October 2001 was supposed to be our chance to experience the Disney Cruise Line. We exchanged points for the 1-week Caribbean Cruise for our 4th Wedding Anniversary. Up until about three weeks before departure, we were excited about the trip. Then out of the blue, we both felt a strange feeling about going. Neither one of us could pinpoint exactly what bothered us but something seemed to be telling us both that we should reconsider the trip. Just thinking we were feeling the pre-vacation jitters and worrying about getting everything done, we tried to shrug it off.
Then September 11, 2001 and the tragedies of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon happened. Unsure of what the future would hold and coupled with our prior uncertainties, we ‘waffled’ back and forth on whether or not to go. We considered driving to the Cruise Line as the reports about 2-3 hours waits to get through security as well as the photos of people’s luggage being sifted through had us thinking it would not be a good idea to take an airplane at that time.
We were right down to the wire for cancellation penalties. If we canceled at 7-14 days before departure, we would only lose 50% of our points (only????). If we rebooked, we would not lose any. Unfortunately, the only time during 2002 in which we could rebook required 480 points. Outrageous! The Cruise Line was not willing to work with people, as DVC had been. So, as the 7 day mark approached, we debated what to do. Then, Karen ended up getting admitted to the hospital for a kidney stone! That settled it. We canceled! We realize that we gave up 145 points but we also didn’t feel comfortable given the circumstances. The remaining points that were returned to us could not be banked and could only be used for a Disney Collection hotel. So, in the end something good did come out of this in that we booked a very long weekend at the Grand Floridian for a Christmas/December vacation.
With a week’s vacation planned for each of us from our workplaces, we kept trying to decide what to do. Then on the Sunday before vacation was scheduled to start, we took a walk on the beach near our home. We both realized how much we enjoy the water and warm weather and how relaxing a beach vacation could be. That Monday Karen called Member Services and booked us into a 1-Bedroom at Hilton Head Island paying cash with a very good “Member Special” rate. This would be a place we could drive to, would have warm water and weather and allow us to do stuff or just to ‘veg out’. As opposed to Vero Beach, HHI would take us only a day and a half’s drive, allowing us a full half day more. Besides, we had never been to Hilton Head and decided it was high time! I did a little research on the ‘Net to find suggestions for placed to eat and things to do from the various sites hosting DVC trip reports. (www.Mouseplanet.com)