your return.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[damo]

Ah. All's well that ends well.

[Scratch42]

Pixie Dust and a bit of Trust! and a Disney Lovin' Customs Person! :goodvibes

Glad to hear they made it!

Have Loads of Fun!

:grouphug:

[cdnmickeylover]

Great news! Now I hope they have a wonderful time.

Fiona

[madonna31]

WOOHOO!!!! http://*******************************/images/infinityandbeyond/smileys/woohoo.gif

Thanks for the update SuAnne! :thumbsup2 Such FANTASTIC news!!!

Now lets just hope that Louise gets back IN to Canada. :teeth:

[EEYORERULES]

I hope they make it back. My sister just came back 2 weeks ago & had to re-schedule her flight as she didn't have her birth certificate. She had her dl & medicare, sin etc but no birth certificate. She had to courier it to Orlando & produce it at the ticket counter before she could leave the States. She never even made it past check in without it. Best of luck getting back. At least she got 3 extra days in the sun

[Scratch42]

This is Why I travel with a Passport!

Any Canadian Citizen cannot be refused entry into Canada!

And the only way to have proof positive, Passport!

j

[RoyalCanadian]

This is Why I travel with a Passport!

Any Canadian Citizen cannot be refused entry into Canada!

And the only way to have proof positive, Passport!

j

But the airline does have the right to refuse them boarding without proper identification. The Canadian Border Agency fines the air carriers if they land a passenger without proper identification and that passenger is found to have entered Canada illegally.

[Tantor]

Glad to hear everything worked out okay!

[Scratch42]

But the airline does have the right to refuse them boarding without proper identification. The Canadian Border Agency fines the air carriers if they land a passenger without proper identification and that passenger is found to have entered Canada illegally.


Yes, but if she had a passport! No Problemo!

[Diamondintheruff]

I'm so glad to hear they made it safely!

[RoyalCanadian]

Yes, but if she had a passport! No Problemo!

Scratch42 -- on this issue, I will not argue. I am among one of the greatest proponents for passports on these boards. I simply cannot believe the number of Canadian Disboard members who seem to think not having a passport is some amazing budget preserving decision.

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- there is no good reason to not have a passport if one is travelling to the United States.

[Nagle]

Scratch42 -- on this issue, I will not argue. I am among one of the greatest proponents for passports on these boards. I simply cannot believe the number of Canadian Disboard members who seem to think not having a passport is some amazing budget preserving decision.

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- there is no good reason to not have a passport if one is travelling to the United States.


In complete agreement. While I feel bad for Cass, I have very little sympathy for her friend in this situation. People spend more time planning where they are going to have dinner for crying out loud than the actual necessities of getting to and back from their destinations.

[cdnmickeylover]

I have to agree. There's no way I'd travel without a passport. There are too many things that could go wrong that only a passport will help. I don't understand people who cruise without a passport at all -- what happens if you need to get off the ship anywhere other than the States? In light of the new regulations going into effect I'd get the passport sooner rather than later. A few hundred dollars is worth a lot more in piece of mind.

Fiona

[disyady]

ITA - we're a family of 5 and I have always gone to the trouble and expense of travelling to WDW with passports - even back in the days when most people considered me a little foolish for doing so. I like to have all my bases covered. I'm so glad Cass made it down and I hope everything from here on is magical for her. :wizard:

[Scratch42]

Ita!

You never know when rules will change unexpected when you are away!

j

[Cass]

Hi guys, we landed last night at 10:30pm. I'll do a TR over the next few days or so with some pics, we had a wonderful time with amazing weather, no rain except for the first afternoon/evening.

AKL is beautiful, and you couldn't ask for better bus service (although we did cab it a few times) because we were in a hurry to get somewhere.

Louise had no problem with the affidavit at the Air Canada counter or at US Customs in Toronto. She told the U.S. Agent her BC would be Fedexed to the hotel for our return flight - but this was not to be. When her family went to pick it up at the post office they wouldn't give it to them! They said only Louise could pick it up with photo ID so she had to travel home on 'the letter' as well.

