Just as expected :o( A vent.

[pepperderr]

First off DH tells me he is to get home on the 9th from Afghanistan. So I figured if I make the reservations for the 13th we are still good if they change it by a day or 2. Well, now he is not even going to get home till the 13th and it takes 20 hours to get there. So there is no possible way we will get there until the 14th. We were not planning on doing anything on the 13th anyway, but that is not the point. I am sure we will get charged one way or another and now have to pay extra for a hotel room somewhere else so it is gonna cost us extra either way. DH is going to call them and see what they can do. He said he will tell them he is in the military and show them his orders but I am sure it won't do any good. No one gives a dang if you are in the military anymore. They even flew him out of Afghanistan on the 6th to make sure he could make it home in time and he is still not gonna make it. This was the first thing I considered when making plans to go to Disney. I just KNEW something like this was gonna happen. It always does

 

[honkytonkmama]

That sucks

 

[traviesojmt]

I think that you might be surprised. Call Disney and offer to fax his orders of deployment. While Disney is not obligated to refund your night, there is a good chance that they will. I definitely understand your frustrations though. My husband was delayed coming home when I was pregnant with our first child. He finally made it home 24 hours before our son was born. We were expecting him a few weeks earlier.
Anyway, Call Disney. If the first person says no, ask to talk to someone higher up. Good Luck and I hope that your vacation turns out great in the end.

 

[fall08CP]

Don't stress! I work for Disney hospitality (resorts) and the unofficial policy is that you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance with no penalty. Technically you are only charged for a room after you have stayed there even if the package is "pre-paid"- on your electronic bill the money isn't taken out until that night has been used if that makes any sense. There are always walk in and people who need to switch at the last minute so it's honestly not a big deal. You shouldn't need any type of "proof" for cancelling a night. However, if you do not check in for the first night than your room will be given away (unless you are DVC but that's another story..). Please let me know if you have any questions because I have resources for this stuff

 

[holcomb-mania]

They even flew him out of Afghanistan on the 6th to make sure he could make it home in time and he is still not gonna make it.

Where is his connection? Jupiter?



Good luck!

 

[DisneyMOM09]

I don't have any words of wisdom, but I would like to say PLease tell your husband how much we appreciate the job that he does!!!

 

[dclfun]

Ugh. My son is in the Navy and won't be home as planned either to join us at WDW in late August. I know that DCL will not charge anyone a cx penalty if someone is in the military and has active duty orders. For your situation though, as was mentioned, you shouldn't be charged for modifying your ressie to cx the first night. We've cancelled a day before at the *end* of our trip and all we had to do was check out and the $$ we'd prepaid for our package was refunded back. Same thing if you need to check in later than planned. As a military Mom I DO appreciate all the military does for us and the sacrifices made. Actually I felt that way before I became a military Mom...thanks to your husband and I hope that when he does get home that you get the vacation you deserve.---Kathy

 

[mskayjay]

I don't have any words of wisdom, but I would like to say PLease tell your husband how much we appreciate the job that he does!!!

I second that! And yes indeed there are people who DO care about people being in the military. We always send a round of drinks or stop and shake their hands and thank them for serving. We live not too far from Fort Drum and I even make a point of acknowledging what I refer to as the "forgotten military". I'm referring to the wives and children who have to manage without their loved ones and have the worry each day of where that person is and whether they are okay. My heart, my prayers, my gratitude and love to everyone of you!

 

[Sleepy]

Even Shades of Green, a military resort on WDW property, is a stickler for cancellations. Their cancellation policy is one MONTH in advance. So, if the military isn't going to feel sorry for their own people, how can you expect WDW to?
I truly do feel for you. We have been in that same situation many times (although not due to war). Being Navy, our deployments got changed all the time and we have had to rearrange vacations and lost out on deposits, etc more than once. It's just part of being military I suppose.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I understand your frustration being a military wife to someone who has been in almost 24 years now. Try to think of the bright side. At least your husband is coming home!

