What if my flight is cancelled?

[deli8788]

I have a little (a lot actually) anxiety regarding the recent airline issues with cancellations and delays. If I get to the airport next Monday and my flight is cancelled and I can’t get to Orlando that day…what do I do? Or rather, what would you do? We plan on checking in Monday and being in parks the next 5 days after. Just me and my two boys.

 

[sponica]

Well if the flight is outright cancelled and the rescheduled flight absolutely won't work for you, if you paid in cash and don't have like a credit/voucher that's going to expire, you can take the refund and if you have a package booked, you can rebook and I think only lose the 50 dollar change fee.

Granted it all depends on what airline you're on and where you're flying to/from....if it's an airline with a robust schedule (more than one flight a day), I wouldn't worry too much. If you're on an airline where they don't fly daily, then I'd be more concerned.

 

[deli8788]

Well if the flight is outright cancelled and the rescheduled flight absolutely won't work for you, if you paid in cash and don't have like a credit/voucher that's going to expire, you can take the refund and if you have a package booked, you can rebook and I think only lose the 50 dollar change fee.

Granted it all depends on what airline you're on and where you're flying to/from....if it's an airline with a robust schedule (more than one flight a day), I wouldn't worry too much. If you're on an airline where they don't fly daily, then I'd be more concerned.

Will WDW cancel my resort if I don’t check in on the day I am supposed to? Or, God forbid, my flight gets delayed or rescheduled for next day can I just check in a day late?

 

[_19disnA]

If something about your air travel prevents you from arriving the day your Disney reservation starts, I would call Disney to let them know. You wouldn't be the first person who ever had a flight delay. Transportation delays not within your control are different from just deciding to arrive a day or two later then your original reservation.

Even before covid, flights could be delayed for any number of reasons (i.e. weather, traffic delays, maintenance, etc.) If that is the only flight that day from your departure airport you just go back home and travel the next day. In all of our years of traveling/flying, I can't remember the last time that ever happened. Once in awhile there has been a delay and the airline rebooked us to a later flight.

 

[deli8788]

If something about your air travel prevents you from arriving the day your Disney reservation starts, I would call Disney to let them know. You wouldn't be the first person who ever had a flight delay. Transportation delays not within your control are different from just deciding to arrive a day or two later then your original reservation.

Even before covid, flights could be delayed for any number of reasons (i.e. weather, traffic delays, maintenance, etc.) If that is the only flight that day from your departure airport you just go back home and travel the next day. In all of our years of traveling/flying, I can't remember the last time that ever happened. Once in awhile there has been a delay and the airline rebooked us to a later flight.

I am definitely just having pre trip anxiety but I know this past week and weekend were bad for southwest regarding cancellations. My brain is running through worst case scenarios. This is who I am LOLOLOL

 

[MrKnight]

No need to worry, that would be a worst case scenario, and if that happens, you will get re-booked on the next available flight, potentially even within the same day as Orlando is a major destination airport.

 

[Karin1984]

This could happen anytime, anywhere, regardless of Covid. Technical issues, weather. I once boarded a plane, we stayed at the gate for 2 hours. They tried to fix the technical problem and then it was cancelled, we de-boarded and all passengers were moved to later flights.

Whether it happens at the last minute or a few days/weeks in advance, it is the airline's duty to rebook you. Most likely they have an alternative ready. If that doesnt work for you, you request a refund and book yourself a new flight.
If you will arrive a day later, you contact the hotel to inform them and ask to keep your room.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I just wanted to say I can sympathize with how you're feeling. We are a few weeks away from our trip and after cancelling three times due to Covid, I'm so nervous and really want everything to go smoothly. What I find helps me is to have an idea of what my options are should the worst happen. We are flying on an airline that has many flights to MCO per day from the airport we use so I know there are other flights should the worst happen. If all else fails and we can't get on another flight I told my DH we would reclaim the car and drive down, lol! Not sure he'd go for that because it's something like an 18 hour drive . Good luck and hang in there.

 

[iivye]

This just happened to a friend of mine last Friday (6/25) . She was booked on Southwest to Tampa (6/26). She checked in 24 hrs prior to her flight and then maybe two hours later she received notice her flight was cancelled and they didn't even put her on another flight. She had to go to the website and rebook herself. I've had flights cancelled by Southwest but I have always been automatically put on another flight so this was a shock to me. She managed to get a later flight scheduled for the same day but was so worried Southwest would cancel again she ended up driving to Tampa that night (18 hrs to her resort). I did check the status of the flight she would have taken (rebooked) and it took off on time and she would have been fine; she just would've arrived 6 hours later than her original flight.

