Help! Cancelled trip. Need to figure out what to do with conference tix.

[Marionnette]

So, you think the tickets will still be good later this year? I am considering calling in the morning and asking again. So far, my dh has called both times. I just want a clear answer.

The written policy is so vague. At one point, it clearly states that the tickets must be used within a set time frame which can begin a few days prior to the start of the meeting but must begin no more than a week after the meeting ends. Later in the same policy, it states "in any event, no later than December 31, 2015."

At the very worst, I would hope that Disney would at least allow you to apply what you paid for those tickets to the cost of regular park admission. I wish Cheshire Figment would pop his head in here and give an answer. He works in ticketing and he would have the definitive answer on how this might be handled. I'm sure that you're not the first guest who has purchased convention tickets and then learned that they cannot use them during the meeting dates.

 

[crisi]

My companies travel policy requires approval from the president of my division before I'm allowed to take a guest on a business trip with me. It doesn't sound like there was any official approval here. Without knowing the actual policy, it's difficult to advocate complaining.

Most of the companies my husband or I have worked for spousal travel before or after the trip - if there was no difference in airfare - was fine. Spousal travel during the trip was a career limiting move - not against policy, but definitely not encouraged. However, you paid for your own extra nights in the hotel, any difference in airfare or car rental.

As to conferences, I had the good luck to attend several in Orlando. I'd fly in early, visit Disney, leave late, visit Disney. During the conference itself, I had fourteen hour days attending sessions, going to labs, going to dinner with coworkers or vendors, and then heading back to my room to clean up email, type up conference notes to share with my teams, and work. If I was lucky, I got the business traveling mother's treat of two hours holding my own remote control! I can't imagine taking my spouse during a conference and expecting to spend any time at all with them - unless maybe its those two hours before bed which isn't enough time to visit the parks.

There was a lovely boondoogle trip that my husband went on to Disneyland for being a top producer and winning some sort of Chairman's Award that involved him taking me, a banquet, and two days running around Disneyland. He had half a day of meetings. But that was the exception in our careers.

 

[wendow]

The written policy is so vague. At one point, it clearly states that the tickets must be used within a set time frame which can begin a few days prior to the start of the meeting but must begin no more than a week after the meeting ends. Later in the same policy, it states "in any event, no later than December 31, 2015."

At the very worst, I would hope that Disney would at least allow you to apply what you paid for those tickets to the cost of regular park admission. I wish Cheshire Figment would pop his head in here and give an answer. He works in ticketing and he would have the definitive answer on how this might be handled. I'm sure that you're not the first guest who has purchased convention tickets and then learned that they cannot use them during the meeting dates.

Is Cheshire Figment still around? I know he had not been on the boards for awhile. I will try pm'ing him. I have read that part over and over about using the tickets within certain number of days but no later than Dec 31. Very vague and confusing...

 

[rlduvall]

Is Cheshire Figment still around? I know he had not been on the boards for awhile. I will try pm'ing him.

I saw him recently on the boards.

 

[wendow]

I saw him recently on the boards.

Thanks, sent him a pm.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't remember reading a thread where so many posts didn't address the OPs question and gave bad information. A business doesn't have to offer private rooms to employees on business. Many do but it's not the norm for some industries. A company doesn't (maybe some rare circumstances) owe overtime if a business conference includes dinners and evening meetings. Some conferences double as vacations. Minimal business meetings are scheduled so the conference qualifies under the tax laws. There is plenty of free time. Other conferences are "working" conferences with very little free time. OP made it clear the meeting went from one to the other. Now that the boss and 3 other employees are attending the DH will be attending the optional meetings and dinner meetings.
OP was clear. I can't believe how many posters are suggesting complaining to the employer. The OP lost the ability to convert a business meeting to a "mini-honeymoon" It what world is that a good argument. OP made it clear this was never given to her husband as a reward or paid vacation.

The written policy is so vague. At one point, it clearly states that the tickets must be used within a set time frame which can begin a few days prior to the start of the meeting but must begin no more than a week after the meeting ends. Later in the same policy, it states "in any event, no later than December 31, 2015."

At the very worst, I would hope that Disney would at least allow you to apply what you paid for those tickets to the cost of regular park admission. I wish Cheshire Figment would pop his head in here and give an answer. He works in ticketing and he would have the definitive answer on how this might be handled. I'm sure that you're not the first guest who has purchased convention tickets and then learned that they cannot use them during the meeting dates.

I've seen convention tickets. The wording on the ticket is clear. The December 31, 2015 is hard printed on the ticket. The computer prints the actual dates, based on the conference. The December 31, 2015 means you can't easily alter the date, or even fade the date. Think of a rebate check that says the check isn't valid for more then $10.

You kno, this is where Disney making you load tickets to do FP+ far in advance of a trip does the public a disservice. If your plans change, you are stuck. OP looks to lose out completely on her ticket purchase. I hope flights were able to be postponed or refunded.

