What do I do????

[StillaCubsfan1964]

My husband just got laid off on Thursday. My trip is in 61 days. Do I still go? I'm worried about $$$$. I've already paid off the air plane tickets and the deposit and just put the balance on my credit card. Can I cancel? Can I reschedule for later in the year? Do I go and figure out how to pay if off later? I'd hate to disappoint my son since we've been planning this for 9 months. This would be his first trip to Disney and my first trip staying on-site. What do I do?????

 

[plutosmyfav]

Wow that is a terrible bit of news. I feel so bad for you.

The plane tickets may or may not be refundable. Usually, you pay a fee (~$25 per ticket) and get credited for future tickets within the next year.

You should call the airlines and resort for more details. Only you know your financial situation, but I think if it were me, I'd still try to go.

I wish you and DH the best of luck in getting right back into a good financial situation.

 

[luckywife]

So sorry to hear about your husband losing his job. We went through the same thing several years ago so I know how you feel. That being said, if it were me, I wouldn't go on the trip right now. You should be able to cancel your reservations without any penalty since it's still around 60 days before you leave. As for the airline tickets, I don't fly so I can't help you with that but I'm sure someone on here can give you some good advice. I can only imagine how upset your son will be but explain to him that you will reschedule your trip later in the year. If you go now you will most likely be worrying about the $$ so it may not be the most enjoyable trip for you and your family. If you make plans to go later in the year when your husband has a new job, you can go without worrying about the money you have spent and will be able to totally enjoy your trip. As hard as it is to wait for "later" to get here, I think it will be well worth it for all of you. Good luck with everything. Sending lots of pixie dust your way!!!

 

[Kimberle]

So sorry!!

If you are not able to exchange your plane tickets, could you stay at a Value resort (if you're not already)? Maybe by some carefull "penny watching", you could still have your trip.

Hope he finds something quickly.

 

[my3kids]

I wouldn't go either. Call the airline. It might be for a fee they can be used at a later date.

 

[floridafam]

Good luck with your decision.

I would cancel if it is going to put a stress on finances. If it is not, then I would consider going but cutting costs.

You could move to a different hotel, cancel any add on plan you may have, change your dining arrangements, etc.

Good luck

 

[bigbabyblues]

That's a hard decision. I'm sorry about your husband's job, and I hope he finds something soon.

I would lean towards canceling the trip, or at least postponing it. I don't think it's too late to completely cancel with Disney, everything I've read says 45 days out, but you might be able to just call and change your reservation to a different date. Also check with the airline, I've never flown so I have no idea about their policies. It can't hurt to call and explain your situation to them.

If you can't cancel the trip without large penalties, definitely cut back as much as possible. Stay at a value resort if you aren't already, cancel any character meals or expensive ps' you might have made, anything extra that you can, cancel it. You will still have a good time, but without all the expenses.

If WDW will let you cancel without a fee, and they refund your deposit, you could use that to pay any penalties the airline charged, providing the deposit amount would cover the fees, then it still wouldn't put you out anymroe than you already are.

Best of luck to you, this would be a very difficult decision.

~Steph

 

[Tiggerlover91]

For me I look at it this way:
Was your husband's income the major source of income in your family? If it was will you going on this trip put your family in financial distress? If you answer yes to both questions, then I would not go at this time. Don't look at it as a cancellation, look at it as a postponement. I've been where you are and finally in 2006, DH and I will make it to Disney once again!
I would try to cancel your flight and Disney ressies and plan for a later time. If not this year next year maybe.
Best to your husband and I hope something comes through for him soon.

Blessings to you and your family,

Denise

 

[arizonacolbys]

I say if you already have a good portion of your upcoming trip paid for, maybe you can still go on the trip. If you could change your ressies to a value resort, or as others have mentioned - maybe cut back on some of the PS's & eat more snacks/counterservice meals. Maybe you could spend less days in the parks & more days relaxing & spending time together at the resort - this would mean you could purchase cheaper park tickets.

If there are any upcoming holidays/birthdays in the family, maybe that money could go toward the trip.

If the trip will cause much financial stress on your family, I would probably delay the trip a couple of months & see if you can go later this year. If not, maybe spending time together as a family will help you through this stressful time. We barely had enough $ to make a trip last March, but it was very important to me to take a short trip to spend some quality time with my hubby before he went away for military training for 5 months.

Good luck in your decision!!!!!

 

[denman007]

Without knowing all your circumstances, it's had to say...but...

I would not cancel. You said the airfare was already paid for - don't take a loss on that. Deposit is already done. Good! If not already at a value resort, you could consider switching.

Your DH will probably get 2 weeks severance and then can start collecting unemployment(we've all been there!).

Good luck with your situation.

 

[whjoyjr]

That your husband could land a new job quickly, and have to cancel anyway since he would not have any leave time built up.

What would be easier, canceling now and telling your child this far out, or wait until 2 weeks before???

Either way, I feel for you. I went thru 4 months of unemployment in 2001 (right after our first trip).

Good Luck!

 

[motaei]

If you do decide to go, I would suggest the Budget Boards. The people there have great ways of making the WDW experience affordable. Everything from park tickets to food.

If you decide not to go, try & take the time that you would have gone & still make it a vacation. Watch Disney movies together, go to the park for a picnic, go for a bike ride. In other words, make the best of it for now, & postpone the trip for later.

My DH has been laid off too, so I can understand where you are coming from. Depending on what he does, may I suggest a temp agency? My DH (engineer) was able to get work that way until he was able to find a permanant job again.

Best of luck to you & your family!

 

[StillaCubsfan1964]

Thanks everybody. I know things will work out. He will be getting a few weeks of severance pay so things will be okay this month. Fortunately he was not going with us (but my mom is) so I don't have to worry about him not having vacation time. We are staying at Pop Century already. My mom feels that we should still go. She is going (and had already been planning) to cover all the meals and anything extra we are planning to do (a cruise she wanted to take me on in November fell through so I think she feels guilty - don't know why). I have a great mom!! I'm still really nervous but maybe I can get some pickie dust while in WDW and make everything okay.....

 

[puffkin]

I say go and have a great time. It sounds like most of the trip is paid for already so I wouldn' t worry too much. Plus, with all the stress your family is going to be under in the next few months, it might be really important for your son to have this experience and lessen the impact of your husband losing his job for your son. I would research and try to cut costs in little ways like less expensive character meals, souvenirs, ect.

Also, I look at it this way. You already paid for your plane tickets and deposit. If you hadn't spent that money on those things, most likely you would have spent it on something else (dinners out, going to the movies, ect). So, you probably aren't any worse off than if you hadn't been planning a trip. Sure cancelling will probably give you a little extra money, but is it worth disappointing yourself and your son? I hope everything works out and for you and your family. Let us know what you decide!

 

[shellybaxter]

You've got some good advise already, but I thought I'd give you a different take. Like everyone else already said, it really depends on your financial situation. DH, myself and Dniece are leaving on May 1st for her first trip. We were planning to take her in December but moved the trip up because more than likely DH will lose his job to outsourcing or have it changed (not for the better) in the middle of May. We had the money in the bank for the trip (not putting anything on credit) and were afraid if we waited he would not be able to go because of a new job, or different job responcibilities. We are fairly confident that no matter what happens we will not be in need of that money in the near future. So we are going to WDW now BECAUSE of possible lay off/job change.

It sound like you may be in a similar situation. If your mother is paying the trip expenses, you've already commited most of the needs resources.

Either way, I hope things work out for your family. Have a happy day

Shelly