My trip just turned solo.

[barbaraann]

I have been planning a birthday trip to Disneyland, ever since my WDW birthday trip last September. I visited both WDW, and Universal around the time of my 69th birthday last September. I thought it would be a great idea to spend my 70th birthday at Disneyland. Got a great rate on the airline back in March, and 3 days ago I ordered our park hopper tickets online. We had a Parlor Suite booked at the Anaheim Desert Inn, and now all we had to do was wait.

Then my friend, and fellow traveler Annette called me today, and informed me that she will have to cancel. Her and her daughter were suppose to accompany me on this trip. Her son has to have major bladder surgery at the end of July. I just wish that I had bought the trip insurance this time. I didn't. I was able to get my hotel reservation changed for just me. That part was not a problem. I guess if I want to make two trips next year, before January 2019, I could use those 2 extra park hopper tickets myself, and reimburse Annette the money. Of course the airline money is probably lost, unless Annette wants to try and call, and plead her case. I had a neighbor who did just that, and she didn't have a problem getting her money back. Never worked for me the two times I tried.

So it's solo for me. I am looking forward to this vacation since I haven't visited since October of 2015. Just have to plan a bit differently. I have done solo before. I don't mind that part, but I just feel sorry for Annette, and her daughter. Carissa was so looking forward to this trip. We had such a good time when we were all there together, back in May 0f 2015.

 

[ADLFAN]

That is too bad! Is the daughter old enough to be a travel companion by herself? Maybe she could still accompany you? Either way, birthdays spent at Disneyland are the best ones, even if you are solo! Have a fun trip!

 

[Elima2015]

I'm sorry about the change in plans. I agree with the PP, is there any way her daugther might still be able to go? And I have no idea the severity of the recovery nor the availability of any other care providers, but it seems there is more than a month between his surgery and the trip - any chance she would be able to still take the trip? And if all that is a no-go, then perhaps you go in Sept for your birthday and have a 'make-up' trip in the spring? Might have an easier time with the airline if tickets are moved versus outright canceled.

If by any chance the reservations were on Southwest, the reservation can be canceled and the fare becomes a credit good for one year. With any other airline, it is certainly worth a call to see if anything can be done. As for the tickets, if you have any friends or family that are traveling to DL before they expire, perhaps they would purchase them . I wouldn't be willing to take the chance with a stranger, but if my cousin or good friend couldn't make it and was looking to sell, I would be comfortable with the validity of the ticket.

 

[barbaraann]

My friend's children are all "special needs", so the only way the daughter would go, is if her mom went. She is the only one of Annette's three Handicapped kids that enjoys the parks. The other two were staying home with their usual caregiver.

 

[gottalovepluto]

FWIW I believe Disney tickets retain their dollar value even if expired. Please double check if you are interested in this. The tickets might not be worth the same amount of days in the parks in the future, but she/you might be able to apply their dollar value to an updated ticket.

 

[barbaraann]

I may eventually use the tickets myself, but my friend is also out about $500 for the airline tickets. She may want to call and ask United. I called today, and it was a lengthy wait, so I never got to talk to anyone. I really don't know what happens when someone wants to change a flight, instead of cancel. In case she wanted to go at a later time. I don't think they are going to issue a refund, they are really strict about their rules.

 

[BayouQueen]

I may eventually use the tickets myself, but my friend is also out about $500 for the airline tickets. She may want to call and ask United. I called today, and it was a lengthy wait, so I never got to talk to anyone. I really don't know what happens when someone wants to change a flight, instead of cancel. In case she wanted to go at a later time. I don't think they are going to issue a refund, they are really strict about their rules.

I sent you a private message, barbaraann. I hope I did it correctly -- not too familiar with "conversations" on the Dis.

 

[Malcon10t]

I would also call DIsney about the tickets. I have had them refund tickets in cases like this.

 

[barbaraann]

I would also call DIsney about the tickets. I have had them refund tickets in cases like this.

I did call Disney, but my tickets were already mailed. In fact, I got them that very day in the mail. The tickets are not that big a problem. My friend can always use hers on a later date, she has until January of 2019. It's the horrible "no refunds" on the tickets that bugs me.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Guest Services deals with ticket refunds on a case by case basis. It can't hurt for your friend to contact them to explain the situation. Worse case scenario, she will have tickets to use later this year or early next, as you said. Or she will have expired tickets that can be upgraded to current tickets if she pays the difference in price. But it's worth asking about a refund. We have received refunds for tickets before.

