Anyone ever get a refund from Disney?

[DIS~n~JAN]

Hi everyone, I need some help. Anyone ever get refunds back from Disney?

I'm not having much luck. In Jan we were booked for our long awaited 10 day MYW+dining vacation. On day 1 after the most wonderful day spent at MK, we headed back to WL and got the message about my dad passing away back home. There we were, 3000 miles from home, trying to get on a flight. I had cancelled all my ADR's, the CM took my La Nouba tickets in hopes of getting something back.
Now that some time has passed, we're starting to wonder about our trip. Well, we did have insurance, BUT that doesn't cover the flight. The flight is considered used up. So if we want to get back to WDW we need to come up with another $ 2840.00.
Then, even if we had a spare 3000 kickin around, insurance doesn't cover theme park tickets or dining plan. (what is the point of insurance? )
I've tried to contact Disney as they have credited us $2859.00 of the $6986.00($8500 in can. funds) we paid to them for our family vacation of 6 of us. Apparantly, it is for the 2 rooms. They do not refund tickets or dining. This has been devastating, all around. I feel ripped off! I asked the CM if Disney doesn't want to give any money back, could I get some type of discount so we could try to get back here? Then the other day in the mail I got 6 gift certificates for La Nouba... expires Jan 19/2007.
I have emailed Disney, and have not received any reponse. Phoning them doesn't help as you explain your story and the keep transferring you to someone else.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks

 

[lillygator]

So Disney refunded your entire room stay? Did you purchase the flight through Disney? Do you have unused theme park tickets?

 

[we3disneygo]

you might want to post this over on the budget board ?? I don't have any advice -just good luck and sorry to hear about your loss .

 

[jjohnson]

Wow.

You would think they could mail you what's left of your park tickets or at least change them to no expiration. I'm assuming they were on your room key?

 

[srfrgrl07]

Hi everyone, I need some help. Anyone ever get refunds back from Disney?

I'm not having much luck. In Jan we were booked for our long awaited 10 day MYW+dining vacation. On day 1 after the most wonderful day spent at MK, we headed back to WL and got the message about my dad passing away back home. There we were, 3000 miles from home, trying to get on a flight. I had cancelled all my ADR's, the CM took my La Nouba tickets in hopes of getting something back.
Now that some time has passed, we're starting to wonder about our trip. Well, we did have insurance, BUT that doesn't cover the flight. The flight is considered used up. So if we want to get back to WDW we need to come up with another $ 2840.00.
Then, even if we had a spare 3000 kickin around, insurance doesn't cover theme park tickets or dining plan. (what is the point of insurance? )
I've tried to contact Disney as they have credited us $2859.00 of the $6986.00($8500 in can. funds) we paid to them for our family vacation of 6 of us. Apparantly, it is for the 2 rooms. They do not refund tickets or dining. This has been devastating, all around. I feel ripped off! I asked the CM if Disney doesn't want to give any money back, could I get some type of discount so we could try to get back here? Then the other day in the mail I got 6 gift certificates for La Nouba... expires Jan 19/2007.
I have emailed Disney, and have not received any reponse. Phoning them doesn't help as you explain your story and the keep transferring you to someone else.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks

I don't know if this is going to help, but I'll share my thoughts here.

First of all, it is my understanding that if your trip is delayed or cut short due to an illness, the insurance covers room and unused tickets. I would think this extends to the dining plan as well, since that is the "land" portion of your trip. I think you've already established that the air is not covered; only if the air was booked with Disney. Was the insurance through Travel Guard and booked with DIsney?

Secondly, Disney reservations ususally doesn't handle the entire refund process if your travel dates have passed. You would need to contact the Research and Billing Department (if you haven't spoken to them already.) Their number is 407-828-5630.

Finally, your best point of contact at this point is probably the insurance company. I would call them (again, if you haven't already) and explain the situation to them and file the claim. They are responsible for the policy and what is covered, not Disney. You should have received the full coverage details by mail with your first reservation confirmation...I would try to locate that brochure. The coverage is also outlined on the website here Travel Guard

HTH, sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

lilygator,
I'm not sure what exactly they refunded, it sounds like it is the rooms. I was told "This is the magic of Disney "
We booked a 10 day pkg and only used 1 day.
Disney doesn't offer flight pkgs to Canada.

Thanks, we3disneygo

jjohnson, I asked for that, but unless you purchased the no expiry tickets, they will expire 14 days after 1st use.

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

I don't know if this is going to help, but I'll share my thoughts here.

First of all, it is my understanding that if your trip is delayed or cut short due to an illness, the insurance covers room and unused tickets. I would think this extends to the dining plan as well, since that is the "land" portion of your trip. I think you've already established that the air is not covered; only if the air was booked with Disney. Was the insurance through Travel Guard and booked with DIsney?

Secondly, Disney reservations ususally doesn't handle the entire refund process if your travel dates have passed. You would need to contact the Research and Billing Department (if you haven't spoken to them already.) Their number is 407-828-5630.

