Bringing a friend?

[Iansmom]

DS14 is (basically) an only child. His 1/2 brother and 1/2 sister are already grown and on their own.

When I was a kid, my brother and I LOVED the freedom that my parents gave us when we vacationed at WDW. I'd love to offer some of the same freedom to DS. DH and I were thinking about letting him take along a friend.

Anybody let their kids bring a friend? How do you ask the friend's parents about the cost? As much as 14 year-old boys can eat, meal cost is also a worry for me.

Any ideas, tips, advice?

 

[Amirah95]

My DD9 (will be D10 for our MNSSHP trip which is not booked yet--we will have to start buying adult tickets for her) asked if a friend of hers could go on vacation with us. I've read, here on the boards, that some just foot the bill for the extra person, but in many cases a lot of us cannot do that.

I would require the parents to pay for all park admission tickets and to provide spending money for souveniers and food. I would, of course, pay for the accomodations (villa-so there is plenty of room), transportation (we drive to Florida), snacks and extra activities if they should arise.

I don't think it's too much to ask for. I would do the same if my child was going with a friend and her family.

***My DH says it depends on if the child comes to you saying he wants to go because if so, then his parents (if able) can take part of the bill. If the parents are not able, but your son needs company then he says maybe you should think about paying his way. He says from his point of view, it all depends.

 

[Tinkim]

We are looking at doing that next February. Only catch is we have three kids of our own who would also be going. The friend is my DS12 friend but also gets along and sometimes comes over to hang out with my DS10. The friend has 5 kids in his family and they have never been to WDW and probably won't be able to due to the expense. Parents are divorced and mom doesn't have a regular income. This kid practically lives at our house. He is here most every weekend and stays for up to a week at a time in the summer. We joke that he is our "other" son and we keep asking his mom and dad for his SS# so that we can finish our taxes and claim him. When WDW comes up in conversation he always looks sad and says "I'll never get to Disney World" and the last time it came up I said maybe you could come with us next year. You should have seen his face! He was so excited. I called and spoke to his mom and told her what I thought it would cost approximately for airfare/meals/tickets. I would pay for accommodations and probably some food/snacks. There are probably a lot of issues that go with it but this is the only kid I would consider bringing with me because we know him so well, he gets along with both my sons, and is nicer to DD7 then her own brothers. Sorry to ramble on so but we are excited to be able to maybe give him the chance of getting to Florida. So my advice is start planning as early as you can because that is going to be a big expense. Try to clearly state what you think the amount of money they need is and what you will be providing as far as meals/snacks, etc. You will need their medical insurance card and a signed release from parents for medical treatment should the need arise. Other than that my advice is to have fun! I think it would be great for your son to bring along a friend. I went to WDW for the first time when I was 16 with my mom, sister, BIL, and niece and they let me bring along a friend. We still talk about that trip when we run into each other and I'm 32 now so that was 16 years ago!

 

[blestmom]

My son's best friend went with us last year. They were both 14. He is an only child. Like the previous poster, he practically lives at our house, and we call him our other child, too! He paid for his airfare, and I also asked him to bring some money for food, but in most cases, I paid for his meals, too. He is such a great kid. It was fun to be able to share the magic with him.

 

[lclark0621]

When I was growing up I had a friend who was like a sister. She was always at our house.

My brother and I are 8 years apart, so she was like a sister to me.

My family used to take her on vacation with us, and her family used to take me with them.

I know when she came with us, her parents paid for airfare & entrance into the parks & her parents would give mine some extra money for stuff she wanted & food. But my parents pretty much covered her food. I mean if she did not have enough & wanted a drink, my mom would not make her go without.

My family paid for the same when we went with her.

I would ask for parents to pay for airfare, park passes & some extra money for things he may want to buy. If food is an issue, how about one of the meal packages at Disney?

I would just ask the parents. Something like "We are going to Disney World in XXX. I know our DS would love it if your DS would come. Do you think there is a way we can work it out?"

 

[BabkaGal]

Hi!

