Spin off thread: How do you handle sharing your room with extended family/friends?

[Cyberc1978]

When we go with family that be our younger and older children we always book the room at no cost to them.

We have the points and can afford it.

If they wanted to go alone we most likely do the same.

For park tickets we pay for our children regardless of age(no grandchildren yet) but we don’t pay for boyfriends etc they have to pay themselves.

 

[Shellyred8]

I've found that setting expectations ahead of time is key to making things work us. Don't like my expectations? You don't get to come with.

 

[keishashadow]

When we invite someone to share our DVC timeshare, it's almost always family. When we issue the invitation, we tell them we'll provide the lodging and one table service meal a day. They're responsible for their own park tickets, transportation, other meals, and of course souvenirs. That has worked well for us. Frequently our guests will treat us to a meal, pick up the cost of groceries for the room, or otherwise contribute financially on a voluntary basis, but we don't expect it or ask for it.

Pretty much how we roll, with the exception of being pushover for the kiddos as to extras lol

We love and consider ourselves fortunate to be able to share the magic, hoping our family will pay it forward down the road to others.

 

[Joroc0801]

My parents have always wanted to take myself and my siblings' families on a big trip to WDW. Next year is the year and we'll be taking 9 adults and 7 kids on a 3 night stay at WDW followed by a 5 day cruise on the Disney Wish. As the crazy Disney family of the group, my mom has asked us to handle much of the planning and make it as magical as possible. We are happy to do so since they are obviously being very generous in taking everyone and not asking a cent.

I plan to book four studios at CC for 3 nights.(with only 3 nights we don't need a kitchen or laundry) It will be my parents and most of the rest of my family's first time staying at a deluxe resort and experiencing the magic of boating over to MK and just being immersed in it all. I'm grappling with how I charge my parents for the cost of the rooms. If it weren't for our points we'd probably be staying at Pop or All Stars. Am I crazy to charge the price of Pop for the same nights and consider Wilderness Lodge a free upgrade for the family?

 

[Girlstar30]

If i ever booked a room for anyone else besides the family we already travel with, i would charge them $18 a point that needs to be paid before booking was made, non refundable after banking deadline.

Im not about to offer someone a huge discount and then go into holding. With that being said I would prefer to just sell my points to the brokers and get my $18.

I dont like mixing money with friends and family. I do foresee us selling our points in 2027 possibly if we decide to travel internationally or do a cruise swap, but I dont see myself selling points very often

 

[CarolynFH]

My parents have always wanted to take myself and my siblings' families on a big trip to WDW. Next year is the year and we'll be taking 9 adults and 7 kids on a 3 night stay at WDW followed by a 5 day cruise on the Disney Wish. As the crazy Disney family of the group, my mom has asked us to handle much of the planning and make it as magical as possible. We are happy to do so since they are obviously being very generous in taking everyone and not asking a cent.

I plan to book four studios at CC for 3 nights.(with only 3 nights we don't need a kitchen or laundry) It will be my parents and most of the rest of my family's first time staying at a deluxe resort and experiencing the magic of boating over to MK and just being immersed in it all. I'm grappling with how I charge my parents for the cost of the rooms. If it weren't for our points we'd probably be staying at Pop or All Stars. Am I crazy to charge the price of Pop for the same nights and consider Wilderness Lodge a free upgrade for the family?

How lovely, for them and for you and your siblings. In this case, if they insisted on paying “something” (because I’d probably do it for free) I’d probably charge the price of Pop or the cost of dues, whichever was less.

PS I’d investigate the cost of 2 studios vs. a 2 BR. Even though you don’t need laundry or kitchen, your parents could enjoy the king bed, y’all would have a central gathering place, and with 7 kids it might be nice to have snacks and drinks, even breakfast, on hand in the full size refrigerator with freezer. Not to mention that with kids there might be emergency laundry needs.

 

[mort1331]

We have travelled with my wife's sister and her son on 3 occasions. Each time we have covered the cost of the room and she covers all her other expenses. Its been wonderful. For me that is,,I stay home.....lol...

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

How lovely, for them and for you and your siblings. In this case, if they insisted on paying “something” (because I’d probably do it for free) I’d probably charge the price of Pop or the cost of dues, whichever was less.

PS I’d investigate the cost of 2 studios vs. a 2 BR. Even though you don’t need laundry or kitchen, your parents could enjoy the king bed, y’all would have a central gathering place, and with 7 kids it might be nice to have snacks and drinks, even breakfast, on hand in the full size refrigerator with freezer. Not to mention that with kids there might be emergency laundry needs.

In addition to emergency laundry needs, it’s really nice to do a big load of laundry on night 3 so you can get on the ship with clean stuff and pack 25-45% less.

 

[keishashadow]

In addition to emergency laundry needs, it’s really nice to do a big load of laundry on night 3 so you can get on the ship with clean stuff and pack 25-45% less.

Why have I never thot of this when cruising!

 

[Sandisw]

This thread and stories is a good reminder for me - as I contemplate my next points purchase, I sometimes think to myself, you know, it would be nice to have enough points to contemplate inviting some family with us in the future.

Now I'm remembering the last vacation rental I subsidized for some family. Ugh. That was bad. People just don't really view it as their vacation if they aren't paying - it's like a freebie for them, and they treat it accordingly. I'm sure there are exceptions. I suppose my one sibling who I invited to a different trip (and really could not have afforded it otherwise) was pretty grateful and was a very good guest.

