Time to start thinking about cancelling...

[AntonyJ]

Now at the 39 days before travel and while there has been some movement on COVID restrictions in Japan (returning nationals, some students and business travel of just a couple of days are being let in) have been eased, not seeing any signs of when the tourists will be allowed in.

While it is not time to give up hope, I have to starting thinking seriously about cancelling our trip, when to do it and what to do next.

As a reminder, I have a paid ticket on ANA and my partner has a reward booking, got with Virgin Points.

I think I will need to cancel (and pay associated cancellation fee) the flights, as they are still (mostly) operating and in theory could board them and go to Japan, but only to transit to another destination.

I know I can say this here as we are all fans of Disney and Japan, but if I do it I will be so upset, in a way that my partner just does not get. They are more "nothing you can do about it so why get upset?"

During these times I have lost both parents (not due to COVID) and Disney has always been a place I associated with happiness, freedom, escape from whatever been going on in the real world. I am 56 and lucky enough to have visited Disneyworld over 30 times, but I just love my time there.

The cynical 56 year old just reverts to a happier time, I tell the first cast member I see to just have Disney empty my wallet, as I just love me time in that magic bubble. Our trip to Tokyo Disney in 2019 was EVEN better that my US trips in so many ways, so I was REALLY looking forward to our return in 2020, then 2021 and now 2022... that if / when I do cancel, I will be so upset.

Anyway, reflection time over!

I think I need to put on my sensible head, you are due to fly May 10th, give it to then end of April, see how things are, and the decide.

Everything is refundable or cancellable with no charge, bar the flights, well mine. I have to pay ANA something like 150 Euro if I want to cancel.

Thought - could I just move my flight forward to next year (next May is not bookable yet) for no cost I wonder...

But what to do in May?

We had thought of a long weekend in Dubai to go to the Expo, but that closed yesterday - doh!

Had looked at a US trip instead but that was looking silly money for flights, and would in itself, be a big spending holiday once there, which Japan is not luckily

We do have a 1 week trip to Japan booked late October / November - all paid for and got my partner his reward seats again lol. Hope that goes ahead

Cosmic Girl - thanks for being my Friend in the Sky with all things to do with flights, and a shoulder to cry on when needed xxxx

[Gill H]

I totally get you. Our trip has moved twice already and I just want to get there!

We are saving for Nov 2023 now. A very good year for the parks.

[AntonyJ]

Originally Posted by Gill H

I totally get you. Our trip has moved twice already and I just want to get there!

We are saving for Nov 2023 now. A very good year for the parks.

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A kindred spirit


My head tells me to move to 2023 as you are doing, the new TDR Expansion opens 2023 and be so much to see that is new.

But my heart wants to go NOW soooo much - I have only touched on it via posts here but had so many issues with partners reward flight - fighting to keep, then move, then upgrade, then get it back, then upgrade etc etc. - that I just want the damn seat used!

Also, they could pull the Virgin / ANA reward seat program at any time... might not be there for next year.

Anyway, thank for responding

[Jaybeez]

Really sorry about this, I genuinely thought that Japan would be open to tourists by now. It will be amazing when you do get back there, but I understand how stressful all the booking and then cancelling is.

It’s almost 2 years since my daughter was meant to go to Japan for her internship, luckily they are holding the place for her.

[AntonyJ]

Originally Posted by Jaybeez

Really sorry about this, I genuinely thought that Japan would be open to tourists by now. It will be amazing when you do get back there, but I understand how stressful all the booking and then cancelling is.

It’s almost 2 years since my daughter was meant to go to Japan for her internship, luckily they are holding the place for her.

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I hope she gets there to do it soon, may I ask what the internship is for / in ?

[Rae21]

Totally get where you’re coming from AntonyJ - I bit the bullet and decided to scrap 2022 and focus on November 2023 when all the new stuff should be open (including the borders... fingers crossed). I’m just going to plan an even bigger holiday and make sure to do Disney, USJ and all the sightseeing stuff in one trip. I’m hoping DS will still want to come he’ll be 22 by then, and he’s said he will but who knows - if not I’ll do a solo trip if I can’t convince my sister to go lol
Still hoping you get to go as you do have a few weeks left and things could change for the better 😊

[AntonyJ]

Originally Posted by Rae21

Totally get where you’re coming from AntonyJ - I bit the bullet and decided to scrap 2022 and focus on November 2023 when all the new stuff should be open (including the borders... fingers crossed). I’m just going to plan an even bigger holiday and make sure to do Disney, USJ and all the sightseeing stuff in one trip. I’m hoping DS will still want to come he’ll be 22 by then, and he’s said he will but who knows - if not I’ll do a solo trip if I can’t convince my sister to go lol
Still hoping you get to go as you do have a few weeks left and things could change for the better 😊

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My head says 2023 too, but it would have to be May.
My partner work has them take a good chunk of their leave in a certain month, their case is May.

[Jaybeez]

Originally Posted by AntonyJ

I hope she gets there to do it soon, may I ask what the internship is for / in ?

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It’s eco tourism as her degree is in Animal Conservation Science.

[LozSteelers]

Completely understand where you're coming from, I think you're right to hang on a little longer though, you never know!

I'm still waiting to go for my first time, was supposed to be this year, hoping it will now be April 2023. I plan on booking my reward flight next month.

Suppose the only positive is that we hopefully won't have to quarantine on arrival when borders do open if the rules remain the same.

[sky13]

Hopefully Japan opens up to tourism soon...

Most of the rest of Asia/Australasia is now opening up! Even Singapore (where I am) has opened up as of yesterday with just a week's notice! And Australia/New Zealand are starting to allow tourists as well (NZ mainly from next month for visa waiver tourists I believe). Mainly just China, Japan, Taiwan that are still closed to tourism at the moment...

I'm hoping for September/October 2022, but I tend to book things pretty last minute so will probably only be booking flights/hotels/etc around June/July/August. So just browsing at the moment without booking anything...