I need cheering up--and opinions please [Archive] - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

idratherbeinwdw

11-08-2005, 05:13 PM

Well it looks like my trip to DLP is going to have to be postponed. The riots in the Paris area have my friend and I too scared to go there right now. We haven't cancelled yet, but it seems like the smart thing to do.

Is there anyone who thinks we should go anyway? Most of the rioting is property damage (fires, etc), only one person was killed. And I doubt there will be any trouble in DLP itself. But still, the thought of being so close to the craziness that is going on there now is very intimidating. If there were riots outside of Orlando I wouldn't go to WDW, so it makes sense to postpone this trip until it's calmer there. Anybody disagree?

The only good news is if we don't go there ARE resorts available at WDW, and we'll go there instead for my birthday. At least it won't be a total loss, but I'm very disappointed in my bad luck in timing this Paris vacation.

PoohsPal

11-08-2005, 05:18 PM

Mar' - From everything I've heard, the rioting is only in the places you wouldn't want to visit as a tourist anyway. I heard this morning that they are not discouraging travel to Paris due to that fact. If you are going straight from teh airport to DLP, I see know reason not to go.

If you are going to go sight seeing around Paris, with any chance that you'll be on your own and possibly get lost, then I think I'd reschedule.

:grouphug: SOrry that this is putting a damper on your trip!

cobbler

11-08-2005, 05:18 PM

HUGS!!! I don't really have any advice but if you do decide to cancel you are right, you can go to WDW instead.

mamaprincess

11-08-2005, 05:28 PM

Yikes :scary: I don't think I can advise you to go with complete confidence. Maybe visit DL in California instead. I'm so sorry these riots are happening. Do what you feel is best for you but definitely get a vacation in somewhere.

idratherbeinwdw

11-08-2005, 05:52 PM

Thanks to everyone for their quick and helpful replies.

I was thinking the same thing you were at first Carrie (pooh's pal), that since the bad stuff seems to be happening in areas I wouldn't be anyway, that it might not matter. We will have a native parisian friend of mine to show us around, so we won't get lost or go to anywhere we shouldn't accidentally.

But then I started thinking who knows where it will spread to? How can I sensibly leave my two kids to go off to a place that has so much unrest and possible danger? How do we know they won't attack our cab as it leaves the airport? Some of the towns very close to DLP have been affected by the rioters.

I am not usually one to panic, but there are so many unknowns, and on top of that I'll be in a strange country. Having my parisian friend along does help, but still, it's hard not to be nervous, and why go on a vacation feeling this anxiety? I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place--if I go and the riots effect my trip in any way I'll feel stupid having gone. If I don't go and all is peaceful by next week I'll feel stupid for having cancelled.

I think we are going to wait one more day to make the final decision, but the problem is even if things are calmer by tomorrow, who's to say they won't get wild again next week? Arrrrrghhh! As mamaprincess said I won't be able to go with complete confidence, so I am leaning towards not going at this time. Thanks for the hugs cobbler, and for the kind words from you mama and poohspal.

AFMom

11-08-2005, 05:58 PM

I've been following it a bit - and haven't seen anything regarding the airports - if you are going straight from the airports to the resorts, and then back - you'd most likely not see a bit of it - but then again - no one can say with any certainty what the future can bring anywhere anymore.
You definately have to do what you're most comfortable with - and don't want to be on vacation worried the whole time!
Hope your plans work out somehow!

PoohsPal

11-08-2005, 06:07 PM

But then I started thinking who knows where it will spread to? How can I sensibly leave my two kids to go off to a place that has so much unrest and possible danger? How do we know they won't attack our cab as it leaves the airport? Some of the towns very close to DLP have been affected by the rioters. [/color]
Very good points. :grouphug:

jiggerj

11-08-2005, 06:20 PM

Awwww...Mar- I know how much you have been looking forward to this! :hug:

I will echo what AFMom said and that is you definately have to do what you're most comfortable with.

Heres a few more :hug:'s and some :dust to help you- :)

lllovell

11-08-2005, 06:25 PM

I have mixed feelings about this. (not to mention my political feelings about it as well...which aren't appropriate here :) )

I believe that if you let people that do things like this effect you, then they win. They get what they want and have bullied the rest of us into it and I won't stand for being bullied if I have control over it.

I also feel like since you have someone that lives there, I might value their opinion over most of what you see in the tv and newspapers, etc because if Katrina coverage taught us anything, it is that the media loves a good "horror" story and will embelish anything for money.

Having children at home, I can also understand your concerns about intentionally putting yourself in harms way. I am sure it would be even more of a concern if your children were traveling with you.

Personally, I would go (unless the person you know in Paris says "we don't feel safe outside...don't come). I hope by the time you leave, it will be over with anyway and I believe that area's outside of the problem areas are safe. I guess I equate this to the riots in Los Angeles after the Rodney King trial. I don't believe those riots would have kept me from going to Los Angeles and they didn't keep me from being in Atlanta (where there was some unrest as well) because it was so isolated.

