Death in family--trip is next week

[goofysc]

Okay, so we have a trip planned for my entire family (almost 20 people) for Feb 13-18. We booked a 3 bdrm Bay Lake villa and a 2 bdrm AKL villa. Unfortunately a family member passed away yesterday and the only date the family can do the funeral is Feb 15--right in the middle of the vacation. I know that you can "hold" your vacation points if you need to cancel and you can book within next use year. But the DVC employee I just spoke with said that you can only book 60 days prior to arrival date. So I'm assuming by then the large villas will all be booked up. She did give me the number to call and said that maybe with our extenuating circumstances they can work with us. My question is--have any of you ever experienced anything like this where you had to postpone a planned vacation? How likely is it that they would be able to work with us to book the same accommodations for later in the year? My niece is going to call Disney and ask them about the park tickets that we have already purchased.

 

[serenitynow]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

 

[bwvBound]

Sorry for your loss; wishing you the very best in recovering and reusing the resources intended for the original trip.

 

[Sandisw]

I’m sorry for your loss. Yes, the points will be put in holding and only eligible for the 60 day out rule.

It also means they expire at end of the UY of this trip. Not sure what UY you Have, but this will play a role.

I have never had this situation and maybe you can get a little pixie dust.

 

[lovin'fl]

Yes. We got above and beyond help (pixie dust) from DVC when MIL and FIL could not go due to illness (MIL has been battling stage 4 cancer). They may put your points all back to normal (even unbank or unborrow any that you did). They will state it's a 1 time exception. Which, hopefully, is all one needs. My condolences for your loss. I didn't get help re-booking though. Just cancelling and putting points back in UY as regular points. Also got refund on MNSSHP tix we had bought for MIL and FIL.

 

[lovin'fl]

Other options are to transfer points to regular Disney resort or into RCI (or whatever timeshare thing we have...that costs like $95 to book...used to be $95, may be more now). If you put the points in there I think you have less restrictions to use them than if in holding (but RCI won't get you Disney World rooms, I don't think). But I am not sure how all that works. One time, though, my SIL had to cancel a July trip last minute (she was a teacher) due to surgery complication. They then used points to book Xmas week at Coronado Springs. Got 2 regular rooms for the 5 of them.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I'm sorry for your loss. I expect they will work with you...so sad.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I'm so sorry for your loss and I hope they will work with you.

When my MIL passed away suddenly they did put the points in holding. However, I only had one studio booked, so I was able to work around the limitations. In your case, I would hope that they would be able to at least restore your points so you are able to plan your future trip.

 

[goofysc]

Thank you all. That really helps. It is sad--she was my sister's mother-in-law, nieces's grandmother and I've known her since I was about 8 years old. It was expected, but still very sad. We will call and see what they say. Our use year is February, so I'm assuming that means our year would be over at the end of this month? Sad that we've had DVC since 2009 and I'm still getting used to how it works!

 

[lovin'fl]

Thank you all. That really helps. It is sad--she was my sister's mother-in-law, nieces's grandmother and I've known her since I was about 8 years old. It was expected, but still very sad. We will call and see what they say. Our use year is February, so I'm assuming that means our year would be over at the end of this month? Sad that we've had DVC since 2009 and I'm still getting used to how it works!

Use year is Feb and trip was booked for this Feb....then points should be good through Jan 31, 2021.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you all. That really helps. It is sad--she was my sister's mother-in-law, nieces's grandmother and I've known her since I was about 8 years old. It was expected, but still very sad. We will call and see what they say. Our use year is February, so I'm assuming that means our year would be over at the end of this month? Sad that we've had DVC since 2009 and I'm still getting used to how it works!

You probably won't get a GV booking only 60 days out, but you might be able to get some studios in various locations during the summer months.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, I've been there although not with quite so large of group. Twice. We had to delay arrivals both times but still went for part of the trips. The remainder of points were placed in holding which as you learned can be used to book a reservation that is 60 days or less from the date you book. This was years ago but if you have any flexibility to work with you should be able to make it happen. I'd plan for SSR for the rooms but you never know what will be open. I'd also think that summer will be the easiest time to be able to book the rooms. I do happen to think you'll be able to get a GV and 2BR. I know that there are dates in April that have the availability you need and you'd already be at 60 days out for early April. The time I know has availability is a little later in the month - just because I've been watching that time. It's a higher point requirement time which tends to be easier to book. And the nice thing is that your UY helps a lot since you do have until Jan 31, 2021 to use the points. I'd suggest planning for something prior to the second week in September though when availability will tighten up thru the rest of the year.

I'm sorry for your families loss.