Hurricane Irma?

[SaintsManiac]

Southwest is probably the best airline to be with for something like this.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm flying in from Georgia via Southwest on the early evening of 9/11.

I'm just going to keep watching the storm. If it gets bad and airports cancel their flights, I'll cancel my flight and the rental car and just drive to Florida.
I was just flying because I had points available on Southwest and I could leave my car at home for my 17 year old to drive if she needs it and passes her drivers test this week.

I'm lucky I can be pretty flexible. Well except for the DVC part of the trip - it's too late to bank points for me so I'd have to see what I could work out with Member Services if the hurricane causes a change in plans.

 

[stickeymouse]

What has Disney done in the past as far as offering refunds/rescheduling? We are going for 5 nights, but I think I would just prefer to cancel or reschedule the trip altogether if central Florida ends up looking like a bullseye in Irma's path.

 

[ChristyJE117]

A friend was telling me that the airlines, etc. are pretty good about things once an "official" hurricane warning has been issued.

 

[SpookyJ]

Southwest is probably the best airline to be with for something like this.

Well at least there's that. I'm kind of hoping that if parks are closed a day I might be able to bump my flight back a day (especially if they cancel on Tuesday which seems likely...) I'm waiting to hear back from my ever-patient saint of a travel agent to see if she can help me figure that out. Tickets aren't linked to specific days, are they? As in, if parks close Monday but open Tuesday, I could just go Tuesday instead? That would be fine. I'm trying to rationalize here and come up with a plan so I can stop breaking into random hysterical sobbing every time I think about it. Ha..ha... I don't get paid time off but at least my boss will be ok if I don't come back when expected.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm flying in from Georgia via Southwest on the early evening of 9/11.

I'm just going to keep watching the storm. If it gets bad and airports cancel their flights, I'll cancel my flight and the rental car and just drive to Florida.
I was just flying because I had points available on Southwest and I could leave my car at home for my 17 year old to drive if she needs it and passes her drivers test this week.

I'm lucky I can be pretty flexible.

Just keep an eye on it. The latest models are consistent with FL, GA and SC taking an impact. You don't want to drive in that mess.

 

[fla4fun]

What has Disney done in the past as far as offering refunds/rescheduling? We are going for 5 nights, but I think I would just prefer to cancel or reschedule the trip altogether if central Florida ends up looking like a bullseye in Irma's path.

If you go to Disney's website, under FAQ there is a hurricane section that outlines everything. They are pretty liberal about it.

 

[hamilkm]

We have a 2 scenario back up plan in place right now. We arrive on the 6th and are picking up a rental car (not normal for us). If the storm keeps to the current track we will pack up and leave Sunday 9/10 in the early am. If flights can't be changed we will just drive to our home airport (Birmingham) and eat whatever fee the rental company will charge us for changing locations.
If the storm trends more eastward and just skirts the coast we will stay put, enjoy a rainy day in the room, and plan to head home the 13th as planned. If flights are backed up/cancelled we will drive home and once again eat the fee. Since the storm went up the east coast in this scenario it hopefully wouldn't impact our drive to Alabama.
I really hope one of these 2 options work!!!!

 

[5forDis]

So...is everyone just eating the cost on all of the changes they are making? I haven't seen any reports of airlines or Disney opening up approved changes since the path of the storm hasn't been determined yet.

I called Disney about the Star Wars Dessert party and we can be reimbursed if we cancel "1-2 days ahead". I did not cancel yet since we are scheduled 9/12 for that & I'm hoping Irma decides to head out to sea. We have Halloween tickets for 9/10 (Sunday) & we might lose money on those (if the party is still happening but we decide not to go down in a hurricane). We will use our park tickets on a future trip.

I am not doing anything with our flights until we get closer to Saturday. If Irma is heading straight for Florida, I am sure JetBlue will put out an advisory and flights can be changed for no fee.