My advice would be to make sure you are signed up for text and email notifications for your flights and if you do get a cancellation notice get on the website right away to get another flight (if they don't automatically book you on another one). My friend was traveling with another family and she was going to call to be rebooked so they could be on the same flight and was told it would be a 45 min wait. While she was on hold she could see the flights filling up online and changing to unavailable. I'm sure everything will be fine but it's always good to have a plan in place if things don't go perfectly. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[spiders]

Anything is possible but the overwhelming majority arrive at their destination within 30 minutes of their scheduled time. The only guarantee in life is death so enjoy it until it comes.

 

[The WDW 3]

I have a little (a lot actually) anxiety regarding the recent airline issues with cancellations and delays. If I get to the airport next Monday and my flight is cancelled and I can’t get to Orlando that day…what do I do? Or rather, what would you do? We plan on checking in Monday and being in parks the next 5 days after. Just me and my two boys.

get on the next flight

 

[deli8788]

I just wanted to say I can sympathize with how you're feeling. We are a few weeks away from our trip and after cancelling three times due to Covid, I'm so nervous and really want everything to go smoothly. What I find helps me is to have an idea of what my options are should the worst happen. We are flying on an airline that has many flights to MCO per day from the airport we use so I know there are other flights should the worst happen. If all else fails and we can't get on another flight I told my DH we would reclaim the car and drive down, lol! Not sure he'd go for that because it's something like an 18 hour drive . Good luck and hang in there.

This was my plan too. If I can’t get another flight until the next day I might be just hopping in the car. Would be better to drive and miss one day if my park reservations than to wait and worry and possibly not make it the next day either.

 

[sam_gordon]

get on the next flight

Get on the flight they assign you to. Or, you get a refund and purchase a same day ticket on another airline.

 

[sixcats]

We have had a few delays, but only one cancellation day off. It rained all day, but was beautiful by the time we all left for the airport. A few minutes into the drive we got a notification that our flight was cancelled. I assume they delayed flights all day long and could not accommodate ours. I called Delta, but only 5 out of 7 of us could rebook for the next day, the rest could go the day after. We ended up cancelling the flight down, calling Disney to say we would check in a day late, renting a large van and leaving for the long drive from NY within two hours of our flight being cancelled. With a group of only three, I am sure you would have better options.

 

[deli8788]

We have had a few delays, but only one cancellation day off. It rained all day, but was beautiful by the time we all left for the airport. A few minutes into the drive we got a notification that our flight was cancelled. I assume they delayed flights all day long and could not accommodate ours. I called Delta, but only 5 out of 7 of us could rebook for the next day, the rest could go the day after. We ended up cancelling the flight down, calling Disney to say we would check in a day late, renting a large van and leaving for the long drive from NY within two hours of our flight being cancelled. With a group of only three, I am sure you would have better options.

Were you able to extend your trip since you got there a day late? Im wondering if Disney would be able to do this. Or wether there would be accommodations available regardless.

 

[sixcats]

We were not able to due to work issues for our group, and having flights booked to return. I suppose if pressed Delta might have changed our return flight.
Disney will happily let you add days onto your trip at a cost if available. We got stuck due to a storm at home and were able to add two days (we paid using our dvc points). But in this case there were available rooms since people from the northeast were unable to arrive.

 

[NotUrsula]

get on the next flight

This ... 99% of the time. Where it gets ugly is situations where every single flight is booked solid for the next couple of days. That's the situation we were in last week. What worked for us was leaving sooner rather than later, catching the last flight the night before the day we were originally scheduled to leave.

It cost us an extra $150 for an extra night's hotel room near the airport (which, of course, we didn't reach until nearly 3 am because of flight delays), but we didn't miss any days.

 

[Aurora79]

First, breathe. I get trip anxiety too, but remember, you are going to Disney. They will help you out if the unexpected happens.

If you are flying a regular airline (not Allegiant, Spirit, etc.) like Delta or American, they will put you on the next available flight, and they fly to Orlando multiple times a day (or at least to their hub and then on to MCO). You’ll most likely get on another flight that day.

If the worst happens and your flight is delayed a day, call Disney. They will either help you push your reservation or just shorten your trip.

In the future, use a travel agent (they would call Disney for you and get you all fixed while yo deal with the airline, plus they are free), and get trip insurance. Having trip insurance and a travel agent just makes me worry less.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Our flight was delayed and I was going to miss my first night, with 6 hours notice Disney changed my start date on the hotel and moved my first park day to the end. They were amazing