money quandry

[ohanaMAMA]

I need some feedback.

My husband and I have invited our niece along on our planned 9/2010 wdw trip. (she is 15 and has NEVER been to Disney at all! GASP!)

Adding her to our party will mean the difference between our staying in a value resort like Allstars and needing an upgrade to POR so our room can sleep 5 (my dd is 9 and tiny.. so a trundle will work just fine for her). My sister will be paying for my niece's trip. Do I charge her the difference between what our original cost and the new cost is? Or do we kick in some since it upgrades all of us to a moderate resort?

 

[budbeerlady]

I think since you invited her along that you pay for the difference in the resort accommodations.... Plus its a nice upgrade for all of you.

 

[DisHokie]

I was going to say the same.. since you invited her, I would pay the difference..

 

[ohanaMAMA]

well... we didnt exactly come up with it on our own. She begged to come along.. and since she has never been we agreed..Her mom agreed on the condition that they pay her way... since we are hoping for a free dining pin between now and then we will be booking a package deal.. now I just need to know how I should break it down to what is "her share" of the deal.

We are taking care of the transportation costs to and from if that helps.

 

[msmayor]

"Her share" of the deal is 1/5th of the room cost plus her ticket to the park, money for meals and souvenirs.

She should not be 'charged' the difference between a value room and a moderate room...you all benefit from the upgrade in a slightly bigger room and more resort amenities.


Me personally? If I invited her there is no way I'd include the room cost. I'd consider just her park tickets and food. That really is the incremental cost, even though you've had to upgrade resorts. You chose to invite her...therefore you made the choice to know you'd have to upgrade resorts.

 

[clutter]

So, it sounds like you were planning to ask mom to pay for food (if not free) and tickets. Since those are really the only increases to your trip. (You say you're paying for transportation, so I'm guessing that means you're driving.) If you didn't take niece, you'd still incur the same transportation costs, the same hotel cost (if you were staying at All Stars). So, what you're asking is: since you have to upgrade to a Mod, do you have your sis pay the difference?

I guess it's up to you and your sister (brother? in-law?). I might ask if they'd mind splitting it with you, but I wouldn't ask them to pay the whole thing. I'm hoping to take my dd's friend, and will willingly pay her way. (Unless they decide to go to Discovery Cove. I'll happily ask her mom to pay for that! ) I'm sure her parents will want to contribute something, so we'll figure it all out when we get there.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

believe me. we TRIED to get my sister to let us pay for everything. But she wont have it. If she finds out we get a package deal I know she will insist on paying 1/5th of the total cost. even though dd9 will have a lower cost as a junior.

I didnt think about the upgraded resort ammenties for everones benefit. I only thought about the extra bedspace..
so Im thinking I will tell her only the ticket cost and then if we dont get a pin for free dining, the average cost of food. that way she only gives me the cost of the ticket and my niece can deal with her own food choices (unless we plan a special meal in which case we will pay)

it seems like people have definate feelings about inviting people along on trips.. has this been discussed a lot?

 

[bookgirl]

it seems like people have definate feelings about inviting people along on trips.. has this been discussed a lot?

ad nauseum

There is the we pay everything side and the they pay thier own way side.

Me I'm in the middle.

Taking an extra kid to the movies or dinner I pay. Taking an extra kid on vacation, I say that thier parents should be offsetting the cost of the trip if not paying for thier childs entire portion. But then again I'm not sure I'd take an extra kid on vacation to begin with, I have however had an extra kid or two tacked on to my nephews or godchildren on an outing.

 

[Sandi]

it seems like people have definate feelings about inviting people along on trips.. has this been discussed a lot?

Yes, it has. Hope you have a good time with your niece and the rest of your family.

 

[SandrA9810]

here and there it's been brought up about the additional costs of having some one along.

Hopefully you can get your free dining, and that'll help offset the cost a lot. If your sis really wants to help out with accomidations, I'd go with the 1/5 rule. It's not like she's getting her own private room.
It doesn't seem like the upgrade is affecting you majorly financially, it's just your sis being overly nice (probably because she thinks you're going out of your way to bring your neice). Truthfully think of it as a major break, your kids are probably going to think she's the coolest cousin in the world and will want to spend all their time with her over you. So it'd be like free babysitting.

I've noticed it when I'm with other families, the kids think I'm the coolest around. I don't mind cause they usually behave very well and the parents breathe a sigh of relief because they can take a small break from parenting.