 

[PilotWife]

Even Shades of Green, a military resort on WDW property, is a stickler for cancellations. Their cancellation policy is one MONTH in advance. So, if the military isn't going to feel sorry for their own people, how can you expect WDW to?
I truly do feel for you. We have been in that same situation many times (although not due to war). Being Navy, our deployments got changed all the time and we have had to rearrange vacations and lost out on deposits, etc more than once. It's just part of being military I suppose.

Shades of Green will refund money (they do not like to make this known) but their policy is that if you can fax or show change of plans due to orders - they will refund money after the 30 day mark.

Jennifer

 

[parmtoo]

I understand your frustration being a military wife to someone who has been in almost 24 years now. Try to think of the bright side. At least your husband is coming home!

I hear ya! 20 years here, and my DH isn't exspected home until after Thanksgiving. These 15 month deployments are awful! I can't book anything until Im a little closer anyway.
Good luck, and fax the orders, you never know.

 

[disnut8]

No one gives a dang if you are in the military anymore.

Please never say that. Especially now.

Yeah, some people don't support the war. Please realize that there are people, like me, who appreciate everything you and your family are doing. Not just your husband. But you here at home. I know it's a struggle and a sacrifice every single day. It's not easy. It's not understood what YOU are going through. You have dealt with so many frustrations and this is a big one.

But I think you'll be surprised at what Disney's reaction might be. Call and talk to someone. Be calm and explain what happened. They will move reservations without penalty for hurricanes. Your situation isn't an act of God but one of the US Government. Either way, it was out of your control.

And please, please realize that I wish you the best of luck and give you my thanks.

 

[disnut8]

Where is his connection? Jupiter?



Good luck!

You don't go straight home. You get "debriefed". Sounds like that is where the hold up is.

 

[mamato3princesses]

From one military wife to another, many thanks to both you and your husband for serving our country. Huge HUGS to you!!!

PS--My DH just got hom from AFG on Feb 4th and we went to Disney on Feb 26th--it was the trip of a lifetime. Have a great time!

 

[honkytonkmama]

I 3rd (or is it more by now) the thanks for your husband serving our country! In fact, EVERYONE who serves our counter.

 

[surfergirl602]

First off DH tells me he is to get home on the 9th from Afghanistan. So I figured if I make the reservations for the 13th we are still good if they change it by a day or 2. Well, now he is not even going to get home till the 13th and it takes 20 hours to get there. So there is no possible way we will get there until the 14th. We were not planning on doing anything on the 13th anyway, but that is not the point. I am sure we will get charged one way or another and now have to pay extra for a hotel room somewhere else so it is gonna cost us extra either way. DH is going to call them and see what they can do. He said he will tell them he is in the military and show them his orders but I am sure it won't do any good. No one gives a dang if you are in the military anymore. They even flew him out of Afghanistan on the 6th to make sure he could make it home in time and he is still not gonna make it. This was the first thing I considered when making plans to go to Disney. I just KNEW something like this was gonna happen. It always does

I know your heartbreak. HUGS from one milspouse to another. We've learned to not plan to close to the arrival date - just because of this. No matter what, just have a good time with each other. Seeing him will be worth all the stress.

 

[kaysmommie]

Definately call Disney. I'm sure if your going to be a day late for your reservation, considering your DH's situation they should be able to work with you. let us know if everything owrks out. Have a great time in Disney.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I agree - call Disney - what do you have to lose? Ask to move your reservation back a day, and see if you can add a day or two. Explain the situation. I bet they will help if they can. Pixie dust to you!

Also, thanks to your husband for serving! This time last year I was finally in the final countdown for my husband to return from Iraq. He returned on 7/20/07, about 10 days earlier than we'd expected.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Please don't believe that no one appreciates the military. I work in NYC two blocks from WTC and I was here on 9/11. No one appreciates the job the military (as well as local law enforcement, etc.) has done more. As a PP said, not everyone may support the war, but I believe all Americans support our troops. To me they are two entirely separate things. I have a BF whose son is leaving for basic on 6/23 and then Afghanistan after. I know the sacrifices the families make. I'm sure you're disappointed and venting, but I'm sure things will work out. Maybe Disney will let you cancel your first night and add it to the end of your stay?