Charging guests you bring along

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

I just have a simple question. I'm really excited about taking my DH's brother and my sister and her husband to Disney. (Could be a recipe for disaster Anyway, one day I was talking to a neighbor, who I might add I would NEVER take, about our DVC and she all but started inviting herself saying, "Hey, we could all go together and we could even pay something directly to you. I mean we'd have to pay for a hotel room if we went on our own. . ." Well, I'm very certain that she won't be going with us but our family will. Anyway, not that I'm greedy but after talking to her, the thought was planted in my head that I do pay for this all year and even if it were paid off, I'd still have dues every year.
What I wouldn't have done for a free trip back in the day.

Anyway, with all of that said, have any of you ever charged or accepted money from family and friends that you've taken along and if so, what's a good amount?

 

[natt]

First of all, Hi neighbor!!! I've asked this same question not too long ago. We just joined last summer and have not made our first trip home yet (Aug). I am planning on inviting my sister and BIL for fall of '04 and need to sit down with them this summer and show them how things work. I fully intend to state a $ amount based on the additional points we'll use for the extra space. Then, they will have a few months to research and find out what the same hotel room at the BC goes for and see what a steal they are getting. I don't think they will be offended by it and since this will be the first guest we ask, we won't need to justify ourselves to others in the future.

Other members have said they do not charge, but accept a dinner or show invitation during their stay as compensation.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

We've never charged any of our family members, but they have been very generous in trying to reciprocate by treating us to a special meal, paying for more than their share of groceries, etc. So far we have only brought my mom (twice) and my BiL and Nephew (other than immediate family - DH & DS), and it has always been an invitation to join us, on us, because we really enjoy sharing this.

I can see situations where one may want to charge... perhaps the family member initiated the request and it is mutually beneficial, like renting points. I would consider renting points to friends, and would start at the rate of $10 per point. Again, it would very much depend on the circumstances and the closeness of the friend/relative.

Interesting question - I look forward to seeing others' points of view.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Thanks Natt. That's a great idea. By the way I'm right up here in Smyrna. We hope to be going down for the first time with our DVC in December.
My DH and I don't have any children yet and the first year we went as a couple we had a great time. I mean who wouldn't, you're in Disney right? Then, last year I was there twice. Once with my mom, aunt and cousin and then with my husband, best friend, her husband, two kids and her mother (which I'm also friends with) and we had a blast!! They were great to do Disney with. The majority of the time we did everything together but if we didn't feel like it, there was no pressure on either part. No one complained and everyone got along great. Who could ask for more?
I'm not so sure how it will be this time but I do know it's more fun to go with a group.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Mrs. Snowgod,
You have good points too. I'm afraid I've got both situations. First of all I invited my BiL. He's a single guy who's SOOO much fun to be around. I just know he'd LOVE Disney. So, I said to him, hey, why don't you come down with us? It won't cost you a thing for the room, all's you'd be responsible for would be your flight down, park tickets and food. Then, my sister kind of in a round about way suggested, but more like asked, about us all going in Dec. If that's the case, I will have to borrow like 60 or so points from next year because we'll definately need a two bedroom. If I didn't have to borrow any points, I'd have the attitude, well, we're going anyway but that's the situation I'm in.
Thanks for your input.

 

[NJmouse]

We never charge anyone. We are going wether or not they are so the points are being used anyway. So when they ask if they pay we say no and they so far they offer to pay for the groceries or for a few lunches or dinners. This has worked well for us and have no complaints.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

You may want to bring this up with your sister and let her know that you'll need to borrow points to accommodate her. You could mention that the common point rental is $10 each, and see if she would be willing to contribute $600 toward your DVC costs. That is still a very low price for a week of onsite accommodations at WDW.

Of course, only you can evaluate whether this might cause hard feelings or other problems.... either way, it is probably best to air your concerns early on so issues don't build up into big misunderstandings!

Good luck!

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Yes, we agreed to a price of $300's for their 4 night/5 Day stay with my sister & husband. She wanted to take her married DD and DGD. We reserved a 2 bedroom for 6 people. I also got discount park tickets for them which they paid for. I made all arrangements including plane tickets, a surprise birthday party and cake (Mickey cake $50 & goodie basket - our treat) for DGD, made sure that resort knew about birthday. In turn they sent ballons and card from Minne. I made CP tickets/dinner reservations, character meals and car rental for 5 days which they gave us money towards. We split the cost of groceries and tip for mousekeeping. My sister was determined not to take advantage of us. Everything worked out great and we had a wonderful time.

Since I did all the work and research, it was a relaxing vacation for my sister. She said it was like having a private vacation planner on duty 24/7. We agreed to do it again when they are ready. I wouldn't hesitate to share a vacation with they in the future.

