Help! Cancelling on Short Notice

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm just wondering.

My Dad was readmitted to the hospital this morning. I think he will be fine. He had a heart valve replacement in September and has been very prone to infections since then. We are very concerned about him, but also have a few logistics problems...like what do you do with a 12 pound 1/2 thawed turkey, a fresh ham, and a 4 night ressie at HHI for me and DH. We have ressies for Hilton Head for this Friday through Tuesday.

Here are my questions.

Our ressies are Friday/Saturday nights on cash and Sunday/Monday nights on points. We would still be willing to go IF we only lost Friday night. When do I need to call and cancel the cash nights? Points nights?

We have a February UY, how easy is it to book using holding points for an extended weekend in January, preferably MLK for either HHI or the CI in Destin? Which would be better for January?

Ok, and really...what do you do with a 1/2 thawed turkey?

 

[thepops]

I would call as soon as you can to modify the reservation. Explain the issue to the CM (or get a supervisor if you can.) I had an issue where we were supposed to go down this year for the F&W festival, but my cardiologist decided he needed to do some repairs, so that whole trip got cancelled about a week before we were supposed ot go. The CM was able to out the points back and take them out of holding since there was a medical issue (and I could have sent a doctors note as well if they asked). We have a March UY, so we're trying to use up the points, but it is easier than having to use them under the "holding" conditions.

As for the Turkey, cook it! If it's too much for you, donate it to a local shelter or soup kitchen. I'm sure they'd love it.
Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

It's too late in your use year to book outside DVC. I think cash nights need to be cancelled 6 or more days ahead, it should say on your confirmation. Points nights would be 1 day before (goes into holding). Best Wishes!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

It's too late in your use year to book outside DVC. I think cash nights need to be cancelled 6 or more days ahead, it should say on your confirmation. Points nights would be 1 day before (goes into holding). Best Wishes!

Does that mean that we are out $165 if we show up or not??? I thought DVC cash worked like a hotel room. Yikes! How do they get the money? Attach it to our dues??

As for the turkey, my folks live in a small town. I'm not sure that there is an appropriate place to donate a cooked turkey. I guess we could ask the folks at the hospital if there is a shelter near by. I was kind of kidding about the turkey, but really, what do you do???

 

[CarolA]

Does that mean that we are out $165 if we show up or not??? I thought DVC cash worked like a hotel room. Yikes! How do they get the money? Attach it to our dues??

As for the turkey, my folks live in a small town. I'm not sure that there is an appropriate place to donate a cooked turkey. I guess we could ask the folks at the hospital if there is a shelter near by. I was kind of kidding about the turkey, but really, what do you do???

I think you gave them a credit card when you booked the cash room. IT does work like a hotel. Five day cancellation is the Disney standard. That said they often work with you.

Call a local church. I bet they know of someplace doing a meal for people in trouble who could take the turkey.

Option two. Take it to the hospital. I work in healthcare. Food never lasts long in a break room LOL! And it will probably get your dad on the "top" list for care!

Hope everything works out OK.

 

[DebbieB]

Does that mean that we are out $165 if we show up or not??? I thought DVC cash worked like a hotel room. Yikes! How do they get the money? Attach it to our dues??

They should have required a credit card # as a hold when you made the reservation. If you cancel 5 days or less, they charge the card for 1 night. It works like a regular hotel except in a regular hotel you have to pay a 1 night deposit in advance and they keep it if you cancel 5 days or less.

 

[PamOKW]

I'd start with a call to MS to explain the situation and see what they suggest.

For your points.....you have a February Use Year so the points you cancel will go into Holding and will have to be used by January 31, 2009. Some dates in January are already in the 60 day window, right? You can start to looking to rebook. I'm guessing you'll have luck with something for January weekend -- especially if you are flexible with resort.

The other poster is correct. You are beyond the time in your Use Year when you can book a non-DVC option with your points.

I hope everything works out well with Dad and that you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

 

[dcfromva]

Mickey'sApprentice,
Call member services and see what your options are. Maybe they will let you rebook the cash reservation at another time instead of cancelling and losing the $$. Could you possibly reschedule your cash reservation and just stay for Sun/Mon nights on points?

Maybe they can work something out with your points, too. Availability may be limited (although, maybe HHI in Jan is not a big demand period?), but you won't know unless you call.

 

[Pennyguy23]

They should have required a credit card # as a hold when you made the reservation. If you cancel 5 days or less, they charge the card for 1 night. It works like a regular hotel except in a regular hotel you have to pay a 1 night deposit in advance and they keep it if you cancel 5 days or less.

I booked a couple cash nights in Jan and I didn't have to give them a CC # they just said pay when we check in

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I think you gave them a credit card when you booked the cash room. IT does work like a hotel. Five day cancellation is the Disney standard. That said they often work with you.

Call a local church. I bet they know of someplace doing a meal for people in trouble who could take the turkey.

Option two. Take it to the hospital. I work in healthcare. Food never lasts long in a break room LOL! And it will probably get your dad on the "top" list for care!

Hope everything works out OK.

I called. MS said I would only be out the cost of 1 night IF I cancel by tomorrow, and that I would need to cancel the points stay by Friday. I asked about MLK weekend but they only had Friday and Saturday night. Dh and I will decide by tomorrow.

I may gift a trip to one of my sisters if they can use the points.

 

[dis-happy]

Sorry to hear of your problem. I'd try calling the resort directly. It sounds like they are fully booked (if not overbooked) and might be accomodating about not charging you the one night given the circumstances. Sounds like it might have to be a call the front desk makes. Anyway, it can't hurt to try, good luck.

As for the turkey, cook it, cut it up, then freeze it again.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Update:

Dad's 5th echo cardiagram showed that the new aortic valve is leaking. It has to either be fixed or replaced. He will have an arterioragram on Friday and will have the surgery on Monday if he doesn't have infection, or if events don't make the surgery earlier.

Anyway, I just called the front desk at Hilton Head (as we missed today's deadline to cancel by 1 hour.) Because its an emergency, we got the super secret, don't do this again pass on having to pay the 2 nights of DVC cash. We still have to call on Friday and cancel our points stay.

As for the turkey...my sister had invited one of her employees that is a single male parent to join our celebration, and was pretty far into preparations before we found out what was going on so...she is still serving the turkey for her immediate family and her guests. The rest of the family is hospital sitting. That sounds pretty harsh. This just came up in such a way that her dinner just made sense to go forward, and now the rest of us can't possibly make it.

Please send your prayers, pixie dust, or just your happy thoughts our way.

Thank you all for all of the wonderful information and warm thoughts.

 

[jekjones1558]

Glad you are not out the $ for the cash nights. Maybe MS will do the super secret thing with your points as well. I hope so, since you have enough worries right now. Hope that all goes well for your dad. Thanksgiving blessings to you.

 

[JudithM]

Give Member Services a call about your points and explain your circumstances. My sister died unexpectedly last month, and our plans had to change. Two very helpful and sympathetic MS CMs worked with me. Bottom line ... I have no points in holding.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dad's arterioragram found that the infection was centered around a metal ring that was inserted during the surgery. He is stable for now, and the surgeon wishes to wait until Monday so that he can finish his hunting trip. We are all pretty p.o.'d about the "non-sterile" ring that caused the infection. I can't believe they actually admitted it.

We are going to try to use our points in January.