Bummed about upcoming AP expiration on August 11th

[MissM]

Our passes expire on August 11th. This makes me very sad. We've been Passholders several years in a row now. (First Seasonal and then last year we upgraded to a full Annual for the first time ever.)

We were going to renew on the monthly payment plan. But then I got sick, went to the hospital, found out I need surgery and am on forced unpaid medical leave. With $10,000 in bills and a few thousand more I have to pay in the coming months PLUS being down my income, I don't have the one day's ticket price downpayment right now. (About $200 for two tickets.) The monthly isn't a big deal but the downpayment...ugh. That's another story right now.

So I'm completely bummed. Disney has been one highlight for me during all this and being able to escape for an afternoon and stop thinking about everything going on and stop worrying about my medical issues and stop stressing about procedures and bills and doctor appointments has been such a lifesaver.

Anyway, just sad. And of anyone, I know fellow WDW fans would understand. Being a little over an hour away, and being Passholders for the last few years, I've just kinda taken it for granted we could head out for the day whenever we want. So to know not only will we not be able to but that I don't know when we will be able to...it's sad. I don't want to miss Halloween or Christmas at Disney this year but I just don't know when I'm going to have the money.

 

[SleepingMonk]

Think of it as a chance to regroup and recharge your WDW batteries.

When you do go back, it will be all the sweeter.

And always remember...this too shall pass.

 

[Rowdy]

Think of it as a chance to regroup and recharge your WDW batteries.

When you do go back, it will be all the sweeter.

And always remember...this too shall pass.

I agree with this.

Maybe take the absence from WDW as a blessing in disguise. Take care of yourself, and focus on getting healthy. Then when all the waters settle and you can finally enjoy it again, it'll be an incredibly good time. Plus, it will give you a goal to reach, and give you motivation to get through everything.

 

[MissM]

Yeah I get what you're saying...it's just hard right now because I have so very little fun in my life and nothing to look forward to and without our passes, I can't even escape out to the parks for a day.

I just sit around at home right now because my job won't let me work until the doctor certifies I'm 100%. (Even though I'd be able to come back on light duty while I'm in treatment waiting for surgery.) It's a lot of long, boring, lonely days right now.

 

[jlevis]

MissM, I feel your pain. I had my second cancer surgery last week. When we got the news that the biopsy was positive the first words out of my mouth were, "screw it, we're going to Disney." In large part, we can do it because of our AP's. Making the plans, getting the ADR's, rental car etc. were all therapeutic. You are in a tough place but you can use it to heal. Focus on getting well physically and financially. Break things into manageable bits and take them on one at a time. Small victories add up and in no time you'll be back in the parks. You're lucky that you live in Florida where you can get an AP on a monthly payment plan. Good luck, we're all pulling for you.

 

[MissM]

MissM, I feel your pain. I had my second cancer surgery last week. When we got the news that the biopsy was positive the first words out of my mouth were, "screw it, we're going to Disney." In large part, we can do it because of our AP's. Making the plans, getting the ADR's, rental car etc. were all therapeutic. You are in a tough place but you can use it to heal. Focus on getting well physically and financially. Break things into manageable bits and take them on one at a time. Small victories add up and in no time you'll be back in the parks. You're lucky that you live in Florida where you can get an AP on a monthly payment plan. Good luck, we're all pulling for you.

Ugh...I'm so sorry to hear about your cancer returning. My thoughts are with you that this is the last time you ever get that biopsy news again. I truly hope you stay cancer free from here on out.

But yeah...it's like it's therapeutic to get away for the day and stop thinking about all of this medical aggravation. And it's just so scary how quickly things can change. In 2010, we were all at our best friend's house for Love's birthday party. One week to the day later, he was having emergency surgery to try to repair his ruptured aorta and eventually passed away without ever regaining consciousness. It was so hard to deal with how sudden it was and how it turned my whole world upsidedown basically overnight.

In a lot of ways, since this all started, I feel similar. Like everything is topsy-turvey and I'm being carried along out of my control. Seems like it's never going to end.

Anyway, thank you for your support and thoughts. If there's been one positive during all this, it's definitely the positive comments and kindness I've received from pretty much everyone. And that really does mean a lot.

 

[Nemo14]

I can't help you out about the passes, but I can offer you a ((hug)). :kiss:

 

[MissM]

I can't help you out about the passes, but I can offer you a ((hug)). :kiss:

Thanks, that really does mean a lot so many people have been so kind through this (never ending) medical ordeal.

 

[tizzo]

I know this isn't going to be much help, but I found this blog a while back, might have been in these very forums in fact, about creative ways to "save" your way to Disney. Some of the things she talks about involve joining online programs that let you earn a few dollars here and there doing certain activities on the computer, like taking surveys.

