Question concerning changing dates due to family death

[PrincessCooper's Mom]

I am not sure if I am putting this question in the right place.

One of my co-workers is supposed to check in at Pop on 4/15/12 - 4/21/12.
They are taking 2 grandchildren for their first visit who know that they are going but not when.
She did not purchase travel insurance.

Her mother in law is very sick and Hospice has been called in.
They know the end is coming and are preparing for it.

Does anyone know what option Disney will give them if they cannot go on 4/15/12?

Thanks

 

[Robo]

Does anyone know what option Disney will give them if they cannot go on 4/15/12?

Thanks

The "rule" states that there will be a penalty payment if a PACKAGE is downgraded or canceled within 45 days before arrival date.**

If it's a room-only reservation, there may be no (or a lessened) penalty if cancelled immediately (although that rule states a 7-day cancellation policy.)**

** But, CALL Disney and explain the situation.
You never know.

 

[mousermerf]

Not that this is a guarantee or anything, but in general, in the case death or illness, Disney will refund anything that they control - and if something is "no refunds" but never expires they typically allow you to reschedule indefinitely.

All of this is handled on a case by case basis - and any semblance of 'fishy' dealings to just try and get out of a contract by faking something will be met with swift and unpleasant action from the company (that's a fair warning for anyone else who happens to read this response and get any ideas in their heads).

Also, all of this still pertains to a trip-in-progress. As in, they don't expect you to finish it and don't expect you to pay for parts of it that you don't use either.

Similarly, they don't let you cancel because someone outside the travel party is ill and continues to be ill and may still be ill for months/years - if that makes sense? An "event" needs to occur.

 

[PrincessCooper's Mom]

Thank you for the quick responses.

That is how I thought it was handled.

There are still a lot of what ifs at this point.

They definitely will go at some point, sooner rather than later.
Next week is spring break.

 

[TDC Nala]

they can call and change the reservation to other dates, I think they can do that even if they have to do it at the last minute - I know I've done it with room only reservations. Not so sure about packages. Then they don't get cancellation penalties. I think maybe if it's a package and they change it to a time that ends up costing less, there might be a change fee.

 

[stargazertechie]

Disney is fantastic when it comes to this sort of thing. I'd have them call and see if they can move the date out far enough, or get it cancelled and rebooked later.

We just had a trip interrupted due to a family health emergency, and they took fantastic care of us

 

[dalyes]

This happened to my family in late January. On the day we were supposed to leave for Florida, my grandmother passed away. I called Disney that night and told them I needed to cancel the trip, and why I needed to, but that I wanted to re-book right away. The CS person said, "Well that's not a cancel...let's rebook it and there won't be any penalty." I would have had to pay the difference from my original room rate to the new room rate but with some help from his "Fairy Godmother" the CS agent was able to get me the same fantastic rate.

LONG, LONG story short....when I got the room confirmation I was charged much more but after some painful discussions with another CS agent (and a letter...and a review of the taped phone calls), Disney made good on the original room rate. We're set to arrive on Monday.

Good luck to your friend. I understand how painful this all can be when you're anticipating the happiest place on earth.

 

[Bob NC]

and any semblance of 'fishy' dealings to just try and get out of a contract by faking something will be met with swift and unpleasant action from the company

That sounds ominous.

 

[dalyes]

That sounds ominous.

Maybe that's why I was treated so poorly by the second CS (seriously, it was almost abusive)...he was trying to fish out if I was telling the truth.

And BobNC - I have family that works in Kernersville. Small "World"!

 

[Bob NC]

And BobNC - I have family that works in Kernersville. Small "World"!

LOL, I think everyone that lives in Kernersville works elsewhere. What do they do?

 

[vicki_c]

This just happened to my BFF last week. She was meeting us at WDW and had reservations at Pop. Unfortunately, a day after she arrived in FL (not at WDW yet) her father passed away. She called Disney and they actually held her reservation for her even though she was unlikely to be able to come (things were uncertain for a few days as to when she had to leave FL, when her siblings could arrive, etc.). I didn't talk to her to get the final outcome but she said Disney was absolutely amazing about everything and I'm not even sure if they were going to keep her deposit (room only) if she didn't come at all. But she was raving about their excellent customer service. So, definitely call and explain the situation and they may do something for you.

 

[writerriann]

We've only had one experience with this but Disney was fantastic about it. DS6 came down with swine flu (whatever September swine flu was such a big thing) on Thursday and we were leaving on Friday for WDW Thankfully, he wasn't too terribly sick but hubby works in Public Health and we weren't about to expose anyone else to it.

I called Disney on around noon on Thursday and they switched everything for me. We even kept our long-expired discount. The CM even swapped our "non-refundable" MNSSHP tickets for new ones during our 6 weeks later rebooking. Plus, DS received a get well card from Mickey in the mail. That's service.

OP, I'm so sorry your co-worker is going through this, but I think you can comfortably tell her to call and try to work out a rebooking. Disney is usually great about these things. After all, they want you to visit whether it's next week or 2 months later.

 

[ironpig70]

When we went to WDW for the first time 9 years ago my mom passed and we had to rebook. When I called Disney and explained the situation I had a couple options.

1) I could cancel outright and there was a penalty

2) I could move my reservation and if I remember correctly it could be moved out a year. I was unsure about when we could go again so I asked what happens if we cannot go in the time frame and was told that we could move it again.


I would call Disney and explain what is happening. I was very pleased with Disney's handling of the situation.

 

[jeannielynn24]

they can call and change the reservation to other dates, I think they can do that even if they have to do it at the last minute - I know I've done it with room only reservations. Not so sure about packages. Then they don't get cancellation penalties. I think maybe if it's a package and they change it to a time that ends up costing less, there might be a change fee.

I've changed my vacation package before. The guy I talked to said it depended on availability and if the rates are more you have to pay the difference. We were extremely lucky! Not only were the dates available, but it was the same price. Hope the same for your co-worker.

 

[maxiesmom]

When we went to WDW for the first time 9 years ago my mom passed and we had to rebook. When I called Disney and explained the situation I had a couple options.

1) I could cancel outright and there was a penalty

2) I could move my reservation and if I remember correctly it could be moved out a year. I was unsure about when we could go again so I asked what happens if we cannot go in the time frame and was told that we could move it again.


I would call Disney and explain what is happening. I was very pleased with Disney's handling of the situation.

That is what I have experienced as well. The trip we were supposed to take last October was moved to this past March, as one of my nieces ended up having her appendix out right before the trip. Disney will be more than willing to help out.

Note too that a room only booking has to be changed to a room only booking, and a package booking to a package booking.