Any tips for Bringing daughter's friend?

[tammydel]

We have decided to bring my daughter's friend with us this summer. I may post this on "Family" board a well, but I figured many other fellow DVC members have probably done this and may have some tips or good advice.

My family is myself, DH, DS (15) and my DD (14) and we are bringing her friend also 14. We are staying at Kidani (girls are into seeing the animals) we have a 2 bedroom - DH and I in master, girls in 2nd bedroom (therefore their own bathroom) and son on sofabed in Living room (with his own bathroom - this is why we chose Kidani) I think we have space and privacy issues worked out.

The other family are good friends, we can talk openly about any concerns. We have taken the friend on many shorter trips before and she spends a lot of time at our house. The girls behave very well together, never a problem.

As we invited, my DH and I discussed ahead of time that we would pay all costs other than shopping. When we discussed $ with them, the other family did say they would pay her airfare.

We are discussing plans and where and when they have some freedom to roam...mostly they will probably stay with us, I am the family tour guide and organizer and they have expressed desire to stick with me "mom knows where to go and what to do when" I do want to give them some time on their own, we made reservations for just the 2 of them at Marrakesh for dinner one night (we will be in EPCOT) they are very excited and are practicing "how to leave" (tip and pay). I feel comfortable letting them go down to the pool on their own perhaps even go over to Jambo to shop, Mara etc. We will have to make some decisions as they occur and I'm confident that they will accept those decisions (they do now in our everyday life)

I'm thinking that I should have a letter from the other parents stating that she has permission to be traveling with us and permission to treat in a medical emergency. Any advice on this?

Any other ideas or issues that others have come across?
Thanks in advance!
Tammy

 

[MousekeTom]

I think it is a good idea Tammy, but with cell phones today it is easy to remain in contact. I would suggest asking the girl's parents if they would like you to have such a letter in their absence. Give them the choice.
.

 

[Dean]

You need a medical power of attorney and med insurance info in case something happens. IF the biologic parents are not together (sounds like they are) then you'd need something from both saying the trip is OK.

 

[tammydel]

ahh...I was thinking of some kind of medical letter, but medical insurance information did not cross my mind! This is why I came to ask on the Dis! Thanks!!!
Tammy

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Get a letter of consent to treat, copy of insurance card front and back.

Only you know your kids, depending on the kids i think they could go on their own in the parks, or even with you, but split up. I wouldnt let them on their own at DTD at night, but parks yes, again only you know your kids/ friend.

I had forgotten a consent to treat letter when my then 16 year old went to Canada to work at a horse show for 7 weeks. Of course she got hurt and needed stitches, it was ok, i faxed it to the hospital, so there are options in this day and age, and they said if it was life threatening, she would have been treated.

 

[ldo]

since you are flying, I would also get a letter signed by both parents (andnotarized) stating she is allowed to fly with you. At 14, the airlines might not care, but I would do it just to cover yourself. also notarized letter for medical and dental--there are many forms on the IT.
We are taking DD's friend (15) with us to DVC, as well. They are going into the parks alone one day and staying out late for EMH until midnight--with cell phone check-ins and using the WDW buses. We will let them go to DTD alone during the day, but not at night.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Ido - funny same thing about DTD at night. I did some people watching one night with my 12 year old more toward "west side". IMHO the elment changed and it got kind of " creepy". This was a friday around 8:30-9:00

 

[SamSam]

Years ago we allowed our DS, and our DD to bring friends occassionally on our trips to WDW and even to Mexico one time. We always got a letter of consent to treat, insurance info, and a statement that the child had permission to be traveling with us.

 

[tammydel]

I totally agree with no DTD on their own. It has so much more public access, and especially at night has more potential for trouble for unsupervised teens.

I would consider letting them go into a park on their own, they haven't really asked. I believe they would follow all rules like checking in, mostly I would want to be sure they felt confident using the bus system and finding their way.

Thanks for all the thoughts!
I'm going to talk to the other family about the letter, there is a good chance they may also be taking my daughter to a beach house in NC also this summer. So we would need one for them as well.

 

[rentayenta]

This is great Tammy! DD is also brining her bestie who is 14. Lots of good info already. I'm going to get them those wristlets that you load with money so they can roam around F&W and not nickel and dime me to death. They are also taking a YES class together in AKV which should be great fun for them. I hadn't thought about making them separate dining reservations but that a cool idea. We're very close to the friend's family as well. We've discussed who is paying for what as well. We'll be in a THV for part and AKV 2 bedroom as well. I was set on Jambo but forgot Kidani has the third bathroom. My DS11 and DD15 will also be with us and that extra bathroom might be a benefit.


Have fun!

 

[ddoconnell]

We have let both kids bring friends and we always get permission for medical treatment, a copy of their insurance cards, permission to travel, a list of any allergies (food and medicine), and all contact information. Teens are notorious for not charging phones , so you want to be sure that you have the contact info too.

We even got it when we took DS's friend who was 19 at the time. Never know what will happen and what you might need. We haven't ever needed the info, but I rested easier knowing we had it!

I agree with PP on not letting the girls go to DTD by themselves. But I would also tell them that they need to watch out in the parks too. On our last trip my DD took a friend, (they are 14 and 15) and there was a guy kinda keeping an eye on them at EPCOT. (The girls called him a creeper.) They happened to be with us, so I walked over to the girls making sure to make eye contact with the "creeper" and let him know that I had seen him. It was probably nothing, but they do need to be aware of the folks around them just like they would at the mall.

I hope you guys have a magical time!

 

[tammydel]

T I was set on Jambo but forgot Kidani has the third bathroom. My DS11 and DD15 will also be with us and that extra bathroom might be a benefit.

We really would have chosen Jambo if not for the extra bathroom. I figure that since my son was gracious enough not to complain that his sister and her friend get a room with beds and he is on the sofa bed, he deserves his own bathroom and not to have to share with them. (or me )

I always have in mind that no place is 100% safe. The girls know if they EVER feel uncomfortable to seek out help immediately.

 

[ldo]

DVc is a great place for non-driving teens! This is one of the reason we stay at DVC. With the bus system and being able to charge food to the room, it gives non-drving teens a bit of freedom in (IMHO) a safe environment. At home, I closely monitor my 15 yr old at the Mall and do not drop off for movies---but I feel at WDW and on-property with so many cast members all around, that they are in a farily safe environment. I got to take a freind at about 14 when we went to WDW and still remember all the fun times we had.

 

[tammydel]

still remember all the fun times we had.

I remember doing this back in the day when MK was the only park and there was no such thing as fast pass! My friends and I had a blast waiting on line together (we lived in FL so were able to go a few times a year). I know my DD will experience everything in a whole new way with her friend around.

 

[MousekeTom]

I remember doing this back in the day when MK was the only park and there was no such thing as fast pass!

Do you remember A, B, C, D & E Tickets?

 

[tammydel]

Sure do! As well as chocolate covered frozen bananas and the juice in the plastic fruit!!! Gotta say I prefer Dole Whips and Fast Passes....