Unexpected surgery

[Adopted By Disney]

Hello,

Looking for advice on how to handle this situation. My wife is having an unexpected surgery next week which will cause us to miss our Disney trip in January. This was going to be our first trip using DVC points so unsure about how to move forward or if we can reschedule to a month or two out? Also purchased tickets through Unlocked Magic and don’t know if we can switch the dates or get a refund there. Any help or tips would be appreciated. I’m assuming I’ll need to call member services but not sure what our options will be. As we can no longer bank the points. We have a December use year and are using 2025 and 2026 points for a 2 bedroom with the fam.

Honestly if we could just move the dates to a couple months out that would work but unsure if we’d be able to do that

Thanks

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sounds to me like you might need to make a couple phone calls. I would contact Member Services and explain your situation and see what they can do for you. It might not be as easy as just moving the reservation a couple months, as March/April are busy times, too - but they can probably get you some options. I'd call soon. Depending when in January you are going, you want to avoid cancelling less than 31 days out, as your points then go into a special holding account. But call MS today, if you know your situation is certain. You might also need to call the ticket agency for options, as well - I don't have any specific experience with that topic - but I do think MS might be able to work with you (hopefully!).

 

[MyDogTink]

I’m sorry to hear that and hope things improve quickly for your wife? Are you less than 30 days from check-in? If so, points go into a holding account. Points in a holding account can only be booked within a 60 day arrival date. Make sure you cancel at least the day before arrival. Cancelling on check-in day results in losing all points.

When booking within the 60 day arrival window, you need to use your points by the end of November 2026.

 

[Genie+]

Don’t worry too much about the tickets. You can switch the dates. Worse case Disney will allow you to apply the value of unused tickets to new dates, even after the dates have passed. There’s some finer details involved but the main point is it’s not a case of ‘use them or lose them’. You could try the broker as well, sometimes they are able to help.

 

[Adopted By Disney]

So our check in is 1/18 so 32 days out currently. We meet with doctors on Friday and surgery is expected to be over the weekend or Monday. We don’t know a date right now that works for everyone to switch to. Not sure if that’s something we would need?

 

[kes601]

So our check in is 1/18 so 32 days out currently. We meet with doctors on Friday and surgery is expected to be over the weekend or Monday. We don’t know a date right now that works for everyone to switch to. Not sure if that’s something we would need?

If you 100% know you can't go in January, call or go online TODAY and get that reservation cancelled. You can then reschedule when you know the date that works for you (assuming DVC availability). Don't wait until Friday as that is too late for the points to not go in holding unless they make an exception for you.

 

[tjkraz]

If you cancel right now, you can use the points for any trip occurring between now and November 30, 2026. Pending availability. There are no other restrictions or limitations. As soon as you cancel, you could immediately use the points toward another reservation in 2026. Even if you aren't 100% locked into the new travel dates, there's no harm in using your points to hold a room. If you change your mind a few weeks from now, cancel and re-book again.

If you cancel on 30 days notice or less, the points go into what's called Holding status and can only be used toward trips booked on 60 days notice. (e.g., if you want to visit on July 1 2026, you couldn't even try to make a reservation until May 2...or whatever date is exactly 60 days prior to 7/1.) In other words, your options are a lot more restrictive if you cancel on less than 30 days notice. Late notice cancellation = late notice rebooking.

New reservation is subject to whatever availability exists at the time. DVC won't pull any strings for you there.

Best of luck to your wife.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Was this your welcome home stay or a normal booking done by you? IMO, That makes a difference before proceeding with the advice above.

Best wishes to your wife.

 

[tjkraz]

BTW, your 2025 points (valid for stays from 12/1/25 to 11/30/26) are eligible to be banked. Again, assuming you cancel before the points go into Holding. The deadline to bank is July 31, 2026--8th month of the Use Year. Don't bank them now unless you're 100% certain you won't be able to use them.

The 2026 points were borrowed into your 2025 Use Year and cannot be banked. They will expire 11/30/26 unless they are used.

 

[Adopted By Disney]

Was this your welcome home stay or a normal booking done by you? IMO, That makes a difference before proceeding with the advice above.

Best wishes to your wife.

Bought resale so it was just done by me.

 

[airjay75]

I think the only thing MS might be able to do is un-borrow the 2026 points if you tell them the situation. Might be worth a shot if if you're not quite ready to try and book something and/or aren't confident you'll be able to use the borrowed points. And, remember, even if they stay borrowed, they will be used first for future reservations and if you end up not needing some of the 2025 points, you could bank those into 2026.

And best wishes for your wife and the surgery.