The Never Ending Pre-Trip Report Nov. 11 and New Year's '12!!! - TR LINK! 1/15 Pg33

[teekathepony]

Join me in my happy dance! I'm leaving in 6.5 hours!!!

The flight leaves at 6:45pm tonight. I'm at work on my lunch break right now, just waiting for this day to end honestly.

I got my bags packed.

I got my carry on checked.

I got all my papers.

I gotta go!!!!!!!!!!

See you all on the other side when I return! Thanks for joining me on this PTR and I'll make sure to post a link to my new TR. I hope you all decide to join me there as well.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

See you when you get back!! I'll be in for the TR for sure!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Well, I have unprecedented news that has never happened to me before.

I had to cancel my trip at 2pm today.

Farrell's dad had a medical emergency that prevented her from going. I was in a rock and a hard place. I didn't know what to do. I suggested myself going alone, but she seemed upset by that option. So I had to do everything possible to see what could be done.

DVC was nice enough to work with my dad and gave us all of our points back and also gave us back our dining plan payment.

AirTran gave me a voucher for our flights. There was the cancellation fee, but nothing I can do about that.

I cancelled all of the reservations, including the Fireworks Dessert Party, so I'll get the money back for that.

Cancelled the car.

Tried to see if they could give me money back for La Nouba, but guest service was closed so there was nothing to be done.

I have no words to describe how bummed I am right now. I have been crying for about 3 hours now. I can't help it. I feel so in the middle. I'm sad for Farrell and her dad, but I'm also sad for myself. I needed this vacation. Now I'm not getting it. I was so looking forward to Food and Wine, because there are not that many opportunities to go to this Festival. I need to figure out what my next move is....

 

[ZehnJahren]

Well, I have unprecedented news that has never happened to me before.

I had to cancel my trip at 2pm today.

Farrell's dad had a medical emergency that prevented her from going. I was in a rock and a hard place. I didn't know what to do. I suggested myself going alone, but she seemed upset by that option. So I had to do everything possible to see what could be done.

DVC was nice enough to work with my dad and gave us all of our points back and also gave us back our dining plan payment.

AirTran gave me a voucher for our flights. There was the cancellation fee, but nothing I can do about that.

I cancelled all of the reservations, including the Fireworks Dessert Party, so I'll get the money back for that.

Cancelled the car.

Tried to see if they could give me money back for La Nouba, but guest service was closed so there was nothing to be done.

I have no words to describe how bummed I am right now. I have been crying for about 3 hours now. I can't help it. I feel so in the middle. I'm sad for Farrell and her dad, but I'm also sad for myself. I needed this vacation. Now I'm not getting it. I was so looking forward to Food and Wine, because there are not that many opportunities to go to this Festival. I need to figure out what my next move is....

I'm so sorry for you. I'm glad that DVC gave back the points and gave you back your dining plan payment; I hope that La Nouba can work with you. Sucks about Air Tran, but they'd job you with that cancellation fee no matter WHAT happened. Honestly, I just can not understand how they can charge you so much for what amounts to a few computer strokes. It's insane.

It must have been so hard to cancel all of that, especially when you were looking so forward to it. Is there any way you can get down to F&W by yourself for a couple of days before it's over? Even for a weekend? If you have an AP, you could get a decent room discount and stay at a value... I don't know if there's a single thing left anywhere for points, but if you canceled for a week's worth of points, maybe you could get something bigger than what you need for just a couple of nights, maybe at SSR or something.

Will you still take the time off? What is the possibility you could just take a few days and lounge around the house? Sometimes that is nice - not WDW, but nice regardless.

Again, so sorry.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm so sorry for you. I'm glad that DVC gave back the points and gave you back your dining plan payment; I hope that La Nouba can work with you. Sucks about Air Tran, but they'd job you with that cancellation fee no matter WHAT happened. Honestly, I just can not understand how they can charge you so much for what amounts to a few computer strokes. It's insane.

It must have been so hard to cancel all of that, especially when you were looking so forward to it. Is there any way you can get down to F&W by yourself for a couple of days before it's over? Even for a weekend? If you have an AP, you could get a decent room discount and stay at a value... I don't know if there's a single thing left anywhere for points, but if you canceled for a week's worth of points, maybe you could get something bigger than what you need for just a couple of nights, maybe at SSR or something.

Will you still take the time off? What is the possibility you could just take a few days and lounge around the house? Sometimes that is nice - not WDW, but nice regardless.

Again, so sorry.

Thanks.

