How much do you have a child's friend pay...

[DIZZNY]

if you bring one along? We are planning a trip in March: 6 days at Disney and then a 3 day Disney cruise. Our 10 year old wants to bring a friend along. It would cost for the plane ticket, park ticket, and we would have to upgrade our cat 6 to a cat 4 on the cruise. That is at least $1000 not counting food and extras.

I was just wondering what others ask the other child's family to pay?

[ILuvTigger]

For one of our trips next year, my sons best friend is coming along, the only thing we ask is they pay for his air fare, park tickets, and spending money for souvenirs he may want. We will be taking care of meals, and 2 bedroom villa.

[Deb & Bill]

Whenever we invite a child to go with us, we pay for everything. If we invite adults, we just provide the lodging. The kids usually bring spending money.

[DIZZNY]

I figured the answers would vary. We have invited families to go in the past and they paid for everything except we would get a 2 bedroom and not charge them.

We have never had a lone child come before. The biggest problem is that the cruise portion would entail us requesting an upgrade to cat 4 and that would be an extra $500 itself. The airfare would be about $300 and the tickets about $250. That will be pretty steep if we pay for it all but having the friend will sure help entertain our girls. They might not even fight us about the kids club on the cruise and my husband and I could have alone time...priceless. :lovestruc Well, $1000-1300...maybe not priceless.:confused3

[Anal Annie]

I haven't had this situation yet, but I would probably talk to the childs parents first, (before mentioning it to the kid himself) and offer some sort of financial compromise...I would probably say I would cover the accomodations & meals if they will foot the bill for airfare & park passes which should be nominal in comparison.

(PS) You might consider pricing 2 connecting non-verandah cabins like Cat 9's VS the Cat 4 - that is often cheaper! And don't forget to get all of the permission slips you would need to take a child that is not yours!

[ladycop67]

My daughter took a friend last year, only thing we had her pay for was her ticket and any spending money she wanted to use. We drove so we didnt have airfare to worry about.

[bobbiwoz]

Isn't there more involved if you want to take a child out of the country? I don't know, just asking.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[cigarboo]

I think the cruise portion is the "problem." I think having to change catagories makes it significantly more expensive, to the point where it's difficult to offer to pay for everything. I've often considered taking my DS's friend(and we did once). We paid for everything, but it really wasn't that much more because the lodging would have been the same with or without the extra guest. The airfare and park tickets I paid in exchange for the mom dogsitting for us during the trip. It would be hard for me to offer to take someone and ask for $1000 to cover expenses, or any money for that matter. To me, inviting usually means take the person(child) as if I were taking him to the zoo. I would not charge for admission and lunch... that's just me though. I do think it's very reasonable to have the parent pay for airfare and park tickets plus $$ for souvenirs. Now, if it gets too expensive, the parent may choose to not have the child go. I mean, if they have to spend $1000, they may just choose to save that money and go on their own trip. I guess it depends on the finacial situation. But the cruise portion seems like the spendiest. I agree with pp who said to discuss it with the parent first.

[anabelle]

I would say that if you invited the child, you should not ask for funds from them. I know it is a lot of extra funds, but inviting means paying.

[Dean]

If you invited them I'd say the hard costs which would be the air, park tickets and child portion of a cabin. I would not personally ask them to chip in due to the need for a cabin upgrade. Have you looked at getting connecting lower cabins instead of moving up?

[backyardponder]

I think the situation can have a lot to do with this. For example, for Spring Break we are letting our 9 year old DGD bring a friend to VB. The friend's father is a police officer. Mom is a stay at home mom with 4 kids. About 6 months ago they moved into a new house. Although I don't know their financial situation, we have decided to cover the friend's expenses because we think finances are probably tight.

[dallastxcpa]

If the parents were willing to allow the child to fly alone maybe you could just invite the child for the WDW portion of the trip. The only thing with flying a child under 12 without accompaniment you will have to have a non-stop flight for them to return on.

