Disney Depression About This Page:

[TexasHeathers]

I'm devastated y'all. We are cancelling our trip. We were supposed to go Thanksgiving Week - adn my trip is paid for - all but 94 dollars. But, I can't come up with the spending money and I'm having to choose between the trip and Christmas thanks to Hurricane IKE!!!!

I am so mad. I'm mad and sad and depressed and just plain unhappy.

We had a big chunk of our holiday money put away - but all that was spent evacuating. Well, guess what - insurance, FEMA and all that crap does not pay anything on the cost of eating out every meal for days - or gas back and forth to wherever you went - or gas to run a generator for two freaking weeks etc etc.... so - that all pretty much depleted my Christmas fund - and so I need my Disney money in order to still have Christmas. My kids are too little to trade Disney for Christmas - and we have a really big holiday with a lot of family and they all come to my house - and I can't just blow Christmas for everyone.

I've considered every possibility - and I just can't figure out a miracle to save this trip. We are right now just praying the insurance money we get covers the damage to the house!! We have a deductible too - so that's another issue.

Ugh. Anyway - thought I'd whine to someone who would actually understand! I tried to tell my oldest son - he's 5 - that we were not going to be able to go - and he said he would be very sad if we couldn't go - and I said well - maybe we can do something else fun - and he said the only thing he wanted to do other than Disney was to go in a rocket ship and fly to the moon and visit God. Now, what am I supposed to say to that??? Good grief. I was speechless. I don't think I said anything intelligent in response to that statemente!!

So - I have the yucks. I need to go clean my house and stop moping around here. I was going in a Grand Gathering of 17 people!! One of my friends has cancelled as well - due to IKE. And my dad and stepmother also cancelled because he was affected by Gustav AND Ike and he's out of extra money. And, my mother - is so mad because we are not going and she already bought her airfare!! Sigh.

Heather

[HiddenMickey]

Sounds like you've made the best (and only) decision that makes sense. Sorry that you were forced to though!

Once you're past the Christmas holidays, you should start saving and working toward a future trip. It's not like WDW is going anywhere.....and it gives you something to look forward to.

[Joanne929]

I am truly sorry you won't be going this year and hope all the issues from Ike work out for you.
Disney World will be there for awhile, so maybe you can start saving for a future trip!

[Ransom]

Oh, how terrible! I'm so sorry you're having to cancel your trip.

When it rains, it really pours, doesn't it! Sometimes it seems you can't get a break.

I know what you're feeling about losing your trip, because we had planned to go to Disneyland for the first time in 20 years earlier this year. We were so excited. We had everything booked and paid for. Then, in January, DW started having some medical problems, and the costs started mounting. We had to cancel that trip, and it was heart-wrenching, especially because after all the medical treatments, DW sure could have used a vacation!

That said, I can't imagine how devastated you must be from the effects of the hurricane! I hope your insurance company comes through quickly for you. It sometimes seems as though they forget what a good customer you've been once you actually want to use the product they sold you! We'll be praying it's otherwise for you folks.

And, just like when we had to cancel our DL trip, keep in mind that it'll still be there when you're able to go. I know it's cold comfort now, but it's true! You will make it back to WDW, and you'll love every minute of it even more for having had this experience.

[jimmymac]

[wyomom]

So sorry Heather. Maybe in the next year or two then? Set up a tentative time frame for next time so that will give you something to look forward to. My thoughts are with you!

[bau8]

So sorry to hear you needed to cancel your trip. Maybe you could start a new family tradition for that week that helps get you ready for Christmas. Making a gingerbread house together, hand making some ornaments or family gifts or something like that.

[mousestruck]

I'm so sorry, Heather. I understand the cancellation is heart-breaking, but try to focus on all your blessings... and start saving again when you get back on your feet. As HiddenMickey said, Disney isn't going anywhere, and it never runs out of magic! WDW will be there when your family is ready.

[smilechaser]

Maybe you could pick up a part time job in the evenings or something, even if not in time to help with the trip but to help with Christmas $$. Alot of store hire holiday help. You'd be amazed how you can limit spending on a trip if you have to. I recently went on a small weekend trip. I left my debit card at home. (yeah, I realized when I was about 200 miles from home and checking in to the hotel, which thank goodness was already paid for!!!...LOL) Had $60 cash with me and a credit card which I am adament about not useing. (and didn't) There were 5 of us and we did it. Not as we would have with the debit card but we did it and still had a great time!

Maybe shorten the trip, check out cheaper resorts????

The nice thing about your kids being so young is that you don't have to tell them that you are cancelling, only rescheduling, they don't seem to have a great grasp on the concept of weeks/months at that age. And then definatly reschedule!! For you and your kids.

Another thought is at that young of an age they don't generally care if Christmas gifts are $2 a piece or $50 a piece, usually they are toys that they aren't playing with in 6 months anyway, maybe you could just cut down on gifts. I am sure your family will understand for the Christmas at your house too, sounds like they are in the same boat with all the hurricanes. Don't worry about "blowing Christmas for everyone" as you said, its about love and togetherness not what you can give financially. Your family would probably love homemade gifts just as well.

Just some ideas to throw out there. I am sure you have thought of them already. I know this is a hard time and if that is what you need to do then just look forward....reschedule...NOW! Start a countdown!!

We are here for you!!

Liz

[JoanneS]

I'm so sorry about your trip. But at least you'll have a great Christmas, right? Maybe you could tell your son that instead of cancelling the trip, you're just going to do it at a different time. Kids don't really have a good sense of time, so that might make him feel better. In the meantime, we'll all be sending good wishes your way.

[Luvsun]

I am so sorry that this has happened! There is nothing that can prepare you for the devastation of a hurricane. But - you must look at it another way. You were very diligent and you saved for not only a vacation (that you paid for) and you had Christmas funds saved ahead as well. You were able to tap into the Christmas funds to help you through a very tough time. You are way ahead of so many people!
I know it stinks that you have to give up your magical visit to WDW....but you are making the right decision for your family. Hopefully, you will be able to plan another trip in the future. Until then, we are here for you!

[tjslgs]

We have several family and friends who were also badly impacted by Ike. Take care and enjoy Christmas, the kids will eventually understand.

[JennyK]

I'm so sorry to read your post. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip. I hope you can reschedule in a relatively short amount of time.

[Bethann]

I am so sorry you had to cancel your family trip..... WDW will be waiting for you when you can make another planned trip.....

[MickeyLover704]

So sorry to hear about your trip.