Hurricane policy - DVC is waiving cancellation fees now for this week

[superfriend620]

Hi. We have a points trip booked to Grand Floridian Thurs-Monday for my daughters bday. American Airlines has already warned about possible flight issues. I called DVC and the kindest cast member explained their current Hurricane policy in place is to cancel point stays without incurring fees or loss. They will re bank and return borrowed point, those that can be, and others would expire at the end of the use year. She was kind enough to get creative with me on using some of the returned points in place of borrowed/banked points I have on a current Feb reservation. I haven't pulled the trigger just yet. My 6 year old is dying to go. Praying the storm loses steam, IT IS NOT Cat 3 when it makes landfall and for the safety of all in its path. The poor gulf coast has seen experienced enough loss.
She did say she didn't know how long DVC would have that offer open so to take advantage of it today or tomorrow in case they pulled it.

 

[TheHolleys87]

From which direction would you be coming, and how are you traveling? Flying from west of Florida on Thursday morning you should be okay, if Idalia doesn’t slow down. If driving from any direction, depending on extent of damage, you might run into closed gas stations or debris on the highways. Flying from the northeast, you’ll likely have a bumpy, delayed flight because you’ll have to go around the storm.

Or none of the above might be true - hurricanes are too unpredictable.

Here’s the latest NHC forecast track for the eye of the storm and timeline, and, as always, is subject to change. The latest advisory says tropical storm force winds currently extend up to 160 miles from the center.

I’m sorry you have to make this decision.

 

[superfriend620]

From which direction would you be coming, and how are you traveling? Flying from west of Florida on Thursday morning you should be okay, if Idalia doesn’t slow down. If driving from any direction, depending on extent of damage, you might run into closed gas stations or debris on the highways. Flying from the northeast, you’ll likely have a bumpy, delayed flight because you’ll have to go around the storm.

Or none of the above might be true - hurricanes are too unpredictable.

Here’s the latest NHC forecast track for the eye of the storm and timeline, and, as always, is subject to change. The latest advisory says tropical storm force winds currently extend up to 160 miles from the center.

I’m sorry you have to make this decision.

View attachment 80824

Thank you! Flying from Texas so I think we are going to be OK. We left our reservation in hopes it would keep move and blow by. So far so good!

 

[TheHolleys87]

Thank you! Flying from Texas so I think we are going to be OK. We left our reservation in hopes it would keep move and blow by. So far so good!

I’m glad you didn’t cancel. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[superfriend620]

It was a wonderful weekend AND FRIDAY Magic Kingdom was EMPTY! Got rained on but had a blast.

 

[mdurette]

It was a wonderful weekend AND FRIDAY Magic Kingdom was EMPTY! Got rained on but had a blast.

Excellant! Glad you had a great time! We were there all last week and it was pretty much a non event. A few downpours. We find the week a great one due to low crowds all the time. Friday was the Halloween party too, so many people don't go to MK because of the early close. But, 2nd time returning with Mouse Covid so will now rethink next year and plan the week before (which is still low crowds). Runs havoc since too close to school starting.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Excellant! Glad you had a great time! We were there all last week and it was pretty much a non event. A few downpours. We find the week a great one due to low crowds all the time. Friday was the Halloween party too, so many people don't go to MK because of the early close. But, 2nd time returning with Mouse Covid so will now rethink next year and plan the week before (which is still low crowds). Runs havoc since too close to school starting.

What's mouse Covid? Are they making guests wear masks again?

 

[TheHolleys87]

What's mouse Covid? Are they making guests wear masks again?

I think they just mean they came down with Covid and believe they caught it at WDW, which is entirely possible.

Covid is now one of the diseases people can come home with, like influenza, the common cold, and other respiratory diseases.

 

[superfriend620]

Excellant! Glad you had a great time! We were there all last week and it was pretty much a non event. A few downpours. We find the week a great one due to low crowds all the time. Friday was the Halloween party too, so many people don't go to MK because of the early close. But, 2nd time returning with Mouse Covid so will now rethink next year and plan the week before (which is still low crowds). Runs havoc since too close to school starting.

Oh shoot. Sorry to hear that. We all came home ok this time. Likely because we got covid in July after our week in Marco Island. Maybe still have some immunity

 

[dioxide45]

We will be there for a couple days in a few weeks. Hope the crowds stay low.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

We will be there for a couple days in a few weeks. Hope the crowds stay low.

If it's Columbus Day week then it's unlikely you will encounter low crowds. That has been an extremely popular week lately, due to the confluence of milder weather than the summer, halloween season, and only having to pull kids out of school for 4 days instead of 5. Any week other than that though and I'd say your odds are good.