Making Plans w/Bad Family News

[franw]

The folks at Disney were wonderful to us when my dad became seriously ill on the second day of what was supposed to be a two week vacation at Disney World. They not only cancelled our reservation but did not charge us for the second day even though it was close to 3 p.m. before we got to the front desk to sort things out. And we had four rooms! I can't guarantee that you'd be treated the same way, but I am sure considering the circumstances you could hold onto your reservation and cancel pretty late in the game. Just a side note, I also have cancer and was supposed to be gone two years ago and I am planning my trip for next fall. I have three friends who are also still here way past when the doctors said they would be. Doctors aren't God. They can make estimations but you must hold onto hope and keep living. He may have some very different plans for your family - including your family being able to make your trip. If you have to cancel it, a trip soon after will help you all to deal with what you are going through. Life takes us down many roads that are hard to understand sometimes. Keep your plans and put everything else in God's hands. God Bless.

 

[minniesfriend]

Keep them in place. Three weeks before our Disney trip, our 5 yr. old son was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. We weren't sure whether to cancel.. He still needed to be restrained for shots and it would be very difficult. We were still learning about meal plans and insulin and dealing with the pain of the diagnosis. In the end, we did go. It was part of a healing process for us that life did go on and we could still enjoy what we did before, we just had to take it easy.

I'm sorry about your FIL. Take a day at a time. I told my kids that there was a possibility we would need to reschedule and they understood. I think they took the possibility of a reschedule better than a possilbe cancellation. I hope the best for you and your family.

 

[Emy'sMom]

Back in 2000 my family (me, DH, DD, DMIL, DFIL) had a WDW vacation planned for September - package and everything (paid for by DMIL & DFIL).

My DH's grandmother was in a nursing home and was doing OK until about May. Over the next few weeks she got progressively worse. My DMIL agonized over what to do - she didn't want us all to leave for vacation, have something happen a day or two after we got there and then have to head back home. She called Disney and explained the situation . . . she was told that if we got there and had to leave after a day or two because DH's grandmother died they wouldn't penalize us ... "Disney doesn't do that to families" is what the CM said. We decided to leave our reservations in place and see what happened.

DH's grandmother died in early July. We did go on our trip in September.

Best wishes.

Debbie

 

[Belle5]

My FIL who lives in Tampa was diagnosed in September 2001 with stage 4 lung cancer. We were at WDW during 9/11 and went over to Tampa to visit FIL and MIL who were supposed to have come with us to WDW but FIL couldn't stop coughing. The doctors gave him 3-6 months to live. Everyone told us with stage 4 lung cancer there really is no hope. We chose to ignore them. We kept hearing all the other kinds of cancer stories (not lung cancer) where folks outlived their deadline. We should have listened to the people who understood lung cancer. We went to WDW in early March of 2002 (planning to spend time with the in-laws at the END of the vacation) and my FIL passed away while we were on our way to see him. (6 months from when he was given 3-6 months.) We had just talked to him and he was excited about playing cards with us and seeing our boys. We never got to see him and say goodbye which was really the reason we were having a "vacation" again so soon. It was an excuse to see him without saying, "We're coming to see you before you die." Our excuse was,"We're taking a vacation so then we'll be able to come see you." All this to say that stage 4 lung cancer is very, very serious. You likely won't hear stories about it like you do other kinds of cancer. The only reason he lived the full 6 months was because he became a guinnee pig for experimental medicines.

 

[Kallison]

Sorry about your FIL. Life is uncertain, anything could happen at any time, even if everyone in your family is healthy. Last week my Mom was fine and my Dad emailed that she was in the hospital because of an infection in her toe and they thought they might have to amputate it. Well they didn't, but just for an example, you can be sailing along and get hit out of the blue when you least expect it. We have a 10 day trip scheduled in August, DH's mom is a heavy smoker, never exercises, under a lot of stress with the SIL. I'm always on edge that something will happen to her. So keep you plans, pray for the best, and if you cancel WDW will still be there in the future. Hugs to you.

 

[Atlantis~crystal]

Hi,sorry to hear about your FIL. Yes,wait & see how it all unfolds. I agree with the above post,It may be just what the Doctor ordered.I lost my father last summer.It was sudden and he was only 61.Your loved ones who are sick or dying would want you to make the trip( if able).Be honest with your kids without stressing them out too much.Prayers & strength to you & your family-you will need it.Stay close to friends too.Take care..I hope you get to go to the "happiest place on Earth""Disney World"!