[wulfekamp]

We took my daughters friend to Disney two years ago and had them pay airfare and spending money. We paid DDP and park tickets. I don't think I would take someone elses child on a cruise ship. If the child were to get sick or hurt out of the country and you not being legal gardian. I would be nervice about that.

[DIZZNY]

We didn't officially ask the child or her parents. My daughter was discussing the vacation with her friend and the little girl asked us how much it would approximately cost if her "family" went on the cruise. Remember, we are talking about 9 and 10 year olds. She must have tried to convince her parents t go and I suspect the parents told her they weren't planning on a DW trip so she decided to ask if she could just go alone with us. ( Remember, we are talking about 9 and 10 year olds.) The mother called today to ask us what our daughters were apparently dreaming up. So, we started thinking about how much it would actually cost and how difficult or easy, depending on how you looked at it, it would be, financially and otherwise. She is a very well-behaved child so we didn't automatically dismiss the idea. The cruise portion, I agree, seems to be the most difficult and expensive part. We have the extra room at DW since we have a 2 bedroom and we have had 2 families in a row have to cancel so far. I am not too worried about medical problems on-board since their insurance is the same as ours but the trip insurance would have to be changed...hmmm. Another problem... Oh well, maybe next time. thanks for all your thoughts.

[bethy]

I would say that if you invited the child, you should not ask for funds from them. I know it is a lot of extra funds, but inviting means paying.

This is my feeling also. Including a souvenier or two (I'd get the same stuff for my kid and for their friend.)

I didn't realize it was all that common for parents to allow their kids to go on trips with other families though. I'm probably a control freak but I don't think I could allow my kid to do that until at least age 14 or so . . .

[greenpea89]

We have four children so we frequently have their friends travel with us. It's really a fun experience for everyone!

We have never asked a family to contribute to their child's expenses (airfare, room, etc.) and do not accept it when offered. Our feeling is that if we invited a guest then we pay. If we are traveling as separate family groups though it's a little bit different and we each cover our family's individual portion but a child traveling alone, without their parent when we invite them, we feel that's our responsibility.

When traveling outside the country we have never had a problem. We just take the child's passport with us and request letters from their parents authorizing us to take their child out of the country on holiday with us and giving us the right to approve medical care in their absence (fortunately we have never needed either document). We also cover different parenting and behavioral expectations with both the child and their parents (eg. we do not leave our children in child care centers or alone in the room so we let the parents know this additionally we do not allow the kids to go out alone - since two of our children are teenagers this is actually something that different families have vastly different attitudes about so we don't want a child to be disappointed if they see this trip as a time to run around alone, whether it's Bali or Disneyworld, because we just don't allow that - yet, anyway!).

Just be sure to manage expectations and this can be a terrific way to travel. Have fun!

[rigsby25]

If we invite a child - especially to make the trip more fun for our own children, we pay for everything except spending money for souvenirs. If we are there and we buy something for our own children, for instance sun glasses, we would also buy the friend the same thing. We have had to upgrade to bring another child - which led us to DVC in the first place. However, things might be different in your case where the mother of the child approached you. I would be curious to hear what the conversation was. I cannot imagine inviting a child - and expecting them or their parents to pay. With adults and relatives, we just say "we can put you up with us". We don't really invite them.

[ILuvTigger]

For one of our trips next year, my sons best friend is coming along, the only thing we ask is they pay for his air fare, park tickets, and spending money for souvenirs he may want. We will be taking care of meals, and 2 bedroom villa.

I guess I should have given a little more info....I wouldn't normally take a "friend" of one of my children, but since this is my friends son (met through our sons being best friends). I feel comfortable doing so, as does she. The only reason, I ask of these fees being taken care of is, because her family is going Jan 2009, and asked if my son (15) could go, and mentioned the only thing he had to pay for was park tickets and shopping money, they would provide the room, food, and travel expenses (they are driving). I do not have a problem with that....to be honest, I wouldn't want, nor feel comfortable with someone splitting the entire bill. When we invite neices and nephews we pay for everything, but when it comes to adults, we just take care of the lodging.