It was a difficult decision to make, but I had to do it. I'm looking at some other options coming up. We have to wait and see what happens with Farrell's dad this weekend. It's a pretty serious situation that may require him needing to get on a transplant list. I really want to go for F&W, so I'm hoping that maybe we can reschedule for early November. But, it depends on what happens this weekend. Worst case scenario, Farrell will come along with me and my parents over our New Years trip. If that happens, I may see if I can squeeze a trip for F&W myself. We'll see. I am going to hold my vacation time for now, until we see what happens.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Awwwww... I'm so sorry to hear about Farrell's dad and you having to cancel your trip, cutting it so close and it sounded like both of you were really excited to go. Hopefully everything smooth's over so you guys can go together and not just you alone, later in the month. Just don't let it get to you, because there's always trips in the future and who knows, maybe you'll end up going in the next two weeks or so. For now... I think you need some hugs right now.

 

[Kat in GA]

I am sooo sorry - both for you and for Farrell. I can't even imagine what you are going through. I hope that the virtual hugs will do for now. Want to come and stow away in our luggage?

 

[TanzUnited99]

Oh no Danielle - I'm so sorry to hear that

I came on here to say that I wish you guys have a great time and then read your second post and was a bit shocked myself. Can't even imagine how you feel.

I hope Farrell's dad gets better soon and you are able to reschedule your trip.

Lots of hugs
Tanz

 

[teekathepony]

Well, I have unprecedented news that has never happened to me before.

I had to cancel my trip at 2pm today.

Farrell's dad had a medical emergency that prevented her from going. I was in a rock and a hard place. I didn't know what to do. I suggested myself going alone, but she seemed upset by that option. So I had to do everything possible to see what could be done.

DVC was nice enough to work with my dad and gave us all of our points back and also gave us back our dining plan payment.

AirTran gave me a voucher for our flights. There was the cancellation fee, but nothing I can do about that.

I cancelled all of the reservations, including the Fireworks Dessert Party, so I'll get the money back for that.

Cancelled the car.

Tried to see if they could give me money back for La Nouba, but guest service was closed so there was nothing to be done.

I have no words to describe how bummed I am right now. I have been crying for about 3 hours now. I can't help it. I feel so in the middle. I'm sad for Farrell and her dad, but I'm also sad for myself. I needed this vacation. Now I'm not getting it. I was so looking forward to Food and Wine, because there are not that many opportunities to go to this Festival. I need to figure out what my next move is....

Oh no, oh I'm so very very sorry to read this. Sorry for Farrell and her father and I'm sorry for you guys missing your trip. I sincerely hope that everything works out and her father is ok and you guys get the trip you so hoped for. I'm still in shock on your behalf.
Lots and lots of hugs and good wishes being sent your way.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Oh no! That really sucks. I hope your friend's dad is OK and I really hope you are able to go back soon. I can't imagine having to cancel a trip last minute like that.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Awwwww... I'm so sorry to hear about Farrell's dad and you having to cancel your trip, cutting it so close and it sounded like both of you were really excited to go. Hopefully everything smooth's over so you guys can go together and not just you alone, later in the month. Just don't let it get to you, because there's always trips in the future and who knows, maybe you'll end up going in the next two weeks or so. For now... I think you need some hugs right now.

Thanks Timmy.

We were very excited, but it had to be done. I have some ideas in my head about us getting down there, but we have to wait and see.

I am sooo sorry - both for you and for Farrell. I can't even imagine what you are going through. I hope that the virtual hugs will do for now. Want to come and stow away in our luggage?

Thanks. I would love to be able to stow away in your luggage....

Oh no Danielle - I'm so sorry to hear that

I came on here to say that I wish you guys have a great time and then read your second post and was a bit shocked myself. Can't even imagine how you feel.

I hope Farrell's dad gets better soon and you are able to reschedule your trip.

Lots of hugs
Tanz

Thanks Tanz. Yesterday was a tough day. Everything just happened so fast. I didn't sleep well, because I kept thinking "man, I should be sleeping at the Animal Kingdom Lodge right now". The one thing that's keeping me going is that there was a pretty big storm system hitting there right now, so maybe it works out in our favor.

Oh no, oh I'm so very very sorry to read this. Sorry for Farrell and her father and I'm sorry for you guys missing your trip. I sincerely hope that everything works out and her father is ok and you guys get the trip you so hoped for. I'm still in shock on your behalf.
Lots and lots of hugs and good wishes being sent your way.

Thanks Wendy. I'm still in shock too.

I'm hoping to hear something today from Farrell regarding her father's condition and to see what the next steps there are going to be.

Oh no! That really sucks. I hope your friend's dad is OK and I really hope you are able to go back soon. I can't imagine having to cancel a trip last minute like that.

I'm hoping that he ends up being okay too. I'm not worried about getting back for myself, it was just very difficult to be so ramped up, and then to have it all fall apart. I've never experienced something like that before. It's very unsettling and emotional.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'm hoping to hear something today from Farrell regarding her father's condition and to see what the next steps there are going to be.

What a shock this must be for Farrell, too. Planning a big vacation to a place she's never been that her BFF loves, and then having a serious tragedy befall her family on the day you're leaving. I hope everything will be ok with her dad.

