Hi, everyone, me and my DH will be taking our trip to WDW sometime in Oct or Nov of 2008 (dates are still very fluid) and I'm in the very preliminary information gathering stage right now. My concern is, DH will be returning from a deployment overseas shortly before the trip date. I know I have to make all the arrangements fairly well in advance, but what if I get everything set up, and then the deployment is extended or other unpleasant circumstances arise (hope this doesn't upset anyone, military families have to consider these things). Should I just plan to get trip insurance, would that cover this circumstance, and if so, any advice on purchasing it? I'm not worried about airfare as we plan to drive. Also, how far in advance would you recommend finalizing things? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Actually, the trip insurance offered by Disney specifically does not cover military deployments and Disney does not have a "military clause" in their reservations contracts. The trip insurance would cover "other unpleasant circumstances" (I'm remaining vague here to help protect anyone who is upset easily, but the original poster and I both know what I'm referring to) but even then, it might be covered only for the person who couldn't make the trip. I'm not sure on that, you might need to check the fine print on the trip insurance brochure. Maybe a better option would be to consider private trip insurance. I would suggest talking to the MWR office on base and asking if they have any advice or reccomendations. Barring that, I'd talk to AAA and see if they do trip insurance that includes coverage for military deployment related cancelations (you might have to become a AAA member, but that might be worth it to you for the added security).

Hope that helps and I wish you and your husband all the best. :)

Hi
The only advice I can give is to be flexible. Go ahead and make your plans etc (I would try and schedule dining as close to the 180 day mark as possible) and if you find out a month or so before his return that it might be longer then you can always change things up. I'm not really sure how this would work if you are booking a package, we are passholders and always do everything seperately. I can't answer any questions about insurance but I'm sure someone else can. Just remember that no matter if plans have to change you will have a wonderful time having your husband finally home again. Disney was our first trip as a family (with our 9 month old daughter) when my husband returned from deployment in 2004. We too went the month after he returned. Best of luck in your planning and Best Wishes to your husband on his deployment!!

As far as when - you can make your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) 180 days in advance. I try to make any 'must dos' around that time, even if I'm going at a slower time of the year (and I'm assuming you don't mean to be going at Thanksgiving).

Are you eligible to stay at Shades of Green? I don't know under what circumstances National Guard (if your husband is in the National Guard) is eligible, but I'd think if he was just coming off of an active deployment it would work. They might have a better deployment extension/other stuff clause than the standard Disney trip insurance. I haven't been there, but I've heard it's on-par with the Disney Deluxe resorts, and the room rates are based on your military rank (so a General would pay more than a Private for the same room). But I think they do book up quite a ways in advance, so you might want to look at that soon to find out.

Thanks to you and your husband for your service (and I figure you're both serving the country!)