Bringing child's friend to WDW. How much do YOU pay?

[robinb]

We are wrapping up another trip to WDW with my 10-year old DD and she has asked for a friend to join us on her birthday trip in August. We are thinking about it, but it's pretty expensive between airfare, park passes and food. We usually go for 2 weeks between WDW and visiting with my DH's parents in Tampa, so we're looking at a 10-day park hopper for the friend so that's $315 right there.

If you ask your kids' friends to join you, how much do you ask their family to pay?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We took a friend when we were young. The only thing my friend had to pay for was her souveniers and airfare. She might have paid for her park ticket but I don't think so. My Mom didn't think it was right for this girl (she was my BFF) to pay for food.

 

[tlh0726]

This was discussed previously (a little heated at times) in another thread (cannot find it to link it) but most of the replies were -

if you are asking the other child to go then you should expect to pay for everything except for their souvenirs. You should also discuss with the parents before it is discussed with the other child or your child says something to the other child.

 

[kohlby]

Agree that you offer to pay for everything except the souvenirs. If I were the other parent, I would then offer to pay for more - like the airfare or tickets as well, but it's not expected. It's fine to accept the other parent's offer to pay for more.

 

[scottish mum]

If I invited another child on a trip with us I would expect to pay for everything except for any souvenirs that the child wanted. If I was doing the inviting I would also be doing the paying.

 

[RitaFaye94]

Last year when we took DD's best friend (15, turning 16 while there) I knew the family could not afford the trip so since we were doing the dining package I paid for her tickets, airfare, and dining plan, about $750. Her only need was for spending money and if she wanted additional snacks / etc.

It depends on the family and the circumstances. If you're driving vs. flying, doing other parks / activities, etc. Also if the parents offer or insist on paying then maybe they can cover just airfare, or park admission. Unless you're upgrading your hotel room because of needing additional space I wouldn't include that in her portion.

Every situation is different. Also, it depends on if the family has taken your child on similar trips, KWIM?

 

[NMAmy]

We've been taking a friend of dd's along to WDW for the last 5 years. We pay for everything--including most souvenirs. We're taking a friend along in March for spring break and the girls are 19.

 

[sk!mom]

I would plan on paying for everything.

 

[kacaju]

you would be taking the friend for 2 weeks?

 

[JUJU814]

I would expect to pay for everything.

However, if the other parents INSISTED on paying for something, you could let them pay for just the airfare or something.

We took dd's friend with us for 10 days a couple years ago and I invited fully expecting to pay for everything. Her mother was thrilled to let her go but absolutely insisted I let her pay at least the airfare. I finally gave in but told her everything else was on us. She had some of her own spending money for souveniers.

 

[Rylee]

I took my best friend with us on many vacations, including many Disney trips. My parents paid for everything. She did bring along some money for souvenirs.

I have seen others say, if flying, they would ask for the airfare, just in case the child ends up not being able to go.

BTW - I wouldn't allow my 10 year old to go that far or that long, but that's just me.

 

[kpgriswold]

I agree with the other pps: if you invite another child, you should expect to pay for the entire trip except souvenirs. If you can't afford this, don't invite them!


If the other family OFFERS to pay a portion, suggest they pay for airfare.

 

[sl_underwood]

We pay for everything when we take our children's friends anywhere with us, vacations included. If we are giving our kids spending money, they get some too. If we cant afford to take them, we dont invite them but that is just us.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I would plan on paying for everything.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

When I took my friend in June '08, we paid for everything except airfare and souvenirs.

After all, we invited her- so we paid for meals, tickets, hotel.

 

[woodkins]

I think the money issue would depend on your financial situation and that of the friend's family. Having said that I would also discuss a backup plan if the friend gets home sick and wants to leave early. This happened to my sister when she went on a trip with another family and my parents had to buy a super expensive return early plane ticket and she also had to fly home alone. 10 days is a very long time for some 10 year olds and she also may feel strange being with your extended family.

 

[robinb]

I don't think that my DH would go for paying $700-$1000 for my DD's friend to go with us. I guess I was trying to feel out if it was OK to ask the family to pay for airfare (about $250 each) and/or park tickets. Of course, we would pay for hotel and food. We might also consider driving. If we were going to ask for the other family to pay I would be completely upfront with it from the start so there would be no misunderstanding. Right now I'm just starting to think on it. We would go for about 2 weeks and I guess I would be hesitant to send a child home alone on an airplane.

 

[Magic2000]

My DD invited a friend to come on our summer trip. We are driving, and will be staying at AKL. Her friend will pay for her own park ticket, as well as some of her meals. We'll probably treat her to a few meals. We've already spoken with her parents and they are fine with it.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[KateMW]

There are only three kids in the whole world I would consider taking on a trip with our family, my best friend's two children and my other's best friend's oldest daughter, who is DD's best friend. So, I would pay for everything for any of them, including airfare and treats, but I also know their parents wouldn't let me. They would pay for everything for DD and I wouldn't let them either, so it works out.

If it wasn't our first trip this Feb. I would take DDs bff, because she is a HUGE Disney fan. She's been every year since she was born I think!

I think that you should be prepared to pay for everything, but the parents should offer to help as well.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

I would not offer to take another child unless I could afford to and planned on paying for everything (hopefully they would bring some money for souveniers). If the parents offered to pay I would suggest something concrete like airfare and spending money