[cigarboo]

I think OP's situation is workable as far as negotiating a money amount for the child's parent's to pay. It's sounding more like the child's mom has approached her about it, as apposed to OP actually giving a full blown(unsolicited) invite. I think it makes a difference because if I were the parent, I would certainly not approach my child's friend's parent and ask them about a trip and expect them to pay that kind of money to take my child. If I wanted my child to go, I would inquire with the full knowledge that I would pay the entire way for my own child and be thankful that a family would want to add my child to their vacation. I imagine that these girls get along very well, that both sets of parents are entertaining the idea at all. For me(if I wanted my child to go and can pay), it would be a shame to not let them go because of a miscommunication in paying. I think if the other parent was not willing and prepared to pay her child's fare, she would not have approached OP about it. I think it's definitely workable. Don't give up. Just add up the entire amount of what it will cost to take DD's friend, so that her parent knows what kind of money we're talking about. I think it would be fair to meet her halfway. If I were that parent, no way would I consider having another family cough up that kind of money to take my child. I actully would feel weird/bad if I didn't pay.

[Sammie]

This is my feeling also. Including a souvenier or two (I'd get the same stuff for my kid and for their friend.)

I didn't realize it was all that common for parents to allow their kids to go on trips with other families though. I'm probably a control freak but I don't think I could allow my kid to do that until at least age 14 or so . . .

The best advice I was ever given concerning vacations was not to travel with someone else's child to WDW unless you had traveled with this child before. I wish they had told us before we learned this lesson the hard way.

[epcotwanderer]

When we would bring a friend, we would cover everything except miscellaneous spending money. Since we invited them, we would pay.

[starbox]

I agree - with adults, I'd only cover the lodging - but children (or teens) would be our guests if invited.

[DeeCee735]

We ask that they pay for the park ticket, and bring any souvenier money they want, everything else has been on us.

[disney junky]

We didn't officially ask the child or her parents. My daughter was discussing the vacation with her friend and the little girl asked us how much it would approximately cost if her "family" went on the cruise. Remember, we are talking about 9 and 10 year olds. She must have tried to convince her parents t go and I suspect the parents told her they weren't planning on a DW trip so she decided to ask if she could just go alone with us. ( Remember, we are talking about 9 and 10 year olds.) The mother called today to ask us what our daughters were apparently dreaming up. So, we started thinking about how much it would actually cost and how difficult or easy, depending on how you looked at it, it would be, financially and otherwise. She is a very well-behaved child so we didn't automatically dismiss the idea. The cruise portion, I agree, seems to be the most difficult and expensive part. We have the extra room at DW since we have a 2 bedroom and we have had 2 families in a row have to cancel so far. I am not too worried about medical problems on-board since their insurance is the same as ours but the trip insurance would have to be changed...hmmm. Another problem... Oh well, maybe next time. thanks for all your thoughts.

too young of a guest for my blood. to take a child that young along for that long of a time would scare me. no insurance covers homesickness....

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Since it was the child who originally brought this up, I think I'd just be honest with the mom. I'd tell her we'd love to have "Susie" along, but the reality was that it would get pretty expensive for us since we'd have to upgrade the cabin, etc. We'd be happy to pay for her food in the parks as our guest, but the other expenses would be a little more than we could realistically do.

If her parents wanted her to go and were willing to foot the additional costs, I might be willing to take her since a 10 year old daughter could be happier with a friend along than not. On the other hand, taking her on a cruise (out of the country - medical emergencies??) complicates things enough that I might be tempted to just suggest that another time when we are just going to WDW would be better.

[jblrn2b]

too young of a guest for my blood. to take a child that young along for that long of a time would scare me. no insurance covers homesickness....


I totally agree and plus you will be a long distance away. I would be so nervous to take another - its one thing if its a niece or nephew but not another family member - plus your kids will love the clubs. My kids met a lot of new friends that they still communicate with.

