To cancel vacation? About This Page:

[kadterp]

That is the question. Why you ask? Let's just say we have had a very hard day today. Work is finally coming in, meaning Im finally earning money after none really coming in since June when the kids got out of school. Im not to thrilled that I wont be home when DD gets out of her first day of school and might have to depend on her to get her brother off the bus for I will be on the way home from my job. So there is that. There is the issue of missing DD audition date for the orchestra, yes granted I have another date set but would have preferred her to have it with the other kids. There is the issue of money for vacation (see above no work = no money). I am taking 4 classes for my BA degree that if all goes well I will be graduating next spring with my BA in Psychology, but I have to miss out one week on an intensive class that only lasts 7 weeks meaning I am going to be behind and have to bust my butt to catch up! DH's car needs fixing, my car needs new tires and a muffler, and there are the credit cards too (no work = no money). I tried to ask DH if we could cancel vacation because I am finally making money again and it is really needed now to pay off some things and get back on track again, but he isnt going with it. I know that if we cancelled we would lose out on some money but that money could be put towards paying off some bills and doing some improvements to the house that are needed. *sigh* Sorry everyone of it being so long, just not in the mood for Disney this year with other stuff breathing down my back. Id rather just stay home and do these things that are really needed to get done. If I do cancel, does Disney keep a one night deposit for the fee? I also think that the airplane tickets would be put on "credit" up to one year right?

[dnbaci]

Having been in your situation, I can offer 2 schools of thought:
1. Go on your vacation and have fun, because even if you do save the money from this trip, you will still be in debt anyhow, and when your drowning, what's one more bucket of water. The problems will be there when you get home.

2. Don't go, risk losing your room deposit (I think you can still get it back up to 2 weeks before but I am not sure-anyone know for sure)or see if Disney will apply it to a future vacation, change your plane tickets, and unless they have some weird restrictions, you should be credited for 1 year on those. And use the savings to pay off some debt.

I think the question you need to ask yourself is how much of a difference will this savings make in the big picture, and is it worth losing a vacation opportunity if the savings won't be a great impact. It is a hard call, I agree, and I don't wish that kind of problem on anyone.
And missing school, that could be the deciding factor for you- if you can make up the work/time missed or not. That you should check with your professors and find out if you would be able to do it. Good luck, I know this won't be an easy decision to make. [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

[AKLRULZ]

Well Kim, having just canceled a huge vacation myself for reasons drastically different than yours, I can tell you it stinks. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Think long and hard if this is what you really want to do before making the decision.

[jakenjess]

Kim,

I don't know the answers to the refund questions, but wanted to send you some pixie dust. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I know how difficult it is when financial burdens interfere with vacation plans. I wanted nothing more than to go back to Disney late this year or early next, but with the debt I'm looking at and some emergency home improvements we had to deal with this summer, that's not going to happen. I think I just wouldn't enjoy my vacation fully if I knew in my heart I shouldn't be spending the money or if I had to worry about every penny spent on vacation. Instead I've decided to concentrate hard on getting the financial house in order for the next year or so and try for a trip in late 2004 or early 2005.

Good luck with your decision making, and let us know how you're doing! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[All Ears]

I was in somewhat of a similar situation 5 years ago...
We had a trip planned to Hilton Head Island. I was then downsized from my job about 3 months prior to the trip. I was then without a good income for a little while... I then found 2 part time jobs, but the income factor was still not the same as before. It was very stressful, but in the end, we went.
I feel we made the right decision. Yes, the $ was tight. But the week away, spent with my husband by my side, did me a WORLD of good. I wanted to cancel, but my DH insisted we go.
I know every situation is different, and only YOU can know what is right for you & your family. We did less "expensive" things on that trip -- and just enjoyed more of one another's company. And you know what, it was one of our BEST vacations ever. It sure proved that $ does not = happiness! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Thoughts & prayers are with you as you make this tought decision.
Michelle

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Kim,

I'm right there with you [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] except I'm about to lose my job on September 5th and as of right now, Jean at YMJ has been unable to get an AP rate for us on any room for our time. We had already known that we wouldn't be able to stay at the YC concierge but are now questioning any vacation there at all without any discounts.

Now for your situation.... if I remember reading correctly you opted for FTP... did you get insurance on the package? With insurance I know it is possible to cancel up until a certain number of days without losing any money except what you paid for the insurance. If you didn't get the insurance and it is under X days, then you lose the one night deposit, and if it is under Y days, I forget what happens. (I'm looking for the post where it describes in detail the policy).

As you know only you can make the decision what is best for you and your family at this time. Go with whatever will work best for you. Good luck in making this tough decision.

Pam

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Kim - here's a link to some info about FTP from Jean when she was moderating the travel forum

Jean's FTP description

[HiddenMickey]

I'm going to come at you with another idea. I feel the weight of all you have to do and all the stress you have in your post. I too think that vacations can be beneficial and that you should probably vacation. But I'm thinking that maybe something other than WDW might be a better idea. Scale back your plan, spend less time away and less money.

Find out what you'll lose if you cancel your FTP package. Then decide whether you can live with losing that amount. Then start planning something
closer to home....a long weekend at a lake, a few nights at a B&B; something relaxing for all of you.

I just think you'll kick yourself if you miss all that class time and all those things that the kids need to do and spend all that money when there are things you need to spend it on at home.

Good luck with your decision. Hope I helped in some way. -HiddenMickey

[GATechGal]

I agree with Hidden Mickey. Scale back but don't add to all your stress with a big vacation. You sure don't want to spend all that money at WDW and not have the time of your life cause your too worried about all the stuff that's going on back at home. Work out a routine now, get through the holiday rush, and after the first of the year re-evaluate. Maybe a long weekend around MLK or President's day would be just the ticket. Then next year when everything's settled down again, you can replan. Keeping you in my thoughts. [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[kadterp]

Wow, thanks everyone with their words of wisdom and encouragement. What a great bunch! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I decided that I am going to go for it and go on vacation. I have already started getting a jump on my online classes (only one is really stressing me out) and hopefully I will be on schedule or ahead before I go. I think I went thru this same thing last year before I went on vacation so this just might be my pre-vacation jitters! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I guess that Im nervous about the kids starting school (one starts a new school and the other starts full time) and with me going back to school full time is added stress! When I look back when I went for my AS degree I wonder how I did 6 classes (one was an internship) and took care of the kids (one was just a baby then!). I have all the money pulled aside for vacation already and Im sure that we will be fine! Thanks for hearing me vent!

[jakenjess]

Good luck with your classes, and have a wonderful trip! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Great decision Kim! Have a snack for me at the YC concierge lounge!!!

Pam