Safe for lone 75 year old female in Orlando??

mikrt

This is on behalf of my widowed sister, who travels annualy for 4 weeks to a Marriott in Orlando, on her own most years, with family occasionally.

She is close with a few snowbirds who arrange timings together.

Her 2 children (one of who has lived and worked in US since he left school (she's already planning a visit to him & wife later in year)) have raised concerns about her travelling on her own this year, due to the ongoing protests and unsettling going on in the country.

She will not lose out too much financially by cancelling.

Are these valid concerns do we think? 

Thank you

eskbanker

When does she go, and how far in advance can she change her plans without losing out financially?

Personally I'm not sure that I'd be too heavily influenced by some current protesting, but admittedly haven't researched any impact on tourism - is there any location-specific concern expressed by the family, and how straightforward would it be to avoid the relevant (exact) places?

MyRealNameToo

mikrt said:

This is on behalf of my widowed sister, who travels annualy for 4 weeks to a Marriott in Orlando, on her own most years, with family occasionally.

She is close with a few snowbirds who arrange timings together.

Her 2 children (one of who has lived and worked in US since he left school (she's already planning a visit to him & wife later in year)) have raised concerns about her travelling on her own this year, due to the ongoing protests and unsettling going on in the country.

She will not lose out too much financially by cancelling.

Are these valid concerns do we think? 

Thank you

People who live there are going to know much better than people living here in the UK, similarly her kids presumably know her better than we do to know if she is the kind of person that gets stressed about nothing or is the type who'd happily hunker down and ride out any storm. 

What are her other friends doing in response? 

When are they going as situations are often dynamic and so no point thinking now what may happen in October if thats when she's going. 

mikrt

Thank you both for responses.

As in OP, financially she's not concerned. She has a Marriott timeshare thing she can just bank if she cancels.

Flight was Virgin vouchers she'll get back (I think 28 days notice?, she's planning going end of April) She'll have to claim taxes back.

The car is also cancellable for a refund.

Regarding her other friends... that is a very good point, I'll tell her to ask what they think (all Americans I believe)

She's been widowed over 20 years and is very independent, but can be nervous with new or unexpected experiences.

twopenny

I think it's normal and good to feel nervous of the new and unexpected, that's not especially related to age but reaction maybe.
Though I'd think with her experience of looking after herself, the fact she'll have her regular buddies with her I wouldn't be too concerned.
The events we read of are extreme ones happening where people are protesting, gathering, things you know about and avoid. Presumably she knows the area well having gone regularly and would pick up what's happening.

The two questions, are her friends going as they'll know more and how does she feel about it? She knows the area.

And then you have the back up of having family she can ring or go to if she wishes. Just a taxi and flight away.

Brie

mikrt said:

Thank you both for responses.

As in OP, financially she's not concerned. She has a Marriott timeshare thing she can just bank if she cancels.

Flight was Virgin vouchers she'll get back (I think 28 days notice?, she's planning going end of April) She'll have to claim taxes back.

The car is also cancellable for a refund.

Regarding her other friends... that is a very good point, I'll tell her to ask what they think (all Americans I believe)

She's been widowed over 20 years and is very independent, but can be nervous with new or unexpected experiences.

Snowbirds normally refers to Canadians (as a reference to the Ann Murray song I believe) and I know a lot of them have stopped going to the US due to Trump's attitude to Canada as well as the rest of the world.  But do check, you may be right and they may be from New York or similar.  

Lots of people are still travelling to the US but she may find it a tad quieter than normal.  That might be fine for her.  It might also mean that there are bargains to be had to attract the tourist dollar.

mikrt

Good point @Brie

MyRealNameToo

Have to say that whilst Canadians are certainly included in the term it does also include those from the cold northern states who migrate south for the winter as well. 

mikrt

Thanks all for your help. 

Just to close this.... she's cancelled and had her money back. 

Only fee was to pay Marriott to add her back to the bank (not required if she was using it at designated period), which she hadn't realised her membership had expired a few months ago.