[jblrn2b]

I totally agree and plus you will be a long distance away. I would be so nervous to take another - its one thing if its a niece or nephew but not another family member - plus your kids will love the clubs. My kids met a lot of new friends that they still communicate with.

but not a friend (instead of a family member)- sorry I've had 3 hours sleep today :rotfl: :rotfl:

[NHdismom]

For one of our trips next year, my sons best friend is coming along, the only thing we ask is they pay for his air fare, park tickets, and spending money for souvenirs he may want. We will be taking care of meals, and 2 bedroom villa.

We're bringing my teenage daughter's friend with us in April. We will be doing the same as you all--they pay air fare, park pass, and spending money. We also asked her to pay for her hoop-de-doo dinner. You need to remember that bringing a friend will be beneficial to you too.:flower3:

[EDuke98080]

Over the years we have broght our DD's friends (now 20) on varoius WD trips starting around age 10. We have always had the friend pay airfare (if we flew and didn't drive) and their park tickets and spending $$. We have paid all meals and lodging etc. If I were a parent on the other end of this I would't expect another family to absorb all the costs. Most of the parents of the kids we have taken along have insisted they contribute as they were thankful for their child being able to go. When we cruised, we have only asked that the additional person pay 3rd person rate which is way cheaper than 1 & 2. Also the cruising was when guests were older and able to pay on their own. I don't think that invited on vacation should mean free ride - it's way too expensive these days. And just a footnote: we have never run into a child who is homesick at WDW!

[tgj]

The best advice I was ever given concerning vacations was not to travel with someone else's child to WDW unless you had traveled with this child before. I wish they had told us before we learned this lesson the hard way.

This is, BY FAR, the best advice on this thread.

IMO, this should be done first, before considering any of the other very good advice.

Good Luck!
TJ

[Entropy]

if you bring one along? We are planning a trip in March: 6 days at Disney and then a 3 day Disney cruise. Our 10 year old wants to bring a friend along. It would cost for the plane ticket, park ticket, and we would have to upgrade our cat 6 to a cat 4 on the cruise. That is at least $1000 not counting food and extras.

I was just wondering what others ask the other child's family to pay?

You charge people that you invite out? That's over the top.
OK, I can see it if you're running a business.

[tgropp]

We would always let our children take a friend along during our vivits to WDW at Christmas time. If they paid for their airfare and park tickets, I always looked after the rest.

[Jeremy&Susan]

If you bring your child's friend along, i doubt that child will have much money in the bank and may not be able to pay. :rotfl:

More seriously though it depends on the parents and their situation. If your child's friend's parents are not in a financial position to help (find out by asking before you mention anything to your child or his/her friend), then you need to determine if you can afford it.

If the friend's parents can afford to help but just don't want to, you could always hold their child for ransom................ uh no bad idea, strike that one.:scared1:

[5forDiz]

The best advice I was ever given concerning vacations was not to travel with someone else's child to WDW unless you had traveled with this child before. I wish they had told us before we learned this lesson the hard way.


Gotta agree with Sammie on this ::yes:: especially since the child is 10 yrs & because of the cruise portion of the trip.

If it were me I'd tell the friend to come along on a future WDW trip. The girls will be somewhat older and it will give you more time to plan and state at the get-go who will pay for all or some expenses.

An extra $1000 for cabin upgrade & other costs is a significant expense for you to incur and I'm going to take a guess here too that if her parents were willing to pay all or a portion of her costs then the child's mom would have made that very clear to you when she called you about the girls discussing this trip. It could be extremely awkward for you to be in the position to say they will have to pay for particular things when they may have already interpreted things to mean you will be paying.

[cigarboo]

You charge people that you invite out? That's over the top.
OK, I can see it if you're running a business.

OP didn't do the inviting... Her DD and DD's friend were discussing this and it sounds like DD's friend already knows that a trip costs money, which is why she asked OP how much it will cost. Seems like she must have gone home to talk to her parents about it, which is why the mom called OP. I think OP wouldn't charge people she invited, which is why she's thinking about this and coming on the boards for opinions. However, I see this more of an arrangement as oppose to an invitation. If I INVITED you to dinner and a movie, I would pay... but if we, as friends decided to go catch a dinner and a movie, why would one person be responsible to pay for the other?

