Are you cancelling because of Katrina?

[Dopey Sharon]

No, we' won't be cancelling our upcoming December trip to WDW. We have been looking forward to this trip since I booked it back in January and we can't wait to go.

I do feel really bad for those affected by the hurricane, especially those in Gulfport (my DH was working there for two and a half months, thank God he came home the end of July), but cancelling my trip isn't going to change anything for all those people.

We may have to cancel or change our upcoming April cruise, though. We were supposed to leave from New Orleans. We have no idea what is going to happen with that trip.

 

[brandip22]

I am in Baton Rouge, which is one hour north of New Orleans- we are the Captial City for those that don't know. Anyway, we are leaving tomorrow. Do I feel guilty? ABSOLUTELY!! But, I'm a DVC member, so points would be gone. Plus, everything but food is paid for so there's not much that would go towards anyone.
However, we do have a family from New Orleans that are staying with us and will live here while we are gone. They will get some time alone to themselves to be a family and heal.
Please, help where you can, but don't stop living your lives. The last thing that needs to happen is that. I manage a bank and every customer I've helped this week has been from New Orleans. Most of the ones I've seen have already been getting on with their lives as best they can. They have found places to live and started finding new schools for their children. Now, this doesn't count those who can't afford to do that, but it helps. The ones who want to go on are doing so- they are also volunteering, even though their homes may be gone. If they can get on with their lives, so can we. Keep travelling. Donate what you can and pray. Things will get better, it will take time- lots of it, but it will be better.
Oh, and my Ds-3- would never understand why he couldn't go to Disney after this year of planning. But, he did go through all of his old clothes with me so we could donate them to the shelters. I just dropped off 10 bags of clothing that I was waiting to sell of ebay, yardsale, have another baby, whatever. They need it more now. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. The South appreciates it and we all know you will help us through this.

 

[samsmom05]

We are still going. We are flying down. If we were driving it may have been different. We would have needed to drive through the areas where people evacuated to. I don't know if finding a hotel room in that area is something that is even possible now.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

We're still going (in 3.5 more weeks ). Like others have said, the trip is paid for. We wouldn't get any money back for not going.

What we have decided to do, though, is donate (in addition to the amount we'd normally donate for a disaster like this), the money we save with "free" dining. We're going to keep our receipts, and after we get home, we'll add it all up, and write a check to the American Red Cross for the amount by which the value of our dining exceeds the $380 bucks we "paid" for the dining plan, by way of losing out on the AAA discount.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

We are still going...
My dh says he doesn't feel right about it but I explained my feelings to him and of course we already paid and can not get a refund. Remember how several sectors of the US econ went to the pits after 911? Especially tourism and travel? I will donate several items of clothing and household materials and money. I just started a job and get paid once a month. I have pledged at least 30% of my money at work and we are working in our schools to raise money too. My dd had dollar jeans day at her private school today for Katrina and we sent more like 20 dollar jeans day....This is how life manages to rebuild itself even in the worst of times. I am also praying A LOT!! I think God has our back on this one. I know it seems strange to think that way but we must.

 

[PamNC]

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.

You are a WONDERFUL person. I teared up reading your post. You will be blessed twenty-fold.

PamNC

 

[rchristiansen]

We're leaving on Sunday. I too feel "bummed" about all of it and then living it up in WDW next week. I know when I'm there I'll have a great time! I'm a sensitive person so I feel for everyone that has been affected. However, we do need to keep living our lives. I feel blessed that God has given me this opportunity to do this with my family. The recovery will take years and years and we must do what we can to help, but not sit in a depressed state over it.

What I have done is donated a chunk of money I had set aside to purchase a camcorder for this upcoming trip. In the light of everything, the old clunky one will do just fine.

 

[Magickndm]

Please let me claify. I really was not saying that everyone should change their plans. We are very fortunate in that we can go to Disney at a moments notice, which is pretty much how this weekend was planned. Then the hurricane occured. If we went as planned with our trip we would not have the funds to give to Red Cross. Having to choose between the two, I gave to the Red Cross.
I know so many people plan to go to Disney for months, even years. Of course you should go.

Thank you for the kind words PamNC.

 

[goofie4goofy]

It did not make us cancel, it made us step up to the plate and donate as much as we could for now, and continue to donate a percentage of profits from our business and to start a collection of cell phones, computers, clothing....whatever!

I cannot physically go down there...I have nothing to offer...I am not a Dr or a nurse or electrician or anything of use to anyone. I can give, pray and collect and donate. I do have a large garage, and lots of used cell phones and used computer equiptment and all kinds of stuff that so many could use in the near future....so I'm thinking I can do something with that.

I did feel like an over indulgent slob when I spoke to IPO on Monday, so yes I did feel guilty. Then I asked myself why and my answer basically was becasue I have and so many do not. There is only 1 way to change that..just do what you can.

Cancelling our plans does not change how the people are being treated, only the Gov't can do that. It seems we are all in line waiting to give, but it seems after 5 days there is still a lack of communication of somekind and the innocent are suffering.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

We're not canceling - we leave tomorrow morning. But we made as generous a donation as we possible could to the American Red Cross, and my company is matching it 100%...

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

I didn't end up cancelling...but I will need to reschudle. We were supposed to be at WDW right now...9/1-9/5. We live near New Orleans...so the airport obviously was not working. We rescheduled for this next week...and flying out of Houston...but it is just too dangerous right now in Baton Rouge. Looting everywhere...and I go to school at LSU. I am so nervous to go back Tuesday! However...it worked out for the best. The October 4th is mine and my boyfriends 2 year anniversary. So...we are going to call today to reschedule for then. Cooler weather...and celebrating your two year at Disney...sounds like a plan! It is so tragic down here....good luck to all of you!