 

[scrapquitler]

What has Disney done in the past as far as offering refunds/rescheduling? We are going for 5 nights, but I think I would just prefer to cancel or reschedule the trip altogether if central Florida ends up looking like a bullseye in Irma's path.

Here's the link to the Hurricane Policy. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/hurricane-policy/

 

[ChristyJE117]

Southwest is usually one of the best airlines in terms of rescheduling. We're on SW, but our travel days are 9/7-9/14. I guess our flight to NY could be affected that morning if the storm is lingering somewhere on the east coast.

 

[DLM1980]

Tickets aren't linked to specific days, are they? As in, if parks close Monday but open Tuesday, I could just go Tuesday instead? That would be fine.

Tickets expire 14 days after first use so as long as your trip is not more than 14 days and you should be good

 

[Disneylvr]

We are scheduled to arrive at BWV on the 6th for our 25th anniversary trip. Original plan was to fly home on the 12th. After seeing the forecast this morning I have decided to hedge our bets and I added on two nights at POR. Now we are flying out Thursday morning. I also changed out MNSSHP tixs from the 10th to the 7th.

Now I'm repacking. lol!

Does Disney allow you to change a MNSSHP ticket without penalty?

 

[stickeymouse]

Here's the link to the Hurricane Policy. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/hurricane-policy/

Thanks! It looks like Disney is very liberal in allowing cancellations and rescheduling. It would be such a bummer to lose all the FPs, ADRs, and free dining that I have been plotting for months. However, I need to check myself and remember that my Disney angst is nothing compared to the hardships faced by the people who live in the path of storms like these. I shouldn't be complaining at all.

 

[AngiTN]

I was just going to ask the same question we are booked for the same days and I booked a earlier flight in stead of a later one ! That's normal right ?

We did last year for Matthew. We were due to arrive on the 8 AM flight the morning the airport (and parks) were closed. I was sitting at the computer and the second the airline issued the alert and allowed changes for free I was on the phone and we moved our trip up 24 hours and took the 8 AM flight the day before. While on the phone with the airline I booked a room (at Swan in our case) We checked in at BWI on the day everything was shut down. Just walked over.

A friend was telling me that the airlines, etc. are pretty good about things once an "official" hurricane warning has been issued.

Yes, once the warning about travel is issued and affects your arrival or departure dates/airports you can change for free. Just got to wait on the alerts. I don't know about the super cheap airlines like Spirit or Algeant. But all the others do.

 

[anniemae]

Would they actually turn away guests arriving by car? That could be unpleasant . . . especially considering my arrival day is next Tuesday and I plan to arrive on time.

No, of course they would not turn people away. There will be plenty of rooms available as many people would cancel IF IF IF IF IF it turns out be a significant storm. Flights will be canceled and rooms will be plenty. No worries.

 

[anniemae]

I booked a package through Southwest but didn't get trip insurance. I make 5-6 trips a year to WDW, usually driving, and have never had weather issues so I skipped the trip insurance. Now I wish I had gotten it. I also have a ticket for the Night of Joy with premium seating added and MNSSHP ticket for Sunday. Not sure if I can recoop any of my costs.

southwest is good at letting you change with no fee due to weather.

 

[SpookyJ]

Tickets expire 14 days after first use so as long as your trip is not more than 14 days and you should be good

Oh how I wish that were the case

I wouldn't be sweating it if I had that much time there, I'd almost be excited for a thrilling hurricane adventure (just kidding.) Sadly I have just 4 short days. I'm going to just try to compose myself and do some digging on policies. Super appreciative of the help and info on this thread!

 

[PCFriar80]

southwest is good at letting you change with no fee due to weather.

Southwest does not have change fees. You simply pay the cost in fare difference [if there is one] and will never incur a separate change fee.

 

[AngiTN]

Southwest does not have change fees. You simply pay the cost in fare difference [if there is one] and will never incur a separate change fee.

And if you wait till the weather alerts are issued you avoid the fare differences too.