I'd definitely be having the DH talk to management at work about their changing the plans on him and how it's affecting him financially. Maybe they will recind the changes and allow him to get the room he'd planned on with his wife.

This is one way Disney will be recovering the $$$ spent on magic bands. It will be easier to enforce the terms of the ticket. Guests won't have an issue if they book their tickets with the resort.

OP already said they won't be complaining to the boss. The company did nothing wrong. The OP didn't do anything wrong. They thought there would be enough down time to have a mini-vacation.

OP needs to call Disney. So much was down over the phone. No hard tickets. The OP might be able to use the confusion as the basis for an exception.

 

[wendow]

I called Disney 'group ticket sales'. And got the same answer as my dh had gotten. That is three CM's telling us we can use the tickets later in the year. I am very happy with that response as that will force us to still take an anniversary trip but give us time to save for it!

Thanks for the advice and support offered

 

[supersnoop]

I called Disney 'group ticket sales'. And got the same answer as my dh had gotten. That is three CM's telling us we can use the tickets later in the year. I am very happy with that response as that will force us to still take an anniversary trip but give us time to save for it!

Thanks for the advice and support offered

Did you write down the date/time and name of the person you spoke with? The phone agents are notorious for giving incorrect information. Most of them are in a call center someone in the midwest and have never actually been to Disney World. Just make sure you have as much proof as possible if you run into trouble.

 

[wendow]

Did you write down the date/time and name of the person you spoke with? The phone agents are notorious for giving incorrect information. Most of them are in a call center someone in the midwest and have never actually been to Disney World. Just make sure you have as much proof as possible if you run into trouble.

I know the name of the CM I talked to today but my dh has no clue who he talked to (other than not the same name as the person I spoke with). I really don't know how else to verify the information since three phone calls have now been made and the same response given from three different people.

 

[supersnoop]

I know the name of the CM I talked to today but my dh has no clue who he talked to (other than not the same name as the person I spoke with). I really don't know how else to verify the information since three phone calls have now been made and the same response given from three different people.

Just prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

Whenever I'm dealing with a potentially sticky situation like this, I usually will ask for an email response. In other words, I email them, they email back. That way I have dated proof of what they said. Just my two cents. Best of luck!

 

[Candleshoe]

I called Disney 'group ticket sales'. And got the same answer as my dh had gotten. That is three CM's telling us we can use the tickets later in the year. I am very happy with that response as that will force us to still take an anniversary trip but give us time to save for it!

Thanks for the advice and support offered

Just brainstorming here.. Would it be possible for you to fly out at the tail end of his conference?
If he could get a flight change on his return flight, you two would get that mini-vacation for the cost of a hotel room and your SW-points flight (and the flight change fee).

As far as those tickets being linked in your MDE, if you've decided you want to go forward with trying to transfer the tickets, either as a sale or gift, call Disney IT and explain the situation. At worst they'll say NO, at best they'll unlink the tickets for you.

 

[HM]

Just brainstorming here.. Would it be possible for you to fly out at the tail end of his conference?
If he could get a flight change on his return flight, you two would get that mini-vacation for the cost of a hotel room and your SW-points flight (and the flight change fee).

As far as those tickets being linked in your MDE, if you've decided you want to go forward with trying to transfer the tickets, either as a sale or gift, call Disney IT and explain the situation. At worst they'll say NO, at best they'll unlink the tickets for you.

I had already suggested the same thing, as had someone else. She says she can't work out care for her children for those days.

 

[Candleshoe]

I had already suggested the same thing, as had someone else. She says she can't work out care for her children for those days.

I missed that.

But the Disney IT suggestion still stands. I found them very helpful and they did things for me that others said could not be done.

 

[wendow]

Thanks for the suggestions. We were not able to move the trip either before or after the conference. Partly our own plans and partly those of grandparents.

We made a decision though. We are going in Sept ,and actually going to stay one night longer than the original trip. We will use the tickets then, and it will be even better as I'll have my dh all to myself rather than him being in classes all day I am far more excited about this trip!

 

[Candleshoe]

Yay you!! Happy anniversary!

 

[wendow]

Yay you!! Happy anniversary!

Thank you!!

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for the suggestions. We were not able to move the trip either before or after the conference. Partly our own plans and partly those of grandparents.

We made a decision though. We are going in Sept ,and actually going to stay one night longer than the original trip. We will use the tickets then, and it will be even better as I'll have my dh all to myself rather than him being in classes all day I am far more excited about this trip!

Glad to learn that you were able to work something out and still get your anniversary trip. September will be a less-crowded time to visit and if you've timed it right, you will get to enjoy the F&W Festival at EPCOT.

 

[mrsmusic]

Thank you!!

Just wondering how the trip planning is going I'm going to be there very early September. I am going to a conference as well.