Sounds like bringing a friend could be great for your child. If you do bring someone along, make sure you get the child's health insurance information AND a signed document from the parents giving you the power to make medical decisions for him if the need arises. If (God forbid) you have to take him to a doctor or a hospital, this will help ensure that you can get him aid ASAP if you are unable to reach the parents.

Better be safe than sorry! But besides that little 2 cents of advice, it sounds like it would be a blast. Enjoy!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We have taken friends of the kids on many occasions. We live just 3 hours away so it is easier for us. The parents of the friends usually get them the seasonl pass that we have (so ours run the same time), they give them spending money. I pay for everything else....but we drive there, we bring snacks. Basically the only money the "friends" need are if they want something extra (snack wise) at the park or if we go shopping. One thing remember to ask for is an ID (if they have one) for the child & a copy of the health insurance card....you never know if you will need it, as well as a letter authorizing you to get medical treatment if necessary for that child..... usually we have a better time when a friend is along

 

[MickeyEars]

We are taking my son's friend Alex with us in June. They are both 14. His Mom has paid for his airfare and his 7-Day MYW ticket thus far. Like some of the previous posters I never asked for money for the room because we would be paying the same without him. Alex's Mom has decided it would be best to give me the money for his meals. He will only be in charge of his spending money. We are looking forward to "sharing the magic" with Alex because he has never been to Disney World. I know both boys are very excited!!!

Carla

 

[fran99999]

We have brought my DD16's friend to WDW for the past 3 trips. She spends so much time at our house and with us I now say I have 2 DD16 LOL. My DS6 calls her sissy2. I look at the costs for airfare and trans to/from airport if not taking Limo. I add the price of tickets for her. I also add in $10 for her food. I tell the parent I need this much for her plus have her bring $$ for food. Yes I know I added in the food $$ but then she has $$ to spend. I also do at least 1 buffet/ sit down meal each day. I bring cereal/breakfast bars so that takes care of one meal. I also bring snack foods chips/crackers/and some popcorn for the room. So even with this we have only spent maybe $175 a day at the most. This is for 5 people, so that really isnt that much. I mean that is if we do 2 buffets each per day, and we usually do 1 plus all the mickey bars and water.

 

[Swimnoid]

DD17 has brought her BF17 with us the last two trips. We get a cabin so we take the bedroom and he sleeps in the Murphy bed. He pays for his admission and has extra money for spending on snacks or souveniers. Since we eat mostly at the cabin it isnt too much of an increase for us. We do eat a few meals out and we pay for those. In the summer DD will bring a girl friend instead and we will do the same thing with paying. Oh! and we drive too so they dont have airfare costs.

 

[Mary2816]

This upcoming trip will be the 3rd time my (only) DD (15) will be bringing a friend. I always end up paying more than I say I will. One thing I hold steady on is..."you need your own spending money". I provide room, airfare, park tickets and most meals. I don't have a large income so sometimes this is harder than I like it to be. The way I see it, I'm not doing this for the friend, I'm doing this for my DD. Only you can decide what you will be able to afford or not afford. Don't worry about approaching the parents. As soon as you put the offer out there, (hopefully) their first question should be...great, what will we owe you? I hope it all works out!!

 

[shatzjsl]

We are taking my niece (12) to hang with my DD(11). Her parents are paying for her park tickets and airfare along with spending money. I am covering the room and food. I wish I could afford to treat her for everything but they understand that I can't.

 

[Dcat2u]

Last June my 13yo daughters 12yo friend went w/us. It was fairly last minute, 2wks out. Her grandfather asked if we would mind taking her, he did not realize we were doing a Carnival cruise also, luckily we had 2 cabins booked so not a problem. He paid the difference to upgrade our room from a standard at AKL to a deluxe Savannah room (almost $200 a night difference), he told us not to downgrade our hotel just to accomadate her. He gave me $275 above her cruise (to include prices for sidetrips and formal hair-do), WDW (he bought her parkhopper on post) and food. He also got her a Visa Bucks credit card for teenagers he monitered on line and could add to if he needed. Overall the trip went well, the girls (I also have an 11yo) behaved well on the cruise, we had a few tense minutes at WDW, Bri was not used to getting up and going all day long. I was given a power of attorney for her medical and giving us permission to take her to the Bahamas and insurance card.