There IS a big storm system down there; could be that your first few days would have been a wash out and Farrell would have *gasp* not liked WDW. Could be that it works out better with whatever you end up doing!

Hope today is better for everyone.

 

[BerrysGirl]

Well I had followed you over from my TR and I figured I'd wait to join in until you got back and started your own TR

I'm so sorry to hear about the unexpected change of plans! I hope everything works out and you and your BFF get to go to Disney soon.

 

[englishrose47]

Danielle I am soo sorry to hear you had to cancel !!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Well I had followed you over from my TR and I figured I'd wait to join in until you got back and started your own TR

I'm so sorry to hear about the unexpected change of plans! I hope everything works out and you and your BFF get to go to Disney soon.

I know, it's odd to say welcome, but everything's in limbo.

I hope everything will work out too.

Danielle I am soo sorry to hear you had to cancel !!!

Thanks Rosie. It's been strange, but I have a couple of options in mind, so I'm hoping that I can get something figured out in the next week.

 

[IheartDDuck]

What a shock this must be for Farrell, too. Planning a big vacation to a place she's never been that her BFF loves, and then having a serious tragedy befall her family on the day you're leaving. I hope everything will be ok with her dad.

There IS a big storm system down there; could be that your first few days would have been a wash out and Farrell would have *gasp* not liked WDW. Could be that it works out better with whatever you end up doing!

Hope today is better for everyone.

I had the same thoughts about the storm system. It looks pretty icky and I was nervous about rain, because I didn't want Farrell's opinion of WDW to be soured because of the rain.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Hi everyone,
I thought I would post an update on Farrell's dad.

The problem that caused this was his heart. He is on medication for heart problems. On his way here he started not feeling well. They had to take him to the hospital in Milwaukee via flight for life.

They believed that he had a blockage and that he would need a bypass. At that point, he was very stable, so Farrell figured everything would be okay. They wouldn't schedule the bypass until she returned from her trip, and she felt okay with that because her brother was here.

On Friday, they discovered that he had a leaking valve. This is very dangerous if he had a blockage. If he had a blockage, they would be unable to repair the valve. His heart was pumping at 15%. If blockage existed, it was likely he would need to be on the transplant list.

The procedure to see if there was blockage was today, which is why Farrell didn't want to go. There were risks with the procedure. He could have a stroke or a heart attack during the procedure. This was her fear, that she would never be able to forgive herself if she was not there and something major happened.

They did the procedure today and discovered that he does NOT have blockage. That's a relieve. He does have a leaky valve. They are going to try to get his heart to pump stronger and then the plan is to install a pacemaker. Once all of this is done and he is more stable, they can address fixing the leaky valve.

I'm glad that it is not the worst case scenario, which would have been him requiring getting on a transplant list.

One of the options Farrell and I discussed briefly was her coming along on our New Years trip. My parents will be going along, but we all get along very well, so this would be no problem at all. She said that this would be an option for sure, and I think it would work best because it gives time to get through the issues with her father and the procedures that he needs. My fear is that if we try to go too soon after this occurred, that his procedures won't be completed.

That leaves me wondering if I want to go to F&W myself. I have a few plans in mind. If Farrell agrees that she does not want to go sooner than New Years, then I was thinking about checking if I can go from November 4 - 12th. I don't know who can go with me, but I have some options.

Option 1 - My brother Chris. I will be chatting with him tomorrow hopefully to see if it did become an option if he would be able to go. If he can't go for the entire time, I think I will do a few days alone, and then have him come along.

Option 2 - My Dad. I know for a fact my dad can't go for an entire week, so it would definitely be me alone for a while and then him arriving.

Option 3 - Obviously, if Farrell wants to go sooner, we'll discuss this date range, so we can still take advantage of the F&W Festival.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and thoughts. I am going to keep this PTR going. Whatever it ends up turning into.

 

[teekathepony]

I'm glad to hear that it's not the worst case scenario for Farrell's dad. I so hope you get to see the F&W somehow, I have a good feeling that you will. I'm sending good vibes and pixie dust your way!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm glad to hear that it's not the worst case scenario for Farrell's dad. I so hope you get to see the F&W somehow, I have a good feeling that you will. I'm sending good vibes and pixie dust your way!

Thanks! Let's hope those good vibes and pixie dust pan out.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

glad to see the update!! If you go alone, don't worry, I'll be here!!!!! I'm off on Vet's Day and I'm not flying home for Thanksgiving till Nov 21 so I'll be here

 

[IheartDDuck]

glad to see the update!! If you go alone, don't worry, I'll be here!!!!! I'm off on Vet's Day and I'm not flying home for Thanksgiving till Nov 21 so I'll be here

I figured that you would! It has actually played heavily in the ideas that I'm pushing around in my head. I keep thinking "well, I know Megan's there and we would have fun together".