That's it! I have to cancel!

[Luv2trav]

I know some of you might think I am crazy... After all I am going to lose approx 400.00 by cancelling our vacation. Between the 100.00 charge from Disney and the 300.00 by our airline to use our tickets for another flight(TBD). I just cannot in good faith take this vacation and enjoy it. With all the uncertainy in our economy and personal suffering I just don't feel the MAGIC right now... I can't see paying 4500.00 for a vacation that I MAY regret taking.

I know it's the right decision because I am feeling a sense of relief and not sadness that I thought I would... I work for a transportation company (Division of FedEx) and with the fuel prices and SHORTAGES?? there is just too much going on to really enjoy my vacation..

I do have a question..
Can I get reimbursed for MNSSHP party? I don't have the tickets they are at will call... What can I do? I don't even have the tickets to sell at this point.

 

[party_of_five]

I know it's hard to think about going on vacation when so many people are going without. It's truely heartbreaking to see what our bothers and sisters are going through. You should do what you feel is best for you and your family, and only you know that. However, if you go on your trip you will be helping our economy. If everyone cancels their big spending plans for the next few months it will be devistating to our economy. Just something else to consider. Maybe if you do some things in the next few weeks to help with the hurricane relief, it will help you to enjoy your trip more, knowing that you help so many people, through your generosity.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

By canceling as party_of_five has said, it will hurt the economy, but sometimes you need to think about your feelings & your finances. It is a catch 22 & no one will win anyway. If you are concered about spending that type of money at this time, instead of canceling, can you just postpone it? Disney will let you do that, the airlines will not (I don't think) If you feel you aren't going to enjoy yourself, then do not go. On the same token, by going, you may end up feeling better... sit & do a list of pro's & con's for the trip....

 

[disynut]

I'm sorry you had to cancel your trip. That would be awful. But, I know those feelings you are talking about, too. As far as your money invested so far, I would call and explain your situation. I think those MNSSHP say nonrefundable, but if the circumstances are bad, they might do it(especially since you don't even have the tickets). It wouldn't hurt anything to ask, anyway. I'd probably try my best to get the 100.00 from WDW too. The airline thing is probably a done deal, but you could try.

The worst that could happen is you ask for a refund and they say no.

Good luck~

Jen

 

[ceecee]

It's like after 9-11, they say if everyone quits spending it will hurt the economy worse. Maybe you could have them mail you the MNSSHP tickets and try to sell them, at least recoup some $. I am assuming you paid for them already, right? We had ours mailed to us when we bought them,

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

It's such a great thing that you are caring but PLEASE go on your trip. If only there were more people like you that cared! We went to WDW right after the first hurricane last summer and it felt odd. But we knew that just like after 9/11, we had to continue on. We did not do the harm and through other means we planned on helping all the victims! This vacation will help you in the end, it will make you a happier person and when you return back to home you can feel refreshed and positive!

Go on your trip, you deserve it!

 

[Luv2trav]

I understand what you all think about the economy and I would go if I felt it was the right thing to do. I guess I should rephrase that we are not going in October. We are not rescheduling right now but we will reschedule for some time next spring/summer when things have settled down.

We have other factors that are working against this trip(My mom needs surgery and we have limited vacation days left etc) as well. I think this whole disaster with such uncertainity it was the straw the broke the camel's back.

yeah it's a bummer that we are not going to go but it would be a BIGGER bummer if we went and I regretted it. I dont' want to regret spending 4500.00....just so I don't lose 400-500.

So I guess we are not cancelling but postponing until the time is right! We were just there last February and while it seems like forever ago to me it really isn't the best time for us to go...

I am sad I don't get to experience MNSSHP.... Oh well, WDW is always there.

BTW-I have several AR for that week.... Some of the more popular one too...
LTT-Oct 6th at 4:10 party of 6..
Le Cellier-Oct 7th at 6 pm party of 6...
If anyone is interested in them...

 

[zumbergc]

Depending on which airline you purchased the tickets thru you might still be able to get some money out of them.

If you got them super cheap then they may not be worth much.

