Cancel or not?

[london75]

So you may or may not have seen my other thread but I'm a grown man with a school sports day injury due to fly to Florida for 4 weeks on the 5th August and as of Wednesday I have two broken wrists, one minor but needs a cast for 6+ weeks, the other worse due for surgery on Tuesday.

We have Virgin PE flights booked and paid for, 4 weeks villa, 1 x 3 night cruise on the 25th. 4 lots of tickets inc Disney annual passes, Universal 2 park 14 night and Seaword/Aquatica/Busch 14 night. 1 x 28 night 7 seat SUV rental.

I'm not going to be allowed to drive and it fills my DW with dread the thought of driving to the point it could ruin her holiday making her. She has offered but I think it will make her ill with worry, she doesn't do UK motorways and only drives routes she knows. I will be capable of driving, I moved my car earlier (quiet street and moved from one space to reverse park in another) after only a day of getting casts done so think it'll be even easier after 4 more weeks but probably not insured.

I think if a Dr signed me as unfit to travel I'd get most of the money back minus excesses and probably park tickets.

I've only had 4 days off work since August last year and worked most weekends as well between then and now so reeeaaaalllyyy looking forward to this holiday. What do I do, the sensible side says cancel and rebook for Christmas or similar but wife will have job by then so at most 2 weeks if not much less rather than current 4.

We could go and get taxis but don't know how much that would come to, staying in Rolling Hills and had numerous days out planned. Then there's the cruise as well!

Just don't know what to do, just been chatting to a parent of our DDs friend who is a physio and has seen my xrays (she works in the hospital i went to) and she says expect to be in casts for the rest of the summer.

Discuss.

 

[jono77]

its a cancel for me, you are going to be seriously hampered and you surely wont be able to enjoy the holiday as much, rebook for when you are fit and well.

 

[london75]

I'm partly with you but then rebook for when. October has sold out pretty much and chances of Mrs getting Xmas hols in new job next to nothing. That's then next year. Both kids at school so next summer but money in tickets lost.

Argh, know what you're saying but been working 7 days a week for this on the condition I get away from and forget about work for 4 weeks.

 

[DCLMan]

Could you cancel and book the same period staying on Disney property?

 

[london75]

It's crossed my mind to get one night in Disney just to get us and our bags to the Disney area, then car to the villa next day which mrs would find less stressful.

Possibly dtd check in last day and taxi.

Transfers for cruise?

Hmm, got some serious surfing to do

 

[lucy_love_]

aw i feel so sorry for you. i could cry.

before our first trip i was sick as a dog but not sick enough to cancel. plus the rest had really bad coughs too. i had an emergency appointment with my gp the day before we flew out and he gave me antibiotics. i coughed my guts up the whole time we were there but it didnt spoil it for me. john just made a lot of jokes about sars and mrsa!

obviously you are in a much worse position. i think i would cancel and make everyone wait till i could enjoy it as much too. think of the things you wont be able to do with two broken arms. aw. im sure everyone would understand putting back till crimbo.

DCLMans idea was good. you would only need the onsite transport then. we only did disney on our first trip and it was so overwhelming i dont htink we missed out on universal parks that year at all. do your universal tickets and such expire if you dont activate them?

sorry im not being much help!

 

[joolz1910]

What a nightmare. What about cancelling your SUV and booking car-on-the-drive to get you to the villa?

 

[london75]

Universal and Seaworld are 2011 tickets so I assume expire this year although Seaworld aren't named so I could resell at a loss.

The problem is Disney is just so much more expensive than a villa. We have 4 weeks for 1400 which only gets you a fortnight in a medium Disney hotel.

 

[2Tiggies]

It's crossed my mind to get one night in Disney just to get us and our bags to the Disney area, then car to the villa next day which mrs would find less stressful.

Possibly dtd check in last day and taxi.

Transfers for cruise?

Hmm, got some serious surfing to do

That was my first thought.

