Very upset - might need to cancel our trip of a lifetime

[amystevekai&bump]

hi all

It's 5am here and I can't sleep - I'm typing through tears so forgive me if I ramble!

We have been planning our trip to Aulani for two years and are due to fly out in three weeks, but yesterday my husband ruptured his Achilles tendon and it looks as though he'll be in a cast for at least six weeks!

We won't know for definite what our options are until we see a specialist (hopefully today), but I see that if I have to cancel my trip my points will go into holding. Sadly, my eldest son starts high school the day after we are due to fly home, so I can't see how I can travel before our points would expire on 30th November

I've read in the past how MS can give people a one time only reprieve on their points as a goodwill gesture , but is that only ever for those who've missed banking deadlines? Is allowing me to keep my points to hopefully rebook next summer a step too far?

Sorry to ask, but I'm just trying to get my head around whether anything positive can possibly comes out of this situation - as without my DVC points back, I can't see how it will even be possible to postpone until next summer, as I'd borrowed all of my points to make this very special trip. It was due to be a celebration of both my husband and my 40th birthdays (we are both now 41 as its taken that long in the planning and saving for)

Thank you for taking the time to read this and any advice would so gratefully be received right now!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I'm sorry, amy, and understand the tears for something you have been planning so long. Would you be able to go and just enjoy resort, cancel any and all excursions and things your husband couldn't do? So many posters have said how wonderful Aulani is to just hang out there, and say if you want to do stuff, stay somewhere else and do that, then go to Aulani and "do nothing" but relax and enjoy.
You could rent those points. I got pneumonia last Dec, and had to cancel my planned WDW trip to see Christmas decorations, do Candlelight Processional and Osborne Lights, etc. I thought I would never be able to use my holding points, as everytime I looked, there was so little availability anywhere for more than 3 days. I rented through David's, and they got a rental that used them all! So that may be something you can do too. You seem to want to try for next summer, but using holding points is hard. Good luck, and I hope the doctor's report is not too bad. Consider going and just enjoying Aulani.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There's all minds of reasons that MS apparently gives exceptions for. If the trip can't be made then definitely ask.

 

[disneynutz]

I would contact MS, ask for their help and see what they can do. If DH isn't feeling well do you really want to force a vacation? Based on what they can do for you will determine your next step.

Good luck and try not to worry!

Bill

 

[CMNJ]

They definitely can bank points if you missed the banking window. We bought a resale with current use year points that hadn't been banked and closed 6 weeks before the end of our use year. MS actually offered to bank them for us (we were trying to see if we could piece together a quick last minute trip to use them) as a courtesy. Now if you have any points that were already banked from your last use year (I know you said this is a once in life time trip) I don't think they are permitted to bank those again but I have seen other posters who had to cancel be allowed to return borrowed points to the following use year. Bottom line is it can't hurt to try and even if they don't bank/return all your points to next use year maybe they can help somewhat.

 

[com_op_2000]

Yes, MS can over-ride:
My example, of a once in a life time exception. I got one for DD for a cruise booked on points, when her BiL was KIA in Iraq during the first week of the war. We were booked on a DCL, the funeral was schedule during the cruise, so I called MS, and they refunded her points, with no restrictions, after I provided proof.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

See what the Dr says first. If he okays your husband for travel I say GOOOOOOO! Have the Dr put on a water cast, then play up your husbands mobility issue on your trip, perhaps you will get a few perks out of it (I know reprehensible).

 

[Tunseeker1]

Did you get insurance?

What about all the flights and everything else.

 

[DenLo]

Good luck to you Amy getting the points banked. Definitely ask to have the points banked. Were any of your points already banked points?
You might have problems with those as even they don't put them in holding they will still expire at the end of your UY. It is possible that MS might return borrowed points to the correct UY as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Best wishes to you and your family. Good luck with the airfare as well.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi all

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me. I've spent the day at the hospital with my Dh, and we had some good news! They've said they will transfer him from a full cast to an adjustable strapped boot a few days before our flight and they have given him medication to start taking now to help with any blood clotting etc, and will give us a 'fit to fly' note - having spoken to both airlines today, they are happy with this - so looks like we are now good to go!

I am still very nervous, but am in the process of changing our car hire plans to taxis/guided tours and that will hopefully make life easier for us all (I'm a very nervous driver so couldn't cope with that myself) and whilst we might not see everything we had originally planned, I think this trip will definitely now be more about relaxing and recuperation - which from the sound of it, Aulani is perfect for!! - plus I now feel so pleased with myself for booking all of those shaded casabellas - they will now be perfect for Steve!!

Thanks once again for all of your help and reassurances - as ever you guys are terrific!

 

[DenLo]

That is great news! I am glad your DH will be able to wear a boot. And he will be released to go. Aloha!

 

[wdrl]

So glad to hear that you'll be able to take the vacation after all. I've followed many of your posts as you have planned your trip to Hawaii and I've been looking forward to reading your impressions of Aulani.

Good luck!!

 

[com_op_2000]

Congrats on the travel news. Have a filled vacation!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Thank you so much everyone

I expect you'll see more of my posts over the next few days, as I try to reorganise parts of our trip without the hire car, which I have just cancelled , as Steve will no longer be able to drive.

 

[AZMermaid]

Oh my gosh! i read the first post and my heart broke for you! My original thought was the trip is halfway through the healing process so there may be hope for a modified trip... and then I read the update. Yay!!! I know it won't be exactly like you planned, but I think you will still have a great time. I think using taxis and shuttles is a great idea. It may cost a little more, but much less financially and emotionally than having to cancel all together. It looks like from your signature there is a Disneyland portion to your trip? For that, look into ECV rentals. I don't know a ton about them, but I think they can deliver to your hotel. Maybe ask on the Disneyland forums about that?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am so happy that you will be taking the special trip!

 

[DVC Doctor]

I always hesitate to give medical advice over the internet, but I have treated tons of Achilles tendon tears and depending on how bad it is (complete vs partial) and surgical repair or cast treatment, I would STILL go to Hawaii. There is very little danger of any serious complications (unless he had surgery) other than difficulty walking up steps or inclines and he can get a wheelchair. I would be happy to discuss this with you privately, but my online opinion is to NOT cancel your trip.

 

[Sandisw]

Yeah! I am glad that you are getting to go. And, just take it slow and easy and enjoy it!

 

[udflyer00]

Amy, like many of the others I was trying to figure out any options you could have, and then as I progressed to the update very glad to hear it should all work out. I would like to say though the either way you should definitely have gone if nothing else to enjoy the resort. My friend got transferred to the Air base there on the Island and they've done 4-5 night stays here and there just because the resort is so nice. Plus it's Hawaii, go and relax!!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[TavieP]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me. I've spent the day at the hospital with my Dh, and we had some good news! They've said they will transfer him from a full cast to an adjustable strapped boot a few days before our flight and they have given him medication to start taking now to help with any blood clotting etc, and will give us a 'fit to fly' note - having spoken to both airlines today, they are happy with this - so looks like we are now good to go!

This is such great news! I'm cheering for you!

I was reading the thread and thinking about how my mom, aunt and dad had all been planning to go to Aulani for the first time back in January of 2012, they had the room all booked. Then in November 2011, my mother died suddenly while on a cruise in South America with my dad.

One of the many things we had to do was talk to DVC and see if we could possibly get the points back. They were very accomodating - we did have to fax the death certificate.

Last December, my aunt and I visited Aulani for the first time. It was a wonderful trip. Aulani is a great place whether you're planning to be more active, or more lazing-by-the-pool-with-a-cocktail.

I hope you all have a BLAST!