It's not going to let you keep your APs, much less pay off your medical bills, but it could offer a way to be productive and escape your thoughts during those times when you're currently doing nothing at all. It might even give you the opportunity to track progress towards your triumphant return to Disney rather than sitting around waiting for it to happen.

http://www.couponingtodisney.com/

 

[MissM]

I know this isn't going to be much help, but I found this blog a while back, might have been in these very forums in fact, about creative ways to "save" your way to Disney. Some of the things she talks about involve joining online programs that let you earn a few dollars here and there doing certain activities on the computer, like taking surveys.

It's not going to let you keep your APs, much less pay off your medical bills, but it could offer a way to be productive and escape your thoughts during those times when you're currently doing nothing at all. It might even give you the opportunity to track progress towards your triumphant return to Disney rather than sitting around waiting for it to happen.

http://www.couponingtodisney.com/

Interesting! I already do some surveys and such but additional ways of finding little incentives are always welcome. Thanks for thinking of me.

 

[devoy1701]

MissyM, I'm going to look at the optimistic side of things for you and say now is as good as time as any to let your passes lapse. We did so back in February and while we get an urge and say "we should go to WDW this weekend," we've held strong. The $550-700 (depending on Seasonal or Regular) could be better spent elsewhere for ourselves and you guys as well this year.

We've been passholders for 5 years and have experienced everything so much that we're looking forward to building some excitment for a return with new offerings for when we finally decide to get passes again (updated HM queue, Fantasyland...hopefully a new parade and scavenger hunt in MK...and I hope even more than that, but we'll have to wait and see what D23 might bring us).

 

[MissM]

Got an email today saying the passes expire in 15 days. For the heck of it, I clicked through to see what the renewal cost would actually be. Florida residents can renew on a monthly payment plan (which I knew) but turns out, when they do, there isn't a down payment. (which I didn't know.)

Normally, it's the cost of a 1-day ticket down and then $27/month.

Annual Pass
Adult 10 and Older
Total Price: $414.29
Down Payment: $90.53
Monthly Payment: $26.98

But because you save $37/ticket on the renewal, you no longer have a down payment and instead just have a slightly higher monthly payment.

Renewal Annual Pass
Adult 10 and Older
Total Price: $377.01
Down Payment: $0.00
Monthly Payment: $31.42

So FYI to any Florida Residents who might be coming up for renewal, there is NO down payment on your renewal tickets.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

As long as you renew within 30 days. They will let you renew (guest services has that power) but you can't do the monthly payments. We learned that the hard was recently.

Glad to hear you may be able to keep your passes!

 

[MissM]

As long as you renew within 30 days. They will let you renew (guest services has that power) but you can't do the monthly payments. We learned that the hard was recently.

Glad to hear you may be able to keep your passes!

There comes to be a point where it's not worth it to renew since if you do it too late you're just losing time on the backdating of the expiration date.

But it certainly was a pleasant surprise to find out on renewals you don't have to put the 1-day ticket cost down. Love said to go ahead and renew on the payment plan even though it's not "smart" financially right now.

Hey, if you can't sometimes use your credit card for a little splurge, what's the point of living? Now and then you just have to do something nice for yourself. Life's too damned short to keep putting things off and waiting for things to be perfect.

 

[jlevis]

Glad you are keeping your passes. Sometimes you just have to be nice to yourself.

 

[MissM]

Glad you are keeping your passes. Sometimes you just have to be nice to yourself.

Thanks, me too. I know there are "better" things to spend money on but with the no downpayment and the monthly payment option, it's not a huge investment at one time. And this way, it gives me something to continue to look forward to and an escape when this medical crap gets to be too much.

 

[jlevis]

And this way, it gives me something to continue to look forward to and an escape when this medical crap gets to be too much.

I hear you there. Went to the oncologist yesterday and got a clean bill of health. We're going to "observe", that is do CT scans every 3 months. I could have opted for chemo once a week for 6 months but I said, I'm cancer free so why treat what isn't there. She agreed.

Good luck!!!

 

[MissM]

I hear you there. Went to the oncologist yesterday and got a clean bill of health. We're going to "observe", that is do CT scans every 3 months. I could have opted for chemo once a week for 6 months but I said, I'm cancer free so why treat what isn't there. She agreed.

Good luck!!!

Good luck to you too! My sister is 3 years cancer free from her breast cancer so I know how anxious it can be going in for those scans!! Thank goodness my tumors are benign. (Still major surgery but not cancerous. And that's a huge relief.) I go back in August 16th for another ultrasound to check on the size of my tumors to see if we can schedule the surgery yet or not. If we're good, it'll probably be September. If not, we may have to wait another month and check again. All the waiting is brutal. So ready for it to be over and done with, you know?

But hey, at least I can look forward to Disney again whenever I want and need that escape. Gives me something positive to think about.