Right now before the flight you have the option to change the ticket. Which of course costs $$. I think with delta its either $50 or $100 per ticket to change the ticket. Check your airlines web site for re-ticketing information.
I would call and find out if you can at least get some of the tickets credit to that airline's account. Like when delta's fares drop, they will re-ticket the flight for you and give you credit the next time you fly. Thats if they have room on the same flight , time, and date, for the exact same ticket you purchased at a higher rate.

They can rebook you on another flight. Like if you decide to delay instead of completely cancel the vacation. However they charge you the re-ticketing fee and difference in the new airfare.
If your tickets were like $200 a piece, you loose the $50 (if thats that airlines re-ticketing fee). If the new flight is $30 a seat more at $230. Then it costs you an additional $30 (price difference) + $50 (re-ticketing fee).

If you know your going to be flying to a relative for either thanksgiving or at christmas, maybe book the flight now so you can re-book the ticket.

Call and check out your options for the airline tickets.
Connie

 

[Luv2trav]

Depending on which airline you purchased the tickets thru you might still be able to get some money out of them.

If you got them super cheap then they may not be worth much.

Right now before the flight you have the option to change the ticket. Which of course costs $$. I think with delta its either $50 or $100 per ticket to change the ticket. Check your airlines web site for re-ticketing information.
I would call and find out if you can at least get some of the tickets credit to that airline's account. Like when delta's fares drop, they will re-ticket the flight for you and give you credit the next time you fly. Thats if they have room on the same flight , time, and date, for the exact same ticket you purchased at a higher rate.

They can rebook you on another flight. Like if you decide to delay instead of completely cancel the vacation. However they charge you the re-ticketing fee and difference in the new airfare.
If your tickets were like $200 a piece, you loose the $50 (if thats that airlines re-ticketing fee). If the new flight is $30 a seat more at $230. Then it costs you an additional $30 (price difference) + $50 (re-ticketing fee).

If you know your going to be flying to a relative for either thanksgiving or at christmas, maybe book the flight now so you can re-book the ticket.

Call and check out your options for the airline tickets.
Connie

Actually we did check into that option. The airline will let us use the tickets within a year but we have to pay a change fee per ticket... That price will be anywhere from 50.00-100.00 a ticket.... Not all is lost in the airline tickets... It would be nice to get a refund but I know that is not possible. At least we are not out all of our money in our airfare and they will let us change.

 

[patsal]

If your willing to lose that money with no return for it, wouldn't it be better to donate that much and vacation so you can keep the ecomomy flowing and help at the same time? IMHO it is when we all freeze up that we risk not living our lives to the fullest, and keeping the economy afloat.

 

[Luv2trav]

I know I am having 2nd thoughts this morning.... I was very emotional lastnight and I am going to think about it all weekend. I would really hate to lose that much money...

I wish I could downsize my vacation but since we are on the free dining and it has expired we cannot do that....

 

[Ardenne]

If your willing to lose that money with no return for it, wouldn't it be better to donate that much and vacation so you can keep the ecomomy flowing and help at the same time? IMHO it is when we all freeze up that we risk not living our lives to the fullest, and keeping the economy afloat.

I think that's a wonderful suggestion.

 

[mainewmn]

We wore suppose to take a trip a trip in October of last year. Due to increase in our spending (brought new house, truck, furniture, etc) we decided to postpone our trip. We used the money for other things that at that time had more priority for us then the trip. Did we regret it ? Nope, it was a right decision for us. Sure we wished we could have taken our trip last year but it will make our trip next year that much more special. We lost $100 due to non-refundable deposits/fees yes I was disappointed about loosing money but I kept thinking about the bigger picture. You and your family are the ONLY ones that can make the decision whether to take your trip or no. Good luck to you in whatever decision you decide to make!

 

[Jockaroo]

Luv2Travel, just want to send best wishes to your mom during her upcoming surgery. Above all else, family takes priority and you need to do what is best with your vacation time considering your mother's health. You may be eligible for family leave time as well and not have to take your vacation days. Last fall, hubby took 2 weeks FL when his dad had cancer surgery.