Finally, your best point of contact at this point is probably the insurance company. I would call them (again, if you haven't already) and explain the situation to them and file the claim. They are responsible for the policy and what is covered, not Disney. You should have received the full coverage details by mail with your first reservation confirmation...I would try to locate that brochure. The coverage is also outlined on the website here Travel Guard

HTH, sorry to hear about your loss.

Thanks, I appreciate your help. I first booked with Disney's insurance, but didn't take it as Disney doesn't have flight pkg's to Canada, and their insurance wouldn't cover our flights booked from Canada. (Little did we know it wouldn't help anyways) I have spoken with research & Billing. They were the ones who told me it was the rooms that were refunded, but couldn't give me a breakdown.

 

[Katerbug]

We had to cancel our Dec 2006 trip but we cancelled within 45 days and were able to get all of our room and ticket money refunded. We had booked a package through AAA and we had purchased trip insurance also. It took about 3 months but we were able to get our airfare back also and AAA took care of it all. I cancelled our ADR's and Disney refunded any deposits fairly quickly. The only money we did not get refunded was tickets I had bought to MVMCP. I was able to sell the adult tickets to another DISer so I only had to eat the cost of the kids tickets. My 7yr old DD now has those in her wallet and pretends they are credit cards.

 

[skbasnett1977]

Did you get your air covered with the insurance? It should have covered you to at least get home. Have you called the insurance company? They should have started a claim on you to get the FULL amount of the package back seeing as it was a death. Good luck!

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

Did you get your air covered with the insurance? It should have covered you to at least get home. Have you called the insurance company? They should have started a claim on you to get the FULL amount of the package back seeing as it was a death. Good luck![/QUOTE

Thanks, I have checked with 2 other insurance companies and they seem to all be the same. They consider our flights used up. ( We flew to Orlando, and back home, even though we only spent 1 day at WDW) On top of the $2800 flight, We paid an extra $430 bereavment fair, although that is covered. I have started a claim and I was told that the tickets, and dining are not covered. Although I don't think that is fair as I purchased them as a 10 day pkg, not individualy, I'm curious as to how they will breakdown these options.

 

[snowy76]

Wow.

You would think they could mail you what's left of your park tickets or at least change them to no expiration. I'm assuming they were on your room key?

The trip dates had probably passed (and the tickets expired) before they even had a chance to think about recouping the value of those tickets.

I'm disappointed that it seems no one on site at the time tried to help with your tix. Clearly someone at WDW -- resort staff, guest services, whoever -- knew of the situation. It sounds like at least one CM took on the task of dealing with the Cirque tix. I'm surprised that no one suggested you add on the "no expiry" to your MYW right then and there. Better still, they might have upgraded those tickets for free; but even if you had to pay for no expiry, it would have been far cheaper than the amount your family is out now.

My condolences. Please keep us updated on this.

 

[skbasnett1977]

Thanks, I have checked with 2 other insurance companies and they seem to all be the same. They consider our flights used up. ( We flew to Orlando, and back home, even though we only spent 1 day at WDW) On top of the $2800 flight, We paid an extra $430 bereavment fair, although that is covered. I have started a claim and I was told that the tickets, and dining are not covered. Although I don't think that is fair as I purchased them as a 10 day pkg, not individualy, I'm curious as to how they will breakdown these options.[/QUOTE]


What insurance company did you have? If it is a package then it should all get considered for a refund. I would go to the high ranks if necessary for this.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Anyone ever get refunds back from Disney?......tried to contact Disney as they have credited us $2859.00 .....the other day in the mail I got 6 gift certificates for La Nouba... expires Jan 19/2007......does anyone have any advice for me?

Yes, but its going to be realistic.

- You got a refund of $2859 from Disney for your rooms.

- They gave you 6 gift certificates for La Nouba, tickets which are usually non-transferable and non-refundable.

- its a shame that you didn't think of it, or a CM didn't mention it, but you could have added the no-expiration option to your tickets for use on your next trip.

- Disney states on their website, and it's also on DU's : Refunds:
No refunds will be made for unused admission tickets or features. (I would think that dining is a feature)

So without you having Travel Insurance purchased thru the Walt Disney Travel Company, I believe that you have received the maximum refund that you are going to get from Disney.

The rest you will either need to battle your insurance company for or chalk up to experience.

I am sorry for being so blunt.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hi skbasnett1977

wow sounds like you should be getting back more than that I would start going higher

 

[rcraw45425]

The day before we were to arrive in October my father passed away unexpectedly. My first call was to my attorney, my second to my DU agent. She was able to get my room refunded and also my Halloween Party tickets. If it had happened one day later I doubt that it would have happened.