[EDuke98080]

OP didn't do the inviting... Her DD and DD's friend were discussing this and it sounds like DD's friend already knows that a trip costs money, which is why she asked OP how much it will cost. Seems like she must have gone home to talk to her parents about it, which is why the mom called OP. I think OP wouldn't charge people she invited, which is why she's thinking about this and coming on the boards for opinions. However, I see this more of an arrangement as oppose to an invitation. If I INVITED you to dinner and a movie, I would pay... but if we, as friends decided to go catch a dinner and a movie, why would one person be responsible to pay for the other?


Good point there, that is how I was looking at it too.

[spiceycat]

well a family member would let his kids invite friends then expect the parents to pay him.

most of the time he got the money. was asking money for gas, tickets, meals -

taking someone else minor child on a cruise - that could definitely be a big problem. besides the parents permission, medical cards, don't you need their power of attorney - just in case something happens.

you want to hope that nothing will happen - but you never know.

that was a surprise for me - first time I took my niece and her friend to WDW - the girl mother gave me a packet with stuff - never needed it - but it was great to have just in case. most of this stuff won't have occurred to me.

[mjem216]

I HAVE NEVER ASKED MY SONS FRIENDS IN THE LAST 4 YRS FOR A DIME HE IS 17 NOW AND ME AND MY WIFE LOVE THE TIME WE HAVE ALONE NOW:cool1:

[jimaok]

If you invite a DD or DS 's freind, you should pay for everything except souveniers (spending money). My kids friends are not fanacially able to pay their own way. It's kind of tacky to "invite " a child to go along and then require them to pay.

[alldiz]

Unless you have the financial means to pay for everything....and the other family is tight....I think having them pay for their airfare and park tickets is totally reasonable. I might just suck up the cabin upgrade and such.

I would also hope the parents sent a few bucks for souvies.
Happy planning
Kerri

[manning]

I think the situation can have a lot to do with this. For example, for Spring Break we are letting our 9 year old DGD bring a friend to VB. The friend's father is a police officer. Mom is a stay at home mom with 4 kids. About 6 months ago they moved into a new house. Although I don't know their financial situation, we have decided to cover the friend's expenses because we think finances are probably tight.

Just make sure you get a medical power of attorney from them in case of a medical emergency. You may want to get trip insurance for the cruise part. Medivac can be real high if needed.

[BraveMom3]

I have three kids, and if they ever brought a friend, the friend would have to pay for park tickets and souveniers or I would not be able to do it. Paying for their food would be a strain. I can barely cover our expenses!:scared1: We've had a few trips where a friend's family was there for part of our trip and our kids got together, and the kids loved it. Since my kids are getting older (16, 12, 11) I would like to take one of their friends on a trip at a time. There are 4 of us, so if we had another, we would really need to upgrade to a 2 bedroom so that would cramp my DVC points a bit, but I could probably live with it. My real problem is that we stay for 2 weeks when we go in June, and I really don't want company for the whole 2 weeks. Maybe if they could ride with us and fly home after a few days, or fly down toward the end of our trip and ride home with us? I'm gonna have to work this one out.

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We took my daughters friend to Disney two years ago and had them pay airfare and spending money. We paid DDP and park tickets. I don't think I would take someone elses child on a cruise ship. If the child were to get sick or hurt out of the country and you not being legal gardian. I would be nervice about that.

Ditto on that.

It sounds like a logistical nightmare-why not just schedule another vacation some other time with the friend involved from the beginning...

I'm against kids bringing friends anyway; they end up totally ignoring their parents the whole trip and then what's so different from being home?

[bethy]

I'm against kids bringing friends anyway; they end up totally ignoring their parents the whole trip and then what's so different from being home?

