Any Canadians going to WDW Soon?

[Jo-Anne]

Hello fellow Canadians - I am still in shock over the tragedies yesterday in the US. It still feels like a bad dream. My DD, DH and I are heading to WDW 9/29. Are any others going soon? Just wondering what your thoughts are at this time? I'm not afraid to get on a plane, but I'm more concerned with the American potential of retaliation and being stuck in US if that started while I was down there. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself, but it is just in my nature to worry way too much! Jo

 

[blizzard]

We're supposed to head down on the 22nd (next Saturday). My SO (a pilot) is stuck in another city, so we haven't really had a chance to discuss whether we want to cancel, or if we feel we should go ahead. On Tuesday morning, I thought we should cancel, but as the day went on with no further events, I feel it is the right thing to do to go. Obviously I could be over ruled by my fiance, or if things escalate between now and then I could change my mind.

We are lucky in that we are airline employees, so were planning to travel standby - no cost to cancel at the last second, and we are DVC members staying on points - so the worst thing would be having to put the points into a holding account.

My feeling is that if we are thinking of cancelling, we should wait until a couple of days ahead of time. A week ahead is too soon to make that decision.

If I were leaving this weekend... I would probably cancel - just because of the uncertainty of what the US govt will be doing over the next few days.

 

[pmountain]

We are supposed to leave by car from Ontario very early this coming Saturday and due to arrive at wdw on Sunday pm. Blizzard stated that they would cancel if they were leaving this weekend and I'm afraid we will have to do just that. The wait at the border between Windsor and Detroit was 9 hours long today. I also don't want to wait for hours in line to pay $4/gallon for gas all the way there and back. I thing I was looking forward to this trip more than the kids, but there are much more serious problems in the world right now than missing out on Mickey Mouse. Our hearts go out to the people of New York and DC. Our missed vacation is very trivial. The US government doesn't want these terrorists to succeed in disrupting American life and economy. They say people should go about there business to spite the efforts of terrorists.... I'm not sure I can do that... not really in a Disney mood right now with the images of the suffering still so fresh. We should wait till things settle down a bit. This is a very different world than it was 2 days ago.
Pete

 

[DSNY FN]

We head down in Dec the only thing we would have one would be to drive instead of fly. As for the wait at the borders if you go to Port Huron there is now no wait at the border things are moving at a normal pace yes it is out of the way a bit but much less time consuming than waiting in Windsor. I agree the events that unfolded on Tuesday were tragic but what was said about going on with everyday life is true because if we do this then they have not won as it shows them hat you can do your worst to us but it will not break our spirit. I feel that sends out a better message than anything to them. I really do feel bad for our American neighbours and this was a horrible tragedy in the eyes of the world but we can't let them win by having it grind our lives to a halt we need to stand up and be noticed and one way of doing this is by getting things back under way with everyday life yes we can still mourn and grieve but lets not let them see us stay down too long as this can be taken as a sign of defeat and weakness. Just one persons opinion and not everone will agree with it but we need to stand together with our American friends and show them that the world will not stand still for their attack on the American public (the terrorists I mean)
Darren

 

[PoohBWV]

Pmountain. I live in Chatham, but have clients who are supposed to fly from Detroit today. We have been told that the wait at the border is now in excess of 14 hours with some estimates as high as 21 hours. Hopefully this will be cleared up by the weekend.

Where were you planning on staying at? Is it possible to wait a day or so to make your decision? Things may look different to you then. The office where I work has been quite busy with trying to help people who are stranded, but a surprising number of people are still going ahead and booking vacations.

 

[CindyAnn]

It is an uncertain time to travel, isn't it. I guess one practical thing that occurred to me is that perhaps I won't rely on my birth certificate for ID at the U.S. border any more. DH just got his new passport recently, but everyone else's has expired, so I think I'll start on that soon. I haven't been on this board too much in the last few days - glued to the TV and hoping against hope that there will be more survivors.

 

[Inga]

Blizzard,

My wife (Inga) and I decided as well to keep our vacations plan for now. We are schedule to leave Halifax on Sept 22nd via Air Canada (stop over in Montreal). Flying to the US from Canada seems very uncertain right now......FAA still is not letting normal air traffic from Canada to fly into the US. I am not sure whether to make a backup plan of driving part way to Bangor or Boston, then fly to Orlando (we won't have the vacation time to drive the whole way....over 3300km one way). How will you be getting across the border?

DH of Inga

 

[Inga]

Below is some text from the FAA web site. The good news is they are allowing Canadian carriers into the US now.

********************

http://www.faa.gov

Friday, September 14, 2001
12 Noon Eastern Daylight Time


The nation's aviation system is returning to operation after limited flights began yesterday morning. Still, it will take some time before the system reaches full capacity. As of 11 a.m. today, about 1,700 flights - including commercial air carriers, military and medical - were aloft in U.S. skies.

