Cancelling Disney - Now I'm in this boat!

[TravelinSouth]

Ugh...

After months and months of planning our Disney trip is now threatened by the potential passing of my husband's grandmother. She is 90 years old, just diagnosed with cancer, and the doctors are giving her, at most, 3 months to live.

Of course, our 45 day out mark was 8/7/08 and we've paid for the trip without trip insurance. My husband now wants me to look into the cost if we have to reschedule. I know I've read threads on this, but my questions are as follows:

1) If I reschedule, am I just booked a change fee by Disney?
2) What if I can't go back until 2009? Our trip was the end of September and with birthdays, school and the holidays, I don't think I'll make it back until January.
3) What about the airfares? I booked my flights back when the fares were low and got $218/pp from Cleveland to Orlando. I know there used to be $150 change fee per ticket. Does this still exist? Would I have to pay the difference for the current fares too?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I dont mean to come across rude...because, everyone knows I love DisneyWorld and was bummed to get pregnant only cuz it postponed my trip...lol..
BUT..
this is his grandmother!!
Waiting til Jan from Sept doesn't seem all that bad. Look into the costs of changing dates... or see if adding insurance is possible now describing the situation...
Maybe time will be good, and she'll be around for a few more years...but don't mourn the loss of Disney in September....be around for family in the loss of a loved one....

 

[TravelinSouth]

I think you read too much into my post. I didn't say I wouldn't reschedule, I was just inquiring if anyone knew how much in change fees I would be facing. Trust me I know more than I want to about death and being there for loved ones. My DH is a funeral director, my father in law is a funeral director, my brother in law is a funeral director and I LIVE IN A FUNERAL HOME!! I am surrounded by death constantly, so perhaps my questions sound harsh, but I didnt mean them that way, death is just a daily routine in our lives. Trust me, my husband and I are totally on the same page on this one!

So, does anyone know costs...especially with the airfare?

 

[budbeerlady]

I think its too late for Disney trip insurance but you might be able to find some at insuremytrip.com.

We have pondered the what to do with stuff like this and trip insurance. You will have to make your own desicions for your family but I wouldnt go moving things just yet. She might make it a week or 6 months. My grandma turns 91 soon, I would wait and see. Sorry I have no idea on a change fee for airlines and WDW.

 

[Nie0214]

She wasn't really complaining about having to reschedule, just inquiring about the fees involved with rescheduling without trip insurance.

 

[Darcy03231]

If you booked your airline tickets through Southwest you should be able to change them with no fee. If its with another carrier most of them charge between $100-$150 per ticket to change, plus whatever the difference is in the airfare.

I haven't had to change vacation plans but given the circumstances I would definitely call Disney and see if they will work with you on rescheduling this. It never hurts to ask.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I am really odd person out here. I say talk to your dh grandmom, ask her what her opinion would be to do about the trip.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I am really odd person out here. I say talk to your dh grandmom, ask her what her opinion would be to do about the trip.

 

[DjdBrit]

I really have no idea about what the financal implications are about canceling or changing your reservation. This is going to sound pretty grim but having a death certificate may help even though this trip is not insured.


Maybe I am nuts and forgive me when I say this but we are talking his Grandmother. I might be tempted to take the trip anyway and deal with the consequences (which I don't think I can spell). My mother died suddenly last year and I am not a complete heartless witch but it sounds like its going to happen no matter what. For all you know it could happen before your trip and it might be a blessing to be able to have this escape for your family. If it happens while you are away you are all in the funeral business and I am sure that messures can be taken to put things on hold until you get back.

I feel for your family and know that no matter what you do this will not be the trip that you had planned. I had been planning a trip to England last year when my Mum died and had to return early, it was not the trip I had expected but I think you can always find something good in every situation.

 

[BrandyC1974]

Hi. I just wanted to post my opinion on this subject. (I did not have a trip planned, but I did have tickets to Disney on Ice, so I know that this is totally different). But, I agree with the poster who stated that mabye you should just keep the trip planned as is.

My aunt, who lived with me and who my kids adored, past on a Thursday (May of 2007). We had Disney on Ice tickets for that Saturday. (my aunt passed at my home, in her bed) When asked, I told everyone that we were still going to go. Some people were like, what??? But, I told them that "Aunt" would haunt me from the grave if I was to cancel our plans. She felt it was important for the kids to experience all that they could. She would have been the first person (if someone else had passed) to tell me not to disappoint my girls.

Now, my girls still mourned my aunt's passing (and they still do!!). But, at least they have happy memories from there favorite pasttime (DISNEY!!).

I can't imagine having to face such a hard situation, but I'm sure that whatever you decide will be best for your family.

And if this my opinion doesn't help you, then please just ignore.

 

[estherhead]

My mom had this happened with a trip when her own mom died. She called the company & they had her send in the death certificate. The only fee to reschedule was $25.00. Had she not sent in the death certificate, she would have lost a lot of money.

 

[kidsister]

Well, first, I hope DH's grandma had a wonderful life and that you all have wonderful memories. And I hope that now that you have an idea that her health is declining that you will spend what time you can letting her know how much you love her.

That said, if you ask grandma, I bet she would want you to plan on going on your trip, no matter what. '3 months' is usually a doc's way of letting you know that you need to prepare, not an appointment! 3 months could be 1 day , one year, or a decade. Docs don't have any prescience on this matter.

It would for example, be a shame for you to cancel your trip and then grandma passes either next week or when you've rebooked. Death is funny like that.

Heck, I think a great thing to do would be to plan on taking grandma with you!!! It could be an imaginery trip planning, but think of how much she could look forward to.

Bottom line: you've been in the business of watching how others handle this for a long time, so you already know that death loves surprises. If it were me, I 'd go to Disney and enjoy every moment. I'd call grandma and send lots of video and photos her way. I'd bring her back a stuffed Mickey. She already knows how much you have loved her in her life, and I think she'd like to know that after she passes, you will continue to enjoy life.

Finally, I reallize you weren' t asking for our opinions on whether to go but only what cancellations might cost. I don't know anything about that, but Disney is usually good about family emergencies. I hope grandma lives to be 100 and gets to go to WDW many times before she passes!!!!