Amidst the aftermath of Florida’s 2024 hurricane season, attendees of canceled music festivals, such as Country Thunder’s Kissimmee event, are facing prolonged refund delays.
Courtney Lucciola, a Seminole resident, vividly recalls her enjoyable experience at last year’s Country Thunder festival. With plans to return and bring her teenage son along, she purchased tickets totaling nearly $1,200, only to face disappointment when Hurricane Milton forced the event’s cancellation.
Lucciola expressed her frustration, stating, “They’re like, you know, you’ll get an email stating that the refund will start processing.” However, over two months have passed since the initial promise of refunds within 30 days, leaving her and many others still waiting for their money.
Adding to the frustration, a social media update from Country Thunder on December 12 assured that all refunds would be completed by December 26. Yet, that deadline has passed without resolution. Lucciola commented on the disheartening situation, particularly as the festival promoters have already shifted focus to promoting their 2025 Tampa event.
A spokesperson for Country Thunder addressed the issue, claiming that all refunds were processed by December 20, attributing any delays to holiday-related banking issues. Nevertheless, Lucciola’s attempts to trace her refund through her bank have been unsuccessful, as she reported, “I still don’t have my refund like it’s not pending in my bank.”
Lucciola voiced her concerns over the handling of the situation, noting her hesitance to make future purchases from the festival. Beyond the tickets, she also faces financial setbacks from a non-refundable Airbnb booking related to the canceled event.
The refund delays faced by Country Thunder attendees underscore the challenges and frustrations following event cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. The lack of timely resolution not only impacts attendees financially but also affects their trust in the event organizers.
Source: Fox13news
