Bringing along a friend?

[Deb & Bill]

We have taken four of our nieces and paid for everything except their spending money. Having them along was great fun for our son since all four of them are close to him in age. We always supplement the spending money because my husband goes ape for these girls (no daughters in our family, only one son).

We have always said that if we took a friend of our son's, we would take care of everything except their special spending for souveniers. It's a joy for him to have special company along to show them what we like to do for fun. Plus he gets a buddy at the water parks and pool.

If you have to nickel and dime the kid, it's not much of a trip for him.

'Course, we always drive, so that does make a difference in costs.

 

[sweet maxine]

I agree with you Deb. We have just always paid for the tickets, etc. when taking a friend with my children. I just considered (and this is only my opinion) that it was part of the invitation. Their parents have always sent along money for their souveniers and asked me to keep up with it for them. Each day when I handed out money to the kids (a few dollars for treats), I handed out money to their friend from their envelope. They were always aware that they had their "own" spending money; I just supplemented it when we bought an ice cream bar, etc. and the whole group got something.

I know it can get expensive, but having someone to go on rides with and share the joy can really mean a lot to the children. I grew up the baby in the family, and also the only girl. My dad always let me take a friend, as he did my brothers also. His feeling was, "The more, the merrier". I guess I have inherited his attitude about traveling.

 

[DNSDisney]

Guess it is the way I was raised. When you invite someone somewhere you pay for it.
My daughter has taken friends to movies, skating etc and if she invites we always pay.
We have invited our DN down to Disney before and she is going again this time . We always pay for tickets, food, hotel for her.
She always brings along extra money for souvenirs and I always end of adding to that money too.
Funny I always thought this was just good manners to pay if you invite.

 

[jennymouse]

I wanted my granddaughter to be able to bring a friend for our upcoming trip. Her two best friends are sisters and I felt I couldn't ask just one so they're both coming. I asked for money for the flight and I'm paying for the rest. My granddaughter and I already have AP's so I only had to get the two guests 5 day hoppers.

They've all known about the trip for several months and have been saving thier money for spending. They also decided, on thier own I might add, to pool thier money and split it three ways so they'd each have the same amount.

Now, I have a sort of different problem. My daughter and soninlaw were going to come so I had a 2BR villa booked. We just found out that my daughter is going to have to have surgery so they're not coming after all. So, I invited a friend of mine to come and bring her granddaughter who is the same age as the other girls. This girl hasn't had as long to save as the others, but I don't feel like it would be fair to ask the girls to split thier money 4 ways. I told my friend about how much the girls were bringing for spending so I hope there's no problems.

 

[sweet maxine]

I think that's just great! I think she will have so much fun just being there. Don't let the money thing become too big of an issue. I think different children usually want different things when they get there anyway. Maybe you can pick up a few treats from the Dollar Tree if there's one in your area (glow necklaces, small bags of candy, stickers, etc.) and pass these out each day as other Disers have suggested. You might also want to take the kids to the super Wal Mart in Kissimmee to shop for some inexpensive Disney treats as their souvenirs seem to be a bit cheaper there. Maybe her grandmother will add a few dollars to her savings, too. Anyway it goes, I'm sure you all will have the best time.

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by sweet maxine
I think that's just great! I think she will have so much fun just being there. Don't let the money thing become too big of an issue. I think different children usually want different things when they get there anyway. Maybe you can pick up a few treats from the Dollar Tree if there's one in your area (glow necklaces, small bags of candy, stickers, etc.) and pass these out each day as other Disers have suggested. You might also want to take the kids to the super Wal Mart in Kissimmee to shop for some inexpensive Disney treats as their souvenirs seem to be a bit cheaper there. Maybe her grandmother will add a few dollars to her savings, too. Anyway it goes, I'm sure you all will have the best time.

I hope it doesn't become an issue. Neither my friend or her granddaughter have ever been to WDW before. I can't wait to get them there! I love taking first timers!

Oh, I love your name too. My mother's name was Maxine. She passed away a year ago last week. When my new granddaughter was born in November, we named her Haley Maxine.

 

[excitedmom]

this year, i am bringing my neice to WDW. Her father, my brother, pays for her hotel and flight. Last year, we, (my mother and I ) gave her US money for her birthday and Easter. Her mother spent that money and sent her on vacation with us with nothing. Did we spend on her what we would on my kids? yes. This year we are planning another vacation. Her mother has told us she has $100 saved for her. will i count on it? no. will i give her money if she doesn't have? yes. Just as i would for anyone else. If i let my children bring a friend, i would expect to fortify their resources if they didn't have enough.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We have an only child so taking a friend is great for us. Next year is the first time we take a friend to WDW but we have taken his friends other places. Most of his friends have other sibblings and we are blessed to be in a better finiacal situation than many of them. We pay if we invite except spending money, then discuss with the other parent together, what we want to let them spend. There has been times when DS had saved more money than the other child has.He is given the option of not taking it, or dividing it half with the friend. If we buy something for DS, say a shirt, we buy one for the friend.
We have also leaned that less buying = better trip. We went way over our first trip. This past trip, DS bought a nice watch, and did penny press and that was about it. DS would prefer to save his money for PS games back home.
Just be clear with what ever you decide and it will work out.


Jordans' mom

 

[ttichenor]

We are bringing DD12 friend along in October. Her mom buying her DD's airfare, park tickets and MNSSHP tickets. She wants to contribute to meals so they're probably paying for one character meal for the family and we've got the rest, except spending money.

We set a limit ($40 or $50) before we go on the trip that our daughters can use for souveniers. They can use on something they really want, or bring it home and put into bank. Eliminates a lot of the daily "gimmes" and "I wants" + helps with budgeting. Has worked exceptionally well on past trips and the girls seem to appreciate what they work hard to pick out. Will suggest same to DD's friend's mom as well so there won't be a conflict.