Guest Obligations

[crisi]

Dean brought this up in the "DVC causes Family Problems" thread, and I think its worth exploring in more depth. This may have been discussed here before, but this is the sort of thing that can get rehashed once in a while.

When you invite guests to use your DVC membership, what sort of obligations do you put them under? How clear are you when making the invite about their obligations? Do you expect them to pick up their own costs (airfare, meals, etc - I'd expect this is the norm)? Do you want them to reimburse you a little for the room - or at least take you out to dinner? Do you spend your days with them, or do you go your seperate ways? Do you expect eternal gratitude - or will a hostess gift suffice?

I'm sure the circumstances vary on the guests, but I thought people would like to talk about what they do and why, and what has and hasn't worked.

 

[Basser]

I make it clear that we will supply the villa and they are responsible for thier own expences. We never have any problems with who pays for what. We may also let people know that they do not have to go to the parks when we go or if they wish to go off by themselves they are free to do so. We do split the cost of groceries.

 

[RoutemanDan]

The accommodations are free when we invite a guest and all other expenses incurred are their responsibility.The only exception is,In May we are taking my Mother for a two week stay ,it was our Christmas gift to her,so it's not costing her a dime.

 

[isnkr]

Generally, we pick up the room and they take care of the rest and the guest buys us dinner once. On the last trip we had each guest pay $200 for the stay. There were 7 of us in a 2 br., mostly singles...it worked out well.

 

[CarolA]

The accomodations are free and they are on their own for everything else. I don't really expect anything although some of my friends have been very generous. My best friend bought all my meals and tried to buy my ticket (I had an AP, but I would not have let her buy it anyway!) The only reason she got away with the meals was the fact that she had it put on one ticket for her family of 6 and myself.

 

[MdmMim]

I say, "I'm going to be in WDW--come on down, if you want--the room's on me!" That way, they know the room's taken care of, but everything else is their responsibility. They buy dinner occasionally, which I appreciate.
After my "bud" visited me last Feb, she sent me a thank you note, which I thought was very nice--it doesn't happen often enough anymore--I truly appreciated this more than anything. (She had also paid for my dinner 2 nights.)
On the other hand, I invited a different friend down--we stayed 5 nts in a 1-bedrm. She bought dinner a few times, but the one thing that really aggravated me was that she never once even said "thank you!" How much effort does THAT take?!? She won't be invited back!
I don't expect my guests to pay for dinner, but so far, they've been nice enough to offer. To me, a sincere "thank you" is all I really need.

 

[Disney Doll]

It depends on the people. We go usually in January with a group of 5 of us(2 couples and 1 single) who will share a 2 BR, with DH and I in the MBR, the other couple in the attached studio, and the single sleeping on the couch. We charge the couple in the attached studio the cost of a moderate per night. The single on the couch we don't charge anything. Our feeling is that the couple in the studio is getting a better-than-moderate-level room at the moderate price, and they have access to the amenities of the "main" room(ie-washer/dryer, full kitchen), which they wouldn't have so much at their convenience if they were staying in a real moderate. This couple loves the arrangement, and has no complaints whatsoever! Our feeling about the single is that whether she was there or not, the couch would still be there, so we don't charge for its use. But, if DH and I were going alone, we would be renting a 1BR and not a 2BR, hence the other couple in the attached studio is really causing us to spend more points, thus the charge for them. Plus they have the luxury/privacy of their own room, whereas the "couch person" does not!

That's how we have always figured it, and it's worked for us. Other DVCers have many other ways of doing it. None are bad I don't think, just different.

 

[Lesley]

MdmMim, could you not assume that paying for dinner was your friend's way of thanking you? I think its easy to tell with or without the words when someone has appreciated our generosity.

So far we've just made it clear that the room is on us....they have to work out all other expenses. With my parents we've asked them to babysit for dh and I to have a dinner and maybe a morning or afternoon to ourselves, but that's not a "condition" or anything they don't do at home occasionally. I've tried my best to work out what everyone's feelings are on "together vs. apart" and make it clear that everyone is free to do what they like. We do our thing and if anyone wants to join us that's fine...if not, that's fine too. No one controls anyone else's vacation.

 

[MdmMim]

MdmMim, could you not assume that paying for dinner was your friend's way of thanking you? I think its easy to tell with or without the words when someone has appreciated our generosity.

Lesley, I understand what you're saying, but she told me well before our trip began that she would pay for dinner a few times. She showed no appreciation at all for anything. She was even rude to Mousekeeping on T&T day. It was her first visit to WDW--I'm not even sure if she enjoyed herself--she really had no comments about anything! Live and learn.

 

[slc224]

We have never expected or asked our friends we have invited down to pay for anything but their expenses. But most of our friends are like my DW and I and always offer to pay something for their stay. We always refuse a cash payment, but do accept a nice dinner when they offer (which they always do). We feel fortunate to be able to share our DISNEY excitement with close friends and family (unfortunately for them they almost always get 'hooked'). It is always a treat for us to take someone to WDW for their first time and share in their excitement.

 

[crisi]

Kinda like pushing drugs - only more legal?

I didn't mean to imply there was a right and wrong way - just ways that work for some people, and ways that don't work.

The other thread mentioned "moochers" - and I agree with MdmMim that someone should appear grateful (maybe not undying gratitude, but at least either pretend like you are enjoying yourself, or at least say "thanks for the opportunity - I've discovered this isn't my thing, but I'm glad I got to spend some time with you". I've also heard stories about guest canceling their plans at the last minute - leaving you knocking around in your two bedroom with far more points spent than needed.