Senior Trip--need budget help and ideas

[mjkacmom]

Okay, now it sounds like your ds will pretty much be taking a vacation with his friends, and this is not a family vacation for him. Therefore, you secured the room for them. I don't think you can require them all to purchase the dining plan - your job is done. Let them do their own planning.

 

[duffy]

I would not make anyone I invite on a trip pay me either.

If they all want to go, I would let them make all arrangements. Let them book the hotel they want, buy their own airfare, etc. I'd only concern myself with my child's expenses.

Or, I would invite ONE friend to come on our family trip, and pay for all their expenses.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I never once said that I wanted them to pay for my vacation. Really--$400 I wish that would cover my vacation. I am asking for $100 per boy for the room. That is 5 nights in a nice resort.

They are the ones who brought Disney up. So if I did not have DVC and had to pay "cash" for a room would it be ok to charge the boys?

If you didn't have DVC, then it would be more reasonable to have them reimburse you for the cost of the room you presumably would put on your credit card. But the fact is, you DO have DVC so there is no reason for them to pay you a room fee. Charging them that fee gives the impression that you want to cover some of your own personal expenses.

 

[duffy]

If you didn't have DVC, then it would be more reasonable to have them reimburse you for the cost of the room you presumably would put on your credit card. But the fact is, you DO have DVC so there is no reason for them to pay you a room fee. Charging them that fee gives the impression that you want to cover some of your own personal expenses.

Exactly.

We own two timeshares, and are planning a trip for next summer. We plan to go with another family, and I wouldn't dream of charging them! I will pay the maintenance fees and the exchange fees, and book a 2-bedroom unit. I will not "charge" them anything.

It's tacky to invite someone to come with you and then make them pay, unless you're making it very clear that you are all pitching in for your own share. And if it's that kind of trip, you let them choose how they will spend their money-not make them get a dining plan!

 

[Candace]

I did a similar trip for my son when he graduated high school. I am also DVC, so I provided the room at no charge for him and 4 friends. I did not purchase the dining plan, as I knew the boys would sleep late each day. I kept breakfast foods and snacks in the villa. I met them for dinner each night, and I paid. Sometimes I cooked in the villa rather than going out. The other times they were on their own for meals, and I gave parents an average figure what the meals might cost. They paid for their own airfare and park tickets. Was I out quite a bit? Yes, but it was a one time thing for my son. It was a great trip. (There was not a senior trip affiliated with the school)

 

[okeydokey]

I did a similar trip for my son when he graduated high school. I am also DVC, so I provided the room at no charge for him and 4 friends. I did not purchase the dining plan, as I knew the boys would sleep late each day. I kept breakfast foods and snacks in the villa. I met them for dinner each night, and I paid. Sometimes I cooked in the villa rather than going out. The other times they were on their own for meals, and I gave parents an average figure what the meals might cost. They paid for their own airfare and park tickets. Was I out quite a bit? Yes, but it was a one time thing for my son. It was a great trip. (There was not a senior trip affiliated with the school)

This sounds like a fair way to handle this.

 

[Chelley00]

I'm another one who says charge nothing for the room, but make them responsible for airfare, tickets and food. DS went to Florida with his friend for Spring Break. The other parents paid for the room. We paid for DS food, souvenirs, tickets etc. I'm not sure what I would have thought had they asked us to pay for some of the room they would have been occupying anyhow.

His friends parents did splurge and pay for all the boys to go jet skiing one day. DS in turn bought them breakfast as a thank you the day before they left.

 

[pigget74]

Exactly.

We own two timeshares, and are planning a trip for next summer. We plan to go with another family, and I wouldn't dream of charging them! I will pay the maintenance fees and the exchange fees, and book a 2-bedroom unit. I will not "charge" them anything.

It's tacky to invite someone to come with you and then make them pay, unless you're making it very clear that you are all pitching in for your own share. And if it's that kind of trip, you let them choose how they will spend their money-not make them get a dining plan!