 

[ceecee]

Yes, it would be hard to go with your mom not well. If that wasn't the case, I would say just downsize from $4500.00, you could do it for a lot less.

 

[welovedis]

Best of luck with your decision, it is still a month away so perhaps you could wait a short time and decide. We decided to take our trip, less than 2 weeks after 9/11, and we were glad that we did. But each family/individual is different and you need to consider how you'll do/feel/react while you are there. I still remember crying during the American Adventure, same as many there were doing. It was a really moving experience and one I'll never forget.

GL whatever you decide to do.

 

[canwegosoon]

Best of luck with your decision, it is still a month away so perhaps you could wait a short time and decide. We decided to take our trip, less than 2 weeks after 9/11, and we were glad that we did. But each family/individual is different and you need to consider how you'll do/feel/react while you are there. I still remember crying during the American Adventure, same as many there were doing. It was a really moving experience and one I'll never forget.

GL whatever you decide to do.

This is what Iwas going to post...right now we ar inninduated with negative images...gas, heating, economy, etc. But if your budget allows for increases in heating and gas, and food...you will probably be ok. Remember in a short time the rebuilding will be beginning, and even though many people have lost everything, they will be employed it new areas of development. Roads, buildings, churches, homes will all have to be rebuilt. Keep the people in your prayers, do what you can, but don't give up.

 

[grimley1968]

I was also there right after 9/11, as in 4 days after 9/11. We saw the America singers outside the America Pavilion. They sang a few patriotic songs. No one watching, or performing, had dry eyes. I don't know how they kept their voices steady, but they did, tears streaking down their faces and all.

It was a very strange time to be at WDW, and I did have some guilty feelings about going. But it would not have done any of the victims, or anybody else, any good to just sit at home. At least in this way, I kept my plans, and hopefully made some minute contribution to keeping some people employed in a recession that was worsening at that time. I think this time of suffering and mourning is similar. You'll still feel just as depressed about it at home as you would at WDW. But if you keep your plans on, you're doing your part to keep the economy afloat.

Now the surgery aspect is different. If you feel that's too important to not be around for, then that's that. Family comes first. But I wouldn't alter my plans just because there's some suffering going on that you could not prevent, or directly alleviate now.

I feel horrible this is happening. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. But there's little I can do about it, so I'm not cancelling our WDW trip from 10/1-10/8. I figure it does the economy better to keep my spending habits going than to pull away from it.

To help out what little I can, I did just now contribute some money to the Red Cross' Hurricane Relief Fund. It wasn't much, but it's enough money to buy some homeless family food/water/supplies for 3 or 4 days at least. I believe donating money to a group that is already there, like the Red Cross, is the most effective way to help at this point. It's better than withdrawing from the economy. Just MHO. I don't want to violate any terms of service, but if you want to donate to the Red Cross so they can get supplies there pronto, just go to "redcross", and add ".org" to the end. It's simple to donate at their website.

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[lbgraves]

Our trip isn't until December but tomorrow is DD's birthday party. While I have been affected by this tragedy and sit in tears when I let myself think about it or watch the coverage, I am not going to cancel her party. I lived on the West Bank in Gretna for 1 1/2 years & I know that most of the people I knew back then have probably lost everything. Somehow life has to go on. It doesn't mean that you stop mourning all of those who lost their lives due to Katrina or anything else. I doubt that anyone will think any less of someone who goes on their vacation at this time.

 

[Nik's Mom]

It's true that cancelling vacations may hurt the economy. But I totally understand your feelings. It's hard to enjoy yourself when you know people are suffering! To picture your family spending $$$ when people are living in the streets, starving and dieing! If I can make a suggestion to those of you who choose to cancel trips. How about taking some of your souvenir money and donating it to the cause? I know I will be finding ways to donate as much as possible.
For those of you who choose to go on your vacations, try to enjoy yourself as much as possible and know that life must go on. And give freely to charities that will be supporting those in need.

My heart goes out to all of those poor people.