That said, I'm sure we'll end up trying it again in the future. I think, for family members who can afford it, I'd be inclined to offer my points at a reduced rate so as to make sure they have some skin in the game. Otherwise, I don't even trust that they won't cancel at the last minute - what do they care? They're not out any money? At least that would be my plan until my wife talks me out of it . I foresee holding account points somewhere in the future . . .

When I invite people to stay in my room or their own, even I have to upgrade, I consider it to be what it will be,

If they cancel, then I enjoy a larger room or try to switch to a resort still open to save points..if I want.

Basically, I go in with the mindset they could bail. Now, depending on who they were and why they bailed, it might mean they don’t get asked again.

But, if I couldn’t risk having to be stuck with expiring points, then I might do it differently.

Fortunately I go enough that I could always make it work,,.and the few times I had to due to medical emergencies, I was able to work it out.

 

[AnnaS]

I have invited family and friends to stay on my points. I usually book a studio (once a 1BDR) for them. The only people I have shared a 2BDR with is with one of my own adult kids (grandchild/ren). I like my own space and privacy.

I don't want or expect anything in return. If they offer a dinner, great! But not needed and they usually do and sometimes a bit more. It's only offered to a select few.

25 years of owning and no one has ever approached me to use or book a stay for them. One or two have said they would come if I wanted company now that I am alone. I can count two or three people I would share a room with.

I have had two different family members ask me when I invited them "what else is included"? I say, room only. You pay/buy what you want, as much as you want. It's not an all inclusive vacation. This was just so they knew what they were responsible for.

 

[CarolynFH]

In addition to emergency laundry needs, it’s really nice to do a big load of laundry on night 3 so you can get on the ship with clean stuff and pack 25-45% less.

LOL, we do laundry every couple of days as well as on the last day, so that we arrive home with all clean clothes and don’t have to wash multiple loads on that first day back!

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We've brought my sister, BIL, and niece once so far and another trip with them for this Thanksgiving. My cousin has come so often she now knows most of the DVC intricacies, LOL, and her mom (my aunt) just came on a trip with us and was lovely and gracious, bought us WDW GCs for our kids and for me as a thank you. I have a girlfriend who is also DVC, and we rotate treating each other for a girl's long weekend, worked out great. She's a Disney nerd, too.

So far, it's been wonderful, but DH and I know ourselves. We like our own private bedroom with the king bed and separate bathroom space to decompress. We're not into chaos, so until we have grandchildren, we're not inviting ill-behaved kids/friends of our kids. Our daughter has a sweet little friend I'd love to bring, but I can't afford to treat for everything, and the single mom can't afford the tickets and airfare and incidentals, so we're both pining to bring her. One of these trips it'll happen!

We invite and have zero expectations of cash/payment, but I let it be known I'd be pissed if they back out and I booked a bigger category room than I normally would need. Like, unless someone died or broke a major bone or had surgery, don't be wishy-washy on me. As Yoda said, "Do, or do not. There is no try."

Having said that, no one has bailed yet, and family has been very generous with gift cards and groceries and treating to one nice sit-down meal, which they totally don't have to do, but I'm glad they're nice enough to be appreciative that way.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think some people, and by this I mean owners or people who use their points for others, view it as a business transaction rather than inviting friends and family. At that point you're essentially the landlord which is a different set up entirely.

By this I don't mean talking over what expenses you're covering, like park tickets and meals and whatnot. Those sorts of things have to be ironed out in advance. But it's not exactly warm and welcoming to hold it over their head you're using their points for them.

Some people aren't good travelers together. It doesn't matter how the expenses are split sometimes people just aren't a good fit together.

Your points are your points but lording over them isn't exactly as benevolent as one thinks. If the goal is to not be taken advantage of most of that is cleared up with good communication and expectations, especially one of which what happens if they back out of the trip; the saying don't give money expecting it back applies here.

 

[Girlstar30]

When I invite people to stay in my room or their own, even I have to upgrade, I consider it to be what it will be,

If they cancel, then I enjoy a larger room or try to switch to a resort still open to save points..if I want.

Basically, I go in with the mindset they could bail. Now, depending on who they were and why they bailed, it might mean they don’t get asked again.

But, if I couldn’t risk having to be stuck with expiring points, then I might do it differently.

Fortunately I go enough that I could always make it work,,.and the few times I had to due to medical emergencies, I was able to work it out.

Im thinking if this ever happens to me it wont be hard to replace them with other people that want to go now that I think of it

 

[Girlstar30]

I have invited family and friends to stay on my points. I usually book a studio (once a 1BDR) for them. The only people I have shared a 2BDR with is with one of my own adult kids (grandchild/ren). I like my own space and privacy.

I don't want or expect anything in return. If they offer a dinner, great! But not needed and they usually do and sometimes a bit more. It's only offered to a select few.

25 years of owning and no one has ever approached me to use or book a stay for them. One or two have said they would come if I wanted company now that I am alone. I can count two or three people I would share a room with.

I have had two different family members ask me when I invited them "what else is included"? I say, room only. You pay/buy what you want, as much as you want. It's not an all inclusive vacation. This was just so they knew what they were responsible for.

Wow, what else is included, i would never ask that unless I was offered something else, these are the things that im talking about, people are too much.