Just Cancelled

[Tinkerjane]

Well after alot of going back and forth and watching too much CNN, we finally decided at the last minute.
We were to leave tomorrow to drive down and the entire route we were taking is being hit by the tropical storm. Not to mention more hurricanes on the way.
Words cannot express my disappointment. I was going down for my 40th birthday which I have planned for some time now but had to consider the safety of my family which was most important.
When I called to cancel, they said I would be penalized my deposit and so I asked if they made exceptions. They put me through to guest services and I was told the same thing. In the end, I think the guy felt sorry for me and gave me a refund as I'm sure he could hear me sobbing on the other end. I was very grateful.
I had to break the news to my kids which was also hard. I have no idea when we will go again as our next plan was to save for a house.
Anyway just wanted to share with people who knows how disappointing it would be to have to cancel going to the most incredible place on earth. Some of my friends say - oh well there will be other times and other vacations. They just have no idea, the impact that Disney has on us.
So, for those of you that do - thank you for listening,
Jane

 

[maryliz]

to you and your family. I know this is terribly disappointing, but as you said, the safety of your family must come first.

Mary Liz

 

[LoriLea]

So sorry you had to cancel Tinkerjane but I think you did the right thing. We were there through Frances and I was so stressed out as I was watching the news in our room in the days leading up to the hurricane. We were lucky enough to have good weather for most of our vacation. All we missed out on was our planned day at Blizzard Beach. We did have to pay for 2 extra nights that we had not planned for. The first 2 - 3 hours of our drive home on Labour day were terrible - tornado warnings, debris on the highway etc. It's not worth it.
Hope you are able to plan a new trip real soon!

 

[Susan--Ontario]

I feel in my heart exactly how you feel. In 2000 we had to postpone our trip three times because of my husbands work. It was very disappointed and angry at his boss. I was able to get through it because I knew we would get there at some point that year. So, my advice would be to start planning for another time. December is an awesome time to go. If vacations allow for it, go for it.

Have a nice weekend and try not to think about it. The sun will come out tomorrow. (I hope)

 

[mickilee]

I know how you feel. We were suppose to drive down for halloween. But last week i called the hotel for our money back also. It was the hardest thing for me to do. I cant even try to image to,how to explain this to kids. Every time I go to rebook, another hurricane pops up on the tv. I was even looking at Mexico or Cuba. Seems like the hurricanes are following me.
Now I am shooting for beginning of Dec.

 

[ChisJo]

You are a great role model, looking after your kids safety first before pleasure. I commend your decision, even though I know it must have been terribly hard. I know the opportunity will come again for you to get down to WDW, but I can understand the pain of waiting, and the pain of informing your children that MIckey will be waiting for them some other time.
I was in Orlando too for hurricane Frances, and it was a real killjoy. I had to sit in my hotel room for 3 days and just watch on TV the impact the hurricane was having until it hit us. I too had to be there a couple of extra days, and this was very frustrating - let alone if you were travelling with children and this occured, it definately wouldn't be a truly magical vacation.
Here's some pixie dust coming your way and big
Hope things work out for you.
Jo

 

[CJK]

I feel your pain. We were to be in WDW right now as well but cancelled the day before. I'm still really disappointed. I'm just trying to concentrate on prayer and good thoughts for those suffering from all of these hurricanes. Good luck and warm thoughts being sent your way too!

 

[princess pooh]

I'm so sorry Tinkerjane! I think you did the right thing. I'm supposed to be going at the beginning of October and I'm also prepared to cancel if there is another hurricane coming. I hope you can make it back there soon

 

[Norlander]

We had to cancel once already due to hurricane Ivan and now Jeanne. We are re-booked for Sep 30th - Oct 12th. I think we will go either way at this point, my other half is so excited about going to WDW I can't post-pone again. I have been watching the hurricanes, and I don't think we will be in any real danger at the end of the month.

Knock on wood.

Cheers,
Lee & Cathy

 

[Susan--Ontario]

I hope that everyone gets to go on their planned vacations. On September 30th my DH and I will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We went on a cruise for our honeymoon. The week before we were married a huge hurricane went through St. Thomas (so much damage that our route changed from an Eastern cruise to a Western cruise), and there was a hurricane the week after our cruise. Our week however, didn't have a single cloud in the sky. So, you never know about the weather.

We were in Florida in 99 during a category 1 hurricane. We were about 5 miles from where the eye came ashore at Daytona Beach. Fortunately we didn't realize the hurricane had come ashore until the next morning so I wasn't worried. Now, I'd be watching the weather channel the whole time.

I hope this crazy weather is long gone by the time we get there in 6 and a half weeks.