Devastated they’ve shut Disneyworld

[thegreenlight]

We have a holiday booked for 23rd May and have to pay the full balance at the end of March. Flights BA so separate and probably non-refundable. Totally don’t know what to do. Will have a very disappointed 3 and 7 year old. I know I will get people telling me to get a grip because of the wider situation but that doesn’t change how I’m feeling right now.

Do I cut my losses and cancel (but situation may be improved and we have missed out on our long planned holiday) or do we sit it out and wait?

I’m so sorry, OP. I’d be worried sick too. Personally, I’d hang on. I suspect Disney would refund, and you’re out on your flights atm anyway, while there is every chance BA would refund nearer the time.
I hope it works out and you get to go. AKL is our ‘home’ resort and we are about to book for tail end of next year. I can only imagine what you’re feeling.

People whose much loved relatives have died painfully and slowly must be pretty gutted too. There’s always one that’s has to say something like this ..
Are people not allowed to be upset about their hard earned holiday possibly being cancelled ?
There are some who have to save for years to go to Disney world and yes I’d be pretty devastated if this was me. Doesn’t mean I don’t care about others .
Pretty sure you’d give a shit if it was your holiday and your money

Totally agree. It’s like some kind of extreme martyrdom.

We were due to fly out on Tuesday, the day after the parks closed. Then return on 31st, day before they open!

We have rescheduled to go in June now. I think May will be fine too.

Forgot to mention, Disney sent me an email saying if I wanted a refund I just had to reply to confirm. They are being very flexible for people who were due in next 2 weeks. No idea what will happen after that as I think they will reopen in April at some point.

We are due to fly out with BA 23rd May too. We called today and they agreed we could extend date to pay balance by a month to 1st April. Also they are allowing changing dates/changing flight cost to a voucher To use at a later date for free too

US travel ban now being extended to the UK

www.britishairways.com/en-gb/flights-and-holidays/flights/book-with-confidence

The UK are now banned from the US for 30 days from Monday.

We go mid may, so hoping things improve by then.

Some really helpful advice, Thankyou all. I’m going to ring Disney in the next couple of days (I realise they’re going to be inundated right now) and see if I can extend the balance payment to give us time to think and see what changes in the next month. Really sorry for all those who have been affected, hope your rebooked holidays are even better!

We are in the same position as you. We are suppose to be going to Disney world on the 28th over Easter to celebrate my mum's 60th birthday. My children 12 & 4 will be so upset if we don't go and my youngest why fully understand why if we don't go. It's very upsetting thinking how such a big family holiday could be ruined. Also the only way we will get our money back is if the flights get cancelled.

I feel terribly sorry for those with holidays booked it’s awful. Obviously being terribly ill and watching loves ones die is worse but we can sympathise with people on all levels it makes us nice humans. @Isthistrueor intrigued by your flippancy and husband’s arrogance, this is unprecedented for us, this means precious date does not apply in the same way, your husband should know this.

I wouldn’t cancel yet.

I sympathise op.

My dad was taken very ill after a replacement heart valve op in January and passed away 11th Feb.

We had WDW booked for 3 weeks beginning April (4th). It was all booked and paid for, including hotel and parking at the airport for the night before so we weren't rushed. We all have special birthdays this year - me and better half are 50 and little boy is 10. So the £12,500 ish that we've spent seemed ok.... when dad passed friends said the holiday would help me as it's a big distraction.

Then this morning one of my cousins rang to tell me that another of my cousins had passed away.

So, I totally sympathise because it does seem like the end of the world

I'd be more worried if Disneyland hadn't shut.

Lynda07 thanks - and that is a helpful comment because ..? There has not been a single case in Orange County where Disney World is. I’m pretty bloody concerned that we are not shutting schools in counties that have 50+ cases and are probably smaller than the Disney world resort but there you go.

We are due to go in may. I think Disney are overwhelmed just now. I think if you pay the balance they are giving full refunds if you cancel within 8 days of travel so we are doing that.
If your flight isn’t going there then you should get a refund. Are you insured for travel disruption?

Apologies not read full thread but BA will let you cancel if you have booked travel until 31st May and give voucher to be used within 12 months: www.britishairways.com/en-us/flights-and-holidays/flights/book-with-confidence

Anyone travelling in next 30 days will probably be entitled to refund rather than voucher as foreign office advice is now against all but essential travel to US. BA/virgin haven’t updated their websites with that though yet

Hi, we’re due to go on 14th May. FastPass went live today which I would’ve been very excited about but I just booked a few half heartedly. We’re the same, everything Disney direct other than flights with BA and extra night at Universal. I tried to pm you to chat as we’re in the same boat but it wouldn’t allow me to, can you send me a pm? It’d be nice to talk to someone in the same situation (our balance due this week) Jo

We were set to go May 9th and have cancelled. It's supposed to be happy and fun not anxiety provoking so we've cut our losses. Our fast pass tickets were already purchased but we have an extended period of time to use them apparently - it looks like we can use them all the way to 2022 now....

I get you OP

You're welcome, greenlight. Perhaps you can rebook for later in the year. There may be no CV cases in Orange at the moment but if people flock there from all over, it wouldn't be a healthy environment. I imagine that's why the place has closed, a preventive precaution. Plus the fact that you would risk being exposed whilst travelling.

It must be disappointing but better than getting or spreading the virus. Sorry for you too, AWorldofmyown.

Who'd have predicted something like this? My son got engaged last October to an American girl - at the moment she cannot come here and he can't go there. It sucks.

@grannyshark @Nanna50

Maybe you have never been to Florida but yes my children would be devastated. They are both autistic and Disney World is the one place they can let go of everything and be themselves and it is magical to see.

These types of holidays can take a good year to plan which is all part of the excitement and build up to it. Imagine being a kid and having a years worth of Christmas eves only to be told on the last one that Christmas was cancelled.

Thank you Lynda once it was taken out of our hands I felt much better actually. Tbh people going in May, I rally can't see the situation changing - and if it does I actually the holiday itself would be pretty stressful.
I'm writing off this year holiday day wise and hoping for 2021!