I feel this way for our family, too - at least most of the time. For us, the whole reason we go on vacation in the first place is for a family immersion/forced bonding experience. To get us outside our rut and routine and gain a fresh perspective on things.

[tgropp]

Just curious. For all who say that the parents should pay everything for their childs friend to go along, is this from expeirence of taking your childs friend along to WDW, or just your personnal opinion?.

[mjem216]

:santa: ALWAYS HAVE PAD FOR MY SONS FRIEND

[Mike©]

if you bring one along? We are planning a trip in March: 6 days at Disney and then a 3 day Disney cruise. Our 10 year old wants to bring a friend along. It would cost for the plane ticket, park ticket, and we would have to upgrade our cat 6 to a cat 4 on the cruise. That is at least $1000 not counting food and extras.

I was just wondering what others ask the other child's family to pay?


here comes another opinion :rotfl2:

I think that just maybe you would be best served by saying no to your 10 year old and point out that this is a "family" vacation. You can also point out that there will be many storys to tell their friend when they get back.

[spiceycat]

when I bring niece and her friends - I pay for everything.

but that is my choice. like bringing my niece.

[Dean]

Just curious. For all who say that the parents should pay everything for their childs friend to go along, is this from expeirence of taking your childs friend along to WDW, or just your personnal opinion?.It's certainly one's choice to pay everything. I would not think it an expectation and that it would actually be the minority to pay for everything for such a trip. Certainly the specific situation would and should define what's appropriate and what's expected. I would never expect someone else to pay for my child's direct expenses for such a trip and I frankly, would not be comfortable with them doing so. OTOH, I would not expect to pay a portion of their own expenses that would have been the same regardless as is usually the case with the rooms and vehicular travel. Things like air fare, admission tickets, restaurant costs and anything they buy should be the responsibility of the child in question and their family. IF someone decides to accept this responsibility extra, that is certainly their option. My niece and a friend went on two trips together this past summer. Each for about a week with one week with one family and one with the other. The way they divided it up was the host family paid all for the week they had both kids figuring it'd be close enough.

[mmmcq]

We have not yet taken friends kids to WDW, but I can see that happening very soon. Our older DD's joined us late on this trip because neither wanted to miss college or high school classes. Our DD9 really wanted someone in the pool and on the slide with her. I'm too old for the slide! And my DD19 turns 20 in January and she really wanted to bring her boyfriend on this trip.....but I didn't have enough points for another studio and didn't want a body in the living room. As it turns out my DD17 slept there so she wouldn't have to share a bed. I like the boyfriend, so that was not the problem. She wants to share Disney with him as we have had made many happy memories there. She had to settle on bringing him home some mickey ears.

We have, however, taken friends kids on our summer vacations....and it usually has worked out well. I have also taken friends to CA with us and have paid for everything except airfare. It was a choice on the parent's part to let their child go with us on vacation. I don't think the guest paying for airfare is unreasonable.

If we were to take friends, I would pay use the extra points for an additional room if necessary and would cover the dining plan. I would ask that they cover air fare and a park ticket.

I had a friend who went to WDW this past March and took my DD17 with her daughter. I offered to pay airfare and park ticket and more.....and she accepted reimbursement for the airfare and the park ticket. My friend does not enjoy the rides and was thrilled that my DD was there as entertainment.

I can also see in the not so distant future where another friend will ask to take my DD9with them to Argentina when they go home. And we will probably say yes. She has had my daughter on a beach vacation and I've had hers for the same. The kids do well for extended periods of time with each other. That's a key point when travelling with friends of your kids.

At 15 my family sent me to England and then Switzerland on the same trip to visit friends of theirs from Boston who both happened to be living overseas for a number of years and had kids my age. I had a wonderful time in London and skiing in Davos. I apparently behaved myself because the family invited me to continue on with them to Paris. But I said "no" because I had a band performance I didn't want to miss. To this day I regret that decision. I've been to Paris twice since then........but still it was such a silly reason not to go. I think it's great for kids to travel with other families. My folks were always inviting my friends to travel with us - although we never flew to Disney.

