Do you take a child's friend?

[CF'er]

If so, at about what age do you do so? Also, who pays? If we ask should we expect to pay 100% and if they offer to help go from there? We are thinking about inviting a friend for DS and DD to come with us next year but aren't sure of the proper protocol.

We are staying in the FW Cabins so space isn't an issue and we could cook some if needed. Also, we drive so airfare isn't an issue either.

Thanks.

Kalen

 

[DVC Sadie]

Usually the person who invites another person pays but in this case it depends on different factors. If you provide the food and room then the childrens parents could pay transportation (if flying) and ticket costs.

Just be sure that both you and the other childs parents are all on the same page in regards to who pays for what so there are no disappointments later.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Whatever you decide, be sure to work everything out with the child's parents BEFORE telling the friend he is going to Disney World!

Aside from that, I think it all depends on what can afford and are willing to pay for to bring the friend.

The accomodations are covered, the lodging is covered, so maybe approach the parents and explain the situation and see what they say about paying for their child's park admission and giving him a little spending money "We would be happy to cover the room, meals and transporations, would you be willing to pay for his park ticket?" -- or something like that.

Alot of people may say, if you invite the friend, then you should pay for everything, but I think if it comes down to not bringing the friend because you can't quite afford to foot the whole bill, working out something with the friend's parents is something to consider rather than not bringing him at all.

 

[diswith2]

I would come up with a budget per person. Plan on paying for hotel costs for everyone and most of the food. I also wouldn't expect anyone to chip in for gas if you are driving. Then come up with what you do want them to pay. For example: "I wanted to invite your DD to DW with us next year and we are willing to pay all room costs. We plan on doing our own cooking some of time but would like to make resevations to eat with Cinderella and we're doing DW for 3 days. This comes to x amount of money. Think it over and let us know if DD can come." I think that way all the cards on the table and everyone knows whats expected of them. I would also set aside a small amount of money for everyone to get souviner (spelling?) on you ,during your stay.

 

[diswith2]

Whatever you decide, be sure to work everything out with the child's parents BEFORE telling the friend he is going to Disney World!

Aside from that, I think it all depends on what can afford and are willing to pay for to bring the friend.

The accomodations are covered, the lodging is covered, so maybe approach the parents and explain the situation and see what they say about paying for their child's park admission and giving him a little spending money "We would be happy to cover the room, meals and transporations, would you be willing to pay for his park ticket?" -- or something like that.

Alot of people may say, if you invite the friend, then you should pay for everything, but I think if it comes down to not bringing the friend because you can't quite afford to foot the whole bill, working out something with the friend's parents is something to consider rather than not bringing him at all.

We posted at the same time! GMTA

 

[Stephres]

We took my son's friend for a weekend trip on his birthday when he turned five. Be sure and ask the parent before asking the child, as my son's first choice was not able to go. We paid for his ticket and meals and bought him a souveneir, but his mother offered to give us money which we declined. It was a lot of fun for both boys!

 

[Sherri]

DD took a friend with her to Spain. The family purchased the airline ticket. We told them about what we thought the food and activities would run and they purchased a prepaid visa card for her. It worked out great. The nice thing about the prepaid visa is if they run out of money and want to reload it, it can be done at anytime. So the parents have the option of adding more money to their account need be.
We wound up paying for most of the food for the trip and let her enjoy her money on her Visa card for fun things like clothes and presents for people at home. She got DH and I something as a thank you. I thought that was so sweet. No complaints about the way it worked out.

 

[ChristusG]

I always had tons of fun when my parents allowed me to bring friends to Disney when I was a child. They started allowing me to bring friends when I was about 9. It was a blast!!! Especailly when I got to be a teen and we were allowed to ride the buses around ourselves.....we thought we were too cool LOL! We usually camped, so meals were dinners were usually eaten at the camper. And we drove, so airfare was not an issue. My parents would always ask the friend's parents to pay for tickets/souvineers.....and it was never a problem. They always readily agreed. And my parents would purchase miscellaneous things like ice cream, bottled waters, stuff like that.

 

[islandbeachnut]

We travelled to WDW every year when I was growing up & my parents allowed me to bring a friend for the four annual trips I was in high school. It was great for them because we were old enough to go into the parks alone & would meet up with them for meals, if we wanted to.

My parents paid for everything - lodging at the Poly, food, tickets. My friends always brought spending money for their own souvenirs, though. But if they hadn't, my parents would never have let them go home empty-handed!

Someday, I hope to be able to do the same for my kids.

 

[carone0318]

This is the first year that we are allowing dd (9) to bring a friend. It turns out that we have some extra space in our room this year. We are DVC members and are getting a 2 bdrm, so she was allowed to ask a friend to come. We are paying for everything, the friend is bringing spending money. And for the friend's b-day party that was yesterday, we gave her Disney dollars from both of our kids for to bring also.

I am hoping for a great trip in August!

 

[Toni L]

I am taking my only child DS 10 yrs old and his best friend on our June trip. I got the Magic Your Way Package. Being an only child myself I know how much fun and memorable it is to take a friend with you for special trips. My only requirement to the family was to cover airfare (190 rt) and spending money. They have volunteered to send some money for meals. I will accept what they offer but I am not determining how much is needed. If it requires putting in extra money I will take care of it.

I believe the most important thing to know before inviting friends is what YOUR budget can handle. Then you know what you need for the friends family to cover in expenses. And how much you are willing to cover.

 

[dixipixi]

It totally depends on your financial situation and that of the friend's family. This year we are bringing DSs (17) friend along with us. This child's family has recently been through some hard times and would not be able to pay very much toward the trip, so we presented it to him as a gift.

He will be bringing his own spending money. We drive so there's no extra expense there, and we have to have a room anyway...so nothing extra there. The only thing we've had to buy specifically for him would be tickets. We'll pay for his meals and there is no way I would buy a water/ ice cream for my kids and not for him.

He is totally responsible for his own spending money. That will just be for souvies, arcades, snacks and meals when he and DS are away from us.

I would not even think of bringing a friend with us until they're at least 13 or so...but I'm one of those crazy people that finds it easier to handle teens.

 

[disneychrista]

I have never brought a friend with us. But as for who pays, I say that is up to you but if you expect to the other parent to pay tell them upfront when you first ask them. You should have an idea of what the costs are and detail them the parents, so they see what they are paying for.

I would not expect the other parents to pay for lodging. I could see them paying for passes, food, transportation (if flying, none if driving), and suvies & misc.

 

[bookmama]

when we go next year we are bringing two of my sister's friends. they are more like family since they stay with us all the time. I told them and their parents the approximate cost for their child to go. I also told them that by september they would have a break down of costs. my sister is 16 and her friends 15

 

[all4fun]

I think you've gotten some great advice so far. I just thought I would post the link to an article by Bob Sehlinger (the UOG to WDW author) about this very subject: click here