Good luck making such a hard decision.

Laura

DSNY FN

11-08-2005, 09:36 PM

If it were me I would still go and have a great time just and wear a Canadian flag patch people love us over there LOL. But seriously if you are going to be staying at the DLP hotel etc then I would still go you will be just fine.

jnrrt

11-08-2005, 09:48 PM

Hey Mar, I'm so sorry, I know this has been something you've really been looking forward to.

I think lllovell had a really good point about you friend there, though. I'd call and ask them what they think. Ask them if they feel unsafe. We had a sniper here for several months last year who was shooting at cars on the freeway, and my IL's were really scared to come visit. I knew that all the incidents had been in the same part of town, on the other side of the city from us, and nowhere near where they needed to be. In fact, they probably thought I was nuts since I never really thought about it much at all, and was very surprised at how much media attention it was getting outside of our city.

So the point is that your friend may have a much better sense of the risk, and could possibly be a big help in steering you in the right direction.

I hope it all works out, Mar.

idratherbeinwdw

11-08-2005, 11:33 PM

Thank you for the sympathy and the feedback, I really appreciate the everyone's support and the suggestions.

I agree with you Laura, it's probably going to be OK, and I shouldn't let this stop me. As long as my Parisian friend says it's safe I think we should go. We're going to wait until Saturday and see what it looks like then and make our final decision.

I needed to vent and hear your opinions and I want you to know it really helped me. Thanks again to all who responded. I'll keep you informed :goodvibes

jiggerj

11-08-2005, 11:47 PM

I needed to vent and hear your opinions and I want you to know it really helped me. Thanks again to all who responded. I'll keep you informed :goodvibes

Thats what friends are for! :grouphug:

kathyseb

11-09-2005, 12:03 AM

Mar'
Would you believe that you were the topic of our dinner conversation tonight?
We were talking about would we go if we were in your shoes.

After I did the dishes, I signed on and here was your post asking the very same question.

Our opinion was formed before I read your post. We would postpone.

And as you mentioned, you could still go to WDW.

There is just something about being a long long way from home and public unrest.

There will be another opportunity.
I agree with the other posters that you will probably be safe, but I would still back out.
Sorry.
Kathy :doublekis

mamaprincess

11-09-2005, 12:46 AM

France has declared a state of emergency. I am not sure about all of the implications of this but it doesn't sound lovely. Just be as informed as you can so you can make the best decision possible. Listen to your heart.

dianeschlicht

11-09-2005, 12:26 PM

I think you should listen to your Parisian friend most. Sometimes news reports make it sound like it's the whole area, when it is actually just a small spot. They will be closer to it and better able to give you good advice.

Good luck in making your decision! Oh, and if you go...Have a great trip!!!

withdisneyspirit

11-09-2005, 12:57 PM

:grouphug: What a tough decision. I agree with both sides, sorry, its that annoying Libran quality. I would lean heavily on the Parisian friend's opinion, but what does our country advise about Americans traveling to Paris? Can you go to some USA website about traveling abroad or call? Just a thought.

Good luck!

WDWSTAR

11-09-2005, 02:38 PM

I would go and have a great time, just stay in DLP only. And just remember, even though its not important as your lives but your points once you cancel will only be able to use at properties that are not DVC properties,so if you still want to go to wdw, you will have to stay at non dvc resorts, poly, GF and cont are nice resorts. Pixie dust to you in your decisions.

athenna

11-09-2005, 02:39 PM

Here's a hug and some pixie dust for you no matter what you decide :grouphug: :dust

idratherbeinwdw

11-09-2005, 03:14 PM

Wow, you all are the best, thanks so much for all hugs, pixie dust and the great advice!

My friend and I decided that we are going unless things get considerably worse between now and Tuesday. We are both street-wise New Yorkers, we feel we'll be able to recognize and avoid trouble if we see any. It's only one day in Paris, the rest of the trip is in DLP. I have been in contact with Bexx, and she was just there, got back yesterday. She said there was no trouble whatsoever, and you wouldn't even know there were problems if you didn't read the paper.

I did go to the France US Embassy site, and they say is it is not advisable to take the train from the airport to paris. As we were going to take a cab anyway that wasn't even an issue. They also said to stay out of the outlying neighborhoods (again no problem, we had no plans to go to any) and, if we see any, to avoid "large gangs", which of course is common sense.

Additionally, the troubles do seem to be abating, and although there has been a lot of property damage there has been only one fatality. Both of us suffered losses of people very close to us in this past year, and we have concluded that life is too short, one never knows what tomorrow will bring, and we don't want to postpone this trip. If things change for the worse of course we will rethink this, but I feel a whole lot better today, and so does my friend.

So I'll keep you all posted, but as of today it looks like DLRP here we come!

http://images.43things.com/place/00/01/f4/128095lr.jpg

jnrrt

11-09-2005, 06:37 PM

idratherbeinwdw

11-09-2005, 06:47 PM

I'm sorry, Mar, I'm just laughing at how helpful some of that advice is. "Avoid large gangs". I'm rolling.

