6 days out and may have to cancel

[luvgoing2disney]

We are scheduled to arrive next Saturday but today my mom had a severe stroke so the next 24 hours are critical. Please know that I am NOT placing money or Disney over my mom but we did not purchase travel insurance, so just need advice

We booked through Disney, so if I find it necessary to cancel what options does Disney give us? I would expect some cancellation or change fee and changes in room rates, but if we found it necessary to cancel for example on Thursday would we lose everything?

Our flight is booked through Southwest so I understand you can change those without too much of a hassle

My dad and brother both say for us to continue to make plans to go, but would like some advice in case we do need to make changes.

 

[BabyCrazyKCmommy]

In my experience Disney is great working with you when things like this come up, call them and let them know what is going on, see what they will do.

Praying for you and your family.

 

[momofboyz3]

I was about to log off and saw your post. I don't have an answer for you, I'm sure one of the dis vets will have a valuable suggestion... I personally would give disney reservations a call and ask for their advice?
~ I do want to send my deepest wishes your way My heart goes out to you and your family during such a difficult time.

 

[moepanz]

First let me say, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I know how difficult it is.


We had a very similar experience, my sister in law had a massive stoke 2 days before we were supposed to leave for WDW a few years ago. I called WDW and explained the situation and they were wonderful. We were able to book our trip for 2 months later and did not lose any money. They even sent post cards to my 3 kids from Mickey Mouse saying that he could not wait to see them.

I hope everything works out.
Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

Maureen

 

[mhanback]

We were supposed to go this March and I got a terrible stomach virus the day before we were to leave. I called Disney from the urgent care while receiving and IV and explained what was happening. They were so kind. They offered to cancel the trip with no fees or change the dates with no fees. We ended up cancelling and re-booking on our own later. We had no insurance either, which was very kind of Disney to help us, I thought!

 

[jimmysmom74]

I am so sorry for you and your family. Trip insurance will give you your money back minus the insurance. Disney may just let you switch your trip dates, keep your insurance for the future booking. Disney knows family is the most important thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

 

[karice2]

My dad is 19 months out from a massive stroke. Aphasia , feeding tube and lost usage of his right hand.

Here is what I can tell you, he doesn't remember anything from the first 6 months after the stroke so she may not even realize you are gone. He was in Disney with me less than a year after the stroke though.

Getting into a really good therapy is critical during this time and you may want to be around to make those decisions but once all is settled, take this time to get away because you will want to draw on it when the hard stuff kicks in after therapy is done.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

PM if you have any questions.

 

[rlovew]

The actual cancellation policy depends on the type of trip you booked.

Room Only Reservations: Can be cancelled up to 5 days in advance - any later than that you lose the 1 night's deposit.

Package reservations: I believe after 45 days out the cancellation fee is $200 but you can reschedule your trip with no penalty (other than losing out on any discounts you had booked with if you reschedule out of your discount period). I have seen posts by some that keep rescheduling or they will reschedule for more than 45 days out and then cancel to avoid cancellation fees but I have never tried and only once ever booked a package so I don't really know if any of it works.

 

[FigmentChick]

Disney is very understanding with medical issues. And you don't necessarily have to cancel, but can postpone your trip for a couple of months down the road. I had to do that in 2011: we moved our trip from March to October with no fees incurred.

As for Southwest, since it is a medical emergency, they may refund your airfare if you get a letter from the doctor. Maybe. But I'd call to check in with them.

I wish you the best and hope your mother recovers swiftly.

 

[kayemgi]

OP, just wanted to offer you my prayers that your mom makes a good recovery. My dad had a stroke when I was a teenager when we were actually on vacation! Luckily it was more of a medium level stroke, and he lives with very little lasting effects today. I hope that your mom is able to come out of this the same with good treatment and therapy. Pixie dust to you!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Look into purchasing trip insurance today. Some non disney ones can be purchased 5 day out.

 

[cfw213]

I don't have experience with cancelling at Disney but you should be able to cancel or change your flights with Southwest with no fee or penalty. They have very generous change/cancellation policies.

Keeping your family in my thoughts!

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Best of luck. My family and I were supposed to take a trip in February 1999. However, about 2 weeks before that, my Mom had a colonoscopy and had a polyp removed. Long story short, when the polyp was taken out, chaos and complications ensued. My Mom had lost a lot of blood, blood pressure dropped and she needed transfusions and was in the hospital for about two days. Thankfully, she survived and was at the hospital when this happened. We postponed our trip and ended up going in April of that year. They were very understanding.

 

[4kids4karen]

I don't have any experience with Disney specifically, however, my brother unexpectedly passed away 1-day prior to our Disney trip (heart attack at age 35). We were booked at the Shades of Green. I called Shades of Green from the car driving to my brother's state. SoG was awesome and let me change my date with no penalty. I just had to give them a new date that day which was short notice choosing, but it worked out.

 

[LilyWDW]

Look into purchasing trip insurance today. Some non disney ones can be purchased 5 day out.

They would have to be sure to find one that covers preexisting conditions. Otherwise, it would not cover the stroke that happened before the insurance was purchased. That would most likely be quite expensive if possible at all.

 

[rolltidepixie]

Disney's customer service is great. Last year 5 days before we were supposed to leave on our trip, my brother-in-law passed away from a massive heart attack. When I could think, I called them. Since we were less than 45 days out, we lost the $200.00 deposit. But all the money was returned. Even my MVMCP tickets, which say non-refundable on them. We didn't buy the trip insurance either. I can't say enough about how understanding they were.

 

[mmafan]

any updates...

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Mom suffered a second stroke and all hope for a quality of life is gone. We will remove the breathing tube tomorrow and then wait.

I tried to contact Disney but had three waits of 15-20 minutes and did not get to talk to anyone just to get some direction from them.

 

[denneg]

I'm so sorry, what a nightmare you are living through right now. As a nurse, I'm grateful that your mom is comfortable and surrounded by her family. As a mom and daughter, I'm just heartbroken for you. Life is too short and you never know what is around the corner. Prayers go out to all of you.

The trip next week could be a perfect getaway, but if the timing is off for you, I'm sure Disney would be more than understanding of your need to reschedule and spend time with your family. We had to make changes last year based on Hurricane Sandy, and they were wonderful - and a Hurricane is nothing compared to what you are going through.

Best wishes and deepest sympathies.

 

[Itinkso]

I am very sorry and sending positive thoughts your way.

It is is easy to cancel your Southwest flights online - no phone call necessary. You'll be issued a credit voucher for the full price that will be valid for a year. Just print out and the next time you need to book flights, just enter in the voucher number.