I did a similar trip for my son when he graduated high school. I am also DVC, so I provided the room at no charge for him and 4 friends. I did not purchase the dining plan, as I knew the boys would sleep late each day. I kept breakfast foods and snacks in the villa. I met them for dinner each night, and I paid. Sometimes I cooked in the villa rather than going out. The other times they were on their own for meals, and I gave parents an average figure what the meals might cost. They paid for their own airfare and park tickets. Was I out quite a bit? Yes, but it was a one time thing for my son. It was a great trip. (There was not a senior trip affiliated with the school)

This is why I originally posted here...I was not trying to start a debate. We have taken many friends with us over the years and have not charged. If I wanted to make money then I would have rented the points out to some stranger. I was asking here because I wanted a parents opinion on wether you would like your child to have the dining plan or just a set amount per day as a guide. I would never let a kid go hungry, but I also do not want to foot a large food bill because A) they did not bring enough money or B) they spent all money on fun stuff. I could care less one way or the other about the dining plan...I was just thinking the counter or regular plan would help them with having food covered. The other parents are leaving the disney planning to me. They just wanted an idea before the kids made a decision on which kind of trip the want to take. If a kid goes on vacation with us we foot the bill, but this is a different kind of trip. I am in no way trying to get these kids to cover my trip. Like I said, they were originally going to stay in a value UNTIL my son mentioned I might be able to get them a room. I know that everyone does not have all the facts--I am not some prude trying to rip off some highschool kids.
My other question in the first post was about a dessert party...has anyone done this? This is something one of the moms and myself would cover...not the kids. IS the dessert party worth the time and money?

 

[DisneyEater]

The way I understand it is this.

Son and Friends: Let's go to Disney and stay in a value resort.

OP: Well if you prefer, I will rent you some of my DVC points for cheaper than what you would be paying for a value so it will save you some cash and get you a better place.

No where in that did OP invite someone on their vacation. She is renting her points for cheap to them so they can have a better time. $100 for 5 nights is more than fair IMO and I think the only reason people are saying differently is because you are going to be down there at the same time.

 

[duffy]

Here is what I have so far...and yes this is for May '13.

I gave my son an option--all expense paid trip to disney or he could go on a cruise (not the class cruise) and he would have to pay part of his way.

If he goes to Disney--I would provide room and he could take 3-4 guys with him. I would charge the boys a small room fee. At this point--do I require them to purchase the dining plan to ensure that they have meals while there and I am not going to have to cover them in case they run out of money? We are DVC so room is not an issue and we can add dining plan. Then I thought about adding a dessert illuminations or fantasmic. There could possibly be a girls group going as well, but my best friend will take care of their rooms. I am in charge of planning for 10 seniors, my family, and friends family. What would you do?

I am trying to come up with a quote to give everyone...thanks.

My bolding.

I wouldn't require anyone to pay anything.

As for a dessert party, I don't think teen boys would care for that too much.

 

[pigget74]

The way I understand it is this.

Son and Friends: Let's go to Disney and stay in a value resort.

OP: Well if you prefer, I will rent you some of my DVC points for cheaper than what you would be paying for a value so it will save you some cash and get you a better place.

No where in that did OP invite someone on their vacation. She is renting her points for cheap to them so they can have a better time. $100 for 5 nights is more than fair IMO and I think the only reason people are saying differently is because you are going to be down there at the same time.

YES!!! Basically that is how it happened. Because of their age an adult has to be there--technically. That is why we are going and one of the girls family is going.

My bolding.

I wouldn't require anyone to pay anything.

As for a dessert party, I don't think teen boys would care for that too much.

Thank you...I guess I should have said should I ask them to buy dining plan...it is an all or nothing thing.

I was thinking the same thing about the dessert party...the mother of one of the girls asked about doing it. I think there will be like 4/5 boys and the same number of girls. Everyone looks at me to plan. Total with both families and the kids it would be 18-20 people. THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY EVENT THAT WE WOULD BE DOING TOGETHER

 

[duffy]

YES!!! Basically that is how it happened. Because of their age an adult has to be there--technically. That is why we are going and one of the girls family is going.



Thank you...I guess I should have said should I ask them to buy dining plan...it is an all or nothing thing.

I was thinking the same thing about the dessert party...the mother of one of the girls asked about doing it. I think there will be like 4/5 boys and the same number of girls. Everyone looks at me to plan. Total with both families and the kids it would be 18-20 people. THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY EVENT THAT WE WOULD BE DOING TOGETHER

I would let them decide on the dining plan. Just let them know that it is, as you say, all or nothing. I think if they get any plan, it should be the quick-service one.

I am "in charge" of an up-coming extended family trip, with 3 couples and children of various ages. I'm not planning for any events. Too much stress!

