Preemie Help! What do I do with my OKW GV Ressie?

[infobahn]

Okay folks, it’s been a while – for good reason – and I need some advice.

My wife and I had our first child, a boy Andy, in June. He was born just past 26 weeks gestation, emergency c-section, and is still in the hospital and will be for weeks.

Well, I booked OKW GV in February 2003, and more than likely will not be using it. I used 150 banked, 150 current, 137 borrowed points (use year June) to get the GV for a week.

Traveling with preemies, especially on airplanes, is discouraged. We really can’t risk taking him in public (the parks) due to the RSV virus. We could drive down (from the mid-west), and will most likely be there with family (babysitters) if we go.

But let’s assume we aren’t: What can I do with this ressie? I don’t (necessarily) want to cancel, and lose the banked points (or would I?), and haven't been able to call DVC during the day when we are at the hospital.

Thanks,
Robb

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You would be AMAZED at how considerate DVC is in situations like this. they may make a concession for you, it certainly cannot hurt to ask.
My best wishes for your baby boy and hope that he can make his debut at WDW soon.

 

[Laurabearz]

First Congrats on your SON.... I wish Andy the best

Your ressies are not for another 6 months..... a lot can happen..... Andy may be well enough for a trip to Disney.
Or perhaps you could switch your ressies to VB or HH, and have a more relaxing vacation, with no parks..

The above posted suggested calling MS.... Try them..... you never know

 

[Nanajo1]

Congratulations. Just sending some Pixie Dust your way.

 

[Merilyn]

God bless your family and especially Andy. My families prayers are with you and yours. I am sure DVC will work with you. You could probably postport until a later date. I know things will work out for you. You can email member services and let them send you an email since you can't be there when they are open.

 

[DebbieB]

Not only would the banked points have to be used before June, but the borrowed ones would too. You could bank the current ones by November 30. If they don't want to help you, this may be a case where you may want to ask for the secret "once in a lifetime" exception. I don't know if that exception allows for banking banked points again, but it would allow you to bank the borrowed points. You may want to look at renting the points.

Congratulations on the birth of your son.

 

[luckytso]

Congratualtions on your new additions!!! It must be a pretty happy but stressful time in your life right now.

As far as your points, personally, I would

- cancel the GV reservation;

- bank current year's points;

- call MS and pleade, they may unwind the borrowed points and put them back to your next year;

- use or rent out your banked points by end of May - from my experience with MS, this is the only piece that they would not do anything about.

Best of luck and I hope Andy will be coming home in several month.

 

[Donald7570]

luckytso - Congratulations! We have a new granddaughter born in March and she is the most precious thing on this earth to us.
I think you are probably right to cancel with a preemie baby rather than take a chance and expose him to anything. I think if you call Member Services and explain the situation (obviously when you made the reservatoin you had no way of knowing what was going to happen) and the danger of exposing the baby, you may be able to work out something with them, especially if you are asking to delay for say another six months as opposed to canceling. Several years ago we had a trip planned and my father who was not actually going on the trip with us became seriously ill just weeks before the trip (I had a two bedroom booked), and I called MS explaining why I would have to cancel. They worked with me and allowed me to cancel and reschedule. You may need to speak to someone other than a cast member, but I would pursue to the highest if you need to. I remember at the time that she had to get permission from a supervisor or someone higher to do this. This is one of those exception to the rules situation. Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[Donald7570]

Sorry meant to say Robb - not luckytso

 

[TnRobin]

Congratulations on the new arrival. May he bring as much joy to your life as my Matt has ours.

Do call DVC MS. They may be able to help you re-assign your points. No guarentees, but it can't hurt.

 

[zurgswife]

I vote for calling MS and plead your case first and see if ther is anything they can do for you....

if not bank the current points and rent borrowed and banked points....

Congrats on your new BABY

 

[Simba's Mom]

Are you sure that you can't take him to the parks and that they advise not to take him on a plane? Did the doctors say so? I'm just wondering because we had a son born at 32 weeks, and no one said anything. But that was wa-a-y back in 1978, and I'm sure things could change. BTW, I don't remember, what is the RSV virus? Is that the stomach virus they can get so dehydrated from?
Best wishes to your family-I know how very stressful-up and down emotional it can be.

 

[Towncrier]

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children.

You can check out http://www.rsvprotection.com/ for more info.

 

[boardwalk prof]

Congratulations on your new son. Children who need extra care require extra special parents. You have been blessed with this privilege.
Our youngest son was born with a fatal heart condition. He had three open heart surgeries within two years. We were very careful with him during the first winter. We did not go out of the house with him because of RSV and other bugs. Even had in- home care so I could return to work. The second winter they gave him shots to help prevent RSV(not 100% effective, but some extra protection). And we found a small day care setting (4 kids) that was wonderful.
That said, we did take him to WDW to celebrate his second birthday and joined DVC that trip too. Yeah! Now he is totally spoiled with yearly trips to WDW.
You will have to decide what your comfort level with Andy is. This will take several months and perhaps a year to determine. Really depends on his progress. Just know that when you do take him to WDW it will be extra special.
So, my advise is to let go of the GV and concentrate on Andy. You will have many magical visits with him in the future.

 

[Regina]

Boardwalk prof, what a wonderful story! I'm so glad that your little one is thriving.

I'll be praying for Andy. Like others have said, he's your priority. I'm sure that MS will work with you in resolving this.

 

[BillPA]

Congratulation Robb,
Our prayers are with you, your wife and Andy. Don't worry about the points, I know that may sound strange to us DVC/WDW nuts, but family is always first. DVC has a "once in a life time" Banking exception. Where you can bank all your points to the next use year. But before you use that option, talk to a DVC supervisor about your problems. Remember the D in DVC is for Disney, and if any company understands family it's Disney. They will work with you to resolve this. They understand things happen, and know DVC owners are loyal Disney fans. Right now you have to do what is best for Andy.

 

[infobahn]

Thanks all. I will try and call DVC MS this week. I didn't want to sound cheap (regarding the points), but we have made it 8 weeks into our lives with Andy, and we are getting caught up on things as we can.

Originally we were going to go with our siblings, parents and nephews, and I was considering letting them go, but none want to go without us! The family told me to look into other options.

Thanks again,
Andy's Dad

 

[dianeschlicht]

Don't forget to come back and post how this turned out. I am quite sure MS will be VERY cooperative! Especially if you are planning to rebook the trip. Perhaps you can go into the call with a sample date of when you would want to do that!

OH yes, and CONGRATULATIONS on the little one and making it this far!

 

[Jo-Anne]

Andy's Dad - I have no advice on the points, but wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and your family. My DD (who is now a perfectly healthy, intelligent 5 year old) was born at 28 weeks, 2.5 lbs. She spend 7 weeks in NICU and we finally took her home at 4.1 lbs! I took her on an overseas flight to Holland when she was 5 months old (Corrected age) and had no issues. I think I would have been a little nervous flying prior to that time, but with preemies you end up being overly cautious! Do what is right for you and your family. Take Care!

 

[infobahn]

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. They had to intubate Andy, again, and things have been slow in the feeding side. Stress is high right now.

I did speak to MS this morning, and was originally told "sorry". After I pushed the issue (nicely, and using "one time exception"), she spoke to her manager who allowed the borrowed points to be placed back into their use year.

I will have to use my current year points before June 2003. We might look into trading them out with Interval for a time share north of us. We can do hide in the north woods next summer.

Thanks to all.