Are you cancelling because of Katrina?

[andromedaslove]

I was reading in another thread that quite a few people are cancelling their upcoming trips to WDW. I was wondering about why? Are you cancelling because of the fear of hurricanes in Florida during this time of year? Or are you cancelling because of the gas prices and/or shortages?

Dana

 

[KimWDW]

I think it's people who were driving to WDW and can no longer afford to due to the price of gas.

 

[black562]

Well I wouldn't think the cost increase would make that much difference. Think about it, for our Civic we're only looking at paying 15 dollars more each way...that's 30 more for the trip, nothing major.

As for availability....the Plantation pipeline is now running at full capacity into Charlotte and the Colonial pipeline will be at 85% by the weekend.

 

[threeboysmom]

Well I wouldn't think the cost increase would make that much difference. Think about it, for our Civic we're only looking at paying 15 dollars more each way...that's 30 more for the trip, nothing major.

That depends on where you're coming from. We drive from NH and we are estimating it will cost us about $200 more round trip to drive. That's based on $3/gallon. By November (when we leave) it could be a LOT higher than that...

 

[Manon]

Well I wouldn't think the cost increase would make that much difference. Think about it, for our Civic we're only looking at paying 15 dollars more each way...that's 30 more for the trip, nothing major.

That depends on where you're coming from. We drive from NH and we are estimating it will cost us about $200 more round trip to drive. That's based on $3/gallon. By November (when we leave) it could be a LOT higher than that...

It may cost us a bit more, we are driving for Quebec it's a 30hrs drive, but for us it's cheaper than going in airplane!!!

 

[raidermatt]

...but for us it's cheaper than going in airplane!!!

Which will be even more true once the escalating jet fuel prices are passed on to customers.

 

[philaround]

I think it's people who were driving to WDW and can no longer afford to due to the price of gas.

I think the concern is more of the availability of gas not how much it costs. Many people are afraid that they may not find gas to buy at any price.

 

[ronniereb]

I think the concern is more of the availability of gas not how much it costs. Many people are afraid that they may not find gas to buy at any price.

I think that availability is going to be a short term issue. Two to three weeks maybe until they can get the pipelines flowing again. I am sure it is at the top of the priority list. We are driving down the week after Thanksgiving. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

 

[kizmac]

We won't be cancelling. I did check airline prices yesterday, but since there are so many in my family it is still cheaper to drive. Hopefully anyhow! SWA even with their $49 one way price still works out to $818 for my family plus then the rental car fee so.....even though the gas prices rising, I still can drive roundtrip for under $800. It is definitely costing us more than $30 extra. I am thinking at $3.00 a gallon we are looking at almost $150 -$200 more for our Conversion van from PA.

Now hopefully the shortages should be under control by the end of Sept. The only way I would cancel would be another hurrican heading right for Florida at that time. The gas prices hurt, but I guess it will just have to come out of our souviner budget.

 

[dismom9761]

I am not cancelling.I leave in 2 days.It will only take a little over one tank of gas to get us there.Not too bad.

 

[Magickndm]

We were going this weekend. We canceled. But not because of gas prices. We are semi-local, 2 hours away, but with all that's going on in N.O., I cannot go and spend money there when so many others are in such need. We have, instead, donated what we would have spent to the Red Cross.

 

[lisatradingspaces]

We are far away in California but I feel the same way you do. It's hard for us thinking about going down there and having a lavish vacation when people are so close in such devastation and desperation. We considered canceling and sending the money to Red Cross as well. We ultimately decided that we will still go though because we have been telling the kids about it for 6 months (their first vacation ever) and it would be another year before we could reschedule. What we decided to do was donate a large sum to Red Cross anyway and do without things here. No more eating out all! And no more runs to Target for things I think I "need" for awhile!

I think I will still feel weird while there though. We'll see.

Lisa

We were going this weekend. We canceled. But not because of gas prices. We are semi-local, 2 hours away, but with all that's going on in N.O., I cannot go and spend money there when so many others are in such need. We have, instead, donated what we would have spent to the Red Cross.

 

[LukenDC]

I think that it is very noble to consider donating money earmarked for vacations to WDW. I felt a bit guilty about spending the money for WDW when there are suffering people in New Orleans. However, by not spending money at WDW we are taking money out of the pockets of the Orlando tourist industry that will already suffer some of the aftershocks of Katrina. The tourist industry has finally recovered from 9/11 and I hope that the gas prices and hurricaine do not set it back too much.

I'm headed to WDW in nine days. I also made a contribution to the Red Cross. It was not much, but the best I can do under the circumstances.

 

[bdcp]

Guilt is not going to help anyone. Cancelling because of guilt makes it about you, not about the real issue. If anything, going and spending money, will help the overall economy. I feel empathy for those displaced, injured, killed, but I dont' feel guilty for continuing to live my life. That kind of guilt can lead to depression and isn't good for anyone. The most balanced way to handle the situation is to give some and continue your life at the same time.

 

[SnackyStacky]

No, I'm not cancelling.

Everything is booked with a no cancellation policy, so I wouldn't get money back to donate.

Sitting at home won't do much good.

And I'm not at all qualified to physically help.

The best I can do is to donate money and supplies, and I've been doing that. We made a contribution to the Salvation Army, and many local places have the "Add a $1 to your order" kind of things which I've been doing as well.

 

[Magickndm]

I didn't mean to make anyone feel guilty. I don't blame anyone one bit who has planned a vacation there to go ahead. I have the luxury of going just about anytime I want, and not going was the right decision for me, it makes me feel just a little better.

 

[lisatradingspaces]

This was something else we talked about when deciding too. We think if many people cancel their vacations and plans, especially over Labor Day, it will have a negative effect on the economy.

The guilt I was feeling was not as much about us having fun while other people aren't (there is some of that too though), but more about spending so much money on something so frivolous when I know the Red Cross could really use that $6000.

But like I said, we decided to do without some things here at home so we can still go on vacation and also donate a large sum of money. If we wouldn't have been able to donate otherwise, we probably would have canceled just to free up the money so we could donate. I would not feel right being there knowing I had done nothing to help the situation in the Gulf.

Lisa

Guilt is not going to help anyone. Cancelling because of guilt makes it about you, not about the real issue. If anything, going and spending money, will help the overall economy. I feel empathy for those displaced, injured, killed, but I dont' feel guilty for continuing to live my life. That kind of guilt can lead to depression and isn't good for anyone. The most balanced way to handle the situation is to give some and continue your life at the same time.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I didn't mean to make anyone feel guilty. I don't blame anyone one bit who has planned a vacation there to go ahead. I have the luxury of going just about anytime I want, and not going was the right decision for me, it makes me feel just a little better.

I can't speak for everyone, but you didn't make me feel guilty. I've been dealing with the feeling of guilt of going since this started unfolding on the news.

I went through the reasons I outlined above, and decided that there was nothing wrong with going.

I think that was a wonderful thing that you did. And it didn't make me feel guilty in the slightest.

 

[mas6010]

You know I hope that noone takes this the wrong way BUT... I feel horrible about everything going on my DH won't let me watch it because I sit and cry. I called Red Cross today and made a donation. And now the BUT... 1. My kids are so excited how could I make them 4 and 7 understand ??? 2. Do you really think if it was the people there that they would cancell their trip to WDW if it was you ??? 3. As horrible as it all is, Life does go on and just like after 9-11 your life and mine went on. After a death in the family life still goes on. 4. If just can't afford it then that's a little different...But it's just like having kids are you ever REALLY ready with an endless supply of money ??? So donated to your local RED CROSS and go have fun.

 

[zurgswife]

No I leave in 7 days and can't wait....