The Orlando Air Canada agents were great, and she had no trouble on arrival in Canada either, although the agent said he was shocked Homeland Security let her in with the letter to begin with. I guess it was just meant to be. :sunny:

[Scratch42]

Welcome Home Cass!

Glad to hear it all worked out well!

Will have to wait until I get back to read your reports!

Have A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

j

[Cass]

Have a great time at the Poly, Scratch! and Merry Christmas :)

[madonna31]

Glad to hear it all turned out, I look forward to your TR and pictures!!! :goodvibes

Now that you have successfully made it there and back, I must say personally, I don't think that Homeland Security should of ever let Louise in.

IMHO - the 'rules' of traveling with proper identification obviously mean squat. That is very, very sad. What's the point of making everyone get a passport come January if they are still going to let people in no matter what??? :rolleyes:

[disyady]

Glad to hear it all turned out, I look forward to your TR and pictures!!! :goodvibes

Now that you have successfully made it there and back, I must say personally I don't think that Homeland Security should of ever let Louise in.

IMHO - the 'rules' of traveling with proper identification obviously mean squat. That is very, very sad. What's the point of making everyone get a passport come January if they are still going to let people in no matter what??? :rolleyes:
I agree 100% with this post.

[cdnmickeylover]

Glad you had a good time Cass. Can't wait for the TR.

Fiona

[Wazzo]

Yay! I'm glad your trip was super fantastic! :wizard:

I'm looking forward to hearing all about the Platinum Plan! :goodvibes

[drag n' fly]

Glad to hear it all turned out, I look forward to your TR and pictures!!! :goodvibes

Now that you have successfully made it there and back, I must say personally, I don't think that Homeland Security should of ever let Louise in.

IMHO - the 'rules' of traveling with proper identification obviously mean squat. That is very, very sad. What's the point of making everyone get a passport come January if they are still going to let people in no matter what??? :rolleyes:


There will always be those who feel a passport is unnecssesary for travel. There are also people who feel travel insurance is a waste of money until they get sick or hurt of course.There are those who plan and those who wing it. I also believe those who wing it will be the same people waving at the people on the plane because it left without them.....eventually they will clue in.:rolleyes:
Cass I am so glad this worked out for you. I do agree with madonna31 however, sloppy security to say the least on your friends part.

[Cass]

Yay!

I'm looking forward to hearing all about the Platinum Plan! :goodvibes


We had some major problems with snacks on the PP, everytime we tried to get a snack, ice cream, drink etc... the CM would look at the card and the computer screen and insist there were no snacks included.

Concierge knows theres a problem - something is screwy in the system, so basically you just charge the snacks to your room and later they reverse the charges.

There were a few instances though, when we didn't have our cards handy for whatever reason and just paid cash. It was definately a hassle.

Other then that little difficulty everything was awesome and we ate and played like kings.

[dangler]

Glad to hear everything worked out for you guys! :thumbsup2 Looking forward to a TR! Merry Christmas!

[Wazzo]

We had some major problems with snacks on the PP, everytime we tried to get a snack, ice cream, drink etc... the CM would look at the card and the computer screen and insist there were no snacks included.

Concierge knows theres a problem - something is screwy in the system, so basically you just charge the snacks to your room and later they reverse the charges.

There were a few instances though, when we didn't have our cards handy for whatever reason and just paid cash. It was definately a hassle.

I hope they fix it - if you're paying the extra, you should get the extra! :rolleyes:

Other then that little difficulty everything was awesome and we ate and played like kings.

Can't wait to hear about the restaurants, tours and recreation in your TR! :surfweb:

[Cass]

I've started my report. I wish I had more pics but I just kept forgetting to take them. :sad2:

[Scratch42]

I've started my report. I wish I had more pics but I just kept forgetting to take them. :sad2:

I know what you mean!

I've been having so much fun, I keep forgetting to pull out the camera!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: