Confusing bring a friend situation

[Mickey'snewestfan]

This isn't really a WDW question -- it's actually a US/IOA question, but I figure I'll get more answers here.

For about a year my 10 year old has been talking about the fact that his BF might go to US/IOA when HP opens, and that he (my son) might be invited too. He's quite insistent that BF is going, but only hopeful that he might be invited too.

I'd be more than happy for him to go with them, and would be willing to pay his part, but if they end up not going, or if they go without DS, then I'd like to take him myself. I was thinking it would make a fun summer trip. If we do go, however, I'd like to invite my friend's BF. I get motion sick really easily and it would be nice for DS to have someone to ride the roller coasters with him.

My question is, that I need to plan this now, while their family is no one for advance planning. Getting time off work is really challenging for me, and I need to plan summer camps so I'd really like to firm up my plans. Given that, how do I approach them. Do I call the mom and say "Hey, are you planning on inviting DS to see Harry Potter?" or do I just call and say "I was thinking of taking DS to Florida to see HP for his birthday this year, and would like to invite BF" and then let them bring up their trip if they are planning on one.

For the record, if they go without DS that's fine, and I don't see why I can't invite BF anyway -- it's not like 2 trips will be a problem for him. If I book my trip and then DS gets invited on theirs we can go twice too -- it's not a problem for me. I just worry that it will be awkward for them. I'd also totally be open to both families going at the same time and meeting up there.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

just call and say "I was thinking of taking DS to Florida to see HP for his birthday this year, and would like to invite BF" and


I like that way of doing it.

 

[krcit]

just call and say "I was thinking of taking DS to Florida to see HP for his birthday this year, and would like to invite BF" and


I like that way of doing it.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Maybe both familes could go at the same time if you are comfortable with that. I would just say that you are thinking of taking your family and knew how much more fun it would be if the boys where together. See where that leads. I however could not deal with someone not going ahead and making plans as that would drive me nuts. Maybe with a bit of pressing you can set a time together!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I like the wording the pp stated however I'd ONLY say it that way if I intended to pay for every single penny of the bf's trip. If you intend for them to help out with their child's expenses that's a different thing altogether. For that you'd need to say that you were considering a trip with ds, you were thinking it might be fun for his bf to go along, you'd love to be able to treat him but your budget just won't allow for that. If he'd like to go you would need for them to contribute X toward Y if they'd like for him to join you. They still might say that they were considering asking you the same thing. But I wouldn't say you're inviting him to join you without clearly stating the $ part unless you really are prepared to pay for him entirely. You could end up with a really sticky situation otherwise!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Actually this family and I fight over money all the time, in the "No, I invited him, I'm paying", "no, no, I insist on paying for my own kid" way. Frankly I'd be happy to pay, because I know it would make my child happier than anything, and given that it's US tickets and not WDW, and we're driving, adding one more person wouldn't be prohibitive.

However, I emailed his mom and said "I'm just thinking about this, not sure, but if we do go, how would you feel about me bringing X?" She wrote back and said that she'd been wanting to take X, and how about we go together.

I think this could be great -- keep your fingers crossed that it works out.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Sounds wonderful...a great solution for everyone! Fingers crossed for you!

 

[DecaturDad]

We are taking our 10 year old son to US in April. We are staying in a suite so we have room for a friend. Our son realizes that if he brings a friend he will need tocompromise on what he does. Be sure your son and his BF are ready to spend that much time together.