Following is an update on airlines:

- All U.S. carriers are permitted to fly domestic routes and to international destinations.
- Flights from Canada to the United States on Canadian carriers are permitted.
- International carriers may fly to the United States if they meet the FAA's new security guidelines and depending on their point of origin.
- U.S. carriers flying from international points may enter the United States, depending on their point of origin.

 

[cottontail]

Hello:

We are supposed to go down mid october, but I have a sick motherinlaw, I am afraid if the united states strikes back at whoever has done this terrible disaster to the Americans that we may be held at the border and might not get back when we need to. I am not too sure whether to go or change our plans. I really feel saddened at what has happened in washington and new york, and to the people on the airliner in pennsylvania.

Deb.

 

[shamu]

I don't no what to do. We're only going for New Year and by bus, but I'm thinking.... It is new year and the place is going to be crowded....... And it makes me sick juste to think that I'm thinking about it. I'm not the kind of poeple to worry about anything or to be scared. I really dont no what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blizzard]

The airlines seem to operating all of their US flights except to the airports that are still closed (Boston, NYC, Washington). All of the flights to Orlando seem to be operating now. It will probably take a few days until all of the backlog of people waiting to move have moved, but I would expect that things will settle down in about 3 or 4 days.

Your flights from Halifax to Montreal and Montreal to Orlando should all be fine by the weekend.

As an added note, the kids are still excited to go, so we are planning on going down on the 22nd as per our original plans. All in all, I think it will be a good time to go as it seems like a lot of people are deferring trips right now.

My personal thoughts on travelling are that things will be fine in the US. I think there may be retalliation taking place in the Middle East and Afghanistan, but I don't believe there will be more events in the near future on the US mainland. That is my opinion only, and I think that every one should do what they feel comfortable with. I think it would be too soon though to cancel a trip that is several months away.

 

[i12go2wdw]

I am happy to hear some Canadians are still going on their upcoming trips. I seem to go back and forth each day not knowing what the right thing to do is. I am afraid I am not thinking clearly and that I will make a bad decision based on how much I want to go (selfish) and not based on the danger I might be putting my family in. I hate the position those hateful terrorists have put us all in. How simple life was a week ago and I didn't realize it.

 

[Limmer]

We are still going Oct 10 for 3 days to WDW and then on to our 7 day Magic cruise. This is my honeymoon and I am not letting anybody take that away from us. It would not be the same if we postponed it and we have worked long and hard to pay for this and we have looked forward to it for 14 months.

 

[typhoon canada]

As long as things remain calm, actually as time goes on I feel better and better about security and flying, we are heading to WDW Oct. 16th for 11 days. Staying at Vero Beach for 4 days then off to OKW to see Mickey and of course Typhoon Lagoon. We were soooo
excited when we booked (in August) and immediately started the countdown but we have had the wind taken out of our sails. I am sure though that once we are there the true excitment of WDW will return 10 fold. Today it is 26 days and counting.

What happened last week was horrifying and there are not enough words to convey my deep saddness for my American Neighbours.

 

[PoohBWV]

Typhoon Canada: Welcome to the DIS!! So glad you are going to still go down to WDW.

 

[typhoon canada]

Thanks PoohBWV
Your words of encouragment are great.
Yes I am new to this site and I am finding out alot of good info from the other members.
I am a new nember of dvc so still learning the ropes.

I would like to know which buildings have great views at OKW. I have to have a ground
floor room due to a disability. Can anyone tell me.
Thanksinkbounc

 

[Jo-Anne]

Typhoon Canada - I'd head on over to the Disney Vacation Club Forum at this site and ask about location there. Those folks are extremely knowledgeable about all things DVC! Welcome aboard! We're still waffling on our 9/29 vacation...one day I feel secure, the next I don't. Oh well, we dont' have to make a decision until we step on the plane since we'll loose our airfare money anyways as they are not refunding based on my "insecurities" about travelling right now! I agree with you though that my excitement level is down right now, but when I step on WDW territory, I know it will return! Take Care, Jo

 

[PhotobearSam]

We are leaving in 707 hours...29 days actually.

We decided that the cowards that did those horrible things on Sept. 11th would be winning if we cancelled. We pray for all the people affected by the events of that day and we want to show our support. By not going on our trip we would only be hurting the economy.

I hope to see fellow Canadians in WDW. We will be there from Oct 22 till Nov. 1st.
Anyone else going????


P.S. we are driving down from Ottawa starting on Oct. 19th. Any news on how long the border crossing takes?

 

[kitykat63]

I am going on October 24 as long as all goes well. Please keep us posted about your trips when you return and help to reassure all of us who are nervous about being out of our country for a holiday.
Thanksinkbounc inkbounc

 

[minnie56]

It is a bit of a dilemma, but I feel we must carry on our lives and keep the economy moving!We are planning to spend Christmas in WDW and although the hotel is booked, the flight is not.At this time, flying is probably the safest mode of transportation and the security at Disney tops at all times.Go for it I say!