DD taking a friend..What do I need to know?

[#1Disfann]

Hi all. I'm not sure where to best post this and posted it on the tip board also. Hopefully I've put in in one of the correct places! I've had our trip booked since April for me DH and DD14. When we were ready to book she asked 2 friends to go. Actually, I asked the parents first. The first friend decided not to because of interference with her basketball program and the second friend's parents thought that was too far for too long and I can respect all of that but....me being the HUGE Disney nut, I was thinking what is wrong with these people... I felt like I couldn't give this trip away! So we just let that idea drop...until 2 days ago. I asked DD if she would like me to try one more person and of course she said YES! She is an only child so I knew how happy she would be to have someone come with us! First I checked if the air was still available (is was and CHEAP...117.10 round trip non stop) Then I called Disney to make sure I could add her to the package and I could with no problems so then I called the parents and discussed it with them and said if the could cover the air, that I would pay the rest (same as I offered with the other 2). Well....they are Disney people too so they said yes right away! So we are all excited! So...to my question (finally ), I just wondered for those of you that have taken a child's friend...what do I need to know that I may have forgotten? The money and medical issues have been handled. Anything else that would be good to know? Thanks a bunch!

 

[indigoxtreme]

Be sure to include the friend when asking what they would like to do and discuss. Since they are 14 this will make her feel she is a part of the trip. They will have a blast, but be prepared for crankiness sometimes as they get tired. I know my daughter and her BF would come with us and they would have little spats once or twice, but it was generally because they were tired and/or hungry. We always enjoyed bringing other children as it gave me and my DH time to talk as we all walked the parks etc.

 

[wewantmore]

How cool.

We asked two of my daughters friends as well and BOTH said NO. Well one said no and the others parents said no.

Maybe get some addresses from the parents of people she could send postcards to. (family, friends etc)

And I know you said Medical, not sure if you have in place a Power of Attorney incase something aweful happens and you have to make a medical discision.

Have a great trip.

Michelle

 

[#1Disfann]

I already know which park we'll be at on which days and the ADR's are all made (and updated to include her). I do plan on splitting up at the park so they can do their own thing for a bit. I'm actually having mixed feelings...She is my baby and how could she even think that a friend would be more fun than me , and at the same time I am looking forward to just taking time to "smell the roses" with DH without rushing to the next ride! We do love the rides too though but I can definately see the evening hours in the park being more laid back! I think the girls will do fine but realistically there may be a few small tiffs and getting on each others nerves....I mean..Hello, they are 14 year old girls! We only have 10 days, 9 hours and 10 minutes to go! Can't wait!!

 

[rainy~daze]

I would say maybe just get a letter from her parents that she has permission to travel with you and if a medical emergency should arise you have authority to authorize medical treatment for her...in the event she needs something asap and you can't reach the parents right that moment. We did that when we took my stepdaughter to be on the safe side.

 

[Tiffer]

That is so great of you. We did that when I was 16, I brought a friend and it made my trip.
In addtion to what others posted about the potential for arguments, I would make sure she has no allergies to food, etc. I would also make sure she has her carry on packed correctly, with the new rules, and I would also see if she has a cell phone. Although they are teens, if they get seperated, make sure she knows what to do, where to go and if she has a phone with all of your numbers stored in it.

 

[jaycat]

Yes get a paper signed by both parents saying that they allow her to travel with you, although it may not be checked, there could be big trouble in the case of an emergencies. Oh yeah have fun.

 

[firkat]

Hello. We did the same thing and invited a good friend of DD15 to go with and I spoke with the parents, etc. Everything was great. I even bought her matching Disney shirt to match with us. Well, after I paid for our package, including her Park Hopper, and bought her Cirque and MNSSHP tickets (which are nonrefundable), her parents decided not to let her go. Basically, because she had not done her chores this summer or something. So, it left me out of pocket. I am going to be able to get a refund for the Park Hopper though.

My advice is to make sure she is REALLY sure that she is going before spending the money!

 

[barkley]

on the medical end-also have her parents call their insurance company and find out if they want something faxed ahead of time to THEM-hiipa laws are such that it can cause major issues getting insurance info. for the hospital if you are not the carrier of the policy. you might also need something separate for perscriptions-i know my pharmacy won't relase meds to my minor child or anyone not their parent. she's likely going to need her birth certificate to travel-so make sure she's got one (or a current passport)-and when they i.d. her at the airport and see you are not the parents they will likely ask for a NOTARIZED letter from both parents listed on the b.c.. (every time we've flown inside and outside the u.s. over the past several years the airlines have checked our id's against the names on the kid's bc's).

i think it's a good idea to have a contingency plan in place in case the friend decides to bail and wants to go home (14 year old girls have a habit of being 'bff's' one minute and not tolearating each other the next-and a child can be a terrific friend to spend some time with, but you see a whole different side of a child when you are with them 24/7 for an extended period). are the parents going to expect you to fly back with her-who will handle the travel arrangements? will they expect a refund for unused days? i think it's good to have this stuff set up in advance. i also think it's a good idea to have a sit down with both girls and the other parents to discuss exactly how you operate on a vacation and what your expectations will be. i had friends at 14 whose parents cut them loose at wdw and they only met up for the dinner meal and at their curfew-others who went around the park with their parents and never were unsupervised-it might be advisable to make sure everyones on the same page, agreeable and comfortable with the way YOU want your vacation to happen (i don't think the friend's habits should dictate how you operate on a family vacation-she/they may be comfortable/expecting that you will leave her alone at the resort if she does'nt want to do a planned activity, you on the other hand will be the one there and if thats not the way you do things its better to get it said upfront and avoid a miserable time).

on the money issue-unless you are planning on paying for everything i think it's important that you are aware of how much money the friend will be bringing and have a sit down as far as some budget planning goes. nothing is worse than taking a child's friend having them blow their entire budget in the first couple of days and then feeling like you have to either foot the bill or go without planned activities/snack/souvineers for fear of 'making them feel bad'.