Shifting DC

[Simon & Suzann]

We are booked in to DC for Aug 29th. Aug holiday isn't going to happen, i work in the medical field and research so will be surprised if this has all fully passed by the end of the year tbh. Then once all cleared it's going to be a long time getting the world back on its feet. We have decided to cancel what we can for free and start shifting things or getting refunds if possible on other things.
I know there is a slight chance things will be open and running, but just to be clear before i get replies about holding on and hopefully going, i work in the medical field and in particular with research and cell imaging.
Our instruments are key in diseases, vaccines etc. Our test instruments are being flown everywhere around the world to hopefully get a vaccine for this terrible disease (yes there is no vaccine which is the scary part). This will not be fully cleared anytime soon and there is no way i will risk travelling somewhere where mutli nationalities will be. I'm not being xenophobic in anyway at all but some countries may still have it lingering about due to different climates, different healthcares and policies etc etc

So i mailed DC about getting a refund and had the following reply:

"Dear Simon,

Thank you for contacting Discovery Cove –

We have enhanced our rebooking policy so that you can shift any reservations you’ve made through April 30th, 2020 to a future date through December 31, 2021. You will be able to keep the same rate you originally paid and there will be no change fees or penalties.

In addition to this enhanced policy, Discovery Cove will upgrade your reservation to include a Discovery Photo Package ($229 Value) on your reservation valid through December 31, 2021.

Please email us back with your requested date change.

Sincerely,

Louise | Guest Relations"

Great response as a trip next year will be on the cards. However i'm a bit confused on the through April 30th bit. Does that mean only bookings up to April 30th can be moved?
I have replied asking to clear it for me but awaiting a response.

[mandco]

I think its down to the fact they are allowing changes for free on bookings within 30 days anything outside that is currently still subject to the usual cancellation terms.

We have tixs for dc in may via a 3rd party and they said if we cancel before 30 days we will get a full refund as per the normal terms. If we wait till we are under 30 days Dc are saying we will lose the full amount unless our dates become covered by any restrictions in which case they will allow us to reschedule for free but we would have to wait till we are within the 30 days to be able to do that.

[Simon & Suzann]

Originally Posted by mandco

I think its down to the fact they are allowing changes for free on bookings within 30 days anything outside that is currently still subject to the usual cancellation terms.

We have tixs for dc in may via a 3rd party and they said if we cancel before 30 days we will get a full refund as per the normal terms. If we wait till we are under 30 days Dc are saying we will lose the full amount unless our dates become covered by any restrictions in which case they will allow us to reschedule for free but we would have to wait till we are within the 30 days to be able to do that.

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I didn't think to just cancel it and get a full refund as hadn't really looked at the terms and conditions.
Cheers

[Ritz]

I've emailed them yesterday to get a refund for our May booking.
How long did it take for them to respond?

[deek72]

Seems it's just the airlines who are being obstructive now regarding re-booking.

[deek72]

Originally Posted by Simon & Suzann

We are booked in to DC for Aug 29th. Aug holiday isn't going to happen, i work in the medical field and research so will be surprised if this has all fully passed by the end of the year tbh. Then once all cleared it's going to be a long time getting the world back on its feet. We have decided to cancel what we can for free and start shifting things or getting refunds if possible on other things.
I know there is a slight chance things will be open and running, but just to be clear before i get replies about holding on and hopefully going, i work in the medical field and in particular with research and cell imaging.
Our instruments are key in diseases, vaccines etc. Our test instruments are being flown everywhere around the world to hopefully get a vaccine for this terrible disease (yes there is no vaccine which is the scary part). This will not be fully cleared anytime soon and there is no way i will risk travelling somewhere where mutli nationalities will be. I'm not being xenophobic in anyway at all but some countries may still have it lingering about due to different climates, different healthcares and policies etc etc

So i mailed DC about getting a refund and had the following reply:

"Dear Simon,

Thank you for contacting Discovery Cove –

We have enhanced our rebooking policy so that you can shift any reservations you’ve made through April 30th, 2020 to a future date through December 31, 2021. You will be able to keep the same rate you originally paid and there will be no change fees or penalties.

In addition to this enhanced policy, Discovery Cove will upgrade your reservation to include a Discovery Photo Package ($229 Value) on your reservation valid through December 31, 2021.

Please email us back with your requested date change.

Sincerely,

Louise | Guest Relations"

Great response as a trip next year will be on the cards. However i'm a bit confused on the through April 30th bit. Does that mean only bookings up to April 30th can be moved?
I have replied asking to clear it for me but awaiting a response.

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I'm a little uncertain too. My DC day is booked for 8 Sept 2020 but I made the reservation in Dec 2019.
So does the 30 April cut off apply to experience dates or the date the reservation was made?

[Simon & Suzann]

Originally Posted by Ritz

I've emailed them yesterday to get a refund for our May booking.
How long did it take for them to respond?

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Very quick to be fair, i'm sure it was the same day. I haven't mailed back to cancel yet though as we are weighing up the option to move it to next year with the photo package thrown in. I'm a sucker for a freebie or good deal

[mandco]

Originally Posted by deek72

I'm a little uncertain too. My DC day is booked for 8 Sept 2020 but I made the reservation in Dec 2019.
So does the 30 April cut off apply to experience dates or the date the reservation was made?

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it covers the 30 days before the date you are due to go if those dates are still covered by coronavirus restrictions - if you are outside that time frame the normal terms/fees for cancellation/rebook apply

Anyone due to go in April will have the option to rebook or defer with the extras offered anyone travelling may on wards can either cancel and get a refund or wait and see if their dates become included.

[Simon & Suzann]

Originally Posted by mandco

it covers the 30 days before the date you are due to go if those dates are still covered by coronavirus restrictions - if you are outside that time frame the normal terms/fees for cancellation/rebook apply

Anyone due to go in April will have the option to rebook or defer with the extras offered anyone travelling may on wards can either cancel and get a refund or wait and see if their dates become included.

See more...

Thanks for that. No photo package for us then lol

[Xenna16]

My visit was supposed to be in May, booked last year during the Black Friday offer. Since I do not feel comfortable talking English on the phone (not my native language), and still was before the 30 day mark, I wrote an e-mail to them asking if could cancel and be refunded.
In their answer, I was also offered to reschedule to a day of choice until December 31, 2021 without any surcharge plus the photo package for free. They told me I dont have to decide on a specific day right now and could rebook when I know my new date.