 

[tlh0726]

Room-
$100 from each boy to cover the cost of the room is not an unreasonable request at all.
However, if these were boys that were constantly at my house throughout my son's life, I would have a hard time charging them for the room, it would be my graduation gift to all of them.

Dining -
Quick Service Dining plan for each of them and I would supply quick breakfast things for the room.


Dessert party- nope

 

[luvsJack]

I am still confused on WHY you are charging them $100 per person. Is it costing you anything to use your points? Are you using that money to pay for your room somewhere else and letting them use your points?

 

[imsayin]

YES!!! Basically that is how it happened. Because of their age an adult has to be there--technically. That is why we are going and one of the girls family is going.

Won't they be 18 at the time of the trip? If so, no adult is necessary (unless DVC has different rules than the resorts).

 

[averysmom]

I think they should get the dining plan... I've read many times of ppl saying that kids on trips weren't sent with enough money and went hungry (or spent their money on other stuff and not on food).

ITA with PP though, that I probably wouldn't charge them for point rental... if you had a lake house / cabin and your son and his friends went for 5 days, you wouldn't charge them rent... IMO, this is kinda the same thing.

 

[sk!mom]

I don't think there is anything wrong with you renting them your DVC points at whatever the going rate is However, I wouldn't. I would also see it as loaning my vacation home to friends, especially since your son is one of the group. I would gift them the room. You can see the reaction of many on this board and the boy's parents could end up feeling the same way.

Dining - If you're being asked for advice, I would recommend the QS dining plan. In my experience, teenage boys might not be good budgeters and someone short of cash could ruin the trip.

Dessert party- nope.

 

[duffy]

I think that DVC points can't be compared to a lake house. With DVC, if you use your points, you're done. You won't get more until the next year, and thus won't be able to use them yourself. It's not as if you are saying, "we're not using our place that weekend, you can stay there, just lock up when you leave and we'll be there the week after.".

It's more like: "we are going to book a place, and let you stay there. We will give up our right to stay there so that you can instead.". And that's what I would do: give up my rights to it as a gift to my child. I STILL wouldn't charge anyone for the room.

As for any dining plan, aren't these 17- and 18-year olds? With parents? Why are you worrying about their having enough money for food? That's something they-as almost adults!-should be responsible for. I'd send links to menus with prices and let them plan accordingly.

 

[duffy]

Double post.

 

[stitchlovestink]

If you didn't have DVC, then it would be more reasonable to have them reimburse you for the cost of the room you presumably would put on your credit card. But the fact is, you DO have DVC so there is no reason for them to pay you a room fee. Charging them that fee gives the impression that you want to cover some of your own personal expenses.

DVC is NOT FREE!! I don't own DVC but I do know that even after it is paid for there are yearly maintenance fees and they aren't cheap. So I do not think it is unreasonable at all for her to recoup a small portion of what she is paying in maintenance fees. They will be getting a much nicer place at for a much better deal. If they don't like it, they don't have to go, or they can choose to stay elsewhere. She is going to lose use of those points so in essence, she's supposed to just GIVE them away for free??? She could RENT them to someone if she can't use them herself...

The way I understand it is this.

Son and Friends: Let's go to Disney and stay in a value resort.

OP: Well if you prefer, I will rent you some of my DVC points for cheaper than what you would be paying for a value so it will save you some cash and get you a better place.

No where in that did OP invite someone on their vacation. She is renting her points for cheap to them so they can have a better time. $100 for 5 nights is more than fair IMO and I think the only reason people are saying differently is because you are going to be down there at the same time.

Agreed!!!

I don't think anyone should be expected to just fork over their points for FREE!! DVC is not cheap and is certainly not free!!! I'm glad there are so many others on the board that have the means to do that.


I'm also amazed at the number of people who are all gung ho for sending a group of 'kids' states away without thinking twice about supervision or being concerned about them running out of money for food. Honestly, I don't think it is the best idea sending minors (if there are ones going that are under 18) without an adult there. What if there is a serious emergency? I'm not saying the chaperone needs to be on top of them all the time but I wouldn't feel comfortable with that? I know 'they' have to 'grow up' sometime but we will go back to the same debate that in the eyes of the law they are still kids until they are 18. So in my case I wouldn't feel comfortable having a minor travel that far away from me... 1,000ish miles or 2+ hrs by air in the event of an emergency. My DD is EXTREMELY responsible but according to the law, she is still a child. So I would want an adult there for safety's sake.