Here is a what would you do question. FINAL UPDATE page 2

[edk35]

So what would you do? So my youngest son is graduating in May from high school. He has wanted to take his best friend to Disney for a few years. So a few months ago we talked about this summer. At that time we had planned to drive and although we hadn't gotten a FIRM yes from his family they seemed to be on board with the price of the 7 day park pass. So I finally made room reservations (son said he was going regardless if friend ended up NOT going) but I want to fly now because my husband can't go with us on this trip. I have NO desire to drive 900 miles without him to help drive. YES my son can drive but there is NO WAY I would feel comfortable napping while he was driving part of the way from MD to FL. We have driven this a few times over the years and the trip back IS HORRIBLE. We drive it straight thru coming home. SO now....his friend says an added 234 for a round trip ticket is probably not in the cards. His mom says they will talk about it but she said that it is a lot of money. So.....what would you do? Would you pay for his airfare? Would you suck it up and drive to accommodate him? We always pay for the guest's food and accommodations while there. Our older son has taken a friend and we did the same for them but we flew. His parents paid for airfare and park ticket. TIA!!

 

[Disneylover99]

So what would you do? So my youngest son is graduating in May from high school. He has wanted to take his best friend to Disney for a few years. So a few months ago we talked about this summer. At that time we had planned to drive and although we hadn't gotten a FIRM yes from his family they seemed to be on board with the price of the 7 day park pass. So I finally made room reservations (son said he was going regardless if friend ended up NOT going) but I want to fly now because my husband can't go with us on this trip. I have NO desire to drive 900 miles without him to help drive. YES my son can drive but there is NO WAY I would feel comfortable napping while he was driving part of the way from MD to FL. We have driven this a few times over the years and the trip back IS HORRIBLE. We drive it straight thru coming home. SO now....his friend says an added 234 for a round trip ticket is probably not in the cards. His mom says they will talk about it but she said that it is a lot of money. So.....what would you do? Would you pay for his airfare? Would you suck it up and drive to accommodate him? We always pay for the guest's food and accommodations while there. Our older son has taken a friend and we did the same for them but we flew. His parents paid for airfare and park ticket. TIA!!

Don't feel bad. I think the fact that you are paying for his food and accommodations is generous. Plus you never did get a firm commitment from his family to begin with. I wouldn't change your plans at all or pay for his airfare.

 

[Katie Dawn]

I would pay for the extra airfare. The price was set a few months ago and now 2 months before the price has changed. Honor your initial offer that they only need to pay for tickets. Sounds like this has been a "dream" for your son for quite awhile. Can he help pay part of the cost? If not just pay for the airfare -considering the total cost of a Disney vacation $234 is not that much.

 

[indimom]

I would consider whether an additional $240 was worth not having to drive. If so, I'd just pay it and enjoy the trip.
On the flip side, I let my daughter drive to Florida with her cousin the summer before her senior year, so letting my near-adult child assist with driving would also be fine with me.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I would pay for the airfare for your son's friend. It is you that is causing the extra charge, not him. Another possibility would be to split the drive over 2 days, if you really aren't comfortable napping while your son drives.

 

[sam_gordon]

So what would you do? So my youngest son is graduating in May from high school. He has wanted to take his best friend to Disney for a few years. So a few months ago we talked about this summer. At that time we had planned to drive and although we hadn't gotten a FIRM yes from his family they seemed to be on board with the price of the 7 day park pass. So I finally made room reservations (son said he was going regardless if friend ended up NOT going) but I want to fly now because my husband can't go with us on this trip. I have NO desire to drive 900 miles without him to help drive. YES my son can drive but there is NO WAY I would feel comfortable napping while he was driving part of the way from MD to FL. We have driven this a few times over the years and the trip back IS HORRIBLE. We drive it straight thru coming home. SO now....his friend says an added 234 for a round trip ticket is probably not in the cards. His mom says they will talk about it but she said that it is a lot of money. So.....what would you do? Would you pay for his airfare? Would you suck it up and drive to accommodate him? We always pay for the guest's food and accommodations while there. Our older son has taken a friend and we did the same for them but we flew. His parents paid for airfare and park ticket. TIA!!

I would offer to pay the extra $234. Then again, I would be paying for his park ticket also. I'd only expect him to have money for souvenirs.

I'm guessing either the friend or his family wasn't totally on board with the trip to begin with and they're using the added expense as an excuse.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I would fly and have the boys drive themselves.

 

[edk35]

I would offer to pay the extra $234. Then again, I would be paying for his park ticket also. I'd only expect him to have money for souvenirs.

I'm guessing either the friend or his family wasn't totally on board with the trip to begin with and they're using the added expense as an excuse.

Well back then it was "Well we will see" "We will talk about it as a family" When we were talking about 7 or 8 day park tickets with or without water parks she said she would want him to have 8 days and water parks. (We have an AP) SO nothing was written in stone and we weren't sure when we were going because of work schedules, son's over night college orientation and a couple other commitments with friend's summer schedule.

 

[msjprincess]

I would pay for the ticket.

 

[AnnaS]

I would also pay for the ticket.

 

[edk35]

I would fly and have the boys drive themselves.

LOL that will never happen. Too far! 900 miles.

 

[Dumbo7]

I would pay for the airline ticket if it's in your means. You're sons friend is already doing 7 days for a park ticket. It really doesn't seem to to be that much of a difference you would probably pay that much in gas. You'd be tired when you arrived. Save the time. Pay the money.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd definitely pay for his flight. The friend going is a gift for your son. The cost of your accommodations aren't higher because the friend is coming.

 

[mjkacmom]

LOL that will never happen. Too far! 900 miles.

My friend's son has driven the 1000 mile trip (each way) to and from college three times already this year alone, he's a college freshman.

 

[mom2rtk]

You're the one who changed what was initially offered. I think it's kind of unfair to come back now and change the price of what was originally proposed.

 

[edk35]

My friend's son has driven the 1000 mile trip (each way) to and from college three times already this year alone, he's a college freshman.

That's amazing but I'm not there yet and nor is he. My older son was/is like that. Totally different kid.

 

[edk35]

You're the one who changed what was initially offered. I think it's kind of unfair to come back now and change the price of what was originally proposed.

I get that, but we were in the discussions about it. They had not agreed one way or the other. I will probably offer to fly him if it means him not going.

 

[VillainFavs]

You made an initial offer that they just pay for the park tickets. Now you want to change that offer. That's on you. Either you pay for his airfare or you all split the driving.

Really not fair to now put an extra expense on his family because of choices you're making.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would pay for the airfare for your son's friend. It is you that is causing the extra charge, not him. Another possibility would be to split the drive over 2 days, if you really aren't comfortable napping while your son drives.

I agree. We would pay the entire bill, and just have the boy pay for spending, and I would never change my means of transportation and expect the others to foot an additional bill.

I get that, but we were in the discussions about it. They had not agreed one way or the other. I will probably offer to fly him if it means him not going.

I would stop placing pressure on this family. Even if you never say a word, by not telling them you will pay the airfare you are doing just that.

 

[ChandlerPea]

I would pay for the ticket.