 

[undertheradar]

Here is my advice:

Quit making phone calls and send a letter. Address it to whomever is President of the Walt Disney Company Theme Parks Division(name escapes me at this time). Include in the letter your trip details, a copy of the obituary from a published newspaper, the amount of any restitution you have received and what you think is a fair resolution. Send this letter by FEDEX/UPS/etc. You should receive a response fairly quickly. Good Luck

 

[bigbabyblues]

Here is my advice:

Quit making phone calls and send a letter. Address it to whomever is President of the Walt Disney Company Theme Parks Division(name escapes me at this time). Include in the letter your trip details, a copy of the obituary from a published newspaper, the amount of any restitution you have received and what you think is a fair resolution. Send this letter by FEDEX/UPS/etc. You should receive a response fairly quickly. Good Luck

I have to agree with DisneyGeek2000 (a previous post).

I don't understand Disney should refund her tickets? They are non-refundable after use and non-transferrable. She did not have insurance through Disney, it was through an outside company. As far as the flights, even though you only got to stay one day, you still flew to Orlando and flew back home, so I can see why they are saying the flights have been used; it's not the airline's fault that you had to come without staying the entire time, it's not anyone's fault, it's just an unfortunate situation. I would check again with the insurance company, but if you didn't have insurance on the tickets/package, then you just didn't.

I truly am very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine how terrible it would be to get that call and be so far from home, and I think someone should have thought to suggest you get the non-expiry for your tickets at that time, but I don't get how Disney owes you anything at all. They refunded the room, which you didn't get to use.

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

Yes, but its going to be realistic.

- You got a refund of $2859 from Disney for your rooms.

- They gave you 6 gift certificates for La Nouba, tickets which are usually non-transferable and non-refundable.

- its a shame that you didn't think of it, or a CM didn't mention it, but you could have added the no-expiration option to your tickets for use on your next trip.

- Disney states on their website, and it's also on DU's : Refunds:
No refunds will be made for unused admission tickets or features. (I would think that dining is a feature)

So without you having Travel Insurance purchased thru the Walt Disney Travel Company, I believe that you have received the maximum refund that you are going to get from Disney.

The rest you will either need to battle your insurance company for or chalk up to experience.

I am sorry for being so blunt.

Thanks for your thought, being blunt is okay too.

However, I disagree, we paid Disney alot of money, probably can't save that much to try again. I do not feel that Disney should keep anybody's "Magical Vacation" money. We paid for a dining plan for 6 adults for 10 days, and used 1 day. Same as theme park tickets. Why should Disney keep all that money...they could charge an administration fee or something to refund, but to tell people you don't get your $1889 for food that you didn't eat. And $1680 for tickets to parks you didn't set foot in.

My family is disappointed, we had plans: Fantasmic, water parks, TOT, Planet Hollywood, Hoop Dee Doo, Disneyquest, ect. Same as La Nouba, we were not there, and not because we didn't want to be either. Instead we went home and buried my dad, and the kids grampa. I'm sorry, I can't chalk this up to be an experience.
I have talked to the insurance company, I'm really wondering what insurance is good for? It all sounds good, until you need it.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I think that is absolutely horrible! What an awful thing that you didn't get back your tickets. I can understand maybe the air but you should have gotten the tickets refunded. When Disney does this kind of thing, and I hear of this, it really messes with the magic to me, they really have to be more accommodating with people, that is really sad. I hope all works out. Did you buy through a credit card? Maybe you can try something with them and let them know what happened and they can contact Disney bc if you had insurance it should include your tickets that weren't used or they should have understood in a death in the family. I'm really shocked that that didn't include your tickets and Disney was so unthoughtful and ungracious not to refund in the loss of a family member, particularly since you had insurance! Awful!

 

[undertheradar]

I have to agree with DisneyGeek2000 (a previous post).

I don't understand Disney should refund her tickets? They are non-refundable after use and non-transferrable. She did not have insurance through Disney, it was through an outside company. As far as the flights, even though you only got to stay one day, you still flew to Orlando and flew back home, so I can see why they are saying the flights have been used; it's not the airline's fault that you had to come without staying the entire time, it's not anyone's fault, it's just an unfortunate situation. I would check again with the insurance company, but if you didn't have insurance on the tickets/package, then you just didn't.

I truly am very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine how terrible it would be to get that call and be so far from home, and I think someone should have thought to suggest you get the non-expiry for your tickets at that time, but I don't get how Disney owes you anything at all. They refunded the room, which you didn't get to use.

Somehow I must have not been clear. Most companies are flexible when it comes to a component not being used due to a death in the family. I suggested(and still do) that the OP write to Disney and see if there is anything that can be done. Yes, they received a room refund and they did use the airfare, but Disney could do something on the meal plan and tickets. It is bad enough that the OP had to leave when her vacation was just starting, I hardly believe that everyone considers that something like this can happen to them and prepares for it. The OP already stated that she could understand an administrative fee, but all of the money paid for tickets and meals seems extreme. Perhaps by sending the letter she can appeal to the human side of the business. Since the OP didn't have the luxury of using the prepaid meals or tickets, Disney is penalizing her for her misfortune. The interesting thing here is that if it were your money, what would you do? I would contact Disney with a letter and express my unhappiness-after all, isn't this the Happiest Celebration on Earth? To the OP, spend the money and send the letter.