 

[Blueberry]

We are not cancelling, we are flying down and gas is no issue now for us. If we were driving I would be concerned about getting stranded in some other state without being able to find gas. The President said this afternoon that gas shortages may be a problem this weekend, but I took his meaning to be it will improve.

Both of us feel horrible this tragic event has happened and we both donated money at work and we donated to the Red Cross last night too. I gladly am going to donate clothes which are in good shape and extra househole items I have such as pots and pans, dishes, silverware things people will need to survive in their new homes.

God Bless all the affected people and everyone who is in anyway affected by this tragic event. You who are donating so greatly are saving angels to the people who are so hurt right now..God will bless you for your generosity.

 

[Jaybrad]

We are not changing our plans for our October trip. We have made our donation to the Red Cross and the folks affected by the hurricane have our prayers. God bless our President, God bless America!!

 

[Nitewarrior]

We are still going from Nebraska. Have change our Route as we were planning on New Orleans as a stop over. We figure at 3.00 a gallon it will cost us an additonal 300 for gas. But since we paid up front with no Cancelation policy we would lose more than we would gain by staying home. So to make a long story short we are leaving October 1 and driving down.

 

[disneyaggie]

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

Now that's not true! I bet these folks would love to see your warm smile, no matter what you did; even just if you were to just sit and offer a hand to hold! So if any come your way, share that nice smile!

But regarding the OP, I really am having a hard time gearing up for my soon-to-be trip. I have been so upset over the scum-bag looters and shooters, the devestation, and those people who desparately needed help. I have really had a heavy heart.

A friend of mine is meeting me in Orlando so I don't think it would be right for me to back out on her with such short notice. But truthfully folks, it will be so difficult to fully enjoy myself like I normally do. But I will try because our company has already donated and is continuing to donate for those coming to the Dallas area (around 20,000 to 25,000). It helps to give so we all feel like we are doing something for these folks.

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

I agree....cancelling a trip cannot make it up to any of those poor people who lost everything. I am a sophomore in college and had to save up money from my summer job to afford to go with my boyfriend. I wouldn't get a refund...so yes...I am still going. However...I do feel terribly bad...which is part of the reason why I am choosing to wait a month. I felt so selfish when the only thing I could worry about this past Monday (day the hurricane hit) was how was I going to get to DisneyWorld. For those of your who do not live near this event, it is difficult to understand how those of us who were lucky enough not to lose everything feel. A mere nine miles or so down the interstate from my home...houses were flooded out. 25 minutes away from me is where all of these horriffic events in New Orleans are taking place. Its one thing to see all this on TV...but to see it with your own eyes makes it even more real. I see the refugees riding on the buses...and the hundreds of police and army vehicles that station not two minutes from where I live. I see the chaos going on in the many places that I frequented this past summer for fun. I think to myself...is this really happening? So many of the refugees are being housed at LSU, my university. There are riots going on, shooting, looting, and many more dangerous acts. Along campus are police men with shotguns, and my classes are two steps from where this madness is going on. Would you feel safe walking around a campus with things like that going on? I know I don't. I am terrified of going back to school on Tuesday. The population of Baton Rouge will double in the next week, and with it the crime rate. It is the situation at hand that has caused me to reschedule. This is so very terrible...honestly. No amount of donation will ever replace what these families had before all of this. With time, homes will be rebuilt, and families will restore their lives back to normal. For the moment, I do not feel content leaving my home and family in the midst of this crisis. This is just a hard situation. No one should feel bad for going. When I go to Disney next month, I will really enjoy myself. But then I remember to thank the Lord because had the storm moved 10 miles West, my home would be gone. Let's all celebrate being alive, and thank you to those of your who have donated your time and money to this cause. The state of Louisiana needs support from this country to help house these people and keep them fed and sheltered. I'm sorry this is so long...but in my 19 years of life, I have never experienced anything of this magnitude, and I felt compelled to share it. To those of you who are going to Disney soon...Have a great time!! And I will be sure to have a great time when my trip arrives!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

definately not cancelling, what would it do in the end? We are going and intend to have a good time taking our dd for the first time.

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

I can see where everyone is coming from... sure, if you can manage it, donate $50 or $100 or so, but I don't think you should consider forking over thousands upon thousands that you were going to use to spend a magical vacation with your own spouses and children because this has occurred. It certainly is a disaster, but the earth doesn't stop spinning - America will pull together in this time of need and accomplish what needs to be done...no one should expect middle class average joe schmo citizens to give up every single thing what they've worked hard to save and send it to the red cross.

 

[LeesyUD]

We are still going from Nebraska. Have change our Route as we were planning on New Orleans as a stop over. We figure at 3.00 a gallon it will cost us an additonal 300 for gas. But since we paid up front with no Cancelation policy we would lose more than we would gain by staying home. So to make a long story short we are leaving October 1 and driving down.

Nitewarrior, I am not sure if you were flying if you would leave from Omaha, but if you check southwest they may still have some $59 flights each way...I am not sure how many people are in you party...but if you think it may cost $300 more just to drive then you may want to check it...but do it soon because alot of the flight times are gone. And if you want a rental car www.mousesavers.com may have some codes

 

[tjevans]

We are planning to arrive in WDW on October 30. We have been told that, thanks to Katrina, our power will be out between two to three months. We are looking forward to our WDW trip even more because we'll have air conditioning while there!