School moved our graduation into the middle of our trip! About This Page:

[Nalla]

The plan was to walk for graduation then later that week head to Disney. Then school moved graduation onto the second day of our trip. Plane tickets are bought and not refundable.

I'm a little torn up. I don't want to lose $200, but my parents want me to walk for graduation. I personally didn't want to walk.
My roommate is going on the trip and we should be graduating together. I talked to her about it and she said given the option of Disney or walking she chooses Disney. Again though, her parents aren't pleased.

I honestly don't think there's a good answer here. I'm just really frustrated with how this turned out.

[Her Dotness]

That's a really nasty situation, Nalla. I'm guessing this is a high school graduation?

If it's college, not such a big deal, I don't think. I didn't do my undergrad graduation. The school mailed diplomas to anyone not attending the ceremony.

Unfortunately, that's the drawback of non-refundable plane tickets. If you have something happen like a family emergency just as you're about to go, you pretty much have to bite the bullet and lose a wad of money.

While I have a feeling you won't welcome this idea, I think it advisable to please your parents. They've put a LOT of money and support into getting you to this point in your life. A graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, and when it's high school, that's a big milestone as far as parents are concerned. Disney can be re-scheduled, and you'll likely have lots of chances in the future to do Disney. Your parents are the only parents you've got.

[Nalla]

It's actually college. Our parents are still really into it though. To me it's not a big deal, like you said I'm perfectly happy getting a diploma in the mail.
My mom is probably insistent because I didn't do HS graduation either. Also we're both the first to go to college in our families.
Hopefully our parents will end up ok with our decision. It's just a crappy situation :/

I think either way we'll need to talk it over more with them. After all, they kind of do have a stake in the graduation thing seeing as how much help I needed to get through college.

[Her Dotness]

Originally Posted by Nalla

It's actually college. Our parents are still really into it though. To me it's not a big deal, like you said I'm perfectly happy getting a diploma in the mail.
My mom is probably insistent because I didn't do HS graduation either. Also we're both the first to go to college in our families.

I meant to ask if you might be the first in your family to graduate college. In that case, I think you definitely ought to reschedule the trip and do graduation, particularly when you didn't do HS.

I think either way we'll need to talk it over more with them. After all, they kind of do have a stake in the graduation thing seeing as how much help I needed to get through college.

Yep, and likely much more so emotionally because you're the first in the family to achieve college graduation.

No question, I'd say, do the graduation. A person doesn't get that many obvious chances to give your parents some payback for all their dedication to giving you opportunities enabling you to have a better life than they may have had, support-wise as well as financially.

[Flipped]

Do graduation. It sucks to lose money but the folks will be happy to see you there.

Is it possible that they might help out with the lost cash if you walk?

[Nova]

It is a real bummer for sure, how do your parents feel about the cost of loosing the airfare? If it is not a problem to loose the money and you can change the date for the trip your walking is a one time thing you can only do now, Disney is something that will be there. We only had 1 that went to collage, she walked in both HS and collage, our Son walked for HS he was the first in the family to graduate our other Son and Daughter did not want to walk and we didnt make them. Guess you and your parents will have to decide . Hope it all turns out well for you.

[Nalla]

We're looking into moving the plane tickets. We just booked them, looks like we can waive most of the fee through United if we do it today.

[Disney Dork]

Good luck. I hope you can change your tickets. Graduation is an important moment for parents. Can you still go to Disney if you change your tickets by a couple of days?

[Carousel96]

Personally, I think you should walk. College graduation is an accomplishment. If you're the first in your family to graduate, you really need to be there. Do it for your parents if not for yourself.

As a parent, I don't know why we make such a big deal of high school graduations -- invite half the world, huge parties, etc. Yet college graduations, which are more rare and represent more personal accomplishment, get shoved to the side and treated as no big deal.
I expect my daughter to graduate from HS and I expect her to do well. I don't expect to brag to the world about it.
Off my soapbox now...

[Pax]

Originally Posted by Her Dotness

I meant to ask if you might be the first in your family to graduate college. In that case, I think you definitely ought to reschedule the trip and do graduation, particularly when you didn't do HS.

This. Seriously, it will mean SO MUCH to the OP's parents to see their son/daughter walk up and accept their diploma. So very, very, very much.

Disney world isn't going anywhere - but this Graduation is a once in a lifetime thing. I'm sorry the plane tickets will be a loss, but, the graduation is just that much more important.

[num1DVCfan]

Originally Posted by Nalla

We're looking into moving the plane tickets. We just booked them, looks like we can waive most of the fee through United if we do it today.

I hope the plane change worked out for you. I walked across stage with my undergrad, but skipped it when I got my MBA. My mom was really disappointed she couldn't see me walk a second time, but is still walking about her proud moment seeing me cross the stage with my Bachelor's degree. It's a big deal to parents, even if it's not a big deal to us.

[njsmama]

First of all, Congratulations on your accomplishment! I know you put a lot of hard work into your achievement.
I think you should walk the line...you both have made your parents so very proud. Hopefully you can get those plane tickets moved around, still take your trip and your parents will have the pleasure of seeing you walk the line! Let us know how it went with United!

[HiddenMickey]

I hope you guys moved your tickets and rescheduled your stay.
To be the first to graduate from college is a big deal and your family deserves to see you walk the stage. Congratulations!

[Nalla]

We had to pay change fees which were pricey, but we got it moved.
Still have to move Disney and ADRs etc but first step we got done.

[Nalla]

Looks like we'll be going to disney the morning after graduation. Everybody wins (except our wallets lol).

Also my roomie and I are bringing our caps and gowns to get graduation pictures taken in front of the castle