Any tips for bringing daughter's friend?

[tammydel]

We have decided to bring my daughter's friend with us this summer. I have posted this over at the DVC boards, but hoped some other families might have experience with this as well.

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

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You do not need a letter permitting your daughter's friend to travel with you.
You do need the medical permission letter and this girl's medical insurance card.

It seems as if you have all the issues already covered. I hope this girl's family appreciates this! Have a great time.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

As a parent of a soon-to-be 14-year-old girl (couple years yet, thankfully!), I think my biggest concern from their perspective would be sending her on a trip that included a 15-year-old BOY!

 

[tammydel]

As a parent of a soon-to-be 14-year-old girl (couple years yet, thankfully!), I think my biggest concern from their perspective would be sending her on a trip that included a 15-year-old BOY!

I can totally understand that! In this case the young lady and my son regard each other much like my daughter and my son, friends at best and Yucky much of the rest of the time. Nothing near romantic interest from either. Having said that, I always watch with a mother's eye....
The other family knows my son quite well, between their knowledge of my son and of me, I think they'll sleep at night

 

[blessedby3]

You do not need a letter permitting your daughter's friend to travel with you.
You do need the medical permission letter and this girl's medical insurance card.

It seems as if you have all the issues already covered. I hope this girl's family appreciates this! Have a great time.

Our oldest DD and DS have both brought friends with them to WDW. It has been a great experience. We have taken oldest DD's best friend 3 times and DS's best friend once. We have gotten a signed letter from the parents and also a copy of their medical and prescription cards. I read recently on another thread that the letter needs to be a notarized one. I had never done that, but maybe check into it and see if it is accurate. Thankfully we have never had problems and we have been taking DD's best friend with us on other vacations since 2000!!
We have always paid for the room and some meals, and our kids friends pay for their park tickets/souvineers. We had free dining on the last trip and that was great!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You need a notarized letter spelling out exactly what medical decisions you can make. I caution you to not use the term "emergency" because you may need to seek medical care for something such as dehydration from a virus or other ailment that needs attention but not an emergency. I suggest her insurance card, a short medical history, allergies, medication etc. I would also have her social security number. They ask for it in the ER but I'm not sure what they would do if it was not available, most likely treat anyway.

Couple other thought...it works better if the girls have close to the same amount of spending money.

Is, your DS going to feel left out and sorta like the 5th wheel without a friend to hang with?

 

[tammydel]

Couple other thought...it works better if the girls have close to the same amount of spending money.

That's a good idea, usually my daughter gets a sweatshirt or t-shirt and I know both girls have plans to save birthday $. I will speak to the other mom about how much spending $ they were thinking of and her desire for control of how it's spent (if any) I certainly wouldn't buy lots of stuff for my daughter while her friend looks on - mine goes often enough that she doesn't need any more "stuff", and having her friend there is certainly a BIG treat.

Is, your DS going to feel left out and sorta like the 5th wheel without a friend to hang with?

I have thought of that - but we often travel with friends who have a son my son's age and they are good buddies. So over the years (since they were 3 on their 1st Disney trip!) my son has had a boy to hang with. So really it's just DD turn. Plus my son is very happy to hang with his Dad. Hmmmm.....maybe I'm the 5th wheel!!!! Nah, I'll be having so much fun watching the girls enjoy it all together.

I've had SO MUCH great advice about medical release info, I think mostly I understand that there is a lot to consider. I am thinking I may ask my local ER - with a couple of active teens, we're no strangers. If I pose the question to them what they would need to treat - perhaps I'll have a somewhat definitive answer. I'll let everyone know what they say.