Possible mixed blessing and question about rescheduling..update post 16

[DVC Jen]

Our cruise is May 18th - paid in full.

Right now our youngest DD (college age) is at the Regional American College Dance Festival.. has been all week. Her dance company was one of eleven out of 50 chosen to perform at the Grand Gala Concert this evening.

Three of those eleven routines will be invited to the NATIONAL American College Dance Festival.. which is the end of May - it actually begins the day AFTER we get off the cruise but we will be in WDW at OKW then.

If - by some wonderful fluke they actually are one of the three what are my chances of being able to push my cruise back? I know I will have to pay more.

I guess the other option would be to reschedule our WDW trip and book our rears to DC right after getting off the cruise.

Is it even possible to get to DC from Florida in one day? And that would all depend on if the dance director would let her travel on her own instead of with the company - which right now is how it has to be. ACK - so much going on in my mind right now.

These questions could all be for nothing - there is a larger chance they WON'T be asked than there is they will be - I just want to have a feel for what could be a possibility if they are lucky enough to be one of the three.

 

[kcashner]

The bad news is that you are right at the edge of the penalty date...would I be guessing right that you will be in the penalty period by the time you know??? In that case you will lose your deposit on the current cruise as well as paying the going rate for whatever you rebook.

You have too many "what ifs" right now to make a rational decision. Since the event would start AFTER the cruise, why not keep the cruise the same as you have booked. It would be cheaper that way. You are still in a time when you can move your WDW stay or even cancel it without a penalty. I'd consider that!

 

[DVC Jen]

We should know within a few days at the most if she will be going on to Nationals or not.

My fear is that her dance director will not let us fly or drive her to DC - that she will have to travel with the rest of the company.. and it just would NOT be possible for us to get her from Florida to Texas in time to travel with the company when we don't get off the cruise until the 23rd and that is probably the day they would be arriving in DC.

Not really all that concerned about the WDW part of the trip. Worst case would be we lose our DVC points but I doubt that would happen - we would just have to bank them.

 

[kcashner]

Another thought...you could substitute a name on the cruise if there is someone else who would like to go.

I'd have a serious talk with the instructor. There's no real reason that she has to travel with the company...unless they are doing rehearsals that she can't miss.

DVC points you can cancel till 31 days in advance--no problem there.

 

[DVC Jen]

Ugh... I want so badly for them to make it to Nationals... what an honor? But Man oh man... what a pain if they do.

I guess until I know for certain I can't really do much but hope what is meant to be - happens... and it will all work out in the end.

 

[DVC Jen]

Just got an email back from our TA - TODAY is our last day to make a change without penalty. Figures right? The very soonest we would know would be late tonight. She doesn't even perform until this evening.

A penalty I can deal with as long as it is not too painful cost-wise.

 

[disneynut11]

I am assuming you would be driving to DC from Florida?
i would talk to the instructor....is it possible for her to fly one way to DC?

 

[DVC Jen]

I am assuming you would be driving to DC from Florida?
i would talk to the instructor....is it possible for her to fly one way to DC?

I really don't know. They are super strict about the established policy - so I have no idea if they would work with us or not. I wish I did.

Looks like the worse would be we would lose our deposit (which was around 800.00) as well as the non refundable internet rates we got on the hotels during our drive to Florida. We do have trip insurance - but I am not sure exactly what it covers and how much. My DH booked it and he is getting ready to head out the door for a meeting.

This torn feeling is NOT fun. I so want them to get this opportunity. I mean seriously - this could be a once in a lifetime thing - cruises can always be taken. However - ouch.... two verandah cat 5B staterooms and we have been looking forward to this for almost a year. Oh the things we are willing to do for our kids.

 

[sayhello]

I really don't know. They are super strict about the established policy - so I have no idea if they would work with us or not. I wish I did.

Looks like the worse would be we would lose our deposit (which was around 800.00) as well as the non refundable internet rates we got on the hotels during our drive to Florida. We do have trip insurance - but I am not sure exactly what it covers and how much. My DH booked it and he is getting ready to head out the door for a meeting.

