What happens if you have to cancel a trip (last minute) for medical reasons???

[Disnee4Me]

Originally, my DH & two DSs were planning to visit the world this past Christmas (would have arrived on the 20th --- my birthday). However, financially, we couldn't swing it, but if we had, we would have had to cancel because on December 13th, my husband was brought via ambulance from Stamford, CT to NYU Medical Center as he had an anuerysm that ruptured (had surgery on the 17th and is now doing well). So, in that type of situation, would you be fully refunded? The only positive of this (besides his life being saved) is that as we pay down our medical bills (got one bill already), I'll be earning lots of Disney $$$ and could probably have a free trip December 2014.

 

[Master Yoda]

Quite honestly it depends on the CM you talk to. If they follow the letter of the law then you will loose your $200 deposit. If you have travel insurance you could possibly recover that $200 depending on the policy.

I however have never seen Disney do this when it was a medical emergency.

In my personal case my mother had a seizure on the night my wife and I were supposed to leave for a weekend trip. I called Disney of the way to the hospital and they refunded me in full.

When I was a Disney TA I have a few clients with cancellations due to medical reasons and all of my clients were refunded in full.

 

[smk]

Originally, my DH & two DSs were planning to visit the world this past Christmas (would have arrived on the 20th --- my birthday). However, financially, we couldn't swing it, but if we had, we would have had to cancel because on December 13th, my husband was brought via ambulance from Stamford, CT to NYU Medical Center as he had an anuerysm that ruptured (had surgery on the 17th and is now doing well). So, in that type of situation, would you be fully refunded? The only positive of this (besides his life being saved) is that as we pay down our medical bills (got one bill already), I'll be earning lots of Disney $$$ and could probably have a free trip December 2014.

Glad to read that your husband is doing well! We had a similar situation in 2007, a month or so before we were to fly out my husband had emergency open heart surgery. His surgeon did not want to clear him to go so we had to cancel at the very last minute, like the day before we were to arrive. They gave back every dime, I never expected that, I thought they would keep all if not some of. I was very grateful.

 

[BigTxEars]

Not much to add but glad he is OK, had a co worker almost leave us this year with the same thing. Scary stuff indeed. Also good to hear that Disney takes care of people, I would agree it depends not the rep you speak too. I spoke to two today (on a much less serious matter) and the second was light years ahead of the first in her ability to help me.

 

[docdebbi]

from what i can tell, Disney is very accomodating if you have a legitimate issue.
we have been delayed due to blizzards and hurricanes- the weather hates us.
every time, disney refunded both the room (we do room ony reservations) and prepaid meals- like hoop de doo and CRT.
AND, what i never knew until several trips into this, they give major discounts on rooms if you arrive early to avoid - say, a hurricane- or are stuck there extra because of one
praise the Lord, never had a medical emergency change, but i do not doubt they are as flexible.

 

[luv]

Disney was WONDERFUL when I had to cancel the night before I was to arrive. When you have a medical emergency in the family, you tend to suck up financial losses much better because you have bigger problems.

But I have to say that Disney was the one and only good thing on that horrible day. They helped me out, didn't make me list everything off (all the ADRs, dinner shows, etc.) and even extended their wishes for my family member's recovery. Even in my state of worry, I appreciated how well they handled it.

It meant a lot. I never forgot it.

 

[DisneyJoe]

- if you have airfare, the refunding of that cost is between you and the air carrier, Disney has nothing to do with that, I believe even if you purchased the air via the Walt Disney Travel Company - however, if you have travel insurance, that can help you cover the air cost for a covered reason.

- the cost of the travel insurance is never refundable. So even if Disney did refund you all of your money, it would be minus the cost of the insurance.

- Walt Disney World is very good in allowing you to reschedule your trip.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I'm glad he's okay!

Next time, consider buying travel insurance that will cover the non-refundable portions of your trip in the event that someone is unable to travel. We typically get it through Travel Guard, which is inexpensive (considering the amount it covers) and has plans available with a liberal vacation cancellation policy. (Google them and you can get a quote.)

 

[wendysue]

Quite honestly it depends on the CM you talk to. If they follow the letter of the law then you will loose your $200 deposit. If you have travel insurance you could possibly recover that $200 depending on the policy.

I however have never seen Disney do this when it was a medical emergency.

In my personal case my mother had a seizure on the night my wife and I were supposed to leave for a weekend trip. I called Disney of the way to the hospital and they refunded me in full.

When I was a Disney TA I have a few clients with cancellations due to medical reasons and all of my clients were refunded in full.

Last year, when my husband suffered a ruptured colon and had emergency surgery, I had to cancel within a couple weeks of the trip and they said they were sorry, but I would have to pay the 200.00 deposit. I was too distraught at the time, or I would have realized that I should just reschedule for a later date and then cancel in a few days.

 

[bethram]

Travel insurance is great. When we had to cancel our trip in October for not medical reasons, we were able to reschedule it for a later date and rolled our trip insurance and deposit over to the new date and got the rest of our money back.

 

[Marijil]

So happy to hear he is doing ok...that's amazing...
don't know much about the cancellation policies but I was forced to go for blood work and pharmacy while there in WDW X mas week and I can tell everyone that Celebration Health and Wellness is easy to get to, unbelievable facility with extremely nice and accommodating staff