I felt a little strange at first about accepting money from them. Their point was if they weren't taking her family we wouldn't have rented a 2 bedroom which is a lot of money out of our pocket. They got a special vacation with special events (planned 4 or 5) that they would never have known were available without our DVC insider info or without hours of research or spending big $$$'s with a travel agent. We got to share our Home Away from Home and make some great memories.

It made for a win-win situation for all of us.

Sandy

 

[Jenn]

We have taken my husband's family twice (8 people) and are booked for a third trip with them in August. We also are getting the rooms for my family for my sister's wedding at WDW in December. We have never asked for any $$. One of the reasons we bought in was so we could do this for our families. We have not and do not plan to make this available to friends/neighbors, etc.

Our experience with my husband's family has been that his parents treat us to a couple of nice meals while away, and pick up small expenses here and there to help us out (they buy ice cream, souvenirs the kids are eyeing, etc.). My SIL and her 5 kids could never afford to go otherwise. She always offers to watch our girls during the trip so we can grab a drink or dinner alone. and usually buys us each a gift while there (hat, sweatshirt, etc.).

Their gratitude is abundant and we are constanty reminded how much they appreciated the gift.

My sister and her fiance are thrilled that we are getting them a 1BR at Boardwalk for their wedding trip. We will be in a 2 BR with my Mom, StepDad and other sister. I can't wait to see their faces when we walk in!

 

[crisi]

We have "gifted" my in-laws with their guest trip. But I'm not adverse to charging - especially those that kind of "invite themselves along."

We have friends who have "extended themselves an invitation" and we've responded with "we will keep you in mind." Its possible that eventually we will ask them to come along, but - since they well know how expensive a Disney room is and would be going anyway, we'd expect them to cover the dues on their studio. It would still be a bargain for them.

I guess my line is that if I invite you, you are my guest. If you invite yourself, then I feel comfortable asking you to pay up. I think covering the dues on the points for your own trip is more than fair to the friend or relative. I wouldn't charge "going rate" of $10 per, but I might go as high as $6.

 

[todsue99]

When we went last December we charged two families $100/night each. One of the families was going to get a room at the AS and we said that we could get them a nicer room for the same cost. Therefore we charged the other family the same thing. We would have stayed in 1-bedroom ourselves and changed to a 2-bedroom and studio. It was a win for everyone. One of the families figured out how much the room actually cost and was trying to buy us dinner everytime we turn around, but we told them that they already paid us. It can really work it depends on the people you are taking. Both families were friends not family. Good luck and have fun! One little note, it is more fun going to disney with a group, but do what you want to do. Do not let everyone dictate the next event. We have gone 6 times now with other families and sometimes we see them and sometimes didn't.

 

[ktbugsmom]

I had to add my two cents here. I just bought in to DVC this week. I spoke with my sister about it and she would love to do a fall trip with our kids.

When I told her about potentially using my points, she asked me is she could rent some. So I guess it is a little different (since she offered), but I told her if we could get two studios (just easier for us - and less points than a 2 bedroom), that I would charge her $5/point. She was absolutely thrilled to get such a bargain. If we stay 5 nights in a studio, that is about 60 points each (weeknights at BWV) - so for $300 or $60/night - she is getting a luxury accomodations for cheaper than All Stars!

So - she gets a deal, I get my dues plus a little back for my initial investment and we are both very happy. I feel I am still sharing this great DVC thing, and she doesn't have to come up with several thousand dollars to join in herself!

Now, if I took my parents (which is a plan in the works), I would not charge them. They have taken me on more vacations than I can count, and if I can pay them back with a nice place to stay at Disney, that is wonderful.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by TwirlerGirl
Since I did all the work and research, it was a relaxing vacation for my sister. She said it was like having a private vacation planner on duty 24/7.

I felt a little strange at first about accepting money from them. Their point was if they weren't taking her family we wouldn't have rented a 2 bedroom which is a lot of money out of our pocket. They got a special vacation with special events (planned 4 or 5) that they would never have known were available without our DVC insider info or without hours of research or spending big $$$'s with a travel agent. We got to share our Home Away from Home and make some great memories.

It made for a win-win situation for all of us.Sandy

This was my situation in 3/2003. We had an additional 8 family members so we changed our 1br to a 2br + studio (an extra 103 pts). All I asked for was $50 per person. So for $200 one couple got a studio for 4 nights and the other family got the studio portion of the 2br for $250 for 4 nights. And yes they offered to pickup some meals but we said that's ok, just take of yourselves.

We didn't want to make it a burden for them or make it feel like we were charging $$$$ just to stay with us. Both parties jumped at the offer and have asked to do it again.