This torn feeling is NOT fun. I so want them to get this opportunity. I mean seriously - this could be a once in a lifetime thing - cruises can always be taken. However - ouch.... two verandah cat 5B staterooms and we have been looking forward to this for almost a year. Oh the things we are willing to do for our kids.

Why don't you talk to the dance director now? At least you would know if flying to DC from Florida was an option. Yes, it's hypothetical at this point, but that shouldn't change the director's answer, should it? Once less thing to stress over.

Sayhello

 

[DVC Jen]

Why don't you talk to the dance director now? At least you would know if flying to DC from Florida was an option. Yes, it's hypothetical at this point, but that shouldn't change the director's answer, should it? Once less thing to stress over.

Sayhello

Because she is in Laredo either teaching a Master class or preparing the company for their performance tonight.... and I am in the Dallas area.

I am not even able to talk to my daughter right now. She has been texting me during breaks and between the Master dance classes she is taking.

 

[NancyIL]

Just got an email back from our TA - TODAY is our last day to make a change without penalty. Figures right? The very soonest we would know would be late tonight. She doesn't even perform until this evening.

A penalty I can deal with as long as it is not too painful cost-wise.

I am on a non-Disney cruise that also departs May 18, and TOMORROW (March 4) is the final payment date, with penalties beginning on March 5. Check again with your travel agent, or reread what your DCL confirmation says.

 

[Sir William]

Our cruise is May 18th - paid in full.

Is it even possible to get to DC from Florida in one day?

Hey Ship-mate!

Can't answer the other questions for you but it looks like you're well aware of your options.

Its easy to fly to DC after the cruise (we live close to Dulles) so I assume you mean by driving.

Its about 15 hours by car assuming you don't do anything more than stop for gas. If you have 2-3 sharing the driving its easy enough to do. Bummer of a way to spend the first day off the boat though.

Down side is that it'll be midnight or later by the time you arrive but the good news is that traffic into DC shouldn't be an issue at that time of night.

 

[DVC Jen]

Hey Ship-mate!

Can't answer the other questions for you but it looks like you're well aware of your options.

Its easy to fly to DC after the cruise (we live close to Dulles) so I assume you mean by driving.

Its about 15 hours by car assuming you don't do anything more than stop for gas. If you have 2-3 sharing the driving its easy enough to do. Bummer of a way to spend the first day off the boat though.

Down side is that it'll be midnight or later by the time you arrive but the good news is that traffic into DC shouldn't be an issue at that time of night.

Thank you for that. If we do drive her then there is a really good chance we can also see her dance! See.... there is a method to my madness.

 

[my2princessgirls]

Just wanted to say that if you do have to drive that it can be done in 1 day. I live in the D.C. area, inside the beltway and we have actually made it to WDW from our house in under 13 hours driving straight through.

 

[DVC Jen]

Just wanted to say that if you do have to drive that it can be done in 1 day. I live in the D.C. area, inside the beltway and we have actually made it to WDW from our house in under 13 hours driving straight through.

Thank you. That is really good to know.

 

[DVC Jen]

Update - thank you to everyone who responded. I really appreciate it.

Just got a text from Emily a little while ago. They are on their way home and they got the call... they didn't make it.

While it makes things SOOOOOO much easier as far as our vacation - I have to admit to being bummed out for her. Not many people get the opportunity to dance at the Kennedy Center.

While her company didn't make it that far, I am still so happy for and proud of them. For a small 2 yr junior college to hold their own against huge dance programs from New Mexico State, Texas Christian, Texas Women's, University of Texas at Austin.. that says a lot. Says even more when you realize the vast majority of the students on that company are freshmen and went up against upper classmen in 4 yr programs.

I am hoping that when the college van pulls into the parking lot and she sees her Dads Saturn Vue sitting there sporting a large balloon bouquet because it is being given to her (Dad got a new car yesterday) it will take some of the sting away.

Thanks again everyone.

Sir William... see ya on the 18th