Anyway, my piont is that do whatever you are comfortable with. If you know the child and are confident the kids will get along more or less for that period of time - then go for it. But I would be uncomfortable asking for reimbursement for the cabin upgrade. You'll either have to eat it this time or maybe wait till next time to invite the child.

[DIZZNY]

We have not yet taken friends kids to WDW, but I can see that happening very soon. Our older DD's joined us late on this trip because neither wanted to miss college or high school classes. Our DD9 really wanted someone in the pool and on the slide with her. I'm too old for the slide! And my DD19 turns 20 in January and she really wanted to bring her boyfriend on this trip.....but I didn't have enough points for another studio and didn't want a body in the living room. As it turns out my DD17 slept there so she wouldn't have to share a bed. I like the boyfriend, so that was not the problem. She wants to share Disney with him as we have had made many happy memories there. She had to settle on bringing him home some mickey ears.

We have, however, taken friends kids on our summer vacations....and it usually has worked out well. I have also taken friends to CA with us and have paid for everything except airfare. It was a choice on the parent's part to let their child go with us on vacation. I don't think the guest paying for airfare is unreasonable.

If we were to take friends, I would pay use the extra points for an additional room if necessary and would cover the dining plan. I would ask that they cover air fare and a park ticket.

I had a friend who went to WDW this past March and took my DD17 with her daughter. I offered to pay airfare and park ticket and more.....and she accepted reimbursement for the airfare and the park ticket. My friend does not enjoy the rides and was thrilled that my DD was there as entertainment.

I can also see in the not so distant future where another friend will ask to take my DD9with them to Argentina when they go home. And we will probably say yes. She has had my daughter on a beach vacation and I've had hers for the same. The kids do well for extended periods of time with each other. That's a key point when travelling with friends of your kids.

At 15 my family sent me to England and then Switzerland on the same trip to visit friends of theirs from Boston who both happened to be living overseas for a number of years and had kids my age. I had a wonderful time in London and skiing in Davos. I apparently behaved myself because the family invited me to continue on with them to Paris. But I said "no" because I had a band performance I didn't want to miss. To this day I regret that decision. I've been to Paris twice since then........but still it was such a silly reason not to go. I think it's great for kids to travel with other families. My folks were always inviting my friends to travel with us - although we never flew to Disney.

Anyway, my piont is that do whatever you are comfortable with. If you know the child and are confident the kids will get along more or less for that period of time - then go for it. But I would be uncomfortable asking for reimbursement for the cabin upgrade. You'll either have to eat it this time or maybe wait till next time to invite the child.


Thanks to you and everyone for their advice and thoughts. I think along the lines as you do. I do see us taking friends along in the future but this trip would just be too difficult with the cruise at the end. I am of the mind to ask the parents to pay for the airfare and spending money...not sure about park ticket yet - I think it depends on the situation. Eventually, we may just pay for it all but I will have to wait until we move and change jobs this summer to see how the financial situation settles out. I agree it is absolutely key to know the child and parents well enough to make this successful. Thanks again!

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Thanks to you and everyone for their advice and thoughts. I think along the lines as you do. I do see us taking friends along in the future but this trip would just be too difficult with the cruise at the end. I am of the mind to ask the parents to pay for the airfare and spending money...not sure about park ticket yet - I think it depends on the situation. Eventually, we may just pay for it all but I will have to wait until we move and change jobs this summer to see how the financial situation settles out. I agree it is absolutely key to know the child and parents well enough to make this successful. Thanks again!


I think if you came to me and said "we'd like to bring your kid with us but you need to pony up airfare, tickets and spending money" my reaction would be "heck, if I'm paying for all of it, she may as well just go with us on vacation instead of y'all." :confused3

[jimaok]

Always when we invited a friend (numerous times), I pay for everything except souveniers. After all, we invited them. I can't imagine saying to my kid's friend, We'd like to invite you tom come to Disney with us buuuut you have to pay all your expenses- Pretty tacky. If you can't afford it - don't ask them.