 

[margiemc]

We were supposed to be at WDW in December, but my dad passed away from emphysema about 10 days before we were supposed to go. We only had the room booked and bought the passes separately. We went ahead and cancelled before we would be penalized and I am glad that we did. We would have had just finished the funeral and then would have had to leave. I would have felt too bad to really enjoy the trip. We explained to my DD5 that we were going to reschedule our trip. She understood as best she could. Now we are going to be there over her birthday! You just need to decide what works best for your family. Hope everything works out for you and your family.

 

[BarbaraMB]

MargeMC - Sorry to hear about your dad. I am glad that you will be going soon. I would like to ask what kind of passes did you buy? Did you loose your money on them or are you able to use them anytime? Do you buy tickets with specific dates or are they just for a certain number of days to be used at any time? I only stayed in Disney once before and we were length of stay. Have fun.

 

[margiemc]

BarbaraMB,

We had purchased 5 Day Park Hopper passes. These passes do not expire and don't have the water park or Pleasure Island options. We still have 3 Plus options left from our trip 3 years ago that we haven't used (but are hoping to this time)!

 

[RobinLyn]

This happen to us August 2002. For a year I planned our vacation to Universal/IOA, 3 nights at Royal Pacific hotel, then on to the Yacht Club for 5 nights. As we were in the air flying from PA to Orlando, my brother-in-law died suddenly. He had not been ill, 50 years young, and died from an undetected heart condition he was probably born with which could of been corrected if known. After check in at RP, the front desk called and says they forgot to tell us but there was an emergency call from my sister. We were due to arrive at the YC in two days but we were making arrangements to fly home ASAP. I called WDW reservations and they were wonderful. They refunded every dime, no further questions asked. For us the vacation was over, we just wanted to return home to be with family. Our lost of four airline tickets was no comparison to the lost of a love one. We are now finally able to return to Orlando in May and hopefully enjoy WDW and the YC. I hope our situation never happens to anyone but you just can't predict what life can bring.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

My father has cancer and a bad heart, but we still have plans for WDW in one month. I'm from a big family so there is lots of family support even if one of us is gone.

We had something similar last year - My DH was having back problems and we were scheduled to fly to LV. Well, with all the mucking around about what exactly was wrong with him, we ended up having to cancel the day before our departure. My sister who lives in LV had taken time off and her kids were excited ... we were all excited because we NEEDED a vacation, etc. Well, you do what you have to do. It cost me about $500 to rebook the tickets, but we went in December. DH ended up with surgery.

These things happen and you can never know when/how. I think an earlier poster had the right idea in that you should plan to go and then when the time comes, make sure everyone knows how to reach you and that you check in every couple of days.

The important thing with loved ones going through difficulties is not to wait to let them know how you feel ... It is important for you and your loved ones to be comfortable with where you are in your relationship at any given time. There are no guarantees but at least you can make sure there are no regrets.

 

[crusin'minnie]

We had planned a trip in early June 2001. It was a gift from Santa to our girls and included the Disney Cruise. My father was in a horrible car accident May 5. We lost him 17 days later.

I had contacted Disney a few days after his accident and they were very kind and actually sent me the paperwork necessary in case we had to cancel the cruise.

My husband and I really agonized over whether or not to take the trip. We finally decided to go. We even got my mother and sister to come with us for a few days of the trip to get away from it all for a little while.

This was one of the best decisions we ever made. My whole family needed that break from reality. We all had a great time and I don't feel that my Dad would have wanted it any other way.

I would suggest you wait and see what happens. You could let your children know that if you don't get to go on the dates you planned you will reschedule.

My prayers are with you and your family and I hope everything works out.

cindy

 

[nancyv58]

We are in the same situation with my FIL. We are in Indiana and he is in Mass. and we have a trip planned for June1 including the Disney Cruise. As of right now if we were leaving tomorrow he would not be able to go. We are still praying that he will improve before June though. It is a special vacation/celebration for both sets of parents, they will be celebrating their 50th wedding annivarsaries. It will be especially difficult if only one couple ends up going or if something happens to Grampy and Grandma decides to go or not to go. He started radiation this week so we are hoping for a miracle.

 

[Trish5768]

I totally understand this. I have cancer and while its in remission at the moment I live from dr. appt. to dr. appt. not knowing when or if I will get good or bad news. Thankfully, so far its all been good. I am taking my DD 8 and DS 5 to DW in May. No, they do not know they are going-I won't know for sure if I'm going until my check up in April, so I just will keep it to myself until we are going to the airport. That being said, I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they figure it out-ought to be quite the Kodak moment. God bless you and your family-I hope you have a lovely trip.

 

[Muffy]

Trish,
If you are staying on site please let your resort know you are visiting with your children for a surprise trip and about your remission. You never know what pixie dust will shine down on you. Wishing you continued good health! Have a safe trip to FL with your children!

Muffy