9/11 and Disney

[3Phase]

Just wondering how Disney handled 9/11 and refunds for people who were unable to travel to get there? I know other travel companys refunded money or would allow you to rescedule. What did Disney do?

 

[Disney Duck]

*bump*

 

[Hopefully]

Although I was not there, and I did not have a reservation to go during that time frame, I had co-workers who became stranded at a Disney Institute seminar. They experienced wonderful Disney hospitality and magic!!!
They were unable to leave for several days - remember the airports were closed. Disney aided them in every way possible with housing and they were very accomodating about rooms. They tried to leave the 1st day the airports re-opened, but they could not get on flights (to Seattle). They went back to WDW from MCO and they were accomodated. I believe if my memory serves me right, that they paid a reduced rate on the room, versus many other establishements who were noted for gouging stranded folks. In their opinion, Disney was most kind and helpful. I wish I remembered more details, but it has been awhile.

 

[curlysue1968]

Hi all
We were their on 9/11 which by the way is also my birthday. We were all escorted out of the park. The cm's handed everyone a free admission ticket to return on any date they wish. We were lucky we did have our car. I do not know about the discount on the rooms. I know they were letting everyone eat at the food court at the all star movies for free.
Carla

 

[kaytieeldr]

I found a post on the AOL message boards, which I probably can't post here so I will try to synopsize it. They let Guests arriving until the end of the year reschedule - within about a month of the announcement - for any time in the next twelve months. Guests who chose to cancel got back all the money they'd paid, again if they did so by Disney's deadline. Ditto for some airfare (bulk, purchased as part of the package) but published fares - aka not booked through WDTC - were up to the individual airlines.

 

[samijam]

I booked our first disney trip on 9/10 for late October visit.
the airline gave us a deep discount 2 weeks later when we agreed not to cancel. (refunded 500.00- 4 people flew from providence for 300.00.)
We stayed offsite. Disney did not offer any discounts ( I never asked ) but did offer a total refund or date change.

Security was vert tight everywhere, understandable

 

[Aristomommy]

We left for WDW 9/20 and spoke with many people who postponed their trips or drove instead of flying to WDW. Everyone praised WDW for their accomodations and understading of the situation. We were also offered refunds, no questions asked, but we decided to go and had a wonderful time. I must say the Orlando airport has never been so empty, and WDW began to get busier at the end of the month when we left to go home.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We where at wdw over 9/11. We arrived 9/6 and where to return home 9/22. Stayed at the GF. We found that we had "less" disney service than other resorts. No free food there. No one wrote us, left phone message, etc.. We didn't even know till I got home that stuff was going on. No one asked about us leaving early, or about our tix's. We where sent a small note from the gf, about a "party" for kids in the ballroom, but it didn't sound like we should go cause of not having kids.

Following 9/11 about a few days was tropical storm "gabriella" it landed about tampa as a hurricane at the time, got to us as a tropical storm. (I was very impressed with the tropical storm). I was sure disney was going to close again, but they didn't, however; in a regular situation I think they might have. It was very cool, and extremely windy / wet. No one there but us.

This was the most dismal trip to anywhere, let alone wdw. Memories of this trip still have not left us. And I cannot walk through the GF without thinking about. And have not returned in Sept. again.

mky

 

[rustyc]

We arrived on 10/11 and were given a discount upon check-in, also at this time Seaworld was offering free admission for any Fire, Police, or Ambulance personnel. Airport security was tight, took over 3 hours to get through at BWI, took 2 1/2 minutes at MCO.