And if the large gangs are also wielding cutlasses and have eye-patches be especially careful. And by the way, it's never a good idea to ask for directions from someone who is shouting obscenities and holding a gun. Just something to keep in mind.

ohh too funny, your letter has me LOL-ing at my desk here in my office! What about people with machetes and hand grenades, do you think they're safe to approach?

You reminded me of something someone on the "other" boards once pm'd to me. He claimed to have an "in" with the government and told me to "be careful around christmas". Gee that was a real help. No details as to what to be careful of, just this vague, ominous warning. When I asked for specifics he said he'd get back to me. This was months ago, and I have yet to hear anything at all. Sheesh, "be careful at christmas"! Maybe he was warning me not to overspend? Or not to cut myself with scissors when I wrapped gifts?

:bouncingc :crazy: :confused: :sosad: :idontgeti :p :holymoly:

Colorado Belle

11-09-2005, 09:12 PM

Hi Mar,
Sorry you've been in a turmoil all week over this...and I didn't even get to the web site to read about your angst til now.

I think you've made a sound decisioni. If you trust your ami en france, then let her be your guide. I think that when any of us host, we are even more conservative about our recommendations.

That, and I just don't think that in the World, you have cause to worry. I'm sure they will be stepping up security there...at DLP...and that you
ll most likely be safer than the rest of us stuck at home.

One caveat: if you have a bad feeling in your gut, a sense that something isn't right....then cancel. You know I love to travel. Back when DD was a freshman in college, I decided I should take her to Europe before sophomore year started. A week before the trip, I had bad feels...and we cancelled.
That was September, 2001. So do pay attention to your 6th sense, but if that isn't yammering at you..........GO ENJOY HAVE FUN

kathyseb

11-10-2005, 01:04 AM

Mar'
Have a great time. Be safe and give us a trip report when you return.

Happy Birthday :happybirt :birhdaypa :birthdayc :wizard:

idratherbeinwdw

11-10-2005, 03:10 AM

Aww shucks thanks Linda, I appreciate the support. And sure thing Kathy, I'll let everyone know about my trip, I'm getting really psyched!

jnrrt

11-10-2005, 03:18 AM

ohh too funny, your letter has me LOL-ing at my desk here in my office! What about people with machetes and hand grenades, do you think they're safe to approach?

You reminded me of something someone on the "other" boards once pm'd to me. He claimed to have an "in" with the government and told me to "be careful around christmas". Gee that was a real help. No details as to what to be careful of, just this vague, ominous warning. When I asked for specifics he said he'd get back to me. This was months ago, and I have yet to hear anything at all. Sheesh, "be careful at christmas"! Maybe he was warning me not to overspend? Or not to cut myself with scissors when I wrapped gifts?

:bouncingc :crazy: :confused: :sosad: :idontgeti :p :holymoly:

That's hilarious. I think it was definitely in reference to overspending. Or maybe getting a little too friendly with the egg-nog and then trying to haul packages down the stairs. Or being watchful of who you might bump into under the mistletoe - now there's one to be careful about!

I really do hope this works out for you. I know you really wanted to go, and I really want to live vicariously through you when you post the trip report! I don't think Paris is anywhere in my immediate future.

PoohsPal

11-10-2005, 01:14 PM

What about people with machetes and hand grenades, do you think they're safe to approach?

Gee, I'm just a country bumpkin, so I wouldn't know. Hope you street-smart folks can help with that one. :ROTFL:

Sounds like a good plan Mar'. This are a little better there. Hopefully, they will continue to improve. :dust:

mamaprincess

11-10-2005, 05:47 PM

Have a great trip and come straight back to us and tell all about it when you get back. Be safe.

dianeschlicht

11-10-2005, 05:56 PM

I predict you will have a marvelous time, and will write a stellar trip report! There, my soothsaying is done...Have a great trip!

jiggerj

11-10-2005, 06:18 PM

Have a great trip and come straight back to us and tell all about it when you get back. Be safe.

I CANT wait for this trip report, I love your trip reports! :) :)...lotsa pics o.k. Mar? You WILL have the best time ever...by the way do you speak any French? :)

idratherbeinwdw

11-10-2005, 11:55 PM

Heard from my parisian friend (who happens to be a he not a she Colorado B), and the riots are off the front page and things are getting better every day. So it looks like all systems go, woohoo, I am thrilled! I hope nothing changes between now and Tuesday, I can hardly wait.

Jigger J--No parle vous francais, but that's what's so cool about having a friend who is native to Paris, he speaks perfect English (and French LOL) and is going to be with us for the Paris portion of the trip and one day in DLP. And you can bet I;ll take a ton of pictures!

Diane--I like your predictions, and I hope we live up to them, and at this point I don't see why we won't!

Mama Princess, poohs pal and kathyseb--and everyone else who posted earlier, thanks a million for the good wishes and thoughts. It was terrific to be able to come here and get everyone's feedback and (when I needed it) sympathy. I can't wait to tell you all how it went.