 

[barbaraann]

Guest Services deals with ticket refunds on a case by case basis. It can't hurt for your friend to contact them to explain the situation. Worse case scenario, she will have tickets to use later this year or early next, as you said. Or she will have expired tickets that can be upgraded to current tickets if she pays the difference in price. But it's worth asking about a refund. We have received refunds for tickets before.

Thanks again for the info. I have never had this problem before, so it's good to know our options.

 

[Laundress]

Don't give up hope just yet for the airline tickets. Maybe your friend could get a letter from the Doctor to help her case? Good luck to you all. Wishing you pixie dust.

 

[barbaraann]

Don't give up hope just yet for the airline tickets. Maybe your friend could get a letter from the Doctor to help her case? Good luck to you all. Wishing you pixie dust.

I need to talk to my friend again. Yesterday, she was way too upset to make any decisions. it's just so darn difficult to get anyone to answer a question when you call, and have to wait so long to get someone to talk to. We have time to make these decisions, and follow through.

 

[barbaraann]

My friend is going to try calling United. They kept putting me on hold, and I did not want to wait. I gave her the reservation/flight information. Perhaps if she explains the situation about the surgery they can do something. Not sure how strict United is about their no refund policy. Last year when we did have trip insurance, and one of us just changed their mind about going, they said we needed a better excuse. A medical emergency at least. We have the proper excuse this time, just not the trip insurance. Well, time will tell.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Has the airline changed your flight time at all? I had to cancel a flight for November and rather than cancel as soon as I knew I wouldn't be going on the trip, I decided to wait and check weekly to see if the airline was going to change the flights at all. Noticed yesterday that they changed my return flight by 3 hours. I called and got a full refund. I had to say I was canceling because they changed the flight time to get the full refund.

 

[barbaraann]

Has the airline changed your flight time at all? I had to cancel a flight for November and rather than cancel as soon as I knew I wouldn't be going on the trip, I decided to wait and check weekly to see if the airline was going to change the flights at all. Noticed yesterday that they changed my return flight by 3 hours. I called and got a full refund. I had to say I was canceling because they changed the flight time to get the full refund.

No. There has been no changes to either of my flight times. I have traveled to California using John Wayne airport many times, and they have never changed a flight time. Going to Florida, on the other hand, I have had times changed. I wouldn't mind a little later time leaving. My flight is leaving at about 9:30 a.m. and I used to always book the afternoon flight. United only has 3 or 4 flights daily from Chicago to Santa Ana.

 

[barbaraann]

My friend Annette called United and officially cancelled her and her daughter's ticket. The person that she spoke to on the phone gave her a confirmation code, and told her that she had to formally apply for the refund online. We tried to do that today, but the form was confusing. Actually, I think that we were putting the cart before the horse. Annette is going to get a doctor's letter explaining the severity of the problem/surgery, and then we will go back and complete the form. They wanted us to attach a file, and I assume that is the doctor's letter. We were also confused as to whose email address they wanted. Annette did not use hers when we made the reservation. I used mine, and my credit card, and I am still flying. So not sure about that. Annette is going to call again, and ask more specific questions about exactly how to fill out that form. Of course they also asked for a phone number. Not sure about whose phone number we should include. Things sure get complicated when you make a reservation with friends for a trip, and put it all together on one person's credit card and email. I guess we will work it all out. The trip is still technically 7 weeks away. Annette isn't sure about whether she qualifies for a refund, or just credit toward a future trip. That too is also confusing at this point.

 

[barbaraann]

Today United notified me by email that they will be processing a full refund on the two cancelled airline tickets. It will take 7 to 10 days to process. Good news for my friend Annette. Her son had surgery on Friday, and all is going well. He has a long period of recuperation, and Annette is glad to be by her son's side. Thankfully she has lots of family to help her out.

My trip is 34 days away.

 

[barbaraann]

Has the airline changed your flight time at all? I had to cancel a flight for November and rather than cancel as soon as I knew I wouldn't be going on the trip, I decided to wait and check weekly to see if the airline was going to change the flights at all. Noticed yesterday that they changed my return flight by 3 hours. I called and got a full refund. I had to say I was canceling because they changed the flight time to get the full refund.

So after I was notified about the refund this morning, I decided to check my reservation, to make sure it was still there. It was. However, United did change the times on both of my flights. The outgoing flight was changed by just 5 minutes. 5 minutes later. The going home flight leaves Santa Ana an hour earlier. That's fine by me. I'm just glad they didn't have me leaving Chicago too early. I hate having to get on a plane too early in the morning. My stomach needs time to settle before I get on a plane.

 

[dizneefan13]

So glad it all worked out for the refunds. And great that your friends son's surgery went well.
Awesome that your birthday trip is just 33 days away now!
I will be going solo in October. I can't wait! 74 days for me