My second was prompted by your earlier comment about what taxi's would possibly cost you. If the taxi's would cost me equal or less than what I would lose in park tickets and extras not covered by insurance, I would still go.

 

[london75]

What a nightmare. What about cancelling your SUV and booking car-on-the-drive to get you to the villa?

FoRgot about car on the drive, will have to get a quote

 

[london75]

That was my first thought.

My second was prompted by your earlier comment about what taxi's would possibly cost you. If the taxi's would cost me equal or less than what I would lose in park tickets and extras not covered by insurance, I would still go.

That's my current thought process, if insurance wouldn't pay up, I'd be 75% of a cruise, 50% of a villa and a lot of park tickets down.

Columbus wouldn't discuss what I'd be entitled to until I actually start to claim which is a bit poo because what they say might stop me claiming so could work both ways. That was an offshore script person apparently called Chantelle though lol.

 

[jen_uk]

I think if I could get the money back on the insurance I would cancel, its not just the driving, you won't be able to swim, do the waterparks, you may be stopped from doing some rides etc. If you are dead set on going how about changing to a value hotel? Or could you get your money back on the car hire and then spend that on taxis? Hope it works out for you

 

[london75]

I'm going to have to adjust to the idea that if we go it won't be your average trip!

Not sure about the whole family in one room thing, it's never gone well in the past and we all just get more and more tired and enjoy things less and less. That's a whole other world of expense when you want a 2 bed onsite!

1 night Disney or Caronthedrive are promising ideas at present, thanks for helping me think out loud as it were. Never know, results of surgery on Tuesday might decide things one way or the other.

Dad's be warned, I'm a pretty fit and athletic late 30s gym going kind of Dad that screwed up once trying to impress his 5 year old girl. It can happen to anyone! Be careful on sports days out there!

 

[Tony Toon]

Couldn't possibly make a choice for you but I HATE driving. I only drive in the UK to get me from home to work and for shopping. If I can get anyone else to drive, I will. 2003 we had booked a trip with my DS and her family. We were all driving down to Manchester (us from Glasgow, DS and family from Dundee) over night. We were almost at the Scottish border when DS phoned to say that both she and her husband had forgotten their driving licences and didn't have time to go back to Dundee for them. I didn't have mine, but we did have time (only just) to go back to Glasgow for mine. I was very nervous, but did all the driving until their licences arrived from home (about 10 days). It was absolutely fine and I had no problems. I'm sure your wife would be fine.

Still don't drive unless I absolutely have to.

Mrs TT

 

[london75]

Couldn't possibly make a choice for you but I HATE driving. I only drive in the UK to get me from home to work and for shopping. If I can get anyone else to drive, I will. 2003 we had booked a trip with my DS and her family. We were all driving down to Manchester (us from Glasgow, DS and family from Dundee) over night. We were almost at the Scottish border when DS phoned to say that both she and her husband had forgotten their driving licences and didn't have time to go back to Dundee for them. I didn't have mine, but we did have time (only just) to go back to Glasgow for mine. I was very nervous, but did all the driving until their licences arrived from home (about 10 days). It was absolutely fine and I had no problems. I'm sure your wife would be fine.

Still don't drive unless I absolutely have to.

Mrs TT

Thanks for that, I know she can do it and she keeps saying "we're not cancelling, I'll drive" I'm just wary that it won't then be a nice holiday for her. This is like a mega treat for all of us, she's been off work for nearly 6 years bringing our kids up and she's got to go back to work in September. The holiday is as much for her as for the rest of us and just the thought of driving might ruin it.

 

[dixonsontour]

If you do decide to cancel I know people resell tickets on ebay due to cancelled holidays. They often make near face value - i'm always suprised by how much they go for.

Even if your cast did come off in time which seems unlikely then you may need physio etc - 4 weeks away is a long time. It is not worth risking permanent harm to yourself in the long run.

Best wishes whatever you decide.

