What should I do?

[tori729]

I booked our first theme park trip in early December for late February through a travel agent. One of the reasons I picked Universal over Disney is bc of the freedom to choose to wear a mask.
A few weeks later the mask requirements changed.
I wrote a lengthy email to Universal, one of three, none of which have received any response.
I decided to try and wait it out but at this point I'm not expecting anything to change.
My agent says it would be like $400 if we cancelled and $100 if we moved the date. However, I have no guarantee anything will change if we move the date. I'm pretty torn on what to do.
At this point, we won't go if we have to mask. Just our personal views. And the fact that Universal will not communicate with me at all gives me a sour taste in my mouth. Super disappointed that I have to deal with this.

 

[crazylady]

If you don't want to wear a mask, I would.cancel.

What kind of response do you want /expect from Universal?

 

[tori729]

What kind of response do you want /expect from Universal?

Any at all would be nice.

 

[StageTek]

I booked our first theme park trip in early December for late February through a travel agent. One of the reasons I picked Universal over Disney is bc of the freedom to choose to wear a mask.
A few weeks later the mask requirements changed.
I wrote a lengthy email to Universal, one of three, none of which have received any response.
I decided to try and wait it out but at this point I'm not expecting anything to change.
My agent says it would be like $400 if we cancelled and $100 if we moved the date. However, I have no guarantee anything will change if we move the date. I'm pretty torn on what to do.
At this point, we won't go if we have to mask. Just our personal views. And the fact that Universal will not communicate with me at all gives me a sour taste in my mouth. Super disappointed that I have to deal with this.

You should cancel the trip. Universal will not change their mask requirements.

 

[tori729]

You should cancel the trip. Universal will not change their mask requirements.

So even rescheduling it for the fall? They didn't have them a couple months ago, you act like they will never change them again.
Are you just saying they won't change them for me? I don't expect them to

 

[Kestryl]

If the indoor mask is a dealbreaker, you have two options; (1) cancel or (2) postpone and hope for the best. Note that even if you cancel with the intention to rebook when masks are dropped, they could always be added right back.

I don’t know why they didn’t respond. I don’t know the content of your messages either. If it was just commentary, I would have expected a generic “thank you for your feedback,” but they may be overwhelmed. Usually I get quick responses via social media messages, but I’m always asking specific questions when I do that.

Interestingly, Universal Studios Hollywood requires masks indoors and outdoors plus proof of vaccinenegative test for everyone over the age of 5.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I would move your dates to the fall if that’s an option for you. A lot is probably going to change between now and then. Is it airfare that’s causing the $100 charge or something from Universal? If Universal, they were letting people cancel without penalty shortly after they made the change. If you call they might be willing to do that again in your case.

 

[damo]

Just a heads up for future trips. There really is no benefit to book a package. If you just book room only and tickets separately, you don't have any cancellation or change fees if you cancel within the 5 days before arrival cancellation period.

Where did you send your emails?

 

[bocaj1431]

I think this may be a difficulty for you because at any time the policy could change based on new variants. However, some science shows that eventually Covid will become like the flu so maybe changing to a date next year or in the fall like others have suggested will be your best option.

 

[hildarumpole]

I empathize with your predicament. Postpone to late spring-early summer if you are able to travel at that time. Respiratory illnesses are generally at a low point across the US during that period, so there's a better chance of relaxation of mask rules.

 

[mamapenguin]

I would push the trip to fall, but consider HHN will be happening in case that makes a difference. I do not use travel agents, I like control over my own reservation. Just something to think about. Any of my current reservations could be cancelled for free.

 

[bchbetha]

I think you should just cancel.

 

[HashberryOTG]

I would also consider cancelling. If we've learned anything over the past few years it's that there are no guarantees. Unless you can get some sort of trip insurance to help with rescheduling or future cancelling, I'd be concerned with how quickly things can change. Perhaps next year will be better for that?

 

[DuskKodesh]

Cancel if it's a dealbreaker. The world is in flux and none of us know just what will or could happen months from now so no one can really give you any reassuring there that would be grounded in anything more than guessing and hope.

 

[Meglen]

If I was you I would cancel and wait to book for a long while. Saddly with mutations being unknown, things can calm down or go crazy again at any moment. What would happen if you were on your trip and they changed the rules? Seems like a big risk.

 

[keishashadow]

At this point, we won't go if we have to mask

If those are your firm convictions, then you have your answer.

If you are looking for an unlikely special accommodation to escape the associated cancellation or rebooking fee, then you need to re-address your concerns to the TA you utilized.

Specifically, ask them as to whom at U you should address your concerns vs a general email inquiry to guest services.

 

[mamamelody2]

Maybe bump it out to next year? Would hope masks are gone by then, but at this point, who can tell.

 

[kwdw]

If you won’t go with mask wearing required, I would cancel. Sure, you can reschedule and maybe you pick a time that works out, but maybe you don’t. I thought Covid and mask wearing was almost over across the US last July. Well, we were wrong. You can’t 100% predict the future on Covid quite yet. Us Americans spent decades thinking the only thing that could disrupt a vacation was a personal health or financial issue, a hurricane, or a blizzard. Well, that time is over and there are now no guarantees things outside of your direct control won’t impact it. Take the chance you have to adapt or don’t plan a vacation.

 

[FinnsMom7]

I booked our first theme park trip in early December for late February through a travel agent. One of the reasons I picked Universal over Disney is bc of the freedom to choose to wear a mask.
A few weeks later the mask requirements changed.
I wrote a lengthy email to Universal, one of three, none of which have received any response.
I decided to try and wait it out but at this point I'm not expecting anything to change.
My agent says it would be like $400 if we cancelled and $100 if we moved the date. However, I have no guarantee anything will change if we move the date. I'm pretty torn on what to do.
At this point, we won't go if we have to mask. Just our personal views. And the fact that Universal will not communicate with me at all gives me a sour taste in my mouth. Super disappointed that I have to deal with this.

I pray they are dropped soon.. I was about to book a last minute weekend trip when I remembered the masks were added back in Dec (we went Nov 8 day mask free heaven - avoided disney for first time ever because of this) I am booked for May but will cancel if masks are still required. Given Universal was mask free from June-Dec 24th last year gives me hope they will drop again at least come spring. Seems the wave from holiday/omnicron are ending, esp in FL, and now that the vx is ok for children even less need for masking. Hope it works out for you either way!

 

[tinkerbell1991]

Can I jump on and ask when masks were dropped late last year, did this include while in indoor ride queues or just outside?