Grandpa coming along... who pays?

[indigo]

Hola,

We're soon to be the proud parents of a little boy, and we're already planning our 2004 holiday trip to WDW. Grandpa has offered to come along and watch our DS a couple of nights and generally help us out. We haven't discussed finances yet, but were wondering should we offer to pay? the whole trip? part of the trip?

Looking for any advice.

-indigo

 

[SnowAngel]

I think it really depends on his finances. My Mom will be going with us in Feb and I offered to pay the entire bill for her.

 

[babyblues68]

Have you accepted? If not you could say....I'd love to but we only have so much in our budget. He'd know what you are saying. That would get the ball rolling. I would personally pay for atleast some part. You can't put a price on having a family member on vacation with you to help out with your children. A parents night out is priceless especially at Dinsey.

 

[Abra Cat]

I agree with babyblues68 on how to bring up the subject of finances with your dad, but I would think if he's the one who suggested it, he's willing to pay his own way. In my family's circumstance, we invited my mother-in-law along on our December trip to help out with the kids, so we're paying her way. If she'd made the offer and was paying her way, I probably would insist on taking her for a nice meal, or paying some of her costs as a thank you for her help.

 

[CamColt]

My mother came alone with us one year.
We paid for the hotel room and she just had to pay the extra adult charge(which they waived for us at ASMO anyway, but not the 1 night at Poly). We drove and she forced us to take some money for gas. She also bought her own park passes. All in all she couldnt believe how cheap she ended up spending a week in WDW for.
I should add, she didnt come along specifically to babysit, she came because she wanted to go. Of course she was a great help with the kids, but she wasnt our take along babysitter either.

 

[crisi]

When we went with a 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old, my parents joined us for several days. They were going to be in Florida anyway. They paid, but they are fairly well off and can afford it. And we didn't have DVC. They travel with other people often and are used to paying for their own cruise, golf vacation, etc.

This year we are taking my mother in law and her sister. We are picking up EVERYTHING. Room (DVC), airfare, park tickets and most meals. She wouldn't be able to go if we didn't pick up the tab, and this will probably be her only Disney trip (if she does want to go again, we will probably spring for just the room next time). Its two years worth of Christmas and birthdays for her.

(We just took my mother to San Francisco for her birthday, so its not like my parents haven't gotten a share of the trips).

 

[4greatboys]

My mil wanted to go with us. I didnt mind if she went but no way could we afford to pay for another person. We hashed out all the financial arrangements before we went. Since I got a package deal and already paid for everything mil gave me a check before we went on the trip. She was very happy with the our arrangements and all the arrangements I had made. She loved the YC and the RPR. She did even pick up the tab on a couple of meals we had there.

 

[mat2672]

I think it all depends on what you feel the trip will be like. If you know he is going to do major babysitting , then I think you should pay for the trip if you have the money. I know its a little different because you didnt actually ask him to go, he offered, but it is a huge benefit to you if he babysits alot. But, if finances are a little tight, then I would do what the other posters have said. I would throw a little hint out there that you appreciate the offer, but cant afford it. Im guessing he would likely tell you that he assumed that he would pay his own way anyway and maybe he just forgot to mention it. Of course, with my mother-in-law, I would just pay for her NOT TO COME!!!

 

[babyblues68]

Originally posted by mat2672
I think it all depends on what you feel the trip will be like. If you know he is going to do major babysitting , then I think you should pay for the trip if you have the money. I know its a little different because you didnt actually ask him to go, he offered, but it is a huge benefit to you if he babysits alot. But, if finances are a little tight, then I would do what the other posters have said. I would throw a little hint out there that you appreciate the offer, but cant afford it. Im guessing he would likely tell you that he assumed that he would pay his own way anyway and maybe he just forgot to mention it. Of course, with my mother-in-law, I would just pay for her NOT TO COME!!!

pay for MIL NOT TO COME...LOL sound like you have my MIL.

 

[frannn]

Some people just don't realize how much it cost to go to DW. I would love to take MIL, and she would love to go, but the cost would be in the 1,000s. You're taking hotel, tickets, meals, airfare, etc. If you are staying onsite, it will be steep. If you can afford it, go for it. If not, maybe you can work something out. If Grandpa has no interest in DW itself, he shouldn't have to pay to go only to babysit.

 

[tinaluis]

I agree with most of the previous posters. If he's going to be babysitting a lot, and you can afford to, then I would offer to pay for him. If it's one night out, or maybe just keeping an eye on the baby while the two of you ride together, that may be a little different. Bottom line is that you're very lucky to have someone to go with you to help out! DH and I are waiting for the day when our DDs are old enough to ride together so DH and I can ride together again!

 

[disneychrista]

I think it will depend upon your personal situation & finances.

If you will be having Grandpa babysit for you during the trip I would consider paying for at least some of his expenses. If you are going to be sharing a room, I would pay for that. If he is going to have his own room, I would expect him to pay for it. I would also pay for his park pass (or maybe 1/2 of it) if he is going to be taking your son to parks while you and your husband do other things. I would ask that he pay for his meals and any suvienners.

My mom recently went along with me and my 2 DD's to WDW. She paid all her personal expenses (air plane, food, AP etc). She was "tagging along" (I didn't invite her) so I also asked that she pay for 1/2 of the room. I put together a budget for her so she knew exactly what she would have to pay, so there were no surprises.

 

[peg2001]

I say it depends on who can best afford to pay his expenses. If you or he could easily pay while it would be a struggle for the other one, that is your answer.

We plan our next trip for Dec 2004 and I told my sister that we would be going at that time if she wanted to go too. She accepted. The last time she went, she stayed at a budget hotel off site. I want to stay onsite so I'm offering to pay the difference in price to stay onsite. She will buy her own park entry ticket.

Peggy

 

[undertheradar]

To have the added benefit of someone you know and trust to help watch your child and give you some time out without your child is priceless. I would plan to pay for ALL of his expenses and then enjoy the surprise should he offer to assist with the costs. I have it different in that I have family in Kissimmee and we meet them for a couple of days in the parks. They get to spend time with my 3 kids and we get a few hours to enjoy the Disney parks. When we go to Sea World, they meet us there and use the annual passes that we buy them. While I would love to split costs on many things, I could not ask for them to pay if they don't offer.Why not plan to pay, you may not get to share that experience with Grandpa again!