Lucky to WDW on 9-2-04

bz8bls

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Jul 6, 2003
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This was going to be our first trip to WDW at DVC members. DH and I were going to stay at VWL for three nights, then family members were going to meet us as we had planned on moving into a GV @ OKW from 9-4 thru 9-10, then DH and I were going to VB before returning home to Michigan (9-10 thru 9-12)

DH and I checked in VWL on 9-1-04, but I couldn't relax with the threat of Frances; DH seem to have been adjusting fine. I was glued to the weather station (drove DH nuts:mad: ). After the announcement by Gov. Bushpeople to cancel vacation plans and re-schedule, I was ready to leave. We could not get a return flight back to MI at any Florida airport because they were all booked; NWA was able to book a flight for us out of Atlanta on Friday in the a.m.
DH wanted to stick it out, but I told him he was welcomed to do so, but I was leaving on the first thing smoking:crazy: After realizing I was serious, DH complied:eek:

It took us 12 hours to get into to Atlanta from Orlando (which should have only been a 6 hour drive in normal circumstances). I was so amazed; had never seen any mass exodus (except in the movie Independence Day)

I was so pleased the way MS handled the cancellation of the remaining points without penalty (that's why we chose to buy into DVC; reputation and service is great)

My family members and I will try to re-schedule in October timeframe. I thank God that we had a rental car or we would not have been able to leave Orlando (a good argument for having ones own transportation at WDW)

I also could feel the anxiety of some of the CMs regarding the hurricane, but they were professional and made sure that all the guests were comfortable.

Lastly, let us pray that the Floridians who could not leave Florida (ie. CMs, law enforcements, medical staffs, the media, etc..) come thru this storm in great shape, we only had timeshare points at risk, these people are risking their lives.

I am beginning to ramble...tired mentally. Thanks for reading
 
I wonder if you were the family I overheard when we arrived at WL on Thursday a.m. Did you happen to be in the lobby in the main lodge (or by any of the elevators) on Thursday between 6 and 7am. I overheard a family who was driving to Atlanta to catch their plane.

I am happy to hear you were successful in getting home despite the lengthy trip.

We were checking in--"refugees" from the coast.

Glad you had success with getting your unused points back :)
 
I am glad you guys made it home okay, even though it sounds like it was a bit of an ordeal. I can imagine how disappointed you are that this extended vacation did not work out -- maybe you can swing something in October that will turn out even better.

And I have been thinking so often of the people who have left their homes and how traumatic it must be to do so, and not know what you might find on your return. What a tough time these Floridians have had since Charley. :(

Lisa, hope your home weathers this storm without serious damage, and I will continue to pray for those people who were not able to evacuate, that they will be kept safe.
 
Originally posted by Lisa loves Pooh
I wonder if you were the family I overheard when we arrived at WL on Thursday a.m. Did you happen to be in the lobby in the main lodge (or by any of the elevators) on Thursday between 6 and 7am. I overheard a family who was driving to Atlanta to catch their plane.

I am happy to hear you were successful in getting home despite the lengthy trip.

We were checking in--"refugees" from the coast.

Glad you had success with getting your unused points back :)

No, we didn't get to the lobby until about 11:00 a.m.. I heard another family say they were leaving to drive to Atlanta as well when we came down in the lobby.

I felt so sorry for another woman who seem to be so frantic; she wanted to get her kids out, however, I don't think they had a car
 

I'm so glad Disney was helpful. They seem to be handling this situation very well, regarding points and reservations. I'm so glad to see that (not that I would have expected any less).

My question is: is the rental car company being understanding about you returning the car in Atlanta? I hope they're being as empathetic as Disney is.

So glad you got home safely!
 
Originally posted by DVCTiff
I'm so glad Disney was helpful. They seem to be handling this situation very well, regarding points and reservations. I'm so glad to see that (not that I would have expected any less).

My question is: is the rental car company being understanding about you returning the car in Atlanta? I hope they're being as empathetic as Disney is.

So glad you got home safely!

Yes, the rental car (in this case Alamo)was very understanding about returning car to Atlanta. In fact, I think it was the best thing to do. When we picked up the car from the airport on arrival day, the Alamo rep. said that if anything happended to the car because of the hurricaine, we would be responsible for the damages, even though we have our own personal car insurance. I'm going to post questions about this statement on the transportation board when I get an opportunity. :chat: :chat:
 
I am glad you made it back here to MI safely. After being down there in the aftermath of Charley, I can honestly say our snowstorms up here are NOTHING compared with what they put up with.

We also made a decision that we will NOT be moving to FL for our retirmement. It just doesn't seem worth the hassles.

pinnie
 



















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