OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — An Overland Park family spent two years planning a trip to Disney World only to find out they won't get to go after COVID-19 concerns forced the park to close.
Celia Thompson said her group of nearly 40 family members was supposed to fly Saturday to Orlando. Disney announced Thursday that it was closing its parks and cruise ships through the end of March.
"It was just a this-can't-be-true moment," Thompson said. "To have it literally taken away from you the day before you're supposed to leave was just so disappointing."
To make it extra special for her little ones, Thompson handmade outfits for her daughters, ages 6 and 2 years old, with a different theme for each day.
"I just wanted to make it really special," she said.
Thompson took off work Friday, which she originally planned to spend packing.
Instead, she spent the day calling airlines, making trips to the grocery store and trying to figure out what comes next.
"We have $2,400 wrapped up in travel that needs to be used within the year," Thompson said, "and with two little kids, using that seems kind of unlikely,"
Thompson said Disney will refund their tickets within the next six months.
With the trip off the table, it's a hard snap back to reality. Thompson said her new focus is the uncertainty of school closures.
"I have a full-time job, so homeschooling my child is not really a possibility for me at this point," she said.
Thompson said it wasn't easy to tell her girls they won't get to go to Disney World, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
"We've cried this morning, and we're trying to keep that in perspective too," she said. "I mean, this is a much bigger issue than this trip, than anybody's trip."
