TX Wildfires Took Cousin From Me - I Don't Know How To Delay Trip

[tori.bh3]

I am so lost today.

My family is all over the news. My cousin Cody and his girlfriend Sydney were killed in the wildfires in Texas on Monday. I am shocked and heartbroken. I did see Cody while he was still alive. Not that he was recognizable. Burn victims usually aren't.

There are so many formalities when a family member dies. There are a lot of things that need to be done; funeral planning, obituary writing, etc. But I get to add changing travel dates for Disney World to my list.

Originally I was supposed to fly out at 4:15 and arrive in Orlando at 10:19 Friday night. Now, Cody's funeral is at 2. I can't make it.

I can't not go on this trip. For one, it is expensive and I will be out a large sum of money. I was supposed to be at WDW 6 nights at POR and then go on a Disney Cruise on the Wonder from Thursday - Sunday. I didn't get travel insurance because I never thought I'd need it. Not to mention my flights.

American Airlines is useless and heartless. I'm taking a $400 dollar change flights fee, and then having to pay an additional 1K than I had before. So I'm having to take a 1K hit in order to not lose 6K over the course of my trip.

My next step is to call Walt Disney Travel company. Maybe see if they'll take off a night. I have a dining plan too. Maybe they'll do something. I don't know.

In the strangest way possible, I am grieving for just about everything. I did the work on this trip. I worked hard to pay for it myself on a teacher salary. I got absolutely blindsided by our loss of Cody and Syd. I feel like it is wrong to travel but I need to get out of town.

Thank you for reading this far. I just needed to vent. Does anybody know what the next steps are for me? I don't know what to do.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Take a moment for yourself and just breathe.

Your next step will be to call Disney. Generally they are compassionate and understanding. I can't say they won't charge a fee, but it shouldn't be the $1000 AA asked for. Talk to them and see what they can do for you.

Is there any way you could take the vacation at a different time? I know I've moved the dates before at a minimum cost. Maybe you could move the park part until later in the year, but still take the cruise? Just a thought.

Again, many hugs your way.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I'm sorry for your loss. I haven't anything to add to that, just my condolences.

 

[Pkltm]

First off my deepest sympathies for you and your family.

Airlines are always heartless and that cannot be avoided. In 2009 my grandfather passed away and DH and I had to adjust our WDW trip. It was actually cheaper to book a new one way than pay the change fee.

Disney was great, we had booked with Dreams Unlimited and we ended up calling Disney directly and they were able delay our check in, by a day we were credited the cost of the hotel back when we got there. Give them a call!

 

[stobaugh6]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Praying for your entire family.

Heather