 

[jmminarik]

We've sent and taken family and friends on trips, never expecting monetary compensation for the trips...much like inviting someone up to your cabin in the mountains/house at the shore, its just not in our worldview that invited guests should pay.

We have, however, accepted dinners, small gifts, grocery purchases, and other tokens of appreciation from our guests, which is no different than what we would do in return. Well, my sister did give us a few hundred for the week they spent with us, but that was christmas week and we _did_ get a 2BR at Vero and we did save them money on their park tickets and the trip was originally her idea and she insisted on giving us something, but $200.00 in no way covers the cost of a week in a 2 BR anywhere during Christmas week.

On the other hand, my boss is thinking about taking his kids in a year or two and he wants to rent points from us. I don't know how to tell him we probably won't have any left...hmmm maybe I do need to do that OKW add-on....

-Joe

 

[Boardwalk III]

We go regularly with close friends, and they always pay me an amount to cover the point difference to upgrade to a 2BR.(I ususally calculate it at $5-7 per point) My sister and her family have also joined us in this type of arrangement, and on both cases it is a win-win. We get to enjoy their company and they get to stay on-site at the Boardwalk for a very small amount of money.

At some point I will probably invite my Mom and wouldn't charge her, but I think as long as it is comfiortable for everyone, it's a great way to have vacations with friends and extended family!

 

[Dean]

I think it depends on your and their situation and your relationship. It also depends on who invited who and how it was done. If you invited them and they are thinking it's "free", you might (or not) have some tense moments if you now suggest they pay you for this. I assume you using more points than you would if they didn't go. If they offer or you decide to ask, a cost of about $6 pp of the extra points would be reasonable.

We usually do a family trip EOY which we fund. It's usually either at a DVC resort or Marriott on HH. We ask that they pay their own expenses and share groceries but not reimburse us for the rooms. We can do it and many members of the family wouldn't be able to go if they had to pay a reasonable fair share. This year we have 3 two BR units at Marriott's Grande Ocean with about 16 family members total. Total rental price would be $9000 if reserved for cash (rack rates) and our indirect and direct expenses are more in the $4000 even including lost income on investment and return of principle. If we rented them out, we could get around $5500 or so. We did this same exact trip 2 years ago (different Marriott in HH) and in 1999 it was OKW with a 2 BR and 2 studios (plus free passes).

We do it because we can and to give back to the family as well as keep some quality time together. If anyone took advantage or skipped out on thier part of the direct expenses (groceries, etc); they would never be invited again. My sister is so funny. When we were in HH 2 years ago, they did the tour at Marriott's Barony. When they asked her why she wasn't going to buy, she said "why should I buy when I can mouch off my brother". The salesman had no answer for that one.

In 2005 it will be a group family cruise but it wasn't my idea and isn't mine to plan. I'll just pay for my personal family (2 cabins) plus my mom.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Dean
I...(snip)..... My sister is so funny. When we were in HH 2 years ago, they did the tour at Marriott's Barony. When they asked her why she wasn't going to buy, she said "why should I buy when I can mouch off my brother". The salesman had no answer for that one.......

ROFLOL, Dean. That's the best line for getting past a pushy timeshare salesman that I've ever heard. I'll have to keep it in mind. Maybe my current practice of totally avoiding timeshare presentations (other than DVC, of course) isn't as necessary as I thought! Thanks for sharing.

 

[todsue99]

Dean, All I want to know is: How do I join your family? LOL

 

[mikesmom]

When we went last summer we took along hubby's daughter and her husband and hubby's son, wife and 3 year old. In addition my son (19) and his buddy from school came along. That size group took a 2 bdrm plus 2 studios. We picked up all the room charges, airfares, and a couple of sit-down meals and snacks and pizza in our room a couple of nights. They covered their own park tickets and chipped in on the snacks, etc and bought one sit down meal.
We wanted to do Disney with the whole family so we pretty much footed the bills.

Now, that being said, we wiped ourselves out for points and expendable cash for at least a year (only doing a 3 nite vacation this year!), and have agreed that we cannot do that again financially very soon. So, we had a talk with the kids (who loved the trip) and all agreed that if we do it again they will pay us something toward the room charges and cover their own airfare. They felt they got much nicer accomodations but did not have to have the commitment of a membership.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by CarolMN
ROFLOL, Dean. That's the best line for getting past a pushy timeshare salesman that I've ever heard. I'll have to keep it in mind. Maybe my current practice of totally avoiding timeshare presentations (other than DVC, of course) isn't as necessary as I thought! Thanks for sharing.

The best part is I was sitting right there and had to smile and nod as she was correct. Plus they could never afford something like Barony retail.