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Death in Family or Family Emergency While at WDW
- Thread starter coachb
- Start date
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Tickets are non refundable, but any remaining value can be applied to admission for a trip in the future. Cast Members at the Disney Travel Operations Center are best able to advise you on the next steps and options. They can be reached at 407-560-2428 between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm EST.
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
DW and I are discussing that situation now. My MIL was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer about 2 years ago and has gone through experimental treatments that have extended her life, but follow up tests now shows progression of her cancer. Her time looks to be running out. Our trip is scheduled for mid Oct. We have trip insurance.
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
This sounds terrible, but we've had that happen to us and we stayed, but only because there's been other family available to take care of things.
My grandfather died in 2016. He had been progressively going downhill for a while and we knew it could happen at any time. He basically wasn't with it for about a year before he passed. We were there for two weeks. My dad flew home for the funeral and came back; the funeral was being live streamed so we watched it from our room. My brother is autistic/disabled, so we thought it would be hard on him to go home and come back mid vacation, which is why my dad just went.
A friend of ours had his mother die while he was with us. Same thing, she'd been going downhill and hadn't known who they were for a long time. His sister came to take care of his parents/provide relief and told them if something happened to just stay and she would take care of it. Whelp, she passed two days before they were scheduled to come home.
My great aunt died in 2021 the morning I flew down. I had cousins taking care of funeral arrangements, so I wasn't concerned with getting home as there really wasn't anything I could do at home anyway. They had the funeral the day after I was scheduled to be back.
Now if there was an emergency where someone died suddenly, I don't know what we would do about that, but if we've known a family member isn't doing well, we've either ensured that other family can handle the situation until we return or we reschedule.
My grandfather died in 2016. He had been progressively going downhill for a while and we knew it could happen at any time. He basically wasn't with it for about a year before he passed. We were there for two weeks. My dad flew home for the funeral and came back; the funeral was being live streamed so we watched it from our room. My brother is autistic/disabled, so we thought it would be hard on him to go home and come back mid vacation, which is why my dad just went.
A friend of ours had his mother die while he was with us. Same thing, she'd been going downhill and hadn't known who they were for a long time. His sister came to take care of his parents/provide relief and told them if something happened to just stay and she would take care of it. Whelp, she passed two days before they were scheduled to come home.
My great aunt died in 2021 the morning I flew down. I had cousins taking care of funeral arrangements, so I wasn't concerned with getting home as there really wasn't anything I could do at home anyway. They had the funeral the day after I was scheduled to be back.
Now if there was an emergency where someone died suddenly, I don't know what we would do about that, but if we've known a family member isn't doing well, we've either ensured that other family can handle the situation until we return or we reschedule.
IF someone died that is close to me, I would not care in the least bit about my vacation, refunds or tickets, I would fly home and take care of what needed to be done, that is what a responsible person does. No way I could have fun at WDW, knowing about the death.
My best friends' Father died last week, I had only met him once in the 35 years of friendship, my friend said I dont have to go to the funeral, but I and my wife drove 2.5hrs each way to go. Not to blow my own horn or virtue signal, but that should be the norm, family and friends above all else.
My best friends' Father died last week, I had only met him once in the 35 years of friendship, my friend said I dont have to go to the funeral, but I and my wife drove 2.5hrs each way to go. Not to blow my own horn or virtue signal, but that should be the norm, family and friends above all else.
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Speak to Guest Relations or your Disney Resort hotel concierge, they are able to advise and assist on what options are available and assist with any travel adjustments
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
That's a nice thought. As someone who's had more deaths in the family than I would care to remember, and had it happen while on vacation...in most cases, there's absolutely nothing that you can do right after it happens*. You just sit around grieving. The people who are closest plan the arrangements and take care of everything. So you're either grieving at home...or grieving on vacation.
Obviously if someone super close dies unexpectedly (ex. a child's spouse is killed in a motorcycle accident) then that's different. If it were someone I was close to was seriously ill, I'd have cancelled before even going.
*Except in the case of some cultures that bury their dead quickly. My grandfather converted to Judaism, so he was buried very quickly. My dad went home for the funeral and came back. My brother and I weren't close to my grandfather, at all, which factored into the decision for the rest of us to stay.
Ayla
Well-Known Member
100%. I can't imagine missing a family member's funeral so I can continue having fun ay WDW.
THis , I’d be the same. I’d never be enjoying the vacation while a family member goes to funeral and back to vacation to join us.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
…this thread is heading to shutdown ville
jloucks
Well-Known Member
Shutdown ville? I'll speed up the process...
Old guy here. Lots of people dying around me now. It is what it is. It will be.
There is a new trend happening, and I like it a lot. It is a celebration of life ceremony. It is like a funeral, except it doesn't suck. You focus on how great the deceased life was and have a good time. ...does not work with premature deaths and kids of course. I'm kinda done with sad funerals for 70-year-olds. Come on, they rocked it for 70 years. Celebrate. You have time to be melancholy later. Until you too croak.
To address the op's question, I would base my skipping a funeral on these factors....
Indirectly related....
Now, I want to clarify the obvious difference between a funeral and end-of-life time. End of life time is super valuable. I would never take a vacation if my close loved one were on their death bed. I've made that mistake before. I have also played that right before. Shoot, hop 'em up on drugs and take them with you. My old friend died of mesothelioma not too long ago. She was high as a kite, but we went against doctors orders and went out to eat at her favorite restaurants until the last 3 days. I mean, what? Is it gonna kill her? She was terminal anyway, might as well have the lobster. Those were some of the most memorable meals of my lifetime. Word of wisdom... do not shy away from the dying. It is natural, it is inevitable. Be there for them then and worry less about the funeral.