 

[mackay_j]

this holiday will have cost too much for it to be 2nd rate. If I were you I would cancel and rebook for xmas or for next year. Yes you may only get 2 weeks but they will be 1st rate 2 weeks as apossed to 4 weeks 2nd rate. I know its hard to pull out but sometimes itd for the best. Last year we had to cancel mexico as my eldest had been very ill. So I know how it feels, but when treatment is needed here is the best place for you. You will not be insured to dive in the US so do not even think about it (ref to replies on other thread). Even if your wife drives you will still not be able to fully take part in the holiday esp if you planed water parksor major rides or even chilling out in the villa pool. I would also check your holiday insurance are hapy for you to go, as they may may not now cover you for any treatment you may need for your arms whilke away if you do not alert them to the situation before going -- same goes for your arline(conditions of carriage). Good luck I know what it feels like to cancel a hliday that you have planned for a long time.

 

[london75]

As I wake up on the sofa because I can't comfortably lie down and the pain kicks in because the painkillers have worn off and the heartburn bubbles and burns from so many tablets I know I have to cancel.

By the time we go I'll have two casts one of which will cover 3 week old stitches, I can't believe the hospital won't want to see me at least fortnightly.

I'll just have to deal with the losses insurance won't cover.

Maybe a week in Mallorca or Paris?

Don't worry, I'm not feeling sorry for myself, we've been so lucky to go once or twice a year for a long time, maybe a year off is a good thing. I was really looking forward to our first ever cruise though, kids are going to be gutted!

Is there any way someone on the forums can benefit from my Disney Dream booking? We only paid £1400 for a 3 night in a deluxe family cat 4D for a family of 4 which looking at recent prices is pretty good. Can I sell the booking on or is it as simple as letting you all know when I cancel so you can snap the room up? Doubt it but worth a try.

 

[eyelady]

Hi All! Long time lurker but just registered as I felt I had something to add to this. I was unlucky enough to break my wrist in the snow/ice on 17th December, and had to have a plate put in on 1st Jan this year as the bones had moved. Although I was told that the cast would be on for a further 4 weeks(!), this didn't include the plaster of paris one which was put on in surgery and wasn't changed for 10 days, making 2 weeks pre-surgery and 5.5 weeks after. However, there were no appointments between the cast change and cast removal. Although it itched (and they did spot the ink marks on my arm from the pen that I had used to stop it!) I didn't really find that the worst problem was the pain. I did get really fed up with the everyday difficulties - getting dressed took forever, showering was a pain (I bought a Limbo which helped) and I hated having to ask people to do things for me. I also found that my wrist was really weak when the cast was off, and the physio wasn't fun - but of course helped.

I think I would have to recommend cancelling - although I think you've come to that conclusion yourself. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[crabbie1]

Oh im so sorry to hear this. I dont know what to say. I must say I know how ur wife would feel. I hate driving here and cannot go on open roads as get terrible panic attacks. However each time I go to the US I hv always said I would drive out there as the roads are less busy and seem less congested even at busy times which I would avoid. Where is ur villa based? Would she agree to drive to perhaps dtd and then get the buses in. Doesnt cost to park does it?? Then get a cab from there to universal etc. Just a thought. As for you u numpty I personally think its such a shame to cancel everything and loose so much money. I would hv thought tht if you only hv one cast you could hv managed. I hv broken my wrist in the past and yes it does ache but just keep elevated and take the painkillers. Yes u wont be feeling as active and may somedays feel not like doing anything BUT the sun will do u good ,u can relax on the cruise . Are u going back to the same villa? Why cant you get stay at disney hotel for the night before cruise or rent points dvc somewhere and get the transfers though for $300 u can get a return cab. I know its gonna be a not so active trip but u will sit here feeling miserable thinking I wish I was on holiday. You would hv to go knowing you cabt do tht much and the family Im sure would say yes dad we wont rush around. Anything just to go. Its an awful decision to make. My uncle had heart surgery and I thought he wouldnt be able to fly but 4 weeks later he was off to LA. U hv go do whts right for you and be guided by what ur consultant says.pixie dust