Best way to ask for cost sharing?

[rriley25]

We invited friends to join us for our WDW trip this past 4th of July and everything went well or better. Anyway, we all enjoyed it so much, we are planning next years trip during the same time. We want to stay at a Disney resort such as the WL or AKL the first Friday and Saturday of our trip next year and pay cash for those 2 nights. Since this past year's trip was on points only, we incurred no cash out-of-pocket expenses for the accomodations. That won't be the case next year. What's the best way to invite our friends AND ask them to pay for those 2 cash nights? They are such good friends I am considering picking-up this cost myself at the risk of angering my wife. She believes they should pay their own way for those 2 nights.....maybe even pay for our room too. Thoughts?

 

[Chuck S]

If these people are your "good friends" and can afford to pay for those 2 nights, I would explain the situation to them in a frank discussion.

Before approaching them, though, I'd also do a little research to see if any discount codes or AP discounts are available for WL or AKL...it only seems fair, and they'd probably be much more receptive to the idea of picking up your room tab knowing the rooms were at a discount rate.

I would be open to considering them to pick up the tabs for rooms at a nice, but less expensive, off-site venue those first two nights, assuming you will have a car for transportation. If you will not have a car at your disposal, then I'd be open to spending the first two nights at a moderate on-site resort, if they feel the deluxes are a little steep in price if no discount codes are available.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I'm always impressed and pleased with the discounts offerred at the Dolphin through DIS, it's a wonderful place. Tell them what you can provide through points, and thier options for hotels for the cash nights. You shouldn't have to pay cash for thier stay. Show them where they could rent points if they choose to.

 

[robinb]

So ... you want to stay at WL or AKL for the weekend and then move to a DVC resort for the rest of your stay. You have no problem paying for your friends' accomodations in the DVC resort, but you don't want to pay for them at WL or AKL for the weekend. The answer is simple: You invite your friends for the Sunday until the day you are leaving only and let them know that you'll be at AKL or WL the weekend before and that they can book in the same resort of choose another.

If you have already invited them for the first weekend, then let them know that you reviewed your points situation and you realize that you can't stay at a DVC resort over the weekend and you'll have to stay somewhere else. They are welcome to book at the same resort of choose another.

It's a little trickier if you want them to pay for both your rooms at WL or AKL. In that case, you can ask them if they would be willing to pay for 2 rooms for 2 nights, but then they should be able to select the resort.

We're lucky. Our friends who we go to WDW with own at BWV. Good luck!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Why not TELL your friends that you are going down on such and such a date(Friday and Saturday) and paying cash, and that they are invited to come for cash OR they can come beginning Sunday when it's on points? Man, I have to say that these have to be REALLY good friends to get to go for free, even on the points! I would also give them the option of just doing points if they don't want to pay, though. But if these so-called good friends don't like either choice, I will gladly become your good friend.

 

[kathleena]

So you think they are expecting/assuming that you will be paying?

Maybe they're not?

 

[TR Denise]

When we take my sisters or my mom on points they always pay for their own rooms and ours on friday and sat. night they usually treat us to the universal hotels so we get fotl access they really dont mind in fact want to do it. We give them free lodging for 5 nights they think its only fair. When we got a grand villa in HH for 4 nights on points they took turns treating us to dinner it was great

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It is VERY easy
Say it this way. . .

"We are going back to WDW on (dates) and paying cash instead of using points. I think the trip will run about (cash price) per couple. Do you think you would like to join us? Even going 'Dutch' instead of for points should be a great time."

 

[Dean]

I agree with the responses above. Being honest is the way to go and you should be able to word it in a way that makes them want to go but does not create the need for you to pay their way. There are many ways to value this. If you are staying cash anyway for part of the time that will likely be in regular hotel rooms thus they could pay for theirs as a minimum. If you're getting a larger unit with DVC than you would without them, it's not at all unreasonable to ask them to pay the difference. Something like "we're going to WDW and will be staying at WL for the first 2 nights then at XXX DVC resort for 5 more nights. While we can't pay the entire amount for you this time, if you would like to come and simply pay the difference that pertains to your family, you're welcome to do so." The difference would be the direct cash price of them and some portion of the points difference necessary for them to come (you can decide the value to apply). One way would be to let them pay for ALL the cash portion and you the rest, as noted above.

You certainly should take what you know about their situation and approach into account. If they are struggling financially, you may want to either not invite them or decide if you truly want to subsidize their trip. When we invite family we normally just cover it and ask them to pay for direct expenses like groceries and the like. But that's our way of giving back to the family because we can. Now if someone make us feel like they were taking advantage of us by being rude, inviting themselves when we didn't, bringing others without asking, etc; they'd be off the list. My brother and his family are close to being excluded simply because he cancelled out last summer at the last minute for a stay at Marriott's Grande Ocean with no real reason. In a sense, his canceling cost us $1800 that we could have rented the unit for and he had been told directly the latest he could cancel by. But the extra room was nice and it was good to be able to spread everyone out a little more plus we were able to include my daughter's boyfriend which we couldn't have done otherwise. So it worked out.

 

[WOW]

Tricky situation. If it were me and they are good friends or family, I would just pay. Generally speaking people will always step up and pay their share or they will insist on paying for dinners, admission, transportation etc. If they don't help out with the finances, I figure that I did the right thing and let it go at that. Of course, if you can't afford to do it, then do as others on this board have suggested and be truthfull with them......having to pay cash, etc. Good Luck

 

[arminnie]

I'm taking three friends (one of whom was just diagnosed with MS) to OKW in early November. .

I told them that I had a reservation for Saturday through Thursday nights. Originally we HAD to be back in a week for one person to get chemo so that's why I only had 6 days reserved.

We will drive down on Friday and return the following Saturday. That gives us one night at the beginning and at the end where we do not have a room reservation.

We will probably stop about 3 hours out (it's a long drive for one day even with multiple drivers).

I've made it clear that the first and last night we will have to be at a hotel and that we will be splitting costs. They offered to pay towards the OKW rooms, but I explained that I got some extra time with a new contract (true).