Old guy here. Lots of people dying around me now. It is what it is. It will be.
There is a new trend happening, and I like it a lot. It is a celebration of life ceremony. It is like a funeral, except it doesn't suck. You focus on how great the deceased life was and have a good time. ...does not work with premature deaths and kids of course. I'm kinda done with sad funerals for 70-year-olds. Come on, they rocked it for 70 years. Celebrate. You have time to be melancholy later. Until you too croak.
To address the op's question, I would base my skipping a funeral on these factors....
- Who died?
- Child - Cancel everything and go, don't even think about it. It's gonna be a dumpster fire and they need you.
- Parent - Only skip if they sucked.
- Sibling - Only skip if you were not close
- Person you have not seen in over 5 years - skip
- Person you have not spoken with in over 1 year - skip
- How close to those in attendance?
- Are there lots of people that need your support?
- Skip if not a family member and support exists.
- Are those in attendance that are close to you, do they have others they are close to there too?
- If you have 11 siblings and they can all go, you can probably skip.
- What would the deceased have wanted?
Indirectly related....
Now, I want to clarify the obvious difference between a funeral and end-of-life time. End of life time is super valuable. I would never take a vacation if my close loved one were on their death bed. I've made that mistake before. I have also played that right before. Shoot, hop 'em up on drugs and take them with you. My old friend died of mesothelioma not too long ago. She was high as a kite, but we went against doctors orders and went out to eat at her favorite restaurants until the last 3 days. I mean, what? Is it gonna kill her? She was terminal anyway, might as well have the lobster. Those were some of the most memorable meals of my lifetime. Word of wisdom... do not shy away from the dying. It is natural, it is inevitable. Be there for them then and worry less about the funeral.
Why? Because forums members have different feedback? The OP from they say they sound like was planning to go back home mid vacation ( which I support ) if it was a family member of mine.
I remember when I was growing up, my parents would always leave a standing directive with other relatives not to tell them if anyone died while they were on vacation because as they put it, they were never going to get back in time to do anything and knowing about it would only ruin the vacation. Not sure its the best plan... but it does make some sense, especially if you are on a road trip.
Very well said .
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
This list clearly shows there are no cut and dry answer as to how guests would/ should respond. There are circumstances in every family that might sway the direction someone might go. There are many who would be harshly criticizing decisions made but they have no idea of the family dynamics or family history behind the decision to stay. Everyones family differs in relationships and how individuals were treated over the years. These choices have to be made at times and no one should be criticized by outsiders.
I don't agree with " how individuals were treated over the years " swaying on the decision to leave and attend services. I grew up in a tough love environment which made me into a very resilient member of society and regardless of how I feel I will still respect the fact that they are family and I will attend .
Vacationeer
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
WDW is often very kind when major family related issues pop up during a trip, it just can’t be counted on. If they decide to grant future credits for unused ticket days and room nights, flight changes and other reservations are outside their control. The credits might not even cover the equivalent in the future. There’s alot of guessing.
FWIW after doing a few WDW trips without insurance, we decided to keep skipping it. That worked out. We’ve since taken many more trips without issue. At this point the money saved not buying insurance is enough to cover the loss if our next trip is disrupted.
My fatherin-law’s age is catching up to him and because of that I did want to buy travel insurance for a long expensive international trip we took this year. I wanted the decision to be very easy - if anything happened - no guessing just cancel trip or return home. My husband did not agree. He liked never buying travel insurance. 2 or 3 days before the trip father ended up in hospital. Husband then bought insurance at 3 times the price. Ended up not needing it. Dad is now fine. Our trip went fine. There’s a lesson in there somewhere. I’m not sure for which one of us though
FWIW after doing a few WDW trips without insurance, we decided to keep skipping it. That worked out. We’ve since taken many more trips without issue. At this point the money saved not buying insurance is enough to cover the loss if our next trip is disrupted.
My fatherin-law’s age is catching up to him and because of that I did want to buy travel insurance for a long expensive international trip we took this year. I wanted the decision to be very easy - if anything happened - no guessing just cancel trip or return home. My husband did not agree. He liked never buying travel insurance. 2 or 3 days before the trip father ended up in hospital. Husband then bought insurance at 3 times the price. Ended up not needing it. Dad is now fine. Our trip went fine. There’s a lesson in there somewhere. I’m not sure for which one of us though
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
You also really can't judge unless you've been in the position of "uh oh, this happened and I'm not home." There's so many factors that go into the decision of whether or not to go home.
In the case of my parents' friends who ultimately decided to come even though they were pretty sure that his mother was going to pass (she ultimately did) she was an altzheimer's patient and they'd been caring for her for YEARS (both of his parents really), and that was the time that his sister could come take over so that they could have a break. She hadn't known who he was for years; they were more relieved than anything when it happened. I'm not judging. That's an incredible amount of stress, and that was their decision as a family to make (his sister outright told them to go as planned).
If you have kids, that's also a factor to consider. My brother is autistic, which was one of the factors we considered when my grandfather died; we didn't think he could handle going home and coming back, as well as just the emotion around the funeral.
Everyone has a situation that's different.